The award-winning instructors at La Jolla Karate, who have been instructing students in North County for 25 years, are now enrolling students at their recently relocated La Jolla location at 7838 Herschel Ave. for martial arts and character-development classes for all ages. Senior instructor Mark Truscott has more than 30 years of experience in martial arts, and along with associate Josh Trent provides energetic classes for children and adults of all ages. An industry-leading Powerful Words Character Development program is incorporated as the backbone of the school’s curriculum for students to learn how to become community leaders and confident individuals. Child and adolescent development specialist Robyn Silverman created the comprehensive character development program specially for La Jolla Karate with easy-to-follow lessons that provide each student with fundamental tools that will allow them to succeed both mentally and physically in the context of an organized karate class. “Ultimately, our aim is to help our students embrace the person that they are, respect those around them and share their appreciation at home, in school, at La Jolla Karate and within their community while having a terrific time learning at our facility,” said Truscott. Each month, students have the opportunity to get positively recognized for their completion of an age-appropriate Powerful Project and instructors will emphasize a Powerful Word of the Month, a concept that can be reiterated at home. This month, La Jolla Karate will emphasize the word “acceptance,” teaching students everything from its definition to its application in day-to-day life with lessons and projects. Silverman also provides parents of students in the program with an opportunity to write her with questions or concerns in a Dear Dr. Robyn column in the Parents Perch newsletter, which describes the Powerful Word of the Month and how it will be taught in the studio. Ian Sheres, program director and co-owner of La Jolla Karate, said the short and long term benefits of the program. “Every new student must complete four karate challenges before they can wear their first belt. This reinforces what parents and teachers want immediately. Just like anything worthwhile in life, every belt at La Jolla Karate is earned,” he said. “Long-term benefits such as increased focus and discipline build strong community members inside and out.” La Jolla Karate also offers classes for adults to get in a challenging workout and attain their optimal fitness levels in a way that is beneficial in more ways than one. “Our M.A.X program, designed for adults, provides a fun way to get in great shape by combining martial arts and self-defense techniques with strength-building full-body exercises,” Sheres said. La Jolla Karate is already helping out the community through a Life Lessons/Character Counts program at Bird Rock Elementary School to teach children basic self-defense and karate techniques, reinforce character-building development, and raise money for the local elementary school. The price of the four-session program is $69 and all of the proceeds from the program go directly back to the school through the Bird Rock Elementary Foundation. For more information about La Jolla Karate or to sign up for classes, visit www.lajollakarate.com or call (858) 255-8384.