Local Couple Starts Karate Class

Some of you may recognize the name of Mary Phillips. She has been a local pet groomer in the area for the last two to three years, what you may not have known is that she also practices and teaches Karate with her husband Jon.

Sensei Jon Phillips is a black belt in Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo Karate. Chinese Kara Ho Kempo Karate is the purest form of American Kempo which is originated from Professor Chow. Jon has been a formal teacher of the art for the past ten years. Mary began working with him five years ago. Jon currently teaches a class twice a week in Billings at the Big Sky Dojo. Due to local interest, they have decided to begin a class twice weekly in Roundup also. The classes are on Monday and Wednesday from 5-6 pm at the Valley Credit Union conference room. They are also hoping to start Saturday clinics if the opportunity presents. The first week is always free to see if you like it.

One benefit of joining this class is that this Karate form is worldwide. He explains to me that anyone who joins, even in Roundup, has the option to practice at any of the dojo's the organization is part of. Jon says there are two dojos' in Billings, one in Laurel, several other states and countries. So, if you are traveling and want to get your practice in, you are able to use any of the associated dojos. All the ranks earned are certified, official and recognized worldwide. Someone who joins in Roundup may want to also attend the classes in Billings on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 630-730 pm at the Big Sky Dojo, there is no extra charge to join class both in Roundup and in Billings for 1 to 4 nights a week. This may help an interested student fit it into their particular schedule.

There are twelve belt progressions beginning with white all the way to black. Jon explains that the class likes to have other people from other styles come and share, to learn new things and incorporate those skills into their art. They also do compete against other styles. The class is family oriented; he explains that you do not have to be fit to learn karate. He says that "ANYONE can do karate with us". Additionally, the class is a great cross trainer for other sports, learning balance, movement correction, center of gravity, and mind over matter, some of the key principles that help in cross training.

You can join Jon and Mary's class for a fifty-dollar annual membership for the worldwide organization, plus forty-dollar monthly dues for the class. Each additional family member is 30 dollars. Again, the first week is always free to see if you like it. To enquire for more information, call Jon Phillips at 406-320-0290, or visit their Facebook: Big Sky Dojo, or website: https://bigskydojo.weebly.com/