Schooled in the martial arts

LITTLE FIGHTERS- Students at Dawn Barnes Karate Kids show their spirit. Barnes, in back, uses positive affirmations to motivate her pupils. Her newest martial arts school is in Westlake Village. Dawn Barnes isn't your typical sensei. A former ballerina and stunt woman, Barnes' approach to life- and to her business, Dawn Barnes Karate Kids- is a testimony to the power of positive thinking, and teaching.

Barnes has thrown "ryu," a karate term for school or tradition, to the mat and created a unique approach to teaching young people the art of self defense.

Children traditionally learn karate through a strict set of rules, with an emphasis on fear and discipline. Barnes, who owns karate schools in Calabasas and Westlake Village, prefers a different approach.

Historically, martial arts were developed for the military, she says, and the teaching methods included much reprimand. For instance, "You did that wrong, give me 10 pushups."

"Unfortunately, just as bad parenting skills get passed down to children, so can teaching methods to students.

"I totally disagree with this kind of teaching," says Barnes, who operates seven Southern California karate schools. She has her own black belt in Shotokan karate.

Instead of scaring children into learning "kihon," or basic techniques, Barnes applies what every teacher knows- that a little loving kindness goes a long way in helping children learn their skills.

The "love-based" teaching approach in karate was long overdue, according to Barnes.

When students make a mistake during their routines, they are corrected, but instead of shouting and using fear to drill lessons into young minds and bodies, the instructors at Dawn Barnes Karate Kids use commands that carry a more positive message.

She developed a teaching program that focuses on the different attention span of each age group, and coined the term "positive dialogue response" to describe her methodology.

Star power Barnes opened her first Karate Kids location in 1995 and over the past 13 years developed a brand name that became the top choice for some high-profile families.

The newest Dawn Barnes studio opened in April in Westlake Village. Other studios can be found in Santa Monica, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's three children and a host of other famous offspring, including those of Meg Ryan and Michele Pfeiffer became regulars at the Barnes studios.

To teach at Dawn Barnes Karate Kids, instructors must complete a minimum of 40 hours of training with Barnes and her staff. The same teaching method is used at all schools, and students are welcome to use any studio at any time, she says.

"Each school stays intimate because it serves the neighborhood," she says. "What makes us unique is our environment."

An environment that is as inviting to the parents as it is to the students.

"I made sure my schools are very comfortable," Barnes says.

The luxurious décor of a Barnes studio- the water elements, natural tones and soft music- is a far cry from the "smelly old gym" of yesterday, she says. "Most people walk in and they don't know it's a karate school."

State-of-the-art equipment, including Olympic quality mats for judo competitions, and colorful walls, furnishings and accessories are the norm at Karate Kids.

She says she doesn't want people to "feel reprimanded" by restrictions before they step through the front door.

Next steps

The brand's success has led to the launch of a book series, "The Black Belt Club," which has sold over 200,000 copies, Barnes says. Book four in a series of 12 is currently in the editing stages.

She also has her eye on an animated television show.

"The whole purpose of writing books, the core of everything I do, goes back to my mission statement- to inspire self-esteem in every child," Barnes says.

The theme is weaved around the value of teamwork, physical fitness, good sportsmanship and other basic tenets every child should embrace.

Classes are run 50 minutes and baseline prices range between $135 and $255 per month. Instruction is available for children as young as threeandahalf years old, and class sizes are maintained at 10 children. A free trial class is available.

For more information, visit www.karatekids.net. Call the Calabasas studio at (818) 5912424 or Westlake Village at (805) 418-1888.