Supporting Your Child’s Growth on Every Level

At Glens Falls Karate Academy, we teach martial arts. But more importantly — we teach kids. And kids aren’t just smaller versions of adults. They’re growing, changing, and developing in ways that require a different kind of instruction.

That’s where our SKILLZ program shines — it’s built around a 4D model of development we call P.I.E.S.:
Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social development.

This is the foundation of every SKILLZ class we teach — because your child is more than just a body learning to kick and punch.

🥋 Physical Development: Building Strong Bodies Through Movement

Kids aren’t just learning martial arts — they’re building balance, coordination, agility, strength, and control. Each age group has different physical milestones, and our curriculum is designed to support them all.

Whether your child is learning how to hop on one foot or working on jump kicks with precision, they’re training their brain and body together through age-appropriate challenges.

🧠 Intellectual Development: Engaging the Brain While They Move

Every SKILLZ drill is built with a cognitive goal in mind — things like memory, focus, sequencing, and problem-solving. These skills support academic performance and executive function development.

We don’t just ask, “Can they do it?” We ask, “Are they thinking while they do it?” That’s what makes training smarter — not just harder.

💬 Emotional Development: Helping Kids Manage Frustration and Confidence

Sometimes kids struggle to regulate their emotions — especially when they’re tired, disappointed, or unsure. In our SKILLZ programs, we provide structure and support, helping kids learn how to work through frustration, celebrate effort, and bounce back after failure.

This emotional resilience becomes part of who they are — not just in the dojo, but at home, at school, and in life.

👥 Social Development: Creating a Safe Space to Practice Respect and Leadership

Group classes offer real-time practice for communication, teamwork, and leadership. Whether your child is shy and needs encouragement to speak up, or high-energy and needs guidance in listening and taking turns — we meet them where they are and lead the way to progress.

Every interaction is a teaching moment — and we build in those moments on purpose.

Why 4D Teaching Works

When we teach with P.I.E.S. in mind, we’re not just checking boxes on a lesson plan. We’re reaching the whole child — and giving them the tools they need to thrive long after class is over.

Physical strength without emotional control leads to dangerous outbursts.
Intellectual ability without social skills leads to self isolation.
Confidence without humility leads to entitlement and arrogance.
But when it all develops together… that’s when we see a true martial artist take shape.

This is what we mean by teaching in 4D.

Ready to see it in action?
Your child’s trial class will give you a firsthand look at how our age-specific, whole-child model works — and why it’s so effective.

We can’t wait to show you.

About Renshi Chris Murphy

Renshi Chris Murphy is a senior ranking black belt in Okinawan Karate, a certified Pediatric Ninja Specialist, and the owner of Glens Falls Karate Academy. As an executive officer of the Goshin-Ryu Karate Association, he works to preserve and promote the values of traditional martial arts, while also leading innovative child development programs through the SKILLZ curriculum. Whether teaching traditional karate to adults in the dojo or empowering children and families through neuroscience-backed training, Renshi Chris’s mission remains the same: don't just teach martial arts—create martial artists.