Karate for kids in West Palm Beach

Kids practice their natural stance, as demonstrated by
instructor Rochelle Gilken.

Tucked inside the Children's Library on the third floor of the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, the kids' screaming "AWESOME!" reveal their location.

They are in the back room that serves many purposes. It's classroom during the day for teaching kids about art or how to cook. It's also home to the various storytimes the library holds. In the summer, it is transformed into Kidspace, an interactive place where kids come together and explore.

But on Wednesdays, from 6:15-7:15 p.m., the Action Karate program takes over. It's led by black-belt instructor, Rochelle Gilken.




Rochelle and I met when we both worked at The Palm Beach Post. Her daughter Rosey, 4, participates in the program.

Her older brother, Solomon Brenner, started the Action Karate program in the Philadelphia area where Rochelle earned her black belt. She thinks karate is a perfect sport for kids with its emphasis on character and physical fitness.

Her class is geared to ages 4-7, limited to 15 kids. The library offers the 15-week program free to kids, hoping to turn them into life-long readers. It also purchased the equipment, such as yoga mats, blocks and punching bags used in the karate class.

Because of her students young age, Rochelle knows she has to entertain them. And I think she likes that they can yell, "AWESOME!", while in a library.

Here are some photos from the class:

Rosey Gilken (foreground) practices walking like a camel with a pad on her
back to simulate a camel's hump and learn about balance.

A punching bag that proved irresistible to the kids as they
walked by it. 

The kids practice balance by doing a tree pose.

Yoga mats rolled up simulate a balance beam that the
kids have to travel on.

Tommy (left) shows how to do a one-foot balance.

Instructor Rochelle demonstrates how to make
a fist when doing a 1-2 punch.

It was great to see the moms and dads come up to Rochelle after class, many thanking her and some asking for her advice on how to keep their kids physically active. Go, Rochelle!

Fresh Fest

If you are looking for me on Saturday, Feb. 1, I'll be walking around the Fresh Fest, a new health and fitness festival in downtown West Palm Beach. 

Inside the Meyer Amphitheatre, the festival will feature raw food demonstrations, fitness classes, health talks and vendors. The free festival goes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. I'm looking forward to trying some yoga and listening to Brian Clement from the Hippocrates Health Institute speak about his recipe for success. 

And now, for my numbers

I had my best walking day last week on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, when I walked:

Steps: 10,027
Miles: 5.0