Mike Storms' Karate

I started Karate at Mike Storms with my sons Doc and Levi more because they wanted to learn karate than for myself. By the end of the first class I realized just how out of shape I was. Since then I am getting in better shape and there have been numerous unforeseen benefits mainly with my sons and their attitudes. To get Levi to do his homework before took an act of congress now he gets his homework done for the whole week in half an hour and is suddenly doing much better at his studies he has more confidence and isn’t afraid to get the answer wrong as long as he is trying his best Levi does things the first time he is asked now (for the most part). I am also finding that he has a little trouble with his balance but I am confident with diligence and perseverance he will improve. This may also explain why he is always dropping things off his plate and spilling his drink. His concentration has vastly improved as well as his recall, all in all a marked improvement. Levi is also sticking up for himself more against his older siblings especially Doc (they are boys and do tussle quite frequently). Sadoc (Doc) has always been very smart and many things are easy for him to learn more often than not he speeds through things and does a sloppy job (correctly but sloppy) but with the repetitious drills in class and the emphasis on technique rather than how fast or rapidly a student can hit a target or stance his technique is improving and I have noticed the same type of improvement in his handwriting from sloppy and illegible, to neater and with proper spacing. Continued work on his concentration can only to improve his life and all he gets out of it. As for myself as I said I am getting in better shape with better flexibility and stamina and I am also re-asserting myself in my work and studies(you never stop learning in firefighting). I look forward to more challenges and the inevitable successes that will come with the continued study of Karate at Mike Storms. Sincerely, Brian Cowart, Sadoc Cowart, and Levi Cowart more

The experiences that are provided in the review about an Expensive Exercise Class and Do Your Homework are the polar opposite of what my family and I have encountered in Mike Storms Karate program. The program teaches self defense skills to students--both children and adults. The goal is to learn how to defend oneself through the use of common sense before having to actually use karate on a person. Master Storms is available and interjects his teaching into the classes. However, the program is also about developing leadership skills and controlling one's attitude. The best way to do that in any educational setting is to provide opportunities for the students to become leaders and instructors. Therefore, Master Storms has provided opportunities for students who have attained the rank of black belt to teach the classes using the skills taught by Master Storms. It does not matter what profession one is in--if the boss is always doing the leading, the students (and employees in other professions) will not learn how to be a leader. The growth in my son in terms or maturity and becoming a leader has been phenomenal due to the structure of the program. My experience with the contract has been simple. I was told that it was a three year contract at so much per month. It has never changed. Additional opportunities in the leadership college, kids pizza night, summer camp, and parenting classes all carry an additional fee. However, I prefer it that way rather than having costs built into the fee structure that my family may not use. This is a quality program that provides positive growth opportunities for children especially. I regret that not all people are satisfied, but that is life. For me, the lives of my family have been immensely enriched by the Mike Storms Karate program. more

Mike Storms is a great speaker, but you won't find him teaching classes.He walks on the dojo with his shoes, and only interacts briefly to make short appearances boosting his ego! The classes are overcrowded, and expensive, there is no one on one, and the back of the line rarely can see what the sensei is demonstrating for them to do. Lots of unfocused kids. Oh they give inspirational messages, and are polite and tell everyone good job. You can get belts here just for showing up sometime, as long as they getting that contract money. Red Flag: If a school can't tell you how much its going to cost, don't go, that smooth talking will reel you in! No self defense skills are taught that can be utilized, Its been a big disappointment, and costly lesson. Good Luck, don't let anyone push you into contracts, cause they will and do it all the time,Caution! more

They say when searching for a karate school, to search for one that is around the NORMAL amount you would pay on an average per month, which is around $100. You can call 5 other karate schools in the Covignton/Mandeville area and ALL are around that price. So why does MIke Storms charge nearly $200 a month per child? And if you want to become ""Black belt leadership""(which they continuously push on you) it's even MORE!? \r Mike Storms IS a very good salesman, and that's what he does for a living, sells parents karate $200+ a kid! You MUST sign a contract with them, which is something that most karate places do NOT make you do..EVER! They say it's to keep the child in the program, so they do better themselves, but it's a gimmick, just so he can get your money, and keep getting it, without a doubt! With Mike Storms karate, your paying for the name and nothing else, my children could have gotten much more out of ANY other karate school, but it's my own fault for choosing the scam artist. :,-(\r You won't see very much of MIke Storms in the dojo, he doesn't even teach the students. VERY RARELY will he step on the mat. When he does come around, it's with his FAKE SMILE, and will ACT interested in how everyone's doing. He CAN be funny and sometimes VERY RARELY seems down to earth. I don't want to seem ugly about the place. Sensei Eric and Sensei Warren ARE about the only thing worth going for. They are so very polite and caring, upbeat and a world of fun for the kids! They know though, they know what a shyster Mike Storms is! I apologize for the amount feedback it is I have, However I was dealing with a karate school that seemed to be quite a money scam. The kids would be running around goofing off, the students were being taught by students as well, never by the master himself, we would rarely see him in the dojo at all. There were always promotional gimmicks to get even more money out of you and basically we just wanted a real true school for our children where they will learn actual karate, self defense, focus, and everything that karate is about! \r I warn you, look around and do your homework before choosing. I have found now a wonderful school, much more worth it to us and the kids! more

My wife and I had been talking about getting our son into something that would be good for his self confidence and help teach him discipline. Our son was very shy and would avoid contact with new people, especially adults. After visiting Mike Storms' Dojo, and others, we made the decision to sign up the whole family. It was the single most important decision we have made for our family, and it was the best decision we have made for, not just our son, but entire family! We are in our 7th month. Our son has blossomed into a fine confident young man. He looks people in the eye when he addresses them. He works hard even when he is bored, or things are hard,because he wants to achieve success. He has learned leadership skills. He has become a model child. He listens to our direction and knows it is important to listen to mom and dad. We have received compliments from school on how he is a Model student. He is helpful, listens to instruction, and is achieving academically at the highest level. At Mike Storms' Dojo, children are not only taught Martial Arts, but the life skills that every child needs to be healthy and safe. They are taught when to recognize the difference ""Good Touch"" and ""Bad Touch"" so they can identify a child predator, and what to do about it. They are taught healthy eating habits, and how to properly interact with people, and most importantly how to be responsible. My son is turning out to be incredibly well adjusted. The family atmosphere and caring and professional instruction staff make for a place that we look forward to going to every week. It has been a great tool to enhance our family unit. We have grown closer as a family, and have enjoyed doing Karate together. We have committed to the Blackbelt Leadership Program. It is the best investment we have ever made for our family! I would encourage anyone, that is looking to learn self discipline, self defense and to gain confidence and life balance, to check out Mike Storms. It has changed my families lives for the better! more

As a widow and single parent, I researched and found Mike Storms Karate program brought health and strenghth to my entire family. My type ""A"" daughter was challenged and rewarded with every belt graduation. My 6 yr. old son, received consistent positive feedback and trained with excellence. I participated each class. I was greeted with a smile and encouraged with great parenting tips. My family continues to be blessed and grow stronger. I would highly recommend this program. more

Mike Storms Karate is an amazing program. Our daughter attended for several years and it transformed her life. Her physical fitness improved dramatically, she gained self-confidence, she started to eat a healthier diet, and learned great stuff like respect for authority - parents and teachers, the importance of manners, and how to do her best in every area of her life. I enjoyed sitting in the gallery and listening to the teachers as they reinforced the principles of the school or the message of the week. I wholeheartedly recommend Mike Storms Karate to anyone who wants to see their children grow and become winners in life. more

We started Mike Storms program a year and a half ago with our then 7yr old daughter. We watched as Master Storms, and his incredible team of high school black belts, motivated and lead our daughter through lessons not only on karate, but on safety, honesty, courage, friendship and healthy balanced living. We did not commit beyond the 6 month contract until we as a family were fully resolved to sign an extended contract, and then all four members of our family joined. This program is not for the faint of heart or get fixed quick kid family. It is a consistent, fully developed, body, mind and heart program that inspires your child...and yourself, to be life long learners. If you have a very young child but you like the program, wait a year, come back to it when your child is ready to be excited about karate, they and you will benefit from your patience. more

Mike Storms Karate focuses on a balance of karate knowledge and skills, physical fitness, and life lessons on integrity, self control and perseverance. I have watched my son grow in self confidence and maturity during his involvement in this program. I even joined the program to be able to spend more time with my son and found the program to deliver the same benefits to adults as well as to children. It is a positive program that produces life long benefits for the entire family! more

Great program for children's self development. Master Storms is sincerely interested in the well being of the children and families he works with. Both of my sons, my husband and I have benefitted from the physcial activity and the positive messages in the Mike Storms Karate program. My sons have improved in their behavior and thier attitudes. This program is a very positive family activity. I encourage any family that wants to grow stronger to participate in this wonderful program together. It is also a great program for any family with a child with special needs. The staff and volunteers are patient and loving with all of the children, while maintaining structure and encouraging self discipline. Try it, it's the best! more

Mike Storms karate is an outstanding program that develops the heart, mind and body of any young person. Mike's karate program is first class but what I really like is that he continually pours life lessons about charater and integrity into the kids. I saw a drmatic difference in my son as he went through the black belt program. He often quotes to me what his instructors have poured into him about life. This is a program that instills a sense of discipline, self-motivation, honor and integrity into its students and it is all soundly based on Bible principles. I highly recommend it to anyone who is willing to strive for excellence in all areas of their life. more

Mike Storms Karate is a scam that preys on desperate parents. Please be aware that all the parent ""testimonials"" that he supplies to you are coerced from parents. He makes all students submit a letter like this as a requirement for each belt promotion. He then uses these letters as ""testimonials"" to lure in other families. He is very expensive and doesn't even teach the classes. He has high-school students teaching. He also requires families to sign lengthy contracts, or he charges higher prices. I don't know of a decent human being that would legally bind a five year-old to a three year contract in Karate. He will pursue payment even if the child wants to stop attending. Collections included. Who does that? more