In the splendid, corn-covered state of Illinois, where skyscrapers mix with towering oaks and rivers flow with a lazy elegance, a league of extraordinary kids has made its mark. The Karate Kids of Illinois, they're known as! This isn't just any group of cotton-candy munching, video-game-playing youngsters. No siree! These are the Karate Kids - a force to be reckoned with! Now, picture this: a round, squishy, tomato-like character named Master Ketchup. He's an eccentric, exuberant, and somewhat clumsy martial arts master who's obsessed with his beloved tomato garden. He's constantly battling the mischievous squirrels attempting to feast on his red, juicy treasures. This quirky master has a knack for creating the most hilarious, flying, spinning karate moves you've ever seen. He serves as their coach, instructor, and most importantly, comic relief. The Karate Kids aren't just about high kicks, punches, and spins. They’re also great at the art of giggling – whether it's at Master Ketchup's silly tomato-themed moves, like the ‘Ripe Tomato Roundhouse’ or his uproarious attempts to protect his garden. Together they learn about discipline, respect, and bravery in an atmosphere filled with laughter, ketchup splatters and an occasional squirrel chase. Just imagine, each day, these karate-kicking kids pour in from all over the state - from the bustling, pizza-scented streets of Chicago to the quaint, tranquil towns along the Mississippi River. They're the prairie ninjas, the land of Lincoln's defenders, and above all, the admirers of the wacky, tomato-loving Master Ketchup. So, prepare yourself, Illinois, for the dawn of the Karate Kids era!
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What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.

At Kensho, we offer Chicago Style Mixed Martial Arts, which includes training in Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Savate, MMA, Kali Weapons, and JKD. We are located at the northwest corner of North Ave. and Kingsbury in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Our amazing team of highly experienced instructors offer a variety of classes to suit all skill levels. Our classes are designed to help you reach your highest potential and become the best version of yourself. Our experienced instructors will help you to develop physical and mental skills as well as self-discipline. We will also teach you the importance of respect, humility, and positivity. Through these teachings, you will gain a new sense of confidence and self-awareness. At Kensho, we believe that martial arts is more than just physical training, it is also a journey of self-discovery. We strive to create a safe and supportive environment for our students to explore the many benefits of martial arts, including increased physical fitness, improved mental clarity, and greater self-confidence. We are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and become a better version of yourself.


At TAC Karate & Fitness Inc., we offer Shorin-Ryu karate classes for children and adults of all ages and skill levels. Our classes focus on building self-defense, fitness, technique, strength and more! Our experienced instructors provide excellent guidance and support to ensure that each student gains the most out of each lesson. Our founder, owner, and Chief Instructor is Dr. Larry C. Tankson. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1995, Dr. Tankson began his training at the Dravidian School of Self-Defence and Karate under the instruction of the late Mfunddishi Russ Meek. He received his first-degree black belt from Hanshi Shorty Mills in 1974, and has been teaching karate ever since. At TAC Karate & Fitness Inc., we provide a safe and supportive atmosphere for students to learn and grow. Our experienced instructors have decades of knowledge to help our students achieve their goals and hone their skills. We strive to help each student reach their full potential and become the best martial artist they can be.