Touchstone Karate Academy

🎉🥋 Our Annual Member Appreciation Kicknick & Black Belt Induction is TODAY! 🥋🎉

One of our favorite days of the year is just hours away!

Join us as we celebrate our incredible Academy families, enjoy great food, have some fun, and recognize our newest Black Belts for years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication.

We can’t wait to celebrate with all of you! ❤️

Who’s coming? Drop a 🎉 in the comments! 👇

We can't wait to celebrate with you all! ❤️
Thank you for making Touchstone the amazing place it is.

☀️🌴🚨 SUMMER SCHEDULE STARTS TODAY! 🚨🌴☀️

📣🥋 Attention Touchstone Families! 🥋📣

Today marks the start of our Summer Schedule! 🌞

⏰ Double-check your class times before heading to the Academy.

💧🚨 Most importantly: BRING A WATER BOTTLE! 🚨💧

With warmer temperatures and active classes, staying hydrated is essential. Students who bring a water bottle are better prepared to stay focused, train hard, and have fun. ☀️🥋

✅ Check your class time
✅ Bring your uniform and belt
✅ Bring a full water bottle

Let’s kick off an amazing summer of training, growth, leadership, and fun! 💪⭐🌴

See you on the mats! 🥋🔥

Today was an honor.

Mrs. Koster, Mr. Pierstorff, and Mr. Holt had the privilege of serving on a 2nd and 3rd Degree Black Belt Examination Panel at Next Kick Martial Arts..

One of the things that makes martial arts so special is that the journey never ends. Regardless of rank, there is always something to improve, refine, and learn. Black Belt testing is not about perfection. It is about growth, accountability, and the commitment to continue moving forward.

We are especially grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Kozlowski for the invitation and trust. Being asked to serve on a panel is something we never take lightly, and it was a privilege to contribute to such an important milestone in the candidates’ journeys.

Thank you to everyone at Next Kick for the hospitality and opportunity. We always enjoy working alongside fellow martial arts professionals who are committed to developing strong martial artists and even stronger people.

☀️ Summer Schedule Reminder Begins June 15!

Just a friendly reminder that our summer schedule begins Monday, June 15th.

As summer activities, vacations, camps, and family events pick up, we encourage everyone to double-check class times and plan ahead to keep training consistent throughout the season. Remember, progress comes from showing up, even when schedules get busy!

Whether you’re working toward your next belt, preparing for a black belt exam, or simply continuing your martial arts journey, we look forward to seeing you on the mat all summer long.

Please review the updated schedule in the MyStudio app and let us know if you have any questions.

Let’s make this an incredible summer of growth, confidence, leadership, and achievement!

💥 We are about to welcome a new group of 1st Degree and 2nd Degree Black Belts to the Academy!

Today was unlike any Black Belt Test we have conducted in recent memory.

For nearly six hours, candidates were challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally. Throughout the day, some were told they should consider going home and trying again in the spring. Others heard comments such as, “It’s neat that you think that stance will earn you a black belt.”

Those moments were intentional. Not because we doubted them but because we wanted to see if they would doubt themselves.

They didn’t!

Instead, every challenge became fuel. What started as small fires grew into infernos.

As the day progressed, it became clear that this group possessed something more important than perfect technique: grit, resilience, humility, perseverance, and heart.

Then something happened that almost never happens.

Traditionally, the panel spends considerable time reviewing notes and discussing each candidate before making a final decision.

Today, there was almost nothing to discuss.

A glance across the panel and a brief conversation confirmed what everyone already knew.

This group had earned it.

For the first time in a very long time, the decision was so clear that their belts were flipped on the spot and they were immediately welcomed into the Black Belt ranks.

And when that moment happened, the room erupted.

The parents, families, friends, and supporters were so loud in their celebration that they challenged us to be even louder.

The same candidates who had been challenged to consider going home earlier in the day finished the evening as Black Belts.

That is what happens when people refuse to quit.

That is what happens when small fires become infernos. 🥋🖤

Today in Vanguard, Cadets focused on Brand Standards, communication, project management, talent management, and teamwork. They rotated through leadership roles, practiced giving and receiving feedback, and participated in a leadership charades activity that challenged them to communicate and lead without speaking.

A special shoutout to today’s Project Managers, Mr. Kai and Ms. Russell, who did an outstanding job coordinating activities, managing team assignments, supporting communication, and helping maintain high standards throughout the session.

Many people ask what Vanguard University® is. The answer is simple. The leadership principles taught in Vanguard are the same principles we strive to develop in every student at the Academy. Leadership, confidence, communication, respect, and responsibility are part of everything we do.

Vanguard simply gives us the opportunity to go deeper. Through mentorship, reflection, project management, talent management, and hands-on leadership experiences, Cadets learn not only what leadership is, but why it matters and how to apply it in everyday life. We intentionally select Cadets who demonstrate character, potential, and a desire to grow, then invest in helping them become leaders who positively impact others.

Every Coach and Instructor currently teaching on our floor began their leadership journey through Vanguard University®, where they learned to lead themselves before learning to lead others.

📣 Vanguard Leaders!

💥 Lead the Way!

Congratulations to all of our graduates over the last few days!

Every graduation represents hard work, perseverance, growth, and a commitment to becoming better than you were yesterday. We are incredibly proud of each student who stepped onto the floor and earned their next rank.

One thing that always amazes us is seeing so many students reach their goals at the same time. We would love to fit everyone into one graduation ceremony, but our floor can safely accommodate only about 30 students at a time, which means we have to spread graduations across multiple ceremonies. That’s a challenge we’re grateful to have, and it’s a testament to the hard work of our students and the support of our families.

We would love to see how you celebrated this special achievement. If you took photos with family, friends, instructors, or your new belt, please share them in the comments below so our entire Academy family can celebrate with you as well.

Thank you to our students, families, and instructors for making another graduation cycle such a success. Your support, encouragement, and positive attitudes continue to make this community so special.

Here’s to another amazing cycle focused on positive attitudes, growth, confidence, and achieving goals together.

Congratulations, graduates. We are proud of you!

We are so ready for our first graduation group tonight! 🥳

Congrats to everyone who tested earlier this week, you showed off all your hard work and impressed us. You should be proud of your perseverance!

If you haven't registered for a graduation event yet, don't worry! Our earlier events for today and tomorrow are all sold out but we still have openings for later tonight as well as tomorrow night.

Let's get ready for a killer summer cycle! 💪🥋☀️