Soto's Martial Arts

06/06/2026

A huge thank you to Monica from St. Joseph Food Program for stopping by the school last week Thursday for our official check presentation!

Our students and families did an amazing job raising $385 to support their peanut butter program. This total was made possible thanks to everyone who bought raffle tickets, and especially through our special Black Belt Graduation auction where we auctioned off the signed Legacy Helmet!

Monica shared some great news with us during her visit. Thanks to the collective effort of everyone across the Fox Valley community, the drive completely smashed its goal and brought in a massive 1,384 pounds of peanut butter!

We are proud of our parents and students for stepping up, working together, and helping make a real difference for families right here in our community.

Thank you to everyone who donated, bid for the auction, and stood proud in our presentation photo!

06/05/2026

The smiles you see here are well-earned! This group of teens just finished a hard-working round of empty hand sparring on the mats.

Sparring can be intimidating, but facing that challenge head-on is a powerful way our students develop self-confidence. It isn’t about winning or losing the match; it’s about proving to yourself that you can stay calm, focused, and resilient under pressure.

They pushed through the fatigue, supported each other, and walked off the floor standing a little bit taller.

I am incredibly proud of how these teens are embracing our life skill of the semester both on and off the mat. Great job tonight, team!

05/28/2026

True self-confidence isn't born—it's built. ⚡

Look at these faces! Behind the sharp uniforms and the smiles is a group of young leaders who practice standing tall, speaking with authority, and stepping up to help others every single week.

At Soto's Martial Arts, our STORM Team members don't just learn how to execute a perfect kick; they learn the self-confidence that comes from Service Leadership. When a young martial artist learns how to look someone in the eye, project their voice, and guide a younger student through a challenge, their belief in themselves skyrockets.

That kind of unshakeable confidence doesn't just stay on the mat. It goes with them to school, into their peer groups, and straight into their futures.
Drop a 🔥 in the comments to show some love for our incredible STORM Team!

05/25/2026

05/20/2026

Self-Confidence in Action! 🥋✨

Take a look at Training Instructor Mia leading a great mat chat with some of our junior students.

Mia recently shared a personal story about how her own martial arts training helped her navigate challenges and build real self-confidence at school. Seeing our advanced students step up, share their journeys, and inspire the next generation is exactly what leadership is all about at Soto's Martial Arts.

True confidence isn't about being perfect—it's about knowing you have the strength and focus to handle whatever comes your way, both inside the dojo and out in the world.

Way to lead by example, Mia!

05/08/2026

Four Years of Focus

True self-confidence isn't built overnight. It’s built through 4 years of showing up, working hard, and pushing past your limits. Watch as one of our Green Belts demonstrates her awesome spinning kick. Her technique is excellent, but her confidence is what truly shines.

04/25/2026

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWEST BLACK BELT CANDIDATES! 🏆

We had a phenomenal testing session today, and I am so proud to announce that Mia, Aaron, and Kingston have all officially passed their comprehensive Black Belt test! They each received their Yellow Instructor Recommendation tip, which marks their final major milestone.

It was also a special treat to have Mr. Ian Esteves back on the mat today. He was gracious enough to help conduct the testing, and I know everyone was happy to see him again!

Be sure to give these candidates a big high-five and your personal congratulations when you see them on the mat this coming week!

04/22/2026

Taking the SMA Spirit Beyond the Dojo! 🤸‍♀️🥋

Check out the incredible focus from this young Tora student!

What makes this video so special is that she actually learned this cartwheel on her own, outside of the dojo. She was so proud of her new skill that she couldn't wait to come in and show us how she could combine it with a powerful SMA kick!

This is exactly what we mean when we talk about Self-Confidence—our life skill for this month.

At Soto's, we define it as: "Assurance and belief in oneself and one’s own judgement." When a child has that inner belief, they aren't afraid to try new things or push their own boundaries. Whether it’s on the mat or in their backyard, they carry that "I can do this" attitude with them everywhere they go.

We are so proud of your initiative and your hard work! Keep shining!

Parents, have you noticed your child taking their martial arts confidence into other parts of their life lately? We'd love to hear your stories below! 👇