Long's Shotokan Karate Academy

06/10/2026

Hands up Long's Shotokan Karate.

06/10/2026

Heard this sometime ago.
If you are off one degree while taking off and flying for a while you can miss your target by 100 miles.

Miss your training, and details and you miss out on collecting your award or winning.
Off 1 Degree you miss your mark.

Mess up a throw you are countered as seen below being countered and thrown by Sensei Mike Hillen with Osoto-Makikomi
Ouch....🤠

Stay focused or in Japanese Karate - Judo we say, "Check your 'Kime' (FOCUS)

Long's Shotokan Karate Academy & Martial Arts
Mark Long
www.LongsSbotokan.com
816-257-6933
Karate America Special 🇺🇸●Pay now for July and get the rest of June for FREE.
●Next payment is not till August 1st.
Happy 4th Of July 250 years America 🇺🇸🇺🇸🔥🎊

Checking kids focus (Kime) for 47 years serving the Independence community 'Making Kids Great.'

Don't miss your Mark!
Come see me.

🤠




🇺🇸

06/07/2026

Karate is great for ADHD and here is WHY.....
Karate has Bi-Lateral movement right side, left side upper and lower (Legs)
This activates the 'Corpus Collusus which is the bridge that connects coordination, and emotional regulation.
Which helps with focus.
This gives Kids Super Powers and awesome life skills.

Long's Shotokan Karate Academy
Mark Long
www.LongsShotokan.com
1 Free Class
More then kick, punch, and block.
We are entrepreneurial mindset, leadership, communication skills, manners, and life skills with Karate Kid Fun 'Making Kids Great.'
Our Super Kids don't wear capes just confidence, layers and layers of confidence.
Call today:
816-260-8252

05/29/2026

Summer is starting and are you looking for a great thing for kids to do?
Long's Shotokan Karate Academy has a great Summer Special to keep kids learning with discipline, leadership, communication skills, manners and life skills with Karate Kid Fun.
1 Free class
www.LongsShotokan.com
816-257-6933

Conveniently located in Independence, our martial arts classes are excellent choices for self-defense, discipline, and fitness for all ages & fitness levels.

05/28/2026

Summer has started at Long's Shotokan Karate Academy and we are on our way to training and starting off with a fun schedule.
▪︎Thursday, May 28th
Wanna Bee Class
6:30 - 8am
●Wednesday, June 3rd
6:30 - 7:30pm our last Wanna Bee Class.

●Monday, June 15, 16, 17, 18th is testing week.
Friday, June 19th
Grain Valley Community Center Graduation.
Pot-Luck Dinner, DJ, and Dancing celebration party.
●Stay tuned for our Summer Party Kick Off in June.
●Summer Party for Team USA Parker Gillespie and Zachary Davis TBA.
You are now in the loop.

05/19/2026

Long's Shotokan Karate Academy
Mark Long
www.LongsShotokan.com
1 Free Class.
816-257-6933
Start today and gain confidence, layers upon layers of confidence with our beginner program.
47 years of experience and more than kick, punch, and grappling.
We are are entrepreneurial mindset, leadership, communication skills with making kids great through karate kid fun we call 'MASTERY.'

Conveniently located in Independence, our martial arts classes are excellent choices for self-defense, discipline, and fitness for all ages & fitness levels.

05/11/2026

QUOTE:
"With (Decades) of many years of dedicated service to the community through a Martial Arts business this month holds particular significance.
After decades of Martial Arts Reflecting on the numerous letters of commitment towards achieving Black Belt, I am struck by the low number of individuals who remain committed to the program. Despite of over 4 decades of many years of established leadership and comprehensive classes that encourage enrollment, I am astonished by the excuses and lack of understanding regarding the requirements for success and finishing.
Many appreciate our youthful leaders and devoted instructors, they like our leaders the club settings and the business but when faced with the demands of the prep for the physical like push-ups, sit ups, Katas, and many extra classes of Leadership, following directions, and additional expenses, individuals (parents-students) often cite excuses for finishing.
It is puzzling to observe the number of students following through on their commitments, and one has to wonder whether is it the students or parents who are the ones lacking in dedication?
Notably, at the Purple Belt 4th Kyu level, students were enthusiastic about writing letters of Brown & Black Belt intent, but now the momentum appears to have gone and waned.
Even some have talked bad and say they liked the training up untill before towards the Brown and Black.
Thats like I liked Highschool and college up till my Senior year before graduating.
As an Instructor I also note people text, or email and do NOT come in and have dialogue...
The very thing we push for in our business is dialogue, conflict mediation, and resolution teaching students to step up and be responsible.
If it is worth it then have a discussion.
The last part is mind boggling to have spent the money on all the education, prep, time, money to drop out like right at your 6 months before testing.
My story continues as a business owner in the greatest industry as I look at my 80 students that look towards Brown & Black."
Un-Quote.....

This Is Not From My School.........

However, this sounds somewhat familiar and part of the process in that we have been in business 47 years, 4 decades of service and at my last count we started with 29 and are down to 19 taking this years exam in June.

A well put article from a huge school owner that I borrowed from and used quotes.

To the few it is hard and it has been explained in every form of class imaginable.

To the ones who serve and are Black Belts you know this.
Now, to go forth and continue the educational program in the greatest industry called Martial Arts.

Proud of you all.
Below is a picture of remember when?

Always welcome to finish for those who want to come back.

Long's Shotokan Karate Academy
Mark Long
www.LongsShotokan.com
1 Free Class
Making Kids Great

05/07/2026

Long's Shotokan Karate Academy News:
Wanna Bee Class
6:30 - 7:30pm
Might run a little over...
Thursday, May 7th
Only 3 left.
Tonight will be fulfilling your Kick-Boxing requirements which is a MANDATORY class for all Purple Belts testing for Brown Belt.
Bring your gear!
Also, April Ballieu, Josh Ballieu Noah's Uniform is in.
●Reminder:
All testing money is due this week.
See you tonight for the last of 3 Wanna Bee 🐝
Or
Gonna Bee classes.
So proud of everyone who committed and who are following through.
Not my commitment but yours and you are owning it.
A statement of perseverence, time, and commitment.
We thank you students for those who have sacrificed Parents (Tribe).
Keep Doing The Deal.

05/05/2026

Long's Karate News:
●Congrats to new students who tested for Yellow and Orange Belts.
●Brown belt, Black belt, and Upper rank testing money is due.
●3 more Wanna 🐝 Bee classes left.
Some of you can not miss.
Must make 6 out of 10..
● Wanna Bee Class
Thursday, May 7th is a
DO NOT MISS CLASS...
Mandatory class!
Kick-Boxing requirements for all Purple Belts.
Black Belts will assist in prep and fighting a 2 round fight.
All gear must brought!
6:30 - 7:30pm we might run a little over.
You are now in the loop!

Very few stand across from each other wearing a Black Belt..Captured below!

Prep, instruction, and remembering WHY you liked our Academy for all the character building, mindsets, manners, leadership, communication skills, and martial arts skills and champions.
When we said it takes a lot of determination, and intestinal fortitude you now see and know why so few are left.
Proud of you all..
The 20 out of last years testing is left out of starting with 29.....Hmmm?

Not for everyone right now.
Maybe later in life and our doors are always open.