At BFMA we teach American Freestyle Karate which incorporates punches, kicks, strikes, blocks, fitness exercises and safety techniques to provide each student with a solid foundation of martial arts training. American Freestyle Karate is a hard style martial art with equal emphasis in all training areas. A modern art with traditional values, our basic philosophy is to train students to defend themselves, develop a positive attitude, help them become healthy and fit and to provide a fun and encouraging learning environment. Our goal is to have every one of our students become black belts that have high moral standards, display courtesy and use their training to benefit themselves and others. At BFMA we strive to incorporate safe, effective and innovative physical fitness techniques to improve each student’s balance, strength and coordination that will enhance their martial arts skills as well as extracurricular sports and activities.

Children’s Karate Class
At Burbank Family Martial Arts our Children’s program is second to none, in addition to fun filled fitness exercises, learning punches, kicks, blocks and strikes and earning new belts are just part of our overall program, we also incorporate the following life skills:
Confidence: Students must learn to feel good about themselves and believe that they can succeed. When students are confident, the will attempt new tasks and try again if they don’t succeed the first time. Martial Arts training instills confidence in students through positive reinforcement and the development of self-defense skills Karate is not like other sports, in our classes your child will never be the “benchwarmer” but will be praised for even the slightest accomplishments further increasing their self confidence.
Independence: Independent students have a greater ability to adapt to changing environments. Your child’s progression in the martial arts relies on their own class contributions and practice at home.
Motivation: Students must be self-motivated to learn effectively. Students need to enjoy what they are doing and have goals to stay motivated. We teach fun lessons that show students how they can stay motivated in and outside of the class.
Persistence: Students must learn to finish what they start. Parents and instructors can team up to teach children to finish what they set out to do. There is a great satisfaction in working to overcome obstacles and achieve a goal such as black belt.
Cooperation: Students must be able to get along with others, learn to share and take turns. Students get many opportunities to practice cooperation and team work in the martial arts classroom with their peers and learn the value of working together for a common goal.
Self-Control: Students must understand that some behaviors, such as hitting, are inappropriate. They need to learn that there are good ways and bad ways to express anger. Students that learn self-defense learn how to control their anger and are less likely to hit others. They are less likely to be a bully or give in to peer-pressure because of the self-esteem they develop through martial arts training.
Fun: Our children enjoy playing Karate/Fitness related games, making new friends. earning patches, winning trophies and medals, attending holiday parties and special events like our summer sleep-over and movie nights.

Punching Pee Wee Class (ages 3-5)
Our Punching Pee Wee Class is designed to teach pre-schoolers to listen, follow directions, get along with others and work on fine/gross motor skills. Through fun exercises and basic karate techniques our youngest students work on and earn skill stripes for their belt in the following areas; balance, control, discipline, memory, coordination, focus, teamwork and fitness.

Adult/Family Traditional Karate Class
Adults enrolled in our traditional family classes improve their concentration, balance, flexibility, endurance and overall health through safe and effective exercises that challenge both the body and mind. As with all of our programs, students work at their own pace to achieve the benefits they want to gain through martial arts training.

Who are the Instructors?

Instruction at Burbank Family Martial Arts is provided by 5th degree certified black belt and owner Mrs. Roeske.
Mrs. Ellie Roeske began her training at age 10 receiving her black belt at age 15 and began teaching classes shortly after. Mrs. Roeske has studied TaekwonDo, American Freestyle Karate and was a professional kickboxer in full-contact sport karate. Mrs. Roeske is a former P.E. teacher, has Early Childhood Education credits and is first aid and cpr certified.
Awards include: Top Ten nationally ranked Forms competitor, Outstanding Instructor American Karate Assoc. 1989 and Pro. Karate Assoc. Instructor of the Year 1993.
Mrs. Roeske has trained hundreds of students including Jr. National & World champions, coaches an outstanding and highly recognized demonstration team as well as several special needs students(autistic, neurologically disabled, ADHD, etc.)

Instructor James Roeske II is a 3rd degree black belt. James began his training as soon as he was able to walk. He entered his first tournament at age 3, was a national champion at age 5 ranked #1 in the United States, earned his black belt at age 8, and became a Jr. World Champion at age 9. He has been featured in several magazines & newspapers, has made numerous television appearances and starred as "Tum Tum" in "3 Ninjas-High Noon at Mega Mountain". James is currently enrolled at Antelope Valley College where his major field of study is Deaf Studies and Early Childhood Education. James teaches our Karate Classes, PeeWee Classes, Private Lessons, Weapons Classes, and Tumbling Classes.

Emily Roeske, 3rd degree black belt and three time national champion and forms/weapons Grand Champion, formerly ranked #1 in the country also assists with classes. You may also recognize Emily from her many commercial, television and movie roles, like Disney's "Halloweentown 1,2 &3" Emily is a certified baby-sitters and CPR and first aid certified. Emily is an excellent role model always conducting herself in a manner consistent with our philosophy. She is academically outstanding and participates regularly in community programs and has received several awards for her academics and community service.