Bakanovic's Dojo adheres to the principles and philosophies that have been passed down from our Sifus and Masters. Kenpo Jiu Jitsu is a practical self defense martial art that is always evolving and adapting to modern situations while maintaining its core traditions. Kenpo meets and deals with conflicts with the appropriate level of response while always attempting to maintain harmony and balance, avoiding conflicts where and when possible. Age, gender or physical size or capabilities are of little importance since the art is able to adapt to the practitioner.

Little Dragon (ages 3-6)
The Little Dragon program focuses on the preschool-age children. The curriculum is geared around eight major skills for participating in sports or activities. There are eight personal development skills to reinforce family values worked in the curriculum. These skills and values are taught while your child works on listening, following instructions and developing their major motor skills. Most importantly your child will be having fun as they acquire the skills to become better students, handle society or social interaction and be able to achieve the goals that they set for themselves in life.

• Focus - Help your child's listening skills, attention span, and reaction.
• Teamwork - Will help develop the skills to be able to interact with others, build character while assisting in developing skills at making new friends.
• Control - Your child will learn to control not only their body movements but their feelings and emotions assisting them in making better choices.
• Balance - Your child is entering in more activities or sports where it is crucial to have good balance whether it is riding a bike or dance. The sooner your child develops good balance the better.
• Memory - Memory is our brains ability to store and hold information. The earlier your child develops a good memory the smarter your child will be.
• Discipline - Through the use of the Little Dragon drills your child will develop a sense that being disciplined can be rewarding and fun.
• Fitness - This will help your child understand the importance of physical fitness and staying healthy.
• Coordination - Your child will be able distinguish between their left and right while using multiple parts of their body all at the same time.

The basic martial arts skills that your child will be learning are worked into the games and drills. The basics of learning to block, strike, kick and the basic stances are the foundation to all martial arts. The more solid the foundation the bigger and stronger the structure built on that foundation can be.

Children (ages 7-12)
The children's focus of training will be based on the principles of self defense and escape techniques, development of the body and mind while striving to build motor skills, self-confidence, self-esteem, discipline and situational awareness.

In addition the training will be more than just how to defend against a bully or an abductor, it will focus on the following everyday principles:

• Honor - to bring no shame to one's self or your family name.
• Integrity - do what is right, legally and morally even when no one is looking.
• Respect - to treat ourselves and others kindly, keep our actions honest.
• Strength - to build our minds and body to full fill our true potential.
• Courage - ability to face fear, danger, or adversity, both physical and moral.

Learning martial arts is beneficial for children in may aspects. While the training helps them develop both their large and fine motor skills, timing, hand-eye coordination, foot-eye coordination and focus; which will help them in other activities such as sports and music. Children with ADD and ADHD will also benefit from martial arts training.

The children's age group is between the ages of 7 - 12 and learn in group classes. The children's techniques are the same as the adult techniques with some minor alterations that are more appropriate for their age. The main difference between the two are the number of techniques required, the youth program has less techniques per belt. All promotions are considered to be Jr. ranks. Once the youth has obtained a Jr. Shodan (black belt) or Jr. Nidan (2nd degree black) depending on their age, they will continue to learn the adult techniques.

Adult (ages 13 and up)
The adult's focus of training is on the principle of practical self defense, development of the body and mind, while working with the abilities or limitation of the individual adapting the art to their needs or personality.

Adults learn in a private class setting. This one-on-one training with the instructor will allow the student to learn faster. This private instruction will also allow the instructor to better assist the student to adapt the art to their personality and physical capabilities. Private lessons will help students who feel self conscious be at ease. Although it is highly encouraged that they still attend group classes in addition to the required private lesson.