Every Mile High Karate student begins with the mind. The beginner reading curriculum is a standalone 16-week program, two 8-week test cycles with one book each, and every weekly reading matches the mindset lesson taught in class that week. It is part of the character development and leadership curriculum developed by Grand Master Stephen Oliver.
Weeks 1–8: The Psychology of Winning
Denis Waitley’s The Psychology of Winning is the source of the nine qualities of a Mile High Karate Black Belt. In the first test cycle, beginners take one quality per week.
| Week | Mindset lesson | Reading due |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Positive Self-Awareness + Self-Image | Ch. 1 and Ch. 6 |
| 2 | Positive Self-Esteem | Ch. 2 |
| 3 | Positive Self-Control | Ch. 3 |
| 4 | Positive Self-Motivation | Ch. 4 |
| 5 | Positive Self-Expectancy | Ch. 5 |
| 6 | Positive Self-Direction | Ch. 7 |
| 7 | Positive Self-Discipline | Ch. 8 |
| 8 | Positive Self-Projection | Ch. 10 |
Chapter 9 (Positive Self-Dimension) is optional reading. The mindset curriculum leaves it out by design, which is why Mile High Karate teaches nine qualities rather than ten.
Weeks 9–16: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself
In the second test cycle, Shad Helmstetter’s What to Say When You Talk to Yourself teaches students to notice the way they talk to themselves and to change it on purpose.
| Week | Mindset lesson | Reading due |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Your Mental Computer | Ch. 1–3 |
| 10 | The Five Levels of Self-Talk | Ch. 4–6 |
| 11 | Stopping Negative Self-Talk | Ch. 7–9 |
| 12 | Writing Effective Self-Talk | Ch. 10–12 |
| 13 | Silent Self-Talk and Self-Speak | Ch. 13–15 |
| 14 | Self-Conversation and Self-Write | Ch. 16–18 |
| 15 | Recorded Self-Talk and Repetition | Ch. 19–21 |
| 16 | Putting It All Together | Ch. 22–23 |
How beginners use the reading
- The first time through, students read the assigned chapters each week.
- Students still in the Beginners program when the curriculum restarts reread the week’s chapter, or the parts they highlighted, and complete the home challenge.
- The technique blocks taught in class (Free Style Basics and Traditional Basics: kicks, punches, blocks and self-defense) run alongside the reading.
Belt expectations
White to gold belt: build an understanding of terms and begin to build coordination, balance and strength; show effort and enthusiasm to qualify for Black Belt Training between white and gold belt.
Orange to blue belt: show consistent improvement in term recognition, physical demonstration of technique and character skills.
Next stage: the Black Belt Club reading curriculum.
Questions
What do Mile High Karate beginners read?
Two books, eight weeks each: The Psychology of Winning by Denis Waitley (weeks 1–8) and What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstetter (weeks 9–16).
How long is the beginner mindset curriculum?
16 weeks, made up of two 8-week test cycles with one book each. After week 16 the curriculum starts again at week 1.
What happens if my child is still a beginner when the curriculum restarts?
They reread that week’s chapter, or the parts they highlighted, and complete the home challenge. Repetition is part of how the lessons stick.
What are the belt expectations for beginners?
White to gold belt: build an understanding of terms, coordination, balance and strength, and show the effort and enthusiasm to qualify for Black Belt Training. Orange to blue belt: show consistent improvement in term recognition, physical technique and character skills.
Start at Mile High Karate Thornton, 3979 E 120th Ave, Thornton, CO 80233. Call (303) 280-1839, or see class schedules and enrollment at ThorntonMHK.com.