AKKA is a highly motivated, success-minded and goal-orientated, professional Karate organization that is totally committed to the students enrolled in our training curriculums. Established nationally in 1972 by Grandmaster Bill Packer, AKKA Karate USA (American Kenpo Karate Academies) came to Pueblo, Colorado in 1986. Providing professional instruction in Kenpo Karate, Mixed Martial Arts Training & Competition, as well as Aerobic Kickboxing Classes, we offer a workout for everyone. We take pride in our student diversity, and still understand our common goals, responsibilities, & expectations for our community. One of our many intentions is to offer you professional, quality Martial Arts instruction in an exciting, fun, safe, and positive atmosphere. Offering innovative teaching methods framed by the traditional protocol of the Martial Arts offers a personalized learning experience in a step-by-step fashion that anyone can learn. Throughout your tenure of training, our Kenpo students will be gradually exposed to an array of assorted techniques, training methods, and drills set open up YOUR maximum potential! AKKA’s training curriculum is committed to the development of traditional values and internal values such as concentration, control, self-discipline through the Martial Arts.
OWNERS
Kari & Santiago Barela along with their children Rory & Sophia, are the owners of AKKA Karate USA’s Pueblo Facility. Collectively,
both owners have been involved with AKKA for 33 years.
Mrs. Barela is celebrating her 13th year of training. Starting in 1997, Mrs. Barela started training while her husband was managing the Pueblo school. Shortly after, Pueblo’s AKKA became a corporate owned school. In 2000, Kari along with her husband accepted the opportunity of school ownership. Soon after the Barela’s purchased AKKA, they quickly understood the value of a unified front with running the school. When they both took an active hand in the school, they saw significant growth and development in the school and student body. While Santiago had the experience of AKKA instruction and management, Kari brought a new and vibrant structure to AKKA’s culture. A culture that encourages learning that is fun and exciting for kids and adults. She also brings a strength of consistency and dedication to the school. Kari is responsible for the character development emphasized in the school. Mrs. Barela also has successfully implemented a turnkey rotating curriculum for our ‘Kinder’ program. The success of this program is evident of the younger ages that we take (we used to start students at age 6, and now we take them at age 3). The further evidence is shown by retention of our ‘Kinders’ that transfer over to our ‘Junior’ curriculum. Students who begin in Mrs. Barela’s ‘Kinder’ program are very aware of social rules, courtesies, and have a solid idea of educational adaptation, and they are highly capable of adapting to the newer, faster, more mature karate classes. Mrs. Barela currently teaches at Vineland Elementary School and has been teaching in Pueblo’s school districts for 14 years. In 2006, Mrs. Barela received her First Degree Black Belt. In addition to Mrs. Barela’s teaching degree, she has also received 2 Master’s Degrees; she received her first Master’s Degree in Organizational Management and Curriculum & Structure emphasizing Early Literacy is her second Master’s Degree. Mrs. Barela has recently received the rank of Second Degree Black Belt in 2008. Leading by example, Mrs. Barela has targeted her goal of 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2010.
Mr. Barela’s training in the Martial Arts began
in 1988 Ft. Collins, Colorado in a self-defense class offered on CSU
campus and taught by Karate West school owner, Kim Yee. Thinking it would be an easy gym credit, Santiago found this to be his favorite class. The focus of the class
leaned more towards self-defense application. It was a very
thorough class emphasizing take-downs, throws, and small-joint
manipulations, in addition to the traditional strikes of stand-up
martial arts. After coming back to Pueblo, Santiago started with
AKKA under Mr. Pat Baker in 1989. The following year Mr. Barela
started instructing for Mr. Baker. In 1993, Santiago, along with J.B. Rawlings and Keith Wyant,
were promoted to First Degree Black Belt. They were the first Pueblo
students to receive their Black Belts with AKKA. Later that year,
Mr. Barela started his training in the management processes of
AKKA’s business model. In 1994 Pat Baker sold the school back to
AKKA President, Mr. Packer. Pueblo was then purchased by Shawn
Knight later that year. In 1995, Santiago tested for and received
his Second Degree Black Belt while continuing to run the Pueblo
school under Mr. Knight. Shortly after receiving his Third Degree in
1998, Mr. Barela continued to manage the school, but on a part-time
basis. This time he was managing for AKKA President, Bill Packer. In 2000,
Santiago and Kari purchased Pueblo's AKKA; the same school Santiago
started with back in 1989. 2001 marked Santiago’s promotion to 4th Degree Black Belt with AKKA. Mr. Barela received his 5th Degree Black Belt from Grandmaster Bill Packer in June of 2005.
FACILITY
After providing Pueblo with 21 years of continued service at its original location, AKKA relocated into a bigger and better training location at the corner of Surfwood & Pepper Ln, only one mile from its original location. Working hand-in-hand with the builders to create the “Ideal Karate School’’, Kari & Santiago have taken AKKA Karate USA to a completely new level of standard. AKKA’s new location is a 6,000 sq. ft, custom built, training facility using 3 full size training rooms to accommodate our students’ needs. Our ‘Aerobic Room’ has over 1100 sq ft, of training space. Our ‘Green Room’ is the middle room with over 500 sq ft.. The ‘Main Deck’ is where the bulk of the classes happen. This is our largest deck with over 1700 sq ft of training space that can be utilized. This allows over 3300 sq. ft. of training space. Each of our training rooms are professionally floored with Swain Gold Medal Tatami Mats. This flooring system is comprised of 1 ½” thick mat filled with high density polyurethane foam and covered with authentically textured tatami vinyl. With this flooring system we are able to maintain a high degree of safety and hygiene while allowing a high degree of martial integrity in our programs. With 3 separate heating/cooling systems, this allows each area to have its own ideal
climate. Running two independent sound systems allows each room to have it’s own music without directly affecting the other training spaces. Kari & Santiago personally invite you to come see AKKA’s new home!
