Parents Recharge, Keiki Gather Round the Fire: Friday Night Fun Is Oct 16
Updated: 20 hours ago
Parents, this one is for you. On Friday, October 16, we're giving your keiki an evening of mindfulness, martial arts, self-defense, games, dinner, marshmallows by the fire, and stories, and giving you a few precious hours to relax and recharge.
If you are a Maui resident with children, you, your kids, and your friends are invited :-)
The details
What: Friday Night Fun with Coach Gabe of Mindful Martial Arts
When: Friday, October 16, 2026, 5:30–8:30 pm
Who: Keiki ages 6–12*
Where: Wisdom Flow Studio, 95 Makawao Ave, Makawao, HI 96768
Cost: By donation. Pay what you can, and pay it forward for those who cannot.
Sign up: Reserve your keiki's place here
*Older than 12? We have a few spots open for volunteer teen assistants, and we're also looking for a small handful of volunteer parent or adult helpers. If you or your teen are interested, reach out to Coach Gabe at Mindful Martial Arts at 808-400-4185.
On the mat
We open with a mindful moment and a circle of connection, then go over our principles for respectful interaction and safety. Keiki get an introduction to martial arts and self-defense, then dive into controlled live training and interactive games. Near the end of the evening, everyone shares a healthy delicious dinner buffet, followed by a fire circle with marshmallows and story time.
After dinner: fire, marshmallows, and stories
After dinner, we head outside to a cordoned-off area of the parking lot, with chairs set out around one shared fire. After a mindfulness exercise*, we roast marshmallows (up to three per child) and enjoy that fireside feeling with their friends. The fire is closely supervised by our team the whole time.
*Fireside Mindfulness Exercise:
Each keiki gets a small paper cup of black sesame seeds, breathes into the seeds the things they want to let go of, like anger, resentment, or anxiety, and then tosses them into the fire. It takes about five minutes, and it's a simple way to practice letting go together.
When roasting wraps up, we call everyone inside for storytelling. Any of the older kids who don't want to come in for stories can stay out and chat by the fire, supervised of course.
A place for every kind of energy
Some kids are ready to settle in, and some of the older kids love hanging out a little longer. With quiet stories inside and the fire outside for older kids who want to stay and chat, every keiki has a place that fits their energy. It keeps the evening calm and comfortable, and the whole night is safely supervised by experienced instructors.
Why I do this
As a parent, I know how essential it is to have time to relax and come home to ourselves. We are kinder, more creative, and more effective parents when we make time for self-care, and often that means a little time away from being caretakers.
That's why I offer Friday Night Fun, in association with Maui Access to Mindful Movement (MAMM). It's a win-win: keiki get a frisky night of playing with their peers, and you get a few hours that are just yours.
Strength with compassion
On the mat and around the fire, we practice being strong and kind: staying safe, respecting our partners, and taking care of each other. Sharing the fire and listening to stories together carries that same spirit into the rest of the night.
Every donation opens a door
Friday Night Fun is by donation, so every family can come. Pay what you can, and if you're able, pay it forward for those who cannot. Your donations fund scholarships so low-income students can join mindful movement programs like martial arts, dance, and gymnastics across the island.
We are blessed to have these events sponsored by Maui Access to Mindful Movement (MAMM) and the Maui Strong Fund. Both organizations truly care about the health and happiness of Maui families, and MAMM's mission is to bring mindful movement to more of them.
Bring a friend and share the aloha
Friday Night Fun is better with friends. Invite another family, forward this post, or share it in your group chats. Space is limited, so sign up soon if you're interested!
We can't wait to see your keiki on the mat and around the fire.
Aloha,
Coach Gabe & Team
Mindful Martial Arts
808-400-4185
Comments