The “Free Karate in the Parks” program kicked off Tuesday afternoon at Recreation Park in Binghamton’s South Side.

This is the program’s 18th year providing free classes to the public.

Each Friday night from 6-7pm, FMK Karate of Binghamton holds its free class at a different city park.

FMK Karate owner and Master Instructor Frank Kushner, a practitioner with more than 45 years experience and inducted into over 40 World Karate Halls of Fame, teaches the classes personally with the help of qualified Black Belt instructors.

The classes stress non-violence, self defense, self-control and avoidance of dangerous places and situations.

“Karate is something that makes someone fight less.  The confidence you develop actually makes it so you don’t want to fight, and you can walk away from a violent situation confidently, peacefully, relaxed, not ashamed, and not scared.  It’s a kind of thing where everyone should do it, children or adults,” said Kushner.