Karate has given Christin Foster more than just a chance to learn self-defense.

"It's been helping me a lot," said the eighth-grader at Aiken Middle School, who last year watched as her D's and F's rose to B's and C's after beginning karate classes at CSRA Defensive Arts.

Not only have her grades improved; so has her attitude, said her instructor, Johnny Hughes. She's more confident, he said.

At first, she really didn't like martial arts classes, Christin said. Now, her improved academics are directly linked to those classes, because when her grades drop she has to give them up.

She started taking classes in November.

"I wanted to try," said Christin, whose father, Darren, is a black belt, and whose grandfather also studied martial arts.

Christin, who is training for her purple belt, is looking forward to November, when she will compete in her first tournament. She said one of the things she likes is the self-defense aspect.

"When you get out in the real world, you have to take care of yourself," she said.

She also likes learning the different styles of martial arts. The form taught by her instructor combines "kempo karate and jujitsu," she said.

Christin has found a niche for herself: "I feel great. I can finally do something better than other people."

Her goal is to earn a black belt and become an instructor.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.