Shari Rodgers The Quail Creek karate group is strong! As the year came to a close, there is so much the karate group is thankful for, and so much was accomplished by our members! A big thank you to the Anza gym for their support of karate and its members. The Beginning Karate, or Movement,…
Shari Rodgers This class is called Beginning Karate, but what we are truly practicing is moving mindfulness. Rather than focusing on performance or memorizing long sequences, we approach karate as a way to awaken awareness through movement. The mind and body develop together, and a new way of moving emerges. The instructor’s training comes through…
Shari Rodgers How does someone go from the humble white belt to the coveted black belt and beyond? Let’s look at the mental and physical challenges that those doing karate face on their journey. Insights into dedication and discipline are required to master karate. Belt testing, promotion standards, and the true meaning of achieving a…
Shari Rodgers Karate has long been recognized as a tool for women’s empowerment! This ancient martial art instills in women a sense of mental strength and resilience. Let’s explore the impact of karate on women’s lives and how it inspires confidence. From building physical fitness to cultivating discipline and self-confidence, karate has become an empowering…
John Evans and Shari Rodgers (The process of incorporating something that activates or provides a biological rhythm): Why this practice matters! Why are we practicing karate here in Quail Creek, especially when there’s not much fighting going on? Because the practice itself brings something deeper than self-defense—it brings coherence. When we move through precise, rhythmic…
Shari Rodgers Recently, I was asked how I obtained my black belt. In the martial arts, the path to black belt and beyond is one of dedication, humility, and service. It is not a medal for longevity, nor a prize for networking, nor a reward given among friends. I earned mine like any student at…
Shari Rodgers Asai Shotokan Association International was founded by Shihan Kousaku Yokota to promote Asai-style karate. Shihan Kousaku Yokota visited and held a seminar with the Quail Creek Dojo students a few years ago. This is the style of karate taught and practiced at the Anza gym under the direction of Sensei Herum. Last month…
Shari Rodgers How did Shotokan’s symbol become the tiger? Read on! The tiger symbol of Shotokan Karate is one that’s immediately recognized by karate practitioners around the world, yet two questions often asked are what does this symbol represent and where did it come from? We know that tigers themselves don’t exist naturally in Japan.…
Shari Rodgers One of the most iconic weapons used in karate is the “bo.” Some might call it a staff. A bo is a long wooden stick that can be used for both offensive and defensive purposes. On March 8 the Quail Creek karate members attended a special class at West Coast Karate in Tucson.…
Shari Rodgers Yes, every kata has a story, and Empi is a beautiful story and beautiful kata as well. First, let’s understand what a kata is and why they are performed. Think of kata as a collection of moves, much like a dictionary is a collection of words. Each movement of a kata represents a…