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…
Shari Rodgers At the Anza gym many folks stop to watch the Karate class from the outside of the glass. Maybe it’s time to come inside! It’s a new year and time to start something new. Talk to the participants who are doing karate, ask us questions, and get to know those who are learning…
Shari Rodgers The week of Dec. 2-6, 2024, was a very important time for the karate dojo at the Anza gym. It was a week of testing for a new rank/belt, and everyone did fabulously. Students were tested on Kihon (karate basics), Kata (karate forms consisting of a combination of positions/movements), and Kumite (one-on-one basic…
Shari Rodgers You watched all those great karate movies in the ‘70s and ‘80s and maybe even started martial arts. The will was there but, as with most of us, life got in the way. Now you wonder what it would have been like if you had taken martial arts classes. Well, you still can!…
Shari Rodgers and Sue Allen Preparing your body for martial arts or a workout isn’t just about the physical training. It’s also about how you fuel it! Proper nutrition should be a priority for everyone! Diet plays a vital role in the lives of athletes, martial artists, and older folks. The food we consume becomes…
“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” That is a quote from the Superman actor, Christopher Reeve. It perfectly describes Quail Creek resident Larry Rowen, once you get to know him. He is a proud 26-year veteran of…