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…
Shari Rodgers There is a deep connection between martial arts and the human psyche. Karate is no exception. The term “karate psychology” refers to numerous ways of improving one’s mental strength by learning karate. Many people find that practicing karate helps them feel more centered and calmer. This is because karate teaches discipline, respect, and…
Shari Rodgers The other day on my way to class, I was asked, “Why don’t you all just wear sweats and not that?” (pointing to what I was wearing, known as a karate Gi). I thought it might be interesting to write about the Gi and explain why we wear it. Gi is a shortened…
Every person deserves to feel safe and secure. The sad reality is that violent crime against people over 65 increased by 27% recently. That is why self-defense, especially for seniors, is such an important topic. We all know that as we age, our bodies tend to get slower, and we are weaker. Unfortunately, this can…
The weekend of April 20 and 21 was busy for the Quail Creek Dojo. The Dojo hosted a Shotokan/ASAI Karate Seminar with Sensei Johnson. The seminar focused on skills development and concentrated on specific aspects of karate training. It is wonderful to learn from a master of the art who comes from different places and…