Shari Rodgers It might just become your passion. Passion is a powerful force in our lives. Engaging in activities we love can lead to personal growth and fulfillment. Passion fuels our motivation and creativity. It gives us something to strive for and can help us overcome challenges. When we immerse ourselves in martial arts, we…
Shari Rodgers Preparing for your karate belt test can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Whether you’re testing for your first belt or higher rank, proper preparation is key to success. The martial art of karate is rich in history and tradition. Karate utilizes a unique belt and rank system to signify a practitioner’s level…
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.…