Articles from the dojo
Training notes from Santa Barbara Dojo on martial arts, fitness, and kids classes.
Martial Arts Philosophy
Martial Arts Philosophy
Family Martial Arts Classes: Why We Train Together
Why we built a Family class where parents, kids, teens and grandparents train together, and what it gives a family on and off the mat.
October 16, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Martial Arts Philosophy
The ABCs of Self-Defense: Awareness, Boundaries, Confidence
Our self-defense starts with the ABCs: awareness and avoid, boundaries and confidence, long before anyone needs a technique.
October 8, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Martial Arts Philosophy
How Martial Arts Builds Discipline Without Punishment
At our dojo, discipline is a tool for growth, not punishment. How we set the standard kindly, correct in private, and praise in public.
February 18, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Parenting & Kids Development
Parenting & Kids Development
Martial Arts as an After-School Activity: What to Look For
Choosing an after-school activity? What to look for in the instructors, the structure and the culture, and how our kids classes are built.
August 26, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Parenting & Kids Development
Your Child's First Martial Arts Lesson: What to Expect
Every new student at our dojo starts with a private intro lesson, not a group class. What happens in that lesson and why we do it this way.
May 6, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Parenting & Kids Development
How Martial Arts Builds Real Confidence in Kids
Confidence doesn't come from being told you're good. It comes from proving it to yourself. How our kids classes build real, lasting confidence.
April 8, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Parenting & Kids Development
How to Help Your Child Stick With Martial Arts
How parents can help kids keep training through the hard weeks, with a steady routine, specific praise, patience and a goal to work toward.
March 11, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Parenting & Kids Development
Raising a Bullyproof Kid: Voice, Posture and Getting Help
Bullyproof isn't about fighting. How our kids classes build a strong voice, tall posture, and the habit of leaving and getting help.
January 27, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Parenting & Kids Development
How to Get Your Kids Started in Martial Arts
Advice from a dad and instructor on getting kids excited about martial arts, from the first private lesson to stepping on the mat yourself.
October 9, 2019 · Austin Curtis
Fitness Tips
Fitness Tips
Your First Kickboxing Class in Santa Barbara: What to Expect
New to kickboxing? What happens at your first KUT class at Santa Barbara Dojo, what to bring, and why beginners find their footing quickly.
May 27, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Fitness Tips
Healthy Eating for Busy People: A Simple, Realistic Plan
Simple ways to eat well on a packed schedule, plus how the meal plan in our kickboxing challenge builds on foods you already eat.
January 14, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Fitness Tips
Heart-Rate Zone Training: How to Pace Your Workouts
How we use Fittest heart-rate zones in kickboxing class, why living in the top zone backfires, and how to pace a workout well.
June 16, 2025 · Austin Curtis
Fitness Tips
How to Stay Consistent With Exercise Without Willpower
Consistency comes from a plan you don't reinvent each week: set class days, a short record, a coach who notices and a group that expects you.
May 22, 2025 · Austin Curtis
Fitness Tips
Group Fitness vs. the Gym: Why Coached Classes Work
Why we believe a coached group class beats a solo gym routine: a plan made for you, real coaching and people who notice you.
March 5, 2025 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Dojo Updates
Santa Barbara Kickboxing Challenge: What's Included
Our coached challenge combines kickboxing, strength work, a personal nutrition plan and weekly coach check-ins. Here's how it works.
September 23, 2026 · Santa Barbara Dojo
Dojo Updates
Mat Etiquette Reminders and a New Junior Leaders Workshop
As fall begins, the dojo shares its mat etiquette and healthy-habit reminders, launches a Junior Leaders Workshop and calls for Basket Brigade sponsors.
September 4, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Our Goleta Dojo Opens
Santa Barbara Dojo Goleta is open, welcoming new families with a free Ho Shin Sul self-defense seminar led by Master Austin.
January 7, 2026 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Basket Brigade Has Its Biggest Year Ever
This year's Thanksgiving Basket Brigade was our biggest yet, with record baskets, our fastest deliveries ever and support from sponsors across Santa Barbara.
November 24, 2025 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Our Granada Hills Dojo Opens
Master Garret's Santa Barbara Dojo Granada Hills held its grand opening, with a big turnout from Santa Barbara to support our newest school in the San Fernando Valley.
October 14, 2025 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Goleta Dojo Construction Set to Begin
Santa Barbara Dojo will start construction on its Goleta school this August, plus a family-friendly nunchucks seminar and black belt prep.
May 17, 2025 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Grandmaster Lee Visits for Black Belt Weekend
GHA President Grandmaster Lee joined us for Black Belt Weekend, with black belt and advanced rank tests, a Hapkido self-defense seminar and a dojo family potluck.
May 13, 2024 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Dojo Hosts Police Training as Master Garret Opens an LA Dojo
Santa Barbara Dojo is providing training space for local police, Master Garret is opening a Los Angeles dojo, and a Korea trip and Black Belt Weekend are ahead.
February 19, 2024 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Our Masters Join the Global Hapkido Association
Our masters joined the Global Hapkido Association and took on new roles, plus a milestone black belt test, the Basket Brigade and a holiday potluck.
November 9, 2023 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Dojo Hosts Black Belt Test and Demonstration
Our Dynamic Circle Hapkido black belt test and demonstration is open to everyone, plus the Thanksgiving Basket Brigade and a new dojo app.
November 3, 2022 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Santa Barbara Dojo Celebrates Twenty Years
Santa Barbara Dojo celebrates twenty years of family martial arts in town with an anniversary dinner and dancing at El Paseo Restaurant for the whole dojo family.
September 22, 2022 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Classes Move Back Indoors as Mask Mandate Lifts
With Santa Barbara's mask mandate lifted, our classes are moving back indoors, with key safety steps staying in place and respect for members' health and privacy.
June 15, 2021 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Master Austin Shares His Basket Brigade Story
Ahead of this year's Basket Brigade, Master Austin shares the story of a hard year, a delivery day that changed his view and an unexpected gift from Grandmaster.
November 17, 2020 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Santa Barbara Dojo Reopens With New Safety Measures
Santa Barbara Dojo is reopening after Covid closures with reserved classes, distanced training squares, extra cleaning and online options.
June 17, 2020 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Rajni Named Instructor of the Month
Rajni is our instructor of the month and shares what she loves about teaching kickboxing. Plus our school picnic, testing news and schedule updates.
August 7, 2019 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Bill "Superfoot" Wallace Teaches a Kicking Seminar
Legendary martial artist Bill "Superfoot" Wallace is back at the dojo to teach a kicking and stretching seminar. Here is who he is and what the seminar covers.
April 1, 2019 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Ron Balicki and Diana Lee Inosanto Teach Filipino Knife and Stick
Ron Balicki and Diana Lee Inosanto brought a Filipino knife and stick seminar to the dojo in a year that also saw a Best Martial Arts Studio win and new black belts.
December 11, 2018 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Belt Promotions Head to Leadbetter Beach
Our yearly outdoor belt promotion and potluck heads to Leadbetter Beach, plus a free women's self-defense class, open mat, summer camps and Best Of nominations.
July 3, 2018 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
New Black Belts Promoted as No Junk June Begins
Our newest black belts are promoted and mentoring the next candidates, No Junk June begins, and there are new ways to train together this summer.
May 29, 2017 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Master Austin Shares the Story Behind Our Dojo
Master Austin shares how his family went from a dojo in Honolulu to teaching in a San Diego garage to opening their school in Santa Barbara.
March 12, 2017 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Black Belt Power Authors Sign Books at Our Holiday Party
Contributing authors of Black Belt Power, a book of black belt stories that includes Master Mel, signed copies at our holiday gathering after a season of tests and a leadership camp.
December 12, 2016 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Dojo Hosts a Free Kickboxing Party to Fight Cancer
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the dojo hosted a free kickboxing class and party, collected donations for a local resource center and wore pink belts.
October 19, 2015 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Karate Hall of Famer Master Ellen Teaches Self-Defense Seminars
Karate Hall of Famer Master Ellen, who first trained with Grandmaster Dave Wheaton, taught youth and adult self-defense seminars, plus news from our revamped newsletter.
September 4, 2015 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Kids Learn Safety Skills at Our Summer Party
Our Back to Summer Party mixed tug of war, dodgeball and a martial arts demo with a safety seminar on calling 911, handling emergencies and self-defense.
June 5, 2014 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Master Mel Leads a New Year Goal Seminar
The dojo opened the new year with a free No Sugar New Year Challenge and a goal seminar led by Master Mel, a martial artist, fitness instructor and TEDx speaker.
January 6, 2014 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Santa Barbara Dojo Launches a Women's Self-Defense Course
Santa Barbara Dojo launched a Real Deal Self Defense course for women this spring, plus Spring Break Camp for kids and thanks for a Best Martial Arts award.
March 22, 2013 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Dojo Wraps Up a Year of Celebrations and Service
Looking back on the dojo's year: an anniversary party, a kick-a-thon for Storyteller Children's Center, master seminars and the Basket Brigade, plus what's ahead.
January 2, 2013 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Santa Barbara Dojo Celebrates Ten Years
Santa Barbara Dojo, then Martial Arts Family Fitness, celebrated ten years in town with the Fiesta Children's Parade, an anniversary party and the Basket Brigade.
November 13, 2012 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
February Brings Weapons Seminars and Belt Promotions
Teamwork is February's focus as students prepare for promotions, with knife and gun defense for black belts, a kids short stick seminar and an adult escrima seminar.
January 27, 2012 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Students Prepare for February Promotions
Body language is February's focus as students prepare for skill bar testing and belt promotions, plus a women's self-defense seminar and a Valentine's buddy day.
February 1, 2011 · Austin Curtis
Dojo Updates
Enthusiasm Month Brings Ground Defense Seminars and a Costume Day
Enthusiasm is the month's character focus, with ground defense seminars for kids and adults, Glow Saber training and Hallow-Kido Costume Day.
October 15, 2010 · Austin Curtis