Karate Hall of Famer Master Ellen Teaches Self-Defense Seminars

This month, we brought back our monthly newsletter, revamped and ready to keep our families up to date on everything happening at the dojo. And we had a lot to share, starting with a special guest.

Here's what this month's self-defense seminars were about and a few other updates from the mat.

Why we learn from guest masters

We believe great martial artists never stop being students. Learning from someone outside your own school gives you a fresh perspective, new details on familiar techniques and a reminder of how deep the martial arts really go.

That's why we were proud to host Karate Hall-of-Famer Master Ellen for a pair of self-defense seminars. Master Ellen first began training with Grandmaster Dave Wheaton many years ago, so her roots and ours run together.

Self-defense for youth and adults

Master Ellen taught a youth seminar and an adult seminar, both focused on practical ways to protect yourself. All were welcome, and no experience was necessary. Self-defense skills are for everyone, and a seminar is one of the best ways to learn them in a focused, supportive setting.

We believe self-defense should be practical, simple and repeatable. The goal isn't to memorize a long list of moves. It's to learn a few smart habits and techniques well enough that you can rely on them when it counts. Seminars like these give students the time and focus to do exactly that.

Making Friday nights count

We also updated our Friday schedule. Instead of open mat, Friday evenings became a time for seminars, supportive training and Parents' Night Out. We added a Candidate Camp, too, a dedicated session for black belt candidates who need extra time on the mat and support getting their skill bars signed off before testing.

We believe every student deserves the support they need to succeed, not just the ones who find it easy. Extra mat time before a test isn't a shortcut. It's how we make sure every candidate walks in prepared and confident.

Our next belt promotion was open to the public, and we encouraged students to invite friends and family to come watch.

A family story in a protein powder

We also shared some big news from our own family. Grandmaster Dave and Master Mel love real, delicious and nutritious food. For years, they searched for a grass-fed whey protein with zero sweeteners and no fillers. They never found one, so they made their own and called it Whey Clean.

It's a small story, but it says a lot about how we approach everything at the dojo: if something matters to our students' health, we want to get it right.

Have questions or want to learn more? Contact us using the form below, and we'll be glad to help.