Traditional Martial Arts Schools and Classes in Arizona

The Phoenix Peace Garden

Traditional martial arts schools and classes focus on instilling self-confidence, positive thinking, self-respect and respect for others. Those who practice traditional martial arts are typically positive and better designed to handle many of life's curve balls.

At one unique traditional martial arts school in the East Valley of Phoenix, adults from Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek and Apache Junction have a rare opportunity to train under a grandmaster who is also a member of several martial arts Halls-of-Fame. His martial arts school is not the typical 'I'm tougher than you' school; instead it's a school of higher education - a school where members learn about martial arts traditions, history, philosophy, physics, why martial arts work and even a little Japanese.

People are surprised when they discover many things about karate - for instance, that it was developed on the tiny island kingdom of Okinawa and was kept secret from the rest of the world for hundreds of years. They are also surprised that parts of karate may have been derived and modified from the teachings of a Chinese woman, who developed a significant art we refer to as White Crane Gung Fu by watching the movements of white cranes. There are complex some forms in karate that are more than obvious that they mimic the crane. These have devastating self-defense applications taught only to a few trusted students.

Those who attend this school have a rare opportunity to learn more than they could ever imagine. And no where else in Arizona can people earn legitimate black belt ranks from 1st degree black belt (shodan) all the way to 10th degree black belt (judan). Some people join this school and only learn the basics (kihon) of martial arts, but other dedicated students take the time to learn many of the secrets of martial arts. All of this is wrapped up and taught as part of Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo.

Kobudo weapons line the walls at the Arizona Hombu - most martial arts weapons
are tools of trade for farmers and fishermen on Okinawa.

As an example, the many martial arts we teach include:

1. Traditional Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate.
2. Kobudo
3. Samurai Arts
4. Self-Defense
5. Jujutsu
6. Nunchaku 
7. Sai jutsu
8. Kama
9. Tonfa
10. Tsune (cane)
11. Kuwa (hoe)
12. Ra-ke (rake)
13. Hojojutsu (rope restraints)
14. Manrikigusari (chain)
15. Hanbo (half-staff)
16. Kibo (Kioga, expandable baton)
17. Bo (long staff)
18. Jo
19. Kuboton
20. Naginata
21. Sojutsu (yari)
22. Kenjutsu
23. Iaido
24. Tekko
25. Gusarigama (Chain and Sickle)
26. Suriken
27. Tanto (Knife)
28. Kempojutsu
29. Katana (Samurai Sword)
30. Nitanbo
31. Kote Kitae (body hardening)
32. Kata
33. Bunkai
34. Modern kobudo weapons such as books, magazines, pens, keys, etc.

Seiyo dojo in Casper, Wyoming (photo by Ken Knight)

So, how can we offer so many different varieties of martial arts compared to all other schools in Arizona? We have a group of well-trained black belt instructors with a combined experience of more than 100 years in martial arts. Our instructors include a Grandmaster with 2 dozen martial arts certifications and several black belt ranks and his black belt instructors. Our grandmaster is also a member of Who's Who in the World and a member of more than a dozen Halls-of-Fame primarily as a world-class martial arts instructor.

Yan Ma with the University of Wyoming Campus Shorin-Ryu Karate
club demonstrates beautiful technique.

The next time you check for martial arts schools in Arizona, see if any other school can compare to our qualifications, experience and prices.

Soke Hausel demonstrates White
Crane Karate in celebration of
Chinese New Year at the university.