Shaolin American Self Defense Academy

Leadership is just one of the many life skills we teach in our kids' program. Karate is about so much more than punches and kicks. Watching our students step up to lead class reminds us that the lessons they learn on the mat will stay with them for life.

A huge congratulations to all the students who earned their new rank at this past weekend's test! Every new belt represents countless hours of training, learning, and hard work. Let this test motivate you to keep up the hard work and set the next goal. We are a proud team of instructors and can't wait to see what you'll accomplish next! Congrats on a job well done.

Black belts line up first because they lead by example. They show beginners what's possible through dedication, discipline, and perseverance. Remember that a black belt is just a white belt that never gave up!

Happy 15th Anniversary to our dojo! This week marked our fifteenth trip around the sun together…training and growing as a community. We’ve had hundreds of wonderful, supportive students bow onto our mats over the years. Our self defense academy has thrived and has become such a positive, welcoming, diverse dojo for people from all walks of life to come train hard, evolve and empower themselves. I am so grateful for the years of support I’ve experienced. We could never have made it this far without the support of our dojo family. This first pic is from the very first class I taught on a Wednesday night at SASDA. If you look closely, you will find Sensei Jared Podos and Mr. Chip Matthews attending that first session. Two amazing students who have always stood by me since the day I announced I was starting my own school. Sensei Jared was the only student I’ve had the pleasure of teaching over the last two decades to be awarded a black belt in both Shaolin and American Kempo/Kenpo. He has been a leader of our team(s) over the years and an integral part of our dojo’s success. There’s really too many names to mention of people who’ve been a huge part of keeping our doors open for the last fifteen years. Thank you all so much! From the bottom of my heart! This is one hell of a dojo filled with amazing humans. Salute and here’s to fifteen more years! 🙏🏼🤜🏼🫷🏼

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One of the first lessons is to learn to bend your knees and lower your center of gravity. By bending your knees, you develop a solid stance and become harder to move by your partner or opponent.

Früh am Morgen in Los Angeles bedeutet spät am Abend in Berlin 🌍🥋

Gestern hatten wir eine sehr lehrreiche und inspirierende Online-Session mit Donnie Jeffcoat von der Shaolin American Self Defense Academy

Es war eine großartige Zeit voller neuer Impulse, spannender Einblicke und positiver Energie. Vielen Dank für den tollen Austausch – wir freuen uns schon auf das nächste Mal! 🙏🔥