Traditional Okinawan Karate in Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler Arizona

Traditional martial arts are different from sport martial arts and MMA. The purpose of traditional martial arts is self-improvement, self-confidence, learning to respect martial arts, karate instructors, students, and in particular, to pay homage to our God. Traditional martial arts also focus on self-defense, traditions, lineage and developing positive affirmations. A positive characteristic about learning these attributes is a person can gain good health while learning a valuable art.  Remember the 1984 movie ‘The Karate Kid’. There were  two opposing philosophies depicted in the movie: (1) sport (Cobra Kai) karate & (2) traditional Okinawa Karate (Miyagi Ryu). We hope most sport karate schools are not as aggressive as the Cobra Kai, but it should give you a general idea of the differences. At the Arizona Hombu Dojo –  TRADITIONAL Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate is taught – just like Mr. Miyagi's karate. 

"No such thing as bad student. Only bad teacher." -Mr. Miyagi

Shorin-Ryu Karate is essentially the original form of karate developed on Okinawa. It was created for the body guards of Okinawan royalty as likely as a self-defense art for some Okinawan peasants and included both empty hand (karate) and weapons (kobudo).  Shorin-Ryu Karate evolved from Shaolin Gung Fu. In fact the kanji (Chinese characters) used for Shorin-Ryu refer to the Chinese Shaolin Temple. 

According to legend, Gung Fu was developed in ~550 AD when a Indian monk named Bodhidharma traveled to China to teach Zen Buddhism.  The Indian monk ended up in the Shaolin Temple in the Henan Province where he introduced the Chinese monks to Zen. However, during meditation, the Chinese monks often fell asleep. Thus Bodhidarma instituted an exercise program that required the monks to train in Zen and also in a combat form known as Shi Pa Lohan Sho - which translates as the '18 hands of Lohan'.  And just like that - martial 'arts' were created. And we do emphasize the term 'arts'. This is why MMA and other combat forms are not martial arts - they have no esoteric value which was introduced by blending Zen philosophy with combat.

"Karate and Kobudo can be likened to tires of a bicycle. Both are needed to make the bike move"

Dr. Adam trains with family member

Today, karate includes the original Okinawa form of the martial arts that blend both the empty hand (karate) and weapons (kobudo) and other styles that have branched from Shorin-Ryu. Unlike most other forms of karate taught in the US and mainland Japan, Shorin-Ryu includes education in both weapons and empty hand. Thus, students of Shorin-Ryu learn both from the beginning, as was the original intention. In other forms of Japanese karate, kobudo is not taught, or kobudo, if taught, is only introduced at the yudansha (black belt) level. And many martial arts school tack on extra fees to teach weapons. But both karate and kobudo use the same movements and stances, so it seems backwards not to teach both at the beginning. At the Arizona School of Traditional Karate, the students all learn a large variety of weapons.  Stop in and see why our karate has so much power and focus and why we are all such good friends. 


KARATE, KOBUDO, SAMURAI ARTS & SELF-DEFENSE classes for Adults - You don't have to worry about being kicked in the shin by a 5-year old in your taekwondo class anymore.

Taught by our own Mr Miyagi (Soke Hausel)- the  2001 International Instructor of the Year.

Charles (a librarian) trains with Ryan (a nutritionist)

GRANDPARENTS & PROFESSOR earn black belts in Mesa

Sensei Bill and Paula Borea train with kuwa at Arizona
School of Traditional Karate in Mesa following black
belt exams.

Many karate instructors and students congratulated Bill and Paula Borea of Gilbert and Dr. Adam of Phoenix for successfully passing advanced black belt exams. All three underwent 10 days of exams in Traditional Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo in Mesa. The group was required to demonstrate advanced forms (known in Japanese as kata), Okinawan weapons (known as kobudo) and Samurai Arts, and had to defend against a variety of attacks including assailants knives, guns and rifles. Dr. Adam also developed new forms including kata for hanbo (baton) and kata using a variety of modern tools including ruler, pens, glasses and belt. All three were successful and were promoted at a celebration Thursday evening (September 8th, 2011) at the Arizona School of Traditional Karate at the north end of Gilbert and south end of Mesa.

Bill and Paula stand with Soke Hausel. Both Bill and Paula were promoted to 2nd degree black belt (nidan) in Shorin-Ryu karate and kobudo at the Hombu dojo in Mesa. 

The ceremony was completed with presentation of certifications followed by tonfa-jutsu training and demonstration of a new kata by Dr. Adam. 

Tonfa is an ancient Okinawan weapon that at one time was used by nearly every law enforcement agency in the world, providing an insight into how effective this tool can be if one is properly trained. The weapon was originally a grinder handle attached to rice mills in Okinawa.

What makes this so unique is due to very unusual circumstances made for a novel or movie script:

Very few people reach the level of 2nd degree black belt in Shorin-Ryu karate. This is because of extreme dedication and years of training. Even so, it is very achievable and all it takes is serious dedication.

Very few reach the level of Shihan (Master) and 5th degree black belt. This is considered one of the highest levels in martial arts – to be a master of an art.

Bill and Paula have been training for many years trained in Japan while Bill was stationed in the Orient as a pilot in the US Air Force. They also trained at other martial arts schools in the US.

Paula’s story alone is made of the stuff for a movie. She is half Japanese. After the World War II, she was born to a Japanese mother and American serviceman. Being a child of two opposed cultures, resulted in her Japanese family giving her up for adoption at the age of 4 to 5.

Dr. Adam (R) receives rank certifications

Later in life, Paula returned to Japan with her husband Bill, where she met her Japanese mother for the first time since separation at birth - and they shared many tears.

Paula is not only of Japanese descent, she is also of samurai lineage and has always had an attachment to this heritage and searched for a martial arts school in Arizona that could bring her closer to her culture. She found that the Arizona School of Traditional Karate in Mesa provided her with that which she was missing and started training in Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo and various samurai arts in 2006. She is the honorary Samurai of the Arizona School of Traditional Karate and Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai.

Both Bill and Paula are grandparents who show that with the right attitude, anything can be accomplished. The Boreas show this everyday in their lives. People who claim they cannot work out because of physical limitations should meet these two extraordinary people. Because of their dedication, both were also certified as Sensei (instructors).

Seiyo no Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai Hombu dojo in Mesa, Arizona

University of Wyoming Campus Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo