You know how you used to play hard, back when you were made of soft cartilage and joy? As we age, we are introduced to more and more elements of the world that demand respect. The world starts to thump back with indifference. As our tendency to run, jump, and play fades, our ability to respond to threats and crises goes with it — because it’s the same skill.
Our art doesn’t set respect and discipline up as opposites to curious play. We see growing up as the process of developing enough respect for the world to play with heavier and sharper toys. This approach allows the Yokai Gumi to cultivate practitioners who are reliably supportive to those they love in the tough situations that life has a tendency to present.
I’m the managing instructor of the Yokai Gumi, and founding director of the Shin Kaju En Dojo. In 1993, I started studying martial arts in earnest. Since then I’ve done a lot of things to work toward improving the world: community economic development, ecological reform work, and all sorts of local organizing. Nothing has ever worked as well as helping individual people to advance their own lives. Now, I’m paying forward the decades of attention that instructors have poured into me.
I hope to meet you soon.
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Feel like it’s been too long? You haven’t had any reason to run a block in a while. Hoping you’ll never have to? You’ve learned to dress for muffin tops. The kids have a dog to run around with. It’s easy to get comfortable. And it’s your right.
But you are reading this. So maybe you do want to play tag with the kids on summer nights. Maybe you want to be ready in the event of an emergency. Maybe you just want to look and feel different. All your fitness and preparedness goals are welcome here — big and small.
Whether you want to lose some weight, gain some endurance, or restore your mobility, the 6-Week Warrior Reset is your gateway to making that lifestyle a reality. And you’ll get to dip your toes into some self-defense as well.
Get personalized attention, focused on your goals, in the training hall and sent straight to your phone.
Tailored to your needs and constraints, we’ll create your winning food plan and make it simple starting today.
Accountability is not judgement. Your personal accountability coach will help you leverage all of your setbacks to greater success.
You’ve heard people say it, “Don’t be a hero.” What they mean is that you shouldn’t try to solve problems that are out of your depth. Sure. But what is your depth? Everyone has an effect on the world every day. Everyone can solve some problems. And if you expand your capacity, then you might quickly find that simple acts can make you someone’s hero tomorrow. Maybe someone who’s been waiting for you to express your heroic potential for a long time. Maybe you.
