 "To Accumulate Good Deeds Hall" plaque on the dojo outside wall. |
Students come and go in the dojo. People leave for various reasons (job, moving, etc), and then come back - weeks, months or years later. I think all my students know that they will always have a home in the dojo, regardless of how long they've been gone. Our dojo is like family, and this is one of the most important things I learned in Okinawa, where all dojos are like that!
I am grateful and humbled on a daily basis at all the people I have the continued opportunity to teach and learn from. In many ways I learn every bit as much from them as they do from me. I have dedicated my life to this art, and am reminded often that I made the right decision in doing so.
Below are comments from some of my students, and from parents of some of "my kids". I thank them all for their kind words!
Preston Sensei
We're on our way to my son's karate lesson with Sensei Preston. At the beginning of the class my son rocks on his haunches, a dreaming seven year old, mouth agape, finger wiggling his loose front tooth. Then up and center. He's being tested today for his orange belt, and I am supposed to take pictures of the form, but I am so busy watching him that the camera lowers and it's just my eyes on him as he changes, becomes someone else. Knife hand. Cat stance. His precision, his grace, how has Sensei taught him to understand the edges of his body so completely? Afterwards Sensei Preston whispers in my son's ear, "You can be any size you want to be, big or small, strong or weak, you choose. That's karate."
-Micah Perks, mother of Samson Stilwell
"Willie has been taking Karate for 10 months. He started at 5 1/2 years old. He is currently a yellow belt with orange tips, working towards his full orange belt. His focus is amazing. He practices his katas on the beach, in wide open meadows, or in our livingroom. All of his practices are with intense focus and dicipiline. He says that he will "take Karate for the rest of my life". Karate has given him great confidence and balance."
-Ellen Day
"Karate with Preston Sensei has been an incredible priviledge. She is a natural with kids. They love her and respect her. She is so fun! My daughter enjoys karate with sensei so much we are celebrating her 6th birthday at the dojo with her friends. My daughter has learned about okinawan culture, language, and respect through karate. Preston Sensei is amazing."
-Karyn Schmidt
"My son has been studying with Preston Sensei since he was four and a half. He's now seven, and he still enjoys coming to karate. Each class is a wonderful mixture of practice and playfullness. Karate has taught him about balance, speed, power, and memory. As a parent, one of my favorite things about sensei's teaching style is the way she challenges her students to excel — with gentleness, never harshness or intimidation."
-Lyn Jeffery
"Josh Rich, 12 years old, has been studying with Preston sensei for approximately two years. Karate has helped Josh learn to control his body and mind. As he continues to study the art of karate, his life will become enriched by the teachings. I can see a large improvement in his self esteem and his concentration."
-Chere Rich
"We are so happy to have sensei in our childrens lives. Not only does she teach important skills but she is a wonderful role model. She really likes kids and it shows."
-Mary Seamount
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"My kids love going to Karate! They have a great time doing the workouts and playing the games and are loving learning Japanese language and culture."
-Erika Perloff, mother of Dylan and Marianna Keel
"Our son Tushar has been coming to Preston Sensei's dojo for over two years. He is really keen on learning new kata's and getting a higher belt color. For Tushar's 2nd grade special person demonstration (where he got to teach the rest of the class) his best choice was to show his class his karate."
-Ritu & Rajeev
"My daughter just started a month ago and she loves it. With Preston Sensei's creative teaching style, she creates a warm, nurturing and playful environment, while at the same time encouraging the children to do their best."
-Dianna Hall
"Since I started to learn karate I feel like I am growing stronger. I also learned how to control mind and body. I am not afraid anymore."
-Marysol Alvarez, 12 years old.
"Preston Sensei brings an inspiring, confident, calm element to her teaching at the Santa Cruz Karate Dojo. I feel our family has gained a strong sense of foundation from our participation in Sensei's karate community."
Dawn O'Regan (Mother of Hanna and Bailey).
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"I have had the pleasure of training with Preston Sensei for the past 8 months. In that time, I have learned more about the essence of karate-do than in 4 years of training at my former dojo. Training with Preston Sensei has enriched not only my physical conditioning but also my mental and spiritual conditioning, providing me an invaluable piece of sanity within my busy and often stressful life."
-Karen Chamberlain
"I enjoy karate both for the physical benefit and, much more importantly, for the spiritual/quality of life benefit that being part of the dojo community brought me, and that training in karate brought to all parts of my life. I credit my training in karate for giving me much of the personal and spiritual strength to come out of my shell over the past few years. I can't imagine any other teacher in this area being able to create the spirit and environment of your dojo, this includes the reverence for the tradition and history, but also the supportive and caring atmosphere."
-Thomas Leavitt
"I've studied with Preston Sensei for four years privately, I always leave a session with renewed inspiration and dedication to this art form."
-Marquerite Rose
"Training in Sensei Prestons dojo has been a wonderful experience. She guides us through challenging and insightful workouts. Each workout is different and unique which keeps me on my toes.
Training karate has helped my body to feel strong and powerful. Karate enlivens my body. The sweat and challenges help me to forget my worries. It refreshes my mind and my spirit. I feel child like as I try new feats and laugh with my fellow students. I feel empowered when my body does what I thought it never could."
-Sarah Knight
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"I orginally took karate for self defense. I never thought I would find a family, or start a path with so much being shown to me, my faults as well as achievements. When I started I thought I will never be able to do karate, but I just kept trying. I am most inspired by the young students, I started at the age of forty and I can see them surpassing me some day, I find this wonderful."
-Cobra Teal
(note: Cobra is second in this dojo to receive rank of Shodan/Black Belt, and he often teaches the kids. He has come up with really great original projects to do with them over the years, from ikebana/flower arrangement, to making mother's day gifts, to a huge japanese folk tale play to name only a few).
"Being Preston Sensei's very first karate student, nearly nine years ago I have witnessed many positive changes. Especially after her training with Grandmaster Shoshin Nagamine. I have seen many students come and go, and those that stayed, these are the students who are dedicated and loyal, who truly appreciate Matsubayashi-ryu and Preston Sensei. For me, it has enriched my mind, body, and spirit. I am very grateful for the teachings of Shorin-ryu."
-Sharon Branch, Shodan rank.
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