Arizona Family Karate Academy

Specialties

We teach martial arts to ages 3 to 73! We specialize in teaching children life skills that they will utilize throughout their lives, and we do this in a safe and positive environment. All of our instructors are certified and go through a lengthy training period. We are members of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists, the Martial Arts Industry Association, the United State Karate Alliance and the Arizona State Karate Alliance. We have classes six days a week for all skill levels.

Without philosophy, Martial Arts would be little more than street fighting. At Arizona Family Karate we teach and emphasize a series of basic life skills that challenge our students throughout not only their Martial Arts training, but also their everyday lives. Our Tiny Tiger (ages 3 & 4), Little Ninja (ages 5 & 6) and Youth Class (ages 7 — 12) students are taught to be respectful and polite towards their parents.

History

Established in 1996.

Arizona Family Karate was founded in 1996 by Pam Poland. We were able to finally open our doors for business on October 26,1996 due to the kindness of APS finally sending out their commercial technicians after one month of waiting for an appointment. But even with that rocky start we were off and running! After years of practicing under Cathy & Mike Anderson & years of training with other instructors I was awarded my Shodan by Sensei James Hawkes, founder of the United States Karate Alliance. It was a huge surprise and an incredible honor that I will never forget. Sensei Hawkes was a wonderful man, martial artist and mentor. After being in business for 21 years we are home to over 200 students ranging in ages from 3 on up thru 65 years. We focus on utilizing the martial arts as a medium to reinforce the values that you are teaching you children at home. Our instructors have been with us for years. All of them certified instructors not just black belts.

Meet the Business Owner

Pam P.

Business Owner

Sensei Pam Poland is a 4^th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, and a 1^st Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Kempo. She was awarded her first Black Belt in July of 1996 by James Hawkes, a 9^th Degree Black Belt and also the founder & President of the United States Karate Alliance. She was recently nominated for the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Through out her 26 year martial arts career she has held several World Titles in full contact fighting, grappling and point fighting.

Pam Poland has trained in Shotokan, Okinawan Kenpo, Judo, Goju Ryu and Tai Chi. She trained under Sensei Cathy Anderson, a 6^th Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Kempo & Kodakan Judo, a 1^st Degree Black Belt in Hoteikan Jujitsu and a 1^st Degree Black Belt in Tai Liu Chuan Fa. Cathy Anderson is the former owner of Goshin Karate & Judo Academy located in Scottsdale, Arizona over 20 years. She is a Certified Cardio Kickboxing Instructor and a Certified Cardio Kombat Instructor.