TESTIMONIALS

Sensei Brian Pena and his staff make up a group of people who are truly dedicated to giving you some of the best instruction in the martial arts you can find. At the same time they will help you develop your self-discipline while guiding you along your personal journey with Karate and life. I send both of my children and personally practice at The Karate Dojo. We look forward to and plan on being a part of this Karate family for years to come.

Gene Crawford

I am thankful to you for your leadership, guidance and support since I started Karate in 2007. In the Dojo I have learned about Patience, Discipline and Humility.
-I have learned to slow down, take the time to do anything well and better. By taking the time to teach each step and expecting the best performance, you have modeled Patience in a positive way and helped me improve shortcomings ranging from a weak memory, a poor balance to a lack of strength. I also realized that when I was more patient with myself I could challenge both my mind by reviewing over and over memory work, and my body by practicing often in a gentle way. Before I started Karate, any and every aspect of Patience , the constancy it requires, the resignation it asks for, was a big challenge for me. I physically resented the word as a form of threat urging me to be calm and considered it an impossible goal to attain. Karate training at the Dojo has encouraged me to "Give Out Before You Give Up". It has progressively strengthened my Patience by learning to endure pain and discomfort without complaining. I have also learned to listen better and wait more.
-The Dojo gave me the opportunity to train my mind over my body. Through the practice of obedience to a set of rules and the development of self-control, I experienced small successes and small setbacks along the way. That built self-confidence and strength. Also, although push ups were challenging for me, I tried to not consider them as punishment, but as "deterrent" and a manner to get stronger and to improve myself in a respectful way. Repetition contributed to connect my mind and body. Karate practice also gave me the chance to let all thoughts and worries at the door or at least behind when class started. When I stayed focused during class it relaxed my mind.
-As an adult, Karate has challenged me to adopt a student's state of mind to follow directions and to defer to more advanced students in order to progress. The practice of Karate has also helped me know more about myself -my strengths and weaknesses- Humility to accept my limitations (which vary) has allowed for a "personalized" training in Karate. Knowledge and acceptance of my capacities have been the basis to work at my own level and progress from there. During Karate classes I have practiced Humility and learned about Respect over and over, each time I bowed or listened with Respect. In life, even I am aware that have a more positive attitude and that I handle situation more assertively from time to time; I cannot acknowledge all the benefits I reaped because of my growth in Patience, Discipline and Humility because they are too many and they affect my life in so many areas at so different moments. However, there are two instances when I know that Karate played a direct and important role in my life. The first one was through the visualization of Kata Taigo 1 that guided me through a very difficult time. The second one was the moral strength I got knowing that I could count on you and the Dojo. That day, little by little, my mind constantly redirected to focus on the next step, I passed in front of the Dojo and arrived at destination. Driving back was a lot easier. Later, I felt accountable and appreciated that with your support I was allowed to give back with "Karate time". I am very grateful to you for all this.
With Respect.

Marie Iniguez

Sir, very few people are blessed in this life doing what they were meant to be doing and loving every second of it. You are one of those few truly blessed. You prove this daily in your interaction with your staff and students. You prove this daily with your passion for your mission: Teach Karate at YOUR Dojo to the best of your abilities. You pour your heart and soul into this endeavor. That is the reason for your success. Not any Sensei before you or after you can say the same. You are unique and special and your students and staff realize this. May God bless you with continued success.

Karon Andrews

After my son had been attending classes in the youth karate program for a few months, Sensei Pena talked me into joining the adult Karate class. This was the best decisions I have made, not only am I in muich better shape, but I have become more confident in life. In the last few weeks I even have started down the difficult path of quitting a very bad habit I have had for the past 25 years - smoking. I know I could not have even started such a task without the skills I have learned at The Karate Dojo: Patience, Discipline, Respect and Humility - all of which are required in order to succeed in anything.
I have grown to love Karate in the last year, not only as a parent of a student, but as a student. Sensei Pena gets to know each and every student in his Dojo in order to help each individual in the unique ways they may require. He truly has made me a better person, and that is something it is hard to express with just a thank you, instead I do my very best in class and life with what I have learned from him.

Jill Hunnicutt

Sensei,
Tonight was an experience I will not soon forget. However, it may not be what you think it is about. I know you are quite busy and get all sorts of emails from people about this and that, but I have to get this off my chest.  So...I warn you the rest is mushy. I was not raised to have much belief in what I could do as a child. Wah...I know, but it is true. As I got older there was always a fire in me for certain things I knew I could and would do.  Physical fitness has never been one of those though. Once I had Toby, I found even more strengths in me....or so I thought. I started karate and fitness with the dojo honestly because my husband and I wanted to do something together. My husband is a great deal of encouragement for myself, and until recently he has been the only person in my life to really motivate me past what I already knew about myself. Since I have been with the Dojo, everyone has always been extremely helpful and supportive. I have never once felt out of place or that I did not belong. I even got the notion out of my head that " I couldn't do something", Tonight put me in another realm of that though. I felt very emotional and had to wait until I was home because I did not want anyone to see that side of myself. Truth is having everyone there to not only be supportive and caring, but to really push me to improve myself and past what I think I can do--I have no words right now - just girly mushy tears. It is not something I thought was in me or that someone would help me find in myself. I want you to know that everyone there has done this for me.  I am overwhelmed, yet deeply empowered.  Thank you, not just for pushing myself and family to be better, but for making the Dojo a family. There's more support and encouragement there with everyone than I ever knew.
Sincerely,

Ashley Hodges
(mother of Toby & Brooke, wife of Russell)

I want to thank all of you at the DoJo who have had a part in caring for and teaching Zach over the past 3 years.  THANK YOU!!!  It is with sadness that we leave the Karate DoJo.  I can’t even put in words how grateful we are for the love, kindness and security we have felt over the years.  It has been amazing to see how much Zach has learned and grown since becoming a little ninja!  There are many of you that have had a hand in that and I greatly appreciate it!!  Sensei, you have been such an amazing role model for Zach.   His love and respect for you is great!  As is mine and David’s.
Thank you again!

Tammy Link
Zack Link's mother

I thank God for the people He has placed in our life over the last year.  You have shown genuine love and concern not only to Dylan and myself, but especially to Eric.  Since I started fitness (and karate) I've improved my cholesterol TREMENDOUSLY (as well as stress :) and since Eric joined your Dojo he has more focus & determination than I've seen in a long while - more importantly has been alcohol FREE!!  Thank you for being a part of our lives and for allowing God to do His work through you!!

Tina Coolidge

When I grow up, I want to be a mixture of three people. Grace Marie, Sensei, and Mrs. Smith. I want to be a leader, a Blackbelt, headstrong, not afraid to give my opinion, a person others look up to, a strong Christian, I want to make something of myself, and I want to never give up. All three of you have inspired me, and I wanted to thank you for it. All of y'all are amazing people and I want to continue learning from y'all. I love you guys!

Emily Weick
Student at The Karate Dojo

Had to share a story about Cammie. She was swimming at her meet last night - doing the back stroke and kept bumping into the plastic ropes and looked over and saw that she was dead last and began to cry.   She kept looking and kept swimming until she finished. When her Dad asked her why - she said "Dad, do I need to show you the shirt Sensei gave to me (NEVER GIVE UP)??"  It was the sweetest thing ever!  Thank you for the wonderful influence you have on my girls!

Carol Caulk
Graham & Cameron's mother

Sensei, there are times when we are at the Dojo that I think how I wish we had been involved with your program or known you "way back when." But after the Carolina Martial Arts Open especially, I realized we will still be able to say that, because even this far into your career, there is even so much more greatness ahead of you! We feel so blessed to be able to have Joel where he is, part of something that will only make him better. Just remember, it is always good to show your human side too.:) Professionalism and strength are traits that will keep people following you, but perfection, though admirable to strive for, is unattainable. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for our son. Your program has had a huge impact on our lives already. Looking forward to the future! :)

Stacey Wingate
Joel's Mother

Madison did dance for 4 years, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Girl Scouts, and now Karate. She has learned more from you these past months and progressed more in Karate than any of the other "extras" she has tried. She LOVES and Respects you and the Art of Karate. Thanks for caring and loving my baby girl (and the rest of your students) the way you do! It means More to this mommy than I can say!

Brandi Burrows
Madison's Mother

I am not a parent, just a grandparent that is concerned for all of the children of today, because most are not being taught values and respect. I am so pleased that my grandson Jonathan is taking Karate with you and learning the values and respect that are not shown much in today’s world, as it was when I was growing up (in the middle ages).
The video was good but seeing your classes are better.

Thank You for Caring,

Barbara A. Turner

The Dojo has made many important improvements in my family's life....and I am not even a class member. However, I love everyone there just the same. T here is a great spirit in your Dojo! It is really helping to motivate many people!!! My son has benefited from you and everyone there in ways I will never be able to repay.

I want you to know I TRULY appreciate all of you.....YOU ROCK!!!

Ashley Fraley (Toby's mom)

We certainly enjoyed the Survivor Tournament this past weekend. Again, thank you for all you do for Starling and the other children. From my general observations, your DOJO competitors exhibit the mannerisms that positively reflect on your teachings. They seem to be a notch above the others in the way they handle themselves both while competing and during the downtimes. Thank you again for being such a positive influence in her life, especially now that she is entering her high school years!

Al Eargle

Learning self-defense was only about 20% of the reason I wanted Ryan to take karate. Learning self-discipline, respect and good sportsmanship is far more important to me and I want it to be important to him. Anything you can do to reinforce that is greatly appreciated. The primary reason I chose The Karate Dojo is because I could tell from all the comments & profiles on some of the students that these qualities are part of your teaching philosophy.

Jana Smith

My story started in 2004...I had reached my top weight of 288 lbs. After trying many different attempts unsuccessfully, I was invited by a friend to come to The Karate Dojo. I thought ok I will go and try it but there is NO way I will ever be able to do this. Walking in feeling intimidated by this little bald headed, long goateed man, it was much more than I had anticipated. Never did he make me feel incapable of doing this, if anything he was always encouraging and uplifting. Sensei always sat down and said what can I do to help you reach your goal, what can I do to help you. After 2 years of staying in the Dojo, life got busy and I fell out...still using what Sensei taught I was able to maintain my weight loss which is a total of 88 lbs. up to this point. I walked back into the Dojo after being gone for 2 years and felt like I was walking back in after only being gone for a day. Sensei still remembered my name and never made me feel bad for leaving. Now after being out of the Dojo for 2 years I am back to accomplish the rest of my weight loss goal of 40 more pounds, and a healthier lifestyle. I do thank you for being the person you are and having such a wonderful heart to care for...your not just customers, but your friends.

Carissa Merchant

"I wanted to let you know a couple of things (these are good, don't worry). The first is how proud I am of Emily, not for making rank, but for sticking with it and trying so hard, especially on her latest test. I think her desire to continue speaks very highly of you, your Dojo, and your commitment to your students. The second is Carlos. He has grown a lot, especially in the last few months. Not only has his karate improved tremendously, but he seems to have matured a lot as well. Another testament to you and your Dojo.

Dick Weick