TESTIMONIALS

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

Since joining The Karate Dojo back in January 2011, I have gained so much more than just learning Karate. I have gained confidence, strength, and an entire Dojo family that I value as much as my own family. They have encouraged and supported me through not only my journey in Karate but also my weight loss journey. I don't know what I would have done without them. My family and I are blessed to have found Sensei Pena and the Karate Dojo. We love y'all :)

Karen Blackburn

Spent the labor day weekend with my family thinking about where I am on my journey through life and where I want to be 5, 10, 30 years from now. I just wanted you to know how much of an impact you and your students have had on me in the last couple months. I plan on making GIVE OUT BEFORE YOU GIVE UP part of my EVERYDAY life, not just martial arts. I hope that I can continue to grow my relation...ship with you and your students. Most people don't understand why we do the things that we do, such as pushing a sled across a parking lot, but not everyone has the same desires and goals in life. You have been successful in just about everything you have done, so If I have to push that damn sled, kick a bag, do hours of kata or even sweep your parking lot, I just hope to take away a piece of your desire and passion for excellence and dedication. To hours of mental and physical training, heres to you, sir.

Michael Batchelor
(adopted Blackbelt)

August 24, 2011
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

Sensei, First and foremost I want to thank you for welcoming us into your Dojo Family! I can tell that you care deeply about your students and that you see their potential but not only that, you BELIEVE in them! That is what makes you a great teacher and leader! You have definitely found your calling in life! You also remind me of the Sour Patch Kids....at first their kinda sour/mean but then their really sweet. : )

Melissa Epps
Gavin & Guy Epps' Mother

This sweet moment in class last night was truly the highlight of my night. I taught the Little Ninjas this several weeks ago because I got punched in the nose. So we (as a class) were teaching Ben the things we “do and don’t do” in self defense… I said “we don’t touch Ms. Shawn or anyone when we practice” and Timothy says (several times b/c I didn’t understand him) because you are a “dewokit fwower” (delicate flower). And he kissed me on the cheek.

I wouldn’t have given a million dollars for that moment. It was too sweet.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do this. Sometimes I wonder why I want to and things like that happen. I am truly grateful.

Enjoy your Turkey, family and long weekend. Lord knows, we all need it.

Shawn Fowler
Instructor at The Karate Dojo

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

I have spent my life fighting to be better than I am and I have always been one to push myself to the limit…and since my son has been apart of the DOJO, my personal slogan, is "Give Out Before You Give Up." There is not a day that goes by that I am not exhausted trying to be two parents for my son, finish grad school, maintain a household, work full time and still be the person I long to be in order for my son to learn about being a parent and to learn to overcome all the adversities that we may endure. As a counselor to be, I also know that answering to a greater power than self, should always be a guiding factor. The power should be God, but God has many servants, that power could be to yourself, to your family, to your Sensei, or to your Dojo family.

Accountability is a great factor in achieving humility.

Jennifer Miller (Skyler Miller's Mom)

Thanks to you and your wonderful staff for all that you are doing to help Devin and Brice become the best lil' men they can be.

Lynette Radford

My daughter Hannah started with The Karate Dojo a month ago and it has been wonderful. I get hom from work and her homework is done so I actually get to enjoy the evening instead of saying Hannah do your homework, Hannah do your homework...and before you know it the entire evening has been wasted I am aggravated. It is also helping her with being more responsible and independent in doing her school work. Since she has had to do her homework herself at The Karate Dojo there is no more of asking mom a hundred questions and wanting her to sit by her side while she does her homework. If she has any school work at home now she just does it because she is learning to figure it out on her own.

Thanks Homework Team!! After watching a karate class at the Dojo it is so much more than I thought it would be. It is not just a few kicks and punches. You have a wonderful program put together where they get self discipline, learn to stay focused and doing all kinds of activities to get great exercise. For a girl it is so much better than dance classes where all they do all year long is practice the same dance for the year end recital.

Thanks Sensei!! Also the Fridays where the kids just have fun are wonderful. Hannah absolutely love it.
Thanks Patti!! I am so glad to be at a small business where it is very professional ran. If I have any questions or concerns you always there to help in any way you can and thanks for being understanding.
Thanks Julia!!

Michelle Brown

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