About Daisy's Dojo
After a number of years away, Daisy Heskett returned to karate in February 1995. She trained with her instructor and some of his former black belts for more than a year.In 1996, she began teaching a class at Jay's Gym in Bryan. When Jay's closed for good Daisy started teaching a class located in a metal storage unit on Stuart St. in Bryan. She remained there for 9 ½ years. Her program was geared toward "at risk" kids and for almost 3 years Daisy taught for free in addition to furnishing all the gear each student needed. She also paid many tournament entry fees in order for some students to compete. Her students excelled in karate and competed in AAU and USA-NKF sanctioned tournaments. She formed a competition team in 1999 and had team members medal at every tournament they entered for more than 6 years of competition. Team members also competed in the Traditional Karate League, a League in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area made up of some of the top competitors in Texas. Daisy's karate program teaches students that discipline and hard work will help them reach their goals. Competing gives the students self-confidence; something needed to help resist peer pressure, drugs, gangs, and other temptations faced by today's youth. Her class also teaches them they can accomplish things they never thought possible. Exercise in class improves their coordination and reaching new goals helps to build their self-esteem. She has had many positive reactions from parents. Sensei Daisy Heskett runs a strict, traditional karate program and poor behavior is not tolerated inside or outside of her class. Students are expected to improve their behavior at home and keep up their grades in school. Good grades are mandatory to even be considered for the competition team.
About the Instructor
Daisy Heskett is a 3rd degree black belt in Shuri Ryu Karate. She started training in karate in July 1972 in Cleveland, Ohio, 6 days a week for 8 ½ years under Victor Moore, a well-known champion of the time. Victor Moore competed in the early days of karate in the U.S. along side such karate champions as Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, Mike Stone, and Bill Wallace. From 1975 until 1980 Daisy taught fulltime at Vic Moore's Karate Schools. She competed throughout the 1970's in the Midwest and the South, which included North and South Carolina. In 1976 the United States Karate Association nationally ranked her 3rd in kata and 4th in kumite.In July 2006 Daisy started Kendo at the Houston Budokan. Her husband, Rick, was taking Jujitsu but later switched to Kendo. They travel to Houston each week to train with Sensei Darrell Craig. The Houston Budokan is located at 4230 Mangum, Houston, TX.
In January 2008 Daisy's Dojo expanded her school to a new location. Having been at her old spot for over 9 years, it was time to expand the program and reach more people with traditional karate. The new building has made it possible to double the floor space. Come check out the only traditional dojo in the Bryan/College Station area where students learn real, effective karate. Experience the Japanese culture at Daisy's Dojo where we have events like the formal tea ceremony, sushi tasting, and Japanese language seminars, for students, parents, and members of the public, to get a glimpse into the Japanese way of life.
Our Style
The style taught at Daisy's Dojo is Shuri Ryu. Shuri Ryu Karate is a blend of Japanese, Okinawan and Chinese techniques. The style, Shuri Ryu, was created and developed by Robert Trias. Trias is credited with bringing karate to America in 1945. He opened the first karate school in Phoenix, Arizona in 1946. In 1948 he formed the first karate organization "The United States Karate Association" the largest karate organization in history, with a world wide membership unsurpassed even to this day.Who can learn martial arts?
Anyone! Our classes are taught to men, women and children from age 4 and up. Students can progress at their own speed. For those interested, we do offer private lessons. We encourage and help each other during class so beginner students are less likely to feel out of place and awkward. Students are encouraged to work hard and do their best. Martial arts training can be a lifetime physical fitness activity; consistent training improves a student's ability to defend themselves while adding many health benefits such as cardiovascular improvement along with muscle strength and flexibility. Authentic martial arts are more than 1600 years old and, properly taught, are the most effective method of self-defense.Curriculum
In addition to punches, blocks, and kicks as in most karate styles, Shuri Ryu also incorporates basic grappling, joint locks and throws.There are several pre-set combinations we do to improve certain aspects of our training. We have 26 ippons (ippon kumite waza) which are performed to develop power and form; 10 taezues (taezu naru waza) for speed and fluidity; 30 kihons which are practiced to develop a student's fighting technique. We also practice other training exercises such as jiyu kumite (form sparring) Jiyu ippon kumite (one step sparring) jiyu waza (freestyle techniques)
Kata
In Shuri Ryu students start with the beginner's basic exercise forms. Taikyoku One, Two and Three, then they move on to the core kata, Wansu, Anaku, Naihanchi One, Two and Three, Sanchin, Empi Sho, Bassai Dai, Go Pei Sho, Dan Enn Sho, Nan Dan Sho, Kanku Sho and Ten Sho. There are 2 weapons kata; Tsue Sho (bo kata) Te Katana (sai kata)Ranking System
At Daisy's Dojo the ranking system is as follows:- White belt (9th kyu)
- Yellow belt (8th kyu)
- Orange belt (7th kyu)
- Blue belt (6th kyu)
- Green belt (5th kyu)
- Purple belt (4th kyu)
- Brown belt (3rd - 1st kyu)
At Daisy's Dojo we still use the dojo kun (school creed) as was originally written by Robert Trias many years ago.
- I shall conduct myself in a manner which will reflect credit upon myself and society.
- I shall be loyal to my school and the art it teaches.
- I shall be honest and exercise integrity with the purpose of developing cooperation and trust with my fellow karate-ka and my teachers.
- I shall exercise restraint in the use of my karate knowledge, employing it only in fair competition or in defense of my life, my family, or my country.
Senior Sensei
Daisy HeskettAddress and Phone Numbers
2509 Roundtree Dr.Bryan, TX
(Next to Montessori School)
979-450-6022
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