We are an association of students committed to developing the self, having a positive impact on the world as a
whole, and enriching the martial arts by representing the strength, wisdom, and compassion that all people possess.
With the goal of making the world a harmonious and dynamic place from the inside out, we concentrate on the development
of the strength of the body, the openness and inherent intelligence of the mind, and the awareness of spirit. In the practical
development of the body we use Japanese style kickboxing, chosen for its rich traditional base in Japanese martial arts, its
gifts of physical fitness as influenced by the demanding physical aspects of Muay Thai kickboxing, and, most importantly,
its regard for SAFETY -- which is of paramount importance for the mature student. In utilizing Japanese kickboxing, KMA
ensures light contact training in a supportive atmosphere. In this context, “opponents” are seen more accurately as
partners, as mirrors of the self and as teachers.
In the practical development of the mind and spirit we honor people of all faith expressions while offering the influences
of Buddhism as expressed in Japan, Korea, Thailand, and China – the cultures that have entwined martial arts and spiritual
practice and given birth to the style of martial arts practiced in the school.
Importantly, unlike some martial arts schools whose focus is different there is a no-pressure atmosphere that values the
life experience and inherent worth of the alternative martial arts student: the older student, the disabled student, homeless
or at-risk -- students who might not ordinarily make their way to a martial arts class.
KMA strives to be egalitarian and welcomes insight and advice from everyone who participates.
ALL INSTRUCTION OFFERED BY DONATION ONLY
A Brief History of the Martial Arts
The martial arts have been around for thousands of years. It could be argued that from the time human beings first started
having disputes that led to physical confrontations new form’s of weapons, tactics, and defenses were created to fit the needs
of conflict. It can be fairly said that all cultures have contributed to the development of martial arts by way of their armies and
the teachers of those armies. The Shao-lin monks in China are the first to be credited with codifying martial arts moves for the
sake of non-aggression and physical fitness, with the intention to be taught to and by religious monks, not armies.
Most historians agree that the martial art movements were introduced to the Shao-lin monks in China around 600ad by a
visiting Buddhist monk from India named Bodhidharma. Upon his visit, he found the monks very weak in body. Out of
balance, all their time was spent in meditation. It is because of this, he introduced them to basic movement, and exercise,
which helped complete their journey to enlightenment of, mind, body, and spirit. The Shao-lin arts were called ch’uan-fa,
which meant Chinese boxing. As time went on the monks became famous for their fighting skills and were sought out by
others as teachers. It was also a part of their lives to leave the temple and wander, passing on their knowledge of martial arts
to people in other lands. In this way the martial arts quickly found their way into Korea, and Japan.
As each country, and subsequent master learned the arts, they adapted the movements to fit their needs and beliefs,
resulting in the martial arts systems of Korea, Japan and Thailand. Eventually, due to immigration and war, the martial arts
found their way to the Americas and after World War II, we began to Eventually, due to immigration and war, the martial arts
found their way to the Americas and after World War II, we began to see the introduction of many types of martial arts,
notably the Japanese martial arts, most of which were coming through the island of Hawaii. The Korean War brought the art
of Tae Kwon Do back to America through Jhoon Rhee, who entered the U.S. in 1956. It wasn’t until the 1960s, however,
through the public’s exposure to martial arts through visual media, that the arts became popular.
Bodhidharma, known as Daruma in Japan
A Brief History of Japanese Kickboxing
Just prior to this time, in the 1950s, a man by the name of Osamu Noguchi was a prominent boxer and boxing enthusiast in
Japan. He traveled the world to watch popular martial arts matches and became intrigued with of the style of boxing used in
Thailand, Muay Thai. Around that same time Tatsuo Yamada, a martial arts practitioner in Japan, also took an interest in
Muay Thai and sought to find a form of fighting in which opponents could aim their strikes and make actual contact with the
targeted area of the opponent’s body. This was quite new, as in Karate, the opponents are never permitted to make
contact with each other directly. Around 1959, Tatsuo Yamada created what he called “Karate boxing.” Eventually,Tatsuo
Yamada and Osamu Noguchi met and worked together to create what became known as Japanese kickboxing -- it was the
first combat sport that adopted the name of "Kickboxing." In 1966. Osamu Noguchi also created the Kickboxing Association
and it was after this that Japanese kickboxing began to become very popular.
The original rules of Japanese kickboxing were very similar to Muay Thai, but these rules have changed with the passage
of time, specially in the early 1990's with the creation of governing bodies – primarily and most notably the International
Kickboxing Federation. In 1993, when neck and elbow wrestling (techniques prominent in Muay Thai) were banned from
Japanese kickboxing by the International Kickboxing Federation, the martial art’s popularity spread to North America,
Australia and Europe.
