Dawn's Martial Arts and Teaching Experience
Dawn Prince was originally trained for many years in TaeKwonDo, achieving an advanced belt under the direction of respected TaeKwonDo Master, and one of its original founders, Woo Jong Lim. Dawn gained her original love of teaching martial arts while teaching children’s classes in TaeKwonDo at her original Dojo.
(Dawn, second row from front, second from left, with TaeKwonDo founder Woo Jong Lim, 33 years ago!)
Dawn's whole family took TaeKwonDo, up to and including black belt levels, and this family commitment to the martial arts gave Dawn a rich, round-the-clock learning opportunity during those years.
(Dawn's father, back row, second from left; Dawn's sister Davina, front left, and mother, front right)
After leaving the martial arts for some years, Dawn eventually secured a career as a professional writer, with a Ph.D. in anthropology. Dawn served for several years as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Western Washington University. Through that experience and lecturing worldwide, including at the University of Tokyo and at conference venues in Kyoto, Japan, she further developed her skill in, and love for, teaching -- especially within the interface of Asian and American cultures.
(Dawn in the mountains of Japan, with snow monkeys, and with her son and friend
Mamoru on the streets of Tokyo)
After returning to martial arts for several years, this time in the discipline of Muay Thai, Dawn finally achieved her black belt rank. Dawn was a member of Team Confidence, the Muay Thai kickboxing competition team at her Dojo, for a year, gaining experience in the ring. Dawn has also had introductions to the arts of Okinawan Karate and Krabi Krabong.
(Dawn in her first match, at 44 years old!)
(Dawn, second from right, at one session of her three-week black belt test)
Dawn with her black belt father, black belt sister, and her son.
Dawn is a certified kickboxing instructor through the American Sports and Fitness Association and is a member of American Women's Martial Arts Federation.
About Sensei Dawn
Dawn's Teaching Philosophy
Fully aware that her own training is just beginning with her First Dan black belt, Dawn saw early on in her own training the need for a martial arts curriculum that served older and disabled students or those unable to afford regular classes- a demographic that does not usually seem to find their way into a martial arts class -because they can't afford it, think they "Wouldn't be good enough" or because a dojo full of young men and women without any challenges can be daunting, or because they face the increased risk of injury -- all of these factors contribute to keeping older women from knowing the joys of fitness through martial arts. Although Dawn has often desired to study under an aged female, or disabled master in the same ways that she has enjoyed the men who have served as her masters in the past, they are simply very rare and hard to find. In her heart Dawn felt like she must attempt to create a world where such masters may eventually exist.
Dawn’s belief is that through training tailored to the alternative student's needs, with safety as the number one priority, and with an eye toward a sustainable training approach for a life in martial arts, the alternative student could benefit greatly from the gifts of martial arts. Dawn continues to think of herself as a student, believing everyone has something to teach everyone else.
