Weekly Update August 3 - 8, 2026
Welcome Back from Rest Week!
All Classes Running As Scheduled This Week
Memories From Hawaii
I was so happy to visit my daughter in Oahu last week ( Yay!) but I was also thrilled to step in as a guest instructor at the Island’s largest martial art program, Prime Martial Arts Hawaii. I shared a bit about our program here in Bexley & Okinawan Karate, in general. The owner, Martin Day, is a Professional Kickboxer and all around great guy. They shared some photos with me - and I wanted to pass them on to all of you.
In true martial art and the island Aloha spirit, he and the entire Prime Team were so welcoming! Hopefully they will make it stateside and we at Excel can return the hospitality!
In Other Dojo News - - - -
Okinawan Examinations are THIS Week!
American Belt Rank vs. Okinawan Belt Rank
As one of the few dojos in the United States that falls within the Okinawan Matsubayashi Ryu Lineage, our current black belts now have the opportunity to test for their Okinawan Belt Rank. If successful, they forgo their American Rank in lieu of the newly earned Okinawan rank, as it holds a higher status. For example, when I flew to Okinawa to take my examination in 2024, I was awarded my 4th Degree Belt Rank and it replaced my 6th Degree American rank. While it appears to fall lower than my previous rank, it actually holds a higher status because it is awarded directly from the Okinawan Board.
Currently, our Dojo has three indivuals who hold Okinawan Rank
Kelly Sensei : Yondan (4th Degree)
Zach Sensei : Shodan (1st Degree)
Mr. Lynch : Shodan (1st Degree)
Qualifying to take the Okinawan Examination is very selective. Tony Sensei has been visiting us from Okinawa for the past month, working with those who have petitioned to take the examination. We are so pleased to announce that the following individuals have qualified to take the exam and will be testing on Tuesday Evening.
Sensei Andrew (Testing for 1st Degree)
Mr. Dizon (Testing for 1st Degree)
Sensei Sadie (Testing for 1st Degree)
Mr. Chaykin (Testing for 1st Degree)
We wish them the very best of luck in their examination!
( Mr. Jordan and Luke (current Brown Belt) will be taking their examination in Okinawa during our October Trip. More on that later..)
_________________________
Etiquette Notes For the Word “Sensei”
The term “Sensei” can be confusing at first. There are some strict rules around its use. Some think it simply means “Black Belt”, however, that is not the case. In our dojo, we use the following etiquette rules:
In the United States:
The term Sensei denotes someone who is currently a formal “instructor” within our program. If the word Sensei falls before their name, it means they hold American Rank. If it falls behind their name, it means they hold Okinawan rank. So, for example, when Sensei Andrew passes his Okinawan exam, the word sensei will then move behind his name.
If someone is a black belt, but they are not a formal instructor in the program, they are referred to as “Mr” or “Ms.” and their surname. Once they achieve 3rd Degree Okinawan Rank, they are referred to as Sensei, even if they do not hold a formal teaching role.
For the formal line up process, all Okinawan rank comes before American rank.
In Okinawa:
If an American is training in Okinawa, nobody uses the term “Sensei”. All students (including all black belts) are referred to with their first name and the word “san” behind it. For example, when I am in Okinawa training, I am referred to as “Kelly-San” - even by my own students if they are training alongside me. I would never use or be referred to as “Sensei” in that setting - as it is used ONLY for the highest ranking (Master) instructors on the Island.
Curriculum This Week
Levels 1 - 4 : Karate Club Levels
MONDAY and TUESDAY : Kata : Kihon : Kicking
WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY (Level 1 & 4) : Kobudo : (Bo and Nunchaku)
Level 5 : Junior Advanced Level
Monday : Kobudo
Wednesday: Kata & YKSK
Levels 6 - 7 Teen / Adult Levels
MONDAY : YKSK & Kata Drills
TUESDAY (Black Belt) : Okinawan Belt Examination
WEDNESDAY : TBD - dependent upon who attends
THURSDAY : Kata : Kobudo : Kicking
