locals to know
OHANA MEANS FAMILY OHANA MARTIAL ARTS OFFERS ACCESSIBLE CLASSES FOR EVERYONE BY NORA HESTON TARTE / D DAN HOOD Advancing through belt classes at a dojo— regardless of the specific style—is a tough task for everyone. The classes require focus, strength, and athleticism as athletes
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MAY 2021 | SANJOAQUINMAGAZINE.COM
young and old build on skills to become proficient in martial arts. At Ohana Martial Arts/ Whelan’s Kajukenbo, the focus is on an accessible style of Hawaiian-based martial
space that is also arts that is open to fun for all ages. everybody. “In our Angelo and school it’s not just William Samson about punches and are two of kicks. It’s also about Tami’s students character building, that represent which we have a everything it program that instills means to thrive in every student with special needs. good morals and The two brothers, values.” 20 and 21, Every student participate in both who comes through private lessons Tami Whelan’s dojo and group lessons learns more than at Ohana. Already a few moves. In they’ve advanced addition to holds to a yellow belt and take downs, and took home students build first place at a character through virtual pandemic focus, respect, and tournament, discipline. This carrying a sense aspect of martial of pride and arts is beneficial for accomplishment many children (and with them every even adults, too), time they reach and it has a way of a new milestone. reaching children Their mother, with special needs Jeramie, says she in a way other has recognized a programs may not. boost of confidence Among Tami’s in both of her sons students are through martial those with ADHD, arts, and it’s a cerebral palsy, and benefit she says autism. She has even taught a class is important for for the blind center all children. in the past. “The She also credits benefits I have seen the sport with with special needs advancing their is the excitement ability to follow of accomplishment simple directions. and perseverance For Jeramie, that you don’t martial arts normally see from provided a social students that do not outlet while schools have special needs,” were shutdown, Tami explains. peer interaction Sometimes children her sons need, who feel they are and an opportunity different or don’t to make friends. learn typically can It also gave them struggle to fit in, a way to get but a dojo active and evens the pursue a playing sport they OHANA MARTIAL ARTS/WHELAN’S field and enjoy, while KAJUKENBO creates a many others 2714 Country Club sense of didn’t Blvd., Stockton belonging pique their (209) 814-4297 in a safe interest.
