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 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 arts that is open to space that is also everybody. “In our fun for all ages. school it’s not just Angelo and about punches and William Samson kicks. It’s also about are two of character building, Tami’s students which we have a that represent program that instills everything it in every student means to thrive good morals and with special needs. values.” The two brothers,

Every student 20 and 21, who comes through participate in both Tami Whelan’s dojo private lessons learns more than and group lessons a few moves. In at Ohana. Already addition to holds they’ve advanced and take downs, to a yellow belt students build and took home character through first place at a focus, respect, and virtual pandemic discipline. This tournament, aspect of martial carrying a sense arts is beneficial for of pride and many children (and accomplishment even adults, too), with them every and it has a way of time they reach reaching children a new milestone. with special needs Their mother, in a way other Jeramie, says she programs may not. has recognized a

Among Tami’s boost of confidence students are in both of her sons those with ADHD, through martial cerebral palsy, and arts, and it’s a autism. She has benefit she says 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 OHANA MARTIAL sport they field and ARTS/WHELAN’S enjoy, while creates a KAJUKENBO many others sense of 2714 Country Club Blvd., Stockton didn’t belonging (209) 814-4297 pique their in a safe interest.