USSD Vancouver

09/08/2026

Week 2 of rebuilding.

After five broken bones in my left arm—including a radius that snapped off and required two plates during surgery—along with a severely dislocated elbow, I'm slowly working my way back.

Last week I filmed myself performing Four Pinan. It was the first real opportunity for me to see what my movement looked like after everything my arm had been through, and I was genuinely happy with it.

This week, I moved on to Five Pinan.

And it looks good.

There are still limitations. There’s still a lot of work ahead. I'm not interested in rushing the process or pretending I'm further along than I am.

But martial arts has been part of my life for a very long time, and there's something incredibly satisfying about using the forms I've practiced for years as milestones in the recovery.

Four Pinan last week.

Five Pinan this week.

One form, one movement, one week at a time.

The rebuild continues. 🥋



Interested in joining us on future martial arts and travel experiences?
Send me a message for information on upcoming trips.

09/06/2026

Oh how so many of them have grown 🥹🫶🏻🥋

09/05/2026

🌸 The Shaolin Way Through Change 🌸

Change is inevitable.

Seasons change. Circumstances change. The world around us changes—often without asking whether we are ready.

And yet, as humans, we thrive within the safety created by consistency.

Perhaps that is one of the quiet gifts of training.

🥋We return to the dojo.
🥋We return to our practice.
🥋We return to our breath.

Again and again.

Not because we can control what is happening around us, but because consistent practice teaches us how to find steadiness within ourselves when we cannot.

Outside the front door of our dojo is a beautiful field of wildflowers that we have been incredibly fortunate to watch bloom every season. Among them are these brilliant wild fuchsia orchids, bringing color and peace to a landscape that will inevitably change. This may be the last season we get to see them like this.

So before they disappear, we wanted to pause and honor them—and share them with our dojo family as an anchor for whatever changes may come.

☯️Pause.
☯️Breathe.
☯️Stay.

Our breath helps us stay.

And when we can stay—with ourselves, with the moment, with the discomfort of not knowing what comes next—we create enough space to choose how we respond.

That is part of living the Shaolin way.

The world around us will continue to change.

☯️🥋Our practice gives us somewhere within ourselves to return home to. 🥋☯️

09/03/2026

Apparently some habits never leave you. 😂

In the Marine Corps, Thursday meant one thing:

FIELD DAY.

Barracks cleaned. Floors scrubbed. Everything squared away.

Well… it’s Thursday, and apparently my brain still knows the schedule.

So here I am at the dojo—scrubbing, mopping, cleaning floors and getting everything squared away for the week.

Different building. Different uniform. Same Thursday. 😂🧹🥋

Somewhere, a Staff Sergeant would probably still find something I missed.

Happy Field Day, Marines. 🇺🇸

09/01/2026

Closed this Saturday

09/01/2026

08/20/2026

Another award...... Honestly not going to buy these for the wall anymore. We don't have any more room

08/09/2026

A couple great ones I came across over the last few days

07/27/2026

Dear Dojo Family,

Master Matt will go in for his 1st surgery Wednesday; the dojo will be open with BB instructors running lessons this week.

We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s patience, kindness, and understanding during this unexpected time. For private business owners, a medical emergency is more than an inconvenience—it creates a genuine disruption for both the family and the business. Those who know Master Matt understand how difficult it is for him to be away. Missing the dojo feels like missing a part of himself.

We are creating a support fund to help with the unexpected medical and business expenses associated with his injury and recovery. Anyone who feels called to help may send support through Zelle or Venmo. Please include a 💉😷 in the payment note so we know it is intended for Master Matt’s medical fund. Contributions are deeply appreciated but never expected.

Thank you for continuing to support Master Matt, Ms Kaci