Vernon Valley Karate Academy

04/12/2026

Congratulations to everyone who passed their black belt test today for Reihokan rank! Thank you Sensei Mark, Sensei Tommy, and Sensei Erin for coming down!

04/10/2026

沖縄県指定無形文化財「沖縄の空手・古武術」保持者の追加認定について
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令和8年4月10日（金）
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このたび、沖縄県文化財保護審議会より県教育委員会へ、県指定無形文化財「沖縄の空手・古武術」保持者の追加認定について答申されました。保持者候補者は下記の16名です。今後、沖縄県公報への登載をもって正式な認定となり、保持者は合計23名となります。
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詳細は以下のページをご確認ください。
https://www.odks.jp/okinawa-prefecture-intangible-cultural-asset-holder/Okinawa-Prefecture-Intangible-Cultural-Asset-Holder.html

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Additional Designation of Okinawa prefecture intangible cultural asset holder “Okinawan Karate and Kobudo”
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April 10, 2026
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On this occasion, the Okinawa Prefectural Cultural Properties Protection Council submitted a recommendation to the Prefectural Board of Education regarding the additional designation of holders of the Prefecture-designated Intangible Cultural Property “Okinawan Karate and Kobudo” The candidates for designation are the following 16 individuals.The official designation will be finalized upon publication in the Okinawa Prefectural Bulletin, bringing the total number of holders to 23.
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Please check the details on the page below.
https://www.odks.jp/en/okinawa-prefecture-intangible-cultural-asset-holder/okinawa-prefecture-intangible-cultural-asset-holder2026.html

04/07/2026

03/26/2026

Save the Date and looking forward to a great camp!

Save the date we’re hosting our annual summer camp in July . The line up of instructors and accommodations to follow. Stayed tuned for all the information. Hope to see everyone there👊

03/16/2026

Senbazuru- 1,000 Cranes! Today Sensei Tim and Timmy went to Okinawa Peace Park with friends from Reihokan and placed the cranes at the memorial. Thank you to all the students, families and friends that helped fold the cranes to pay respect to those lost on Okinawa.

02/28/2026

We love hearing from our dojo families and here is another testimony from the Corbett Family!

Vernon Valley Karate has been an incredible part of our family’s life for years. Both of our kids, James (6) and Addison (9), have been students there since they were just three years old, and the growth we’ve seen in them has been remarkable. Addison has even taken on the responsibility of student‑teaching other classes, which has boosted her confidence and leadership skills in ways we never expected at her age.
We’re at the dojo three to four days a week, and it truly feels like a second home. Everyone from the instructors to the students to the families is warm, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping kids succeed. Beyond learning martial arts, our children are gaining discipline, respect, focus, and other valuable life skills that will stay with them forever.
Vernon Valley Karate isn’t just a place to train; it’s a community that lifts kids up and helps them become their best selves. We couldn’t be more grateful.

The Corbett Family

02/17/2026

Hey Everyone, this month’s student of the month is Austin! He has been training in the rangers program for a little over a year now and is working really hard being a great leader among the other students! He is very enthusiastic, polite and a great listener! Thank you for all of your hard work keep it up!

02/15/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day to our dojo family’s and everyone yesterday we had our family fun class and also had a craft night for our students!

02/11/2026

Happy Birthday Ahagon Sensei! Thank you for the opportunity to continue to train under your leadership and guidance! Enjoy your day and see you soon Sensei!

01/21/2026

Meet the Instructors Part II: This is Sensei Timmy and he is one of the instructors here at VVKA! He runs the ranger program and assists the junior and adult classes as well! Sensei Timmy has been training in Shorin Ryu Karate since 2002 under Tom Shull and received his Yondan (4th Dan)! Now training in Shorin ryu reihokan he has earned a Nidan (2nd degree) under Hanshi Ahagon! This is a little bit about Sensei Timmy!

01/15/2026

Testimonial from The Reali Family Our son, James, first became interested in martial arts in fall 2021 after a taekwondo demonstration at his preschool. We signed him up for a trial at that school, but neither he nor us liked the teaching style. Then one of our friends recommended the Vernon Valley Karate Academy (VVKA) to us because her daughter enjoyed taking classes there. James’ first class at the dojo was during spring 2022, and the rest, as they say, is history.
From the very first class at VVKA, we noticed a significant difference in the atmosphere when compared to our previous experience. Sensei Tom, who owned the dojo at that time, along with the other instructors immediately welcomed James (and our family) by providing a caring environment for students to embrace and learn karate. It became immediately clear that all the sensei’s cared deeply about not only the students’ progress along their karate journeys, but as the students as individuals. Attending classes on Tuesday evening and Saturday morning quickly became a part of our weekly family routine.
Over the past three plus years, we have valued the community fostered by the dojo. James enjoys marching in the Memorial Day parade with other students and instructors, participating in the various public demonstrations that showcase the dojo, and competing in the annual tournament. Now under the ownership of Sensei Tim and his family, the feeling of being part of a larger community has only increased. The “family and friends” day allows parents and caregivers to learn some basic karate skills alongside the students, furthering the sense of being a part of a group.
Learning karate might be an individual sport, but students at VVKA learn more than just katas, weapons, sparring, discipline, and an introduction to Japanese culture. Attending classes at VVKA connects the students and their family to a much larger, ancient global tradition as well as a caring, local community. Thank you for the kind words and we appreciate you also!