Sensei Michelle, is a 3rd degree black belt, Laban Certified Movement Analyst, Registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist and has a background in dance and theater. She began her study of martial arts with her son and husband in the fall of 1994 when she signed them all up for tae kwon do classes at a small neighborhood school. In 1997 she joined World Oyama Karate Headquarters where she trained directly under Grandmaster (Soshu) Shigeru Oyama. In 1999, after successfully competing in many semi-knockdown tournaments she was invited to join uchi-deshi morning training overseen by Soshu in preparation for knockdown tournaments. She participated in this training along with a regular class and teaching schedule for 4 years until World Oyama HQ closed its doors (2003) on Sixth Avenue. |