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 1996 she joined World Oyama Karate Headquarters where she trained directly under Grandmaster (Soshu) Shigeru Oyama. In 1998, 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 four years until World Oyama HQ closed its doors (2003) on Sixth Avenue. In 2003 she became a Laban Certified Movement Analyst and applies this
specialized knowledge in her training and instruction of karate and
other specialized workshops. |