We offer the following types of martial arts:
- Taekwondo, meaning "the way of the hand and foot," is a general term used to describe Korea's national sport. We train in a traditional Korean forms. We supplement these punches and kicks with self-defense techniques and overall endurance and flexibility training.
- Karate training takes place in a formal atmosphere with an emphasis on etiquette and self-control as well as physical ability. Training generally is divided into the practice of basic techniques and sparring. While sparring, students stop blows just short of contact so that power is always maintained with control.
- Aikido is a Japanese martial art involving a wide range of throws, joint locks, and takedowns. Aikido does not focus on punches and kicks, but rather on how to deflect the impact of punches and kicks.
Master instructor Matt Simon teaches all classes. Matt started his martial arts training in 1973. His accomplishments include:
- 5th Dan Korea Simmudo Association
- 5th Dan Korea Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan
- 5th Dan Korean Martial Arts Hapkido Federation
Matt opened the studio in 1987 when he left his high school teaching job to lead martial art classes full time.
About Soryu Karate
Japanese martial arts are more straight line fighting styles, than the circular techniques of their Chinese cousins. Commonly called karate by those of us in the West, Japanese arts range from empty hand martial systems to joint locking and throwing systems to styles devoted entirely to weapons' practice.
The art of karate (kara-te), which means empty hand, is commonly believed to have come to Japan from the island of Okinawa, where fighting with weapons was banned for many years. Ancient Okinawan traders visited China's Fukien Province and brought back the martial techniques of China's southern Shaolin temple. The Okinawans developed such an effective self-defense system that many Japanese masters wanted it as their own. It was brought to the Japanese mainland in 1922 and eventually became the best known Japanese martial art. The karate arts of the All-Japan Karate Association Go-ju, wado and Shito-ryus are among the best known karate systems.
Our style, SORYU means "The continuous and complete tradition of style." It is a Japanese form of martial arts and getting a Black Belt in Soryu will take you at least 5 years of very hard work. The exam alone takes about four hours requiring a year to prepare for it. However, once you have earned your Black Belt, you will know you can stand up with the best of them. Our teaching also includes aspects from Tae Kwon Do and Bushido as was taught to us by Master Jeff Bonugli.
Mrs. Brown started karate in 1996 at The United States TKD Academy in San Antonio, Texas. In 1998 as a purple belt, Mrs. Brown won the Black Belt continuous sparring division at Houston's Karate Olympics. By the end of 1998, She was ranked the #1 Black Belt fighter in Texas, #3 in Mexico and #5 in the U.S.A. Her dominance of Texas continued for 2 years until in February 2000 she became pregnant with her first child. She continued to teach and train during this period. Sensei Brown Received her 1st Dan Black Belt in February 2002 with her husband and baby girl watching and cheering her on. She opened Alamo Family Karate in San Antonio on January 3rd, 2001. Most of her original class are still students. In November of 2003 Sensei & her husband, Tom had another daughter and again She taught and trained throughout the pregnancy.
Sensei Brown has a passion for teaching women, children and teens karate, self-defense, leadership, integrity and self-confidence. She taught in San Antonio, Texas until June 2007 when she and her family moved to upstate New York to open American Family Karate. Sensei Brown is very thankful to Master Bonugli for his instruction and support through the years. In addition to karate, Sensei Brown is the music director at her church and plays bass guitar in the band there. She is also active in the youth group where she plays electric guitar to lead the kids in worship. Shawnie also plays racquetball and loves camping & hiking.
Mr. Brown has been studying Soryu karate under Master Jeff Bonugli since 1997 also. He started it as a hobby with his then girl friend (now wife). Tom loves teaching self-defense and always has a unique method of getting his point across. Tom traveled and competed in many tournament with his wife, winning many titles himself. Tom has been instrumental in the formation and development of The United States Soryu Karate Federation to which AFK proudly belongs to. He is now the proud father of 2 little girls and is an awesome father. Tom earned his 3rd degree brown belt on 10-08-04. Master Bonugli, Sensei Bill Daggett and Sensei Shawnie Brown presided over the exam. As a brown belt he is now a certified instructor for Soryu karate in the United States Soryu Karate Federation. In addition to karate, Tom is also very active in his church serving as the Junior Warden and as the technology wizard every Sunday. Tom is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He is also an awesome carpenter and handy man. Mr. Brown is very supportive of Sensei Brown's martial arts career and encourages her at every turn.
