Camp 2012 Teachers
Sifu Aarin Burch - Kajukenbo
3rd degree black belt, instructor at Hand to Hand Kajukenbo
Sifu Aarin began her martial arts training in 1984 studying White Crane Style Kung Fu under Sifu Ron Dong. In 1997, she discovered Hand to Hand Kajukenbo Self Defense Center and began her training in Kajukenbo under Sifu Coleen Gragen. In 2002, she received her 1st degree black belt from Sifu Coleen and was promoted to 2nd and 3rd degree by her current teacher, Professor Barbara Bones. Since 2000, Sifu Aarin has been an active teacher and mentor at Hand to Hand. Along side Chief head instructor Sifu Sonya Richardson, Sifu Aarin is the Assistant Head Instructor of the Hand to Hand Martial Arts Program. Her teaching style is reflective of her goal to empower women and men to be their fullest selves, both on the training floor and in their every day lives. Her classes are eclectic often incorporating music, strength training, kickboxing, and partner drills that focus on engaging the center, rooting, and generating explosive power.
Classes
Off Balance Basics
Finding Your Way
Sensei Delina Fuchs - Danzan Ryu Jujitsu
5th degree black belt, head of Chico Kodenkan
Sensei Delina has devoted her life to martial arts and healing, starting from when she was a little girl watching her father test in Judo. She now runs Chico Kodenkan, the oldest martial arts studio in Chico, California. She studied under the late Professor Merlin "Bud" Estes, who was a student of Master Seishiro Okazki, founder fo Danzan Ryu Jujitsu.
In addition to DZR Jujitsu, Sensei Delina also practices Musoshinden Ryu Iaido (Japanese Sword Drawing), JoJitsu (Art of the 4-foot Staff), Aikido, and Aikijitsu. She now holds a Godan, (5th Degree Black Belt) in Danzan Ryu and title of Kyoshi (Master Teacher) from Okugi (advanced "special training") with Professor Tony Janovich (10th Dan).
As is the tradition in DZR Jujitsu, Delina has been a practicing massage therapist since she received her black belt, utilizing both western and eastern sports medicine practices learned through her college education and through Seifukujitsu (“restoration techniques”) prevalent in the higher arts of DZR Jujitsu.
Classes
From Jujitsu to Aikido: Exploring Aiki Joint Locks from Root to Present
Ki Development
Workshop
Joint Taping
Keiko Fukuda Shihan - Judo
10th Dan, highest ranking woman in Judo
1997 PAWMA Lifetime Achievement Award
Shihan Keiko Fukuda, 10th dan, is one of the most important masters in the art of judo. Fukuda Shihan has dedicated her whole life to Judo, for over 77 years, from her first years in the Women’s Section of the Kodokan, invited to study there by Jigoro Kano, founder of judo, in the 1930s, till the present day. Her grandfather, Hachinosuke Fukuda was the first of the three Ju-Jitsu masters who taught Kano Shihan. Kano Shihan sent her out into the world to spread the teaching, tenets, and philosophy of Kodokan Judo.
In 2011 Fukuda Shihan was granted 10th dan in Judo by USA Judo and US Judo Federation, the first woman ever to be honored in this way. PAWMA honored Fukuda Shihan with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. 1990 she was recognized as a National Living Treasure by the Emperor of Japan. She is truly a pioneer in women's martial arts, paving the way for generations of women.
Class
Opening Class - Ju No Kata
Master Terri Giamartino - Cuong Nhu
6th degree black belt
1999 PAWMA Martial Artist of the Year
I began my training in 1978 through a women's self defense course in San Francisco. I attended the first PAWMA camp outside of Nevada City during my first year of training and was in awe of what I found. I immediately began to get involved in the organization and helped spearhead our federal recognition as a non-profit organization. My subsequent years serving on the PAWMA board and helping to produce camps enlarged my martial arts experience. I began to study shotokan karate and simultaneously jujitsu. By brown belt, I began a singular pursuit of shotokan and eventually found my way to Cuong Nhu. The eclectic nature of the style reinvigorated my interest in mat arts, exposed me to Wing Chun and a broader scope of weapons.
What keeps me training is my passion for martial arts. I never tire of the opportunity to hone my existing skills and expand my knowledge of soft and hard movement. Teaching has improved me not just as a martial artist, but has also allowed me to explore not only how I learn, but how to differentiate my teaching style to reach others that learn differently.
Classes
3-Dimensional Applications to Forms
Bo Basics and Form
Workshop
Effective Teaching
Sensei Denise Gonzales - Judo
5th Dan
Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu Sensei at the Dragon Fire Martial Arts School, Sacramento CA
I began my martial training in late 1964 under the advice of my uncle, Antone Gonzales, a former student of Professor Seishiro Okazaki. At the time he recommended Island Judo & Jujitsu dojo in the east bay under the instruction of his very good friend, Wally Jay.
It was difficult training at first being the only female during most of my training years. The dojo was made up of a strong male judo team and keeping up with the good ole boys was a challenge. In those early years, females were rarely allowed in judo competition, so I would continue my training in the dojo with my male dojo mates.
I eventually moved to Vacaville and was asked to teach the Vacaville Police Department’s monthly advance training as well as instructor for the Vacaville Police Cadets program. In 1978, I was presented my Shodan by Prof. Jay.
I moved to Sacramento and became the judo and jujitsu instructor at the Elk Grove Martial Arts dojo and for Kawa Michi Kai dojo until 1989.
Classes
Chokes and Armbars
Mat pins, escapes, and submission holds
Judo/Jujitsu takedowns
Kyoshi Zosia Gorbaty - Zujitsu-Ryu
8th Dan, AWMAI Executive Director
Kyoshi Zosia Gorbaty began her training in martial arts in 1976. She began practicing yoga with Swami Satchadinanda in 1966. Zosia earned a Masters of Physical Education from NYU, and has been an adjunct university faculty member since 1983. She taught at Adelphi University, and currently teaches self defense and yoga at QCC, CUNY. With her husband, Zujitsu founder Soke Chaka Zulu, she leads the Zujitsu Martial Arts Federation with branches in New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Texas, and St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
"What I value most are the lifelong friendships I have developed, both in the women’s martial arts community and my Zujitsu family. It is a unique and cherished bond. Of course I am honored to accept the title of ‘Kyoshi’ given to me by my teacher, but please just call me ‘Sensei’ at camp. May I never forget to empty my cup!"
Classes
One Armed Self Defense
How to Effectively Use Music in Your Training
Morning Wake-up Yoga
Master Sue Langdon - Taekwondo
5th degree Black Belt,
Owner of Lone Mountain Taekwondo, Las Vegas, Nevada.
I began training to assist my daughter when she started at 5 years old. Discovering the joy and strength of martial arts inspired me to open my own school and encourage families to work out together. We created a non profit organization to encourage kids and families in at risk conditions to explore the values of martial arts together. Using the art of taekwondo, we help guide kids to build good habits and control their life choices. We encourage families to share the challenge and create unbreakable spirit. I will be offering two classes in basic and advanced kicking techniques that will emphasize balance, core strength, and coordination. And it’s a lot of fun to Kick the heck out of a heavy Bag.
Classes
Basic Kicks
Advanced Kicking
Lily Pagle - Brazilian Jujitsu
Lily Pagle has been dedicatedly involved with Judo since 1991 and has competed at the national level. She started doing Mixed Martial Arts in 1999 and soon began training with Straight Blast Gym International. By 2002, she had formed mixed martial arts gym, ModCom MMA, Modern Combatives with her husband Alan. Lily teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Judo at ModCom MMA. She has taught Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo to world class athletes at various SBGi Seminars, Spring and Fall Camps in the U S. and overseas annually since 2010. Lily is also a guest instructor at Women’s Grappling Camp working with world champions in the U.S. and Canada for the past 4 years. Altogether, she has been teaching martial arts, self-defense and personal safety classes to all ages for the past 20 years.
Classes
Brazilian Jujitsu 1
Brazilian Jujitsu 2
Goeroe Louise Rafkin - Poekoelan Tjimindie Tulen
5th degree black belt
My first class was twenty-eight years ago with the astounding Professor Coleen Gragen. Fists and feet were flying, the women in the class looked like warriors. They exuded something I was lacking as a shy young woman: confidence.
Now at fifty-four my shyness has vanished, though I am quick to share the history of my fears and foibles with new students who often imagine they’re the only ones with insecurities.
It’s challenging to explain a lifelong practice in today’s world of fast results and short attention spans, but training has given me a return greater than I ever expected – and still does.
I’m still working to lead better, teach better, inspire more deeply, use my movement more effectively, support my teammates, and – most importantly – know myself. From my teacher, I am still being taught new movements and forms, and try my best to pass them to my students.
Classes
Fight Like an Animal
Healing through Breath
Sifu Allyson Riley - Kajukenbo
4th degree black belt
Allyson Riley has been training at Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu since 1993, and holds the rank of fourth degree black belt. She was named Assistant Head Instructor in 2009 by Sifu Michelle McVadon. Allyson discovered Seven Star when she went looking for a self-defense class. As a young woman in the city who couldn’t afford a car and often walked alone at night, she figured it was time she learned how to defend herself. She didn’t know she would also be learning kung fu, but quickly realized she had found her artistic medium.
Allyson finds great joy in being able to give back to the community that has given her so much, teaching new generations of women to defend themselves, while also witnessing and facilitating their transformation into martial artists.
Classes
Defense Against Multiple Attackers
Fight Without Sight
Robin Rosario - Wu Style Taiji
Robin began her martial arts journey in 1973 while suffering from a back injury she was introduced to an acupuncturist who advised her, “Study Taiji; it will change your life.” Those words held true for Robin.
Robin’s started studying Yang Style Taiji and Sil Lum Gong Fu with James Wing Wu in Los Angeles. Upon moving to the Bay Area in 1979 she met Larry Johnson and embarked on a journey that continues to this day. Her studies with Larry included Choy Lee Fut Gong Fu, Wu Style Taijiquan, Hua Shan Daoist Qigong and 18 Buddha Hands Qigong (Buddhist Yoga). Robin’s main interest these days is Taiji and Qigong.
Classes
18 Buddha Hands 1
18 Buddha Hands 2
