Yoshukai Karate Alliance Testimonials

In 1985, when I was 12 years old, I decided that I would like to try karate lessons. At the time I lived in Normal Illinois and had several martial arts schools to choose from. My parents and I looked at many of the different schools all of which were just too expensive. Specifically, I remember calling one school and they were charging $60 a month and required a one year contract and this was over 20 years ago. It was at this time when a friend of my sister recommended that I try Yoshukai Karate, the style of karate he practiced.

I was immediately drawn to Yoshukai Karate. The techniques of Yoshukai were efficient, extremely powerful and were not flashy or extravagant like those I had seen at the other schools. The cost of the Yoshukai lessons was very reasonable at only $25 a month with no startup fees or contracts. With my parents’ approval, I immediately joined Yoshukai and started my karate training.

When I was a green belt the dojo in Normal was closed and I started training with Sensei Dugan in Lincoln. I had met Sensei Dugan a couple of times in the Normal dojo and had been impressed by him. As my training continued I formed a deep respect for Sensei Dugan as do all of his students. As an instructor Sensei Dugan is strict but fair and is always patient and willing to spend extra time helping students. He is dedicated to passing on his extensive knowledge of Yoshukai Karate to anyone who wants to learn.

Yoshukai Karate training instills many different values in its students. Most prevalent among these values are patience, discipline, and respect. I have been studying Yoshukai karate for over 20 years now and I know that these values have been ingrained in me through my karate training. I owe a lot to Sensei Dugan and to Yoshukai karate. Without the discipline and patience of karate training I would not be the person I am today.

At a young age I was introduced to karate by my father. Dad taught me the basic blocks and punches. He even made me a makiwara board to practice on. To give me a better understanding of karate my parents sent me to Sensei Dan Dugan of Yoshukai Karate Alliance. Yoshukai karate workouts were very taxing on the body and mind, pushing me to my limits. In class you were expected to give your full effort to working out. You were told to give complete attention to what you were doing. Many times we would just stand and stare straight ahead. This improved our concentration and focus.

I have been in karate for many years now growing through the ranks. Recently I was allowed to become a sensei and open my own school with the help of Sensei Bottrell and Mr. Schreiber. Having a school has taught me more about karate and about myself. it has pressed me to be a better person, to work hard for what I want out of life. most importantly it has improved my attitude and has taught me a great amount of patience.

From a young age I have revered the Karate Ka. I craved the discipline and strength that karate has always personified. I know that, with the correct motivation, I could become healthy in mind and in body. I knew that karate would instill in me dedication, patience, hard work, perseverance and respect. I knew this but I was not allowed; my parents thought that I would misuse what I was taught. For many years I gave up the hope of learning karate, though it was never far from my mind. Years later, when I was able to make my own choices, I began my journey as a Karate Ka. Karate came at a time in my life when I needed it the most. I was aimless, unhealthy and in need for personal growth.

Since my first Osu, every day of my life has grown better than the last. I am healthy, happy and dedicated to something that I love. Yoshukai Karate has made me a better father, a better companion and a better man. It has made me responsible for my life and any problems in it. It has also made me capable enough to obliterate any problems that stand before me. Karate is not sport or a callisthenic, it is not an activity to pass time or a babysitter for your children. Karate is a way of life, it is my life!

I have always been fascinated by the grace and discipline of martial arts. When I learned that there was a traditional Japanese karate class being taught in Lincoln, I knew I had to check it out. A long time friend of mine was in Yoshukai karate and he invited me to come and watch. As soon as I watched the class in action I knew that this was the style I wanted to learn. I joined Yoshukai Karate in February of 2004. Since joining Yoshukai karate I have benefited from the positive physical exertion. i am healthier than I was before joining Yoshukai Karate. I have learned to be extremely patient and focused in achieving my personal goals. I received my 1st degree black belt in June of 2007. I would not trade my Yoshukai training for any other style in the world.

My name is Gordon Lanning and I am a 1st degree Black Belt in Yoshukai Karate Alliance. I live in Lincoln, Illinois and I am a teacher. I was in Yoshukai Karate for 2 years, starting in 1987. I rejoined Yoshukai in the fall of 2003. I felt that I had some unfinished business to take care of. I earned my Black Belt in December of 2005.

I chose Yoshukai Karate because it is a traditional Japanese hard-style of martial arts. I enjoy the workouts and the study of traditional Japanese weaponry. Sensei Dugan is a great instructor that teaches this style of martial art because of his passion and belief in Yoshukai Karate.

I have learned a lot from my training in Yoshukai Karate Alliance. Not only have I gained confidence in my ability to defend myself, but I've carried all that I've learned into my life outside karate as well. Through the mutual respect among the karate-ka i've gained respect for others and myself. What puts Yoshukai Alliance above the other styles for me is that it's more than a school of karate, but a school of moral principles, and a family to it's students.

My first introduction to martial arts, like many, was through the movies. It wasn't until a friend of mine showed me some basics that he had learned in a formal class that I understood there was more to it than choreographed scenes and compelling back stories. I wanted to join my friend, but my parents were very cautious and didn't encourage my pursuit.

In 1990, with my first job, I was able to pay for my own training with Sensei Dugan. The fact that I was willing to spend my own money and time convinced my parents that I wasn’t going to give up on the idea, and they allowed me to train. My parents recognized a significant difference in my attitude, especially during those teen-age years. They were then excited for me to introduce Yoshukai to my sister, niece, and nephew much earlier in their lives.

Yoshukai Karate continues to provide a very valuable, positive influence that flows into many aspects of my daily life. I regularly see where Sensei Dugan's emphasis on attitude has benefited me in both personal and professional relationships. The patience, confidence and perseverance developed through the years of training are my greatest reward.

When I was 10 years old I wanted to be in some kind of sport, then my parents heard of Yoshukai Karate. I never heard of it before, but I didn’t care if it was a common or uncommon karate, so I signed up for it.

At first I expected to learn a lot at once, but instead of stuffing my head with karate I slowly worked up to higher things, but it was worth it. I got better with the smaller stuff they taught me so I learned higher things.

Also, when I joined karate I never knew I would make many friends that I could trust, so ever since then Yoshukai Karate has been a big part of my life in and out of the dojo.

My name is Nykol Schreiber and I have proudly reached my goal of becoming the first Yoshukai Karate Alliance female Black Belt. Testing for the title of Shodan was one of the hardest things I had ever set out to do, yet the most rewarding.

Not only did I earn the rank of Shodan but also a tremendous amount of respect and passion for the art of Yoshukai. With the traditional and strict training I have endured in the past 3 ½ years, I have gained many great qualities including: self-esteem, self-respect and self-confidence, the three most important values needed to make a person successful within themselves.

Yoshukai Karate proves itself to become a way of life to those who ‘train seriously with heart and soul’. Between the tradition of Yoshukai and the dedication and respect to Yoshukai by Sensei Dugan and his students, we will remain known as the most traditional style of martial arts.