With its origins dating back to over 4,000 years ago, martial arts are systems and traditions of combat practices that involve self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, entertainment and mental, physical and spiritual development. Though Laguna does not have a karate team or club, several students actively participate in the practice of Martial Arts:

Kela Johnson ‘15

Classification of Art: Dynamic Circle Hapkido: a highly eclectic and hybrid Korean martial art.
Years of Experience: 10
Level: 2nd Degree Black Belt (3rd Degree in May 2015)
Favorite Technique: Spin Crescent Kick: the martial artist jumps into the air and executes a 360 degree turn while keeping her body perpendicular to the ground and extending the kicking leg.
Favorite Aspect: “I like that we don’t train to fight people; instead we train to defend ourselves and use fighting as a last resort.”

Connor Curran ‘15

Classification of Art: Kenpo Karate: an art that developed in Hawaii due to cross-cultural exchanges between the Okinawan, Japanese and Chinese martial arts. Kenpo is greatly focused on handed and open-handed striking and stand-up grappling.
Years of Experience: seven
Level: Brown Belt
Favorite Technique: ‘The Tiger and the Crane’ kata
Favorite Aspect: “I enjoy the intense workout I get every session. And it looks sick.”

Kailea Hieshima ‘18

Classification of Art: Dynamic Circle Hapkido (see description above)
Years of Experience: about 10
Level: 2nd Degree Black Belt: there are five degrees of black belts in Dynamic Circle Hapkido. The second degree focuses on advanced grabs, punches, speciality kicks, choking defenses and attacking techniques as well as defense from a sitting or lying posture.
Favorite Technique: Scissor Takedown
Favorite Aspect:“I really like it because I’m learning how to protect myself and others around me.”

Justin Bollag ‘15

lassification of Art: Mixed martial arts with an emphasis on Krav Maga, Tang Su Do, Kenpo Karate and Ju-Jitsu.
Years of Experience: about seven
Level: “My case is just a little unusual. My instructor doesn’t believe in giving belts. [He] said if he gave belts, he would consider me the equivalent of a red belt in Karate.”
Favorite Aspect: “My favorite aspects are learning how the body responds to various pressures, being able to defend myself and getting a good workout.”