When I walked into Ekata Training Center a month and three weeks ago, I didn't have any expectations. I was working on an assignment for graduate school and thought I'd stop by and see if someone would be willing to talk to me and answer some questions about business Ethics.
They looked like they were busy having a meeting but Corry broke from the group to welcome me with a friendly smile and took the time to give me a tour. The facility was very clean.
I was blown away to learn that the school was in the lineage of Bruce Lee, Corry was third generation Bruce Lee taught, and he introduced me to Sifu Ed who studied Jeet Kune Do with an original Bruce Lee student named Jerry Poteet.
Corry invited me in to try a free class the next day, and Sifu Ed said he'd be free to talk to me if I came early. When I came early the next day, coach Shaka let me know Sifu Ed went home sick, and suggested I take Tai Chi while I waited for Corry's Jeet Kune Do class.
The Tai Chi instructor was very kind, and I really enjoyed it. After that, I had a lot of fun in the Jeet Kune Do class, and everybody there was very friendly and welcoming. Then as I was walking out of Jeet Kune Do class, I was greeted by Conner Bean who kindly invited me to stick around and try his Kali Class, and that was fun as well.
I thought I'd take a chance and just show up two days later to see if I could catch Sifu Ed to ask him some questions about Business Ethics. Although he was on a zoom call with Sifu JoAnn and several parents, he took the time to break from it and answer my questions in his office.
Sifu Ed gave a great answer to the question "what does duty mean to you...", emphasized being generous with wealth, and when I asked him about what type of ethical business policies they practiced, he emailed me a four page attachment that contained Ekata Training Center's Mission Statement:
"Our mission is to fuse ancient tradition with science and technology. We hope to empower and liberate our members through physical expression, thus opening the gateway to mental and spiritual health."
and core values:
"INTEGRITY, DISCIPLINE, AUTHENTICIY, ACCOUNTABILITY, ALIGNMENT, PROFESSIONALISM, PATIENCE, SERVICE, EXCELLENCE, GENEROSITY, CONTEMPLATION/MINDFULNESS."
After seeing that these core values align with who I want to be and what I want to work on, I decided to try it out and sign up for the unlimited program and immerse myself for at least thirty days and study the environment, the people, and processes.
I am not a professional fighter, nor do I have aspirations of being one, and I don't have enough experience in the martial arts to say what makes a good or bad martial arts instructor. I was just open to learning.
So far, for me, Ekata Training Center is fulfilling their mission. I feel empowered, liberated, physically expressed, and mentally and spiritually healthier since I started.
Why?
Maybe it's the amazing way that Sensei Harte breaks down Brazilian jiu-jitsu moves that doesn't seem intimidating, even for the beginner, with encouraging energy and a smile on his and his assistants' faces that makes you believe that you could get it if you tried again.
Or Coach Parish, who teaches Thai Kickboxing with patience, attention to detail, and takes the time to correct and encourage you like he was your longtime friend even when it's the first time he meets you.
Or Rick, who teaches RickFit and Yoga. He's knowledgeable, patient, wise, encouraging, and sensitive to your physical strengths and weaknesses, never pushing you too hard, but at the same time, doesn't let you slack.
Or Conner Bean's Kali class, where he teaches us to whip sticks around in both hands in ways, I never thought possible. He's incredibly talented and a great teacher.
Or it could be the awesomeness of Sifu Joann, who is an absolute beast in the most elegant and graceful way possible. When she teaches us how to block, kick, move, and punch with controlled power and precision in Savate, an exhilarating French Kickboxing sport. It's a whole lot of fun and quite a workout. I think we may even get a little smarter after every class because it's like we catch a bit of the genius beyond the movement by osmosis. You have to see it, to believe it.
Or it could be weekly meditation with Sifu Ed, who gives us insight and wisdom to reflect on as we quiet our minds from the chaos of a busy life and become present, intentionally mindful in the moments we share with the group in silence. Sifu Ed doesn't pretend to be perfect and have everything all together. He is transparent about his past and current struggles that motivate his actions, practices, and will for continuous improvement.
All, in all, from the moment you walk through the doors, whether you receive a warm welcome from LeAnne at the front desk, a smile and hello from Shane, Angie, and Miranda, or the many other great people in the Ekata Community, it's a great place to be! read more