BEGINNINGS

Our Dojo name, HALAU O HO'OMANA, was chosen  after consulting with my very good friend and colleague Kahuna Mark Saito of Hawaii. Together we picked this name which represents the principles and concepts I wish this new Dojo to uphold and represent.

Let's  start from the beginning. My wife Carrie and I had decided after considerable discussion to open the new Dojo on the property and further, to have the new Dojo in a structure known as a yurt. The Yurt as a Dojo was chosen for several reasons. We felt it important to build a structure that embodies many of the ideals and concepts as well as principles of Martial Arts. One of these is the major principle of circular motion.  All movement involves moving or applying power or yielding within a circle. A Yurt is made in a circle and it is the circle that is it's primary strength of support. All wind and rain “goes around” the yurt due to its circularity. Another significant principle of Jujitsu is economy of motion, or maximum efficiency, minimum effort. A Yurt is a structure that is very economical to build and it is very suited to whatever environment you choose to put it up in. My wife's and my ideas about ecological concerns made the Yurt very relevant in such a case as well. So, having a structure that reflects the concept and principles of our art form and other important life concepts  we simply felt it was the perfect choice to run the Dojo out of! 

Our Dojo name Halau O Ho'omana means the school of cultivating our highest abilities. Mana is the Hawaiian word for life force or Chi in Chinese or Prana in Hinduism, etc. So, this school recognizes the inherent goodness of Mana and it's power within each individual. We can cultivate this inner strength by  training in  a “way” or  in this case Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. DZR is particularly suited to this task and can go a long way in helping each of us attain our personal goals and aims in life. In this case specifically martial arts and the healing arts this art form teaches.

I chose the Hawaiian name VS. the usual Japanese name because we both felt that our property while in Arizona we wanted to develop the property with Hawaiian plants,  items and ambience. Also, DZR was created in the Islands and it very name is in recognition of the islands. Also, the name is the closest to what I want to convey via my teaching style and goals.

So, we have the Yurt. We have a treatment building...A small storage area converted to a massage area and also a hot tub!  We have a recreation vehicle which will sleep up to four and the Yurt will sleep a few. The area has many spots I've picked for outdoor training that are very powerful spots. All in all we have set up the property as a retreat at the very least or as a temple of sorts as it's highest use. This for me is personally  a life long dream come true. We hope you will come and enjoy this oasis in the desert!