"At 48 years old, 316 lbs., asthmatic, near high blood pressure and 5’11” tall, I was not the picture of health by any stretch of the imagination. I visited Sensei Franco at the Bushikan Dojo with my 7-year-old son who had expressed interest in Karate. My son decided to take Karate with Sensei through La Costa Meadows School with his classmates, and later joined the Bushikan Dojo where he is a full time student. Oddly enough, I found myself taking the free trial for a week and joining right away.

Sensei was extremely cautious with my health, only allowing me to gradually build up to where I could attend a full 2-hour class. My fellow students were beyond encouraging and didn’t make fun of my lack of physical ability. Instead they helped me to learn the techniques, taught me how to stretch to avoid injuries and gave me the confidence to try my best at each step of the way.

By the end of the first year, I no longer had high blood pressure and had dropped 50 lbs. in weight through regular Dojo practice. As I enter my second year, another 20 lbs. have dropped, and I’ve made more friends in this “family” of people than all the people I’ve met in my entire life.

It is said that a “Dojo” is a place where we find our way in life ~ this is true of Bushikan. There are not enough words, nor space with which to write the appropriate accolades about Sensei or “our” Dojo. The only way to understand and appreciate what is here is to come and experience it. I look forward to your visit at our Dojo and to become a Doshi (fellow student)".