American Isshinryu Karate Schools Colorado Budo Center Colorado Budo Center





Phone: (303) 427-7668
eMail: email@AmericanIsshinryuKarate.com
Address: 680 & 682 W 84th Ave
Thornton, CO 80260

Instructors

At American Isshinryu Karate Schools and the Colorado Budo Center it truly is our instructors who set us apart from everyone else.

Executive Team

John Holwager Sensei

John Holwager
Chief Instructor
Master Instructor of Isshinryu Karate and Nippon Kobujutsu
RokuDan - 6th Dan

Regional Director - American Okinawan Karate Association
American Okinawan Karate Association Promotion Board Member
Colorado Shibucho - International Ryukyu Karate-jutsu Research Society
State Representative - American Isshinryu Karate Association
2001 Instructor of the Year - American Isshinryu Karate Association

After more than 30 years of intensive and extensive training many instructors would be content, but Master Holwager continually strives to increase his knowledge and abilities.  Attending multiple training programs each year, his quest for excellence and the origins of our arts has taken him around the globe with repeated visits to Japan, Okinawa, China and Australia.

Holwager Sensei began his formal martial arts training in 1977, at the age of fourteen. He began assisting in classes as a colored belt, and opened his own school, under his instructor’s supervision, when he was only a brown belt.

Over many years as both student and instructor, he has achieved great respect among martial artists for his skill, dedication and insight. He has worked with many notable instructors to increase the knowledge and skill he passes along to his students. Holwager Sensei’s commitment to teaching his art has brought him a number of honors, including Instructor of the Year, Spirit of Isshinryu and the IRKRS Honor Roll, but he believes his proudest achievement is his black belt students, especially those who have themselves gone on to be teachers.

Master Holwager’s primary instructors are Steve Young, Hanshi, of the American Okinawan Karate Association; and Patrick McCarthy, Hanshi, of the International Ryukyu Karate-jutsu Research Society.


Mary Holwager Sensei

Mary Holwager
Instructor
Instructor of Isshinryu Karate and Tai Chi
GoDan - 5th Dan

American Okinawan Karate Association Women's Committee Member
American Okinawan Karate Association Awards Committee Member
2003 Female Instructor of the Year - American Isshinryu Karate Association

Mary Holwager Sensei began her formal training in the martial arts in 1975 and has been a direct student of Master John Holwager since 1982.  She has studied the art of Tai Chi for many years under the guidance of Master Peter Hill and Master JinHeng Li.  With additional training in Nippon Kobujutsu, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Aikido and Arnis, she is a skilled martial artist and instructor.

Mary Holwager Sensei has taught Karate and self-defense for more than twenty years.  She has an extensive background in the history and tradition of the Oriental martial arts. Her technical knowledge and casual teaching style are in frequent demand for coaching sessions with competitors and candidates for rank testing.

Mary ’s philosophy as a martial artist and as a teacher is expressed in the Samurai maxim, “live each day as though your hair was on fire.”


Black Belt Team 

Our Black Belts and other senior students are also very involved in the instruction offered at American Isshinryu Karate Schools and the Colorado Budo Center. 

Current Black Belt Instructors at our school include the following individuals:

Donna Shannon

Mike Meek

Eric Cohen

Kimo Toguchi (Currently on active duty with the US Marine Corps)