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
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
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)