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Shorin-Ryu Karate celebrates 15th anniversary 

Karate Kyoshi 7th Dan Art Garcia, Kyoshi 8th Dan Nabil Noujaim, Renshi 5th Dan Michelle Rogers and Kyoshi 7th Dan David Rogers stand together after Michelle was promoted to Godan in 2012.

Karate Kyoshi 7th Dan Art Garcia, Kyoshi 8th Dan Nabil Noujaim, Renshi 5th Dan Michelle Rogers and Kyoshi 7th Dan David Rogers stand together after Michelle was promoted to Godan in 2012.

1964 Paso Robles High graduate returned to open dojo

David Rogers grew up in Paso Robles, graduating from Paso Robles High School in 1964. In 1999 Rogers and his wife, Michelle, moved back to Paso Robles and opened Shorin-Ryu Karate in the Boys & Girls Club behind Flamson Middle School. This year, Shorin-Ryu Karate celebrated 15 years in business.

Five years into business, Rogers said, the dojo moved to 1336-B Railroad St. behind Chubby Chandler’s because it outgrew the Boys & Girls Club location. The dojo teaches traditional Okinawan Shorin-Ryu ShorinKan Karate and Kobudo (weapons).

“We also provide others programs to the Paso Robles Library and Recreation Department at Centennial Park, Almond Acres Charter school, San Miguel and Atascadero Recreations at Colony Park,” Rogers said. “Our programs include classes for ages 3 to 7 years, Lil’ Dragons in addition to classes for beginners to advance.”

Both David and Michelle teach classes at the dojo. David is a 7th degree black belt and 5th degree black belt in weapons. Michelle is 5th degree black belt and 2nd degree black belt in weapons. David has been training in karate for 30 years and Michelle for 16.

Classes are held Monday through Thursday between 4 and 8 p.m. for Lil’ Dragons, beginners, intermediate, advanced and Kobudo. Families from the Paso Robles dojo have moved out of the area and started dojos in Colorado and Oregon. There are 130 students in the Paso Robles dojo, 29 of those are active black belts. David said it takes about four and a half to five years of training to reach black belt with many continuing their training after.

David said their role model is Shugoro Nakazato Sensei, who is 95 and still teaches. They were introduced to Okinawan Karate by Kyoshi Nabil Noujaim, who is their immediate instructor.

After David graduated from high school, he went to Coalinga Junior College, which is now called West Hills College. He served in the Marines from 1965 to 1968, going to Vietnam 1967-68. After he got out of the Marines, he went to and graduated from San Diego State and went on to work in the business world before becoming a school teacher. It was when Michelle got a job opportunity in Salinas, when they decided to move to Paso Robles instead and open a dojo.

For more information, call (805) 239-3232, email senseidavid@karateshorinkan.com or go to www.karateshorinkan.com/pasorobles.php.

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