Dowdle Okinawan Karate

07/15/2025

🥋 KARATE REGISTRATION 🥋

The Odessa Family YMCA is registering for youth and adult karate classes.

Youth classes are for children 8 years old to 17 years old. Adult classes are 18 years old and up.

✅ Register here for youth and adult karate classes: tinyurl.com/38thwhfp. Registration will be online ONLY.

Registration fee for youth karate is $95, while adult karate is $105. (Children and adult will also need to purchase a Karate Gi).

06/22/2025

We regret to announce that we will be closing our dojo down, we have had a great time but unfortunately, it is a lot to maintain alone with my career and family obligations.

The good news is we will be returning to the YMCA in Odessa with the same schedule starting around August.

If you are interested in private lessons, feel free to message or Email.

Send a message to learn more

12/29/2024

Our mission for the Kid's Program is to cultivate self-defense skills and instill a sense of discipline, by encouraging our students to pursue their goals through consistent practice and hard work. While we emphasize a fun and engaging atmosphere, our instruction follows traditional methods of constant practice and repetition. In addition to teaching self-defense techniques, we also teach the rich culture of Okinawa, promoting a way of life that encourages each student to become the best version of themselves without seeking conflict.

End of year training for 2024 Kid's Program.
Our kid's program will be opening up in January for new students.

From 1/14 - 3/11 The YMCA will sponsor a beginner's course for new students. For more information on our Dojo please visit our website or send a message. For more information on the YMCA beginner's program - Please visit Odessa YMCA.

09/05/2024

Scott Fawcett , a friend and fellow karateka just published his book on Isshin-Ryu. He goes into alot of detail with the history of Isshin-ryu along with the traditions and culture of Okinawa.
Sensei Arcenio Advincula was always asked when he was going to write a book, he responded once "I'm giving you all the information, now put it together and publish it" I believe that is what Scott did with this book years later.

Congratulations Scott !

Isshin-ryu Karate: The dragon man and his one heart way
https://a.co/d/2R2QBix

09/04/2024

Announcing our opening in Odessa, TX.
Please visit our Website or click our Linktree QR code learn more.
Scheduled Opening September 30th,2024

Https://www.dowdlekarate.net

04/29/2018

Sanchin Jar Training

07/29/2013

One of my favorite pieces of Okinawa Culture is the Shisa. It is said that the Okinawan Shisa are a variation of the Chinese Guardians known as the "Fu dogs" or simply Shi (Lions). In both the Chinese and Okinawan Version the guardians are in pairs most of the time(male and female) however the Shisa that are placed on the roofs in Okinawa is usually just the male. In Okinawa the male has his mouth open to ward off the evil spirits while the female has the mouth closed to keep in the good spirits. In China their Shi have a different way to tell the gender. The male holds a ball called the "xiù qiú". The ball represents that the male has control over his domain ( Protection over his home ). The mother holds a cub under her paw which represents maternal instincts. In Okinawa Shisa are placed on resident's roofs and in front of their home to protect from evil spirits where as the Chinese Shi are traditionally placed in front of imperial buildings such as "Chinese Imperial palaces, Imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy, from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), and were believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits." These form of guardians a be compared to Gargoyles that you see in America.

Shisa -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shisa

Chinese Shi or fu dog- http://fengshui.about.com/od/fengshuigoodluckcures/ig/Feng-Shui-Fu-Dogs/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardian_lions
Arcenio Advincula
Please see the pictures for more descriptions.

06/23/2013

When I started teaching here at Ft. Carson the turn out was pretty big. The FT. Carson newspaper came to do an interview. Alot of people asked me why in the world I did this for free? Simple... I wanted to teach. I was fortunate when I was coming up learning the Martial Arts. I was never charged for my Karate lessons. I had one requirement - I practice what I learned. Teaching is also a learning experience. Out of my years of learning , only 2 of them was in a Classroom Atmosphere. Sensei Paden taught me mostly one on one so this was also a learning experience for me.

There was a point I had around 25- 30 students at Cazwik Dojo in Ft. Carson. Teaching alone was quite a challenge. Some stayed longer than others while some quit when they found out they weren't going to be a expert in 3 days or learning how to beat the pulp out of someone. Others quit for other reasons. I remember every single student that came through even if they came for one class.

I want to thank everyone who came to the Dojo, I hope you all got something out of your time there.I want to thank the 3 students who stuck it out til the end as well. Its been a pleasure teaching here. Soon I will be going to Korea where I hope to continue teaching.

In this Article that the newspaper did there was some mis-communications. The part where it reads " You have to really look into someone's eyes" Was not my exact words. I was explaining to the Interviewer about the Kenpo Gokui and using #7 "The eyes must see all sides" as trying to see through the eyes of your attacker. However this was a accomplishment I was proud of. The paper took a whole lot of pictures that night ,unfortunately he said he lost them :(.
If any of you want help trying to find another Isshin-Ryu school, let me know and I will do the best I can to help you find one.
Take care in your journeys
CD~

06/14/2013

Uechi-Ryu students perform their version of Sanchin, Kotekitae , and Sanseiryu. The Uechi Ryu style has always amazed me with the feats they perform. According to Sensei Advincula they are karate fanatics. Something is to be said for someone who can break boards ( and not thin ones ) With their fingers and toes. It is said Isshin-ryu Stylists should also be fanatics. Tatsuo Shimabuku could drive 16 penny nails through a 2x4 with the edge of his hand or heel of his foot. (AJA) Sheisho Tokumine said he could cut the tops of bottle necks and climb a telephone pole to the top and then when he got to the top he would climb head down. Although we don't take anything from Uechi-Ryu in Isshin-ryu , Tatsuo Shimabuku was friends with Kanei Uechi. (Son of Uechi Founder).

http://www.msisshinryu.com/shimabuku/printableindex.html