

1. We strive to be examples of
martial-arts-philosophy-in-action for both the international martial
arts community, and all citizens of the world.
2. We undertake humanitarian and educational projects as a committed
team. We promote the growth of our students through service to our
local, national, and global communities. We empower our students to
find and pursue their own visions of service through an instructional
method known as Project-Based Leadership Training.
3. We are committed to operating our school with the highest standards
of integrity, sustainability, instructor education, along with ethical
and eco-friendly (aka Green) business practices.
Anthropologist Margaret Meade said, “Never
doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Mahatma Gandhi said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world."
These two quotes perfectly embody the mission and purpose of Hawaii Freestyle Martial Arts ~ at the DOJO.
our vision of martial arts education:
Hawaii Freestyle Martial Arts uses
the martial arts as a base for learning other things. The martial arts
are to education what an automobile is to a trip. The car is not the
trip; it's the tool you use to take the trip.
Hawaii Freestyle Martial Arts classes ~ at the DOJO are not the education, it is the tool you use to take a journey---and it is on the journey that the learning and growth occurs.
the DOJO (or place of training) is an
alternative martial arts school owned and operated by two very
progressive, innovative martial arts master instructors, Laura
Crittendon and Steve Von Hargett.To read about the
kind of work Laura and Steve do as martial arts teachers, visit our
links page and click on The Ultimate Black Belt Test, Raise the House,
the Pilates & Movement Center of Kona, or The Movement Education
Foundation of Kona.
At Hawaii Freestyle Martial Arts Academy ~ at the DOJO,
non-violence education is more important than martial arts techniques.
Practicing the art of being fully aware and developing a kind of
thinking that empowers you is far more important than what belt rank
you hold.
In Freestyle Martial Arts learning to apply
yourself to your goals and ambitions is more important than learning to
fight; and self-defense doesn't mean learning the art of blocking, it
means learning to defend one's self from mediocrity, low self-esteem,
and apathy.
Our job is to make it all fun and interesting. It's to motivate you and
give you a safe place to practice, make mistakes, have victories, and
grow. Our job is to inspire you, when possible, and to be the best
coach for you (and/or your children) that we can possibly be. If you're
interested in personal development, self-defense, fitness, and/or the
martial arts, please, come and visit the DOJO.
At Hawaii Freestyle Martial Arts, we believe strongly in the power of community activism and that indeed one person CAN
make a difference. With this idea in mind, we ask all of our martial
arts students to become aware of community and neighborhood projects
and to make a worthy contribution to them. In fact, at the DOJO,
in order to progress through specific belt ranks, our students are
asked to organize and/or participate in service activities as part of
their Belt training and testing.
The following projects are those that Freestyle Martial Arts Academy is
currently or has been involved in. In coming years, we will continue to
show our commitment to community by participating in various events,
including donating services to fundraisers for charitable institutions,
beach and road clean-ups, food drives, Self Defense/Empowerment
Training for Survivors of Abuse, bringing the Rural Studio to the Big
Island, and other activities. Be sure to check back here often to see
what Hawaii Freestyle Martial Arts, the DOJO, and our students are up to in our Big Island community!
Feel inspired? Join us!
The 911 AOK website
was set up by martial artists post 911. The last thing the world needs
is another punch or kick. Help us make the world a kinder and more sane
place...one random act of kindness at a time.
The students at the DOJO are all required to fill out logs for their
Random Acts of Kindness as part of the requirements to advance in belt
rank. If you are interested in joining us with your group, school, or
classroom...please contact us. The more AOK happening, the more sane
our world. Thank you.
This was a FANTASTIC
project founded by two fellow UBBT (team 3) members to bring monies to
the orphans in Thailand. These orphans are living at a Muay Thai
training center that these two gentlemen visited and trained at. They
were so moved by the grace and gentleness of these orphans, and by the
training center that took them in, they set out to help. By asking
fellow martial artists to donate only 50 cents, these two innovators
raised a couple of thousand dollars for the orphanage.
This is an example of how small acts, when blended together, can yield huge results! Way to go, guys!
SUCCESS IN ALABAMA!
Check
out the above link to our March 2007 humanitarian project thru the UBBT! We
raised $917 for this event. Thank you to Kona for the support.
Our goal is to bring this type of activism here to the Big Island. If you can help, we'd love to hear from you!