Instructors
All Instructors at The Doug Yates Karate School are certified Matsumura Kenpo Shorin Ryu Black Belts. Certified Instructors must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the techniques and how the techniques are applied in real life situations and for sport competition.
The philosophy of positive reinforcement is used to instruct students. No abrasive or harsh criticism is used.
* The primary aim in the art of Karate is neither victory or defeat. The true KarateKa strives physically, mentally and spiritually to build good character.
* Be Square without being angular, Be honest without being mean.
* Be upright without being punctual. Be brilliant without being showy". - Lao Tzu
* Repay injury with kindness" - Lao Tzu
* The Martial Artist knows what is in himself, but makes no display. He respects himself, but makes no honor for himself". - Lao Tzu
* The goal of every Martial Artist should be to become humble. If at anytime he says he is now humble, pride has stepped in and removed true humility". - Master Doug Yates
The Five Maxims of Shorin Ryu Karate:
CHARACTER: Being morally and spiritually balanced.
SINCERITY: Being dedicated to the art and being honest with others and yourself.
EFFORT: Accepting the challenges presented in your study of the art. Being willing to work for what you earn.
ETIQUETTE: Respect for instructors and all higher or lower ranks than yourself. Bow before entering and leaving any dojo.
SELF CONTROL: Being able to control yourself in any situation without resorting to Kartate.
Doug Yates - Master Instructor: Master Yates began studying karate November 1, 1973 under the instruction of Sensei Dale Holzbauer in Xenia Ohio. From there he continued his training until Master Yates opened The Shorin Kenpo Karate School 1976. Master Yates currently holds the rank of
8th Degree Black Belt. Master Yates has personally trained under Master Yuichi Kuda (Deceased) and Master Roy Thomason. Master Yates currently trains under the watchful eye of Master Sonny Johnson of Muncie Indiana.
Master Yates has received training from Master Don Madden, Master Ron Lindsey, Master Ken Penland and Master Phillip Keopple. He credits all these outstanding teachers for his development. During his Kickboxing days Master Glen Keeney, Master Herb Johnson and Master Bill "Superfoot" Wallace were instrumental in his success as a The Ohio State Champion and World Rated Competitor with the Professional Karate Associatioon (PKA).
Master Yates has been active in all aspects of martial arts, from traditional training to tournament competition and even amateur and professional kick boxing where he holds various titles in tournament action.
Master Yates has traveled around Ohio and the United States promoting Martial Arts and training many students in the arts of Shorin Kenpo Karate, Okinawa Shorin Ryu Matsumura Kenpo Karate and Okinawa Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu Karate. Master Yates has been instrumental in the success of many of his students in the area of local and regional tournament competition and currently is the President of the Miami Valley Tournament Association.
Master Yates has also received the following recognition:
Inducted into The United States Martial Arts Association "Hall of Fame"
Inducted into The Ohio Black Belt "Hall of Fame"
Received 5 commendations from the Ohio House of Representatives
Received a letter of recognition from the United States Congress
Received a letter of recognition from the Governor of the State of Ohio
Received 4 Proclamations from the Mayor of the City of Xenia, Ohio
1996 Inducted into The World Karate Union "Hall of Fame".
1994 Selected to represent the United States at the Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg Russia winning a Gold Medal.
Contact Master Yates
Scott Vance (RokuDan - 6th Degree) started his Martial Arts training in August of 1979 at the Y.M.C.A. in Fairborn, Ohio under the instruction of Sensei Terry Bryan. The style was mainly Shorin-ryu with some Tae Kwon Do and Muay Thai Influences.
Sensei Bryan brought in many guest instructors such as Sifu Manuel Taningco (Shaolin Chuan Ssu Kempo & Arnis), Sifu Tyrone Jackson (Monkey & Praying Mantis Styles) and Sifu Mustafa Kenyatta (Tai Chi & Five Animal Systems). In June of 1983, Sensei Vance earned his Black Belt from Sensei Bryan in American Kenpo.
Sensei Bryan’s American Kenpo included teachings from Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Motobu Shorin-ryu, Isshin-ryu, Judo, Chinese Kempo, Arnis, Muay Thai, and Kung Fu.
Sensei Bryan moved to Colorado in 1983 and the School was turned over to Sifu Kenyatta. Sensei Vance instructed classes for Sifu Kenyatta in Karate, Judo, and Kung Fu for the following two years. He also continued his Kung Fu training under Sifu Kenyatta. In 1985, Sensei Vance joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.
He joined the Martial Arts Club on base and continued training with several instructors in Tae Kwon Do, Karate and Judo. In 1987, Sensei Vance was stationed in Bayreuth, Germany where he trained with a fellow serviceman in Shotokan Karate. The two of them also attended a local Judo club at a German school downtown.
In 1988, Sensei Vance was discharged from the military and returned to Fairborn, Ohio were he help start a new Dojo at the Y.M.C.A. with Sensei Dennis Toomey who is fellow black belt under Sensei Bryan. He also began learning Shorin-ryu karate from Sensei Doug Yates. In 1990, he left the Fairborn School to begin learning and teaching at the Doug Yates Karate School in Xenia, Ohio. Also in this year he started his career as a police officer.
In 1991, He met and began training with Grandmaster Yuichi Kuda in Matsumura Kenpo Shorin-ryu and Kobudo and continued learning with Sensei Kuda until his death in 1999. Sensei Vance continues his training today under Master Doug Yates and Master Sonny Johnson (Sensei Yates teacher), as well as Sensei Johnson’s teacher Master Roy Thomason. Sensei Thomason studied Shorin-ryu karate in Okinawa, Japan in the 1960’s under Sensei Fusei Kise and Grandmaster Hohan Soken of Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu and Kobudo.
Sensei Vance teaches the instructors class on Friday nights where he shares his passion for Kobudo (traditional weapons training), traditional / non-traditional structure, and practical application.
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D.J. Yates (GoDan - 5th Degree) Sensei Yates has been training in karate basically all his life. He grew up hanging around the dojo and going to karate tournaments to watch his father Master Doug Yates compete.
Sensei Yates current rank is GoDan, 5th Degree Black Belt. He teaches both Kids and Adult Classes.
As member of the United States Karate Team he has traveled to Ireland (3 times), England (2 times), Germany, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Argentina and Canada winning 9 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze Medal.
He has competed all across the United States winning numerous National Titles and was awarded “ALL AMERICAN STATUS” from the United States Karate Federation. As a team member for TEAM USA, he received training at The United States Olympic Training Center.
Sensei Yates is employed as Agent with Aflac Insurance.
Contact Sensei D.J. Yates
Dennis Toomey (GoDan - 5th Degree) Sensei Dennis Toomey received his Godan, 5th degree black belt from Renshi Doug Yates on January 15, 2008. Originally he studied with Kyoshi Terry Bryan in Fairborn, Ohio from 1979 until 1983 when he received his 1st degree black belt. After Kyoshi Bryan left the area, Mr. Toomey studied with Sensei/Sifu Mustafa Kenyatta at the Peaceful Tiger Martial Arts Academy and received a Shodan in Shotokan Karate in 1987. At that point he opened a club at the Fairborn YMCA and also began teaching Karate and Self-Defense for the Fairborn City Schools Adult Education Program.
Sensei Toomey began studying with Sensei Yates in 1991 at the Xenia YMCA, where Sensei Yates was teaching at the time. In 1992 Sensei Yates promoted Mr. Toomey to second Dan black belt. The following year Mr. Toomey collaborated with Sensei Yates and they formed the Miami Valley Tournament Association which still continues to this day.
Though plagued with a serious back and neck injury, three shoulder surgeries, two knee surgeries, two foot surgeries and a life threatening blood infection, Sensei Toomey has chosen not to turn his back and retire from Martial Arts. Instead, he now works as a full time Therapeutic Martial Arts teacher for Summit Academy Schools in Dayton, Ohio. Summit Academy has 19 schools in Ohio and teaches kindergarten thru high school.
They work with learning disabled children, especially those with ADHD and Autism. Statistics have proven that Karate can be a wonderful therapy for these children in both physical and emotional areas and increases their focus, self-esteem, discipline, and respect levels. Sensei Toomey has been with Summit Schools for 6 years and also has his own evening club in Huber Heights, Ohio at the Dayton Academy of Gymnastics, Dance, and Karate.
Sensei Toomey has been married for 32 years to his wife Sandy and they have one daughter, Melissa. If anyone would like to reach Sensei Toomey they may call: 937-233-3559
Tim Wilson (YonDan - 4th Degree) Sensei Tim Wilson began his karate training in 1984. His current rank is YonDan, 4th Degree Black Belt. He has competed for many years placing and / or winning top honors at the Miami Valley Tournament Association.
In 1994 Sensei Wilson placed at the United States Karate Federation Ohio State qualifier. Went on and won a Bronze medal qualifying him for the USA National Championships. Sensei Wilson teaches both the Kid and Adult Classes.
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Greg Smith (SanDan - 3rd Degree) Sensei Greg Smith is a SanDan, 3rd Degree Black Belt. Sensei Smith received his SanDan ranking on August 19th, 2006.
Sensei Smith began his karate training after his son began classes. Sensei Smith like many others from the Doug Yates Karate School has won numerous Miami Valley Tournament Associations Championships.
Sensei Smith won The United States Karate Federations National Championship in 1995 and repeated in 1996. He was awarded the USA Karate Federation “All American Status”.
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Eddie Walker (NiDan - 2nd Degree) Sensei Eddie Walker is a Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt, He teaches the kids class.
Sensei Walker was selected as a U.S. Jr. Team Member to represent the United States at the 2006 CANAM Championship in Ontarion, Canada.
The U.S. Team won the Gold Medal and the CANAM CUP.Sensei Walker has placed and won numerous Miami Valley Tournament Association competitions.
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Phil Henry, (Nidan - 2nd Degree) Sensei Phil Henry began studying karate in 1994 after his children Paul & Molly began classes. As a competitor Phil has been very successful. He has been honored by The Miami Valley Tournament Association (MVTA) as the Year End Champion.
In 1998 Sensei Henry competed at The United States Karate Federation National Championship. Competing in Kata, Weapon Kata and Kumite winning 2 Gold and 1 Silver Medal. The 1st place finishes earned him the USAKF "All American" Award.
Sensei Henry followed up the 1998 results in 1999 by winning Gold medals in all 3 events, along with the USAKF "All American" Award. 2000 Sensei Henry won a Silver Medal at the National Championship.
Sensei Henry along with his Daughter Molly and son Paul ran the Springfield Christian Karate Club for Master Yates teaching students the Okinawa Shorin Ryu Karate system.
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Jerry Popp (ShoDan - 1st Degree) Sensei Popp began his Martial Arts training under the instructon of Master Doug Yates on November 11, 1981 in Xenia, Ohio.
At that time the style was known as Shorin Kenpo, an Okinawan/Chinese system with influences from Ed Parker in American Kenpo Karate. After studying for four years, he received his Sho Dan on November 23, 1985 from William Claypool, an instructor of Master Yates.
While serving 12 years in the United States Air Force as a Security Policeman, he trained near Kadena Air Force base under Sensei Shinzato and his instructors for one year. This style was very traditional Shorin Ryu based on hard basic techniques and Kata.
In 2001 he trained under David Stanley, step brother and bodyguard for Elvis Presley, in American Kenpo for one year in Beavercreek, Ohio. After leaving the Air Force he returned to the Doug Yates Karate school and was officially certified as Sho Dan under Master Yates in 2005.
Currently Sensei Popp teaches the adult under-black belt class focusing on basic structure, kata and Sensei Popp's specialty, Self Defense techniques.
Contact Sensei Popp