About Us
Sensei Karen Mac Donald
Sensei Karen Mac Donald is a sandan (3rd degree black belt) with 24 years of Shotokan Karate experience. She has been a member of the ISKF for all 24 years. For 14 years Sensei Karen has taught karate to students of all ages (beginning at 4 years). She has actively competed in tournaments including the ISKF nationals for the past four years.
Sensei Karen enthusiastically promotes the mental aspects of Karate training. As Master Funakoshi explained in his twenty precepts, "Spiritual development is paramount; technical skills are merely a means to an end". Sensei Karen truly seeks a unity of mind and body.
One of Sensei Karen's passions is teaching kids about the nature of conflict and how to manage it. Sensei Karen is a certified Martial Arts for Peace Instructor. Thanks to Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle (the author and developer of Martial Arts for Peace programs and literature) she has the tools and programs needed to effectively guide kids on the path to peaceful relationships. Outside the dojo, Sensei Karen teaches conflict education at schools around Sonoma County. Using lessons from the Martial Arts for Peace program the children learn about prejudice, conditioning, dealing with bullies and other forms of conflict. She is always amazed at the depth of insight that children of all ages demonstrate in class.
"Karate begins and ends with respect."
- Master Anko Itos