About Us
Qualified Instructors
The majority of our classes are led by Coach Kasi; having spent nearly 20 years studying the art of Judo under the tutelage of Master Willy Cahill, Tatanka's Martial Arts Academy is operated in honor of the incredible difference his training - both in the arts and in how to be a good person - made in her life.
At fourteen years of age she obtained first place ranking nationally, and went on to obtain her first black belt at the age of 18, through Cahill's Judo Academy; she has continued to move up the ranks since then. After retiring from competition, she became a regional and state recognized coach through USA Judo.
She has also spent time training in Tai-Chi, Kung Fu San Soo, Folkstyle Wrestling, Kenpo Karate, Japanese Jujitsu, Sport Jujitsu, and Sport Karate. She received shodan level black belt in Karate in 2017, through Mariposa Martial Arts Academy.
Aside from her martial arts background, Coach Kasi obtained her BA in Child and Adolescent Development; this, along with having spent the better part of 15 years either coaching or teaching, allows her to develop a stimulating, enriching program for students of all ages.
Corra M. is one of our Junior Instructors, practicing through our Junior Instructors Training Program. While she is one of our newest arrivals at the dojo, she has shown a penchant for working with young children, helping regularly with both our Tiny Tigers and Junior classes. This is a new adventure for her, and we look forward to seeing her skills develop!
Noah M. is also one of our Junior Instructors; he has been practicing with us for just over a year now, moving quickly through the ranks as he hones his technical skills. By adding the Junior Instructors Training Program to his schedule, he continues to demonstrate leadership as a value, a trait that not all students naturally possess. He is able to generate enjoyable, quick-paced curriculum for younger learners, which puts him in the perfect position to assist with our Junior classes.
Modern Studio
Our studio teaches a variety of classes, focusing on both practical application self defense techniques, as well as more traditional katas and forms. We currently offer Karate, Judo/Grappling, Kung Fu San Soo, and Women's Self Defense classes.
Our belt system is merit based; this means that there is no set schedule for promotions, and each child will progress at their own pace. This alleviates both the outside performance pressure, as well as the 'Mc-Dojo' aspect that can sometimes come along with scheduled testing and promotions. We focus not only on the physical aspects and performance of skills, which is required to progress through the ranks, but on the person as a whole. While we are all far from perfect, I make clear to students that if they are not 'acting like a black belt' outside the dojo, they wont be receiving one inside it.
Our Philosophy
Tatanka's Martial Arts Academy is founded based on the life-altering lessons taught by Master Willy Cahill, and what I (Coach Kasi) learned from him. He taught me not just about the art of Judo, but what it means to treat both myself and others with dignity, respect, and kindness.
At Tatanka's, everyone is welcome - we set aside our differences at the door, and focus on bringing out the best in each person. I was taught that we ourselves only develop so long as we help those around us also improve, and I strive to impart that to our students.
We are all a family, from the members that have been with us for years, to the person that just walked through the doors, and this is the philosophy upon which Tatanka's is run.