Come as you are and become who you want to be.

As a black belt in karate I wanted to teach my kids karate the way I taught others including their mother. When they were little I taught them, as they grew older it became less and less. As they grew older they also lost interest especially being the only two students. One day my niece Justene asked Makayla if she wanted to try jiujitsu. She did and immediately fell in love with the art. 2 days a week quickly became 4 to 5 sometimes 6 or 7 days a week. At first I did not want her to learn martial arts from someone else let alone an art I did not know myself. I even practiced on occasion with Justene’s dad JB but never wanted to join just wanted to know something in case I had to defend myself on the ground. One day JB’s wife asked Makayla’s mom, other parents and I if we wanted to try jiujitsu at Kola’s. We both loved it. I started going every day sometimes training till 1am. We even joined the Muay Thai class. One of the things I love the most is sharing the mat with my family. My son started with Muay Thai and recently tried a jiujitsu class with Coach Cesar, Julio and Will and liked it. My family does Martial arts at Kola’s where he created a family environment. Come as you are and become who you want to be. Set goals and achieve them. 

My first day there I was startled by a tap on my shoulders from a child who just wanted to say hi. That was the first of many that day from kids and adults I have never met. A practice that’s a must when walking into the gym and leaving a practice that sets the family tone Coach Kola has created. 

All the instructors have one goal in mind to pay it forward. If you want to join a gym there are many in the Bay Area. If you want to join a family see you on the mat.

~ Ricky Nagayo