Ohana. It’s a Hawaiian term meaning, “family.”
It’s also the very thing you’ll find when you step in the door at Sifu Cindy’s Johnson’s Heritage Kung Fu and Tai Chi school in downtown Chehalis. Established in 2014, their official mission is: “Building strong families and providing a positive place in the community through martial art”
At Johnson’s school, adults will learn the art of Kajukenbo Tum Pai. This hybrid form of martial arts combines the kicking, striking, throwing and throw-down techniques of Japanese Kajukenbo, and the art of Tum Pai that derives from Chinese combat and work without a win/lose concept. Kajukenbo also follows the basic principles of Tai Chi, which are: relaxation, an upright body, shifting weight, having a flexible waist and the “Beautiful Lady’s Hand,” or keeping the wrist straight from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.
Technique aside, Kajukenbo also instills students with confidence and proper conflict resolution techniques. “It’s an open hand instead of a closed fist,” said instructor Brandon Johnson.
In children’s Kung Fu classes, students will start out with two private lessons, where they are given specific tasks to complete before moving forward. While their main objective is to be able to break a board, they are also sent home and assigned a chore list to teach them responsibility. Once a student has mastered these tasks and has committed to learning, Cindy requires that they attend regular classes at least two times a week. But most importantly, students must abide by the three main rules: 1) Do your best 2) Strive for improvement and 3) Have fun.
Unlike traditional schools where students move from one teacher to the next, the consistent, one-on-one coaching at Heritage allows relationships to form and self-esteem to flourish, especially in more introverted students.
“It’s totally different from traditional sports in the schools.” said Cindy. “This is geared towards the individual, whereas sports in the schools is a team. You get benefits from both, especially when it comes to life experience. When you’re working someplace, you need to work together as a team, but you also need to have self-confidence and work independently.”
Teaching has also helped to strengthen and center Cindy as well. Although she attended Central Washington University and obtained her bachelors of science in criminal justice with the intent of becoming a corrections officer, she struggled to find work. It wasn’t until a friend told Cindy that they foresaw her moving farther south and doing “something awesome,” that Cindy moved to Longview with Brandon, her son, and they began their martial arts training under the late Grand Master Doug Bailey. Even though she’s moved through the ranks from a student to a teacher, she is constantly learning and improving from her students.
“It’s made me strong in a lot of ways,” said Cindy. “I never realized I’d be doing this. I wanted to continue training. Because I’m helping them, it helps improve me, too.”
In addition to hosting regular classes, Cindy has also started teaching women’s self-defense classes. The cost of the day class is $10, and all the proceeds go to local women’s shelters. “If you don’t have the schedule to train, and you just want to learn some techniques to protect yourself, you’re going to want to practice them here,” Cindy said.
However, serious faces and defensive poses aren’t all Heritage is comprised of—they also know how to kick back and have fun! Every so often, the school hosts Nerf gun battles and different themed parties for the students and families to relax and build stronger bonds. Children are also free to bring friends on designated Buddy Nights, which helps open up newcomers to the world of Kung Fu.
Additionally, if you’re looking for an inventive children’s birthday party idea, consider renting out the facility for a Saturday afternoon. The open space will give party guests plenty of room to move around, and the “guest of honor” will get to cut their birthday cake with Cindy’s special Samurai sword.
After you’ve become part of the Heritage family, you are also welcome to take what Cindy calls the “Spirit Test,” or the New Year’s Day Plunge. Gathering together all the Tum Pai Ohana schools, everyone plunges into the frigid waters of Lake Merwin exactly at noon, rain or shine. Not only does the event unite the schools, but it also sets the tone for the New Year by having participants take risks.
But whether you’re fully committed to the point of taking the plunge into freezing water with your classmates, or just want to take a skills class, the community at Heritage is always there to lend the Ohana spirit.
“When you’re out there on the floor and you’re helping each other grow and learn something, and learning how to move and protect yourself and loved ones, you grow a strong bond,” Cindy said. “Training at Heritage Kung Fu helps you be the best that you can be.”
Heritage Kung Fu and Tai Chi
249 NW Chehalis Ave
Chehalis, Washington
360-520-9128
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