CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
The Shotokan Karate Academy at Escalon, California, USA is run by Elizabeth Iparraguirre, Sensei, 4th Dan who is a student of Ricardo Llewellyn, Hanshi, 9th Dan who, in turn, was a senior student of the late Vincent Cruz, Hanshi, 10th Dan.
Vincent Cruz trained personally under one of Shotokan karate’s all time legends Hidetaka Nishiyama, Hanshi, 10th Dan. So we can readily see that Elizabeth has a very strong karate ‘pedigree’ and lineage.
PHOTO 1: Gyaku Zuki in Zenkutsu Dachi.
PHOTO 2: Zen meditation in Elizabeth’s beautiful home garden.
Elizabeth, who first started training in karate in 1992, shows tremendous discipline in her karate and she is devoted to her students.
In the words of a mother of one of Elizabeth’s junior students:
“This class has been a wonderful experience for my son. I have seen him grow in maturity and respect. The teacher is kind and friendly but firm and challenging for the students. I highly recommend this class for anyone young or old who wants to learn a martial art.”
Elizabeth is an OUTSTANDING example of what a TRUE karate Sensei represents!
PHOTO 3: Stretching in a tranquil garden and pool setting.
PHOTO 4: Shuto Uke in Kokutsu Dachi.
PHOTO 5: Elizabeth 3rd from left in second row. Her Sensei left in first row.
PHOTO 6: A fun t-shirt but a stern warning.
PHOTO 7: Elizabeth in the opening stance from Shotokan kata, Sochin.
PHOTO 8: Beach training at Stinson Beach, California.
The Shotokan Karate Academy is a member club of the International SanTen Karate Association (ISKA) which is the organization founded by Hanshi Vincent Cruz (deceased). The badge if ISKA is shown below:
The address of the club is 2239 Jackson Avenue, Escalon, Ca, USA 95320. The club website for training times and other details can be found at: https://www.skaescalon.com/
SOMA is proud to be affiliated with Elizabeth Iparraguirre and her Californian Shotokan Karate Academy.