The lessons that karate taught Pantoja Sensei such as discipline and respect translate into life skills that help develop a healthy lifestyle with positive relationships. The karate lessons learned by Pantoja Sensei were conveyed via traditional techniques of low center of gravity stances and efficient simultaneous block-strikes that can be found throughout Shorei-ryu kata. Internalizing low stances forced Pantoja Sensei to gain a strong sense of collection amidst calamity while efficient techniques afforded him a deep awareness of balance and organization. The epitome of a Shorei-Ryu kata that has taught Pantoja Sensei these values is Seipei Kata (18 hands). Although Pantoja Sensei is very selective in choosing a student to whom to teach Seipei, he believes that it requires determination, precision, focus, and strength to internalize this complex kata. The journey to internalizing the kata was as important as learning the physical techniques because only through the internalization of the kata was Pantoja Sensei able to incorporate the karate lessons offered to his life. He admits that practicing a series of 4 techniques at a time for up to two months until he learned the entire kata fused discipline and determination into his character.
Pantoja Sensei is a recent UC Berkeley alumnus graduating with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. He is currently completing a pre-medical post-baccalaureate program and Loyola Marymount University.
