“More POWER!”
“Lower!”
These were the repetitious commands that dominated the Shorei-ryu training in 1978 when Mr. John S. Soltis began his Shorei-ryu career. Thirty-one years later, Soltis holds the rank of 9th degree black belt. Soltis discovered Shorei-ryu on the humble parochial grounds of St. Lawrence in South Central Los Angeles after heeding his daughter’s advice; she was the actual discoverer of the school in the Soltis family. He had been looking for a school to practice martial arts after parting from his first martial arts school: the Kobayashi Karate Dojo lead by Willie Short, Godan Shotokan Karate. Because the Shorei-ryu school resembled that of his former school, Soltis became very interested in studying the style. With the permission of Phillip Perales (10th degree black belt) and Scott Wiseman (9th degree black belt), Soltis formally began a new martial life in 1978 as a brown belt—his Shotokan rank was accepted in the Shorei-ryu style. Although 1978 was the beginning of his Shorei-ryu career, his formal martial arts training began in the summer of 1970. There was a stark difference in the styles as Soltis recounts. His Shotokan training was primarily focused on sparring with a few techniques while his Shorei-ryu training focused on kata practice. Nonetheless, he used Shotokan training to become a better Shorei-ryu stylist as he was readily able to internalize the “One punch, one kill” motto that was the crux of the Shorei-ryu training philosophy. Soltis’ kyu-rank training consisted of intense repetition with the aim of stamina development and breathing technique perfection. His training regimen of 4-5 weekly workouts consisted of numerous free sparring sessions, sand and bag training, intense cardio, and lots of kata practice. Although Soltis began Shorei-ryu training with a strong-willed determination to attain a black belt, he gained self-control, patience, and discipline throughout his kyu-rank training. Shorei-ryu and Shotokan weren’t the only styles that Soltis practiced. He also studied kobudo at the Tadashi Yamashita Shorin-ryu dojo in Torrance, Ca. In 1980, Soltis culminated his kyu-rank training and tested for Shodan, 1st degree black belt. On June 17, 1980, at 9:00 am sharp, the grueling five hour Shodan review commenced. Even with a severely sprained ankle Soltis performed at full capacity and was promoted to Shodan by the review board, which consisted of Phillip Perales, Scott Wiseman, and Dorian Burton. This day marked the beginning of the monumental impact Soltis has had on Shorei-ryu karate, particularly in Southern California.
As a black belt, Soltis passes on his knowledge to the youth of the inner-city of Los Angeles drawing upon his own training for the betterment of the community and the advancement of Shorei-ryu. While there was another branch of Shorei-ryu stylists in Orange County, Soltis began teaching in the inner city of Los Angeles like South Central and Watts, alongside Scott Wiseman. Soon after, his teaching contributions expanded widely. At one point, Soltis spearheaded four schools under grants from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station and the City of Lynwood. His heavy involvement in the community and honest devotion to teaching of Shorei-ryu earned him Certificates of Merit and Distinguished Service Awards from the City of Lynwood, Century Sheriff’s Stations, and Lennox Sheriff’s Station. Service to the inner-city communities did not come without sacrifice and conflict. Soltis was at disagreement with other teachers of the style regarding the politics of running the inner-city schools. However, he fought and maintained the inner-city schools up and running. Despite the changes of locations and funding, the inner-city schools were kept alive by Soltis. This set of schools includes present-day Firestone, Lynwood, and Lennox. Through the avenues of teaching that were these schools, Soltis infused discipline, morals, and self-confidence in the youth of the inner-city.
Soltis has taught the fundamentals of Shorei-ryu with a regimented style of teaching that provided structure and direction for the youth. His teaching methods are rooted in the old and hard style which was passed down to him. Soltis taught students kata and technique through arduous repetition, and relentless physical conditioning. All of the knuckle push-ups and “Six-inches” exercises (an intense abdominal workout), taught each student the importance of discipline and mental stamina. The only way to survive and advance in the style was to continue learning and push through any challenge that the student faced. The obstacles presented could only be conquered by increasing mental strength and physical ability. Before long the student’s self-confidence increased because one becomes conscience of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that one has surpassed. Soltis’ teaching methods provided a concrete foundation for positive development that translated into student success not only in karate but in life. Through his dedicated work and teachings of 40 years, Soltis has promoted an impressive 13 students to the rank of Shodan. Most of these students have graduated from an institution of higher learning, been part of the armed forces, are government employees, and/or work for major corporations. The large yudansha that Soltis has built is largely indebted to his dedication and ambition. For him, teaching has kept Soltis humble and interested in Shorei-ryu throughout his martial arts career. Through teaching, he has gained a family in his yudansha—a family of loyal students who continue to learn from his teachings. It is his belief that karate is a teacher of life because the qualities needed to succeed in Shorei-ryu are needed to succeed in life. Soltis’ involvement in Shorei-ryu has also manifested in a key contribution to the style: the Shorei mon. He has created a meaningful emblem representative of Shorei-ryu ideals, history, and future goals. This emblem is widely accepted as the insignia of Shorei-ryu and is endorsed by communities like the Kondo No Shokai, Pine Tree Association.
With over 40 years of experience, Soltis has gained a wise grasp on Shorei-ryu karate which keeps him active and interested in the martial arts. Although Shorei-ryu is an old and hardcore Okinawan style rooted in discipline, Soltis believes that the style is eclectic. It is not locked down to a set of techniques, but like a pine tree the style bends and receives changes that may come with time and teaching. The style is able to diversify and incorporate different lessons learned from its stylist. Thus, the style becomes more that an art but a way of life. Soltis believes that Shorei-ryu teaches ones about human nature (the strengths and weaknesses of the human race). Through Shorei-ryu, Soltis has learned that there are no self-limitations only surmountable mountains and valleys. Furthermore, karate instills qualities of goodness that are necessary in life like sincerity, honestly, patience, and perseverance. Not only has the practice of karate been beneficial to Soltis, but the teaching of karate has afforded him personal discovery and refinement. He finds fulfillment in knowing that karate has made a profound impact on the inner-city youth as he has witnessed his students advance in karate and life. Although karate is beautiful, Soltis finds the real beauty in the students he teaches; through his students he gains insight and enlightenment. Teaching is the method to continue his influence. Since there are always students to be taught, his influence can resonant throughout the generations.
Soltis currently resides in Baton Rouge, LA with his wife Theresa Soltis of 49 years. Mrs. Soltis has been a monumental influence and source of fortitude for Soltis both in his personal and martial life. He has two children and four grandchildren. However, his family includes his vast yudansha in the US pacific southwest.
