We cannot do justice to the rich history of Bushikai Kishindo on a web page. Like the history of our families, it is packed with stories of triumph and tragedy, sacrifice and struggle, Kishindo has no less a history of groups and individuals who, through their own blood, sweat, and diligence have cut the path that brings the knowledge of Kishindo together. For this, students owe a tremendous debt, one that can only be repaid by self discipline, careful thought, pondering and practice. When you do these things, you give them your respect. When you teach their principles you honor them.

On this page, we give you a short biography of those who went before us. In many cases, photographs will help bring these great martial artists alive in your mind. As you gain an appreciation of what you have been taught, and will be taught in the future, give thought as to the origin of these things. We hope that as you do, a desire to know these people will well up inside you and that you will value this art and love it as we do.

Click on the Photos of Kishindo Ancestors to get a short history of that individual.

Howard Owen Davis Shodai-Soke Inyo Ai Kishindo

Soke Davis', martial arts training started in Baltimore, Maryland in the South Baltimore Police Boy's Club. At the age of 12 years he began to study boxing and gymnastics. By the time he was 16 years old he began studying a form of Japanese Karate and Judo. At the age of 21 he entered the Military in 1962 and volunteered for Special Forces training, better known as the Green Berets. During the next several years he was trained in several forms of combat including; judo, jujitsu and multiple weapons. After leaving the service, he once again began studying the marital arts. These studies included such styles as Judo, Karado, Shotokan, Goju, Tae Kwon Do, and Kenpo. He obtained black belts in Shotokan, Karado, and Goju. His highest rank being a 9^th degree black belt in Goju. He received his first black belt from Master Warren Siciliano in Karado.  He received his Gojo rank from Jimmy Bartell.

He began his teaching in 1971 where he taught Judo in an elementary school for the Jordan School District. By 1972 he was teaching Karate, Womens Safety, and self-defense programs throughout Utah. By 1975 he had received both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Education from Brigham Young University. In the year 2001 he retired from education after spending 18 years as a classroom teacher and 12 years as a principle - a total of 30 years in education. He also served as both the vice-president and president of the Black Belt Association of Utah.

In 1975 he founded Kishindo Martial Arts. The name of Kishindo means "The way of joining the spirit and energy, mind and body." Kishindo is a hard/soft style incorporating moves, defenses, attacks, and weapons from many of the styles he has studied, with strong emphases on philosophy and meditation.

Note: Not all classes are available at all locations.

Little Kids and Karate

A Note to Parents:

Many times kids want to do karate, mostly because it is cool, and all about Power Rangers and such, but they don't have any idea about the rigor and exactness that serious martial arts entails.

Generally what happens is they find that we work hard, and that they don't have the attention span, or the control over their muscles like the older kids have, and they get frustrated and quit.  Also, they tend have trouble remembering all of the mental side of the martial arts that we teach, and so, find it difficult to attain new ranks.

Here is what we reccomend: Get them into a good tumbling class until they are 7 or 8. There they can be active, flexible, and learn how their bodies move and work. Then, when they are ready for the discipline of Karate, bring them to the dojo and we'll teach them the martial arts.

Kids Martial Arts (Basic)

This class is geared to the younger martial artists. (8 to 14 years old)

This class is geared to teaching beginning students through the white belt ranks.
Here they will learn the basics of self defense. They will learn punches, defensive strikes, and kicks that are the foundation of all martial arts.
The will learn several kata (forms) that illustrate the basics of the martial arts.
They will also learn the philosophy of self defense.

1. Confidence
2. Focus
3. Control
4. How to avoid situations where use of the martial arts is necessary
5. How to show good judgement.
6. Treating your body with respect

Kids Martial Arts (Advanced)

This class is geared to the younger martial artists. (12 to 14 years old)

This class is geared to teaching students the green and brown belt levels
Here we teach advanced punches, defensive strike techniques, and kata. They will also begin to be taught to use traditional martial arts weapons.

Family Martial Arts

This class is geared to families that want to learn and practice together.

Parents and kids work together to further their martial arts skills. Having family support helps build relationships of trust in families.
Combining those relationships with martial arts helps students stick with it.

Here we teach all levels of martial arts depending on the skills of those in attendance.

Adults Martial Arts

This class is geared to students ages 15 and up.

Here we expect all those in attendance to be serious about learning the martial arts.

We will be teaching all levels of martial arts here. Individuals will be grouped with others of like skill levels. The teacher will move from group to group teaching. When the instructor is not with your group, you will be expected to work with your other members to further your martial arts experience.

Free Womens Safety Class

Kishindo Martial Arts Academy teaches free of charge a Womens Safety Class to any womans group.

We feel it is very important that every woman know how to protect herself.
This class focuses on these issues:

• Awareness
• Developing habits of safety
• How not to be a victim
• Avoiding Unsafe Situations
• Basic Methods of Self Defense
• Where Age appropriate, we also teach the signals and cue's that indicate an unsafe dating situation

This class takes about 2 hours so plan accordingly. Please call 801-699-4295 to arrange the class, so we can make sure what we present is age appropriate.

Women Only Class

This class similar to our Adults Martial Arts Class, but is for women only.

When you choose your classes, you may want to choose a womens class, and a regular class. This way you can also have opportunites to work your techniqes against your male counterparts. Here we expect all those in attendance to be serious about learning the martial arts.

We will be teaching all levels of martial arts here. Individuals will be grouped with others of like skill levels. The teacher will move from group to group teaching. When the instructor is not with your group, you will be expected to work with your other members to further your martial arts experience.