The Gin Ryu Martial Arts Academy, established in 2015, is a state of the art, traditional karate school in Richmond, Kentucky owned and operated by chief instructor Dwayne Botts.
Gin Ryu, which means silver dragon in Japanese, strives to provide high quality Karate-do training in Central and Eastern Kentucky, preserving the character and style of traditional Japanese Karate.
Shihan Botts, who began martial arts training at the age of nine, is a seventh degree Black Belt, and holds a traditional Menkyo teaching certificate. Students refer to Botts as Shihan Botts, as shihan translates to master instructor.
After he started training, Botts said he developed confidence and increased self-defense ability. With continued training, he found a passion for the heritage and traditional teachings of Japanese Shotokan Karate, upon which he teaches today. He now has over 40 years of martial arts training and 28 years of teaching.
Botts said traditional Shotokan Karate allows instructors to serve their students not only through teaching martial arts and self-defense, but also enhanced self-esteem and life skills, which benefits all areas of a student’s life.
Combining enrichment in both physical and mental strength, he is especially passionate about delivering exceptional training to children and adults with special needs, such as ADHD and other diagnoses. Botts strives to provide an environment where everyone is fully accepted and valued as an individual, with a special mission of helping to serve the special needs community in Richmond and the greater area.
Research shows that martial arts can result in increased homework completion, classroom preparedness and overall academic performance, with a reduction in behavioral issues. Including commitment, discipline, the value of hard work and mental focus, students develop many skills that are easily transitioned into other daily activities – such as school, social environments and even the home.
“In teaching, I am awarded the opportunity to help individuals within the community experience the same life benefits that I have experienced, in addition to watching them develop as both martial artists and as people,” Botts said. “We currently serve many special needs students, and are pleased at the monumental progress they are making at the dojo and in their everyday lives.”
Botts said his number one result is that all students are to treat others with respect; every student is connected in a common pursuit to better themselves physically and mentally.
Prior to the start of each class, all students engage in Mokuso, a traditional Japanese meditation and breathing exercise. Students recite the dojo precepts, bow to the school and the art, and exchange bows with instructors and fellow students to show mutual respect.
Though Botts works a full-time job outside of the academy, he said teaching provides him a sense of fulfillment.
They emphasize that you are never too old to start Karate training, and you can start as young as four years old. Though most of their offerings are group sessions with excellent student instructor ratios, they also offer private lessons. Creating a valuable and accessible pricing is important, so there are no long-term commitments or contracts.
The Mountain Association is proud to have provided affordable financing for Botts to establish Gin Ryu. For more information, including how they have adapted their practices during COVID-19, please explore their website, as well as their Facebook page for great photos and updates.
