February 10, 2006

Strength in numbers

Husband and wife martial artists teach karate
throughout Evergreen

By Michelle Hecht
Staff Writer

Karate teaches among many things dedication, discipline, sportsmanship, physical fitness and respect.

Deborah Garner and her students Katy Nomura, 15, (left) and Sydney Brafman, 12, (right) demonstrate a weapons form called Tsukenshikuhaku Sai Kata in a Dragon Cloud class. Photos by Michelle Hecht

For the last 16 years, Evergreen residents have had the opportunity to study this art form under a dedicated and accomplished husband and wife team.

James and Deborah Garner, both fourth-degree black belts, teach Chugoku Kenpo Karate through their school, Dragon Cloud. Holding classes Monday though Friday throughout Evergreen, they pass along skills and knowledge amassed from decades of karate.

“It’s a lifestyle,” said Deborah, who has been studying martial arts for over 20 years. Active in California tournaments since 1981, she has received numerous awards and titles, including six championship belts and several trophies.

James has also participated in the California tournament circuit, winning many prestigious awards. This year, he was awarded for outstanding community service. As Deborah explained, it recognized him for “going above and beyond the call of duty in public service, helping the youth grow in positive and meaningful ways and for possessing the compassion of a true warrior.”

Training in martial arts for 35 years and holding belts in various karate styles, James first learned the art in the Navy.
“They were offering a Ju-Jitsu program, so I signed up and started taking it,” said James, who had been boxing in the Navy for a time before jumping into martial arts.

While on leave, James watched his brother test for a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.

“I was just so amazed of some of the things he was doing,” added James.

So when James returned, he started taking Kajukenbo Karate. “It’s just impressive.” He said.

James holds belts in a range of styles, including Chugoku Kenpo, Kajukenbo, Shotokan, Shaolin Kung Fu, Kodenkan Ju-Jitsu, Aikiado and Su Mui Fa.

“I’ve taken every type of martial arts,” James said proudly.

At one point, James and Deborah studied at Moffett Field Naval Air Station in Mountain View. After their teacher relocated, the Garners took over the contract and instructed military personnel for the next 15 years.

In 1990, while still teaching at the base, the Garners opened the San Jose/Evergreen chapter of the Dragon Cloud School. Besides holding classes at their home dojo, or place of practice, they also teach at the Creekside Cabana Club, Evergreen Community Center and Silver Creek Valley Country Club. For almost nine years, they taught at the Little Scholars School on Silver Creek Avenue, and then turned it over to one of their black belt students.

Many of their students have gone on to teach karate, including their sons, Jerod, 23, and Derek, 18. Additionally, the Garners have students take turns instructing their classes.

“We have all the kids lead the basics,” said James. “It’s reinforcement.”

The tournaments are an important part of instruction, as well.

“It’s a requirement at a certain belt level to go,” said Deborah. “We actually do quite a bit of competition.”

Deborah and James Garner have been teaching karate as a husband and wife team for 20 years.

“Can you imagine just going to a tournament and facing someone and doing it? It’s very empowering,” said Mercedes Malion, who is a student along with her 12-year-old daughter, Sydney Brafman. “You put on the gloves, the headgear, and you’re out there. You just stand there with all the judges, it’s real quiet and there are 200 to 300 people there. It’s intense.”

Dragon Cloud students have won numerous awards, many times placing first and becoming California Gold Cup champions.

But there’s more to the contests than just winning.

“When you go to tournaments you see your friends,” said Deborah. “We see people we’ve known 20 or 25 years still officiating. It’s all such a big realm of family.”

Truly a family affair, many mothers and fathers take up karate at Dragon Cloud after seeing their children involved.
“We have a lot of families,” said Deborah.

“It’s a binding thing.”

“Families do it for years,” added James, citing their reasonable prices as one way entire families are able to stay with Dragon Cloud. “The fees we charge are pretty low. We want to make karate affordable for everyone to be able to take it, not just the wealthy.”

According to the Garners, students are not bound by a contract, but instead pay month-to-month.

The classes range from youth (age 5 and up) and co-ed adult, to women’s karate and self-defense. The Garners also started a class for mothers during the day.

“I have learned self-awareness, self-confidence, self-discipline, the sense of being protected within yourself, the sense of never being a victim, the sense of spiritual growth, physical growth, maintaining your physical well-being throughout your entire life, I could go on and on,” said Malion. “You could make a book about it.”

Fellow adult student Maxine Sander agreed. “It stays with you for life.”