Episode 624 - Andy Rodriguez

Andy Rodriguez is a Martial Arts practitioner and instructor as the Iwa Dojo - Delaware.

Being a family man helps me be a better teacher. You know, ebing a Karate teacher and practitioner helps me be a better family man, vice versa. They feed each other.

Andy Rodriguez - Episode 624

Andy Rodriguez is the Iwa Dojo of Delaware Chief Instructor for twenty years. The Iwa Dojo, is a progressive traditional school (non-commerical) of martial arts promoting a positive harmonious learning experience. Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate-do is the primary training focus. They also offer instruction, guidance, and training in Ryukyu Kobudo & Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo.

Andy Rodriguez was first exposed to martial arts in 1980 studying in American Kenpo, but it wasn't until 1984 that his passion for budo was fully ignited by Masaharu Sakimukai Soke when he began his Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate-Do training. During his Karate-Do training under the tutelage of Masaharu Sakimukai Soke and family, he was also introduced and studied Okinawan Kobudo and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo up until 1994.

He continued his martial arts training studying Aikido with Zenko Okimura Shihan in 1997. Although his exposure with Okimura Shihan was brief, he was thankful for the experience and for the valuable lessons learned. In 2000, he furthered his training in Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo with the Rembukan dojo up until 2002. In April of 2002 he decided to open his own private dojo focusing on Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate-Do. In 2003 he requested and became accepted as a branch instructor under the Zentokukai up until 2010. In 2010 he reconnected with Sakimukai Soke and family, and was welcomed back to his original budo roots.

Andy Rodriguez credits Masaharu Sakimukai Soke and family for giving him a extremely strong foundation and passion for budo that continues today. He also is appreciative of Sensei Pizii and Sensei Lemus of the Zentokukai sharing training methods, Patrick McCarthy Hanshi of the Koryu Uchinadi Association for sharing the importance of two person training and the value of futari renzoku-geiko (two person flow drills), and Master Toby Cooling and instructors of the Order of Isshin Ryu for welcoming him in their extended family and sharing their impressive budo. Special thanks to Sensei Iain Abernathy's influence in our deeper understanding of bunkai. He is also very thankful to all Chintokan and Zentokukai instructors and members whom had an impact in furthering his budo development. He has been the chief instructor of the Iwa Dojo going on twenty years.

Andy Rodriguez is currently a branch instructor and member of the So Budo Kai under the guidance of Takako Sakimukai Hanshi and So Shihan.

Show Notes

You can find out more about Andy Rodriguez’s school on their website or at Chintokan.com