American Kyokushin Karate Organization (AKKO) in Houston, TX (Shihan Calvin Hartzog)

[Shokei Marcsui]

2nd Week

[Country] United States
[Suburb] Houston, TX
[Style/Organization] Kyokushin / American Kyokushin Karate Organization (AKKO)

OSU!

The AKKO dojo based in Houston, TX is run by Shihan (Godan) Calvin Hartzog.

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The dojo operation hours are Monday - Thursday: 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Our classes usually run a basic schedule: Warm Ups, Kihon, Kumite, and then we end it with circuit weight training.
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[Shokei Marcsui]

Warm Ups, Kihon and Conditioning, Kumite, and then we end it with circuit weight training.
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Warm Ups, Kihon and Conditioning, Kumite, and then we end it with circuit weight training.
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[Shokei Marcsui]

Warm Ups, Kihon and Conditioning, Kumite, and then we end it with circuit weight training.
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Our training schedule is:

Monday: Chest, Arms, Abs, Lower Back
Tuesday: Free Lifting
Wednesday: Back, Triceps, Abs, Lower Back,
Thursday: Legs, Legs, Legs, stretching. OUCH!

We usually work in circuits. During resting periods (usually because you are weighting to get on the next exercise) we go a round on the heavy bag anddo some "old fashioned conditioning" as well.
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Squat position - Jump Rope

[Shokei Marcsui]

OSU!

SO if you are in the Houston Area... please stop by and train with us. We'd love to have you.

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left to right: Matthew, Marcsui, Sempai Phil, and Shihan Hartzog

For more information contact Shihan Hartzog at:
Phone: 713.906.5290
or
Email: calhart@earthlink.net

[smoothsake]

Shokei,

What kind of structure are you guys practicing in? It looks like a barn of some type. Wooden walls and such. Very colorful. Not exactly what I expected from a dojo in Houston. Can you elaborate more about the building and the area of Houston you guys are in? Osu!

[Shokei Marcsui]

Shokei,

What kind of structure are you guys practicing in? It looks like a barn of some type. Wooden walls and such. Very colorful. Not exactly what I expected from a dojo in Houston. Can you elaborate more about the building and the area of Houston you guys are in? Osu!

OSU, Smoothsake!

We are actually located in the heart of downtown Houston (next to Minutemaid Park; One mile away from the University of Houston - Downtown).

Our dojo is in an "industrial" part of town and the actual dojo is a metal "barn" of sorts. FUN FACT: For users that are interested in the WWE or previously known as WCW, the wrestler Booker-T has a wrestling academy across the street :)

Modifications to the new dojo are in the works and the colorful mats are remnants from the old dojo's weight lifting area.

Shihan is in the process of doing renovations and the gray paint on the walls is a recent addition.

We'd love to have you come on in to our dojo. OSU!

[Kurisu]

Is someone wearing shoes?

[Shokei Marcsui]

Is someone wearing shoes?

Yes, those are. Shihan likes wearing shoes because realistically unless you get caught getting out of the bath tub, most fights will occur with your shoes on.

:)

[smoothsake]

Very interesting. Metal barn, eh? After spending some time recently in Austin, I must say this was not what I expected for a dojo in the Lone Star State. Any plans on opening an AKKO dojo in Austin? Will definitely stop by if my travels take me through Houston. Osu!

[Shokei Marcsui]

Where you there for any of the live music or scholastic opportunities? UT Austin is a wonderful school, but California has very many wonderful college campuses as well.

No plans from anyone in the AKKO to open a dojo in Austin. Although I believe there is Enshin guy there in Austin i'm not sure if you passed by his dojo or not. Not quite sure what the scene for kyokushin is like in Austin, but in houston there are only 2 that I am aware of.

Aesthetically I like it. The industrial setting gives the dojo a gritty feel compared to the "traditional" dojo. All we are missing is a piece of frozen meat(a la Rocky I) hanging where the heavy bag is.

[ryudo]

What the dojo looks like inside is unimportant, yeah I'll admit that a traditional, clean, white walls type of dojo is astetically more inviting to practice in, and it even motivates you to practice more and harder. By the way the junk yard industrial type look is not bad either, I kinda like it a lot.
So lets not forget how the founder of all the kyokushin families begun his search into martial enlightment and where he used to practice...
In the middle of the woods by the side of a Mountain!
OSU!

[smoothsake]

Its good to see you posting again Marcsui-san and still training hard.

Has the renovations in the dojo been continuing as planned?

[schuyler]

My Sensei from Seattle visited you guys a few weeks ago. He mentioned that Shihan Hartzog had some students that lived in Fort Collins, CO, is that any of you?

[Shokei Marcsui]

Nu, unfortunately not. I believe shihan hartzog taught in colorado before moving to houston. Yes sensei came by and worked out with us. He is a very nice man and a wonderful teacher.

OSU!

[schuyler]

So there aren't any of his students still in Fort Collins?

[Shokei Marcsui]

Actually, email shihan hartzog. I spoke to him and he says that he knows of some of his students that still reside there.

calhart@earthlink.net

[xchrisbobisx]

hum interesting i might drop by and take a look, i have a restaurant in downtown houston. for a interior decorators point of view the place looks surprisingly different. it looks like a underground fightclub =), karate steriotypically strikes me as a old japanese sensei teaching on wooden floors with white walls decorated with pictures and belts, inside a japanese-esque building. anyways you guys kumite and thats whats important =) i wonder if its full contact. not to be cocky but i dont think anyone can eat one of my punches in the solar plexus without gloves.

[Leo]

Love that kind of dojo, looks like a great place to train.

[Deaken]

I think it looks great. Everyone needs to start somewhere and from the description of location its centrally located which is more important than fancy looks.

[frankpc3]

I don't know how many people are aware of this, but Shihan Hartzog is going to be closing shop in Houston within the next week or so. He just got hired for a new job (with pay that's too good to give up) and will be moving to Tennessee. I believe he will be in Memphis, but don't quote me on that. As for myself, I now need to find a new school in Houston so if anyone knows of any please drop me a line. I don't care what association they are affiliated with - I just need to LEARN MORE. :)

[kyokushin4life]

frankpc3-san, how about the dojo Marc-san trains at?

[Shokei Marcsui]

I've tried to contact you frankcp3 but you haven't returned any pm :)

Sorry to hear about Shihan Hartzog. I'll have to pay him a visit before he leaves. Osu!

[frankpc3]

Sorry about that Marc. I don't remember getting anything, but then again I don't think I have enough posts to do any of that... :(

[Shokei Marcsui]

here is my email again:

m_atos80@yahoo.com

i'll give you my personal number when you email me.

Osu.

[xchrisbobisx]

i tried google maps and i only found 1 place in houston that teaches kyokushin its called:Kyokushin Karate & Condition

im also looking for a dojo, though i would rather be training more...authentically, i dont like americanized martial arts

[Shokei Marcsui]

there is on on the north side of town. I-45 and Rankin.

you won't get any more "authentic" than that in Houston.

Sensei James Fields: JUKU KAN KYOKUSHIN KARATE*-*Locations (http://www.jukukarate.com/index.cfm?page=20)

Tell Sensei Fields what you are looking for and he will be happy to oblige i'm sure. They are affiliated with IKO4 - Tezuka Group. Good luck.

[IJTerranova]

Hi i just came across this site in search for Shotokan here in Houston, tx.
The only other lead i have come across is that someone by the name of Shadi Barazi is teaching Shotokan at Trotter Family YMCA 1331 Augusta Dr Houston, Tx 77057 713-781-1061.

On the YMCA website Barazi Sensei's number is (832)766-6564

I have called and spoke to someone from the dojo about a year ago but since then i lost contact; the numbers were no longer in service. I would give it a try. I think i will in the morning!

JTerranova

[Shokei Marcsui]

IMHO:

Sensei Deddy Mansyur teaching out of the University of Houston and his Private dojo at his home is a great Shotokan dojo in Houston.

His philosophy is 365/24/7. He teaches all days, at any time. Works around your schedule. I've trained with him at 6:00am somedays and midnight on others due to hectic work and school schedules. Class can be private or group.

Most people will probably assume (like I did) that the cost for private lessons are quite high. In terms of cost in comparison to what most other dojos charge it's priceless. It's not much more than what I was paying for at my old dojo and for the amount of quality one on one training you receive it is definitely worth it.

http://www.isska.com/HoustonShotokan/pages/index.html

Sensei Deddy Mansyur
713-412-5062
ef5kNT5ehsQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef5kNT5ehsQ)

I have personal experience with him and endorse his school.

[vette94]

hi,,

i will be visiting Houston soon, and I am looking forward to visit your dojo and train with you..

can any one mention the full address of the dojo..

thanks OSU-EN2

[Shokei Marcsui]

***Update*** Shihan Hartzog is back in town. Currently teaching small classes in the evenings just north of I-10 and HWY 6 email: calhart1998@yahoo.com

[muttaihda]

plz can anyone tell me whether there is a kyokushin dojo at arlington,TX???
Or near arlington ie dallas or fortwoth??

[Gouki]

Hey Shokei, thanks for all the info regarding Kyokushin in Houston. I emailed Shihan Hartzog and am awaiting a reply. Any up to date info on Shihan Hartzog or Sensei Fields?

[FredInChina]

Hey Shokei, thanks for all the info regarding Kyokushin in Houston. I emailed Shihan Hartzog and am awaiting a reply. Any up to date info on Shihan Hartzog or Sensei Fields?
Osu Gouki, please note that shokei has not been around in a little while... :)
Please also visit the intro section and start a thread so we can welcome you properly
Thanks
Osu!

[Shokei Marcsui]

Hey Gouki, Email me about some information regarding Sensei Fields dojo. I think that will be much closer to you. I just received a call from an old Sempai from there a few months ago. In any case, email me m_atos80@yahoo.com and I will get you the information you need. Thanks! Marcsui

[glapaglia]

I wish you guys had a dojo in the B/CS area...Aggieland needs Kyokushin.

[powerof0ne]

I wish there was a kyokushin and daido juku dojo in every city but in the USA you're lucky if you have a Kyokushin dojo (or any knockdown style) within an hour drive of you.
Osu!

[Shokei Marcsui]

I wish there was a kyokushin and daido juku dojo in every city but in the USA you're lucky if you have a Kyokushin dojo (or any knockdown style) within an hour drive of you.
Osu!

Osu! Amen to that.

I will say that in the College Station area, there are quite a few active MMA/Muay Thai gyms. There is one particular Event Promoter in College Station that is very active. A good alternative for now....

[glapaglia]

I'm so traditional though. I can just hear my father's thoughts on MMA. lol. I think I'll continue to train solo for now...Mas' books and I. rofl

[powerof0ne]

I'm so traditional though. I can just hear my father's thoughts on MMA. lol. I think I'll continue to train solo for now...Mas' books and I. rofl
A lot of us also train in Muay Thai, BJJ, Judo, MMA, etc. What's the point of being traditional? Any training under an experienced and good instructor is 100x better than trying to train yourself, solo.

Personally, for me, I like the history and being able to know the legit lineage of who I have trained under but that's really as "traditional" as I get besides wearing a uniform and showing respect..following a school's protocol but many Muay Thai and BJJ schools have the same sort of thing..school uniforms and being respectful.

Good luck but if you're near any good martial art schools I personally think you're hurting yourself by not training in them if you have no knockdown styles near you.
Osu!

[Shokei Marcsui]

One thing that I have learned now that I am starting a family is that "Tradition" is what you make of it. As you grow older you will develop your own traditions. Some you will grab from your parents and some from your in-laws.

Take this opportunity (I assume you are at one of the universities in CS) to enhance your traditional roots and develop your own sense of "Tradition".



Any training under an experienced and good instructor is 100x better than trying to train yourself, solo.

[glapaglia]

I sure appreciate the thoughts guys. Not attending a university, Shokei. I've long since graduated. :) I do work for the university though. lol.

[sandman]

Osu!

Good advice Shokei :)

[bobh]

Osu Gouki, please note that shokei has not been around in a little while... [...]

Hey Gouki, Email me about some information regarding Sensei Fields dojo.[...]Thanks! Marcsui


Wow, Fred, way to draw him out of the woodwork.

[Shokei Marcsui]

I started a dojo for enthusiast that are interested in knockdown karate.

It was created out of necessity due to several year absence of kyokushin or offshoot in our area. I have a great Muay Thai school that I will continue to drop in on, but my focus is the growth of our little group.

We meet twice a week and a bimonthly Saturday session. Mondays/Wednesdays 7pm - 8:15pm, Saturdays as scheduled.

I run the classes under the banner of a Shotokan club because of my previous affiliation under the SKIF organization.

The goals for each class are to:
- Train hard with a great group of like minded individuals.
- Focus on effectiveness and impact of techniques rather than the flash of air striking precision

At the moment our group is comprised of old dojo mates from my previous Shotokan group and a Goju Ryu guy.

Osu-EN1

[FredInChina]

Yeehaa! (This is Texas after all... :D)
Looking forward to learning more Shokei_marcsui.

There were quite a bit of inquiries for KD in Houston at some moment, so maybe via K4L, the word will go out.

Dent & I will be in San Antonio in October... so, if we can get organized, we could drop by and give a bit of K4L support to the new born... :)


OSu!

[sandman]

That's awesome Shokei! :) I'm looking forward to hearing more!

[vapor]

Very interesting news indeed!!

vapor

[Shokei Marcsui]

Thanks guys, will keep you all updated.

Any likes would be greatly appreciated.

Sugar Land Karate (http://www.facebook.com/sugarlandkarate)

Osu!

[sakgenla]

I AM LOOKING FOR A KYOKUSHIN DOJO IN CHICAGO IL USA. I FOUND ONLY ONE PLACE. I AM NOT SO EXCITED ABOUT IT. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME OUT? WHERE CAN I GO TRAIN IN KYOKUSHIN? If not, what other martial arts would give me a good training in self defense and full contact karate combined?

Thanks sooo much for your help