Contact us:
1620 NE 3rd St. Ste. A (above RadioShack), Bend, OR 97701
541.385.4985 - kristina@sortorkarate.com


Bushido Kai F.A.Q.

SENSEI BRIAN SORTOR

Sensei Brian Sortor was born in Clovis, California. He began his martial arts training when he was thirteen years old, and trained under Bushido Kai Karate founder, Stuart Quan. Quan's Bushido Kai was based on the Japanese style of Shotokan Karate, along with a mixture of Aikido, Judo, Tai Chi, Wushu, and Tae Kwon Do. Most importantly, Quan imparted the principles of love, respect, duty, and courage to each of his students through the martial arts.  Brian received his black belt from Stuart in April of 2000.  He went on to win titles and awards for traditional forms, open forms, weapons, and sparring at national and international tournaments from Los Angeles and San Francisco in California, to Las Vegas, Nevada and Washington DC. 

Brian began teaching karate under Staurt Quan in 1997, and taught students of all skill levels, ages 4 to 84, in a wide variety of classes. He led classes in everything from kids' karate and summer stunt day camps, to cardio-kickboxing and women's self-defense, to seniors' Tai Chi. To Brian, every class is an opportunity to spread the benefits of the martial arts, and he enjoys teaching every one of them.

Sensei Brian and Kristina

In 2003, Brian trained with the Shuko Kai and Shotokan clubs of Edinburgh University in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 2004, Brian moved with his wife Kristina to Bristol, Tennessee, where he taught women's self-defense for the Slater Community Center and for the women of King College.

In 2005, Brian and Kristina moved to Bend, Oregon and opened the Sortor Bushido Kai Karate dojo.  Kristina runs the office, and will be the first person you meet when you walk into the dojo.  Her martial arts experience includes a 2nd degree black belt in Tang Soo Do from Nam's Korean Karate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She has trained at Sortor Karate since it opened in late August of 2005, and is currently a brown belt student there.  She assists with some of the classes, but mainly you will find her happily working away in the office.  Kristina is proud to train with the wonderful students that make up the Sortor Karate dojo family, and feels blessed every single day to be a part of it.

At the Sortor Karate dojo, Sensei Brian teaches karate to adults and children ages 5 and up, senior Tai Chi, fitness classes, women's self defense, Hollywood Stuntman Day Camps, Karate Day Camps, homeschooler's karate classes and afterschool programs for Bend Parks and Recreation.  The family atmosphere and strong sense of respect and love that the students at the dojo exhibit is one of the things he is most proud of about his school.  Brian has always loved sharing the art with others. For many years it was his dream to be able to pass on the benefits of martial arts training to new people full time, and he takes great pleasure in pushing students to be the best martial artists, and human beings, they can be.

"We are still celebrating Cameron's acheivement at yesterday's test. I, for one, am still in amazement at how well all the kids did. Sensei was tough, and pushed them hard, but did so while smiling, encouraging, and praising them all the way. I saw a side to all students I hadn't seen before, a real determination to succeed. AND THEY DID!!!! My little guy, Cameron, just 7 years old, moved with a maturity, strength, and focus of a much older student. I can't even put into words how proud I am of him and his acomplishment! He is dreaming of his future black belt! He loves training with Sensei Brian! We ALL KNOW that he is the BEST sensei around!  From a devoted karate mom,"
     - Tracy, mother of purple belt student Cameron

Can I come watch a class?

Definitely!  Check out our calendar and come by to watch one of the classes.  If you're thinking about Hollywood Stuntman Camp, Karate Summer Camp or Women's Self-Defense, check our schedule with Bend Parks and Recreation and stop by during a session.  Visitors are always welcome.

If your child or family member is in karate or taking a private lesson, test or patch workshop, don't be afraid to bring family and friends to watch.  It's always great to have that support and someone to celebrate successes with.  We simply ask that you respect the students by avoiding excessive noisy distractions and "sideline coaching."

Where are you located?

You can find us at 1620 NE 3rd St. in Bend on the second floor.  We're right across the street from Wendy's and right above the RadioShack! (Click the map below for directions.)  You can also reach us by phone at 541.385.4985 or by email at kristina@sortorkarate.com.

What does "Bushido Kai" mean?

Are you part of an association?

Sortor Bushido Kai Karate is not part of any association, nor are we associated or tied to any other school or group.  Our style is based on a number of different styles including Kung Fu, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, Wushu, and Shotokan among others, as well as the interpretation of these styles by Sensei Stuart Quan (see above for more information about Stuart).  Our curriculum is a coherent and comprehensive system that focuses on the power of the martial arts to teach us about ourselves - how to know our strengths and work on our weaknesses, together.  We feel that by remaining free from ties to other schools or associations, we can offer our students a purer education - not one watered-down for mass consumption - as well as better prices.

Instead, the school is a member of the Bend Chamber of Commerce and takes pride in being a locally owned and family operated school that is happy to be part of the local community, and the life and economy of Bend.  We love living and working in Bend, providing Central Oregon students with a valuable martial arts education.

What are classes like?

At Sortor Bushido Kai Karate, our goal is that every student gets personal

Classes are small, & specific to the students' ages/experience level. Here, the "Age 8 & Under Yellow Belt Class" practices forms.

attention at every class, and that our classes are welcoming, friendly and accommodating to all types of students.  We are able to do this by arranging the schedule so that the average class size is just 6-12 students. Every class Sortor Karate offers is taught by Sensei Brian Sortor, a black belt instructor with over 13 years of teaching experience. Almost all classes have at least one or two assistant instructors as well, which keeps a favorable student to teacher ratio.

While searching for a martial arts school, you may notice that many offer just a few class options: Beginner or Advanced Adults, and Beginner or Advanced Kids.  Not so at the Sortor Karate dojo.  We customize our currriculum to fit the specific ages and experience level of our students, and do not group wide ranges of students together into one class. Our classes are scheduled according to age and belt level to give every student the type of training that suits them the best.  (Check out our class schedule here!)

In a typical class, students start off their training time by kneeling, closing their eyes, and taking a moment to focus their minds on the work they are about to do. We call this "seiza." After seiza, the class begins, usually with a brief warm up and stretching. There are many things that we may do on any given day in class, including kihon drills (line drills where individual moves are practiced one at a time), forms, detailed technical work, weapons (for purple belt and above), bag work (to develop strength and precision), self defense, sparring (for yellow belt and above), martial gymnastics, grappling, and workouts (to increase endurance and physical fitness). Throughout their months and years of training, Sortor Karate students develop an astonishing variety of skills, as they build themselves into dynamic, well-rounded martial artists.

Because of Sortor Karate's small class sizes, diverse curriculum, and the caring, focused instruction of Sensei Brian and his dedicated assistant instructors, students of all ages, levels and attention spans can excel to their utmost without stress, boredom, or "filler" activities. Come see for yourself - visitors are always welcome to watch any class!

Will I have to change my religion if I become a student?

If you have any questions about any part of our training please always feel free to ask at the office or speak to a Sensei.

I have trained in martial arts before. What should I expect at the Sortor Karate dojo?

What is a Sensei?

What ages do you teach?

We have karate students ranging from age 5 through their late 50s, and Tai Chi students in their 90s!  Martial arts is great for all ages and all fitness levels. Although our kids' classes generally range from age 6-12, we do accept some younger students.

5-Year-Old Cameron R. performs at a demonstration.

If your 5-year-old would like to take karate lessons, Sortor Karate can provide the absolute best for your young child.  For our youngest students, we have very small class sizes to provide personalized attention and give the Senseis the flexibility to structure each class according to the childrens' energy levels and attention spans each day.  In order keep our youngest students engaged and learning at their best, we have given them 45 minute classes 2-3 times per week.  With all of this and with genuine martial arts curriculum designed specifically for young children, your little karate kid will flourish and learn to do things that will simply amaze you.  In our kids' classes, we focus on overcoming fears and shyness, learning basic technique, following directions, physical coordination, self-discipline (not heavy-handed Sensei discipline!) and the ability to deal with failures and successes in a mentally and emotionally healthy way.

However, our curriculum is serious and not meant for the child who simply wants playtime. 

5-Year-Old Jenelle at a Rank Test

We do not play ball games in our classes, we do not allow children to NOT try their best, and we do not shortchange young students by expecting them NOT to grasp the material.  We believe that 5-year-old children are capable of great things (because they are)!!

If you are a parent of a 5-year-old and you'd like to see if he or she is ready for martial arts training, please give us a call at 385-4985 to schedule a free private evaluation in which Sensei Brian will help your child get acclimated to the dojo atmosphere, walk your child through some basic martial arts moves, and see whether he or she is able to follow direction and focus on a task for at least a few minutes at a time.

How do you know if your child is ready for martial arts training? If your child knows right from left, can follow directions, is comfortable being 10 to 15 feet away from you while taking class, and can focus on one task for at least two or three minutes at a time, then the answer may be yes. If not, don't worry! It is completely normal for 4, 5, or 6-year-olds to not be quite ready for karate at that age. Give it a year, and in the meantime, try tumbling or gymnastics. Gymnastics is a fantastic sport for very young children to learn how to use their bodies, but in a less structured environment.

Whether you are the parent of a 5-year-old or an 11-year-old, we encourage you to come in today and take advantage of our discounted Beginner's Package which includes a free uniform and belt, 1 private lesson to get your child started, and a whole month of group classes. It's a great way to get to know the dojo and the teachers, and see how your child enjoys the classes.

We love our little karate kids!

Why do we kneel?  What is Seiza?

Before and after each class, the students line up side by side in front of the sensei. When the sensei calls out "Seiza," all the students go down to their left knee, then their right, and rest kneeling with their hands on their thighs, backs straight, eyes forward. From this Seiza position, focus is turned to breathing, to posture, and to bringing together mind, body, and spirit. When everyone is in a relaxed Seiza position, the sensei calls out "Mokuso."

Why do we close our eyes?  What is Mokuso?

Mokuso literally means, "close your eyes and meditate." When Mokuso is called, everyone closes his or her eyes. This is a time to concentrate on the class ahead. These days, we all seem to lead more and more hectic lives, jumping from work to school to sport practice to music lessons. Mokuso is a short time to leave all of the day’s worries behind and focus on one thing... karate. This kind of clarity of thought is hard to come by in a busy day, so it serves to quiet the mind, relax the body, and prepare the spirit for focused karate training. Some students have told me they think about their kata or their self defenses. Others have said they try not to think of anything at all, and they let their minds rest. Some remember why they’re training, or what they’re fighting for.

After a few moments, the Sensei will call out "Yame," meaning stop. All eyes should open.

Then the Sensei will say, "Shinzen ni rei," at which time every student bows together. This is a time when the class shows respect for all of the Senseis of the Bushido Kai system.

Then, the head student call out, "Sensei ni rei," and every student bows again, saying "Oss" together. This bow is to show respect for the sensei teaching the present class.

What should I do when I go to the dojo?

Never been in a martial arts dojo (Japanese for "school") before? That’s ok, there’s a first time for everything, and we understand if you might be confused or have a few misconceptions as to how you should act at the school.

It is customary for students to bow when entering and exiting the dojo, and when stepping onto or off of the dojo mats. The bow is simply a show of respect, and is meant to instill a sense of humility and prepare a student’s mind for focused study. It is also customary to bow to your Sensei and to your fellow students in the dojo. You do not need to bow every time you see a Sensei, or every time you pass a fellow student. A bow is a formal greeting, and just as you wouldn’t say "Hi!" again and again to your friends or teachers at school, you don’t need to bow every few seconds at the dojo.  Parents, visitors, etc. do not need to bow.

A typical day at the dojo would look like this: You walk through the door a few minutes before your class starts.  As you cross the threshold you briefly bow and say "Oss."  The earlier class is still taking class, so you take a seat to watch or stretch to get ready for your class.  When the earlier class lines up to finish class, you walk over to the edge of the mats.  Stand still and respectful until they are finished and they bow to the Sensei.  When they bow and say "Oss," you do the same.  Usually they will then turn as a class to face their families in the audience and the next class standing at the edge of the mats, and will bow and say "Oss" again.  Again you do the same.  Whenever you step onto the mats to take class, you pause just a moment to bow again.  There doesn't have to be anyone there watching, or there could be 1000 people.  Either way, it's always the same.  Bow and respect the place you are in, those who teach there, those who learn there, and all those who have come before.

When you bow, stand with your feet together and your hands at your sides. Bend from the waist, keeping your back straight. Don’t bow so far that your nose is pointing to your feet. This doesn't have to be a major production, a quick bow is just fine!

When you enter the dojo (after you’ve bowed) you can get changed for class, or you can put on your gi (uniform) at home before you come to class. Either way is just fine. If you do have a change of clothes, waterbottles, or any other belongings, please keep them in a bag of some kind and leave them in the changing rooms or along the outside wall of the first changing room in the weight room.

If you are going to simply watch a class, or have friends and family who would like to watch a class, our spectator seating area is open to anyone. It is important to watch and try not to coach the students. Clapping and constructive encouragement in moderation are greatly appreciated, but it is very difficult for the students to concentrate on what the Sensei is teaching if there are many different voices all giving directions at the same time.

We want the dojo to be a place of learning, and a fun environment for the whole family. Bringing small children in to watch class or wait for their brother or sister to finish class is not a problem. We have a small play area, books, crayons and games for that very purpose. This play area is supervised, but we ask that parents keep an eye on their children, those in and out of class, and control the distraction of screaming kids. The play area is meant to keep children occupied, and isn’t meant to allow them to rough house, make a lot of noise, or run out onto the mats.  Above all, we want our students and our student’s families and friends to feel comfortable at the dojo, and to always feel welcome!

"I’ve been part of some terrific teams in the past but our Sortor dojo takes the cake! The kids and adults are incredible in their spirit and action, so many times I get compliments on what a terrific school we have at tournaments. The other dojos are impressed.  But what impresses ME most has to be the support of our families. “Family dojo” isn’t just lip service!  The Sortor dojo is more than simply a karate school, it’s a family, an idea and philosophy that touches and empowers us all, educating our bodies, minds and spirits, and inspires us to endeavor to be better people."
     - Tim, purple belt adult

Does Sortor Karate compete in tournaments?

Yes.  At Sortor Karate, we believe that tournament competition is a fantastic way for students to challenge themselves, push their training to another level, and learn about other martial arts styles.  We find that competition is a positive experience that enriches our students' training, and we make a point to go to tournaments about 6-10 times per year.  Tournament competition is not required, but it is highly encouraged for students of all ages, from white belt through black belt level.

Many students are extremely nervous their first time competing.  This is completely normal, and it is all part of the learning process.  Growth cannot happen without a little bit of pain!  And it is all worth it in the end.

We post pictures of Sortor Karate students' competition in tournaments here.

What is the belt system like and what does it mean?

The belt system is a system of recognition for your level of accomplishment in the Bushido Kai system.  As the colors move from white to black, they get darker and darker.  This tradition originates with the fact that uniforms usually got darker and darker with long use due to sweat, dirt, and wear-and-tear.

It takes about one year to get to be a blue belt.  A small percentage of students ever progress beyond that point.  An even smaller number ever earn their black belt.  Typically earning a black belt takes around 6 years of hard work, persistence, defeat and success.  Can you make the journey?

WHITE	YELLOW	BLUE	PURPLE I&II	BROWN I&II	RED	BLACK
8th Kyu - Symbolizes innocence and purity.	7th Kyu	6th Kyu	5th and 4th Kyu	3rd and 2nd Kyu	1st Kyu - Symbolizes courage.	Shodan - Means "First student."

What is the cost of training?  What discounts are available?

We are proud to have competative prices, no long term contracts required and the best martial arts experience in town at the Sortor Karate dojo.  The Beginner's Package is the perfect way for anyone interested in karate training to give it a try. For just $58, the Beginner's Package includes an entire month of unlimited classes, a uniform and belt, training DVD and book, and a private introductory session with Sensei Brian. Good for ages 5+, this package gives you everything you need to get started. Purchased separately, the items in the Beginner's Package would be over $215, so it's also a fantastic deal.

After your one-month Beginner's Package ends, the amount you pay for tuition will depend entirely on your choices in regards to scheduling, payment and training goals. We offer a wide variety of packages, as well as month-to-month unlimited training, pay-per-class training, and numerous other options to suit every student's budget and training goals.

We believe very strongly in what we do, and do our best to make martial arts training accessible to every person with the commitment to true martial arts training. We offer many payment options, class schedule arrangements, private lessons, discounts, additional training tools, and more to suit every students' needs. We are also happy to work with special situations. If you are interested in karate training, but concerned about finances or other issues, we encourage you to try the Beginner's Pacakge for $58, and at the end of the Package, if you decide you are serious about continuing your martial arts training, we will work something out with you. Stop in the office any time to discuss your options.

What discounts are available?
We offer many discounts. College students, people over the age of 50, assistant instructors (must be brown belt or higher and complete the appropriate training courses), and families are some of the discounts we offer. Our Family Discount is: 1st student - Regular price. 2nd student - 20% off. 3rd student - 50% off. 4th student - 75% off. 5th student (or more) - FREE.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash and checks at the dojo, and credit, debit and direct bank account transfers online via PayPal.  Our PayPal ID is Kristina@SortorKarate.com.

"Well, I was so impressed with T-Rex at the first day of football practice tonight. I can see where the discipline and his training from karate come into play. Thank you for helping his mom and I mold him into a young man that is determined to exceed in sports, school and life."
     - Mike, father of purple belt student Trevor

What are your facilities like?

Our school is on the second floor of 1620 NE 3rd St. in Suite A right above RadioShack.  We are proud to have a very bright, clean environment and high quality martial arts mats.  We have stunning views of the Cascade Mountains from the front of the building, and Pilot Butte from the back of the building.  The dojo has a lobby, martial arts training floor, office, warm-up area, kids' play area, private changing rooms, and bathroom.  For pictures and more information please click here.

Can I rent the dojo?

 

Yes.  Please contact us using the information below if you are interested in renting the dojo to run a class, or even just for a one-time event.  For more information about our facilities, click here.

---

Sortor Bushido Kai Karate - 1620 NE 3rd St.
Bend, OR 97701 - 541.385.4985
kristina@sortorkarate.com