Local martial arts dojo faces closure

Chris Frazier just happened to be driving past Washington Middle School in Seattle, and he couldn’t believe what he saw.

“Students were protesting outside,” Frazier said. “In regards to the election. With social media and with outside influences — there’s a lot of noise.”

Frazier said he believes kids are suffering from a lack of focus. He lost his focus at that age after the death of his mother, but Frazier found it through martial arts. And he’s been helping kids focus via his martial arts program at his personal studio, the Keishindo Martial Science Academy.

But he finds himself needing focus again after being told by his landlord his academy is facing closure in the coming weeks. He has to raise a considerable amount of money to keep the doors open for his students, who range from age 8 to 18.

Despite the unfortunate news, Frazier said he remains positive the money will be raised and kids will have a place to continue to harness their energy.

“Focus is always needed to accomplish goals,” he said. “My focus is making sure these kids have a place to come, have fun, be with kids with a similar interest and learn this art.”

Frazier lost his mother in 2006 after she was stabbed to death by her own nephew. He said he was very close to his mother, and her murder forced Frazier into a deep, isolated grieving process.

He quit baseball and martial arts. In fact, he stopped socializing with people all together.

He said it was thinking about his two young sons that pulled him out of his depression.

“I had to be as mentally strong as I could,” Frazier said. “I had two sons, and it was very important to me to try to keep going.”

Frazier said he had to find balance in his life. A time to grieve and a time to be the father his boys needed. Through that structure, he gradually incorporated martial arts back into his life.

Frazier said in finding balance in his his life again, he learned the importance of setting small goals to focus and a need to constantly reevaluate and alter the focusing process.

Frazier said it was the memory of receiving his black belt in martial arts at 18 that sparked his motivation to keep going during this financial fight.

“The mental discipline a person needs to have to get to that level is key,” Frazier said. “I am biased. I always tell the kids ‘there’s nothing harder than the black belt test’. If you can get through that, you can get through anything else in life.

“I just took that. I’ve been through some tough times before my mom, so I can get through this.”

Frazier not only recovered from his mother’s death, but he’s thrived ever since. He successfully raised two young boys and opened the first version of his martial arts academy in 2011 at Our Saviours’ Lutheran Church.

Frazier’s dojo was relegated to the church’s cold, dark basement, which students later coined as “The Basement.” Frazier’s dream academy started with just six dedicated students.

He said the setting was like something “you dreamed up from an old Bruce Lee movie.”

“It was like old school training. You have this little place in a far off land,” Frazier said. “You have your close-knit family of students where you learn about each other and yourself.”

The basement allowed for isolated training and a place for kids to share a common interest, but as more kids expressed a desire to study Frazier’s teachings, he wanted more space to honor those requests.

A few years later, Frazier and his students moved into their current home at 29500 Pacific Hwy S. in Federal Way.

Two of his basement originals are 9-year-old brother and sister duo Lily and Sebastian Phaiphet. Three years later, the duo can’t stay away from Master Frazier’s dojo.

“We come here because of Master Frazier,” Lily Phaiphet said. “It’s fun to watch him get beat up. He’s very supportive and he has a good mix of discipline and fun.”

For Frazier it’s not just about teaching martial arts.

He said an important component to the art is character building. It’s a trait Sebastian Phaiphet picked up immediately.

“Before martial arts I wasn’t comfortable walking anywhere by myself,” Sebastian Phaiphet added. “Because of Master Fraizer, now I feel like if someone comes at me, I can put up a fight.”

On day one of introductory class with Frazier, he greets new students with: “I’m here to break you down so I can build you back up.”

Frazier’s intention is not to scare them off. He says because he wants students to learn it’s not him building them back up, it’s the students who build themselves back up after defeat. A lesson he had to learn after his mother’s passing.

Frazier said it’s his intention to allow for his students to build themselves into who they want to be.

“You’re always going to have situations that test you in some way,” Frazier said. “How do you get through those things? Do you just give up and give in? No, because you face things all the time.”

This year, Frazier is tested by his own teachings.

He was informed by building management that the space he houses his academy is getting more expensive. Frazier is faced with a choice: Raise the money it takes to keep the space, or pack up and return to a smaller space like The Basement.

Frazier said the news hit hard. He said it’s been his dream to have his own location for his teachings.

Frazier prides himself on maintaining a thriving business, but said all he thinks about is how much his students enjoy his class structure and teachings.

“The important things is to have these kids come in here,” he said. “With the spirit that this is a cool place. It’s why we have movie night, game nights. It’s a good place for kids to come and learn about themselves and other kids.”

Frazier has gone to work ever since trying to save his dojo. He said he hasn’t talked about it with his students.

He only plans to mention it when he raises the remaining $1,500 it will take to keep it open.

Frazier started a Facebook page and a GoFundMe account called “Save Our School.”

Frazier said he’s remained positive and determined through the entire process. He said martial arts doesn’t have a place for negative thought, so Frazier hasn’t given much thought to the worst case scenario.

Frazier said monetary contributions have helped from community members who have already donated, but he said what he’d like to see most is more kids come through the doors. Kids who want to shut out the unnecessary noise and learn about themselves and other kids with similar interests.

“You’re always going to see a smile on my face when I’m here because it’s fun,” Frazier said. “It’s a good time. Kids smiling, kids having fun, interacting with each other. That’s the funnest thing for me, seeing the smiles on their faces. Watching them accomplish things they thought they couldn’t. That’s what life is all about.”

To find out more information about the Keishindo Martial Science Academy, go to kmsacademy.com or facebook.com/keishindomartialscienceacademy/. Or to donate to Save Our School, go to gofundme.com/save-our-academy.