2025 Kokoro Kaizen - 15th Anniversary!
Join us on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 at 7 a.m. to Noon for a challenge and celebration on pushing your limits.
This event is a celebration of our fourteenth-year anniversary of the Branson dojo of Seiyo-no Shorin-ryu Karate & Kobudo Kai. Our Branson dojo, first opened it's doors on Aug. 28, 2010!
Kokoro means mind, heart and spirit. Kaizen means constant improvement. So literally, Kokoro Kaizen means "To improve the mind, body and spirit through never ending improvement."
To participate in the event you DO NOT have to be a Branson Karate student or martial artist. We have substitute exercise stations for participants who do not know any katas/forms, stances, or karate techniques. There are three ways to be a part of this event:
- As a Participant Warrior - $50: You will receive a T-shirt and will actively attempt to complete the 5k run and all athletic events before 11 a.m., You are also invited to join us for the BBQ meal directly following the event!
- As a Support Squad member - FREE or $25 if you want a T-shirt. You are committed to assisting us in running this event by being a "judge" and helper. You will be assigned an exercise station upon arrival. You will be assigned to help judge/track participants' progress to ensure each participant warrior completes their assigned athletic events. You will also assist us with clean up, distribution of food/water and provide encouragement for the participants. Note: Must be a minimum of age 13 to be a support squad member!
- As an attendee - $5 or $25 if you want a T-shirt: You just want to come and cheer on the participant warriors, eat BBQ and celebrate. You are not interested in being a "judge" or you are too young to do so.
Note: Age 5 or Under are free. Must be 16 or older to "Judge."
All active martial artists are required to wear their karate uniform pants (gi pants), current belt rank (obi), socks and running shoes. ALL participant warriors will wear the current 2025 Kokoro Kaizen T-shirt INSTEAD of their Gi Top. (Past years T-shirts are NOT valid.)
*If you are participating and you are not a martial artist, you are expected to wear tasteful athletic pants, socks and running shoes. You will be given the 2025 Kokoro Kaizen Tshirt on the day of the event.
Minimum age of participation as a warrior in the event is 6 years old. Anyone age 12 and under MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
All money raised for this event goes towards a karate scholarship fund for honorable students who could use help with purchasing equipment, paying karate tuition or learning self defense. Last year we assisted 4 families that would not have been able to continue training if it weren't for the scholarship.
We are in need of a minimum of 10 Support Squad members. There is not a cost to attend as a member of the Support Squad. Plus, you get to eat free! (Only cost is if you wish to purchase a T-shirt.)
We ask that each family brings a potluck dish. Sign up sheet is at the dojo. As usual, The Borich-Leach Family will be providing the main course...BBQ beef brisket, hamburgers and hot dogs.
If you'd like more information about this event, you can read this blog post about our first Kokoro Kaizen and the meaning behind it:
http://www.bransonkarate.org/blog/a-celebration-on-pushing-your-limits
IMPORTANT: The deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.
Due to the nature of the event, we will not be able to accept any late registrations. No exceptions. This goes for ALL participants, attendees and support squad members.
Note: This event is held at the Borich-Leach Country Home that is on an acreage in Branson West. There is limited parking and, out of courtesy to our neighbors, we cannot allow more than 50 participants. So, register quickly before spots are filled! Driving directions will be provided after registration.
T-shirts are Unisex, 50/50 Cotton/Poly. They run true to size will not shrink after washing. If concerned about size, order one size up.
