Kids have energy and need an outlet. They also need guidance and encouragement to channel it in a positive direction. Something great is happening at Rising Tide Karate that takes that energy and guides its trajectory toward mental focus, self-discipline and inner strength for kids and adults alike. It’s not at a far-off retreat either. It’s at Capital Mall. Malls have long offered services, but this is new. Rising Tide Karate built upon the idea and created a space offering community connection, learning and holistic, personal growth. Passersby gaze through the wall of windows seeing a new kind of mall activity, people learning and families connecting with each other. It is also the only place in the mall where birthday cakes are cut with a samurai sword.
Rising Tide Karate is the creation of Joshua and Pollyanna Cook. The two met through a mutual interest in karate. For Joshua, it is a lifetime pursuit beginning with a karate class from a traveling martial artist offering a seminar. He was hooked. Later, he learned wado-ryu karate in Olympia from sensei Akbar Tizpa. He studied with one of Bruce Lee’s students, learning the art of win chun and later learned jujitsu, tae kwon do, kenpo and cuong nu. From the varied experiences, his work with Tizpa and his own teaching since 1992, he has gained a deeper meaning with wado-ryu. It is what he teaches as the founder of Rising Tide and head of wado-ryu.
Pollyanna has been involved with martial arts for 20 years and is the dojo cho, the head of the school. She started doing karate with her kids when they were elementary age and notes the positive effects it had on them. Experience as a licensed massage practitioner and certified cranio-sacral therapist support her in the mind and body connection of martial arts. The Cooks were formerly at their downtown location and moved to Capital Mall in 2020.
It’s a whole person approach, noticeable even upon entering the front door. Among a calming and welcoming atmosphere, the first sounds heard are those of encouragement and guidance. No harsh, loud shouting, but a conversational tone of empowerment. It’s part of wado-ryu, which translates directly as a way of peace and harmony. “We teach original Okinawan karate,” says Joshua. “It’s more personal, more casual. Traditional Japanese karate began as more about mass classes and exaggerated movements for show. Okinawan approach is about the why, or way, Japanese is about the how. Karate begins and ends with rei. Rei is a deep sincerity, and heart of love and respect. Without rei we are just practicing violence.”
There is opportunity for a wide range of ages and ability levels. Classes include nearly all ages, starting with 3 to 6- and 7-year-olds. Mixed classes of beginners, intermediates and advanced are all 45 minutes long, and on some days different levels join up to practice a particular skill. In classes of varied ages, the Cooks are attentive to each student’s needs by working with people, alternating between individual guidance, paired exercises and whole group demonstrations. Consistent is a theme of can-do spirit.
For older kids, their struggles may be unique but the effects of positive praise and encouragement from their instructors has lasting impact. “Part of the kids’ evaluation is asking them what they are struggling with and need some power over,” says Joshua. “I write the word ‘confidence’ on a board. I have them say, ‘I believe in myself. I can do this.’ They break the board, and I give them the board. In regard to confidence, breaking the board gives them an immediate and tangible boost of confidence. Display it at home as a reminder of that confidence. The true purpose of karate is to preserve and protect, not destroy.” On the more lighthearted side, Joshua helps birthday participants cut their cake with a katana, a real samurai sword.
Kids start class by spending a few minutes just letting loose some energy overflow. When their sensei enters the instructional space, they eagerly switch gears and gather up for the activity. Self-control, respect and self-esteem are part of the curriculum. Small children do learn martial art movements but helping them grow their awareness is the framework. It takes playful repetition, fun, opportunities to be successful and positive praise. Rising Tide is accredited through Skillz Worldwide, making them a Skillz Child Development Center. It is a training company that provides ongoing professional development for best practices and techniques of teaching martial arts in early childhood development.
Life-long learning and personal growth is a theme among the staff as well. They also invest in the future of their volunteers and employees. “We have a leadership team, and we teach our volunteers and assistants to teach,” explains Joshua. “We teach them how to run a business and make a career, how to run a class, a do-jo. It’s comprehensive leadership training. We train teachers from scratch. It’s not just about karate. It has to be for your life, not fighting. It’s about culture.”
Together, the Cooks are not only helping students in their personal growth, they are facilitating a new culture within the mall. It’s a place for growth and strengthening mind and body. Learn more on the Rising Tide Karate website and follow them on Facebook to learn about upcoming events, including workshops and seminars. Sign up for an evaluation lesson and receive a free gi.
Rising Tide Karate inside Capital Mall
625 Black Lake Boulevard SW, Unit 374, Olympia
360.292.5035
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