For Elaine Sayre, owner of Ashland Karate Academy (280 E. Hersey, #8), her career in karate came at an early age.
“When I was a child, my whole family studied karate together,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed working with kids in many ways for years, in public and private schools and in the martial arts.
April 2025
For Elaine Sayre, owner of Ashland Karate Academy (280 E. Hersey, #8), her career in karate came at an early age.
“When I was a child, my whole family studied karate together,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed working with kids in many ways for years, in public and private schools and in the martial arts. I moved to Ashland (from Sacramento where I grew up) in 2009, after much searching for good schools and family-friendly ‘small towns’ with my two young boys. My daughter was born in 2010. I sought out karate classes for my then 8-year-old son, found the Karate Academy and Hanshi Jerry Piddington (my teacher). I watched for about a month before I decided to jump in. As part of my training, I started teaching classes and private lessons, then began managing the office as well. I earned my black belt in 2016 with several others who still teach with me at the Academy. I purchased Ashland Karate Academy in 2019 when Hanshi Piddington was ready to retire.”
Elaine sees karate as a system of self-mastery.
“The effort and discipline of the practice make you a better person,” she said. “I am honored to have received the system (American Open Style Karate) from my teacher and having felt the benefits of training in my life. I am grateful to be able to share it with others. I consider myself a lifetime student, feeling most alive when I am reading and learning new things. It’s my great pleasure to be homeschooling my daughter (9th grade). Currently I am training in Waldorf education. What interests me particularly is that holding and guiding the spirit of the child is the top priority that informs the rest of the education. This year I have had the pleasure of serving as assistant teacher in the 2nd grade at the Siskiyou School (Ashland’s Waldorf K-8). It has taught me so much about myself and the way I relate to my students.”
At Ashland Karate Academy, the focus is on discipline, respect and boundaries, coordination, confidence, self-defense, social skills, balance, strength/fitness, cooperation, meditation, leadership, fun and so much more.
“We teach traditional karate to boys and girls, men and women, ages 5 and up, in group classes, private lessons and special workshops,” Elaine said. “Classes are ongoing, and it is always a good time to join. We are a family-friendly karate dojo. Many parents choose to study alongside their children and/or in our adult/teen classes. Every year we hold our Sun & Moon Summer Campout Belt Test. It’s a super fun event for the whole family. Students, siblings and parents camp out with us at Joseph Stewart County Park on Lost Creek Lake for a weekend of karate, games, friends, hiking, good food and fellowship.”
The Academy also offers Women’s Self Defense workshops every few months, with the purpose of empowering women to hold boundaries and give them tools to fight back if needed. The next workshop is Saturday, May 17, from 10-noon.
“We cover attitude, awareness, how to avoid potentially dangerous situations and physical skills for self defense,” Elaine said. “Many participants have expressed the comfort and safety they feel in a Women’s Self Defense class taught by a woman. We also offer specialty birthday parties including karate and games for up to 20 friends. It’s a great active way to celebrate another sweet year for your child. All of our black belt instructors came up in the system, care deeply about our students and have been teaching for years as part of their own training. We are truly blessed to have this Karate Academy family, to serve the greater Ashland community, and to be doing what we love!”
For more information, call 541-816-6012. You can also see them at Ashlandkarateacademy.com and on Facebook and Instagram.
