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Doctor
Sekwii Sha was born to parents who emigrated from the Netherlands Antilles, Dutch West
Indies.
With over 45 years of martial arts training, he is renown as an expert
in martial arts choreography for film and stage.
He is well respected as a
teacher if empty-hand and weapons fighting and is sought out as a self-defense
conflict avoidance consultant.
Doctor Sha is a personal disciple of
Grandmaster Peter Urban.
Sha also has 35 years of experience word wide in
massage, physical therapy, and personal fitness training.
One of seven children, he found a role model in his oldest brother Shim, who was a bodybuilder. His brother's influence started him training at the age of eight. He started with push-ups, sit-ups and chin-ups on anything from pipes to trees and doorways. His first weights were made from cans filled with rocks and cement attached to a pipe.
Sensei Sha enjoyed doing things involving endurance and stamina, and became known for his athletic ability and strength. He was introduced to boxing at the age of twelve, began diligent training, and developed into a promising boxer. Everything in his life was geared toward physical fitness, proper diet and no habits like smoking or drinking. Sensei Sha ate and slept boxing.
Even though Sensei Sha's amateur boxing record was outstanding, he was very anxious to turn professional. He was so anxious that he turned down an invitation to the 1956 Olympic games in Melbourne, Australia.
Training with such pros as Sandy Saddler, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Johnny Saxon at
Wiley's Gym, and the Uptown Gym over the Apollo was a thrilling adventure. Although his fighting was going well, it wasn't moving fast enough for Sensei Sha. His aim was to start his own business and make money. He entered the National Institute in Chicago for physical therapy, and in three years, graduated with a degree in Physical Therapy and Swedish Massage.
Possessing a spiritual nature, Sensei Sha joined the Hebrew Order of the Melchisedek: Black Hebrews from the tribe of Judah tracing true history to the Axumite Empire in Ethiopia.
This is when Sensei Sha first became interested in the study of the martial arts. In 1961 he began training with Sensei Peter Urban, Founder and Grand-Master of American Goju Karate.
Maestro Urban became Sensei Sha's mentor, and through his dedication and intense training, was able to progress quickly. He went from white belt to brown belt, skipping the yellow, green and purple belts, and a year later, he was promoted to black belt. Four years later he earned his fourth degree, and after more years of diligent study, he earned his eighth degree. Sensei Sha's current status is Tenth Dan, Grand-Master - Shanando Ryu.
In the 1960's Sensei opened his first school in South Ozone Park, New York, called "Sha's Karate Studio Dojo". Sensei Sha's zeal for perfection and his dedication to karate carried over to his teaching. He became a taskmaster, wanting and striving for only the best for his students.
Achievements
Founder of the Institute of Self-Defense Arts and Physical Culture, 1970
Founder of Shanando System of Martial Arts in America, 1982
Received Masters in Action Hall of Fame, Yin Yee Honorary Award, 1983
Inducted into the Martial Arts Afro-American Hall of Fame, 1991
Received Salute to Black Warriors Award, 1996
Former New York State Champion in sparring, forms, and weapons.
Honored by Harlem Goju Association, The Original Masters of the Martial Arts World, 2009
Experience
Martial arts tournament judge/referee in the U.S. and internationally, 1982- present
Director of Physiotherapy, Wilkerson Center Beauty & Health Spa, E. Orange, N.J., 1980's
Celebrity bodyguard for Peg Lee Bates and others, 1974 - 1979
Physical Education Director, Westside Alliance Youth Development Program, 1971-72
Chief Security Officer for the (Gheez) Ethiopian Embassy in America, 1969
Physical Education Counselor, St. Martin Cadets, Bronx, N.Y., 1967
Education and Training
Ph.D. Martial Arts Science, American College of Dans, 1989
Seven Arts Center Dance Academy, directed study under Peter Urban, 1968
Graduate of the National Institute and The College of Physical Therapy and Swedish Message, Chicago, Illinois, 1960
Certified message therapist
Primary language - English, with knowledge of Spanish, Hebrew, and Japanese
Affiliations
Staff Officer, USA Goju Association
Senior staff member of the United Sons of Goju International, Brotherhood of the Knights of the Crimson "G"
Inspector General, Board of Promotions, under Peter Urban
Member, Presidents Council on Physical fitness, 1997
Other Points of Note
Appeared on "Like It Is", the Gil Noble Show, for ABC Television
Former High School wrestler
Golden Gloves competitor, circa 1956
Retired professional boxer
Author, The First Degree Black belt Book, Shanando Publishing, Library of Congress Copyright, 1990
Use the left and right arrows to scroll through the Photo gallery,
and click on the thumbnail to enlarge the image.
Presently, Sensei's complete focus is taking care of his physical machine, the Body, Mind, and Spirit.
This entails daily exercise, rest, and good nutrition.
He also spends his days doing personal training, physical therapy and massage, and one-on-one Zen therapy counseling.
Grand-Master Sekwii Sha, Ph.D.
Bronx, N.Y.
Phone: 718-410-7087
Page updated on February 16, 2011
