About Brickell Karate
Brickell Karate has been serving the community since 2002.
When it comes to our kids & youth programs, our mission is to reinforce the job parents do at home raising and educating their children. Karate-Do will help them by working their mind & body, expecting improvement in their focus, self-esteem and concentration.
On the adults martial arts programs we are prioritizing on health, fitness & self-defense. Experiencing and adopting modern budo, or the way of the modern warrior as a lifestyle.
About the Sensei (Instuctor)
Sensei Jorge Vargas had his first contact with martial arts in 1967 when he was 5 years old, while sneaking at his dad’s books. There was this blue and black cover one with the title “Karate” that caught his attention. But it wasn’t until he turned 8 years old that he begun formal practice in the art of Judo, doing it for two consecutive summer vacations.
After that, he started to take lessons again, being Kung fu this time his art of choice. He practiced it for about a year, when he had to stop taking lessons against his will since his brothers didn’t want to continue practicing. So, his father decided to also stop taking him to lessons.
A couple of years after, he started on another style of Kung-Fu named Chuan-Fa. A sort of Wushu like form which he practiced it diligently until the age of 21, when he decided to come the US.
Moving to the U.S.
Not being able to find a Kung-Fu school nearby in Simi Valley CA, for about a year and a half, he practiced on his own until he was introduced by friends to Sensei James Field in Santa Monica, CA. It is here where he started his path into the art of Karate.
Sensei James Field, Santa Monica CA, 1993
In May 1989, he moved to Miami Florida and trough his affiliation with SKIF (Shotokan Karate-Do International Federation) he was able to accomplish 5th Degree Black Belt (5th Dan).
Soke Hirokazu Kanazawa. Miami, June 30th,2002
SKIF Chief Instructor, Shihan Manabu Murakami, paying us a visit on Feb.18, 2018.
Brickell Karate is affiliated to SKIF, one of the most prestigious and respected karate organizations in the world. Founded by Soke Hirokazu Kanazawa, considered a living legend at the time for being one of the last two direct students alive from the person who introduced Karate to the world, Master Gichin Funakoshi.
Sensei Vargas has traveled around the world participating in world tournaments, seminars, camps and special trainings. His passion for the martial arts has transcended learning and into teaching it for over 35 years.
Today, Sensei Vargas continues to teach to students of all ages about martial arts and its invaluable lessons that come with it.
