Karate and Kickboxing Training at Steele's Karate in Salem Part 2

Those who apply themselves sometimes discover a level of dedication they didn't know they were capable of.

Salem-News.com photos by Tim King

(SALEM, Ore,) - As we continue our in-depth look at Steele's Karate in Salem, Sensei John Olivera explains that regardless of age; in an ideal martial arts environment, an instructor works with a student's existing strong points.

"It is for all ages; being with the right kind of sensei who can help you with the qualities you bring to the school, and enhancing those."

A black belt student of John's who has been with Steels's since the mid 1990's; Dena Healy, says the payoff can be very rewarding.

"I'm in my 40's and I have to say that I am probably in the best shape I've ever been in and I've been working out since I was in my 20's. And just I'd say, in probably the past five years, I'm in the best shape ever in my entire life, it is amazing."

Dena Healy

Dena Healy stands among John Olivera's most accomplished students, but her story is not unique at Steele's Karate.

Those who apply themselves sometimes discover a level of dedication they didn't know they were capable of.

Martial artists like James Straight are with Steele's Karate for the long haul; two decades this case. The other black belt in the studio on this day; Dana Healy, is another very experienced members of this dojo.

"I've been training with Sensei John for about 15 years now; a long time," Dana Healy said.

"It means a lot to me. As a woman it gives me the confidence to be by myself like in a parking garage, walking to my car, and not be so nervous about things."

James Straight says his sensei has a real rhythm with his students.

"He has a real gift for teaching all ages. Nick is our oldest student right now, he is in his 70's; and our youngest is four. So I mean, he's got a lot of skill with people, conveying things that are hard to put into words."

John Olivera and Salem-News.com founder Tim King go back quite a few years, in fact all the way back to the summer of 1981. That is when they both arrived with their feet on the yellow footprints at Marine boot camp in San Diego.

Years later when Tim was working for Portland TV station KATU, he directed his camera toward John during a news story and they recognized each other about halfway through the interview. Considering that Tim grew up in Los Angeles and John is from the Detroit Lake, Oregon area; it was a lucky find.

One story and related video produced by Tim some years ago: Salem Ex-Marine May be World's Toughest Kickboxer; has led quite a bit of business to the Salem dojo over the years, John says. Here is the first part in this series, watch for part two which will be released Tuesday.

Over this four part series,you can watch his class transition from standard Karate training, to an aerobic kickboxing dance workout... to hard punches against heavy bags that represent the weight of a human body.

Part two focuses on the Karate aspect.

Here are the other videos in this series:

Dec-13-2010: Karate and Kickboxing Training at Steele's Karate in Salem Part 1 - Salem-News.com Staff Report

Dec-16-2010: Karate and Kickboxing Training at Steele's Karate in Salem Part 3 - Salem-News.com Staff Report

Dec-18-2010: Karate and Kickboxing Training at Steele's Karate in Salem Part 4 - Salem-News.com Staff Report

Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.

Tim holds numerous awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), first place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 65 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

Bonnie King has been with Salem-News.com since August '04, when she became Publisher. Bonnie has served in a number of positions in the broadcast industry; TV Production Manager at KVWB (Las Vegas WB) and Producer/Director for the TV series "Hot Wheels in Las Vegas", posts as TV Promotion Director for KYMA (NBC), and KFBT (Ind.), Asst. Marketing Director (SUPERSHOPPER MAGAZINE), Director/Co-Host (Coast Entertainment Show), Radio Promotion Director (KBCH/KCRF), and Newspapers In Education/Circulation Sales Manager (STATESMAN JOURNAL NEWSPAPER). Bonnie has a depth of understanding that reaches further than just behind the scenes, and that thoroughness is demonstrated in the perseverance to correctly present each story with the wit and wisdom necessary to compel and captivate viewers. View articles written by Bonnie King

Jerry Freeman begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting is part of a new generation of dedicated news photographers who are entering the Internet news industry as a second career. He shares in common with many people the dream of becoming a visual journalist. Joining the Navy at an early age, and the Oregon Army Guard a few years later, Jerry has a wide range of life experiences. He describes himself as “an old truck driver with a new found passion to bare witness on the world’s events.” Teaming up with Salem-News.com he embarks on a new career as a video news photographer and reporter. Stay tuned, and see how it turns out. Jerry seems to exhibit natural talent and is already becoming a published member of the Salem-News.com team. You can send Jerry Freeman an email at this address: bearingwitness@live.com