After holding meetings in Clark Fork Valley Hospital's building two for six years, COVID-19 forced changes at the hospital compelling Blue Heron Karate to find a new home. The hospital required a new respiratory illness clinic, and took over the home health department, which was then moved into the space that was being used by Blue Heron Karate. After the shuffle and some searching, the two sensei paired up with the Mountain Path Dance/DanceXplosion studio to share some space. The sensei, or instructors, are Jason Williams and Kurt Fairbank. Both are studied martial artists, with Williams being a fourth degree blackbelt and Fairbank soon to be a second degree blackbelt.

Blue Heron Karate is Williams' third karate school, with the last one having been opened in Idaho where he taught for five years. Williams says when he was young, he was small and was bullied for it. After graduating high school at slightly over 100 pounds, he and a friend started karate. He loved the message and the art so much that he stuck with it. "It teaches you a lot of important life skills that stick with you," said Williams, "It's good for kids because it gives the opportunity to have a goal, and it is very rewarding. They learn focus, discipline, respect and courtesy. It's the best program I have ever been a part of." He started with Shudokan karate, but now teaches Shorin Ryu karate, which is considered an Okinawan karate. Williams says that Shorin Ryu is one of the oldest styles of karate and is related to Chinese Shaolin, having similar lineage and meaning.

Fairbank started with Kenpo karate at six years old. Kenpo is a name for several styles of karate and loosely translates to "fist method." According to Fairbank, Kenpo is considered by many as a flashy "Americanized" style of karate. He said that Shorin Ryu is a "more practical self-defense style," focusing less on big flashy moves and more on subtle steps aimed at practical hand-to-hand combat situations. Fairbank enjoys the discipline and the activity brought by karate and said it is "something I can continue to build upon." Fairbank's daughter attends dance classes at the Mountain Path Dance/DanceXplosion studio, and so Fairbank got a hold of them to share that space. Since both sensei live in Thompson Falls, having classes in the dance studio saves them a little driving, and gives them the ability to continue classes.

The first class in the new location was held last Thursday, and the family class had more than 15 participants, including some returning students and some new students. The Blue Heron Karate school is now located at 2405 Main Street, Thompson Falls, across from the Clark Fork Professional Building. They hold family classes Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for beginners and youth, and adult classes between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Participation is $35 a month or only $30 with direct deposit and a one-time $20 signup fee. The cost for a family is $65 or $60 with direct deposit and a $40 one-time signup fee. Classes are organized so anyone can join at any time throughout the year.

"I've always structured a class so you can pick people up as they come, and anyone, experienced or new, will have a worthwhile session," said Williams.

Williams also spoke about the opportunity for interested community members to get an introduction to martial arts through a self-defense seminar, hosted by Lawrence Mark Vellucci. He is the Kobukan Karate Federation president and is a retired Marine with years of martial arts, military, law enforcement and Department of Homeland Security experience. The seminar will take place at the Sanders County Fairground Pavilion between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. May 14. The cost is $10 a person or $15 a couple. Interested parties can call Fairbank at (406) 241-3750 or Williams at (406) 552-8567.