At just five years old, Amanda Kaufman stepped onto the dojo floor for the first time, a shy, petite girl in search of confidence. More than three decades later, she’s now a fifth-degree black belt and the founder of Advancing Karate, a growing martial arts studio in Maumee, where she’s helping others — especially women and children — find their own sense of strength, discipline and self-worth.
Kaufman’s journey into martial arts began in Toledo, where her parents enrolled her in karate to help her stand taller, both mentally and physically.
“Karate gave me something bigger than just skills,” Kaufman said. “It gave me the tools to walk through life with confidence.”
After years of teaching out of rented spaces, including local YMCAs, she opened her permanent location at 2574 Parkway Plaza in 2021. Still recovering from the challenges of the pandemic, Kaufman currently works with around 80 active students and has transformed the studio into a warm, inclusive and Safe To Train-certified space. This designation ensures it is a welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ individuals to learn and grow safely.
At the heart of her mission is a traditional Okinawan Shuri-Ryu Karate-Do. Her curriculum spans sparring, weapons, jiu-jitsu and self-defense. But her deeper goal is to cultivate what she calls the “mental, physical and spiritual” dimensions of every student.
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Finding focus: women’s self-defense
One of Kaufman’s most impactful programs is Finding Focus, a women-centered self-defense class that teaches the foundations of confidence under pressure. Offered on Friday evenings or weekend mornings, these sessions are designed to fit into the busy lives of working women and mothers.
“I created these classes because karate requires a time commitment, but self-defense should be accessible,” she explains. “I’ve had friends go through traumatic situations, and I want women to have the tools to feel safer and stronger.”
Classes focus on easy-to-learn, easy-to-remember techniques—elbow strikes, knee thrusts, and using your voice — all natural responses that can be recalled even in moments of high stress. “You don’t need to be an athlete to defend yourself,” Kaufman emphasizes. “You just need to be prepared.”
Beyond the moves, Kaufman works closely with each student to understand their background, fitness level or any trauma history, adapting lessons as needed. “Confidence is huge in self-defense,” she said. “Just eye contact or walking with presence can deter a threat.”
She also offers self-defense workshops at local businesses and has taught more than 15 Girl Scout troops this year alone — each scout leaving with new skills and a badge for self-defense.
Kicking into gear: homeschool karate classes
During the day, Kaufman fills another critical need — providing physical education and social engagement for homeschooled students. Her Wednesday morning homeschool karate classes bring together 8–12 kids at a time to not only learn martial arts but also pick up Japanese language skills, as all class counts and terms are taught in Japanese.
“This was a way to fill my daytime and serve a growing need,” she explains. “Homeschoolers often miss out on structured physical activity and socialization, and karate helps bridge that gap.”
Parents are encouraged to observe or even partner with their kids during class to reinforce learning at home. Special Mother’s Day and Father’s Day sessions bring the whole family onto the mat.
Beyond the dojo: building community and confidence
Kaufman is a regular face at local PTO events, 5K fundraisers and trunk-or-treats. She also encourages her students to compete when ready, helping them build courage on and off the mat.
In 2019, her team represented the U.S. in London. In 2023, they participated in the World Martial Arts Games in Daytona Beach. Locally, they stay active through ToledoMAT tournaments.
Despite the setbacks of COVID — which reduced her student base from 200 to just 40 virtual learners — Kaufman remains driven. “Being a teacher means always learning. I have personal goals and still train with my Grandmaster, O’Sensei Robert H. Bowles, Hanshi 10th Dan in Fort Wayne, Indiana.”
Looking forward
With big dreams on the horizon, Kaufman hopes to one day expand into a larger studio and introduce new classes like adult lunchtime karate and beginner jiu-jitsu. But no matter how the business grows, her mission remains the same: “To help people — kids and adults alike — discover how strong they already are.”
For more information or to sign up for a free trial class, visit Advancing Karate on Instagram, Facebook or reach out via email at advancingkarate@yahoo.com or call/text 419-509-4277.
