Our style, Sanshinkai Karate, was developed by Jan Wellendorf, a martial arts instructor, author, business manager, tournament competitor and 10th degree black belt. He began his martial arts study in 1963 and studied Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Okinawan Karate. He is the retired president of the Karate International organization and still facilitates seminars and teaches both private and group lessons.

Out of his training grew Sanshinkai Karate. Sanshinkai means the "three power society," the three powers of mind, body and spirit. Sanshinkai is not so much a style as it is a “way” or method that can be used to enhance any fighting system. Sanshinkai is an art that teaches a student balance of self. One should strive to develop the body so that it can do the bidding of the mind. One should develop the mind to see what is correct and needed. One should develop the spirit so that it may move the other two forces into action. The heart of Sanshinkai is the belief that all great techniques contain a balance of mental, physical, and spiritual forces. Each of these forces has three parts, which progress the technique to higher levels of speed, power and timing.

The Sanshinkai student is also introduced to abstract training methods rarely found outside the Orient. These have been carefully westernized to aid the student in understanding and balancing the three powers for the perfection of his or her technique and for the elevation of his or her own potential.

The Sanshinkai emblem, symbolizing the balance of mental, physical and spiritual force.