South Metro Authentic Ancient Arts, Eden Prairie

There's more than 1 way to master Okinawan kobudo—in fact, there are 14. The martial art utilizes long staffs, truncheons, and even sickles, weapons that developed from farming and fishing tools. Alongside his other black-belt instructors, third-degree black belt François Auradon teaches students how to wield these instruments in a pre-arranged sparring form of guarding and attacking at South Metro Authentic Ancient Arts. Additionally, he leads classes on shorin ryu karate, a style whose legacy stretches back to the Shaolin Temple in China. Its techniques rely solely on hands and feet, rather than weapons. The style's techniques are geared toward practical self-defense, and challenge students to progress in belt level through practice drills and sparring.