My martial arts Sensei (Japanese for "Teacher") used to encourage us to "always find a place to train wherever you travel". And since I take very seriously what my Sensei said, I always try to find a Dojo ("school", or "Place of The Way") when I travel. In Panama, there are numerous schools and styles. Here are a few:

1. Aikido, "The Way of blending energy" is probably one of the fastest-growing traditional Japanese martial arts in the world and I found five places to practice this beautiful and potentially powerful art in Panama. The first, led by Gabriel Vega, Sensei is held in a wonderful, huge Dojo with great tatami ("mats") in a fairly hidden location: The 8th floor health club of Hospital de las Americas on Via España.
2. Iaido, "The Way of drawing the sword", is a beautiful and disciplined art not found in many places. Here in Panama we?re lucky to find this art being taught by the very knowledgeable Jorge Noriega, Sensei at the Hospital Americas 8th floor Dojo.

One of the Martial Arts classes in Panama.

Karate is known by almost everyone, since Bruce Lee made such a tremendous contribution to the art. Having evolved greatly in the West, you can find almost as many styles as there are teachers.

"Shotokan" is the largest and best-known Japanese karate style in the world.. Developed by "The Father of Modern Karate", Gichin Funakoshi, Sensei when he brought the art from Okinawa to Japan in the 1950s.

"The Father of Karate" in Panama is Arturo Worrell, Sensei who teaches in a roomy Dojo with mats in Los Angeles. Juan De Leon, Sensei teaches "Ozawa-ha Shotokan" in two locations, Paitilla and San Francisco, with wood floors and an emphasis on competition. Nippon Koryu Karate-do, a very similar but non-competitive style to Shotokan, which I will be teaching at the Hospital Americas Dojo and in the Ciudad de Saber gymnasium.

Goju Ryu Sensei, Guillermo Moreira, has a small but dedicated group of students who train in Parque Omar (call 6593- 0740). Shito Ryu is at Commercial Omni Loc 8, Villa Zaiti.

Kendo is a popular form of Martial Arts in Panama

Kendo is also taught by Noriega Sensei. This is the competitive art derived from the sword where students wear full protective gear ("bogu") including face masks, and develop incredible speed and power attacking their opponents with bamboo swords ("shinai"). Kenjutsu is the traditional Japanese Samurai "Art of The Sword". There will soon be classes of the Itto Tenshin Ryu sword style for a few serious adults at the Hospital Americas Dojo.