- 602-867-9204
- SW Corner 40th Street & Thunderbird
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Paradise Valley Karate proudly serving North Phoenix since 1981
Paradise Valley Karate has Classes in North Phoenix, Perfect for Kids, Teens, and Adults Martial Arts Lessons.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of our students through martial arts, fitness and leadership. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.
We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..
Get To Know Our World Class Instructors
Sensei Mike Wall
Mike Wall took his first lesson in 1972 and in 1974 became a student of John Hutchcroft when he was in Waterloo, Iowa. He earned his Shodan (1st degree) in Shuri Ryu in 1978.
In 1979, Mr. Wall moved to Phoenix, Arizona to train with the “Father of Karate in America”, Master Robert A. Trias. Mr. Trias accepted Mike as a student and he became a staff instructor for the Trias dojo. He trained with Mr. Trias until the Master died in July 1989. Mr. Wall obtained the rank of Rokudan (6th degree). In 1981, he opened the Paradise Valley School of Karate, one of the oldest established karate dojos in Phoenix.
Mr. Wall was inducted into the United States Karate Alliance Hall of Fame in 1990 and has served as the President of the Hall of Fame. He is also the Southwestern Regional Representative of the USKA and the founder of the Arizona State Karate Alliance.
Training
He earned his Shodan (1st degree) in Shuri Ryu in 1978 under Mr. John Hutchcroft.
In 1991, Mr. Wall asked Mr. Taika Oyata if he could train with him and was accepted as Mr. Oyata’s student. He studied with him for the next 15 years, and obtained the rank of Rokudan (6th degree).
He also was awarded recognition as a member of Mr. Oyata’s Shin Shu Ho, the highest recognition given by Hanshi Oyata in the Ryu Te system.
In 2006, Mr. Wall came full circle and once again became a student of Mr. Hutchcroft in Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu. He has attained the grade of 9th degree black belt or Kudan.
Mike received the small Double Bladed Axe, Hanshi Phillip Koeppel’s personal insignia, in 2008. He is also an active member, and West Coast Representative of the Okinawa Village Karate Association, under the leadership of Hanshi John Hutchcroft
Sensei Wall is a product of the old karate culture where you work hard and are respectful of those who have gone before you.
He also believes in giving his students his all. He regularly says that his greatest goal is to produce students better than him. He says “It is the greatest compliment to me, to have a student work so hard that he surpasses his teacher.”
Guro Heather Wall
Guro Heather Wall started her karate training long before she took her first lesson. She became interested after watching her children train with Sensei Mike Wall at the Paradise Valley School of Karate. After being a spectator for too long, she said “I want to do this”. One thing to know about Guro Wall is that once she commits to a goal, she is all in. One cannot question the dedication she has shown and what she has accomplished in her martial arts career.
She began martial arts training with Sensei Mike Wall in 2005 and began tournament competition that same year. Competing in a sport was something completely new to her, but the benefits were clear.
Guro Heather shares her passion for competing with the Paradise Valley School of Karate Competition Team, leading the team to numerous state, regional, national and world championship wins. She has, along with Sensei Wall, trained and mentored numerous National Points Champions, National Champions and World Champions. Paradise Valley School of Karate has been the #1 USKA School in Arizona for years and continually ranks in the top 3 schools in the nation.
Guro Heather’s competitive success speaks for itself. She has Triple Crowned 4 times in the USKK and received the USKA All American Award 3 times. Her martial arts skills and tenaciousness have earned her a place in the USKK Bushido Society and the USKA Hall of Fame. She is very committed to the USKK and the USKA, and is a lifetime member of both organizations. She is also an active member of the Okinawa Village Karate Association, under the leadership of Hanshi John Hutchcroft. She was awarded the small Double Blade Axe from Master Phillip Koeppel, his personal insignia, in 2007.
Guro Heather also trains extensively in Pekiti Tirsia Kali under Apolo Ladra. She earned her Guro title in 2016 and has gone onto earn Mataas na Guro in 2022.
Guro Heather has attained 6th Degree in Matsumura Shorin Ryu, and is a full-time staff instructor at the Paradise Valley School of Karate. She has been, and continues to be, actively involved in teaching and preparing students for competition and rank advancement testing.
Committed to helping others, Guro Heather created her own organization in 2012 named Moxie Up. Moxie Up is an organization that brings awareness to the need for women’s self-defense. She has been on many television and radio shows to share her message.