Our Instructors

Sensei Pam Poland is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate & a 1st Degree BlackBelt in Okinawan Kempo. Pam Poland was awarded her first Black Belt in July of 1996 by Pam James Hawkes, a 9th Degree Black Belt and also the founder & President of the United States Karate Alliance. Pam Poland was recently nominated for the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Through out Pam Poland's 14 year martial arts career she has held several World Titles in full contact fighting, grappling and point fighting.

Pam Poland has trained in Shotokan, Okinawan Kenpo, Judo, Goyo Ryu and Tai Chi. She trained under Sensei Cathy Anderson, a 6th Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Kempo & Koda Kan Judo, a 1st Degree Black Belt in Hoteikan Jujitsu and a 1st Degree Black Belt in Tai Liu Chuan Fa. Cathy Anderson is the former owner of Goshin Karate & Judo Academy located in Scottsdale, Arizona for the past 14 years.She is a Certified Cardio Kickboxing Instructor and a Certified Cardio Kombat Instructor. She is a member in good standing of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA), Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA), the United States Karate Alliance (USKA), and the Arizona State Karate Alliance (ASKA).

Pam Poland opened Arizona Family Karate Academy (AFKA) in October 1996. AFKA is located in Phoenix, Arizona at 7th Street and Union Hills Dr. AFKA is now home to over 200 martial arts students ranging from 3 years to 65 years of age.