Of The Void Martial Arts

09/29/2026

🥋 One Year of Of the Void Martial Arts 🐉

What an incredible way to celebrate ONE YEAR of Of the Void Martial Arts!

From our family to yours, thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us, participated in our belt test and seminar, supported our students, and helped make the day so special.

This first year has been about so much more than martial arts. It’s been about building a community, watching students grow in confidence and character, making new friendships, and creating a place where families feel like they belong.

To every student who stepped onto the mat, every parent who trusted us with their child, every instructor and martial artist who shared their knowledge, and every friend and family member who has supported this dream — thank you.

We’re proud of what we’ve built together in just one year, and we’re excited to see where the next one takes us.

With love and gratitude,
The Alston Family ❤️🥋

Peace • Power• Protection
CrestwoodKY OldhamCountyKY PagodaRyu BeltTest MartialArtsKids

09/25/2026

— Tomorrow.

Our next instructor spotlight, and this one is personal: Shihan Ken Kates, Sr., Renshi.

6th Dan Pagoda Ryu. 6th Dan Shorin Ryu. Sho Dan Judo and team coach. Sho Dan Taiho Jutsu. 1st Kyu Aikido.

He was my frist instructor. Nearly everything I teach on that floor came through him first — and tomorrow he'll be standing on it.

Catch him in FIRE — striking, combinations, decisive movement — Saturday, just before lunch.

Saturday 9 AM–6 PM · Sunday 10 AM–1 PM
Guest check-in from 10:30
6001 Pleasant Colony Ct, Suite 10, Crestwood

Free to watch. $5 to try one class. $20 for the whole day.
At 4:00 we celebrate one year in Crestwood — cake, face painting, music, door prizes. Everyone's welcome.

09/25/2026

09/25/2026

— WE are one day away.
Our next instructor spotlight: Shihan Kenneth Kates II, Renshi.
Forty years on the mat, and rank that's hard to fit in one post — 6th Dan Pagoda Ryu, 6th Dan Shorin Ryu, Sho Dan Kodokan Judo, Sho Dan Yoshinkan Aikido, purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu, and Modern Arnis Instructor. He's also ACSM-certified (CPT, GEI, PAPHS) and RYT-200, which means he understands what training does to the body and how to teach it.
Around the dojo, he's "Thumper." Train with him once, and you'll understand why.
On Saturday he teaches VOID — the last of the five elements, and the longest block on the schedule. It's where Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind stop being separate ideas and start being one thing. If you can only make one session all weekend, make it that one.
Saturday, Sept 26, 9 AM–6 PM · Sunday, Sept 27, 10 AM–1 PM�6001 Pleasant Colony Ct, Suite 10, Crestwood
Free to watch. $5 to try a class. $20 for the day.

09/24/2026

— We are two days out.
Our next instructor spotlight: Shihan Kenneth Kates II, Renshi.
Forty years on the mat, and rank that's hard to fit in one post — 6th Dan Pagoda Ryu, 6th Dan Shorin Ryu, Sho Dan Kodokan Judo, Sho Dan Yoshinkan Aikido, purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu, and Modern Arnis Instructor. He's also ACSM-certified (CPT, GEI, PAPHS) and RYT-200, which means he understands what training does to the body and how to teach it.
Around the dojo, he's "Thumper." Train with him once, and you'll understand why.
On Saturday he teaches VOID — the last of the five elements, and the longest block on the schedule. It's where Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind stop being separate ideas and start being one thing. If you can only make one session all weekend, make it that one.
Saturday, Sept 26, 9 AM–6 PM · Sunday, Sept 27, 10 AM–1 PM�6001 Pleasant Colony Ct, Suite 10, Crestwood
Free to watch. $5 to try a class. $20 for the day.�Tickets and full schedule: mwumaa.org

09/22/2026

🥋 INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT: BYRON LYTLE, KYOSHI

We’re kicking off our Pagoda Summit 2026 instructor spotlights with Kyoshi Byron Lytle!

A high-dan black belt scheduled to teach this weekend, Kyoshi Byron brings decades of knowledge and experience gained from training under Grandmaster Dr. Shorty Mills, Hanshi.

He founded Total Package Martial Arts, received the 2018 Burley Wagner Bushido Award, and serves as Vice President of the Pagoda Midwest United Martial Arts Association.

And this October, he is scheduled to be inducted into the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame! 👏

Join us Sunday as he shares his experience in the Pagoda System. Whether you’re an experienced martial artist or simply curious, this is an opportunity to see—and learn from—a dedicated martial arts master.

Come train. Come watch. Come celebrate our first anniversary!

📅 September 26–27, 2026
📍 Of the Void Martial Arts
6001 Pleasant Colony Ct, Suite 10, Crestwood, KY

FREE to watch
$5 — Single session
$20 — All sessions on either day
$35 — All sessions, both days

Schedule and tickets: mwumaa.org
Call or text: (502) 586-3656

09/21/2026

The Pagoda Summit 2026
This Summit brings the Pagoda Ryu family together—honoring where we came from, training together in the present, and helping carry the art forward for the next generation.

The five levels of the Pagoda represent the elements at the heart of our system: Earth • Water • Fire • Wind • Void.

MASTER THE ELEMENTS.
🥋 Pagoda Summit 2026
📍 Crestwood, Ky

More information about instructors, seminars, special guests, activities, and registration is coming soon.

Whether you have trained in Pagoda Ryu for decades or are just being introduced to the system, we look forward to bringing everyone together in Kentucky.

One system. One lineage. One Summit.

09/20/2026

🎉 We’re Celebrating ONE YEAR! 🎉

It’s hard to believe Of The Void Martial Arts has already been open for a full year! We’re incredibly excited to celebrate this milestone with the families, students, friends, and community who have been part of our journey.

Everyone is welcome! Even if you can’t attend the seminar earlier in the day, come by and join us for the FREE Anniversary Party from 4–6 PM!
🎨 Face Painting
🎈 Balloons
🎶 Music
🍿 Food & Treats
🥋 Fun for the whole family
🎟️ Giveaways & more!
📅 Saturday, September 26 | 4–6 PM
📍 6001 Pleasant Colony Court, Suite 10, Crestwood, KY 40014

Come celebrate our first year with us—and help us kick off Year Two! 🐉🥋
Peace • Strength • Confidence

09/20/2026

Your plans for next weekend? We’ve got an idea. 🎉🥋🎂

Come celebrate ONE YEAR of Of the Void Martial Arts in Crestwood!

Next Saturday and Sunday, Pagoda Summit brings two days of martial arts, live demonstrations, and a chance to join the action. We’re celebrating our first anniversary with our community—and cake!

Bring the kids. Bring a friend. Cheer on the black belts. Try something new together.

Never practiced martial arts? You’re invited, too!

🎟️ FREE to watch
$5 — Single session
$20 — All sessions on either day
$35 — All sessions, both days

📅 September 26–27
📍 6001 Pleasant Colony Ct, Suite 10, Crestwood
📲 Questions? Message us or text (502) 586-3656
Schedule and tickets: mwumaa.org

Tag someone you’d bring! 👇