School Of Martial And Meditative Arts

Congrats to Tom for his Brown 3 promotion in Hawaiian Kempo and Sensei Michelle for her green belt in Okinawan Kobudo. It was an awesome test. We are still rocking at SOMMA.

Current list of Blackbelts at SOMMA.

Hanshi Dr. Stuart Twemlow would be so proud of some of you with your loyalty and continued support through thick and thin...others not so much.

Black 8
Founders of the “School of Martial & Meditative Arts"
Dr. Stuart Twemlow - 7/1/2023. (D)
Stephen Twemlow - 6/21/2025.

Black 6
Dr. Mark Penn - 7/1/2023, Kyoshi - 7/1/2023. (D)
Jim DeForest - 6/3/2023, Kyoshi - 6/3/2023.

Black 5
John Vale - 12/7/2024, Renshi - 8/28/2020.
Jamie Knight - 12/7/2024, Renshi - 5/20/2022.
Chris Burdick - 12/7/2024, Renshi - 5/20/2022.
Garin Johnson - 6/28/2025, Renshi - 5/20/2022.

Black 4
Brooke Estes - 1/3/2009, Renshi - 3/1/2018, Kempo Stylist - 1/3/2004.
Dorian Martin - 12/7/2024, Renshi - 12/7/2024.
Mike Maxwell - 12/7/2024, Renshi-12/7/2024, Kempo Stylist - 9/16/2000.
Judy Osbourn - 5/20/2022, Renshi -12/7/2024.
Dr. Justin Bond - 12/7/2024, Renshi - 12/7/2024. Kempo Stylist -5/20/2022

Black 3
Tami Morris - 10/26/2019
Charles White - 8/15/2020
Nadia Nixon - 5/20/2022
Michelle Cordero - 12/7/2024

Black 2
Glen Williams - 6/9/1989.
Lee Radcliffe - 4/26/1994, Kenpo Stylist - 4/26/1994.
Eric Berryman - 6/12/1995, Kenpo Stylist - 6/12/1995.
Deeann Boydston - 9/9/2001.
Bob Fulmer - 9/9/2001.
Dale Fox - 6/1/2015. (D)
Jeff Silverman - 6/1/2015. (D)
Steve Ramsey - 10/26/2019.
Dr. Jen Case - 5/15/2021.
Johnny Huffman - 5/15/2021.

Black 1
Jim Munoz - 6/9/1989.
Dr. Jeff Nichols - 6/15/1995.
Dr. Ed Levy - 6/15/1995. (D)
Dr. Warren Abbott - 6/15/1995.
Carlos Rodriguez - 6/15/1995.
Jan Twemlow - 6/1/1997.
Tommy Gish - 6/1/1997, Kempo Stylist - 9/16/2000.
Brian Whitley - 6/1/1997.
Larry Kietzman - 6/1/1997.
Cindy Gish - 7/9/1998.
Sonja (SJ) Brooks - 7/9/1998. (D)
Dr. Ravi DeSilva - 7/9/1998.
Brendan (Ottoman) Kearns - 8/1/1999.
Joann McDonald - 9/16/2000.
Richard Young - 1/11/2003.
Susan Candea - 1/11/2003.
Dr. Dustin Silverman - 1/11/2003.
Dr. Jonathan Huffman - 1/11/2003.
Jon Candea-Kromm - 1/3/2004.
Jeff Faulkender - 6/1/2007 (D).
Dr. Kyle McDaniel - 1/3/2009.
Matt Thomas - 1/3/2009.
Dr. Elaina Murray - 1/3/2009.
Emmy Pope - 9/23/2010.
Steven Nichols - 7/21/2012.
Pranev Trivedi - 6/25/2016.
Isiah Martin - 12/7/2024.
Wyatt Humphrey - 8/2/2025.
Deja Martin - 8/2/2025.

Honorary Black Belts
Dr. Frank Sacco - (D)
Robert Morini
Brad Culver
Dr. Kirby Pope
Floyd Lacey - (D)
Jack Nixon
David Chall
Chad Lindsay
Lawrence Ford
Shane Murray

(D) - Deceased

Kids class rocked today.

I want to thank everyone that has helped in my recovery...you know who you are and I love every one of you. This has been the hardest period I have ever been through, mentally and physically. ICU was no joke. I have a very long way to go and it seems overwhelming at times. This ordeal has affected me mentally in more ways than I thought it would. I am having to change my priorities and start to realize I have to focus on my needs. I am going to reduce my teaching until I am strong enough to put the same energy into it that I have in the past. SOMMA as a school has ridden its course and it will start to look very different in the coming weeks. I am getting ready to put out a 906 page manual of Hawaiian Kempo as taught by the Twemlow clan over the last 40 + years. This will be my last contribution to the art that I love. A new direction is necessary for me to continue in life. I will never quit the martial arts but I will have to rein myself in and concentrate on the few students that still want to learn from me. Again I want to thank all the wonderful people who helped keep me alive. For those about to rock, I salute you.

A quick update. I will be going into surgery Monday for a triple bypass and an area of concern that regulates blood flow. I had a heart attack Wednesday night and drove myself to the hospital (do not recommend that, except when I got there, they said 5 more minutes and I was done). The pain was more than I have ever experienced in my life. The doctor performing the surgery is a stud. He is exactly who you want working on your heart. It would probably be a while before my next post.

Have a great 2026.

No classes tonight. Happy New Year.