Shuri-ryu Okinawan Karate

Dorian has earned Yon Dan or fourth degree black belt in Shuri-ryu Karate from Sensei Aalfs and is a senior instructor at Valley Women's Martial Arts where she has studied since 1989. She is also a member of Supreme Way Karate and Kobudo Association.

Janet Sensei has been and continues to be a supreme inspiration to me in the martial arts for her leadership, generosity, vision and care. Sensei Janet and the students and teachers of VWMA, a non-profit community organization dedicated to empowering women and girls, through the study of martial arts, to find our voices and take our rightful place in the world, have taught me much about myself and community leadership.

Grandmaster Trias studied Shuri-te and Hsing-yi (tode) under Master T'ung Gee Hsing. Master Hsing was a disciple of Master Shang Tsao Hsiang and shared his expertise in Hsing-yi with Okinawan Master Choki Motobu . The incorporation of Shuri-te (karate) and Hsing-yi (Kempo) by Master Trias was later called Shuri-ryu. The first documented commercial karate school in the U.S. was opened in 1946 in Pheonix Arizona by Grandmaster Trias.

Sensei Wendi Dragonfire studied with Master Trias in Arizona before opening Valley Women's Martial Arts in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1977. In 1982, Dragonfire moved to the Netherlands and passed her school to senior students, Sensei Janet Aalfs and Sensei Beth Holt. Since 1992, VMWA has been directed by head instructor, Sensei Janet Aalfs.