Located at 1320 Mission Street, Suite 1, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Who We Are ~ Mission Statement ~ Philosophy

Hello to all Martial Arts and Fitness Enthusiasts:

MINORSAN exists to be of service to you with either martial arts training, self-defense training, or fitness, health & weight loss workouts.

Currently, Clara E Minor is the Chief Instructor at MINORSAN. Her martial arts training and experience has spanned various arts, schools, and fitness facilities from as far away as Fairbanks, Alaska, to Los Angeles, California, Baja Sur, and points in between.

Clara E Minor's most intense training involved her LimaLama workouts that started at 9:00 am with her instructor, Mr. Tino Tuiolosega, who most often didn’t leave until 9:00 pm most nights. This lasted for 12 years, Monday thru Friday, week in and week out. She put in over 26,000 (yes, thousands) hours with Mr. Tuiolosega. Through this training she is able to pass appropriate knowledge on to others, be they 3 years old or 103.

Clara has been teaching the martial arts since 1982, and has owned her own school in one capacity or another, since 1985.

She began her martial arts studies in 1972. At the time, martial arts was just something that sounded “interesting” to her, and as a small woman, she thought it certainly couldn’t hurt to learn. She quickly adapted to martial arts training and fell in love with it, as it had so many empowering qualities.

Her studies led her through several different styles and systems and instructors, always in search of what would give her the most physical power, mental awareness and emotional wherewithal to more clarity and spiritual advancement. These included Karate (several styles), Chi-Gung, Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Aikido, and LimaLama.

Always a priority was what would really work in real-life situations, be they subtle or life-threatening. Clara has also earned several certifications and degrees through her martial arts and fitness trainings. She is the only woman to receive a Full Professorship in LimaLama from Grandmaster and Founder of LimaLama Arts of Self-Defense, Mr. Tino Tuiolosega.

Clara continues to advance her skills and has co-developed MANOSAMIN as the art for everyday people involved in everyday situations. As students progress through the system, they eventually understand full contact movement. This is part of the application process of learning to defend oneself. They also understand how their body can develop and apply the most power available for their particular body type and body size. Students learn how to control situations, including their own emotions when in confrontational situations, as well as knowing when to apply which concept or technique to a situation (concepts and techniques also include mental and verbal responses, as these are the most powerful first reactions).

Mission Statement~

We believe every human being has the right to self-preservation, equal opportunities for personal growth and development, and deserves to be respected for their given skills and abilities. We hold that every person be treated equally, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, color, individual preferences, or ability—that they be seen without prejudice or judgment, and with an open mind.

We believe in the inalienable rights of individuals to make their own choices within the context of acceptable societal boundaries, i.e., they make choices that will not bring harm to innocent human beings. We are dedicated to the preservation of life (safety), empowerment, self-respect, positive character development, health & fitness, and freedom as the greatest personal accomplishments for all participants.

Philosophy~

Everybody has the ability to learn self-protection & safety with their given skills & abilities. Everybody has the ability to work and develop her/his body at any level of skill.

We provide each person with individualized instruction (and customized, if necessary), according to their particular body structure and each person’s particular needs.

Respect and safety for everyone are the highest priorities. All participants are treated with an equal amount of respect and are expected to treat everyone else the same. This is of the utmost importance in maintaining a balanced harmony and positive atmosphere for working out, training and learning. We do not allow discrimination, nor disrespect, of any kind.

Participants are instructed with their well-being a top priority. This includes emotional, as well as mental, and physical well-being. Our objective is to diminish fear, not create more. To create more personal power, not less personal power.

We strive to provide a safe, productive and fun learning environment for everyone. By empowering individuals with the knowledge acquired through the various workouts and classes, participants will not only feel better about themselves as they gain inner strength & power (self-confidence & esteem), but they will also get stronger, and much more knowledgeable about their options for staying as safe as possible, getting fit & healthy, and living a better-balanced life.

Philosophy•Children~


Children are special beings. They have yet to find their true power, devoid of outside negative influences (which usually destroy self-esteem and confidence). As the years go by, they will gain self-knowledge. Given this, we provide all children with the tools necessary to develop themselves into successful young persons, and continue on into adulthood with true life-success skills and strategies.

All material is age-specific for the particular children in any group we are working with at the moment. Respect for everyone is a high priority, and this includes children. All participants are treated with an equal amount of respect and are expected to treat everyone else the same.

All militaristic-type training methods are absent from our programs. Children are taught with their well-being a top priority. This includes emotional, as well as mental, and physical well-being. Our objective is to diminish fear, not create more.

By empowering children with the knowledge acquired through training, they not only feel better about themselves as they gain inner strength & power, but they also get stronger, and much more knowledgeable about their options for staying as safe as possible and living healthy.

Feel free to send us your comments