Ultimate Icebreaker: 27-Year-Old Heir Breaks World Record and Teaches Women How to Fight Back

She may only stand about 5 feet tall, but Ka’imi Kuoha is an ice breaking title holder and owner of La Mesa’s Kwai Sun Studio. Heir to her Grandmaster father’s throne of nearly 200 martial arts studios worldwide, Kuoha exudes a confidence and commitment that’s far beyond her 27 years.

Having operated Kwai Sun Studio independently for a little more than a year, Kuoha celebrated her grand opening by breaking the women’s world record for ice breaking, with 10 blocks of ice weighing in at 1,500 pounds.

“Our system is not about power though, it’s about the internal energy,” she said. “We do the ice breaking to demonstrate the internal side of it. If you did it with power, you’d break your arm.”

Kuoha teaches Kara-Ho Kempo karate, a style of martial arts that embodies the Japanese principles of Ki, and also runs a popular women’s self-defense class, which she says can get a little intense.

“It’s pretty invasive because I have (my black belt students) come out and attack the women,” said Kuoha, who teaches in such a realistic manner so that fighting back becomes second nature. “You want it to be a natural reaction for them.”

Little ones can learn to build confidence here too, with classes for children ages 3 to 12.

“It’s really neat,” she said. “We’re really family oriented here.”

Right now, Kuoha’s offering one week free to new customers. For more information, she can be reached directly at 619-713-5566 or kwaisun5620@gmail.com.

WHEELCHAIR DANCIN’ TILL THE BREAK OF NOON: is hosting ballroom and Latin dance lessons to wheelchair users of any age. Led by certified instructor William Valencia, owner of Absolutely DanceSport Dance Studios, participants will learn the cha-cha, rumba and fox trot.

The program is also looking for able-bodied volunteer dance partners, with or without experience.

The eight-week program is free to participants and current classes run every Thursday at 11 a.m. through May 5. The program starts again in July at the same time. Dancers meet in the hospital’s rehabilitation center. For more information, or to register or volunteer, call Beverly Weurding at 858-573-1571.

A BOOK CELEBRATION: Join the this Saturday and meet authors Mara Price and Suzanne Santillan as they celebrate “Dia de los niños-Dia de los libros.”

Santillan is the author of Grandma’s Pear Tree/El Peral de Abuela, and won last year’s Golden Moonbeam Award. Price wrote Grandma’s Chocolate/El Chocolate de Abuela and founded Los Bloguitos, a Spanish-language blog for children.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with a free book giveaway while supplies last, as well as additional books for purchase. For more information, call 619-469-2151.