My 3rd Degree Black Belt:

I would like to say that I have had a passion for the Martial Arts my whole life but that simply is not true. As a young girl, I would have rather been doing gymnastics, riding my bike or going to the beach. It was not until after I graduated college, got married and had children that I got involved in the Martial Arts and in fact it was my children that lead me to the beginning of this wonderful journey.
My Martial Arts journey began in 1999 after my son attended a Mighty Mites birthday party. Little did I know that this event would change the direction of my life. I began studying Martial Arts under Kyoshi Fariborz at Team Karate Centers in 2001 and loved and continue to love every minute of it. So much so that it has become a way of life. I received my 1st degree Black Belt in 2004 and began teaching karate at the L.E.A.P. Academy which is an after school program for children. It is then that I discovered my passion for teaching children. It was a real turning point for me. The combination of a passion for karate and teaching children made it an obvious fit when Kyoshi Fariborz asked me to open Little Ninjas Karate in 2007. It was that same year I earned my 2nd degree.
I am now earning my 3rd degree Black Belt and I continue to fulfill my passion to teach by running a very successful Little Ninjas Karate program and train everyday to develop those skills necessary to navigate the road of never ending improvement and Black Belt Excellence. My journey to 3rd degree was different than in the past two degree in the sense that it was very personal. I had many personal victories that will be with me for the rest of my life. I found a new sense of inner strength and confidence. I pushed my self to the limit and farther. I want to take this opportunity to thank my husband Jonathan and children Cassidy and Max for their never ending love and support. I would like to thank Kyoshi Fariborz for an amazing journey. Special thanks to my awesome teammates Sensei Allison, Sensei Amir and Sensei Ash. Thank you to my staff Ms. Dru, Ms. Cassidy, Ms. Deena, and Ms. Miranda for your support.

My 2nd Degree Black Belt:

My name is Linda Vogel and I am a Second Degree Black Belt Candidate. I began my journey into the martial arts when my son, Max, began Mighty Mites 10 years ago. I received my 1st degree Black Belt in October of 2004 only to discover that I was not at the end of a journey but that I had only just begun.
Training at Team Karate Centers has dramatically changed my life. Karate is not just about kicking and punching but so much more. It is a way of life. It is about passion, commitment, dedication, and confidence. However, having passion, commitment, dedication and confidence is only a base you must also posses the ability to understand and execute Might for Right, doing the right thing no matter what. Because of my training I am not only earning my Second Degree Black Belt today but I am stronger physically, mentally and emotionally. My relationships with my husband, my children, my family and friends are deeper. I am more spiritual connected. I have started my own Corporation and am blessed to share these lessons with young children each and every day.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Fariborz for guiding me along this amazing journey. Your guidance and support means the world to me and there really are no words that can express how grateful I am.
Although today is a victory for me, I could not have done it alone. I would like to thank my husband Jonathan and my children Cassidy and Max. I would not be here if it were not for their love and support. I know that today is just another beginning that I welcome whole-heartedly.

My 1st Degree Black Belt:

My name is Linda Lee Vogel. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I am married and have two children. My journey began one Saturday afternoon, seven years ago at a three year olds birthday party held at TKC. Who would have guessed that our lives would be so impacted and forever changed by simply spending the afternoon watching three year olds roll around on a mat, climbing ropes, practicing karate kicks and talking to parents about how thankful we were to be out of the "terrible two" stage?
I did not get the wake up call right away however. It was my son, Max, who was the first to join the team. At 3 years of age he joined Mighty Mites. Shortly after my daughter, Cassidy joined the team on the junior’s mat of TKC. She received her black belt last year. It was not until after Max graduated Mighty Mites and joined TKC on the junior’s mat that I finally received my blessing. It took me several years and a loving kick in the pants from Mr. Saeed before I actually walked onto the mat and I am so thankful I did. I no longer look at matters such as the "terrible twos" and am thankful to be done with them but rather thankful to have the opportunity to experience them. I have had the opportunity to be a part of an amazing group of individuals that inspire me daily. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime and had experiences that have changed my life.
Thank you Mr. Fariborz for enlightening me and guiding me on this wonderful journey. You have truly made a positive impact in my life and the life of my family. Thank you to my best friend and husband, Jonathan, for your unconditional love and support. I cannot imagine taking this journey without you. To my children, Cassidy and Max, you are the light of my life. Thank you for holding my hand every step of the way no matter how crazed I became. To Back in Black, you inspire me and continue to be a positive role model. To my teammates, The Phoenix of TKC, what can I say? We are a team united and we will continue to rise together to obtain Black Belt Excellence! And to all of us remember IT IS ALL GREAT!

My Red and Black (Qualification) Belt:

My Red Belt:

My Brown Belt:

My Blue Belt:

My Green Belt:

My Yellow Belt:

My Orange Belt:

My Mission Statement

I will try to live my best everyday. To hold precious what I learned yesterday and look forward to practicing it today. I know that I am blessed with the opportunity to learn as well as teach each and every day and will do my best to fulfill my role. I will choose to keep only positive energy around me and do my best to avoid the negative.
I will try to live my best everyday. To hold precious what I learned yesterday and look forward to practicing it today. I know that I am blessed with the opportunity to learn as well as teach each and every day and will do my best to fulfill my role. I will choose to keep only positive energy around me and do my best to avoid the negative.

My Essays

When I came to Team Karate Centers so many years ago I had no idea what a significant and profound impact it would have on my life. I have had the blessing of journeying down the Black Belt candidacy path twice before and each crossing was a uniquely incredible and enlightening experience. I would hope that everyone deserves the opportunity to take the journey. It is up to the individual to want to make it count.
My Black Belt journey is not a journey taken every couple of years and lasts a few months but rather an everyday, every hour, and every minute dedication to the quest of living better, stronger and with more passion. I feel with each degree is an opportunity to take it to the next level. My first degree represented the beginning of the journey, a time of excitement of the unknown but wonderful things to come. Second degree I began to see the intensity of commitment and dedication that is the core of Black Belt Excellence. My third degree is something much more intense. It comes from deep down inside. It comes from the pit of my stomach and the essence of my soul. I cannot explain it. It is just a feeling or intense desire to take the teachings that you and your dreams have provided me and make me the best I can be, to make a difference in the lives of others and to carry on the legacy.

A Black Belt is not something to tie around your waste but rather a way of living life. It is about working on never ending improvement everyday in everyway be it physical, emotional, or mental. Black Belts dedicate themselves to being the best that they can be to themselves, their family, their friends and their community. It is a desire that comes from within and through this intense focus, dedication and hard work Black Belts enrich lives and make the world a better place.

My Letters of Recommendations

This letter is concerning Sensei Linda,
I have known Sensei Linda all my life which probably doesnt come as a shock because she is my mom. Linda has always been a hard worker, she now has her own business at the studio and yet she still manages to get Max and I off to school every morning and at night she always makes sure food is in our bellies. Before my mom st arted doing martial arts on March 26 of 2001, she used to come and watch Max and I take class. When she started taking hapkido here she put her heart and soul into it, just like she does with anything. She lived, breathed, and dreamed about this studio. Now that she is dedicating herself to getting her 3rd Degree Black Belt I know you, me and everyone around her will be in awe of the amazing accomplishments that she will demonstrate. Sensei Linda will not let you down she will go above and beyond what she is supposed to do and what she is expected to do. My mom is an amazing woman. I would say I highly recommend you give Sensei Linda her 3rd Degree Black Belt but if you know my mom I am sure there is no question in your mind that you are going to give it to her.
Sincerely,
Cassidy Vogel

Dear Mr. Fariborz,
My mom is definitely ready to test for her 3rd degree. She is very determined and will never give up. Whenever my mom does something, she puts her whole heart into it. She cares so much that she wont let herself do anything but the best.
My mom was always happiest when she was testing. I think she loves the feeling of being part of a team. She loves being on the journey and all the twists and turns it brings. My mom wants this more than anything in the world and when she puts her mind to something she will accomplish it.
My mom will be an awesome addition the 2009 Candidate team and will make my family and everyone who knows her very proud, like she always does. Sincerely,
Max Vogel

Dear Kyoshi Fariborz,
It is with great honor and humility that I write this letter of recommendation for Sensai Linda. I was thinking which hat would I put on to describe Sensai Linda"s many qualities. Will I be the teacher, parent, student, friend. Please indulge me in allowing me to wear each hat to speak about Sensai Linda. As a teacher I have had the opportunity to see her give to the community with her volunteerism helping special needs children. Her commitment is unwavering and goes above and beyond. Sensai Linda is always on time, with a smile and ready to serve. She has worked miracles with our special needs children, helping them achieve standards and skills that other as well as themselves, think are not reachable. Even with her tight schedule, when another teacher required her assistance with motor skills class, she volunteered and has open up the doors for many more children. She does all this without the requirement of thank yous and applause. As a parent I have seen her take my daughter Maya and help her come out of her shell by offering her the gift of helping with Little Ninjas. As we all know she understands the needs of the parents as well as the children. This gift is unmistakable in her ability to transcend what is required to what is needed. Sensai Linda have offered selflessly to help me pursue my martial arts quest. This is no slight challenge. My childhood did not allow for sports and my basic skills are limited. Her encouragement, unwavering support and her martial art skills has provided stepping stones into a whole new understanding of what I am capable of. When I wanted to bow out due to personal issues, she is the one who took the time and allowed me to understand the complexity of the journey. That I would overcome my inabilities and issues, is only because of her encouragement, and positive manner that exudes from her being. Most importantly, Sensai Linda is a friend. Her kindness and ability to make children and adults alike feel important, needed and capable, is a skill that few can accomplish. In conclusion, it is my honor, to be associated with Sensai Linda and know that
when she pursues her goals she is an inspiration to many.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Terry Kimia
Teacher, Parent, Student and Friend