Associate VP of Human Resources embraces the art of Shotokan

Studying the art of Shotokan karate has been a lifelong journey for Kelly Flores, but she’s not done yet. Not even close.

Central Washington University’s Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been practicing the ancient martial arts discipline for 34 years now, and she has served as an instructor at the Washington Shotokan Association dojo in Bellevue since 2010.

While Flores has already built a rock-solid foundation as a third-degree black belt, she explained that those who practice Shotokan never stop learning or growing.

“We believe in creating a legacy of leadership,” she said. “Helping others reach the next level in their training is built into our traditions, and if you want to reach the higher levels, you have to commit yourself to teaching others.”

Flores is currently preparing to test for her fourth-degree black belt, which would earn her the esteemed title of “Sensei.” Achieving black-belt status is a painstaking process that requires years of training and mentoring other martial artists, but Flores isn’t daunted by the challenges required to master her craft. She is constantly pushing herself to attain an even higher level of excellence.

“I still want to keep going,” she said. “I am working toward testing for my fourth-degree black belt in 2027, but there are no guarantees. You can’t just say you want to test; you must show that you’re ready and be recommended to test.”

Those recommendations are based on exhibiting the five core values of Shotokan, otherwise known as the “Dojo Kun”: Seek perfection of character; Be faithful; Endeavor; Respect others; and Refrain from violent behavior.

As Flores explained, these principles are not just guidelines for training; they are a way of life that encourage individuals to develop a strong moral compass and contribute positively to society. 

Flores began practicing martial arts when she was 17 years old after she was assaulted. She first trained in Shito Ryu karate, Jiu Jitsu (grappling), Kobudo (weapons), and Aikido, and later joined the Washington Shotokan Association dojo to continue studying martial arts.  

“It started out as something I did to harness my teen angst — as a way to regain control of the world around me,” she said. “But the more I learned about martial arts, the more I appreciated the art form, the ancient traditions, and the lessons in legacy leadership.”

As the years went by, her passion grew into a three-decade-long odyssey that helped her create a new identity for herself. Today, she gains immense satisfaction from sharing her knowledge and expertise with new generations of Shotokan students and instructors.

“Over time, the beauty and precision of the art inspired me to keep going,” Flores said. “You learn to fully trust what your body can do, and you develop a grounded confidence in yourself.”

Through intense focus and discipline, Flores earned an invitation to compete for the U.S. Team at the 2022 Funakoshi World Karate Championships in the United Kingdom. She and 12 other competitors of all ages and backgrounds represented the U.S. Team in Crawley, England, located just south of London.

Flores finished second in her division in Kumite (sparring) and placed third in her division in synchronized kata (performing a sequence of movements in unison)‚ along with two other U.S. competitors. She also competed in individual kata, and did not place.

Regardless of the results, Flores said competing in London was all about the experience.

“Competing wasn’t really on my mind before I received the invitation, but I believe that when someone in your inner circle who knows you well challenges you to do something that terrifies you, you should always say ‘yes’ and figure it out,” she said. “I didn’t know if it was for me, but going to the world championships ended up being a humbling and beautiful bonding experience for all of us.”

Her experience in London gave her the confidence to return to the world championships this fall in Portugal. She is planning to compete in four events this time around, and she is hoping to learn even more about herself.

“Competing against some of the best martial artists in the world helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses,” she said. “It takes you out of your comfort zone, and that can be scary. But when you take chances like that, you often surprise yourself.”

When Flores isn’t training or teaching at the Washington Shotokan Association twice a month, she is doing her part to share her love for Shotokan with the CWU community.

Earlier this year, she started teaching classes Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the CWU Recreation Center, and she has built a small group of dedicated students who are planning to take their talents to the next level this spring.

“They will be taking their yellow belt test in June,” Flores said of her students, who will be tested at the Bellevue dojo. “They have learned some Japanese, improved their technique, and gained a ton of confidence. I’m so proud of them for sticking with it.”

Flores hopes to keep the class growing and she invites all faculty, staff, and students to sign up. Adult community members are also welcome. Her motto is “Strong Minds. Strong Bodies. Strong (Wildcat) Spirits.” Anyone interested in joining the class can email Flores at kelly.flores@cwu.edu.

“It’s a lot of fun, but you will also learn how much you are truly capable of when you set your mind to it,” she said.