American Martial Arts was founded in 1985 by Terry Gravelin. Kyoshi Gravelin had taught at various martial arts schools and in the recreation system before opening the first American Martials Arts in Grand Rapids. In 1996, Kyoshi Gravelin opened American Martial Arts Institute in Cedar Springs, and we have had the priviledge of serving the community ever since. American Martial Arts is an affiliate school of the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate Association, the oldest and largest Shorin-Ryu Association in the world. As a part of this organization, we are dedicated to the practice and propagation of authentic Shorin-Ryu Karate. We encourage individuals to develop and maintain the high standards and principles set forth by the founders and masters of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do. Our goal is to develop students who are able to translate these principles and standards into knowledge that will lead them into a successful and happy life. We hope, as a school, to nuture in developing students the strength of individualism and choice. Although we practice traditional forms, we depart from that point and try to develop martial skills to fit the needs of the individual. We do this by offering instruction in karate, weaponry, grappling, and cardio karate as well as guest instructors and special seminiars.