History

The Heilman Karate Academy (HKA) was established in 1971 by C. Bruce and Anne Marie Heilman.  Mr. Heilman had previously trained in the Pittsburgh area in karate and ju-jitsu.  He operated a karate class while obtaining his college education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.   Mrs. Heilman was introduced to martial arts while attending Alvernia College in Reading, PA.  She then trained at a karate school in the Reading Area where she met Mr. Heilman during his internship in the area.  A romance developed and they soon married AND started their own karate school, the Heilman Karate Academy.

Initially under the umbrella of Grandmaster Robert Trais, one of the pioneers of karate in the United States, the Heilmans were introduced to Grandmaster Seikichi Odo from Okinawa in the early 1980's.  From this relationship, the connection to Okinawa Kenpo Karate/Kobudo blossomed.

For 52 years, HKA has served the greater Reading and Berks County area.  The school has provided training in traditional martial arts, through the teaching of Okinawa Kenpo Karate and Okinawa Kenpo Kobudo.  As a regular fixture in the community, HKA had operated from their Muhlenberg Township location since the early 80's.  During their many years of operation, the Heilmans and their instructional staff had the opportunity to teach numerous students of varying ages.

During the popularity of the local shopping malls, HKA students frequently provided demonstrations in the 'center court'.  Many local public schools and business have had HKA demonstrations and seminars.  While not known for traveling tournament circuits, many of HKA's students have proven their prowess in the competition ring.

At the end of 2023, the Heilmans retired from ownership of the karate school and handed the operation over to longtime student, Scott Reeser.  Renshi Reeser started training with the Heilmans in 1982.  Small for his age, the martial arts were a way for him to develop confidence, discipline and physical fitness.  While he had a few "breaks" in his martial arts training to start a family and develop his career, he never lost the thirst for martial arts.  After living out of the area for several years, he resumed his training at HKA when he returned to Berks County.  For him it was the ultimate home coming and it fueled a smoldering fire of passion to not only resume his own training but to help others to improve themselves through the martial arts. 

The school is now operating under the name Kaizen Do.  While the business name has changed, the vision of the school and its core principles remain the same: provide traditional martial arts training to serious martial arts students.  We aim to continue the legacy of the Heilmans for many years to come.