About Us
Qualified Instructor
Sensei Margie Barilar
7th Degree Black Belt
United States Isshinryu
Karate Association Board Member
Certified Group Fitness Instructor
Youth Fitness Specialist
Senior Fitness Specialist
Modern Studio
My martial arts journey began in 1989 at the Kent Athletic Club in Chestertown Maryland under the instruction of Sensei Roy Mears. After Sensei Mears retired from teaching I joined Sensei Mark Churchill’s karate school which was taught out of his 2 car garage. I obtained promotions from Brown Belt to 2nd Degree Black Belt from Sensei Churchill. In 2012 I attended a “Superfoot” Bill Wallace seminar in Denton, Md and a seminar with Master Angi Uezu in Dover, DE at the Rigby Karate dojo.
. In 2013 Sensei Churchill was diagnosed with cancer which became terminal . He asked me to continue to teach his students after he was gone. He passed away in July of 2013 and in September of that year I opened the Eastern Shore Isshinryu Karate School,LLC at the Kent Athletic and Wellness Center with his students and gaining a few students of my own.
In 2015 I was approached by a USIKA member to consider joining their organization. In August of 2015 I traveled to Anderson, SC to meet and train with Grandmaster Phil Little. It was a 4 hour training session without a break! I was accepted as his student and traveled to Omaha Nebraska to the World Head Of SoKeship Council event where I received my 4th degree Black Belt promotion along with Female Instructor Recognition in Isshinryu Karate from Hanshi Little.
In 2016 I competed in the Isshinryu Hall Of Fame tournament in Gatlinburg, TN. In September of 2016 I attended the Circle of Masters event in Anderson,SC. I traveled to King George ,VA and Anderson, SC to attend seminars and tournaments in the next few years. I am featured in Dr. Nancy Fox’s book Decisive Women as well as The Boss magazine published by Dixon Valve.
In 2019 I placed first in women’s kata at the
Isshinryu Hall Of Fame tournament in Gatlinburg, TN. In September of 2019 I traveled to Orlando, FL to the World Head of Family Sokeship and was awarded Female Isshinryu Competitor award.
Covid-19 shut down fitness centers in March of 2020.
In June 2020 I retired from 36 years of full time employment at Dixon Valve and Coupling Co and wanted to open my school in a new location once the Governor permitted gyms to reopen.
I contacted KRM Construction and signed the lease for one of the spaces in the Lynchburg Building to open October 6th, 2020. On October of 2021 I was appointed as a Board Member of the United States Isshinryu Karate Association by president Grandmaster Phil Little in Anderson, SC. I was promoted by my Sensei, Grandmaster Phil Little, to 7th Degree Black Belt on September 14, 2024.
We won Kent News readers choice for Best Martial Arts Business in 2024.
In July 2025 I have the honor to be one of the presenters at the Ladies of Isshinryu seminar in Gatlinburg, TN at the Isshinryu Hall Of Fame event.
We are currently located on campus of Radcliffe Creek School at 201 Talbot Blvd in Chestertown, MD teaching in school Karate Enrichment classes and after school karate open to Radcliffe students and the public.
Our Philosophy
Isshinryu Karate means ”One Heart Way”
Isshinryu Karate strengthens the mind, body and spirit, it instills self-confidence and the means for self-protection.