Golden Hands

17/07/2025

🌿🦕✨ From ancient portals to rhythm patterns, one of our favorite weeks at Golden Hands Summer Camp featured a trip to the Zilker Botanical Gardens and a focused rhythm section!

In between our adventures, we practiced the power of stillness—tapping into meditation as a tool for grounding, focus, and clarity. Back at base camp, we shifted from stillness to sound, diving into rhythm as a universal language. Whether clapping, drumming, or stepping in time, you could see the gears turning in our campers’ minds as new patterns took hold and new connections sparked to life.

Rhythm sharpens the senses.
Meditation strengthens the spirit.
Adventure fuels the soul.

Only at Golden Hands. 💛

14/07/2025

Tang Soo!
💥 Small but mighty color belt test Friday, then 7+ hours of senior dan training at Nunan’s on Saturday!
This weekend: our first-ever Black Belt Promotion 🎉 with special guest Master Ben Johnson. Proud doesn’t even cover it.
🛡 Save the date: Dan Camp Aug 16 for Red Belt 2-stripe+. Let’s finish summer strong! 🥋🔥

30/06/2025

Here are a few highlights from our special guest this past week — Mr. Destin Wernicke, a jazz percussionist, composer, music director, and pipe organist for a local Austin church, joined us for an unforgettable rhythm session!

He brought some wild instruments: frame drum, cajón, handpan, pandeiro, and shakers — and the kids loved hearing the different textures and sounds each one created. We even turned it into a little samba jam band 🔥

Mr. Destin, Mr. Sasser, and Sa Bom Nim Holt closed it out with a jazz trio on Freddie Hubbard’s Red Clay 🎶 …then the whole crew finished strong with our song of the week: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.

Mr. Destin and SBN Holt go way back to their days at the University of North Texas — two jazz musicians still making waves, now passing the torch to the next generation.

It’s been a pleasure witnessing the growth, confidence, and joy these kids have developed in just four weeks. And we’re only getting started!

22/06/2025

Some beautiful moments in our camp the past two weeks…🥋💛🎶

With so much happening in the world and we’re so grateful and privileged to spend time training our mind, body and spirits, as well as learning some great classics in music class - an ear worm for all - reminding us how resilient we are!

The feedback has been beautiful and positive. We are all looking forward to the upcoming week with more magic to be shared! Be the light in the world! 💛

17/06/2025

There are some teachers whose light stays with you long after class ends. To me, Master Brett Riley was one of those rare souls.

He was one of the greatest mentors I’ve ever had the honor of learning from—not just in martial arts, but in life. He brought humor, lightness, and a kind of magic into every room he entered. He made martial arts fun again and again - it kept me going back to the dojang on a Monday night after a Saturday tournament. He reminded me that joy and discipline could live in the same space.

If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be the competitor I became—or the teacher I am today.

He has held many titles for me, and I’m heartbroken I won’t be in attendance for the funeral. He showed me how to respect someone who I disagreed with… as we disagreed on some things… I think we all could learn a great deal from that. I’m holding space here… processing, remembering, and honoring.

This August, we’ll be traveling to Scotland for the Internationals. The last time we shared a global stage, he coached our women’s fighting team to gold. His voice still echoes in my mind: boisterous, clear, and encouraging.

I pray for peace and comfort in his family’s hearts, and for the memory of his legacy to keep lighting up the world.

Rest easy, Master Riley. Thank you for everything. 🥋🕊️ 水 (“water”)

Photos:
1-3: 2015 International Tournament - Women’s USA Team victory! 1st in a long time…
4: 2016 Texas “Dam” Classic
5-6: The final class I taught before heading off to college - just be right back 💛
7: Bastille Day Blowout - always a fun time!

08/06/2025

Summer Camp Week 1 = vibes…

We for real launched 🚀✨

• Trained @ Zilker/Hiked the Greenbelt + party bus shenanigans 🎉🚌
• Weapons, board breaks, self-defense? Say less 💪🥋
• Music games, rhythm training = ear 👂 unlocked 🎶
• And honestly? Too much to fit in one post 🤯
love is built different.
Our squad = black belts and musicians.
It’s giving power, joy, and community.

Catch us rockin and rollin’ all summer. 🌞🔥💛

19/05/2025

This weekend, we said goodby to a true force of love and light—Nancy Michelle Ryall.

A mother, a matriarch, and a black belt in spirit—Nancy’s journey with martial arts began years ago, and though cancer kept her from training physically, her love for the art never faded. It deepened. She understood the warrior’s path, and she walked it with grace, strength, and a heart wide open.

Nancy was one of the first to believe in Golden Hands. Her support helped build the very space where students now grow, sweat, stumble, rise, and become. She was a quiet architect of what we now stand on. A plaque with her name lives on our wall, but her essence is in the fiber of our community.

She battled cancer for over four years—defying doctors, rewriting timelines, and reminding us all what it means to live fiercely and love fully.

This past week, I had the honor of sitting by her side. Holding silence. Praying. Witnessing. And I saw what courage really looks like. I felt what peace really is.

Nancy, your spirit will never leave these walls. Your legacy is our rhythm now. You showed us the way of the peaceful warrior—soft, strong, and unshakably full of love.

Rest well, beautiful soul. We bow to you.

09/04/2025

👊 ONE. MORE. WEEK. 👊
Normal pricing for the ACE Tournament ends soon — here's your call to action!

📅 Saturday, April 26
📍 Summit Christian Academy
💥 This year, we’re leveling up:
• White Belts through 3rd Dans Competing
• Team Sparring Divisions
• Epic Masters Demo

Practice under pressure - put yourself in opportunities of growth.
Because growth doesn’t live in comfort — it lives in courage.
This isn’t just a tournament. It’s a test of will, heart, and warrior spirit.

💫 Compete not just to win… but to rise.

🎯 Register now before prices go up:
👉 https://form.jotform.com/250705636423151

01/04/2025

We're so proud to be carrying on this legacy. Master Ben Johnson's teachings and stories have inspired many!
So proud of my Sa Bom Nim.

Blessings,
Holly Holt

2025 GASF Hall of Honor Inductee Master Ben Johnson has impacted the lives of countless students through martial arts over more than 20 years. Many of his students have come to Aim & Focus Karate through an after-school program with Round Rock ISD.

🎟️ https://bit.ly/GASFtickets

30/03/2025

🔥 ACE TOURNAMENT 🔥
Saturday, April 26 at Summit Christian Academy.
This year we’re leveling it up with teams, sparring, and a Masters Demo!

Earlybird registration ends Monday, March 31 at 11:59 PM —
Last chance to get your tournament T-shirt too!

Not sure if you’re ready? Show up anyway.
Courage lives just past comfort.
Compete not just to win, but to grow.

Swipe through for pics from last year’s magic — and get ready to bring your fire to the mat.

Register now — link in bio.

27/03/2025

Golden Hands: Membership & Pricing Guide PLUS New Program Info! -

I want to share a comprehensive membership guide/brochure as we recently rolled out our new programs! I’ve also listed the programs, times offered, and a brief description of what is taught.

18/03/2025

🌞🔥 GOLDEN HANDS MARTIAL ARTS & MUSIC SUMMER CAMP 🔥🌞
📍 Northwest Austin, TX
📅 9 Weeks of Summer Fun – Pick Your Own Weeks!
👦👧 For Ages 5-12

Looking for a unique, high-energy summer camp that balances active movement with mindful creativity? 🥋🥁 Our Martial Arts & Music Camp is the perfect fusion of strength, rhythm, and self-expression!

What Makes Our Camp Special?
✅ Martial Arts Training – Build confidence, coordination, and power learning a traditional Korean art, Tang Soo Do.
✅ Music Fundamentals – Explore rhythm, melody & harmony using simple instruments!
✅ Vocal Activation – Develop voice & breath control through fun exercises!
✅ Weekly Field Trips – Adventure-packed learning beyond the studio!
✅ Mindfulness & Meditation – Learn focus, relaxation, and mental resilience!
✅ Team-building Games/Exercises - build lasting friendships and relational skills!

Meet Your Camp Director!
🌟 Run by Holly Holt – An internationally recognized martial artist and professional musician, Holly brings decades of experience in training, performing, and coaching young students. She previously ran highly successful summer camps for Aim & Focus Karate (Master Ben Johnson) before his retirement in 2024. With her expertise, passion, and innovative approach, this camp is designed to inspire, challenge, and uplift every student!

📍 Location: Golden Hands Martial Arts, Northwest Austin, TX
🕘 Schedule: Drop-off at 7:30AM | Pick-up at 6:00PM
💥 Limited Spots Available! Don’t miss out—reserve your child’s place today!

📩 Text/Call at (512)284-8479
or
Visit https://goldenhands.love/programs for more details, policy documents, and weekly schedules!

Spread the word!
Much love,