Inside Vanatta’s Martial Arts, confidence is built one bow, one stance, and one lesson at a time.

For founding owner Mike Vanatta, teaching martial arts has never just been about competition. It’s about shaping character.

“Our kids are phenomenal,” Vanatta said proudly.

That pride was on full display recently when nine students from the White House dojo traveled to Memphis for a regional competition sanctioned through the Amateur Athletic Union and the National Karate Federation. By the end of the day-long event, the team returned home with an impressive 19 medals.

But according to Vanatta, the real victory goes far beyond the podium.

A Dojo Built on Decades of Service

Vanatta’s connection to the White House community goes back nearly 50 years.

He moved to the area in 1976 to become the town’s second full-time police officer. Martial arts had already been part of his life for years.

“I’ve been taking martial arts since 1967,” he explained. “I opened my first dojo in Springfield in 1972.”

After moving to White House, he eventually opened the doors to what would become a long-standing martial arts tradition in the community. Vanatta’s Martial Arts officially opened in October 1981, and the school has been developing disciplined athletes and confident young people ever since.

Building Confidence First

For Vanatta, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching martial arts happens long before competitions.

“The main thing is when kids first come in, they’re often reserved,” he said. “They don’t look you in the eye or look up most of the time.”

Through structured training and respect-based traditions, students quickly begin to grow.

“Because of the way we teach — addressing seniors properly, looking them in the eye — it gives them the confidence to feel like they can handle anything.”

That transformation is one of the reasons families throughout the region continue to trust the dojo with their children.

Preserving the Art of True Karate

Vanatta says not all karate programs are the same.

“There are hundreds and thousands of karate organizations in the world,” he explained. 

His school focuses on traditional karate, aligned with organizations recognized by the International Olympic Committee through the World Karate Federation.

True karate, Vanatta says, is both technical and disciplined.

Students train extensively in kata — structured sequences of movements that simulate combat scenarios.

“Each one has to be done exactly right,” he said. “From their big toe to the top of their head, everything has to be in the precise place.”

Even in sparring competitions, athletes must demonstrate controlled techniques that meet strict judging criteria.

“It’s not just about throwing punches and kicks,” Vanatta said. “They have to show legitimate technique.”

Training the Next Generation

While Vanatta built the dojo, he is quick to credit much of the current competitive success to the next generation.

His son, Michael Vanatta Jr., now serves as the primary trainer for the school’s competitive athletes.

Vanatta says his son has spent years refining the program and preparing students for tournaments like the recent Memphis event.

“Our kids are working hard,” he said. “A lot of credit for their training goes to him.”

Hard Work Pays Off in Memphis

The team’s performance in Memphis showed that dedication paying off.

Nine athletes represented the dojo and collectively brought home 19 medals, many of them silver.

“It’s a great confidence builder,” Vanatta said.

But the lessons taught at the dojo extend beyond winning.

“We teach them it’s okay to win,” he said. “But it’s even better to lose honorably.”

Sportsmanship is non-negotiable. In fact, Vanatta has a strict rule for students who display poor behavior.

“If one of our guys throws down their equipment or acts disrespectfully, it’s an immediate dismissal from the dojo.”

Eyes on Nationals

With strong results in Memphis, some of Vanatta’s students are now looking ahead to the next challenge.

Qualified athletes will have the opportunity to compete at the AAU Junior Olympic Games Karate Nationals, scheduled this July in Fort Lauderdale.

The national event spans an entire week and brings together some of the best young martial artists from across the country.

For Vanatta, seeing students reach that level isn’t the highest reward.

He believes the dojo’s greatest accomplishment isn’t medals — it’s the young people who walk out of the building stronger than when they walked in.

“When they come here, they learn discipline, respect, and confidence,” he said. “Those things will help them the rest of their lives.”