Sensei Maura | 4th Dan

Sensei Maura Corrigan took her first class at Seido on October 11, 2003. Inspired by two friends who talked about being forced to do dozens of push-ups and sit-ups at their respective martial arts schools, she decided she needed to get in shape and learn some self-defense herself. She had no idea what else would be involved.

After taking (now) Jun Shihan Luke’s point fighting–focused kumite class for 13 years, she was honored to become the class’s new instructor when he moved to California in 2019. She now teaches a kumite class that alternates between point-fighting and semi-contact, and aims to incorporate the lessons she’s learned from all of the kumite instructors and seniors who have helped her over the years.

Sensei Maura has competed in Seido’s Anniversary & Benefit tournaments since she was a yellow belt. She was awarded the Sogo (all-around) Champion title in 2011 and 2012, the Grand Champion title in 2011, 2012, and 2022, and has placed first in master’s kata twice. She was the women’s Grand Champion at the Seido Aichi 20th Anniversary & Benefit Tournament in Japan in 2012, and competed in an open tournament in Kingston, Jamaica in 2010, where she placed first in kata in her division. 

Since becoming an instructor, Sensei Maura has learned the importance of recognizing each student’s relationship with kumite, whether they love it, they’re hesitant to jump in, they’re afraid of injury, etc. She encourages them to keep at it, explaining that it becomes more comfortable and fun with time and, as she was told when she started fighting: The best way to learn how to fight is to fight. She also regularly tells her students to remember to breathe.

Sensei Maura works as an editor and writer. When she’s not working or at Honbu, she enjoys surfing, traveling, and going to shows, and she occasionally still picks up her saxophone. Her favorite kata is Kanku.