Katie Murphy Stevens
Preferred Title: Sensei Began training: 1990 Styles/Arts: Hall of Fame Award: 2023 - 30 years Email: Location: Woodland, CA Dojo: Makoto Kai Dojo Website: | Biography:
Professor Stevens earned black belt rank in 1995. She served as a school head of Makoto Kai in Woodland, CA from 2002 to 2024. She received the rank of Rokudan in 2020 and the title of Professor in 2024. Sensei Stevens has studied the healing arts of Danzan Ryu. In addition to ongoing classes in Danzan Ryu healing arts, she is a 1995 graduate of the Danzan Ryu Seifukujitsu Institute intensive massage course. Sensei Stevens devotes time teaching at regional and national seminars. She hosts clinics, tournaments and conferences. She has served in administrative roles in the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation since 2003 and was elected to the AJJF Board of Professors in 2024. She was the Financial Director of the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors from 2016 to 2025. Sensei Stevens believes in supporting organizations that teach and preserve the martial arts. Sensei Stevens began her martial arts practice for some self-defense training and fitness, but she stays for the deep friendships and her love of the art. |
Professor Katie Murphy Stevens began her study of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu in 1990. Her perspective in the martial arts has grown and changed over the years - student, practitioner, teacher, work horse, mentor, artist - from one perspective, to another perspective, and sometimes all at once and mixed together. She credits many individuals as inspirations, especially her sensei: Sensei Cynthia Frueh who started her on her path, Professor Jane Carr who guided her transformation for 20 years, and Professor Sheryl Hager who is her current sensei and has been a steady source of support for many years.