Instructors

Professor Sonya Richardson
Executive Director
Head Instructor
8th Degree Black Belt

SifuProfessor Sonya Richardson has been training in the martial arts since 1990 and began practicing as a licensed physical therapist in 1988. She received her 3rd degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo, the Gaylord Method, under Professor Coleen Gragen and was promoted to 8th degree Black Belt by her current teacher Grandmaster Barbara Bones. Professor Richardson is also a 5th degree black belt in Kenpo Karate under Professor Gloria Boldizar. Her knowledge of biomechanics, combined with a positively-minded teaching style, provides a skillful and physically well-rounded learning experience for students of all levels and abilities. Classes are guaranteed to be challenging, gritty, and fun.

Professor Richardson has competed in national and international tournaments, consistently medaling in each for forms, weapons, sparring, and self defense divisions. She teaches at three national martial arts camps: PAWMA (Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists), NWMAF (National Women’s Martial Arts Federation, and AWMAI (Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors), as well as local seminars for community martial arts schools and the Kajukenbo Association of America. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Anti-Racism Committee for NWMAF and President of the PAWMA Board. Professor Richardson took on the role of Head Instructor of Hand To Hand in April 2007.

Additional recognitions and honors:

Martial Artist of the Year 2011: awarded by the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists
Awardee: 10 Women Campaign 2011: awarded by Flyaway Productions, a biennial celebration of women who work in law, politics, activism, business, philanthropy, and the arts to promote community building and social justice throughout the greater Bay Area

“My passion for training and teaching is fueled by my respect and love for our wonderful student body. I am truly honored to serve Hand to Hand. I believe that as each of us, student and instructor alike, is given space enough to root and reach, we will, no doubt, positively affect an even greater portion of our community, of our world.”


Sigung Aarin Burch
Assistant Head Instructor of Martial Arts Programs
6th Degree Black Belt

[email protected]

Sifu AarinSigung Aarin began her martial arts training in 1984 studying White Crane Style Kung Fu under Sifu Ron Dong. In 1997 she discovered Hand To Hand Kajukenbo and began training under Professor Coleen Gragen. Sigung Aarin received her black belt from Professor Gragen in 2002, and most recently received her 6th degree (2018) from Grandmaster Barbara Bones. Sigung Aarin was part of the Hand To Hand team at the 1998 Gay Games in Amersterdam where she won a gold medal in forms and a silver medal in sparring. She was part of the Hand To Hand performance team and is a former Acting Head Instructor of Hand To Hand. Sigung Aarin continues to teach students of all levels. Outside of Hand To Hand, Sigung Aarin teaches kickboxing and hip hop dance. She also runs her own video production company, Aarin Burch Productions.

Sigung Aarin was honored as the PAWMA Martial Artist of the Year in 2017.

“My goal is to empower women and men to be their fullest selves, on the martial arts floor, on the dance floor, and in our every day lives.”


Sifu Joyce Mende Wong
Co-Director of Self-Defense Program
4th Degree Black Belt

[email protected]

Sifu Joyce

Sifu Joyce began her martial arts training at Hand to Hand Kajukenbo Self Defense Center in 1993 under Professor Coleen Gragen.  As a white belt, she won a silver medal in sparring at the 1994 Gay Games. In 2009 Sifu Joyce was certified as a Self-Defense Instructor by the NWMAF (National Women’s Martial Arts Federation) and recertified in 2014. She served as a member of the Conference Coordinating Committee for NWMAF’s Self Defense Instructors’ Conference in 2009, 2011-2013 and on the Self-Defense Leadership Committee in 2014. Sifu Joyce taught NWMAF’s Empowerment Model Course at PAWMA (Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists) in 2015 and in 2018 at NWMAF’s Special Training. She was named PAWMA’s Martial Artist of the Year in 2016. In 2017 she joined NWMAF’s Self Defense Advisory Committee. She is a member of NWMAF, PAWMA, AWMAI, and a lifetime member of the Kajukenbo Association of America. She has served for many years as a Hand to Hand Board Member and is the Co-Director of Hand to Hand’s Self Defense Program.


Sifu Christine Schoefer
Co-Director of Self-Defense Program
2nd Degree Black Belt

[email protected]

Sifu Christine SchoeferSifu Christine Schoefer appreciates Kajukenbo for the physical conditioning, the mental discipline, and the spiritual awareness it builds. She began training in 1993 and has participated in Hand to Hand performances, martial arts camps, and Professor Coleen Gragen’s Black Belt Leadership classes. In 2000, Christine began studying Tai Chi and practicing meditation. She is Co-Director of Hand to Hand’s Self-Defense program and a NWMAF (National Women’s Martial Arts Federation) certified self-defense instructor. Her work includes curriculum development, mentoring, outreach, as well as teaching self-defense classes and workshops at Hand to Hand and throughout the Bay Area.

Christine teaches the self-defense program at Mills College.


Sifu Lorraine Mann
Director, New Students Program
4th Degree Black Belt

[email protected]

Sifu Lorraine MannSifu Lorraine has been a student at Hand to Hand since 2000. She received her black belt from Professor Sonya Richardson and Sigung Jen Resnick in April 2008 and was promoted to 4th degree in 2018. A classroom teacher by profession and an avid dancer, she has discovered a love and talent for teaching physical movement to adults. She draws on her extensive knowledge of brain development and learning styles in designing and teaching martial arts classes that are engaging and challenging. As director of the New Students Program, Sifu Lorraine has developed a curriculum that provides a comprehensive introduction to Kajukenbo for people interested in exploring the benefits of regular Martial Arts practice. Sifu Lorraine can frequently be seen performing with her Hand to Hand sisters and brothers at martial arts and other community events. As part of her quest to develop a well-rounded physical and internal practice, she has also acquired a working knowledge of Chinese sports medicine and massage, and she practices Tai Chi and Qi Gong.


Sigung Jen Resnick
Consultant for Internal Arts
6th Degree Black Belt

[email protected]

Sifu Jen ResnickSigung Jen Resnick began training in the Chinese martial arts in 1983. In 1991, upon returning from training in China and Taiwan, she had the good fortune to discover Hand To Hand and Destiny Arts Center where she found a martial arts environment which also insisted that the warrior’s path be devoted to creating a just and peaceful self and society. She began training in Kajukenbo and soon after devoted herself to teaching at both Hand To Hand and Destiny Arts Center.  Sigung Jen received her 1st Degree Black Belt from Professor Coleen Gragen in 1995 and was awarded her 6th Degree from Grandmaster Barbara Bones.

She is drawn to the eclecticism of Kajukenbo that allows each student to develop creatively and is grateful to have been blessed with a teacher who always encouraged her to expand herself into new ways of being in the world. She has competed nationally and internationally to great success. In addition to Kajukenbo she also trains in the arts of Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Ba Gua, and Xing Yi. She is a licensed acupuncturist and nationally certified herbalist in Traditional Chinese Medicine and practices Zheng Gu Tui Na, Martial Arts Therapeutic Massage, and Bonesetting.

Sigung Jen became the Head Instructor of Hand To Hand in 2002 at the request of Professor Coleen Gragen. Since 2008, she has been living in New York, continuing her training in traditional Chinese Medicine and Internal Arts.


Chief Instructor Deborah Godner
5th Degree Black Belt

Sifu DeborahSifu Deborah began her martial arts training in late December of 1985 at Hand to Hand. She received her 1st degree black belt in 1993 and her 3rd degree in 2002 from Professor Coleen Gragen, and she received her 5th degree black belt in 2018 from Professor Sonya Richardson. She has participated in many Hand to Hand performances over the years, from the early days of Gay Pride marches through more recent PAWMA camps. Sifu Deborah taught at Destiny Arts during its first few years as the children’s program at Hand to Hand. She was part of a women’s martial artist delegation to China in 2000. Over the years, she has complemented her Kajukenbo training with modern arnis, qi gong, and Chinese sword.

Sifu Deborah’s long-time passion for the art of Kajukenbo stems from its groundedness, centeredness, playful ferocity, pure beauty, and structured practice.


Sifu Cynthia DeCastro
4th Degree Black Belt

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Sifu Cynthia DeCastroIn the summer of 1998, Sifu Cynthia enrolled in Hand to Hand’s 10 week self-defense class, and in September of the same year she started the new beginner’s class under Sigung Jen Resnick. Sifu Cynthia received her black belt in March of 2009 from Professor Sonya Richardson and Sigung Jen Resnick. Sifu Cynthia has participated in many Hand to Hand performances, as well as attended annual martial arts training camps where she continued to explore her power and centeredness. As a result, she began exploring her training in the Internal Arts (Taichi, QiGong and meditation).

“I find that the Internal Arts training complements my Kajukenbo training by creating a well rounded balance between internal and external energies. I love teaching and find it a challenge to come up with ideas to keep the practice new and fresh. I continue to explore the balance of mind, body, and spirit through my training and hope to share my experience and knowledge through teaching.”