Sifu Joanna Harris
Sifu Joanna Harris
INFO
Name: Joanna Harris
Title: Sifu
Rank: BLack
System: Kajukenbo
Method: Emperado Method
Style: Hardstyle
School: Reyes Kenpo Karate Club
TRAINED: 2007-Present
INSTRUCTOR: Sigung Christopher Reyes
Lineage: EmpErado > Al Reyes > SGM Reyes > Christopher Reyes
AFFILIATIONS: RKK, RKA, KSDI
Joanna Michelle Harris is a dedicated martial artist and instructor based in Memphis, Tennessee. A practitioner of the Reyes Kenpo Karate branch of Kajukenbo, Joanna trains under the Original Hard Style, Emperado Method. With a passion for growth, teaching, and community support, she brings a mindful and grounded approach to the art—balancing tradition with personal development and helping others find strength through movement.
Sifu Philip LeTard, Sifu Christopher Reyes, SGM Alan Reyes, Sifu Greg Price, Sifu Joanna Harris, Memphis
Joanna Harris-Blackbelt 2017
History
Joanna was born on March 11, 1979, in Memphis, TN, and began her Kajukenbo journey around 2007–2008. While she didn’t grow up in a martial arts environment, her rural upbringing gave her a strong foundation of perseverance and humility—qualities that she brings into every training session.
She currently trains at Reyes Kajukenbo Memphis, under the direct lineage of Sijo Adriano D. Emperado through GGM Aleju C. Reyes, SGM Alan M. Reyes, and her instructor, Sifu Alan Christopher Reyes.
In 2017, Joanna earned her Black Belt after a rigorous solo test that challenged her physically and mentally. That milestone marked not only her rank advancement but a deeper understanding of the art’s inner dimensions—self-control, awareness, and resilience.
Joanna currently trains twice a week and assists in teaching the children’s Kajukenbo program, sharing both practical self-defense techniques and emotional regulation skills. Her diverse background in Deep Stretch, Yoga, Mobility, and Budokon adds a unique blend of physical intelligence and somatic awareness to her teaching.
Her teaching philosophy centers on patience, breath, and foundation. She believes strength and speed come naturally with practice, and she encourages students to pay attention to what their bodies and emotions are telling them during training. In addition to martial arts instruction, she contributes to preserving Kajukenbo history through her support of the Kajukenbo Archive, Family Tree Project, and social media outreach.
Looking ahead, Joanna’s goals are to grow within the black belt ranks, deepen her understanding of the system, and build bridges between Kajukenbo and other movement-based communities like Budokon—helping more people live with confidence and awareness, not fear.
HIGHLIGHTS
2017 – Earned Black Belt.
Present – Owner/Operator of Envision Fitness instructing kids’ classes, corporate self-defense, mobility, and is a active contributor to the Kajukenbo.com’s historical archive, website, and Kajukenbo Family Tree.
Certifications – Deep Stretch, Yoga, Mobility, Budokon (a blend of martial arts conditioning and yoga)
BLACKBELTS
NA
