Qualifications
Third Degree Black Belt (Sandan) - Kenpo Karate
Boston IMPACT teaching volunteer (teaches full-contact, scenario-based self-defense—especially for women and vulnerable communities)
Empowerment Self-Defense Global, Teacher Training, level one (40 hrs)—violence prevention system that teaches individuals how to interrupt violence by listening to their intuition, assessing their options, asserting boundaries, and using de-escalation strategies. ESD provides tools for a range of mental, verbal, and physical responses.
Senior Instructor
Sharona Jacobs
I began training in Kenpo Karate at age 15 and have been teaching since college. I earned my black belt in 2016 and third-degree black belt in 2025. In 2021, my husband Jeremy and I opened Kaizen Karate in Belmont, where I teach group and private lessons and co-lead community classes through Arlington Community Education.
Having navigated injuries and hypermobile joints myself, I understand that every body is built differently and needs something a little different from training. I meet students where they are—whether they’re new to martial arts, returning after time away, or working through physical limitations. I also enjoy working with advanced students and helping anyone refine the finer points of technique, timing, and precision. My teaching emphasizes effort, resilience, and body awareness, with the goal of helping each student build confidence and find strength on their own terms. I’ve also volunteered with IMPACT Boston, which teaches scenario-based self-defense, especially for women and vulnerable communities.
Outside the dojo, I’m a literary portrait photographer and live with my family, a retired greyhound, and a large, opinionated black cat.