Career: All Things Natural:Hair, Health and Birth….Natural Hair Specialist, Herbs to manage and maintain holistic health and Birth support. Total body health coach and Martial Artist. RecZone Specialist.

Education:

Butler University: Bachelors in Sociology, Specialized in Social Work, Minor in Gender Studies

Interest: Dancing and more dancing: Chicago two-step, line dancing, any dancing!

Story for practicing:

First, I am able to defend myself and my family. I have tools from our practice to assist in everyday life like sitting on the ground, walking and just moving without pain at the age of 36. I continue practicing because it has created a sustainable practice that has allowed for physical and mental growth, weight loss and weight maintenance, and overall benefit to my health. I lost 100 pounds while practicing!!! I suffered from chronic back pain for over 11 years and I have been pain free since practicing. I also continue because it’s a teachable practice that I continuously am learning from and am able to teach to others.

Martial Arts Accomplishments: Our schools first Black Belt, Instructor, Grand Champion, State Champion, 2nd place in U.S Open, 3rd place in a National competition, World Champion and more to come!

Born Amber Jackson, Ajaya is an Indianapolis native and former basketball Indiana All-Star with a background in education having workied in schools as a school counselor, coach and teacher from daycare to high school. Obtaining a Master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s in sociology from the University of North Texas, she was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in basketball. Ajaya played professionally for one year in Europe and self-published 2 books. She started her martial arts journey at the age 32 and won a national title at the Battle of Atlanta in 2022. In her words, “Martial arts improved my confidence, focus, and discipline, and has me in the best shape of my life both mentally and physically. It has also been instrumental in helping my son and I’s relationship and communication. With martial arts I know my quality of life will continue to improve!” Ajaya also founded a non-profit for her community work including birth education and training, youth activities and spiritual services.

Martial Arts Testimony

Physical activity has always been a part of my life but martial arts is different from any activity I have ever done. Having played basketball in college and in Europe, I would have never thought I would be in the best shape of my life now a decade later. Yes martial arts has improved my physical strength but it is the mobility and the function. I am able to hold positions and move in way I never imagined myself when I played basketball. In fact, I was not comfortable with handstands before starting martial arts and literally one day I walked in class ready to try it. I am more confident in my physical capability now than before and but my mind feels clearer than ever. My brain feels to be functioning faster and with ease. I can literally feel changes in my brain when met with new challenges in martial arts. Often my brain will say “You gon do that” when challenged in martial arts and as I train my mind and body, I can feel the rewiring and rerouting in my brain. Once I said “I feel like my brain just flipped.” Martial arts with Dragon 9 has literally changed the way I experience the world and experience being in my body. I expect to continued to improve my mobility, flexibility, physical strength and martial ability but I know I will also continue to become sharper mentally and have no limits on how much sharper, quicker and more precise my brain can become as a tool.