Sifu Dahrla King began her training as a martial artist in 1992 when she enrolled her two oldest children, Ryan and Shiloh (and later, her son River), as students under Sensei's Albert and Elida Roy at the Eugene School of Karate in Springfield, Oregon. Here they began training in Shudokan Karate, an Okinawan hard style (linear, power-based) martial art. Watching her children become strong and capable, Dahrla quickly became enamored with what she was seeing, and soon began training herself. She says, "From the first day, I knew I had found my vocation. I simply fell in love with all aspects of what I was learning. The feeling of empowerment was amazing, and the level of artistry and physical effort required for mastery inspired me. My Sensei's Albert and Elida were people of high honor and ethics, and they instilled in me a belief that martial arts offered a way to live and move in this world with honor, integrity, and compassion."  Dahrla quickly became a top competitor at tournaments throughout the Pacific Northwest, and a substitute teacher at Eugene School of Karate. 

     In 2004, Dahrla and her youngest son, Loki, moved to the California central coast and began training in Shaolin Kempo/KungFu under Master Bill Mailman of United Martial Arts. It was here that she was awarded her 2nd degree Black Belt, and her son Loki earned his 2nd degree Junior Black Belt.  Sifu Dahrla became  Business Manager for United Martial Arts in 2004, and Senior Instructor under Master Mailman in 2006. Competing as Kung Fu stylists, both Sifu Dahrla and Loki have won numerous awards, including several Grand Championships.

    Three years ago Upon opening Studio 7, Sifu Dahrla was promoted to 4th Dan, and Loki to 3rd, through the International Wu Ming Tao Kung Fu Association and the International Martial Arts Wu Shu and Shaolin Masters Association by GrandMaster Andrew Wilson and GrandMaster Mitsuru Yamashita.  Most recently, upon closing the Lompoc location and relocating to Eugene, Oregon, Grandmaster Andy again awarded Dahrla and Loki with promotions, earning Sifu Dahrla the title of Master and making Sensei Loki one of the youngest 4th Dans in the country.

     Sifu Dahrla is a stickler for the details that make good technique possible. She believes there are far too many martial arts schools operating today without concern for these values. Many modern styles seem to be tailored for people who are only interested in a good workout, or for those who enjoy simple brawling with no concern for the finer points of traditional technique. This approach may work well for the biggest guy on the block, but what about the other 99% of us? Sifu Dahrla states, "Shaolin Kung Fu teaches techniques that work well for people of all sizes...turning the momentum of the attacking enemy against him. This is what is known as a 'soft' or circular style. As Kempo/KungFu, our system also contains elements of Japanese and Okinawan styles, as well as many JuJitsu (hold escapes, disarms, take-downs) and Chin Na (joint manipulation) techniques..making Shaolin Kempo/Kungfu one of the most complete martial art systems available."