Angela Moy and Aileen Maquiraya
LKE Dojo is a Muay Thai martial arts dojo and training program designed to equip women with self-defense training and self-empowerment through women-only safe spaces and holistic classes for training and meditation. Founded by Angela Moy and Aileen Maquiraya, LKE Dojo seeks to disrupt the martial arts world by providing training for Queer people and women, two communities underserved and marginalized in the sector.
Angela and Aileen are deeply passionate about Muay Thai, empowerment through self-defense, and holding safe spaces for Queers and Women to experience self-transformation and freedom. Queers and women are often overlooked, ignored or worse in the martial arts world. Gyms are typically male dominated and often feel unsafe or unwelcoming to women, transgender folk, and others. Many gyms do not offer women-only classes. Angela and Aileen seek to offer safe spaces for learning self defense and martial arts, as well as to create an atmosphere of empowerment for these marginalized communities.
The teachings of Buddhism, such as compassion and mindfulness, are integrated into the training and philosophy of Muay Thai. Meditation classes will be offered as part of holistic program for self transformation. LKE Dojo currently operates out of rented space, but Angela and Aileen dream of opening their own center with safe spaces for training, indoor cycling, meditation, and group classes.
About Angela and Aileen:
Coach Aileen is a former fighter in both Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai and has held the title of Hawaii State Muay Thai Champion. She has also taught over 1500 classes, and coached numerous amateur and professional fighters in Muay Thai, Boxing, Kickboxing, and MMA.
Coach Angela grew up as a preacher’s kid in Hawai’I and began Muay Thai in 2017 as a 35-year-old single mom of three. She is an example of the way that this holistic practice can change one’s life.
