Do you have contracts?
We do not require any student to sign a contract. Our goal is to treat you like
a valued customer so you will want to keep coming back to class. We do,
however, offer special rates for those who are willing to make a long term
commitment. We are first and foremost honest about what one will gain from our
classes verses trying to get you on a contract.
How often are classes?
Classes are usually twice per week. With the hectic schedule most of us face,
more than that can become a challenge. Additional classes are offered as
students feel the need, but are usually kept as an open training forum. And,
specific seminars are offered from time to time as well.
What style do you teach?
From day one, each student is taught the essential art of Gendai Goshin Jitsu
(Modern Self-defense Art) by developing a thorough understanding of adversarial
physiology and psychology using principles and techniques from a variety of
martial arts such as karate, ju jitsu, judo, escrima, etc. These same
principles and techniques are also scrutinized as not only to their
effectiveness under real violent conditions, but also that they meet the
“reasonable” force requirements of the law.
What are your classes like?
Gendai Goshin Jitsu Classes: How one trains is how one reacts. So, we teach
practical principles and train under realistic street-like situations as often
as is feasible. You may ask, isn’t that dangerous or at minimum rough? Some
schools believe that the only way to train for the street is under full contact
conditions. It probably is the most realistic, but not the safest nor the most
enjoyable. As most adults must hold down jobs in order to pay their bills, we
can’t miss work due to injuries. And, kids wouldn’t find such hard-core training
very fun. We provide a safe and enjoyable, but realistic training environment
for everyone. These training scenarios aren’t students attacking like a karate
student attacking another karate student which is how most schools teach, but
students taught to attack like real bad guys do. The unknown is made known, the
fear eliminated, and confidence TRUELY instilled. Further, the classes are not
only informative, but fun and a great workout as well.
What’s the background of the head instructor?
I’m not here for me, but for the students. What happened to my first fiancé can
be and should be prevented. That’s why I teach what and how I do! So, I’ll
keep the details of my background brief, but provide it for those who wish to
know what my credentials are.
Isshinryu Karate-Do &
Kobudo
Burlington, NC (with some study in Jacksonville, NC & Tarboro, NC)
I began my study in 1975 and currently hold the rank of Roku-Dan or sixth degree
black belt. For several years, I have been teaching students in private,
semiprivate and group programs. Isshinryu is unlike many of the more common arts
in that it incorporates more natural stances and hand positions. This
facilitates learning and usefulness.
Kodokan Goshin Jitsu
Burlington, NC
My rank is Ni-Dan or second degree black belt. This art’s focus is solely on
street self-defense techniques. Under my instructors, at the heart of this art
is its use of the natural elements of adversarial physiology and psychology.
Hakkoryu Jiu Jitsu
In order that I may
better understand, apply and teach grappling techniques, I began study of jiu
jitsu in 1983. Jiu jitsu, as taught by my instructors, focuses mainly on
grappling techniques such as wrist locks, arm bars, throws, and pins.
Judo
At the same time my study of jiu jitsu began, judo was part of the teachings of
those instructors. With background in both the Hakkoryu and Kodakan systems, I
have found each possess its unique and advantageous elements as taught by my
instructors. My Kodakan instructor is world famous and is a member of numerous
hall of fame institutes, Master Ernie Cates.
Gendai Goshin Jitsu & Kobu Jitsu
I have been teaching self-defense specific classes and clinics for over 25 years. From private classes to corporate seminars, I have offered instruction in lifelike self-defense principles for more years than most have been studying so-called martial arts. Between my passion to teach the most comprehensive and effective self-defense available, my martial arts knowledge and my scientific degree and experience, I offer a very unique ability to research, analyze and develop principles and techniques since proven effective no matter ones size or strength. With my instructors’ blessings, we officially introduced Gendai Goshin Jitsu & Kobu Jitsu in May 2004. My students and a couple of my instructors honored me with the founder’s red belt and 10th degree black belt rank that same month.
Other Arts & Study: International Combative Arts, Weapons of the Philippines, Arnis/Escrima, Pikiti Tirsia Knife Fighting, Aikido, Executive Protection Defensive Tactics, Iaijutsu & Seki Ryu Ju Jitsu
Some honors bestowed upon me for which I am very grateful include induction into the U.S.A. Hall of Fame in 2004 as “SOKE” (Founder) of the Year; U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2006 as “SOKE” (Founder) of the Year; American Martial Arts Alliance (AMAA) Hall of Fame as Most Distinguished Grand Master of the Year in 2006; and, 8th Degree Black Belt promotion by the AMAA.
Other facts worth noting include – 1st person in North Carolina and 5th person in the world to teach an aerobic self-defense class long before there was Tae Bo and I was not aware that anyone else had developed the idea until years later when I did an in depth search for possible trademark/copyright reasons (in fact, some local instructors who now offered similar classes made fun of the idea at the time I started); helped to get the Student Safety Escort Program started at East Carolina University; serve on the AMAA board as an advisor.
Can’t I get similar training elsewhere?
Not according to our adult students who have spent as many as seven years
training elsewhere. A typical comment is that “even after getting my black belt,
I don’t feel confident that I could really defend myself or my family in a real
situation.” I believe that is totally unacceptable. Most adults come to a
martial arts school to learn to defend themselves or their loved ones.
Do you teach kata or forms?
NO! If you were hoping to be a great basketball player, would you expect to get
great at it by standing in very un-natural stances, holding your hands in
unlikely positions, and just moving in consistent predefined patterns? Or,
would you drill specific movements with and without partners who are acting like
a competitive player and actually play live matches? You would do the later.
That’s how we train at Gendai Martial Arts. It is our belief that kata came
from those who had mastered their skills and developed kata as a way to
practice.
Do you teach techniques?
Yes, we have to. But, we spend enormous amounts of training on teaching the
principles that govern realistic street adversarial encounters. By teaching
principles, one can better adapt to the infinite possibilities that may occur
when a criminal minded individual chooses to assault you.
Do you spar?
NO! Sparring as it typically applies to most martial arts training involves two
students agreeing to a set of rules and a referee. While sparring does teach a
certain degree of timing, distancing, etc., it does not adequately prepare a
student for the likely range and angles utilized by aggressive street thugs.
There are obviously no rules in the street. There are no referees. And,
fighting is illegal anyway. So, training to spar will likely be viewed as
training to fight in court and by law enforcement.
Do you wear gi’s?
NO! During most classes, we wear middle weight gi pants and a school t-shirt.
Occasionally we ask students to wear clothing more like what they might wear to
work in or shop in. Gi’s are typically very durable apparel and can lead to an
unreliable dependency where many clothes are not as durable and will not be very
useful as something to grab or throw someone with. Wearing our everyday attire
or a t-shirt better simulates the situations likely faced in the street. I’ve
never been attacked by someone wearing a gi that is easily grabbed.
Do you have belt tests?
Yes! We first have each student complete a pretest class to make sure they are
ready. Belt tests are a means to insure each student is truly able to utilize
what they have learned. Should a student score low on any particular portion of
the test, we would likely customize several modules of training to address these
areas of need to insure their overall safety and ability to defend themselves.
How long does it take to become proficient?
That depends on each person. Our goal is to improve a person’s ability to
defend oneself better with each class taken. We offer immersion classes, lunch
and learn classes, and beginner, intermediate, advanced and black belt level
training programs. Each will better enable a person to handle violence when
necessary.