Bryan Winkelman, a 4th degree black belt in Isshin Ryu Karate
I began my training in Isshin Ryu in January of 1988; I was 19 at the time. I had been thinking of taking Karate ever since I was 12 years old, but never had the guts to walk into the local dojo. The first day I walked into my first dojo my life changed dramatically and all for the good. My first Sensei in Isshin Ryu was Sensei Kevin Murray. I trained at Sensei Kevin Murray’s dojo for 12 years, and I achieved the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt (Nidan).
My training continues under Sensei Matt Dorsey, where I have achieved the rank of 4th degree black belt (Yondan).
Self-defense was the primary reason I started Karate and continues to be the thrust behind my constant learning. That is why I have developed A.R.T. (Adrenaline Response Training), a method of learning self defense in a true-to-life manner. You can read more about it on the A.R.T. page.
I currently teach Isshin Ryu Karate and self defense seminars, both at the dojo and in the community. I'm also taking lessons from Shihan Pantazi in the art of Kyusho Jitsu.
The various styles of martial arts I have also studied, either in seminar or classroom form, or on my own are;
· Wing Chun Kung Fu
· Small Circle Jiu-Jitsu
· Tai Sobake
· Jeet Kune Do
· Tai Chi
· Kyusho Jitsu (Pressure point fighting)
Isshin Ryu is my first love and I will continue to train in it as long as I can. I am an advocate of cross training and that is why I am currently training under Shihan Pantazi in the art of Kyusho Jitsu and hope to have my black belt in the near future. Kyusho Jitsu interests me because of its simplistic, but deadly approach to self-defense. The ability to stop an attacker with the least amount of effort and injury is a philosophy that I believe in and teach in my self-defense classes.
One thing I have learned over the years in the martial arts is that you will be amazed what you can achieve with honesty, courtesy, integrity, self-control, perseverance and indomitable spirit.
Sensei Bryan Winkelman