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... are dedicated to teaching anyone willing to learn, regardless of physical
strength or limitation. We can modify techniques to your ability and have taught students ranging from age 3 to 75 in
every shape, size and condition. And be assured that if you are a 25 year old body builder in excellent physical condition,
you will be challenged to reach your full potential as a martial artist as well, through
hard work and a lot of sweat!
Shihan
John Newton
...began training in Kodokan Judo at the age of 6 under the
instruction of his older brother, George, a 3rd degree black belt and international judo world champion.
As a teen, John moved away from his brother and, not finding a local judo program, began training in Shorin Ryu Karate.
By the age of 19 he earned black belts in Shorin Ryu karate and Wado Ryu karate, as well as Judo. Ranger training
in the U.S. Army exposed Sensei Newton to combat jujutsu and aikijujutsu. In his words, "the light came
on". He found that true Japanese Jujutsu and Aikijujutsu systems blended both the throws of judo and the
striking/kicking of karate into a tremendously efficient combat system. Until then, he had been only
learning the "sport applications" of the true martial art combat systems. The samurai systems of these
arts date back almost 1,000 years, and have been honed to be effective against all types of attacks.
During the past 25 years, Sensei Newton has earned black belts and teaching credentials in numerous other Japanese
arts including: Kempojutsu, Toide, Aikido, Aikijujutsu, Jujutsu, Iajutsu/Kenjutsu (the samarai sword) and
Combat Ki. He currently holds a 7th degree black belt in Juko Ryu Jujutsu and a 5th degree black belt in Dai
Yoshin Ryu Aikijujutsu. He is recognized in Japan as a "Shihan" or Master Level Instructor with more than 40 years of combined martial arts training. Perhaps
you have seen him on Univision, The Learning Channel or The Discovery Channel in feature shows like "The Ultimate
10 Martial Arts". Sensei Newton is convinced that good martial arts training is life changing.
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Sensei Cheryll
...first discovered a love for martial arts in 1981 when she enrolled her younger sister in a Tai Kwon Do class and began
training with her. She tried various styles throughout the years and then in 1998, after spending several years rehabilitating
from a back injury, Cheryll started training in Aikijujutsu with Sensei John Newton at Pro Health & Fitness Center.
In 2002, she tested with four other black belt candidates for Shodan (first degree black belt) and became one of the first
black belts and to date, the only female, awarded in the Pro Health Program. Having now trained in Aikijujutsu and Jujutsu
for over 10 years, she holds a Sandan or 3rd degree black belt rank. During the past seven years, Sensei Cheryll
has been active instructing children and adults and now teaches adult Aikijujutsu at Pro Health and Fitness Center in Melbourne
and the beginning Kids Aikijujutsu and Women Only classes at Harbor City Dojo. She has traveled
to over 30 national martial arts clinics and has had the opportunity to train with some of the top national and international
martial arts instructors. She feels it is very rewarding to teach both children and adults and finds them equally challenging.
Sensei Cheryll states, "Every student is unique and each one has strengths and weaknesses. I see martial arts training,
both for myself and in teaching others, as an opportunity to acknowledge and address what needs work and to recognize what
works well for you. Of course there is a lot of physical work but often it's a change in attitude or perspective that
is needed. You'll learn patience, self-respect, respect for others and to push yourself when it would be easier to give
up. It is very empowering when you clearly see the results and benefits of your hard work and dedication. Learning to apply
these lessons in daily life and teaching others to do so is the greatest reward."
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Sensei
Jim Hannan
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... began his martial arts training in Tai Kwon Do in 1981 while enlisted in the US Navy. After leaving the service,
he began training in Goshin-Ryu Jujitsu in 1986 while living in the Bahamas and received his Shodan (1st degree black belt)
in 1993. In 1995 he began training in Aikido at Melbourne Aikikai and later met Sensei Newton when he enrolled his children
in one of Newton's Aikijujutsu classes. Hannan says he had been looking high and low for a good, solid martial arts
program for his kids. It was in Newton's class that he found something similar to his own jujitsu training.
Within a few months, Sensei Newton was able to coax Hannan onto the mats as an assistant instructor and then as a student
to cross-rank in our system of Aikijujutsu. In 2005, Sensei Hannan added his own Adult Aikijujutsu/Jujutsu
class to the beach-side dojo program and as head instructor, has made it a great success.
When asked about
why he teaches, Sensei Jim replied, "Teaching is not an easy thing. Basically, students are requesting that you
teach them how to walk, move, see, think and act differently. For me, this takes loads of patience but the pay off is
when your students, through training, become Martial Artists. This is very satisfying
for me."
Sensei Hannan holds the rank of Sandan (3rd degree black belt) and has a great reputation with his
students and fellow instructors. Sensei Newton admires Hannan's ability to keep classes moving at a challenging
pace and yet still develop sound skills within his students. Hannan is an avid surfer, an accomplished artist (JimHannanArt.com) and devoted family man. He lives with his wife and three children in Indian Harbour Beach.
| Deep Blue |
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| Painting by Sensei Hannan |
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