Seattle Arnis Academy Chief Instructor
Master Jay - Has been
training & teaching since 1980. His martial arts training started at the age of
12. He has been a true student of the martial arts studying Shito-Ryu Karate,
Aikido, Judo, Kung Fu, Penjack Silat, Boxing, Tae-Sho Karate, Kajukenbo, &
Shizendo but his true passion has been with ITF style Taekwondo & the Filipino
Martial Arts of Modern Arnis, Kali & Eskrima. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt
in Taekwondo
under Taekwondo Master Steven W. Coates & Master Jack Pierce and has been
teaching & training for over 31 years, opening his first school in Auburn, WA
in 1986. His love of the Filipino Arts started when he met and trained with
Master Combat Arnis Instructor David Bird & Bill McCabe of the Northwest Arnis
Association. He continued his training under now deceased Grandmaster Remy
Presas founder of the Modern Arnis System
and furthered his weapons training under Dan Inosanto instructor, Denise Geroux.
Master Jay holds Black Belt instructorship levels in the the Filipino Martial
Arts of Arnis, Kali & Eskrima and had the number one stick fighting school in
western Washington between 1986-1989, taking championship titles in sparring,
forms & weapons competitions around Oregon, Washington & Canada.
He holds a 7th degree black belt in the FMA and although
versed in several different styles of Filipino Martial Arts prefers to teach
Arnis with a blend of the classical styles found within Kali & Escrima. He also holds
black belts in traditional Karate. Master Jay is also a master level nunchaku
expert and loves to crank some music and make those sticks fly! He has taught
law enforcement & self defense seminars for schools, colleges & the general
public. He has also worked as a lead undercover surveillance officer
apprehending
shoplifters and has learned on the the streets what works and what
does not. He is experienced in teaching children & adults of all ages and
makes the classes fun & exciting while keeping a realistic balance on knowing
what works, what is flash, what is sport and what is just plain common street
smarts. Master Jay believes a well rounded martial artist should be versed in
all areas of the martial arts; self defense, stretching, conditioning, kicking,
punching, blocking & dodging, ground defense, joint locks, sweeps & throws,
traditional & modern weaponry, breaking techniques, and mental conditioning.
Master Jay believes his most important responsibility as an Martial Art
instructor is to build strong, confident individuals with unwavering moral
character, for if they have the confidence & self esteem to face their fears and
believe in themselves than he believes that they can accomplish and overcome
anything that life throws their way. Master Jay continues to further his
martial arts training in the Korean & Filipino
Arts by working out and training
under Master Coates (VI Dan) of the Koryo Moo Sool Association (Taekwondo & Kuk
Sool Won) in West Seattle & Master Pierce (VIII Dan) at his Taekwondo Academy in
Lynnwood, Washington. He continues to attend various martial art
seminars year round and add to his knowledge base. He is currently training and
studying various styles of the Filipino & Chinese systems and continues to
advance his overall understanding of the martial arts. Master Jay is
married to his lovely wife Charito and has two beautiful children, Yvette 2
years old (in the top picture, 4 yrs in the bottom) and Cherie 21 years old.
Master Jay is an avid animal lover and has three wonderful dogs...Shadow, Rumper
& Humbee. You may
EMAIL
MASTER JAY by clicking here.
