I wanted to take the time to introduce myself as the head instructor of E.D.G.E. Martial arts and explain our background and Mission. The E.D.G.E. Martial Arts program teaches its Okami Ryu-do Bu-Jitsu. Okami Ryu-do Bu-Jitsu is a mixed martial art in the sense that the goal is to attain a balance in multiple ranges of martial arts. I have studied martial arts for over nine years under the Sensei David Barker 6th Degree Black Belt and Sensei Jeff Bahram 3rd Degree Black Belt. My personal journey in the martial arts has lead me to study several styles, and it is my hope to pass on my knowledge in the areas.
My personal goal for all of my students is to give the confidence and the skills to be successful in stressful situations. This does not mean that students should engage in fighting. It is my sincerest hope that students of my program will learn the communication skills, humility, and self-confidence to avoid physical violence. I think it is very important to teach children to have the confidence to deal with bullying as well as the confidence not to become a bully. If and when confrontations escalate to physical violence I want children to have the skills to protect themselves.
My goal for the E.D.G.E. martial arts program is to provide the most affordable martial arts program in the tri-state area. I would go as far as challenging anyone to find a more affordable martial arts program. I do not fault any martial artist for making a profit with their skills, all of the instructors I have met in this area are very respectable members of the community and the reality is it cost money to operate a school. Most instructors in the area are either retired or work a full-time job to be able to be able to run a dojo. While I am not a wealthy man, I am blessed to have a career that I do not need to profit from teaching. I want all of the martial arts schools in the area to do well because we have similar goals, and it allows our students to compete against one another. We are more affordable because all of the instructors and coaches at SVT, East Coast Boxing/MMA and E.D.G.E. are vigilant at making training affordable. I have continuously growing inventory of sparring gear, so parents do not have to buy their own. We now have the ability to attain Gi's and martial arts equipment at discounted and reduced rates. Ordering your equipment through the school is often the most affordable option, and it helps the school.
Lastly, What is the E.D.G.E. program? E.D.G.E. stands for Education, Development, Growth, and Excellence. What does that mean to us at this school?
Educate- means to learn the life skills and the concepts associated with life skills, self-defense, and non-violent conflict resolution.
Develop- means that you work hard to develop areas of yourself that you are the weakest. This includes the mental, physical and the spiritual.
Growth- means to grow as a person and become mature as an individual. To be humble but confident without arrogance. A realization that no matter what point you are at you are still capable of growing.
Excellence- means that once you understand these skills, you develop an ever-increasing proficiency in applying them. You learn to focus on self-improvement in all areas of life.
Thank you for allowing me to facilitate you or your child's journey into the martial arts.
