Senior Instructor (Sensei) Gordon Green has studied Master Steven Seagal's personal brand of Aikido for over 30 years, and received his black belts under Seagal and local St. Louis legend Elliot Freeman. Sensei Green is a former middleweight boxer and Army Ranger. He has trained under many styles and varieties of martial art, but Aikido is his first love. In more than three decades of practice, his technique boasts a practicality and flavor that is unique to his school and students.

Conway Wong began studying Shuri-Ryu Karate-Do in 1987 with Grandmaster Robert Trias. After the untimely death of Grandmaster Trias, Mr. Wong went to study with Sensei Milt Calander of Chandler, Arizona. Mr. Wong continues his student-teacher relationship with Master Calander to the present day. Beginning in 2004, Mr. Wong studied Tenshin Aikido for 9 years with Sensei Elliot Freeman. Mr. Wong also studies Okinawan Kobudo and the White Crane Fist Style with Grandmaster Robert Bowles. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Shuri-Ryu Karate-Do; a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tenshin Aikido; and was awarded a Renshi (expert instructor) title in 2022.

Join our honored and revered guest, Master Chuck Cadell, as he teaches the fundamentals and applications of Filipino stick fighting. Bring two escrima sticks. Limited sticks available. Sticks will also be available to purchase for $20 per pair.

Segal Sensei began training in karate in 1985 and soon became interested in learning about the origins of the art. While majoring in East Asian Studies, he studied at Sophia University in 1992, where he was introduced to Aikido and trained at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. He returned to Japan each of the following years as a student of Seiseki Abe Sensei.

Guro "Stick," as he is known to his students, started training in Serrada Escrima at the age of 13. For 28 years, he pursued mastery, teaching as many people along the way as he could. After the passing of his original teacher, Sifu Shannon Walsh, he tracked down his teacher's teacher, Master Charles "Chuck" Cadell III. Master Chuck Cadell is the last master certified by the Grandmaster Angel Cabales. Guro Stick is certified by Master Chuck Cadell in Tanikala de Serrada Eskrima, and continues under his instruction to this day.

John Launius is the Founder of Fragrant Journeys, LLC, an experiential company offering enlightening experiences through pure fragrance following traditional practices. He has studied world incense traditions for forty years, traveling internationally to lecture and share "The Way of Fragrance." Launius is also the President of Vidzu Media, COO of Geniecast, and the Executive Sponsor of Bloom. As a senior executive, business development leader, certified trainer, instructional designer, radio/podcast and television host, and author, John has produced effective teams and operations across government, education, technology, and media sectors during his career.

​You've seen Zorro do it, and Robin Hood, and even Jack Sparrow. Try out fencing for yourself when St. Louis Fencers Club President and Chief Instructor Patrick Dorsey shares his "Five Points to Fencing" and introduces the basics of fencing and the Western sword.

Iaido is a spiritual practice designed by samurai to maintain their sword skills during times of peace. The aim of iaido is to hone, and polish the internal spirit and draw the consciousness to the present. Musō Shinden Iaido combines several schools into a catalogue of stand, and kneeling katas as well as practice drills.

Ross Whalen is the founder of Tozai- STL and hold the rank of Yo Dan, certified under Art McConnell, the founder of Tozai Iai Kai on Long Island, NY. Ross has 15 years of Iaido experience as well as modest ranks in empty hand arts such as Tang Soo Do, and Bujinkan Taijutsu. Tozai- STL holds a free class every Tuesday at the Messiah Community Center from 5:00-6:30pm.

Grand Master Jim Greenwood holds six black belts in various martial arts. He began his work with his father at an early age and went on to train with and be recognized by world class martial arts legends across a variety of arts. He is also an accredited member of TOKA (the Traditional Okinawan Karate Association).

Instructor Orlando Brown is a martial artist, Navy veteran, and all-around badass. More info soon on this amazing instructor!

Sensei Ron Boyd is the founder of Ronin Bushido Aikido, a dojo established in Richmond, Kentucky in 1979. He trained under Sensei Richard Rood, who himself studied under O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. Boyd’s approach blends traditional Aikido principles with practical self-defense techniques. Sensei Boyd’s martial experience is long and varied. He is a ranking student and teacher of ShaoLin, Tai Chi Arnis and Shiatsu. Sensei Boyd has actively taught Aikido across the globe for the better part of fifty years. Boyd has led classes in twenty-three states, Malta, Africa, India ,Taiwan, Austria, El Salvador, Mexico and Israel. He has promoted nearly two hundred students to the rank of black belt. Sensei Ron Boyd has been recognized for his contributions to martial arts through his induction into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2006.

Sensei Russ Little has earned a 5th Dan in Kodokan Judo, a 4th Dan in Traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu, and a 1st Dan in Tenshin Aikido. After training briefly as a teenager in Karate, Sensei Russ began his Judo career in 1982, as a freshman, while attending Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State) in Kirksville Missouri. The following year he began his training in earnest under Sensei Bonnie Korte in Ferguson Missouri, who was at the time the highest ranking US woman, and later under Sensei Tom Kuhne, a long time international competitor, and the Chief Instructor of the Kirkwood Judo Club. Sensei Russ received his 1st Degree Black Belt in 1992, at an international training camp in Colorado Springs at the prestigious NJI headquarters of the USJA. He had tested for and passed his Ikkyu (1st Degree Brown Belt) test earlier that day, but at the end of the Randori session that night it was announced by O’ Sensei Phil Porter (9th Dan) that his skill on the mat had warranted elevation of his rank to Shodan. Porter Sensei announced that After consultation with Eddie Liddie, Olympian, and US Olympic Coach that “Earlier in the week a student was tested for and received his Ikkyu, but nobody comes into this place, and throws two national champions, and leaves here less than a Shodan.” It was at that time that Sensei Russ realized that it was him that Porter Sensei was referring to. Twelve years later as a 4th Dan Sensei Russ, was granted the role of Chief Instructor of the Kirkwood Judo Club a post that he has now served for nearly two decades. His competitive career includes 10+ Missouri State Championships, 10+ US Ladder Tournament Medals, Dozens of US National Wins, plus training trips and training camps, in Ghana, England, France, and Russia. The highlight of his Competitive Career was his 2009 Silver Medal in the World Masters Competition in Atlanta, where his only loss of the day was against Olympian Damon Keeve, to whom he lost by decision.

A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, has dedicated his life to the mastery and teaching of martial arts, combat tactics, and self-defense. Beginning his martial arts journey at the age of 14, Josh quickly developed a passion for various disciplines, earning black belts in Shodokan, Kempo, and Krav Maga. 

With over 20 years of teaching experience, his unique system of instruction focuses on practical, real-world applications of martial arts techniques, designed to work in high-pressure scenarios. Josh’s background is deeply rooted in service. 

He spent 16 years in the U.S. Army and Navy, where he became an Airborne Air Assault Army Ranger. 
With a career spanning decades in both military and civilian sectors, Master Sardam is known for his hands-on, practical approach to martial arts, ensuring his students are not only skilled but confident in their ability to protect themselves and others when it matters most.

Sifu (Teacher/Master) Wayne Judge has been studying Martial Arts since he was 13 and Teaching Traditional Southern Shaolin Hung Kuen in the St. Louis and surrounding area since 1999 with the "Forest Park Kung Fu club" which became "Iron Dragon Hung Kuen" in 2004. He has been the Official representative of his Master, Grandmaster Chiu Chi Ling, in the StL area since 2005 when he earned his Master ranking under him. Sifu Judge and his students have performed Futsan Lion Dance throughout the Midwest for over 20 years.

Nick Nelson, Shidoshi has been studying Budo Taijutsu since 2006 and currently holds the rank of Rokudan (6th Degree). In 2018 he began training under Patrick Lee, Dai Shihan and received Shidoshi (teacher certification) at the Bujinkan Hanbu in Japan after passing the Sakki test given by Toshiro Nagato, Dai Shihan & Shinden Fudo Ryu Soke. Nick is also a Kendo practitioner as well as certified firearms instructor. He is the Dojo-Cho (Chief Instructor) of the Akeru Bujinkan Dojo in St Louis, Missouri.