Martial Arts

I have been taking Martial Arts since February of 1999, which puts my current martial arts experience at 11 years. I used to take Jiu-Juitsu, but could not afford the time on taking two arts at the same time. When I stopped taking Jui-Juitsu, I held a purple belt (not that it really matters in the end). The other martial art that I take is called To Ei Do, and is a one-of-a-kind class created by my instructor, Sensei Shawn Housler. I currently hold a 1rst degree Brown Belt and do a fair amount of teaching in class.

I enjoy taking classes and teaching, which is why I have yet to complete the requirements to obtain my Black Belt. In all honesty, getting a Black Belt is low on my list of goals in the class. It may be difficult to explain to all those people out there who think that they should get a Black Belt within the first three or so years of taking an art...but I take classes for reasons other than status. At any rate, I don't plan on ever stopping, as it has become a lifestyle for me. On top of that, I have a daughter and a son to start teaching when they become of age. My daughter is currently enrolled in Tae Kwon Do locally just to get her started on the discipline side of martial arts.

I would like to continue with Jui-Juitsu at some point, but since I injured my right knee, it has been difficult to do some of the advanced kicks in my current class, and ground fighting can cause my knee to pop out of place. Hopefully, I can get back to a fairly normal state again so that I can start doing a little more...even with my injury, as I said before, I don't ever plan on stopping.

For the short time I was in Arizona, I had the priviledge of taking Budo Taijitsu with the Bujinkan. Unfortunately, here in Indiana where I live, there are no nearby dojos.