Saturday Knife Fighting Class
In this special Knife Fighting class students learn how to use a knife as a weapon to defend themselves. The best way to learn how to defend yourself from a knife attack is to know how to use a knife. This class gives insight into how your opponent will attack and how to best defend yourself by blending ancient technique, old world wisdom, and contemporary thought in a knife fighting system that works in modern society.
This style of Knife Fighting takes from the sword angles used in Aikido, Iaido and several kenjutsu arts, as well as techniques from Aikido, Kenpo, Ninjutsu, Arnis, and Hwa Rang Do. The techniques taught are not only meant for use with any size knife, but are even applicable to just about any melee weapon no matter if it is a sword, stick, pen or even a table leg! The class is for students 18 and over.
The students are taken back to ancient Japan where every action has meaning and consequence. We polish ancient bladed combat techniques steeped in Shinto and Zen philosophy to center your mind and balance your spirit. Here we do more than just a movement or the practicing of a physical skill, it is the training of the complete warrior, the master of body, spirit, and blade.
Cody Lewallen Sensei
Cody Lewallen has been a student of martial arts for over 25 years, more than a decade of that time in Japan. As a teenager he studied many styles including Kenpo Kung Fu, Jujutsu, Ninpo, Karate, Iaido and Kenjutsu. He researched extensively trying to find a martial art that was personally fulfilling. Aikido became his passion which led to moving to Japan right after graduating from college. Cody moved to Japan to study Aikido, Sword, Stick and knife fighting before his degree was mailed to him.
Lewallen Sensei earned his black belt in Aikido at the Aikido Tenshin Dojo, the school founded by action star Steven Seagal. He stayed in Japan, a loyal student of his teacher Fujitani Shihan for over 11 years. In fact, because he learned to speak Japanese during his lengthy stay in Japan, he not only studied Aikido and weaponry from Fujitani Shihan, but she also became his mentor and spiritual teacher. Because of his intensive study in Osaka at the Tenshin Dojo, and his continued practice, 19 years later Lewallen Sensei was awarded a 5th degree black belt in Aikido. There are thousands of “5th degree black belts” in other martial arts out there, but at the Tenshin Dojo, keeping to the tradition and the full meaning of that rank, Cody Lewallen is only one of a hand full of students to reach that rank from the Tenshin Dojo.
Come in during class time to watch or partake in a class. Knife Fighting is from 10:45 to 11:45 am on Saturdays.
The address is 5556 E. Speedway blvd. Tucson, Arizona
The Shoubu Dojo and TucsonKnifeFighting.com is located at Speedway and Craycroft between the restaurants Takamatsu and La Parrilla Suiza.