My main area of interest is Karate of the Shuri-te lineage, being a student of Shindo (formerly known as Shinseido Shorin Ryu). Currently I'm also dabbling in Ju-jitsu, Aikido and Tai-Chi - dabbling being the operative word!

I started training in Martial Arts as a child and have practiced for quite a long time on and off (more off than on unfortunately). My training began in Wado-ryu Karate at the age of 11 in my home town of Stockton-on-Tees - under the tutelage of Walter Seaton (then 4th Dan). This gave me an excellent introduction to Karate but I'm afraid the training proved to be just a bit too stoic for me at that tender age. I discontinued training for some time then started again as a teenager in Taekwondo under Mike Winship (then 1st Dan) and Dick Pallister (5th Dan). On going to university I dabbled in several arts but never found a club that suited me and so stopped training again. I also found a number of other 'interesting' pastimes at university which somewhat distracted me. This was the biggest break in my training record (those rickety knees playing up again) but during this time I did work as a security officer (I really don't like the term 'bouncer'!) for three years. This gave me invaluable experience and some insight into the true nature of violence. Most importantly it helped sharpen my ability to avoid violence through the use of diplomacy, common sense and body language.

It is only since 1995 that I have taken martial studies really seriously. Firstly under the instruction of Steve Costello (5th Dan if memory serves me right) of the Ryukyu Karate Jutsu Kai in Bolton, and then in Shindo Ryu with Roger Sheldon (6th Dan) in Sevenoaks, Kent. In the last few years I have also attended seminars and training sessions with (in no particular order) Rick Woodhams, Patrick McCarthy, Vince Morris, Rick Clark, Bruce Miller, Alan Platt and Zoltan Dienes; and would recommended anyone to train with these teachers if the opportunity arises.

In 1999 I was very pleased to be invited to join Rick Clark's Ao Denkou Kai organisation and, as a direct result of our research into Kyusho-Jutsu, to be awarded Researcher of the Year (jointly with Zoltan Dienes) by the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society.

I am a fully qualified practitioner of Shiatsu bodywork therapy, having studied at the Ki Kai Shiatsu Centre, London, and offer competitvely priced treatments in the West Yorkshire area. Please contact me or visit my Shiatsu website for further details.