Our Instructors
Yudansha
Yudansha (有段者) are the dojo's black belts — the instructors who lead every class. Our teaching staff has trained and ranked under only the highest masters in their respective fields, certified by both Okinawan and Japanese rank.
創
John Primeaux
Soke · FounderSan Yama Ryu BujutsuKudan · 9th Dan2026
Other Ranks & Certificates
- Nihon-ryu Aiki-jutsuGodan03/20/96
- Nihon-ryu Karate-doYodan03/20/95
- Traditional JudoYodan04/06/97
- Isshogai-Ryu Karate-doYodan07/22/19
- Hoshin Roshi TaijutsuNidan10/08/03
- Juko-ryu JujutsuShodan09/03/97
- Combat-kiMenkyo Okuden06/12/94
- Shinjo-ryu Iai-jutsu / Ken-jutsuMenkyo Joden04/13/95
- Dai-yoshin-ryu Aiki-joYonkyu02/28/96
- Dai-yoshin-ryu AikidoGokyu04/13/95
- Dai-yoshin-ryu BojutsuMenkyo Kyoshi10/11/97
- Hoshin Roshi TaijutsuKyoshi04/01/99
- Hoshin Roshi TaijutsuRenshi04/01/00
- Hoshin Roshi TaijutsuHanshi04/01/03
- Basic Combat Judo CertificationCert10/18/97
- Advanced Combat Judo CertificationCert01/18/98
- Dai-yoshin-ryu Jujutsu — Kneeling FormCert03/20/96
- Dai-yoshin-ryu Jujutsu — Standing FormCert02/28/96
- Okinawan YubiwazaCert04/06/97
- US Specialized Law Enforcement Knife DefensesCert04/08/94
- Shihan-Dai Appointment · La. Rep · US RepAppt—
代
Soke-Dai Chad Matt
Kyoshi Chad Matt · Heir to the SystemSan Yama Ryu BujutsuNanadan · 7th Dan2026
Other Ranks & Certificates
- Nihon-ryu Aiki-jutsuNidan03/20/96
- Traditional JudoNidan06/26/97
- Karate-doShodan01/15/95
- Nihon-ryu Karate-doShodan02/06/95
- Juko-ryu JujutsuShodan09/03/97
- Dai-yoshin-ryu Aiki-joYonkyu02/28/96
- Dai-yoshin-ryu AikidoGokyu04/13/95
- Dai-yoshin-ryu JujutsuGokyu04/13/95
- Combat-kiMenkyo Shihan06/26/96
- Dai-yoshin-ryu BojutsuMenkyo Kyoshi10/11/97
- Dai-yoshin-ryu HanbojutsuGokyu04/06/97
- Dai-yoshin-ryu NaginatajutsuMenkyo Okuden10/11/97
- Dai-yoshin-ryu YarijutsuMenkyo Okuden10/11/97
- Shinjo-ryu Iai-jutsu / Ken-jutsuMenkyo Joden04/13/95
- Hoshin Roshi TaijutsuWater Belt05/12/01
- Dai-yoshin-ryu Jujutsu — Kneeling FormCert03/20/96
- Dai-yoshin-ryu Jujutsu — Standing FormCert02/28/96
- Okinawan YubiwazaCert04/06/97
先
Eric Marsalis
SenseiSan Yama Ryu BujutsuShodan07/05/05
Other Ranks & Certificates
- Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū IaidoShodan08/20/07
Sensei Eric has been teaching Goshin Taijutsu in Japan since 2009.