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When are the classes and what ages are taught?What styles do we teach? What is the cost?
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| "People become a student of Sensei Hurtsellers because deep inside they know there is something more to Martial Arts than simply physical skills. They want to know the physical side, but they also know that behind it all is a mental component - this idea that a person can change an outcome by changing the way they think - this is what makes his teaching so special. When you are trained by him [Sensei Hurtsellers] you will quickly realize he is using the techniques in martial arts as a catalyst to effect your mental capacity. There are a lot of people that can teach you how to fight; but there are very who can help you create a better life!" |
Sensei Joseph Hurtsellers' story is a dramatic and powerful one. Starting life in a broken home he found himself shuffled from city to city and surrounded by poverty. He was small as a child, and due to his low self-esteem, often became both a verbal and physical victim of bullies.
At the age of fourteen he began to study Martial Arts purely as a way to defend himself. Not only was he able to stop the bullying, but soon he discovered unanticipated benefits, such as an increase in confidence, concentration, and an improved physical appearance. Most unexpected of all, his previously failing school grades dramatically turned around, placing him as an honor roll student. Sensei Hurtsellers' life is truly a reflection of the benefits of the Martial Arts.
By 1982 Sensei Hurtsellers began teaching Martial Arts as his one and only full time profession under the direct guidance and supervision of Hanchi Robert Bowles (Style head of the Shuri-Ryu Karate style). By the fall of 1982 not only was directing a dojo full time for Hanchi Bowles, but was also the on campus Martial Arts teacher for IUPUI university - The Fort Wayne campus of Indiana and Purdue Universities (known as IPFW at that time). For over thirty years Sensei Hurtsellers has been teaching Martial Arts as his one and only full time profession.
In 1988 Sensei Hurtsellers moved to the Toledo and opened his first dojo.
Sensei Hurtsellers' rise in the Martial Arts world has been dramatic to say the least. Among his accomplishments are:
Two time Indiana State Champion
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Two time USKA National forms champion
Winner of USKA World championships Middleweight division in 1985
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Chosen to represent the USA on the first ever full contact armored fighting team to compete against the Japanese in Tokyo, Japan and solidly defeated his opponent in 1986. (The U.S. team was coached and led directly by Grand Master Robert A. Trias – now deceased, who was the founder of Karate in the U.S. as well as creator of the Shuri-Ryu Karate system)
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Represented the USKK on their goodwill tour of Ireland in 1995.
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He was appointed to the prestigious advisory board of EFC “International Martial Arts Association” In June of 2001.
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He appeared on the cover of the January 2004 “Eagle Express” International Martial Arts trade magazine and wrote the feature article of the issue.
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Included in the Arts he has studied are: Okinawan Shuri-Ryu, under the direct supervision of former Chief Instructor and present day style head Hanchi Robert Bowles, as well as Grand Master R.A. Trias – now deceased, (founder of Karate in the U.S. and creator of the Shuri-Ryu Karate system). Additionally Mr. Hurtsellers also practiced under Hanchi Phillip W. Koeppel, founder and director of the USKK. Today Mr. Hurtsellers studies Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, - through his friendship and the kindness of Henzo Gracie Black Belt Professor Gene Dunn, and also studies an eclectic form of Shoalin Kung Fu through Sifu Robert Brown, who is regarded by many the leading expert in the understanding of the internal aspects of Martial Arts living in the United States today.
- While there are a countless number of individuals who had influence on Sensei Hurtsellers training he wanted to mention two names in particular who helped him grow up in a dojo, and who he holds in the highest esteem to this day. First Steve Perry - probably the most gifted Karate practitioner to ever come from Indiana and the person in Karate Sensei most admired growing up. Also, Randy Morrison - who actually taught Sensei's first ever Karate lesson, and Sensei remembers as one of the toughest individuals and hardest trainers he has ever known. Sensei candidly says; "While my Karate never reached the level of theirs - they were always the target - when I was a teenager all I ever wanted to be was as good as they were."
Each of these unique individuals has had, and continues to have a profound impact on Sensei Hurtsellers life, and his martial practice, and truly his dojo would not be what it is today without any one of these great Master Teachers.
His unique style of teaching helps his students to become masters of their own minds. Through meditation and mindful practice, he helps his students to be become masters of their actions rather than prisoners of their reactions. He believes that physical training alone is not enough. In order to gain the most, one must strengthen the body and mind.
Today Sensei Hurtsellers co-directs the Martial Arts Center of Maumee and the Martial Arts Center of Toledo. You will see him on the mats every night both teaching and training. You will also see him smiling; because in his own words: "I'm doing exactly what I love, the way I love it!"
Sensei Hurtsellers has taught seminars and spoken at various events throughout the country. He is known in the Martial Arts community as a dynamic motivational speaker – encouraging his audience to live the lives of their dreams by applying ancient principals to modern life. Listen to live talk with Sensei Hurtsellers.
Additionally Sensei Hutsellers also hosts a free weekly inspirational show called "mindpower". "mindpower" is based on much of the self-development work he has done in his personal life. To listen or subscribe click here.
"As far as I know this is the only video showing me fighting in my old Karate days. I had won my division and this was my third match in the finals. I'm fighting Johnny Linebarger who arguably was the best in the world at the time (he was the defending three time world champion). I did score two clean head kicks in the match that did not make the final cut of this video; however Sensei Linebarger went on to win the match in a terrific come from behind victory. It just goes to show you that champions always find a way to win, and to this day I have the deepest respect for this all time Karate great."
- Sensei Hurtsellers
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