Kitsap Martial Arts

Brian Church first trained in Budo Taijutsu in 1997 as a student at Western Michigan University, and in 2017 he opened Kitsap Martial Arts in Poulsbo to teach Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, which the dojo describes as classical Japanese jujutsu. The full curriculum covers rolls and breakfalls, striking, joint manipulation, throws and takedowns, and classical Japanese weaponry, and the dojo says its training methods draw on nine martial traditions. Training rests on three pillars the dojo names: awareness and mindfulness, mobility and strength, and calm confidence. Internal competition comes in now and then as a way to test skills. Kids (ages 5 to 9) and juniors (ages 10 to 14) train in separate classes.

An adult class typically runs 60 minutes. It opens with light cardio and stretching, moves to ukemi (falls and rolls) and fundamentals such as strikes, kicks, blocks and footwork, then to partner drills like escaping grabs or responding to strikes, and closes with a short cool-down and a few moments of reflection. Sword or staff work comes in from time to time, and a separate Adult Budo Weapons class meets early on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Adult Budo itself meets Monday through Thursday evenings, with a second class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and one around midday on Saturday. Brian says he keeps classes light and uses humor often while holding a high expectation for focus.

Enrollment is open year-round, so a new student can start at any time. The dojo calls itself “ego-free,” for people new to martial arts or coming back after a break. The two-week free trial puts newcomers in regular classes, where they meet the instructors. Shodan, the first black belt, is reached in the adult class, and a student has to be at least 16 to take part in a black belt evaluation.

The dojo also runs a self-defense program open to all experience levels, built on situational awareness, simple techniques for striking, escaping and creating space, and verbal de-escalation, and it holds self-defense workshops. Coach Melanie Stroud teaches a separate fitness kickboxing class: bag work, with no sparring.