Experienced tutor in Martial arts in Denver, Deacon offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

The instructors teach with heart and humor. They accept your physical and emotional limitations whilst pushing your edge, and come up with alternative excercises when injured. There is a deep sense of comradery amongst practitioners. We love to see each other grow in our practice. The classes focus on tactics and agency in a variety of situations, and give no illusions about the brutal nature of the violence it teaches.

As a survivor of sexual assault with PTSD, I have found that, while triggered in class occasionally, I have become less easily triggered outside of it. Since beginning my practice, I have found that I view my fears and experiences more pragmatically, and am less prone to anxiety attacks.

I am grateful for my experience in the dojo.

Dedicated Instructors that teach with humor and heart, who meet you where you are at physically and emotionally, yet still push your edge.

A simple list of reasons the Yokai Gumi school is a great place to train.

1) COMMUNITY
- I've had the privilege of training at many schools and with many instructors at this point in my martial arts experience, and few have had such a diverse cast of students and teachers alike. This school is also well connected with other schools, and other martial arts communities. It is a joy to meet new people with different perspectives who are interested in getting stronger with you.

2)VARIETY OF CLASS MATERIAL
- There is so much to learn with the Kurai Kotori Ryu system/Yokai Gumi school. For those looking for a challenge, or something not commonly offered, the classes explore a wide range of techniques. Including, but not limited to, acrobatic maneuvers, unarmed techniques, weapons training, and strategy. My favorite has been the sickle (Kama) training.

3)APPLICABLE LESSONS
-Many lessons have included analyses of modern day situations. Falling, escaping pursuers, and engaging with potential violent scenarios. Seeing how traditional techniques can apply to modern problems is satisfying.
-I've seen students ask questions about videos they have seen, techniques they are performing, or concerns they had with possible scenarios, and they have always had their questions answered with enthusiasm and understandable breakdowns.

4)AFFORDABILITY
-The Yokai Gumi school clearly values people, and providing a space for students to train a valuable skill set. They are willing to have conversations about payments, and don't have strict contracts.

Highly recommended school for those who are looking for a great community, challenging but equally rewarding classes, and a style of martial arts not commonly offered.

The group is welcoming and a good experience for people of different abilities and backgrounds.

In review of my time with Yokai Gumi, the attributes that I believe are the most noteworthy to a prospective student are the instructors and the facility. The following is my opinion according to my experience.

The instructors are committed to their craft (intellectually and physically) and demonstrate mastery in their teaching. They are patient, kind, and sensitive, yet have an innate sense of knowing when and how to push an individual to reach their greatest potential in that moment. In my experience as an inquisitive (and at times wary) student, they are always willing to answer all my questions and show techniques multiple times using various pedagogical modalities. They offer a learning environment that is equal parts physical, intellectual, and practical. Not only do you learn the techniques but you are given their historical context and practical applications for them as well.

Regarding the facilities, they are clean, welcoming, and spacious. The co-op environment provides a sense of community and offers opportunities to connect with other disciplines.

When considering Yokai Gumi, consider this review and associated 5/5 stars. To put it simply, they are wonderful.

Thanks to the time I've spent studying here I am far more confident, comfortably and competent in dealing with all forms of conflict, not just those involving physical violence or the threat thereof.

There is also a sense of community here that can only be found through sharing stress and pain, and knowing how the people you are closest to will respond when things get real is invaluable. The people I've trained with here are always the first people I'll call when I need emotional or tactical support.