Welcome to our dojo.
The "Dojo" (place where one learns 'the way' = School) is open to any person interested in realistic self-defense training . We practice Nihon Goshinjutsu Aikido, a modern Japanese form of Budo ( Martial Ways ) derived from the martial arts: Nihon Goshin Aikido & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Jerry R. Phelps - Sensei is the head instructor at the dojo. He is an energetic and loving teacher. He also trains WITH his students. He does not just stand up and teach then sit back. He loves to feel how his students are doing, so he can help them. By being an active participant, he is better able to understand their progress and has the fun of training too.
A powerful throw called "Spin Around" drops
Phelps - Sensei's partner straight back to the ground.
Jerry R. Phelps - Sensei is an accomplished martial artist in several styles of Budo, including ISSHIN RYU KARATE, BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU and NIHON GOSHIN AIKIDO.
Mr. Phelps has been dedicated to the study of Budo (Warrior's ways ) for well over 20 years. He has devoted his life to training and teaching. Because of this his students consistently meet the highest standards of the martial arts world.
 Jerry Phelps - Sensei's outstanding skill and dedication have earned him the respect of his peers in the Western New York martial arts community and around the country, as well as among NY State law enforcement agencies, with whom he has generously donated his time for training clinics and seminars.
 Training at the Aikido School of Self-Defense presents a unique opportunity for a student in the martial arts world. Mr. Phelps feels that to be a well-rounded martial artist, one must possess complete skills in multiple areas of combat:
First and foremost:
Where one must remain mobile, and on both feet:
In one-on-one, multiple attacker, or weapons defensive situations. This is where the Nihon Goshin Aikido techniques excel when compared to other martial art systems.

Second:
If the self-defense situation goes to the ground (statistically many do). This is where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been proven to be the most effective ground fighting system in the world today.

 Coupled with an arsenal of striking, kicking and pressure point manipulation techniques from Karate, the complete system of training at the AIKIDO SCHOOL OF SELF-DEFENSE is second to none.
The system is called NIHON GOSHINJUTSU AIKIDO.

Phelps - Sensei founded the art in 2003 after realizing that there were shortcomings in the individual components of his previous training. He understood, however that the best parts would integrate well into a more evolved and complete system designed for the serious martial arts student.
As founder and chief instructor of the NGJA, Mr. Phelps wanted to create an association free from politics and the restrictions found in so many other organizations. He wanted students and instructors to work together for a better training experience. With consistent practice students who train in Nihon Goshinjutsu Aikido will develop a perfect blend of self-defense skills, while getting great exercise and having fun with their fellow students. It is a wonderful program.

 Please feel free to call or E-Mail Jerry Phelps - Sensei for more information on the Aikido School of Self-Defense, and the dojo programs, or stop in to visit and watch a few classes.
Already a member in a dojo that you like? Why not host a SEMINAR with
Phelps - Sensei? Nihon Goshinjutsu Aikido can compliment any martial art.
Phelps - Sensei has just "blended" out of the way of a hard "roundhouse" punch. He now controls his "uke" ( partner ) with a powerful shoulder lock called Pivot Take Down. As he rotates his Uke's arm towards the floor, the uke must flip down to the mat. He will be okay though. he knows his "Ukemi" skills, and everyone in the dojo trains carefully so to not cause injuries. After a few months of training, students develop great control, to avoid most risks of injury to their partners.
Students in the dojo learn how to take "Ukemi" which is the art of safe falling and rolling. Basic ukemi skills are possibly the most effective form of self-defense that a student can learn. Statistically, it is 10 times more likely that the average American will get seriuosly injured or killed in a simple FALL than by an attack or assault!

Students who practice Ukemi eventually learn to do it instictively.

It may seem daunting at first but after a few weeks it becomes a lot of fun and allows you to help your partner learn to do their techniques more effectively. By taking a fall or roll for your partner he or she can manipulate your body in a fashion that would cause injury to an assailant "on the street." For you it is just another fall or roll. That is the beauty of being an "Uke" (partner). You get the chance to help your fellow students, then they will provide attacks and take ukemi for you so that you can learn. Give and take. Partnership not competition! That is part of Aikido.
About the PATCHES we wear: We wear patches as a representation of who we are as martial artists and what we stand for as human beings. For instance, the right chest patch, (Middle Left) represents AIKIDO. The technique being executed is called a "Pivot Take Down," which is one of the most effective as well as recognizable techniques in the aikido arsenal ("Shiho Nage").
At the top of the patch, you see the words Honor and Respect. The word honor, as defined in the Random House American Dictionary, means to have high ethical character, which is a quality I believe I have and do my best to instill in all of my students. Respect is another quality that is crucial in martial arts training. Respect of one's self, respect for your Sensei and the dojo ( school ) and respect for your fellow students as well as your fellow human beings. This quality will not only make you a better martial artist, it will make you a better person. The left chest patch (Bottom Left) represents Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The technique being executed is called a "Triangle Choke", which is one of the most effective and recognizable techniques in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu arsenal.
At the top of the patch, you see the words Discipline and Loyalty. Self-Discipline is a quality that is crucial to martial arts training, it takes a disciplined individual to show up to class on a consistent basis, and even more to succeed in today's society. Loyalty is the commitment to someone or something that is deserving, such as your Sensei (teacher), you dojo (school), and your fellow students. Last but certainly not least is the loyalty you must have to the martial you have chosen to study. For without loyalty, you will most likely drift from one art to another and in the end accomplish nothing.
The third patch is our association patch. (Top Left) It is placed on the right shoulder. At the top of the patch, you see NIHON GOSHINJUTSU, which means Japanese art of self defense. At the bottom of the patch you see the word AIKIDO. The art we study in this association is NIHON GOSHINJUTSU AIKIDO (Japanese art of self-defense aikido). The kanji on the left is Goshinjutsu, the kanji on the right is Aikido, the sword or "katana" in the middle represents our Indomitable Spirit. In ancient Japan, the katana was the Samurai's most prized possession. It was the sole of the Samurai warrior.
All of these qualities; honor, respect, discipline and loyalty are qualities that we all should try to integrate into our personalities. For the will dramatically increase the quality of your training, as well as your life.
Jerry R. Phelps, Sensei
Founder of NIHON GOSHINJUTSU AIKIDO ASSOCIATION
Thank you for visiting our new site.

We look forward to meeting you in person and hope that you will want to train with us.
HISTORY OF NIHON GOSHINJUTSU AIKIDO
Nihon Goshinjutsu Aikido's soukensha (founder) Jerry R. Phelps - Sensei began his martial arts training at age 14 in the art of Isshin Ryu Karate, which he studied diligently for five and a half years under the instruction of John Overton - Shihan (professor or great teacher) at World Fighting Arts in Buffalo, NY. Phelps - Sensei enjoyed his training and had great respect for the art, yet he felt that something was missing from his training. He did not know what was lacking, but he knew he had to look elsewhere to resolve the shortcomings to his training.
Phelps - Sensei started his training in the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido on Feb. 15th , 1991 under the instruction of Robert B. MacEwen Jr. - Sensei at the Aikido School of Self Defense in Middletown, NY. Phelps - Sensei was amazed, and knew he had found what had been missing from his previous training; the control that NGA provides over an opponent. NGA was just not blocking and counter striking with hopes of hurting an attacker, It was joint locking, throwing and submission hold techniques, as well as striking and modern weapon disarming techniques. Phelps - Sensei loved his new found art. He devoted his life to training and perfecting the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido. After four years of training five days per week, MacEwen - Sensei awarded Mr. Phelps his Sho-dan ( first degree black belt) in January 1995. Shortly thereafter Phelps - Sensei quit his job as a New York State Corrections Officer, and moved to Buffalo, NY to open his first dojo (school). Classes began on February 15th, 1995. Phelps - Sensei taught as well as trained for years, regularly attending black belt classes in Middletown, NY under Robert MacEwen Jr. - Sensei. On November 10th 1998, MacEwen - Sensei promoted Phelps Sensei to Ni-dan ( second degree black belt).

Jerry Phelps - Sensei loved Nihon Goshin Aikido, but as his skills began to truly blossom he again began to feel that something was missing in his training, but this time he knew what it was. It was grappling: the ability to defend oneself if taken to the ground. Phelps - Sensei considered this to be a weakness in his arsenal of self-defense skills. He knew that this had to be corrected. Knowing that the most renowned grapplers in the world were the Gracies, and their art; Gracie Jiu-Jitsu had become the most well known grappling system, Mr. Phelps wanted only to train with the Gracie family of instructors themselves. However, since the school was in Torrance, California Phelps - Sensei made the decision, in 1999, to start in a long distance learning program, under the instruction of Rorion Gracie. After about five years of training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Phelps - Sensei had become extremely proficient in the art. Over the years, he was continually challenged. The challenges came from wrestlers, judo practitioners and jiu-jitsu practitioners from other styles of jiu-jitsu, none were successful, Phelps - Sensei never lost a match. Phelps - Sensei was finally comfortable that his arsenal of self-defense skills was becoming complete.

On November 23rd, 2003, Robert MacEwen Jr. - Sensei promoted Mr. Phelps - Sensei to San-dan (third degree black belt) in Nihon Goshin Aikido, a six dan system. Shortly after his advancement he created a new path for generations of martial artists to follow: Nihon Goshinjutsu Aikido.

Jerry R. Phelps - Sensei founded the system after more than 22 years of training in the martial arts. He had come to the conclusion that no one of the three different martial arts that he had studied was complete unto itself. He took what he felt were the best striking and Karate techniques from Isshin Ryu Karate and combined them with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Nihon Goshin Aikido techniques to form what may be THE most effective and well rounded martial art in existence. Nihon Goshinjutsu Aikido incorporates all of the most effective principles of the above arts plus the most practical and safe modern weapon disarming techniques, for hand gun, long gun (rifle or shotgun) knife, club, or blunt objects.

Jerry R. Phelps - Sensei is highly respected and sought after as an instructor in the martial arts community, from coast to coast. His outstanding skills and dedication to the pursuit of perfection and truth in martial arts is what drove him to create this new and highly effective style of Aikido. Drop him a note or call for more information, or simply stop in to watch a class. Our doors are always open to new and friendly faces. Thank you.
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