Professor Yiannakis founded Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu, a traditionally-based Japanese combat art, at the University of Connecticut in 1982. Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu is a holistic, comprehensive system of unarmed combat and self defense, and due to its battlefield origins may be described as the original integrated "mixed" martial art. The system has a basis, in form and philosophy, in Koryu Bujutsu (classical martial arts), but as an evolved system it may be best described as a modern martial art that adheres strictly to its classical moorings. Unlike most Classical or Traditional Systems in which free sparring plays a minimal role, Wa Shin Ryu stresses the development of effective combative skills by training students in live sparring situations (randori) in distance, close quarter and on the ground. Such forms of training develop sustained focused concentration, superior coordination and timing, fast reactions, and create for students a high degree of realism that set routines and repetition training alone (a central feature of most classical systems) cannot provide. However, the purpose of such intensive training is not to make students violent. The goal is to empower them so that they may walk away with confidence, if that is deemed the appropriate response at the time.

In developing the system the Founder integrated the traditions of the old, with the best of the new, to form a budo system that serves:

(1) As a pathway to empowerment
(2) As a way of life
(3) As an effective combative/self defense system
(4) As a personal discipline
(5) As a path to self actualization (the ultimate goal of the system) in the physical, psychological and spiritual domains.

Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu is also taught at the University of New Mexico for 2 credits, the University of Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University, and Illinois State University (Chicago). We welcome male and female individuals aged 16 and older who are serious about studying traditional Japanese Jujutsu.

Schedule of Classes at Sandia Budokan

Our Beginning/Intermediate classes meet:

Mondays: 7.05-9pm

Wednesdays: 7.05-9pm

Saturdays: 2-5pm. Two Saturday classes are for Advanced Seminars and the other two Sats are Supervised Open Sessions (SOS). The SOS sessions are held by different     instructors on a rotating basis. Sign-up required

Saturdays: 4-5.30pm: All-Blackbelt Seminars/Workouts.

Instructors

Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D., Founder, Wa Shin Ryu (USJJF); 8th dan USJJF Jujutsu; 6th dan Judo. For Advanced Saturdays contact Andrew Sensei: ayiann@unm.edu
Martin Overfield, 4th dan Jujutsu (Wa Shin Ryu; Licensed Professional Instructor (Menkyo Chuden)
Robert Malakhov, 3rd dan Jujutsu (Wa Shin Ryu; Licensed Professional Instructor (Menkyo Shoden). For Monday evening Interm/Adv classes contact Robert sensei: rravanger@gmail.com
Cody Bassett, 2nd dan Jujutsu; 1st dan Karate; Licensed Professional Instructor (Menkyo Shoden). For Wednesday evening classes contact Cody.jujutsu@gmail.com

For more details about Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu please email: Dr. Andrew Yiannakis at ayiann@unm.edu or ayiann.jujutsu@gmail.com. You may also visit our UNM website at: www.unm.wsrjj.org/unmjj.html