Chief Instructor - Mish Handwerker

Always fascinated by the martial arts, Mr. Handwerker did not begin his martial studies until mid 1990. After training in Tae Kwon Do for a couple of years, an instructor of his introduced him to Ryukyu Kempo and Pressure Points (Kyusho-Jitsu); this has been his main focus ever since. While keeping Ryukyu Kempo as his main style, Mr. Handwerker has explored other styles such as Aikido, Judo, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Small Circle Jujitsu™, Modern Arnis and Kenjutsu. He has had the privilege of working with high-ranking instructors in these arts, most notably George Dillman of Ryukyu Kempo, Professor Wally Jay and Leon Jay of Small Circle Jujitsu™ and the late Professor Remy Presas the Father of Modern Arnis.

Mr. Handwerker currently works for Providence Health & Services in thier security department while also running Handwerker Ryukyu Kempo and Matador Academy from his home. He is continuing his kempo studies under Master Jim Slothower and his Modern Arnis studies under Professor Dan Anderson of Dan Anderson Karate.

Mr. Handwerker has appeared in the first two arnis books by Prof. Dan Anderson, Defanging the Snake: A Guide to Modern Arnis Disarms, and Advanced Modern Arnis: A Road to Mastery; which he also appears on the cover. He recently appeared on the cover of Prof. Anderson's second edition of his book Mano Y Mano: The Weaponless Fighting Applications of Modern Arnis (Though you can't tell it is him). He has also appeared in a documentary, shown on our local public access channels, on Modern Arnis that was directed and produced by Kermit Rhodes, a fellow arnisador.

Mr. Handwerker's Accrediations

• 3rd Degree Black Belt - Ryukyu Kempo Karate
• Practical And Tactical Handcuffing (PATH®) Certified Instructor
• Monadnock Expandable Baton (MEB®) Certified Instructor
• Oleoresin Capsicum Aerosol Training (OCAT®) Certified Instructor
• Managment of Agressive Behavior (MOAB®) Certified Instructor
• Pressure Point Defense And Control Tactics (PpDACT) course developer & Instructor
• Oregon DPSST Certified Armed Security Professional
• Oregon DPSST Certified Unarmed Instructor
• Oregon DPSST Licensed Executive Manager
• Member Dillman Karate International

Images: Upper Right, Mish with Mr. Dillman in 2005; 3 Lower Center, covers of Prof. Anderson's Books