OUR INSTRUCTORS ARE THE DIFFERENCE

Shihan is an accomplished Martial Arts & Fitness Educator.  She has taught courses at Collegiate, The Steward School, St. Michael’s, St. Mary’s, Sabot, St. Benedicts, St. Christopher's & St. Catherine’s. She also trains actors, models and directors, whether it’s to get in shape for a role or prepare for extensive fight choreography. 

She was invited to be on the Power Bar Power Panel for elite athletes.  This panel offers athletes the chance to participate in new product and development surveys, provide valuable insight to their marketing team and ultimately help shape the future of Power Bar.

For many years, she has worked in several capacities in the industry including expeditor, judge and promoter, supporter for organizations such as the NPC, OCB, IFPA, IHRSA, USANKF. She is also a writer for National and International Martial Arts and Fitness Publications. 

Shihan is also an independent filmmaker and has worked with Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin, Ethan Hawke, Ewan McGregor, O'Shea Jackson Jr., James Lew and so many more awesome and talented cast and crews! https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7096860/fullcredits?ref_=nm_flmg_sort_text_view

Her greatest accomplishment was recovering from a broken neck in 1993 after being diagnosed as a quadriplegic. She is medically a class D quadriplegic & still uses her martial art training for her continued rehabilitation. 

Shihan developed our Martial Arts Character Education Program with experts in early childhood development and clinical kinesiologist. Shihan is an accomplished Martial Arts & Fitness Educator.  He has taught courses at Collegiate, The Steward School, St. Michael’s, St. Mary’s, Sabot, St. Benedicts, St. Christopher's & St. Catherine’s. 

His great charisma and animated teaching style helps create enthusiasm within the class to keep kids focused.  He developed a modern martial arts curriculum for kids so that every child can benefit from the positive teachings of the martial arts.  He brings excitement to his classes combining his personality with excellent martial arts skills. He developed our Budo Combatives program & has taught courses for the University of Richmond, Girl Scouts of America, Ethly Corporation and much more.    

Shihan is a Producer, Screenwriter and has been a Fight Coordinator for TV, Film, Commercial and Live Action Shows. He also trains actors, models and directors, to prepare for upcoming roles.

Something you may not know about Shihan: He is a Martial Arts and Fitness business consultant and a connoisseur of fine Japanese antiques.

 A beloved educator, Dr. McEvoy retired after 39 years, most currently having volunteered at St. Benedict School as Counselor. Before retirement, he headed the Environmental Health and Safety office for Chesterfield County Public Schools. Previously, he held positions at Henrico County Public Schools, Benedictine, and St. Benedict. Throughout the years, he volunteered as teacher of religious education at St. Bridget Catholic Church and St. Mary Catholic Church. Dr. McEvoy, a graduate of St. Benedict School and Benedictine High School, went on to earn his Bachelor of Technology Degree in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Dayton; Teaching Certification at VCU, his M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from UVA; Administration and Supervision Certification from VCU; and D.Ed in Educational Leadership from Nova U. 

Of all his life experiences, he most loved being husband, Peepa, Daddy, teacher, and coach. A man of integrity, he was kind, generous, hardworking, energetic, knowledgeable, and well organized. He was the glue that held everyone together.  As a teacher, he taught math, science, PE, physics, and religion. A Master Instructor in Karate and Co-creator of our Discover Karate program, he was a superb athlete himself, playing football, running marathons and mountain biking, he coached cross-country, track, and soccer; started the soccer program at Benedictine High School, was the Virginia Soccer League Coach of the Year 1979, 1980; and Colonial District Girls Soccer Coach of the Year, 2003, 2005. 

Dr. McEvoy changed our lives, encouraged us to live right, train hard and mentored us our whole lives.  There will never be another one like him. Such a fantastic teacher and friend. We were blessed to have him on our staff, in our lives and he will always be in our hearts. We will continue to carry on his values and teachings.

Master Justice & Master Thornton

STEVEN A. WOODWARD 

Martial Artist and Inventor 

Steven A. Woodward (born December 5, 1956) has been studying martial arts since 1971. The founder and style head of Hontai Ryu Karate holds black belt rank in Chi-Chi Kempo (8th), American Open Karate (3rd), Kyokushin Karate (3rd), and Modern Karate. In Filipino Martial Arts, he was granted the rank Lakan Tatlo Guro (3rd) in Mike Sayoc Kali from Master Mike Sayoc and rank Lakan Lima (5th) in Sayoc Kali from Grandmaster Baltizar Sayoc & Master Fred Ocampo.  Woodward also attained the level of Tactical Master Instructor (2yrs.) in CDT Defensive Tactics. Other studies included:

•Pi Lum Kung Fu 

•Filipino Weaponry 

•LAMECO Escrima 

•Shotokan Karate 

•Shoot Wrestling 

•Shoot Fighting 

•Okinawan Goju Ryu 

•Blade Defense Tactics 

•Tulisan Caballero Kali  

•Tae Kwon Do  

•Pentjak Silat  

•Jeet Kune Do 

•Wing Chun Kung Fu 

•Muay Thai Boxing 

•Okinawan Kobudo

He is most recognized for his expertise with weapons such as double nunchaku, rope kamas, and whip.  

Martial Arts Training 

Woodward received training from such martial artists as: 

Karate / Tae Kwon Do 

• Master Jimmy Horsley – PKA World Contender, Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate 

• Master Sam Justice – AAU National Champion, American Open Karate 

• Master Joe Lewis – PKA World Champion 

• Master Alan Miller – PKA World Contender, Founder of Modern Karate 

• Master Jeff Smith – PKA World Champion, Tae Kwon Do 

• Master John Chung – World Forms & Fighting Champion, Tae Kwon Do 

• Master Mike Stone – World Fighting Champion, Shorin-ryu Karate 

• Master Tony Wurtz – AAU National Champion, Kyokushin Kai Karate 

Kali / Escrima / Arnis / Shoot Fighting 

• Jaffrey Rhett – Kali, Muay Thai, Pentjak Silat, JKD Concepts, Wing Chun, Whip 

• Master Dan Inosanto – Certified by Bruce Lee, Kali, Escrima, Muay Thai, Pentjak Silat  

• Master Larry Hartsell – Certified by Bruce Lee, JKD Concepts, Muay Thai, Kali, Panyo   

• Grandmaster Edgar Sulite – Founder of LAMECO Escrima, Arnis, Kali, Panyo  

• Master Mike Inay – Certified Instructor by Grandmaster Angel Cabales, Serrada, Siniwali, Kali  

• Grandmaster Raffy Pambuen – Tulisan Caballero Kali, Horse Whip 

• Grandmaster Billy Bryant – Arnis, Chi-Chi Kempo 

• Master Max Coates – Certified Instructor by Master Bart Vale, Shoot Fighting, Grappling  

• Master Bart Vale – World Champion Shoot Fighter, Shoot Fighting 

Mike Sayoc Kali / Sayoc Kali 

• Master Mike Sayoc – Mike Sayoc Kali, Combat Whip 

• Grandmaster Baltizar Sayoc – Sayoc Kali, One Finger Touch, Defensive Tactics 

• Tuhon Christopher Sayoc – Sayoc Kali, Edged Weapon Dynamics 

Defensive Tactics / Knife Tactics / Shooting Tactics 

• Master Tom Patire – CDT Defensive Tactics, Weapons Disarms Tactics 

• Master Mike Morse – Defensive Tactics 

• Master Dwight McLemore – Bowie Knife Tactics 

• Master Michael Janich – Defensive Blade Tactics 

• Instructor Pat Patterson – Gun Safety, Pistol Shooting Tactics 

Achievements & Honors 

Woodward has been an accomplished competitor. He competed in National and Regional events all over the country  from 1978 through 1989. Some of his wins and achievements have included: 

• 2-time Virginia State Fighting Champion 

• 7-time Virginia State Weapons Champion 

• 3-time East Coast Weapons Champion 

• 1980 Battle of Atlanta Weapons Champion 

• 1982 Featured in Who’s Who in Karate in America 

• 1983-86 Ranked Top 5 National-Regional Karate Illustrated Ratings (Weapons) 

• 1987 Ranked Top 4 in the USA in AAU Weapons 

• 1987-89 Ranked #1 National-Regional Karate Illustrated Ratings (Weapons) 

• Featured in “Karate Helps Kick Diabetes” Videos 1995-1998 

• 1997 International Black Belt Hall of Fame Inductee “Instructor of the Year” 

• Featured Martial Artist in “Mastering the Whip” Video 

• Featured Martial Artist in “Stick Disarms” Video for NAPMA School Instructors  

• 2015 U.S. Patent Granted for “Handgun Automatic Sighting System” No.: US 9,212,867   

• 2022 U.S. Patent Granted for “Specifically Adjusted Workings Nunchaku” No.: US 11,371,800    

Woodward has over 50 years of experience teaching martial arts. One of his favorite teaching activities is preparing children for weapons competitions. He always considers it an opportunity and a privilege to help a child reach their full potential in training. Results are achieved by using methods of progressional training with a strong focus on weapon forms and by providing a training weapon specifically made for each child. His teaching skills have produced over: 

• 34 - State Champions • 18 - National Champions • 10 - World Champions • 4 - Junior Olympic Champions 

Inventor Innovations 

Woodward currently devotes his time to teaching Filipino martial arts, as well as inventing new products and methods for training. His knowledge and experience in the martial arts, along with blessings from above, allow opportunities for making contributions to promote the progress of science and useful arts. The patented inventions below have a brief description from a reduced version of the abstract. More information is available by searching the patent title. 

Handgun Automatic Sighting System U.S. Patent Number: 9212867 Abstract: A handgun sighting system that automatically adjusts the intensity of a lighted front sight based on the ambient light conditions. This provides an optimal sighting presentation allowing rapid target acquisition and a faster response time for the shooter. Type: Grant Filed: February 4, 2015, Date of Patent: December 15, 2015, Inventors: William Q. Patterson, Steven Woodward 

Specifically Adjusted Workings Nunchaku Assembly Method U.S. Patent Number: 11371800 Abstract: A manner of manufacturing a modernized nunchaku using specifically adjusted workings or saw process construction methods, facilitating a better fit and functions for the nunchaku, while increasing levels of safety and precision operations for users. Type: Grant Filed: January 14, 2020, Date of Patent: June 28, 2022, Inventor: Steven Woodward 

 Deshi Lourdes is a sophomore at The Steward School and has been a dedicated Karate Jutsu student at The Budo Center for 3 years, two of which she has worked as a summer karate camp counselor. 

“I am also in the Leadership Program at Steward and on the JV volleyball team. I have a passion for STEM and have the privilege of being among a unique group of high school students that has designed experiments that have been launched into space on a NASA sounding rocket. I was also on teams that participated in the American Rocketry Challenge and the University of Arizona's Martian Greenhouse Challenge. This summer I was able to attend a program sponsored at the Virginia Space Consortium that focused on building leaders in technology. Currently, I also volunteer in gallery education at the Science Museum of Virginia."

"I am usually very busy, but whatever time I do get outside of school is spent outside in nature with my family or at the movies with friends. I enjoy helping others to be the best version of themselves and encourage respect and persistence in seeing something through even when it becomes difficult - what you find may surprise you!”