Dan Rheaume

I am a Yondan (4th degree) black belt shidoshi-ho instructor (member of the shidoshi-kai "instructor's association") through the Honbu dojo in Japan.

I travel to Japan on occasion for a few weeks to a month at a time to experience training at the source. I've had the pleasure and unequaled experience of training with Soke Hatsumi as well as several shihan but primarily Ishizuka Sensei (assisted by my teacher Dr. Kacem Zoughari) and others with invaluable expertise and advice. I continue to study with Dr. Kacem Zoughari Sensei and welcome him here at least once a year.

I believe in a relaxed, open and friendly atmosphere mixed with a healthy dose of proper etiquette, courtesy and respect. I respect all martial arts and those who practice them as I have practiced many of them previously - however I have chosen this art from my experience due to its practicality and effectiveness if practiced correctly and with the proper frame of mind. I believe only those able to exercise true patience, self-control, and dedication shall be allowed to participate in Heisei Dojo.

Previous Martial Arts Experience & Other Areas of Study

My experience in the martial arts and related fields are varied:

I work in the armed security and firearms education industries and therefore maintain firearms, restraint and combatives skills regularly.

I practice armed (gun/knife/baton) and unarmed use of force defensive tactics and am a Justice Institute of British Columbia (J.I.B.C.) cerified Firearms Instructor and Range Officer. I also have three diplomas in Dignitary Executive Protection (bodyguarding) as well as several other J.I.B.C. and Reality-based defensive tactics accreditations.

Previous traditional arts I've studied include Aikido, Uechi-ryu Karate, Muy Thai kickboxing, Kempo, and Shotokan karate.

In addition to martial arts I have formally been educated in healthcare as a Shiatsu Therapist and Kinesio-Taping practitioner.