Instructors


 Daniel Smith - Head Instructor

Hi, my name is Daniel Smith and I am the owner and head instructor at American Martial Arts and Fitness Academy. I started training in martial arts in 1979 with Okinawan Isshin-Ryu Karate, then 4 years later switched over to Okinawan Sanchin-Ryu Karate. For a short while I trained in Aikido. Then in 1989 I began training in Jun Fan/ Jeet Kune Do and have become one of Michigan's highest ranked JKD Instructors. My ranking is as follows:

  • Associate Instructor under Sifu Larry Hartsell in the Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association.

  • Associate (Phase One) Instructor under Sifu Paul Vunak in the Progressive Fighting Systems.

  • Associate Instructor under Ajarn Chai Sirisute Thai Boxing Association of the U.S.A.

  • Associate Instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto in Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts

  • 2nd Degree Black Belt under Julian Loredo in Jeet Kune Do Concepts.

  • 1st Degree Black Belt under Professor Remy Presas in Modern Arnis.

  • Black Belt in Okinawan karate

  • Yellow Glove/Initiator Level in Boxe Francaise - Savate under Professor Salem Assli.

  • Purple Belt in RCJ Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

    		• Brett Eckhart - Assistant Instructor

    Mr. Eckhart has been training here since June 2003. He is an assistant instructor in the Mighty Dragon's Kids program.

    Below is a list of his experience and accomplishments:

  • Black belt in Sanchin Ryu

  • Green belt in Iki Shin Do

  • 2nd red belt in Tang Soo Do under Ken Waterman

  • Student level 2 rank in Kali under Sifu Dan Smith

  • Student level 1 rank in Jeet Kun Do under Sifu Dan Smith

  • Fight choreographer for stage & screen since 1999 (during which time he co-founded "Art of Combat, Inc." and "Soul Synergy, Inc."

  • Official fight choreographer for All-of-Us-Express Children's Theatre since 1999

    		• Mike Cords- Thai Chi Instructor
     
    Michael Cords has been practicing martial arts since 1981. He started training in Goju Ryu Karate (2nd degree black belt) but, also trained in tae kwon do, hap ki do, kick boxing, and several different styles of kung fu.

    Now he teaches Tai Chi and Qi Gong in Lansing, MI.

    Michael Cords has had the great fortune to study Tai Chi under Sifu Dan Jones of Lansing.

    In May of 2006 Michael Cords was certified to teach "Tai Chi for Diabetes" by Dr. Paul Lam, of Sydney, Australia. Dr. Lam is a family physician, and world leader in the field of Tai Chi for health improvment. Dr. Lam is also a gold medal winner from international competition in Beijing.

    Mikes' Favorite quote:

    "It is our choices more than our talents, that make us who we are"

     

    Jeff Kolman - Wing Chun Instructor

    Sifu Jeff Kolman has over 22yrs of experience in  martial arts such as Karate, Muay Thai, Kali, Jujitsu, Western Boxing, and 17yrs of experience in Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) Gung Fu (Kung Fu).

    Sifu Kolman frequently travels to Hong Kong to receive training in Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) from Grand Master Ip Ching (youngest son of Ip Man) and his Sihing's (Older Gung Fu brothers). Sifu Kolman has been teaching in the East Lansing area since 1996. Classes are taught in a relaxed yet traditional training atmosphere.



    American Martial Arts and Fitness Academy, LLC
    15990 S. Old US-27
    Lansing, MI 48906
    517 372-1482