After observing him these past years I’ve come to admire his patience with the small children, the way he interacts with the teen-agers, and his ability to make the adults more at ease with the classes.  He has a talent of working well with students of all ages, and it’s easy to see he enjoys his work.

Each of his classes is new and innovative. He uses everything at his disposal to keep the students interested and challenged.  He possesses a natural ease in making new students feel welcome.  His personality is such that all the students admire and emulate him.

I often say that the best thing I’ve ever done for my son Hayden was to enroll him in a martial arts school. Hayden has been trained by Instructor Bruce from white belt to black belt.  He was demanding and challenging throughout the training, yet something about their relationship moved Hayden to always try harder.  He was inspired by Instructor Bruce in particular one summer when they got to spend more time one on one together.  He acquired a new attitude about his training once he realized that it continued even when he walked out the door of the school.  Instructor Bruce talked to him about nutrition and exercise, and about doing well in school and how important it was to keep up good grades.  He continually supported his achievements in school rewarding good grades with public praise, and encouraging him to continue on that course. He taught him how to set goals for himself so that no task was too difficult. He continues to choose Hayden for positions of leadership during class which further promotes his self-assurance. From the ages of 10 to 14, Instructor Bruce helped my son develop from a shy reserved somewhat overweight little boy into a self-confident, respectful and poised young man with a physique to be proud of.  I was so inspired by this transformation, that after three and a half years of observing, I decided it was time to participate.

At my age, and with my physical challenges, I was cautious about beginning any new form of exercise.  But I put those fears aside and placed my trust in Instructor Bruce and I have been pleasantly rewarded.  Upon entering his class, I was nervous first about being injured, and second about making a complete fool of myself.  I’ve watched other adults taking class and thought, if they can succeed, so can I. I’ve been training with him for seven months now.  I’ve always enjoyed the classes as they are as informative as they are challenging, but I overcame the fear I had of injury as well.  He emphasizes the idea that we should each perform to our own best ability, and not compare ourselves to anyone else.  That we should always strive to do a little bit more next time, or challenge ourselves in a different way.  That no one judges us more harshly than we judge ourselves and if we can satisfy ourselves we have achieved our goal.  I have reached several personal goals through his teachings and hope to continue to do so in the future.

His knowledge of all aspects of training from cardio, to strength training, to flexibility, poomse, proper form in implementation of kicks punches and blocks to weapons and choreography is extensive, and he possesses a unique ability to make it all look easy.  He makes you want to try, and to succeed.  His critique is always respectful, and easily understood. I feel comfortable in his classes, even when I’m the only female, and usually the only Mom.  He treats all students equally, and expects and receives their respect in return.

I’m glad I decided to take the initiative and begin my training because I’ve benefitted from his extraordinary teaching abilities, as my son has, and as should others. For four years he has been a positive, steadfast influence in our lives.  We both fully support any efforts of Instructor Bruce to further expand his teaching horizons, and look forward to continued success with him as our instructor, and our inspiration.  His drive to succeed and ability to overcome are evident in all he undertakes.