Shihan Michael Woods started his martial arts journey at the age of sixteen, at Milford Studio of self defense, under the instruction of Shihan Joe Shuras and Sensei Steve Linnell. After graduating from Bentley College in 1991 he resumed training with Sensei Craig Seavey. Shihan received the rank of Shodan, 1st degree black belt, in 1993 at Nick Cerio’s Kenpo Karate, and received the title of “Sensei” from Professor Nick Cerio and Shihan Craig Seavey. Shihan received the rank…

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Philip had always been interested in martial arts. When his family moved to Holliston, his mother noticed the karate school in town. She thought it would be a great way for her son to meet new friends and develop the discipline he had surely been lacking. At the age of 9, Philip was neither the most well-mannered nor the best-behaved boy. Little did he know at the time that martial arts would have such a vast impact on his…

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Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt When Sensei Mumford first came to NGMA in 2006, it was to bring her 6 year old son to his first karate class. She never imagined it would ever be anything more than a healthy hobby for her son to participate in. How wrong she was. After watching the classes and seeing the positive influences of the activity on a child, Sensei Mumford decided to see if NGMA would have the same effect on an…

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My interest in karate was sparked by watching my daughter’s karate class. I was interested in getting back into shape, so I decided to give it a try. I enjoy taking classes as well as helping with instruction in the children’s classes. There are inherent benefits that one gets from the dojo including physical fitness, self-esteem and self-defense skills. The most valued to me is the intangible benefit of the camaraderie with other students that is built upon honor…

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Grace. Power. Quick, free flowing decisions made in the face of changing challenging opponents. These are the properties that have always fascinated and filled Lisa with awe. In Brighton as a young adult, she studied Shotokan for 2 years and received the rank of blue belt. After moving to Hopkinton, she studied Tae Kwon Do and Washin-Ryu, hoping for a talented Sensei and a dojo that had kind supporting students. After a chance meeting with a long time NGMA…

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Tyler started karate when she was 8 years old because her parents thought it would be fun. As with many other kids, Tyler had other sports she was involved in and took a break from karate during middle school. She later realized how much she missed being at the dojo. Upon her return, martial arts began to influence her life much more than it had in the past, both in and outside of the dojo. She began her training…

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I began my martial arts career 2006. My mother wanted my siblings and I to try martial arts. My older sisters had tried some other schools but never really liked them. Finally we decided on NGMA. I watched with awe when looking into my older sister’s classes often mimicking the moves the student performed and on my fifth birthday I took my first intro class and have been hooked ever since. May 2015 – Achieved Rank of Shodan –…

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I first started doing martial arts when I was 6, my parents wanted me to know how to defend myself and get more self confident. At first I didn’t know what to think about it but then I remember watching a demonstration at one of our banquets and thinking that it was so cool. Shortly after that I started my first couple of classes and instantly fell in love with it. Ever since then I have not only gained…

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