Women's Self Protection Seminar Oct 22

If you are looking for ways to increase your awareness, learn simple skills, or just curious about self protection is, this seminar is for you.  Reserve your spot for a beneficial, casual but focused, one-day Women’s Self Protection Seminar on Saturday, Oct. 22, led by Sifu Ed Berry.

This all day seminar is for the beginner, intermediate and even advanced levels.  If you have never participated in a program such as this or have been to one or more of our other self protection seminars this seminar is for you.  The program begins with a talk about what Self Protection is, the differences between self protection and self defense, and then hands-on learning simple techniques with an emphasis on getting back to safety.

Ed is experienced in many forms of self defense, having studied and taught all over the world for many decades. He has helped women of all ages and backgrounds learn valuable self-protection skills for many years. Most locals and many visitors know Ed from his years of community involvement, and as the former owner/operator of For The Health Of It in Blue Mountain Beach.

The seminar is October 22 from 10:30 – 4:30 pm: Focused Classes Include: Improving Situational Awareness, Threat Assessment, Identifying Predators, Avoidance & De-escalation, Striking & Blocking Techniques, Escape Techniques, and Situational Drills.
Morning Session 10:30 am – 12:30 pm   |  Lunch Break 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm   |  Afternoon Session 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm.
The price for full day seminar is $100 per person, Sign up online >

The seminar will be at Studio Thirty-A in Blue Mountain Beach above Redfish Taco - map - 2052 W County Hwy 30A r201, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

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Ed Berry's Bio:

I began studying Martial Arts at the age of eight. My first Martial Arts training was in the Korean Art of Taekwondo. This art served as a wonderful tool for a child, helping me learn discipline, dedication and self – confidence. As I began my teenage years, I began my training in a cross or mixture of Martial Arts under my uncle Hap Milt. During this time, I learned several styles of fighting including Hapkido, knife skills, and practical chokes.

In my twenty’s, I began training formally in AGK (the American Goshin Budo and Kobudo – Shi-Toh-Ryu Karate -Do). Here I gained a great knowledge of the formalities of the Okinawa Art and was privileged to be trained by Sensei Stan Cole in Black Mountain, North Carolina. During this time I was introduced to both Form Tournaments and Fighting Tournaments. Under Sensei Cole, I gained my first Black Belt. Today, I still have fond memories of Sensei Cole and the valuable lessons he showed me.

However, approximately 19 years ago, I had the unique privilege to meet Sifu Henry Patterson formally of New Jersey and now residing in Santa Rosa Beach. Upon meeting Sifu Patterson, my Martial Arts world shifted. It opened up to a whole new ball game. At this time Sifu Patterson introduced me to the Chinese Arts of: Wing Chun and White Crane Gong Fu, Shaolin Qin Na, Taijiquan (Tai Chi) and Qigong. For me, this was and is the real deal. These arts are practical, efficient and reliable.

Training under Sifu Patterson has increased my awareness of real life Self Defense techniques. In the years of training in these Chinese Arts, I have been invited to travel all across the United States to train with Dr. Yang Jing – Ming a true Master and one of Sifu Patterson’s main instructors and Master Yip Pui (Terence Yip), a direct disciple of Grandmaster Yip Chun and Great Grandmaster Ip Man as well as Soke Michael Kinney. During these travels I have gained a wealth of knowledge from some of the finest martial Artist in the World including: Sifu Stephen Frenkel, Paul Green, Grand Master Paul Dyer and others.

As a Martial Arts instructor in Northwest Florida I have had the Honor of training with and being associated in a bother hood of incredible Instructors including Sifu Chris Damiano, Grand Master John Liptak, and Grand Master Joe Cayer to name a few. Occasionally I am a guest Instructor at the Emerald Coast Martial Arts Academy in Fort Walton Beach owed by GM Cayer.

I am teaching you the skills that I have been shown with the permission of Sifu Patterson and with the understanding that these classes are truly an extension of his program and class, for he is my instructor and therefore your true instructor. It will be a privilege to have him make special appearances in our school.

Awards and Accomplishments:

    1994 Earned Sho Dan (1 st degree) Black Belt in Shi-Toh-Ryu Karate
    2007 Earned Teaching Certificate in Wing Chun, Taijiquan (Tai Chi) and Qigong under the guidance of Sifu Henry Patterson
    2012, recognized by the Shinja Martial Arts University Hall of Honors as the Chin Na Instructor of the Year.
    2013 Earned Black Belt under the Eastern U.S.A International Martial Arts Association.
    2013 Nominated into the U.S.A International Black Belt Hall of Fame
    2013 recognized by the Eastern U.S.A International Martial Arts Association as the Chin Na Instructor of the Year.
    2014 Earned Sifu recognition (teacher) Black Belt under the Eastern U.S.A International Martial Arts Association.
    2014 recognized by the Eastern U.S.A International Martial Arts Association as the Wing Chun Instructor of the Year.
    2016 recognized by the Eastern U.S.A International Martial Arts  Association as the Inspirational Martial Arts Example of the Year.

Learn More About Ed’s Tai-chi Classes >