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» Ruben West | Kevin Wilson | Gary Boaz | John Van Sickel | Barry Reed
Our instructors at PMA are top notch. Their vast experience brings you many methods and options for your training. Please click on an instructor's name to read a detailed biography.
Ruben West - Karate
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Ruben is currently a 5th degree Blackbelt instructor in the Dillman Karate International (DKI). He started his Karate training in the 1980's at Washburn University under the direction of
Head Instructor Ronnie Moore. He trained in judo at the Topeka Judo Academy and studied judo/jujitsu from instructors Ron Vowel (Carbondale, KS) and Katsumasa Nohara (Japan). He trained under Sensei Moore for close to nine years. In 1995 he attended a World Matsubayashi-ryu Karate-do Association (WMKA) seminar. There he met Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine, founder of Matsuybayashi Ryu Karate and his son Takioshi Nagamine, current director the WMKA organization. It was then that he learned of the many opportunities to train with the Masters from Okinawa and deepen his understanding of the art. While in Canada testing for his San-dan rank, Ruben was shown a tape of Grand-master George A. Dillman and was amazed at what he discovered. Though the Masters from Okinawa often spoke of the pressure points and the advanced breakdown of kata application, they were reluctant to show it in such a large seminar setting.
Ruben started studying the books and tapes of Grandmaster Dillman. He attended a live seminar where Grandmaster Dillman demonstrated a touch chi knockout on him. He applied and was accepted into the DKI organization. Though Ruben has worked in surgery along side various surgeons for over 15 years, he attributes his pressure point knowledge to the DKI masters who have given him personal instruction.
Kevin Wilson - Karate
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Kevin is 4th degree Black Belt in Dillman Karate International, and has been studying the Martial Arts since 1993. The Martial Arts has positively influenced his life in so many ways. As an instructor and teacher, it is his goal to provide the same positive influence to students, so that they may appreciate the art of self-defense, physical fitness, and aspects of Eastern culture.
Kevin was first introduced to Karate at Washburn University under the instruction of Mr. Ronnie Moore. After initially training with Mr. Moore, he focused his studies under Mr. Ruben West. After years of training with Mr. West, they eventually opened a school together Professional Martial Arts. They have taught, and currently teach children, youth, and adults.
A large part of Martial Arts training is knowing how to defend yourself. However, there are so many other aspects of training. Understanding the principles of Respect, Self Control, and Concentration are aspects of training that Kevin tries to instill in every student. Through studying Martial Arts, these principles become second nature and help to provide confidence and maturity in everything that we do.
When walking into the dojo, a certain attitude is expected of each student (and teacher). Kevin has spoken about once reading a quote that spoke of this, and ended with "the world is the dojo". This positive outlook on the world and each other is probably the most important part of our training.
Training and Experience
WMKA (World Matsubayashi Karate-Do Association) New York / Japan Instructor Professional Martial Arts since 1997. Assisted in and taught Women's Self-Defense Courses. Studied and Ranked in Judo/Ju-Jitsu (Katsumasa / Japan, Ron Vowel / Carbondale, KS) Work with Training Experience International Citizens Against Crime DKI Member (Dillman Karate International Pressure Point Fighting Methods)
John Van Sickel - Taiji
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John began his martial arts training in grade school at Offut Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. He enrolled in Judo classes being taught by GI's who had learned the art when stationed in Japan. In Junior High & High School he took classes in Kung-fu from a KU student who had learned the art in New York's Chinatown. While attending Washburn in the 80's John began his study of Shorin Ryu Matsubayashi Karate-do under Michael Moore (Ronnie Moore's brother). It was under Sensei Moore that he earned his first black belt. After graduate school John continued to train in Shorin Ryu with Frank Miller and Garye Caleb. Sensei Caleb tested and awarded Sensei Van Sickel his nidan.
In the 70's John first read the Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere (a martial arts classic) but it wasn't until the early 90's before he was able trian in Aikido with senseis Gary Boaz and Marc Tolbert who then introduced him to Shihan Bill Sosa. Sensei Sosa tested and awarded John both his shodan and nidan in Aikido. It was during this time that Sensei Van Sickel met Taiji Master Chun Man Sit. Master Sit has studied and taught Wu style Taiji and Tai Hui (6 elbows Kung fu) for over 35 years. Master Sit continually challenges John to incorporate the principles of Taiji with those of Aikido.
The subtlety and power of a unified mind/body/spirit that is emphasized in Aikido and Taiji continue to inspire him. John has seen first hand the positive impact of the martial arts and strives to pass this on to his students.
Barry Reed - Karate
While earning his degree in business at Washburn University in Topeka, KS Barry studied karate as a member of the Washburn Karate Club under Sensei Ronnie Moore, earning his 1st degree black belt in Matsubayashi-ryu in December 1995. After six years studying with Sensei Moore Barry focused his training under Sensei Ruben West.
During a four-year period starting in 1995 Barry had many opportunities to meet and train with a large group of Masters from Okinawa that included Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine founder of Matsubayashi-ryu and his son Master Takayoshi Nagamine current director of the World Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Association (WMKA).
In 1997 while training in Toronto Canada with Master Takayoshi Nagamine, the group Barry was traveling with learned of the pressure point theory of Martial Arts taught by Grand Master George A. Dillman in Reading, PA. He was amazed and started studying the Dillman Fighting Method.
In 1999 he traveled with a group to Houston, TX to meet and train with Grand Master George Dillman. Shortly after that they joined Dillman Karate International (DKI). Barry is currently a 3rd degree black belt and is still an active member of DKI. He continues his training in the pressure point theory. Barry also has rank in Aikido.
Jessica Barr - Karate
Jessica began her Martial Arts training as a sophomore in high school in 1999 at Professional Martial Arts under Kevin Wilson and Ruben West. In the summer of 2001 Jessica traveled to Deer Lake, Pennsylvania to train with Grandmaster George A. Dillman at the world famous Muhammad Ali Training Camp. While at the camp she had the opportunity to train with other well known Dillman Karate International (DKI) instructors.
Jessica received her 1st degree black belt in Matsubayashi-ryu in December 2001. Currently Jessica is an instructor for Professional Martial Arts and is attending Allen County Community College. She will receive her Associate of Science in Information Systems in December of 2004.
Corey Fearing - Karate
Corey was honorably discharged in May of 95 after spending 5 years in the U.S. Army. While in the military he was taught basic self defense and some hand to hand combat. Looking to maintain a high level of physical fitness as well as sharpen his self defense skills; he came to Midwest Martial Arts in May of 97 and started his training under Sensei Ruben West. Through countless hours of class and numerous hours of private instruction he obtained his blackbelt in May of 2000. Though his Nidan rank is in the art of karate, Corey has also had grappling training and studied judo/jujitsu under Sensei Ron Vowel (Carbondale, KS).
Corey asserts that grappling will test the limits of your mental and physical toughness while making you a well rounded martial artist. Even though he has not reached his blackbelt rank in judo, he attests that the journey has been very helpful in his quest for overall martial arts excellence.
Corey is also an avid practitioner of the Kyusho Jitsu/Dillman Fighting Method. Corey feels that since the head instructor, Ruben West, has worked in surgery along side various surgeons for over 15 years, he has been able to rapidly advance in his study of pressure points. This advance study has given him a greater appreciation for martial arts training.
Anthony Martinez - Karate
Anthony began his martial arts training under Ronnie Moore in 1996 at Midwest Martial Arts. Anthony later redirected his training under Master Ruben West at Professional Martial Arts. He is currently a first-degree black belt under the Dillman Karate Method. He has been to the famous Muhammad Ali Training Camp several times to train with Grandmaster George Dillman and many other Master level instructors. He believes that Karate is more than a sequence of moves; he believes that there is a more complex interpretation to each move within any martial art.
In addition to Karate, he is actively involved in: Mayor's Youth Council, Hayden Service Club, International Club, SADD, National Honor Society, Youth Court, Future Business Leaders of America, and Student Council. Anthony will attend Benedictine College this Fall.
Kirk Shiney - Karate
My initial interest in the martial arts began before I was a teen when I participated in a YMCA Judo class where I practiced for a few months. Fast forward almost a quarter century later my attraction was revived as I was a spectator watching my five year old son's Karate classes. After six months I felt the need to join him.
Through the tutelage of Master West and Master Wilson my training in Okinawan Karate has led me to believe that the martial arts begin with a science of how the human body reacts to different stimuli. This study expands beyond self defense to develop body and mind for longer life.
The art forms when one uses techniques as it applies to their individual circumstance. Through the teaching of Grand Master Dillman and the study of Kyusho Jitsu a single technique has many different applications that vary from the individual's interpretation and situation.
I was awarded my Shodan, first degree black belt in 2004. However, the learning is just beginning and my thirst for knowledge will continue for many years to come.
Sai Folmbsee - Karate
Stephen Sai Folmsbee is first degree black belt. He has been taking Karate lessons for about 8 years.
He started taking lessons at Midwest Martial Arts with his two brothers Ryan and Kuma in 1996, and after a few years, transferred to Professional Martial Arts. A few months after he received his Black Belt in December 2000, he and his brother were forced to leave the school due to transportation problems. For two years, they traveled to various Marital Arts schools in Topeka, including Absolute Martial Arts and Midwest Martial Arts. For about a year, he also studied Ju-Jitsu. In 2003, when PMA re-opened on Clay St., he was fortunate enough to rejoin the PMA instructors. He prefers Professional Martial Arts to the other martial arts schools he attended because of the quality and humor of PMA's other instructors also mentioned on this website.
He is 16 years old and a junior at Topeka High school. He hopes to attend KU and eventually attend medical school. He hopes that his knowledge of the body gained from Karate, including pressure points, to help him become a successful doctor.
His favorite kata is Rohai, and his weapon of choice are the Sais, which conveniently share his name.
