Eastern Martial Arts Center
Doug Tweedy.
Head adult instructor.
Personal self defense instructor.
9th Dan.
At age 10, after reading an Andrew Adams book about the ninja, Doug knew his life-long goal was to train in martial arts, specifically in the art as taught by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi. Unable to find a legitimate instructor in Ninjutsu. He trained in TKD for more than 20 years. Achieving the rank of 3rd degree black belt, he often taught for his instructor. Later, he operated his own TKD dojo for more than 10 years.
Finally at the age of 34 he began his life long dream of training in the art of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Doug and his wife Michelle began this journey together in 1999, when they began Bujinkan training in North Carolina. In 2002, they became students of
Ed "Papa-san" Martin.
After running a training group (shibu) for several years, Doug and Michelle opened a dojo in Richmond, Virginia after being issued an assistant teaching license (shidoshi-ho) in 2004. Since then Doug has become a fully certified instructor and is now a current member of the Bujinkan Shidoshi-kai organization.
Head adult instructor.
Personal self defense instructor.
9th Dan.
At age 10, after reading an Andrew Adams book about the ninja, Doug knew his life-long goal was to train in martial arts, specifically in the art as taught by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi. Unable to find a legitimate instructor in Ninjutsu. He trained in TKD for more than 20 years. Achieving the rank of 3rd degree black belt, he often taught for his instructor. Later, he operated his own TKD dojo for more than 10 years.
Finally at the age of 34 he began his life long dream of training in the art of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Doug and his wife Michelle began this journey together in 1999, when they began Bujinkan training in North Carolina. In 2002, they became students of
Ed "Papa-san" Martin.
After running a training group (shibu) for several years, Doug and Michelle opened a dojo in Richmond, Virginia after being issued an assistant teaching license (shidoshi-ho) in 2004. Since then Doug has become a fully certified instructor and is now a current member of the Bujinkan Shidoshi-kai organization.
Ed Gatti.
Manager, Dojo Administrator
Children's instructor.
Personal self defense instructor.
3rd Dan
Ed first started martial arts training at age 10 in Judo, over the years he has studied
Tae Kwon Do, Judo and Kenpo Karate.
Ed is a former Vermont State Correctional Officer and a County Corrections Officer in New Hampshire where he was a Field Training Officer and taught Officer Safety at the New Hampshire Correctional Academy.
He has also taken several classes in Law Enforcement and was a certified instructor in Pepper Spray and Straight Baton.
He is able to bring this knowledge to class, to help best protect your children against harm.
Ed is First Aid and CPR certified and is a memeber of the Piedmont Search and Rescue Team.
Manager, Dojo Administrator
Children's instructor.
Personal self defense instructor.
3rd Dan
Ed first started martial arts training at age 10 in Judo, over the years he has studied
Tae Kwon Do, Judo and Kenpo Karate.
Ed is a former Vermont State Correctional Officer and a County Corrections Officer in New Hampshire where he was a Field Training Officer and taught Officer Safety at the New Hampshire Correctional Academy.
He has also taken several classes in Law Enforcement and was a certified instructor in Pepper Spray and Straight Baton.
He is able to bring this knowledge to class, to help best protect your children against harm.
Ed is First Aid and CPR certified and is a memeber of the Piedmont Search and Rescue Team.
Michelle Tweedy.
Personal self defense instructor.
5th Dan
Michelle began training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu in 1999, after nearly 3 years of intense physical therapy rehabilitation following a severe auto accident in early 1997 that left her with permanent physical injuries. Her first 5 years of training focused soley on body movement and training injured muscles to relearn normal functions. Now 10 years later she has recovered approximately 70% normal range of motion. Michelle loves this art and believes it saved her life.
Personal self defense instructor.
5th Dan
Michelle began training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu in 1999, after nearly 3 years of intense physical therapy rehabilitation following a severe auto accident in early 1997 that left her with permanent physical injuries. Her first 5 years of training focused soley on body movement and training injured muscles to relearn normal functions. Now 10 years later she has recovered approximately 70% normal range of motion. Michelle loves this art and believes it saved her life.
Paula Gatti
Childrens Program Advisor.
Paula Barlow is an Instructional Assistant for Special Education in Chesterfield County. She has more than ten years experience teaching students from elementary school through college.
She is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Special Education.
Paula advises on the most appropriate methods for teaching all types of students at the martial arts center.
She helps with group management, age-appropriate terminology, and effective methods for teaching different types of learners. She knows what children encounter at school and gives real-life advice for dealing with the pressures that the children must face. She routinely attends seminars on relevant subjects such as bullying, child abuse and neglect, first aid and CPR, and classroom management.
Paula is First Aid and CPR certified and is a member of the Piedmont Search and Rescue Team.
Childrens Program Advisor.
Paula Barlow is an Instructional Assistant for Special Education in Chesterfield County. She has more than ten years experience teaching students from elementary school through college.
She is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Special Education.
Paula advises on the most appropriate methods for teaching all types of students at the martial arts center.
She helps with group management, age-appropriate terminology, and effective methods for teaching different types of learners. She knows what children encounter at school and gives real-life advice for dealing with the pressures that the children must face. She routinely attends seminars on relevant subjects such as bullying, child abuse and neglect, first aid and CPR, and classroom management.
Paula is First Aid and CPR certified and is a member of the Piedmont Search and Rescue Team.