Sensei Brian J. Eckman

 
As a proud student of Sensei Brian Eckman, I would like to share my personal testimonial of not only his validity as a combat expert but also of his good nature.  
 
 
Sensei Eckman (and his affiliates)  has taught me more in the time I've worked with him than any other instructor I've had before.  He humbles me each time I have the privilege to learn from him by his great humility and his ability to teach with the desire to build up others rather than himself, a rare quality in the martial arts world.  If you were to meet him in person for five seconds you would immediately notice a unique paradox:  A commanding and powerful presence yet a calm, good-hearted nature.  He is unlike most martial artists in the world in that he naturally doesn't lift himself up above anybody else.  He treats you as an equal, yet you really have little choice but to obey him and do what he says...not because you feel forced, but because you know he can and will teach you, build you up, and make you a stronger person inside and out.  When I train with him I NEVER feel belittled as if he tries to come across as mightier than me.  It's the truth:  he is much more knowledgeable and proficient than I am, but he doesn't rub it in my face ever.  He simply doesn't have to.  The expression, "The tougher you truly are, the less you should feel a need to prove it" really applies here.  He has no need to prove anything because his accomplishments and personal qualities speak for themselves.   
 
Sometimes I truly wonder why I am even in business doing what I'm doing.  I almost would sooner refer all of my students to train under Sensei Eckman (although I have to some).  However, I have a goal that I pray is not selfish:  to learn all I can from him (and Grand Master Southard) and perhaps play a role in the next generation of combat education, to keep their work moving on from generation to generation.  After all, it would be a great shame to lose all of their life's work and have no lineage from which to learn and pass on their great knowledge.  
 
Sensei Eckman is not a person who seeks for praise and would probably not necessarily encourage these words, but my utmost desire is to explain publicly, to my students and all readers, the reasons for which I am his loyal student.
 
 
Biography of Brian J. Eckman
 
Styles:
Tae Kwon Do - Randy Wagoner 1980 to 1981
Shotokan - Andy England 1983 to 1984
Kenpo - Lane Moratz 1986 to 1987, Rick Featherstone 1997 to 1998
Funakoshi - Jonathan Zundel 1996 to 1997
Shito-Ryu & Jujitsu - Brian Stewart (Stewart's United Martial Arts) 1998 to 2005
Jujitsu - Grand Master Anthony Southard 2007 to 2009
Southard Combat System - Grand Master Anthony Southard (Current Instructor)
 
Schools:
Eckman Self Defense (St.Anthony, Idaho) - 2001 to 2007
Eckman Self Defense (Rexburg, Idaho) - 2006 to Present
Shito-Ryu & Jujitsu Karate (Idaho Falls, Idaho)- 2007 to Present
(Now Operated by Trenton Guthrie as Guthrie Martial Arts)
 
Professional:
State of Idaho Grand Champion (2002 Wells Fargo Games)
Amateur UFC Ring Side Judge (2007 to Present) 
Idaho Law Enforcement Reserve (Level 1 Certified)
Member of The International Combatives Self Defense Association 
 
Rank:
1st Degree Black (Southard Combat System) October 2008
4th Degree Black (Shito-Ryu) January 2007
6th Degree Black (Jujitsu) November 2009
Certified Body Guard - June 2007
Level 1 Certification (Southard Combat System) June 2007
Level 2 Certification (Southard Combat System) October 2008 
Level 3 Certification (Southard Combat System) November 2009
 
 
 
 
http://www.eckmanselfdefense.com/