About Your Instructor... Sensei Robby Bray
Local
Ties And Family Life
Sensei Robby Bray is a 5th generation Ocala native with deep roots in the local community. A local business owner, Robby is a partner with his father and brother in a local business that specializes in steel fabrication and industrial contractor supplies. This business has been in Sensei Bray's family for four generations.
Sensei Bray is married to his loving wife Jaime, and is the proud father of two beautiful girls, Madison, and Abigail.
Qualifications and Education
Sensei Bray holds certifications as a Florida State Fire fighter and Emergency Medical Technician, and attended the University Of Florida where he majored in Human Health and Performance.
Sensei Bray is a recognized Black belt instructor in four different martial arts systems, and currently holds the rank of 3rd Dan (3rd degree black belt) in Shorin Ryu Karate and is one of only two Certified 3rd degree black belts in Ryukyu Kobudo* in the United States. He has tested and been awarded all of his current ranks internationally.
Martial Arts Background and Affiliations
In 2001, Sensei Bray was introduced to Tamayose Hidemi, 9th Dan (pictured above left, presenting Sensei Bray with his 3rd degree black belt certificate) of Okinawa Japan and Donald Shapland, 5th Dan of Vancouver Canada at the all Japan Okinawan World Tournament in Atlanta Ga. Sensei Bray was honored to be afforded the opportunity to start training under these two renowned instructors, and he immediately began traveling internationally between Okinawa Japan and Vancouver Canada on a yearly basis.
Sensei Bray's school is an official branch school of Hanchi Tamayose Hidemi's Tesshinkan organization, which is based in Ozato Nanjo City, Okinawa, Japan. Now, after having spent the last 8 years focusing on this unique form of Ryukyu Kobudo and Shorin Ryu karate, Sensei Bray is offering instruction to the Ocala community in these unique and historically significant martial arts.
He will again be traveling to Okinawa in August of 2009 to attend and compete in the All Japan Okinawan World Tournament, and 10 year anniversary of Tamayose Hidemi’s Tesshinkan Organization.
Philosophy
Sensei Bray stresses the importance of discipline, focus, open mindedness, and compassion to his students. Sensei also believes in teaching the entire art, and openly teaches all that has been taught to him.
Ready to get started? Need more information? Simply fill out the form to the right and a friendly staff member will contact you to set up an appointment for your first lesson!
(*For more information on Ryukyu Kobudo, please visit: OcalaTesshinkan.com)