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Yume Dojo

Shizenryu Jutsu

 

Glendale, Arizona

 

Arts of Shizenryu Jutsu:

Mixed Martial Arts Logo

Kempo Curriculum:

  • Hawaiian Kempo

  • Okinawan Kempo

  • Japanese Kempo

  • American Kenpo

Jujutsu Curriculum:

  • Japanese Jujutsu

  • Hawaiian Jujutsu

  • Okinawan Jutsu

  • Chin Na

New Waza (Groundwork) Curriculum:

  • Sambo

Welcome to the

 Yume Dojo Page

Here you will get the background information on Yume Dojo, bio's of the Sensei of Yume Dojo and some information on Shizenryu Jutsu. This page will give an overview of several aspects of Yume Dojo.

About Yume Dojo

     Yume (“Dream”) Dojo was started in the early 90’s as an after school activity in the Phoenix school system. After much demand for continuing classes, the dojo was opened for children only. The dojo offered a safe haven for children and a chance for them to study the Martial Arts. Goals were set and students were encouraged to seek these goals and become anything they set their mind to. Hence the name “Dream Dojo”. Eventually adults were added a bit later, but were mainly parents of the students. Parents were encouraged to share the growth of the students, and their journey to become better people.

     The dojo itself went through a growth and metamorphosis period. Initially an Aikido/Aiki-Jujutsu school, the dojo moved and started to add arts like Okinawan Karate and Brazilian Jujutsu. In the late 90's Shitoryu Karate was the main Striking art, and there were several styles of Jujutsu studied. At this time most students were teenagers, and young adults, and college students. As the dojo grew, more and more arts were added, and the curriculum became very strong. In early 2000 a Kempo curriculum was added, and the main focus of the dojo was Kempo and Jujutsu. This was the beginnings of Shizenryu Jutsu.

About the Sensei's of Yume Dojo

Shihan Lou Klaff

Shihan Renshi Lou Klaff has been training over 30 years. He is the head Sensei at Yume Dojo and has been teaching Martial Arts over 15 years. Shihan has trained under some of the top Grandmasters, Soke and Sensei in the country. As a teenager Shihan studied Judo and continued his training in Goju Ryu Karate in college back in Virginia. After moving to Arizona, Shihan and son Scotty started training together in Ed Parker Kenpo. Moving on, the two studied Aikido for almost 10 years, before moving on to other Arts. Jujutsu became the focus of their training and the two joined by daughter Stacey who started training in Jujutsu, Aiki-Jujutsu and the Karate Arts.  One of the big changes in Shihan's training came when Soke John Simmons took over their training. Soke Simmons introduced Torite Jutsu, Goshin Budo Jujutsu, Sanuces Ryu Jujutsu to add to their existing arts, but Soke Simmons biggest influence was that of Ippons, Kata, and Bunkai. It was Soke's interpretation of Bunkai, and the approach he took, that made a major change in perspective of the Sensei's

     About 7 years ago Hanshi Bruce Juchnik and Shihan met. Shihan Klaff became very active in the Collective Society trying to preserve many of the arts, and trying to get seniors in the arts to the yearly Gathering.

      Shihan has met and trained with some of the top practitioners in not only in the country but the world.  Currently Shihan holds Black Belt rank in 4 different Jujutsu styles, Okinawan Karate (Shitoryu), Aikido and Aiki-Jujutsu and Hawaiian Kempo.

 
Shihan Scotty Klaff

Shihan Scotty Klaff has trained in the Martial arts since the age of 4. He has now been training over 20 years and has been teaching for over 10. Shihan Scotty received his Black Belt at age 13, and was the only Junior to carry adult rank. Starting in American Kenpo Karate, Shihan took many first place events in both Kata and Kumite. Leaving Kenpo, the next art was Aikido, but while studying Aikido, Shihan  studied Tang Soo Do as well. An excellent kicker, kept Shihan's interest in Karate. In his teens he added Shito Ryu Karate, and studied Jujutsu and Torite as well. Shihan Scotty is the Senior instructor at Yume Dojo and is in charge of the Juniors program. He was elected into the Sokeship Hall of Fame for his work in creating a Juniors program. He also was recognized by the Hawaiian Martial Arts Society as Black Belt of the Year. Shihan has reached Black Belt status in Shito/Shuri Karate, Goshin Budo Jujutsu, Torite Jutsu, Hawaiian Kempo and the Aiki arts as well.  Shihan Scotty is a graduate of Arizona State University and received his degree in Kinesiology. He currently works as a Strength and Conditioning Pro at a Country Club in Phoenix and is also a certified flexibility trainer for professional, Olympic, and college athletes. He has combined his Martial Arts knowledge with his formal education and is a top authority in the conditioning of athletes. He hopes to start offering agility and strength training to mixed Martial Arts practitioners.

 
Sensei Stacey Klaff

Sensei Stacey Klaff started training when she was 7 years old, and has been training for 15 years. She first started in the Aiki arts, but found her niche in the Jujutsu arts, and groundwork arts. An excellent practitioner, Sensei is assistant instructor at Yume Dojo and assists Shihan with the Juniors programs. Sensei Stacey specialty is in ground work, and knife work. Sensei created the knife work curriculum for the Dojo and teaches groundwork techniques as well. She also handles all the Women's self-defense classes at the Dojo. She holds Black Belts in Shuri/Shitoryu Karate, Goshin Budo Jujutsu, Torite Jutsu and Hawaiian Kempo.  She is currently working toward adding other Black Belts as well. Sensei Stacey is a graduate of the Phoenix Art Institute, graduating with honors in the Culinary Program. She is currently an Executive Chef for a Corporate Catering Company in Phoenix Arizona.

 
About Shizenryu Jutsu

   Sensei's        Shizenryu (“Natures Way”) Jutsu is a ‘collection of arts’ rather than a style. Its a system of Concepts and Principles versus a style of techniques. Shizenryu is more like a readers digest than a novel, and the Sensei’s more editors than authors.  Shizenryu represents 30 years of training in the Martial Arts in various styles. The 3 Sensei's of Yume Dojo have been training together for over 20 years. Shihan Lou has been training for over 30 years himself. The base of Shizenryu is Jujutsu, and 4 styles of Jujutsu are studied; however Karate/Kempo is also in the curriculum. The arts of Shizenryu include:

  •  Jujutsu Arts

  1. Goshin Budo Jujutsu (Goshindo)

  2. Torite Jutsu Ryu

  3. Sanuces Ryu Jujutsu

  4. Hawaiian Jujutsu

These arts are taught in their entirety and all basics, Concepts, Theories and Principles must be mastered by the student.

  1. Small Circle Jujutsu

  2. Danzan Ryu Jujutsu

  3. Eagle Claw Chin Na

These arts heavily influence Shizenryu but these arts are not studied in their entirety, rather select Principles, techniques and Concepts. Shizenryu resembles Small Circle Jujutsu the most, but is set up more like Danzan Ryu Jujutsu.

  •  Karate/Kempo Arts

  1. Okinawan Kempo (Shitoryu Karate)

  2. Motoburyu Kempo (Kata and Self Defenses)

  3. Hawaiian Kempo

  4. Shorinji Kempo (Japanese)

  5. American Kenpo

Side Kick KneeThe base of our striking art is Shito/Shuri Ryu Karate. Most Kata and Ippon Kumite come from either Hayashi Ha or Kuniba Ha Shito Ryu. Shito Ryu is studied in its entirety, but has both Kuniba and Hayashi Ha influence. The 12 self-defense techniques of Motobu, Choki Sensei and the Niahanchi Katas are from Motoburyu Kempo as well as Shro Kuma, the White Bear Kata.  There are several katas in the system. Some are Okinawan Kata, Kempo kata from different systems and one or two self-defense Jujutsu kata.

  •  Grappling Arts

  1. Brazillian Jujutsu

  2. Sambo

TSingle Leg Variationhe first grappling  art added to Shizenryu was Brazilian Jujutsu. This was studied to enhance the groundwork in the system. This was studied for about 8 years. Sambo replaced Brazilian Jujutsu because of its technical aspects, and more self-defense approach, more than the ‘sport’ approach of Brazilian Jujutsu.

 

 

  • Other Influences

  1. Aikido

  2. Aiki-Jujutsu

  3. Judo

  4. V-Arnis Jitsu

  5. Kobudo

  6. "Hooks" (Wrestling Hooks)

Aikido was one of the first arts studied, however is not really practiced today. Some techniques resemble Aikido or Aiki-Jujutsu technique, but employ smaller circle and more direct joint locking. The bigger circle techniques are not employed today. Shizenryu employs many Judo throws as well, though not all of them. Many throws are more takedown oriented and are transitions to techniques on the ground. Currently we are adding some "Old School Judo", ground techniques (Ne Waza) and some 'Hooking techniques' from the early days of wrestling as well.