Empire Dojo - Abingdon proudly serving Abingdon

Official Rankings

• 4^th Degree Black Belt in Japanese Jujutsu & Ninpo Taijustu
• Kukishin Ryu & Takagi Ryu International Taikai Attendee
• USA Shisenkan Instructors Intensive Attendee
• Mt. Fuji Training Camp for Advanced Mutodori and Kenjutsu Attendee
• 2^nd Degree Black Belt Mugen Shinto Ryu Iaijutsu
• Krav Maga Instructor Certification
• 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Kenjutsu
• 7^th Kyu Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu

Sydney has been teaching kids ages 3+, teens, and adults since 2018. Her experience has taught her that each age group requires a specific teaching style and lessons.

o   Ages 3-5: focus, listening the first time, and motor skills

o   Ages 6-10: discipline, socialization skills, and situational awareness.

o   Ages 11-15: mental toughness (perseverance), communication skills, and anti-bullying

o   Ages 16+: physical fitness, accountability coaching, and practical self-defense

She regularly partners with parents to help their kids, especially when they’re seeing at-home or in-school behavioral issues.

She has been invited on several occasions to teach staff and students at other martial arts schools how to have the best classes possible.

Sydney is very involved in the surrounding community. She offers PE Teacher for the Day Programs at local public and private schools, self-Defense workshops for families, youth clubs, and corporate employees. You can find her attending local community events to offer free entertainment and provide giveaways and martial arts education and opportunities. She also regularly donates time, skills, and resources to many community families and organizations.

Teaching Philosophy

• The biggest thing that determines personal success and internal happiness is attitude. No matter life’s circumstances, we can control one thing: our attitude and how we respond to what life throws our way. When teaching, nearly every student will say they want a Black Belt. But statistically, out of 100 students, only 10 will reach that goal. The only difference between those 10 students and the other 90 is their attitude/mindset towards hardship; 90% will fail to reach their goals, because they would rather opt for comfort/what’s easier than get the hard work done.

Fun Facts and Personality

• I have been to Japan, England, and Canada, plus all over the U.S. to train in and teach Martial Arts.
• I have a motorcycle, and one of my bucket list goals is to ride it across the United States.
• I love music, writing, and reading.
• I am a fur-mom of 6 (3 dogs, 1 cat, and 2 ferrets).