About
What do I teach?
I teach a global martial art called Modern Arnis. While Filipino in origin, it includes Japanese, Chinese and American influences. See the FAQ for more information.
I am committed to excellence in your martial arts experience. I am a passionate instructor who believes everyone can achieve a high skill level.
Serving Pickering, Whitby, and Ajax, I teach at the ABS Training Centre in Pickering.
I currently teach one class weekly (Thursday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.). Contact me or the ABS Training Centre for more information.
In addition to teaching classes, I teach individualized private lessons to my diverse clientele. I am dedicated to meeting individual needs and goals to promote growth and well-being - in martial arts and life.
Private lessons are an exciting way to learn martial arts at an accelerated pace.
Are you interested in private lessons? Sign up for a free half-hour private lesson!
About the Instructor
Master Brian Johns
I have over 35 years of martial arts experience, including Kung Fu, Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do, Vee Jiu-Jitsu, Kenpo Karate, and Modern Arnis. I welcome students from Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa!
For the last 15 years, I have been teaching Modern Arnis and self-defence. I am passionate about helping others overcome barriers, obstacles, and insecurities. In addition to teaching Modern Arnis, I have taught women’s self-defence at UOIT/Durham College in Oshawa. I have also taught self-defence courses for developmentally delayed adults at the Abilities Centre in Whitby.
My Modern Arnis classes are fun, safe, and unique! You will learn how to go with the flow in any self-defence situation.
What’s more fun than playing with sticks and knives? Nothing!
About
FAQ's
There is nothing more fun than practicing sticks with friends! Want to be like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, Rey, and Jason Bourne? Then Modern Arnis is what you need!
I teach Modern Arnis, a Filipino Martial Art, founded by the late Professor Remy Presas.
Modern Arnis emphasizes self-defense rather than fighting. We cover empty hand self-defense, defenses against weapons such as sticks and knives. I emphasize the concepts of “going with the flow” and “counter for counter” in learning self-protection.
Learning how to de-escalate is a large part of my classes as well. Filipino Martial Arts is a great martial art for the 21st century because it emphasizes critical thinking and adaptability. Perfect for everyone, especially children!
Well, it’s ridiculously fun. Nothing makes you feel more like a Jedi than stick fighting!
Filipino Martial Arts is a great martial art for the 21st century because it emphasizes critical thinking and adaptability. It’s perfect for developing important physical skills, like hand speed and coordination. You’ll learn about body mechanics and improve your communication skills through de-escalation practice.
Modern Arnis combines moving your body with constant brain engagement – it’s a great way to blow off steam and take your mind off stressful situations. Our classes focus on self-defence and safety, so they give you practical skills for feeling more confident in your day-to-day life.
Still not sure? Contact me so we can talk about whether Modern Arnis is suitable for you.
Just like any sport, accidents can happen. However, I pride myself on putting safety first.
In Modern Arnis, we emphasize safety so that we can practice and learn. A fundamental part of any martial art is having respect for the techniques you are learning and keeping your partner safe.
I want everyone to have fun, but no one can have fun if they fear getting hurt. I have a zero-tolerance policy for violent, thoughtless, or disruptive behaviour and instead work to develop discipline, control, respect, and accuracy.
In class, we wear athletic pants and loose-fitting t-shirts.
In the beginning, we always open by showing respect to the art, its founder, and each other. We then normally do a few warm-up exercises meant to wake up our brains and joints. The majority of the class will involve the instructor showing a particular technique, and then the students pair up to work on it.
During practice time, the instructor will circulate to make sure everyone understands the technique. Participants change partners often.
Modern Arnis is a deep art so that you may be working empty-hand with sticks, with practice knives, or maybe even with improvised weapons on any given day.
We end by showing respect. We’re a welcoming community, and it’s not uncommon for members to hang around to chat at the end of class.
Currently, I accept children in mixed adult/children classes at the ABS Training Centre in Pickering on Thursday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Interested? Contact me!
Heck yes! I was born deaf and wear cochlear implants. I have experience teaching self-defence to developmentally delayed adults at the Abilities Centre in Whitby. I have also taught private lessons to students with different disabilities. Please contact me if you have any questions!
Yes! Modern Arnis is quite different from other martial arts or sports because of its emphasis on weapons and partner work, which helps develop essential skills like spatial awareness, reaction time, hand speed, and balance.
Professor Presas called Modern Arnis “the art within your art” because he developed it to give martial artists further insights into the techniques they already know and love.
Maybe it will do the same thing for you? See for yourself!
How to find us
In addition to teaching children classes at the Harmony Martial Arts Center in Pickering, I also teach private lessons.
Update as of May 31, 2022: Children's classes may resume at a different location. Please check back for updates.
Private lessons are an exciting way to learn martial arts at an accelerated pace. Interested? Sign up for a free half-hour private lesson!