My first experience with Martial Arts was in Wu Shu Kwan, a form of Chinese Boxing under my Sifu Dr. Javid Birjandi. I was in my early twenties, and although I enjoyed the classes always felt that the highly stylised and regimented moves were not the most practical. I trained up to Blue Belt in WSK and might have continued, but my Sifu was unfortunate enough to be on the Iranian 747 that was lost with all hands, and the school closed.

Fast forward twenty years later! I was looking for an activity I could do with my young family, and discovered that there was a Martial Art school right on my doorstep. I called the school owner, and was welcomed along to see my first Choi Kwang Do class. I was immediately impressed with both the Instructors, and the energy of the classes. The kids enjoyed it too, so we enrolled there and then.

Fast forward another six years, and I am now running the school. Both my kids are Black Belts, and I am really proud of how they stuck in through the years to take their IL Dan grading. I still really enjoy Choi Kwang Do, but it’s now from a different perspective. I love the feeling that I am improving peoples’ lives, whether it is through helping them to get fit, increasing their flexibility or just boosting their self confidence. I also get a kick out of watching our students progress through the belts and levels of Choi Kwang Do, seeing them develop through Leadership Team, STORM Team and becoming Instructors in their own rights. It’s a very satisfying feeling, especially when you see the benefits it can have for students with social or developmental problems.

Alford CKD is very family oriented, with many Mums and Dads training with their children. It is nice to see parents fostering closer relationships with their kids, especially when they can do it in a safe and secure environment, free for the worries of injuries that can arise with other styles. I am very proud of our school, and our students and look forward to furthering my teaching abilities and of course my own training in CKD.

On a final note, my bio would be far from complete without mentioning my lovely wife Lynda, without who's love and support none of this would have been possible.