Our instructors are uniquely qualified in teaching practical self-defense. We bring decades of experience – teaching karate to thousands of students, children, teens and adults, families and professionals – and training with outstanding teachers in Okinawa and the US. We draw on invaluable real-world experience in law enforcement and in other professional roles – a needed reality-check in teaching fitness, focus and practical self-defense. This allows us to meet the goals of everyone who trains at Mountain Karate.
Instructor Jeff Brooks, 9th degree black belt, began martial arts training in 1978.
He ran his dojo in Northampton, MA from 1988 through 2009, teaching thousands of adults and children karate, holding self-defense seminars, professional programs in combative skills.
He received his 5th degree Black Belt from the Nagamine honbu dojo, his 7th degree black belt in 2004 and his 9th degree black belt in 2022, in recognition of his formulation and leadership of Yamabayashi Ryu.
He opened Mountain Karate in Saluda, NC, in 2017 after a career in law enforcement. From our new location, Mountain Karate serves Henderson County and Polk County, NC, with members and associates from around the US and the world.
Sensei Brooks studied traditional martial arts with leading teachers in Okinawan, Japanese, and Chinese traditions, in the US and overseas.
Among them Katsuhiko Shinzato, translator of Shoshin Nagamine’s Essence of Okinawan Karate Do, and formerly a student of the Kishaba brothers’ karate and kobudo;
Sogen Sakiyama, Roshi, direct student of Miyagi Chojun, and practitioner of Goju-ryu karate;
and Shoshin Nagamine, Chief of the Motobu District Police, Mayor of Naha, and founder of Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu.
Jeff Brooks served as a police officer, detective, defensive tactics instructor, firearms instructor, PPCT instructor, Deputy US Marshal, and Deputy Sheriff.
Jeff Brooks has written hundreds of published articles on martial arts, and has been cited widely online and in print. He wrote speeches and presentations for high profile public figures in politics, media, business and the arts.
He is author of several books including “True Karate Dō”, available on Amazon.
Mountain Karate is part of a global network of dedicated practitioners and professionals. Friends and visitors from around the world join together to share training, insights and spirit.
