Sensei

I was the survivor of a very serious road rage attack by a violent convicted criminal. This frightening experience led me to pursue effective self-defence training. I felt unsafe and I wanted to learn how to defend myself. Soon after training in modern martial art, I became curious about the source of the art and took up the traditional Japanese art of Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu.

Many years of dedicated training resulted in me becoming the first non-Japanese female to be graded to blackbelt by headmaster Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei. A great honour. I am a direct student of Kondo Sensei and I make several trips a year to his dojo in Japan to study and practice under his watchful eye.

With over 20 years of experience and training, I am keen to encourage and teach students both young and old, self-defence and the many wonderful lessons I have learned so far on my martial arts journey.

Adult Instructor

I first started martial arts in 2008 after a short holiday in the USA where I was mugged in the street. I wasn't afraid as it was a very minor incident but I felt unable to defend myself and my girlfriend at the time.

I quickly discovered how great martial arts was for not only my body but my mind. It was not only the challenges of learning to punch, kick and throw, it was finding a way to shut off my mind to the outside world and the stresses of modern life.

I have known and been training with Rachael Crompton for many years. In 2014, I passed my Shodan grading and became Rachael Sensei's first black belt.

I really enjoy teaching by passing on my knowledge as it was passed on to me. I like to encourage students to try their best and push them to challenge themselves. White Wolf Dojo is a friendly and fun atmosphere.

I am currently working towards my Nidan at White Wolf Dojo and I also train with Rachael studying Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. I've been lucky enough to study Daito Ryu for a number of years now and have also trained in Japan. I received my Shodan in Daito Ryu in 2019.

Adult Instructor

I started martial arts in 2010, mainly because I have a desk job and don’t get a lot of exercise. White Wolf Dojo is a fun, safe, and healthy environment. It allows the student to tap into skills that help them deal with people/life. In my job as a Senior Systems Engineer, it can get pretty stressful. Training in martial arts at White Wolf Dojo has definitely made me a better person. I have become fitter, healthier, and more focused in my job. During my journey, I have achieved things I never would have thought possible. I didn't realise I had put limitations on myself.

I really enjoy teaching and helping other students to realise this. It’s empowering and I want to share the benefits I have received from training in martial arts.

I also train with Rachael Crompton within in the traditional Daito Ryu Jujutsu. I find both arts complementary to each other.

Our Dojo is a strong place to learn traditional martial arts and the culture around them. Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu is ideal for serious students and has improved my technique immensely. In addition to this, we are taught etiquette, respect, finesse, teamwork, and much more in this wonderful study group. Our leader Rachael is world-class and has a great presence in the dojo, she respects and cares for us all. Rare is her dedication to martial arts and passing on of knowledge.

Adult Instructor

I have always loved martial arts. It captured my imagination as a child, and I trained in Tae Kwon Do from around age 8 into early adulthood. I achieved my Shodan (Blackbelt) at age 16.

Through my training, this affinity (a child’s love of ‘karate chops’ and ‘ninjas’) grew into a great respect for, and appreciation of, martial arts. It taught me how to focus my attention, as well as the value of consistency and tenacity when working to achieve my goals.

Growing up and moving away from home, I lost my connection with the martial arts school I had studied within and my priorities became focused on other life goals.

Much later in life, while recovering from a spinal disc injury, I realised that the only exercise I had ever loved was martial arts. I began thinking about how to bring that back into my life again as part of a more holistic personal focus on improving my body’s strength, fitness and mobility. Not an easy task now being much older and while injured!

With the focus of White Wolf Dojo being on self-improvement, rather than competition with others, I had the bandwidth to grow my body back into training in a safe way; I was amazed at my progression and personal achievements. Then, after suffering a severe knee injury, White Wolf Dojo again enabled me to return to training at my own pace, overcome my personal challenges…and finally…

I achieved my Shodan in March 2019.

We are all on our own journeys and each of us have personal challenges to overcome.

As an instructor here at WWD, I genuinely love having the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences in order to help each student surpass their personal challenges and become the best version of themselves they can be.

Children’s Instructor

I started training at White Wolf Dojo back in 2013, in the Junior classes, at the age of 12.

At the age of 13, I moved up to the Adults classes and have been training ever since.

I achieved my blackbelt in November 2020.

Training in martial arts has been one of the best experiences in my life. It has helped me to build my fitness, as well as providing knowledge and skills to be used if I’m ever in a situation where I have to defend myself.

Training has also taught me many valuable skills outside of self-defence, such as how to roll and fall safely as well as great self-discipline and confidence.

As a dad of two teenage daughters, who also train with us, I love seeing the physical development of everyone that is involved with our Dojo family.

I started martial arts in 2008 with Aikido Ken Kyu Kai and progressed to Japanese Jujutsu and Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu under the precise and expansive teaching of Sensei Rachael. The engagement of this art for kids and adults is now more important than ever in this tech age and the bond, physical and mental fitness is such an important life aspect. The program developed by Sensei Rachael is just perfect for all levels and I love being involved. I received my Shodan in November 2021 and the feeling of such immense achievement is a lesson I need to pass on to all that come to our Dojo. Martial arts is a lifelong journey and it is never too early or late to start your own journey.