Zurriane Bennett is the founder of San Yama Bushi & Combination GoJu School of Self Defense. As the Director of the school he holds the title of Shihan. He has studied and trained in several martial arts. He is a 6th Dan Kyoshi (Very High Master). He began his martial arts career with USA GoJu. In 1971 he started his Karate training in USA GoJu under Shihan Thomas Bennett and achieved his black belt in 1984. That year he continued his training and teaching with Shihan Bennett in USA GoJu Karate at the Mt. Vernon, New York Boys and Girls Club. Sensei Z. Bennett has also studied the art of Nesei GoJu Ryu Karate under Master Earl Monroe, Kumite Ryu Jujutsu under Master Chris Columbo and San Yama Bushi Ryu Jujutsu under Shinan Hector Negron and Shihan David Colon. When he lived in Japan he studied Aikido under a Japanese Sensei on Marine Corps Air Base in Iwakuni Japan. He has also had the pleasure of training under several other instructors in several different styles: Shihan David Colon, Shihan Darlene Defour, Shihan Michael Kelly, Shihan Reginald Brown, Menkyo Gary Gione and Sensei David Drawdy. He has completed basic and advanced training in Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics, Rape Aggression Defensive (RAD) instructor, Project Management, Personal Fitness, Conflict Resolution training, and certifications. He has also attended various training seminars given by other Martial Arts systems, Defensive systems, and Holistic training.
1962- Born in Mt. Vernon, New York. He started his first martial art studies in American GOJU/USA GOJU Karate. He is still actively studying this art and has been for over 30 years.
1971- He started his training in American GOJU Ryu Karate under the tutelage of the Shihan Thomas Bennett, 7th Degree Black Belt. He is still a dedicated student of Shihan Bennett to this date.
1978- He started training in Nesei GOJU Ryu Karate under Master Earl Monroe, 7th Degree Black Belt and trained for 3 years.
1980- Awarded the rank of Ni-Kyo 2nd Brown in Nesei GoJu Ryu Karate by Sensei Earl Monroe
1981- He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and has over 20 years of service. His highest enlisted rank was Gunnery Sergeant E-7 until he was promoted to Warrant Officer. Highest officer rank is Chief Warrant Officer.
1984- He trained in Kumite Ryu Jujutsu under Master Christopher Columbo, 8th Degree Black Belt for two years. Also trained under Professor Visitacion in Vee Arnis during this time.
1989- Awarded the rank of Shodan in American GoJu Ryu Karate by Sensei Thomas Bennett.
1991- Awarded rank of Shodan in Kumite Ryu Jujitsu by Sensei Chris Columbo.
1991- He started his training in San Yama Bushi Jujutsu under the tutelage of the Shinan Hector Negron and Shihan David Colon with whom he still trains today. He holds a Teaching Certificate in San Yama Bushi Ryu Jujutsu.
1994- Awarded Teaching Certificate by Shinan Hector Negron (Head Kaiden) of San Yama Bushi Ryu system.
1994- Awarded Defensive Tactics Instructor Certification, by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Criminal Justice Services.
1997- He was awarded the rank 4th dan, Renshi, in American GoJu Ryu by Grand Master Peter Urban and Shihan Thomas Bennett. Renshi is an Expert of Martial Arts Combative Sciences.
1998- Awarded Basic Physical Defense Instructor Certification, by Rape Aggression Defense Systems (RAD).
1999- Awarded Certification as a Certified Holistic Health Care Practitioner, Washington Institute of Natural Medicine.
1999- Awarded Certification as a Touch Therapy/Reiki III, Washington Institute of Natural Medicine.
2001- Awarded Certification as Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, by International Association Professional Fitness Trainers.
2001- Awarded Certification as an Advance Physical Defense Instructor, by Rape Aggression Defense Systems. (RAD)
2002- Awarded Certification as an Resisting Aggression Defensively for Children Instructor, Personal Empowerment Safety Education by radKIDS Inc. (radkids
2002- Sensei Bennett was nominated for the Men of Vision Award by the Virginians Against Sexual Assault Association.
2002- Awarded the rank of 5th Dan, Title Renshi (Senior Master) in American GoJu Ryu and Senior Expert of Martial Arts Combative Sciences by Grand Master Peter G. Urban, Seiko-Hanshi 10* U.S.A.G.A. Intl
2004- Awarded the rank of 6th Dan, Title Kyoshi (Very High Master) in American GoJu Ryu by Kyoshi Thomas Bennett 8th Dan Head Master of The House of GoJu, American Goju Ryu.
2005- Officially opened San Yama Bushi & Combination GoJu School of Self Defense in Woodbridge, VA.
2006- Awarded 3rd degree Black Belt/Sandan in Shijitsu - Jissen - Karate Jutsu by Reno N. Moralez Sosai Shihan, Bronx Shotokan Clubs (B.S.K.C.) Independent Japanese Karate Association International.
2006- SYBCG Jujutsu system. After training in several systems of Jujutsu, various martial arts, other self defensive tactics. Sensei Bennett started offering SYBCG Jujutsu on August 22, 2006.
Member - United States Marine Corps Martial Arts Association.
Member - The Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Appointed position of State Director for the Common Wealth of Virginia, 2004
Member - Urban GOJU/USA GOJU Ryu Karate Fighting School Network
Member - San Yama Bushi Ryu Jujutsu and Judo Association
Member - American Federation of Jujitsu
Member - Independent Combat Martial Artist Association
Member - Rape Aggression Defense Instructors organization
Member - Resisting Aggression Defensively for Kids Instructors organization
Member - International Professional Fitness Instructors Association
Member - Professional Association Dive Instructors
Member - Military Officers Association of America
Member - United States Marine Corp
Member/Board Member - United States Marine Corps Martial Arts Association
Member - Martial Arts Teachers Association
Life Time Member - United States Judo Association
Life Time Member - United States Judo Association
Member - USA GOJU Karate Association
Life Time Member - All American GOJU International Karate Foundation
Life Time Member - Two Fish & Five Loaves Martial Arts Fellowship
CPR, First Aid, and AED certified.
Sensei Bennett also holds certifications and certificates in Holistic Medicine, Reiki (Touch Therapy), First Aid, CPR, Personal Fitness, Antiterrorism, Force Protection, Fire Instructor, Aircraft Firefighting, Structural Firefighting, Emergency Services, Safety, SCUBA diving Conflict Management, Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediation, Operations other than War.
SELECTED AWARDS AND PRIZES
1994- Awarded Teaching Certificate by Shinan Hector Negron (Head Kaiden) of San Yama Bushi Ryu system.
1994- Awarded Defensive Tactics Instructor Certification, by Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Criminal Justice Services.
1997- He was awarded the rank of Renshi in American GoJu Ryu by Grand Master Peter Urban and Shihan Thomas Bennett. Renshi is an Expert of Martial Arts Combative Sciences. EM
1998- Awarded Basic Physical Defense Instructor Certification, by Rape Aggression Defense Systems (RAD).
1999- Awarded Certification as a Certified Holistic Health Care Practitioner, Washington Institute of Natural Medicine.
1999- Awarded Certification as a Touch Therapy/Reiki III, Washington Institute of Natural Medicine.
2001- Awarded Certification as Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, by International Association Professional Fitness Trainers.
2001- Awarded Certification as an Advance Physical Defense Instructor, by Rape Aggression Defense Systems. (RAD)
2002- Awarded Certification as an Resisting Aggression Defensively for Children Instructor, Personal Empowerment Safety Education by radKIDS Inc. (radkids)
2002- Sensei Bennett was nominated for the Men of Vision Award by the Virginians Against Sexual Assault Association
2003- Induction into Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Outstanding Contributions in the Martial Arts
2003- Awarded the rank of 5th Dan, Title Renshi (Senior Master) in American GoJu Ryu and Senior Expert of Martial Arts Combative Sciences. EM by Grand Master Peter G. Urban, Seiko-Hanshi 10* U.S.A.G.A. Intl
2003- Received School Charter License from American Federation of Jujitsu.
2003- Received Black Belt Instructor Membership Certification from American Federation of Jujitsu.
2003- Awarded Regional Instructor of the Year by World Head of Family Soke Council Martial Arts Hall of Fame
2003- Induction into World Karate Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Golden Life Time Achievement Award in the Martial Arts
2003- Induction into Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Renshi of the Year Award in the Martial Arts
2004- Awarded Goodwill Ambassador by Martial Arts Magazine at the Hall of Fame Awards
2004-Awarded Masters Belt at the Karate Union Hall of Fame
2004- Selected for Leadership Award by the World Head of Family Soke Council Hall of Fame
2004- Awarded Seminar Leader Award from the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, Hall of Fame for the seminar he presented at this years Martial Arts event.
2004- Awarded the rank of 6th Dan, Title Kyoshi (Very High Master) in American GoJu Ryu by Kyoshi Thomas Bennett 8th Dan Head Master of The House of GoJu, American Goju Ryu
2005 - Selected for Instructor Award by the United States Martial Artist Association Hall of Fame
2005- Awarded Black Belt Certification, World Ju-jitsu / AIKI Bujutsu Federation
2005- Awarded Shihan, European Samurai Ju-Jitsu / AIKI Society
2005- Awarded Brown Belt in Judo - USJA
2006- Awarded Life Time Dedication to Martial Arts in USA GOJU Award from BUDO International Magazine, at their Hall of Fame in New York, NY
2006- Awarded 3rd degree Black Belt/Sandan in Shijitsu - Jissen - Karate Jutsu by Reno N. Moralez, Sosai Shihan, Bronx Shotokan Clubs (B.S.K.C.) Independent Japanese Karate Association International (August 12)
2007 - Awarded 3rd degree Black Belt/ Sandan in CJCB Jujitsu by Reginaldo Brown Soke, Combat Jujitsu Combination Builders system