NAMI RYU AIKI HEIHO - INSTRUCTOR PROFILE
Ryan Bellegante: Samurai Martial Arts of Reno, NV
Growing up in Northern Nevada, Ryan Bellegante was influenced the most by the martial arts and chanbara (チャンバラ) Japanese Samurai movies he loved to watch. He started at a very young age studying and training in karate and migrated to aikido in his teens. However, feeling the void in unarmed martial arts, his love of the sword drew out his search in his college years. Finding out about Nami ryu, Ryan made the decision in 2003 to move to Encinitas and build his entire life around training at the Nami ryu Hombu Dojo.
Training at the dojo 5 days or more a week, Ryan Bellegante rapidly progressed in his training, and became an instructor in record time……but not without putting in all the hours of training and sweat equity needed to learn and own the basics. Opening his own dojo back home in Reno in 2008, Ryan added trips to Japan to study with Kuroda Tetsuzan sensei along with other senior Nami ryu instructors in the koryu Shinbukan Kuroda family arts. His dedication to the sword arts and all things Samurai is the gold Ryan has mined in his training, the culmination of a childhood dream turned into effort and delivered results.
NAMI RYU AIKI HEIHO - INSTRUCTOR PROFILE
Stuart Carpey: Scorpion Samurai Dojo Longmont, CO
Stuart Carpey holds a 4th dan through Jujitsu America having studied Yamabushi Ryu as taught by Richard Robinson Sensei.
These teachings incorporate aspects of small circle Jujitsu, modern Arnis, and Shotokan. Stuart earned his 1st dan in 2001 and regularly taught at River of Life Martial Arts and Wellness Center. He has been a student of Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho under the tutelage of James Williams Sense since 2008, and has been a Nami Ryu instructor since 2015. Stuart brings the accessibility of learning Nami Ryu to all students and a passion for training to "the mat,” keeping students moving forward in their martial art studies and personal growth.
Stuart earned his law degree in 1987 from the Villanova University School of Law, owns his own firm, and litigates and tries cases throughout Pennsylvania and the various Federal Courts throughout the country.