Michael Seamark, Owner and Chief Instructor Sadohana-Kai
His students and peers have come to know him as a wicked technician, one that is able to easily transmit Jiu Jitsu concepts with a great sense of humor and love for the art.
Michael fell in love with martial arts in the 1980's, began Jiu Jitsu in the 1990. He squeezed out 2 University Degrees in Geology and Geoscience and roamed our great globe for a few years doing exploration and finding gold.
All the while finding wrists to bend and bodies to grapple.
After years of direct study under the Headmaster of KoKoDo, Irie Yasuhiro Soke, Michael was the first student of KoKoDo to receive the teaching recognition and title of Kyoshi or Professor of KoKoDo. Michael is 1 of only 2 in the world to be promoted to the rank of 8th degree black Hanshi in KoKoDo and has received the branding of JIKIMON (extremely rare) from Soke for 6 years straight.
He is considered to be one of Soke’s most trusted upon students. Michael has also received every technical level available in KoKoDo which include: Shihan , Renshi Shihan, Menkyo Kaiden Shihan and lastly KoGyoku. The KoGyoku level which includes Soke’s Shin Tai Gi and San Dan Kichu is so indeepth that Michael has went back to review this level every years since he received it in 2011.
Michael regularly travels to assist Soke during JuJutsu seminars in Europe, USA, Canada, Japan and to conduct seminars for his Affiliates. He received a special certificate of appreciation from the Japanese Government for his special teachings of Goshinjutsu to Japan Probation Officers
Michael was first Introduced to BJJ in the 90’s and often attended seminars and camps and would bring what he learned into his self-defense. He has trained with notable Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts; Joe Hoffer, Keith Owen, Royce Gracie, Xande Ribeiro, Saulo Ribeiro and Master Pedro Sauer.
After proving proficiency under fire and logging over 800 BJJ mat hours he was promoted to purple belt in Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu by non other than Professor Saulo Ribeiro himself. This took place at the annual instructors training Course at the Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu Headquarters in San Diego.
Michael currently teaches a successful BJJ Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu Affiliate Program at Sadohana where he focuses on sound basics and keeping the self-defense mindset will training and rolling.
Currently Michael is and his wife Diane, together own and operate Sadohana. With the help of the many Shihan and Instructors at Sadohana, we have grown to become one of the most successful Japanese JuJutsu Dojo’s in the region.
Credentials
Tactical Experience
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1980s Wrestling, Aikijujutsu/Aikido and Judo
1990 Begins training JiuJitsu seriously with Sensei Jim Fry in Lindsay Ontario
1990 Introduction to KoHo Shiatsu – In dojo trainings
1990 First training session with Sensei Michael LaMonica at Jiu Jitsu International Camp
1993 Graduates with degree in Geology from Sir Sanford Fleming College
1994 Graduates with a degree as a Geo-Technologist from Sir Sanford Fleming College
1994 Works Geo-Con in NWT Canada
1995 Works advanced Geo Camp in Northern Ontario
1995 Is Promoted to BlackBelt in JiuJitsu in Timmins Ontario
1995 Rank of Shodan in Hakkoryu & Goshinryu JiuJitsu
1995 Works in NWT – Geo Exploration
1996 Training for first time with Soke Irie at the World Kobudo
1996 Works Geo-Recon in Albania
1997 Works Geo-Exploration in South America
1997 Open Sadohana Dojo in Vancouver
1999 Promoted to the Rank of Nidan in JiuJitsu
2000 Travels with Sensei LaMonica to Omiya Japan. Seamark’s first trip to Japan.
2002 Promoted to the Rank of Sandan in JiuJitsu HDJF/KKD Remnei
2002 Receives Basic KoKoDo Shiatsu Certification
2003 Gracie Law Enforcement Seminar Completion with Royce Gracie
2004 Promoted to the Rank of Yondan in JiuJitsu
2005 Received Advanced Shiatsu Training and certification in KoKoDo Shiatsu
2005 Earns rank of Shihan and 5th Dan in Hakko Denshin Ryu JuJutsu & KoKoDo Remnei.
2007 Earns Renshi Shihan – 6th Dan in Hakko Denshin - KoKoDo Remnei
2009 KoKoDo Shiatsu Teacher status (Basic and Advanced) under the KoKoDo JuKu in Omiya Japan
2009-2017 Teaching Customized Special Security and Protection Courses
2010 Promoted to Kaiden Shihan 6th Dan by Soke Irie while in Japan
2011 Irie Soke invited Michael to return to Japan where Michael trained directly with Soke for over 20 days and underwent the highest technical level and certification call KoGyoku.
2012 Seamark became the first student to receive the title of Kyoshi from Irie Soke.
2013 Promoted to Rank of 7th Dan in KoKoDo JuJutsu by Soke Irie Yasuhiro
2016 Promoted to Purple belt by Professor Saulo Ribeiro in San Diego, California
2016 Promoted to 8th Dan Black belt in KoKoDo JuJutsu
2017 Receives the Teaching Title of Hanshi for KoKoDo JuJutsu & Goshin-Jutsu from Soke Irie
1990 Server Intervention Program Training for Security
1992 Head of Security, SFFC Pub
1997 Creates Special Operation Tactical Training Division
1997 Begins to work Protection and Security Details
1998 Combat Sambo Seminar Certificate of Completion with Oleg Takarov
2003 Gracie Law Enforcement Seminar Completion with Royce Gracie
2004 Certified with Honors Justice Institute of BC/Police Academy BST 1 & 2 Use of Force Specialist
2004 Working Special Operations Security details
2005 Speed and Control Hand Cuffing with Hiscoe Protection Services
2006 Director of Special Operations at SPG.Inc
2006 Special DT/LET Training with Michael Lamonica Former FBI Instructor
2007 Consulted as Expert Witness Security - Use of Force related
2008 Certified Executive Protection Specialist – LaSorsa (Former US Secret Service – Presidential Detail
2008 PAL Certified (restricted and unrestricted)
2008 Police Lockup System Training Seminar Completion
2009 Certified Advanced Security Training Instructor Justice Institute of BC/Police Academy (Use of Force & Handcuffing)
2009-2017 Teaching Customized Special Security and Protection Courses
2010 Head of Ops – Executive Protection Details for SPG.Inc 2010 Vancouver Olympics
Worked Joint Close Protection Details for:
President Bill Clinton
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Minister Lisa Raitt
Premier Gordon Campbell
Worked Joint Close Protection for Entertainment and Public Figures:
Danny Glover
Felix Justice
Michael Bublé
Jon Hamm
U2
James Michael
Stunts Canada Members
Executive Protection Agent in joint operations with:
RCMP VIP Protection Unit
VPD
United States Secret Service
US Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service
Department of Homeland Security
2010 Department of State Diplomatic Security Service Vancouver 2010 Integrated security Unit
US Consulate in Vancouver
Government of Alberta
Have supplied Use of Force and Defensive tactics training to members of:
Fraser Valley Corrections
VPD
RCMP
CBSA
Private Security Groups
Consulted in Film as Special Talent for Martials Arts.