Sensei Zurriane Bennett holds the degree of 6th Dan, Very High Master Kyoshi, from the Master Thomas J. Bennett, 8th Dan, Head Instructor of the House of GoJu Hall #080 American Gojudo system. He also holds proudly holds the degree of 5th Dan, Senior Master Renshi, from the Grand Patriarch of all American Gojudo, Maestro Peter G. Urban, Ph.D.

Chief Instructor of San Yama Bushi & Combination GoJu School of Self Defense, Zurriane Bennett, 6th Dan Kyoshi began his martial arts career with USA GoJu.  In 1971, he started his Karate training in USA GoJu under Kyoshi Thomas Bennett and achieved his black belt in 1984.  That year he continued his training and teaching with Kyoshi T. 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, Shihan David Colon, Shihan Michael Kelly and Shihan Reginald Brown.  He has also trained with the late Grand Master Professor Florendo M. Visitacion
in Vee Jujitsu and Vee Arnis.  He has completed and is certified in basic and advanced training in Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics and Rape Aggression Defensive (RAD) instructor certification Basic and Advance training, Personal Safety Education for Children instructor RadKids and other certifications.  He has also created a Self Defense program for Men and Women called Positive Self Defense.  He is also a Certified Personal Fitness trainer, Certified Reiki Practitioner, Certified Holistic Health Care Practitioner, Certified Ant-terrorism and Force Protection officer a long with being a Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps until he was promoted Warrant Officer.  He served as a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps with over 20 years of service.  He has also worked as an officer with New York City and Virginia. From 1998 to present he volunteers his time free of change to the community as an instructor for the Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy Service of Northern Virginia.  He has also attended various training seminars given by other Martial Arts systems and Defensive systems.  He has also assisted several Martial Artist in running successful organized martial arts tournaments and events.  He has also had the honor of being an presented at international events.  He has also had the honor of training with Martial Artist in the United States, and in Japan.

SELECTED AWARDS AND PRIZES

1980 - Awarded the rank of Ni-Kyo 2nd Brown in Nesei GoJu Ryu Karate by Sensei Earl Monroe.
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
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. 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
2002 - 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 - Induction into Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Outstanding Contributions in the Martial Arts
2003 - Awarded induction into World Karate Union Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Golden Life Time Achievement Award
2003 - Awarded induction into The Universal Martial Arts Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
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
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 (High Master) in American GoJu Ryu Karate system.  HM by Very High Master Thomas Bennett, Kyoshi 8* House of GoJu Karate-Do               

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, Transformative Mediation.

MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS

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
 

Thank you to all whom I have had the honor to train with over the years and will train with in the years to come. Every day we all search for constant and never-ending improvement in our arts, ourselves and ours lives...
Oss! Zurriane Bennett, Kyoshi, 6th Dan