Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Karate and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of Munen Muso Martial Arts Studio's instructors and other staff members, starting with GARY JOHNSON JP:

GARY JOHNSON JP  (Hanshi - 8th Dan) GRANDMASTER HISTORY Aged 53; Is a full-time martial arts master instructor. Hanshi (Head of the Munen Muso Martial Arts System) who has made constant changes throughout his martial arts development years began martial arts in 1973 in traditional forms of karate. With the commitment to studying the martial arts and self-protection this has resulted in Gary training within the framework of many styles and disciplines with masters and Guro’s of the martial arts throughout Australia, Asia and the United States. The combination of these studies and training over the past 37 years saw the birth of Munen Muso martial arts, when translated means – “to act calmly and naturally in the face of danger”. Gary is one of Australia’s most up to date instructors on self-protection. He is a Government Accredited Coach and an internationally recognized 8th degree Black Belt and a 4th degree (Masters Level) in Kyusho-Jitsu Pressure Point Combat. He has trained men and women employed by Police Departments, Corrective Services and Security Companies. Government Departments, Rehabilitation Agencies, Corporations and many community groups have also benefited from Gary’s teachings. Gary taught thousands of students including children with physical and intellectual disabilities the art of self-protection through recreation programs and school sporting programs. Gary has also had the privilege to work as a “minder” to a range of celebrities as well as a bodyguard to private individuals. ACHIEVEMENTS His martial arts promotions and charity fundraising over the years have made him a respected identity in martial arts and training circles. He has raised thousands of dollars for children’s cancer and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome research and in 2004 raised money for the Stephen Sanig Meningococcal foundation. One of these promotional events saw Gary break a world kicking record by completing a staggering four thousand (4,000) karate kicks in under one hour. After one of these promotions Gary opened the first and only martial arts supply shop on the Central Coast “Budo Martial Arts Supplies” (1986-1991). November 2000 – Awarded the Federal Government Sports Encouragement Award for significant contribution to the sport of martial arts. In 2006 Gary was a Finalist at the Gosford City Australia Day Community Awards. 8th Degree Black Belt & Grandmaster Instructor of Munen Muso Martial Arts 7th Degree Black Belt Kojosho Karate Federation 4th Degree Masters level Kyusho 3rd Degree Black Belt Jujitsu Former Defensive Tactics Instructor Former Regional Director Kyusho International Alliance NSW Former K.I.A. Research Examiner & Instructor Multi award Recipient with over 37 years experience

LEANNE JANVRIN  (Renshi - 5th Dan) (Master Instructor) Aged 39; Has been in the martial arts since 1987. Is a full-time martial arts master instructor and government accredited instructor. Renshi a Government Accredited Coach and a 5th Degree Black Belt began her martial arts training in 1987 in the traditional style of Budokan Karate of Australia. Leanne was awarded her Black Belt in 1994. From 1992 Leanne has had an illustrious career which as seen her represent Australia and the NSW State Team.COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTSLeanne’s impressive career has included:  1992 – Won the NSW State Championships in Syncronised Kata  1992 – Won the Australian National Championships in Syncronised Kata  1994 – Won Gold in the Kata division of the Oceania Karate Championships in Tahiti  1997 – Won Gold in the Kata division of the Oceania Karate Championships in Brisbane  1997 – Represented Australia in the Women’s International Karate Cup in Tokyo competing against the worlds best from 27 countries & placed 14th in the Kata division Other competitive achievements in Kata have included:  Winning the NSW Championships in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999  Placing 3rd in the Australian National Championships in 1997, and 4th in 1994 & 1995  Placing 3rd in the Australian Open Championships in 1997, and 4th in 1996 & 1998 In August 2005 Leanne was awarded the Australian Government ‘Sports Achievement Award’ for outstanding contribution and achievements in the field of Martial Arts. With Leanne’s high competitive standards, combined with Gary’s wealth of experience, they have formed a partnership that results in giving their students every opportunity to fulfil their ultimate goals in the martial arts.

KEVIN DONOVAN  (Sensei - 3rd Degree) Kevin, a Government Accredited Coach has a long history with Munen Muso Martial Arts as one of our most dedicated black belts and Student of the Year in 2001. Kevin is now the Head Instructor in Queensland.

For more information about the Munen Muso Martial Arts Studio staff or training programs, please contact us at 02 4367 0357 or by clicking here.