About
Hello, I'm Cory! I've been a teacher of the body, the spirit and the mind for 15 years. I teach meditation, mindfulness, self defense, and languages to promote a holistic study of life and well-being. I'm the host of the podcast Mindfulness of Doom and the YouTube meditation channel Corydharma!
I offer classes in meditation and mindfulness a little differently than many teachers. Many meditation classes are guided sessions which are nice but aren’t really “lessons” My goal is to teach you a practice that you can follow on your own. I want to become progressively useless to you! Haha! I will teach you how to start a practice, or help you figure out the next steps on your path so you can have the skill and confidence to endure whatever hardships life has to throw at you.
I have a Master's Degree in Asian Studies and I lived, taught, and studied in China and Japan for half a decade. I trained and taught in Zen monasteries learning about meditation and the teachings of Eastern philosophy such as Buddhist and Indian thought. Whether you're just starting out or you have an established practice I can help guide you. But I’m not here to teach you my path. I’m here to help point out the next steps on yours.
We can use easy and real techniques to help you lessen anxiety, be more present, and manage stress in a safe and productive way!
Self Defense:
Martial arts can take decades to master and are an amazing life path of self discovery, but they aren't suited for modern self defense. You need practical, useful, and simple real life techniques you can use to defend yourself on the street the day you learn them. Learning even the most basic of tools and skills for self preservation can mean the difference between getting home safe and not getting home at all. Even more important than the techniques are the strategies and mindset to help you deal with any situation. Your wit will protect you better and more often than any weapon, so we will keep it sharp too.
Most martial arts teachers learned from teacher to student sometimes going back even hundreds of years. I did this too but I also did my homework. I have a Master's Degree in Asian Studies and even wrote my Master's Thesis on Martial Arts traditions. It comes in handy when students want to know why and not just how.
Japanese Language Lessons:
Introductory to Intermediate Japanese language lessons! Traveling to Japan? Love Anime/Manga? Not a fan of English Dubs? Want to learn all those cool kanji? Need help studying for your test? I got you covered!
I've been a teacher my whole life; ever since pre-school when I first heard about show-and-tell. You mean I get to take the coolest thing I know in the world and show everybody about it?! It's my life. I am a professional pointer. I find amazing things in the world, learn about them, and then point others towards the best knowledge. I love the challenge of finding the right way to show students the best books, the best tricks, or even when there is no best way. That moment when a student works hard and earns the understanding. It's the best.
Specialties
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Photos and videos
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Mike H.
Sarah M.
Simone A.
Luke P.
Ernest R.
Geovanny P.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Let's discuss your needs! Reach out! I'm here to help you! Are you looking for classes in self defense, meditation, martial arts, or an apprenticeship?
Then let's figure out where you would like to meet and how often.
Finally we'll set a schedule and begin your new path of mental, physical, and spiritual health!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Master's Degree in Asian Studies
Over 25 years of Martial Arts Experience
Lived and Trained in Several Zen Buddhist Monasteries
Over 12 years of Teaching Experience
Spent half a decade living in China and Japan
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
MEDITATION OFFERS AND PRICING:
Private Online video or telephone lesson: $30 per session
Private In-person lesson*: $60 per session
(* Additional Fee for travel over 15 miles)
Bring a friend?: Add $15 per extra student per session.
12 Class Curriculum
Meditation is a simple exercise for the mind, but like any skill it takes practice to get better! We will learn more than just the fundamentals! On-going students will learn a wider curriculum of meditation techniques and topics. The course will go into more depth of the various types of practices such as focus, visualizations, body scanning, moving meditations, concentration, and insight meditation. We will create a practice that works for you!
4 Class Curriculum
These classes will cover the basics of focus meditation; learning the skill of mental discipline in concentration. You will learn techniques for how to calm the mind, how to deal with distractions, and how to practice mindfulness. For new meditators the course will cover several breathing exercises, basic postures, sitting, walking, and standing meditations.
1 Class Curriculum
For those who need to get chill quick! This session is completely dedicated to you! You will learn what meditation is, how to do it, and give you several techniques that you can rely on again and again for the rest of your life! If you're already sufficient in your practice, I can teach you new techniques or help you hone your mindset, so that you get the most out of your meditation!
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SELF DEFENSE OFFERS AND PRICING:
Online Video/phone Self Defense Consultation $30
Theory and advice without the training.
Private Self Defense Full Course - 12 classes - $50 / class
Like any skill - the more you practice the better you get! The full course will give you a well rounded idea of what to do in the most common violent situations. You will learn practical self defense theory, resisting an unarmed standing attacker, resisting unarmed attackers on the ground, and basic weapon defenses against bats, knives and guns. You'll also learn how to fight and escape from attackers in and around vehicles. Our goal isn't to win, it's to get home safe! We will practice awareness strategies and learn to use our brains to prevent and escape dangerous situations.
Private Self Defense Fundamentals - 4 classes - $60 / class
Just the fundamentals! What are the most useful things to know? How to strike - Where to strike - When to run - What not to do! You’ll learn self defense theory, defense vs unarmed attackers how to create openings so you can get home safe!
Private Self Defense Session - 1 class - $75 dollars
We’re gonna cram in as much as possible into one class. If you knew you had to fight an attacker today-what are the absolute need to know self defense techniques to give you a fighting chance.
Wanna bring a friend? No problem, just add $15 for each additional person per class.
JAPANESE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE OFFERS AND PRICING
$50 per class
Wanna bring a friend? No problem, just add $15 for each additional person per class.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching in 2005 in Gainesville, Florida. I taught both children and adults Karate while working as the backstage manager for the US: OPEN World Martial Arts Championships. From 2007-2011 I taught English in Japan to children and adults. Since 2013 I've been teaching Self Defense, Language Acquisition, and Philosophy to a wide range of students.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have taught children as young as 4 years old and adults as old as 94 years old. I've taught everyone; students, professionals, people who know what they want, and people who feel lost and somewhat off the way. I have taught beginners to learn the ropes and taught experts who needed a refresher.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I'm a huge fan of the Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival! I wander around teaching meditation, serving tea, and lecturing on the nature of consciousness.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
If you're just looking for a hobby, it doesn't matter what style you learn. What matters is that you're with good people who are worth your time.
If you're looking for legitimate self defense, be aware that many martial arts advertise themselves as self defense because it pulls in revenue. Modern self defense is not the same as traditional.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
You can have the best teacher in the world but if you don't put in the effort you won't learn. It takes time and effort to learn anything. Believe you can. Then do it.
What specifically is my goal?
How will I measure if I've achieved my goal?
If I put in the hard work will I achieve my goal?
Am I willing to put in the time to achieve my goal?
When will I accomplish my goal?
You got this!