Weissmuller Academy Westerly
About
We offer top instructors of 12 different martial arts and various methodologies of yoga at two locations. Our members enjoy the benefit of visiting either location with our expanding program schedule.
I enjoy teaching people the ways of martial arts, personal discipline, and body conditioning while guiding them to maximize their potential in school and sport. I received similar instruction as a young man and this lead me to attend college, compete well at the NCAA level, and obtain several degrees. Today, after retiring from the trial bench, I work, once again, with my high school coaches and teammates. We teach and coach several hunderd people in small classes throughout the week. We keep our classes small and guide members to their preferred method of practice, either competitive or classical training.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We offer new students an introductory class. When they sign up, we provide them with the uniform and begin to guide them in etiquete, conditioning, striking, evading, ground positioning, and safety measures for athletes. As our student athletes begin to understand the process, we invite them to participate in both classical and sport training and they may view competition between other club members. We guide them to appropriate safety gear and introduce them to posoition wrestling as we carefully insruct them in the ways of submission wrestling and ju-jutsu.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Our senior instructors hold, at a minimum, undergraduate degrees and master level instructor certifications in various martial arts.
Thomas Weissmuller
9th Degree Black Belt in Pangamot (classical, sport, and weapon) Ju-jutus, 9th Degree Kali-Silat (Filipino knife and empty-hand), 9th Degree Eskrima and Eskrido (stick fighting / submission fighting). Thomas oversees national curriculum development and is the senior licensed instructor for the Eastern United States and Canada.
Thomas also holds instructor or black belt certification in various methodologies of martial arts and yoga, Sho ka ryu karate (1st Degree), Seizan Ryu Kempo-Jujutsu (3rd Degree), Okinawa Kempo Kabudo (8th Degree).
Thomas runs the sport martial arts program at the academy and instructs yoga. He coaches Kickboxing, Submission Wrestling, International Sport Jiu-jiutsu, Mixed Martial Arts, and Pankration. He regularly teaches the youth, teen and adult classes in these programs.
Erik Johnstone
7th Degree, Kaiden Shihan - Dentokan Aiki Jujutsu; 4th Degree, Doshi - Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu; 4th Degree, Shihan - Goju-ryu Karate-do; 4th Degree - Dai Nihon Batto Ho Iaido / Nippon Butoku Kai; 1st Degree - Wado-ryu Karate-do
Erik runs the Youth and Adult Classical Jujutsu and Adult Japanese Sword programs at the academy. He also instructs youth sport jujutsu and mixed martial arts.
Amy Koeniger
Amy is a 6th Degree Master level Eskrima Instructor and holds 4th Degree Pangamot (clasical, weapon and sport) jujutsu; 4th Drgree Kali-Silat, and 4th Degree Eskrido licenses. Amy is also a yoga teacher.
Amy leads the Filipino weapon study at the Academy and instructs Eskrima, Eskrido, Yoga and YOLO Fitness. She assists in instructing all other programs.
Paul Algier
Paul holds a 5th Degree in Shorynryu Karate and a 6th Degree in Shito Ryu Karate.
Paul instructs the Youth Karate program for ages 5-10, and Adult Karate by appointment.
Anthony Cibarach 3rd Degree Brown Belt in Pangamot (classical, weapon and sport) jujutsu, assists all classes as necessary.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Club Membership is $125 per month.
How did you get started teaching?
All of our teachers began teaching as assistant instructors. Ultimately, I (Tom Weissmuller) obtained United States Coaching Certification and began to expand a methodology for instilling leadership qualities in students. This leadership methodology has allowed all of our students to excel in every aspect of their lives.
What types of students have you worked with?
I work with active duty and retired military, health care companies, families, teens, youths, adults, and groups of all sorts. I instruct approximately 150 people each week in various groups from sports teams to clients at dual diagnosis facilities.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
In our field, you cannot "hire a teacher". You may be invited to participate in the club, provided you adhere to our code of conduct. We are not "for hire". Rather we offer opportunities for you to acquire certain skills. You cannot find more qualified individuals to instruct the programs at Weissmuller Academy.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Consider whether you would prefer to study sport or classical martial arts. Both follow the same moral path but the avenues for physical expression differ significantly. Fortunately, you need not make an immediate choice. We will help you understand each path.