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Grandmaster Larry Beard

Grandmaster Beard inherited the leadership of the Budoki Junari system when Professor Chambers retired in January 2006. Grandmaster Beard also has earned the following ranks:

Soke, Grandmaster, Budoki Junari Jiu Jitsu
Hanshi, Honorable Grandmaster, Kenwayoshin Jiu Jitsu
9th Dan, Kenwayoshin Jiu Jitsu
8th Dan, Professor, Budoki Junari Yudo
8th Dan, Professor, Midori Yama Budokai Yudo
8th Dan, Professor, Shin Shin Jujitsu
6th Dan, USJA Judo
6th Dan, Traditional Kodokan Judo 
4th Dan, Budoki Junari Yusool 
4th Dan, Budoki Junari Hapkido
4th Dan Shin Nagare Karate

Grandmaster Beard began his martial arts training in 1968 in the art of judo, winning two Southeastern AAU championships (1973 and 1975). During that time, GM Beard trained with the Decatur Alabama Parks and Recreation judo club with Professor Millard Shelton. This club produced 13 national judo champions in 2 years. He also trained with the Florence Judo club with Grandmaster Dan Smith (3X World Masterathlete Judo Champion). GM Beard then went to the University of Alabama where he trained with the UA judo team and was a team mate of Dewey Mitchell (US Olympian, 1984).

In the late 80’s, GM Beard trained with the Leon County Judo Club in Tallahassee FL. Here, he trained with Brian Olsen (US Olympian 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, World Champion 1997), Ato Hand (US Olympian, 2000), and Fred Hand (Pan American Judo Championships, 1986).

In the early to mid 90’s, GM Beard taught judo and jiu jitsu at the Auburn University Judo/Jiu Jitsu Club in Auburn Alabama. From there, he taught the Georgia Southern Judo/Jiu Jitsu Club in Statesboro, GA. It was at this time that GM Beard had the opportunity to meet and develop a long and rewarding friendship with Professor John Chambers.

In1999, he landed at Jacksonville State University where he now teaches the JSU Judo/Jiu Jitsu club.

GM Beard has been trained by some of the most outstanding instructors in the United States. In the United States, there are three 9^th dans recognized by the Korean Yudo Association: John Chambers, Leo Wilson and Joseph Connelly. GM Beard has had the opportunity to train with all three of these gentlemen.

In 2007, GM Beard was recognized by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council as one of the most outstanding martial arts instructors in the United States and, in 2008, he was recognized as a WHFSC Historical Grandmaster member.

In 2009, GM Beard represented the United States in the World Masterathlete Championships in Atlanta, GA.

Grandmaster Beard is a professor of special education at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville Alabama in his spare time.

Mr. Lones holds the traditional ranks of Black Belt Sixth Dan-Karate, Second Dan-Jujutsu and the honorary title of Kyoshi from MAUSA. He also holds Black Belts, advanced ranks and Instructor certifications in several other arts ranging from the traditional to the more modern combative methods.

His first open school training was studying Chang Hon Tae Kwon Do in his youth. This progressed to Olympic style Tae Kwon Do in the eighties through the WTF and what was the USTU. It was at this time that he began to study the Japanese arts of Kyokushinkai and Seibukan Shotokan Karate along with Ryu Kyu Kobudo. He was introduced to the arts of Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do, and Filipino Martial arts during the 1990’s and continues to train in these arts today.

He was introduced to Grandmaster Tommy Lunsford while teaching a knife session at a Winter Martial Arts Clinic. It was not soon after that Mr. Lones began to train Aikido under GM Lunsford and continues to travel to Athens GA throughout the year to train in Aikido under one of Lunsford’s students, Sensei Richard Wise.

His school, Integrated Martial Concepts Academy, offers three tracks of martial arts training ranging from a comprehensive traditional non sport program to more modern training programs for the general public and security professional community to include specialized training in the blade arts. Instruction is provided through private/semi-private training sessions and seminar. Those that are interested in certification and/or beginning an IMC training group at their school should contact Mr. Lones at imca@knology.net.

Sean Schenker – Bio

Sean has been training and teaching students in the martial way for nearly 20 years. He holds 3 black belts in 3 separate styles (Shin Nagare, Oyama Kyokushin Kai, Tae Kwon Do). He is now a chartered member of nationally affiliated Martial Arts USA (MAUSA), and Midori Yama Budokai (MYB), and he trained under the watchful eye of Hanshi Tommy Lunsford while living in Athens, Georgia. 

Sean began his martial journey at age 5 and received his first dan while training Oyama Karate, a form directly linked to Mas Oyama’s Kyokushin Kai. Sean trained, taught and competed under this umbrella working alongside many accomplished teachers including Sensei Frank Clark (of Fighting Black King’s fame).  Sensei Sean began studying Tae Kwon Do during his years training Japanese karate, and he has always been fascinated with the ability to kick effectively and to keep distance by utilizing the strength and speed of a kick. He is a former Junior Olympic & NY State Champion in Tae Kwon Do.  Sensei Sean currently teaches students in upstate NY where he lives, and is set to open his first dojo in November of 2011 in New Paltz, NY.

Sensei Sean is a working and performing musician, and his background in this arena adds to his ability to relate to students of all ages.  He is nurturing in his guidance of students, instilling trust through compassion and patience - integral pieces to the ultimate development of technique of a student - the emotional components that were passed to him through his many teachers. Learning to become empowered by the martial arts is a life-long process, and often the first impression one gets is the one that sticks with them most. Sensei Sean's main objective is to make that first impression a lasting one.