Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu Borehamwood

Soke Kevin Pell (Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo - 10th Dan)
Born in 1958 in Edmonton, North London and raised in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, Kevin Pell began his martial arts career in October 1966. Following a life dedicated to the martial arts, he turned professional and founded his own school of Ju Jitsu on the 9th of January 1990 – and named it “Ishin Ryu” (One Heart/Mind School) based in his then home town of Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, England. From its humble beginnings, with just 7 adults training on the first night, this no nonsense style of Jiu Jitsu (jiujitsu), has today become not only a “National Governing Body”, but one of the largest independent martial art organizations in England, embracing the arts of jiujitsu, judo, kobudo and karate. Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu is the culmination of over 54 years of martial arts experience and “cross-training” (a term virtually unheard of in his early pioneering days) by Kevin Pell in the arts of Ju Jutsu, Shorinji-Kempo, Judo, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Iaido, Escrima and Kyokoshin Karate. Ishin Ryu jiujitsu is a modern and constantly evolving martial art, yet the system proudly embraces the best of its Japanese heritage and traditions. Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu (jiujitsu) currently has in excess of 2,000 students, both Infants (4 – 7 years) Juniors (8 – 12 years) Teenagers (13 – 15 years) and Adults (16 – 80 years) training regularly in separate classes throughout its clubs in England. Kevin is also an established author and was invited to write two books, now in several languages, on the subject of Ju Jitsu (jiujitsu) by the publishing giants, Barnes & Nobel, Alan Clark Books, Connections and Edison Sadd, along with a 32 page section for the internationally-acclaimed “The Ultimate Book of Martial Arts”, which has gone on to being one of the best-selling martial books of all time, and printed in several languages. Since the early 90’s, Kevin has received invitations to teach his no-nonsense style of Jiu Jitsu from around the globe, attracting international attention from many of the world’s leading close protection agencies and military Special Forces. Kevin has served with the Royal Marine Reserve (City of London), the Royal Military Police (253 Pro Coy) and as a dog handler in The Parks Police completing his service at the rank of Sergeant. Kevin also worked for six years as a professional close protection officer, having been personally invited to join an elite team drawn from Britain’s Special Forces, being primarily responsible for the personal security of the Dubai Royal family. In November 1997, Kevin moved to Norfolk and established the Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu (jiujitsu) headquarters in the picturesque village of Caston, where he personally teaches twice a week in the evening aside of his professional duties as the founder and chief instructor. In 2001 Kevin was inducted in to Combat Magazine’s Black Belt Hall of Fame held at the Aston Villa Conference Centre in Birmingham , and in 2003 was invited back to receive a “Guardian of the Martial Arts” award. In 2011 Kevin was once again invited back to the Combat Hall of Fame awards held at the Aston Villa Conference Centre in Birmingham where he was officially honoured and recognised for his service to the world of Martial Arts with a “Lifetime Achievement Award”… In November 2013 Kevin was invited to the “Martial Arts Illustrated” Hall of Fame awards where he was presented with a “Lifetime Achievement Award”…

Sensei Tom Garvin (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu - 3rd Dan)
My name is Tom Garvin Sensei and I currently hold the rank of Black Belt 3rd Dan and I am the assistant National Coach for Great Britain. I became a student of Kevin Pell (Soke) in 1996 aged just four years of age studying the art of Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu and was the first student to make it to Black Belt, having started as an infant student. In 2011 I became a full time professional instructor teaching children and adults in London, Hertfordshire and Norfolk six days a week and haven’t look back. I started my training within Ishin Ryu jiujitsu at the age of four in the Borehamwood dojo where I lived until the age of 8. My family then moved to Milton Keynes but my Mum, for which I will be eternally grateful for, drove me to my classes every week until I reached an age where I was able to drive myself… I am privileged to be one of Soke Kevin Pell’s personal students and I continue to travel internationally both as an instructor and student and now spend a large part of my professional working life with Soke at his home and Honbu Dojo (HQ) in Norfolk where I take the opportunity to learn everything I can from my friend and teacher… I love my job beyond belief and it continues to be my life mission to train and inspire others wishing to learn our fantastic style of jiujitsu especially our younger members as I feel I have an infinity with them having started so young myself…

Sensei Sam Gladdy (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu - 3rd Dan)
I was born in 1977 in London where I have lived ever since. I started my martial arts training in 2009 where I was instantly taken with the no-nonsense style of Jiu Jitsu that is Ishin Ryu. The austere tutelage suited me from the outset, and although I went home limping on both legs and aching all over, I was hooked. Following that first night I began training twice a week in the Borehamwood dojo in Hertfordshire, where I went on to partake in every chance for extra training courses, and moved up through the gradings at every opportunity. Since then I have been privileged to travel to many countries as part of Kevin Pell Hanshi’s team, where we have taught to international audiences and performed demonstrations of our style. Under Kevin Pell Hanshi’s guidance I went on to attempt my Shodan grading in 2016, which, after much blood, sweat and toil, I passed. I have continued to both train and teach on the mat, and have since been awarded the rank of 2nd Dan. My personal philosophy on the martial arts are closely aligned with the club ethos. I believe strongly in developing mental resilience, fortitude and agility, maintaining fit and strong physical conditioning and combat endurance, and developing realistic stress-proven techniques and resolute principles to base them on. While my main focus is on contemporary self-defence, I embrace the history of our ancient martial art and look towards the future of a constantly evolving system