West Coast Martial Arts - Palo Alto

OUR TEAM

KJN Gary Nakahama

KJN Gary Nakahama is a sixth degree Black Belt under Ernie Reyes Sr., and master instructor of the West Coast Palo Alto school. He began his martial arts training in 1975 and has been teaching for over 30 years. KJN Gary was a nationally rated forms competitor as well as an original member of the West Coast Demonstration Team, which revolutionized the martial arts industry with their musical forms and skits.  He has traveled the world promoting excellence in martial arts through demonstrations with fellow students: Ernie Reyes Jr., George Chung, Cynthia Rothrock, Scott Coker, Margie Betke, Belinda Davis, Dayton Pang, Darren Pang and Soo Gin Lee.

In 2002, he was recognized in the Who's Who among American Teachers.  He has taught P.E. curriculum for local schools in the Mountain View - Whisman School District and helped established a P.E. program for new charter schools in the district.

KJN Gary has worked in the movie industry as a martial arts stuntsman in movies like "Surf Ninja" and Disney's "Secret Bodyguard".  He was also a regular stuntman on ABC's TV series "Sidekicks".

BKJN Dave Scroggins

BKJN Dave is currently a 4th Degree Black Belt. He is responsible for teaching the adult evening classes, preparing Black Belt candidates for 1st degree testing and runs the Saturday Morning conditioning program.

BSBN Jose Ruelas

BSBN Jose is one of our instructors who will be testing at the May 2009 Black Belt Test.  He is currently a senior attending Los Altos High School. 

CGN Jun Yoshida

CGN Jun is a 1st Degree Black Belt who teaches grappling, the tricks and flips classes, XMA, and runs the office as Program Director.

CGN Jara Montez

CGN Jara is responsible for the day to day operations at the front desk, answers the phone, takes merchandise orders and tracks student attendance.