I have a very exciting announcement, all of our Black Belt at Home Distance Training martial arts courses are now officially recognized, accredited, and certified through the Association of Martial Artists World Wide. What this means is that, the rank you earn in any of our programs (Complete Shotokan Karate, Total Krav Maga, Ultimate Bo, Ultimate Chuks, and Complete Tai Chi) is accredited through this international governing body and martial arts association.

How Did We Receive this Certification?

The founder of the AMAWW, Master Jonathan French originally connected with our organization through becoming an Ultimate Bo student, along with his son. As a lifelong student himself, he decided to take on the challenge of earning rank in the weapon of bo; and ended up joining our Ultimate Bo program.  Master French and the entire AMAWW board reviewed our home study programs, backgrounds, testing procedures, and overall instructional organization. After a thorough review, and also getting to know us better, the AMAWW is now recognizing our martial arts styles, and rank earned.

On the other hand, I had personally been weary of creating a strong connection with an international governing body. To this point, all rank achieved by students had been accredited by state and national organizations – but not on such an overall encompassing scale. Many martial arts associations are full of politics, egos, and are narrow minded in respect to the evolution of the martial arts, and how different learning dynamics can improve a student’s total training experience. So what changed my mind about the AMAWW, in opposition to other opportunities for international alignment?

Well for one, the AMAWW Charter did. Often times, charters are nothing more than superfluous organizational documents, left unread by new members. The AMAWW mission statement really struck a chord with me, “Our Mission at AMAWW is to unify all martial artists from around the world with a strong foundation of mutual respects for all styles. Our motto is “One body, One goal, Many martial arts.” Most organizations are about dividing, excluding, and maintaining sectionalized exclusivity. Don’t get me wrong, this is a necessity in some situations; but my personal belief is that unity and collaborative support rises above all division. Master French and the other members involved in this organization do not have a “favorite art”, or prejudices to anyone’s background, or core style. The overall supportive culture and of supporting all martial arts, really meshes well with our own ideologies.

Your Rank is Now Accredited by the AMAWW

Let me go into a bit more detail on what this new association alignment and accreditation means for you – OUR HOME STUDY STUDENT! Check out this page, which displays all styles recognized by the AMAWW – you will find our styles and ranking programs included in the list.

Ultimate Bo Students – If you are a current Ultimate Bo student (or plan on purchasing the program/joining soon), you can feel even more confident that you rank chevrons earned are recognized by the AMAWW.  Ultimate Bo, also referred to as Hodge-American Style Bo, ranks students with ranking chevron patches; rather than martial arts belts. This allows a student to train in a core art, while wearing their belt (from say, TKD, Karate, or BJJ), while displaying their chevron path rank in the art of Ultimate Bo.

Complete Shotokan Karate Students – Our core karate home study program ranks students in the style of Hodge Karate-Do. The style has its roots based in lineage of Okinawan Master Gichin Funakoshi, Korean Master Wok Kuk Lee, Korean/American Grandmaster Jhoon Goo Rhee and American Grandmaster P. D. Hale. Master Hodge has created a fusion of the traditional style of Master Funakoshi with the flavor of the linage of all the great Masters involved. Students who successful test and acquire rank through the Black Belt at Home Distance Training course are recognized at the same level as students who earn rank in the physical dojo. The standards, testing procedures, and accreditation does not differ between home study students, and those in a traditional physical dojo.

Total Krav Maga Students – Total Krav Maga is an organized training program, which offers level certifications through the intermediate level. Home study students who achieve level certifications through TKM are recognized by the AMAWW. TKM itself is not “an offshoot martial arts style”, but rather an organized, standardized training regimen which three levels of understanding. The TKM program is designed to help beginners learn the strong foundational necessity of stances, blocks, strikes, self defense techniques, awareness, instinctive reactions, weapon defenses, and fitness.

Ultimate Chuks Students – The martial arts style of Ultimate Chuks, which is also known at Hodge-North American Nunchaku, ranks students with chevrons. Like the Ultimate Bo weapons style, Ultimate Chuks is a style focused on helping a student achieve an elevated mastery over the weapon. With each test that is passed, a student will achieve a certified rank in the art of Ultimate Chuks, backed by the AMAWW.

Complete Tai Chi Students – Organized by Master Jon Hodge, is a level based certification system for beginner through the master level of Tai Chi. Although most traditional Eastern Tai Chi systems do not use “belts, levels, or ranks”; this system allows a student to achieve leveled certifications throughout their training journey. These levels are recognized through the AMAWW, upon passing all testing requirements. This system utilizes the best parts of Yang, Sun and Chen styles in a simplified progression of learning for the western mind. Complete Tai Chi is all about the flow, utilization and delivery of Life Force that has long been hidden within the wonderful eastern martial and healing art of Tai Chi.

Your Black Belt at Home Instructors are Now Aligned with an International Accreditation

Through the process of having our martial arts styles and ranking levels recognized by this worldwide association, we as instructors are also a part of the AMAWW. Read below to review how we are now involved.

Sensei Michael Hodge

My black belts and ranks are also now recognized by the Association of Martial Artists World Wide, which only makes sense if I will be grading and advancing students myself. I have included some photos below of a few certificates issued upon becoming an AMAWW member, and joining the Black Belt Council upon invitation.

Master Jon Hodge

Master Instructor Jon Hodge, who trains and ranks his students in shotokan karate and tai chi, was offered a seat on the AMAWW board. He is now a lifetime member, Board member, and on the Black Belt Council. We’ve included some photos of a few ranks that are being held and recognized by the association.

Why You Should Become an AMAWW Member Today

We would like to ask that all of our black belt at home distance training students become members of the AMAWW. Now, you do not HAVE TO become a member in order to have your rank accredited by the association. This is just like if you are currently training at a local dojo, the belts you receive at still recognized by their local governing body; but you still have the option (usually) to join a national or international association. This is the same idea, but designed for our home study students; as a way to solidify your own martial arts ranks, legitimacy, and to become a part of something great.

What are the Benefits of Joining?

• Regional, National, and International Rank Recognition and listed on-line
• Reviewing and granting of ranks
• Black Belt at Home Students receive a special membership discount of 33% OFF
• Access to AMAWW Rank Examination and Certification
• A central filing of all ranks and styles
• Recognition of your rank and authentic ranks of foreign countries
• Official Rank Certificate (upon request/with fee)
• Personal Consultation with a Soke, Grand Master, or Master
• Advice on Teaching Improvement and on Advertising
• It provides third party recognition of your knowledge and skills, (Adding more credibility to your achievements.)
• It demonstrates your commitment to your martial arts profession.
• AMAWW Supports Military Veterans from around the world.
• It validates your martial arts training by meeting nationally and internationally recognized standards.
• It reflects your achievements.
• It builds your self-esteem.
• It documents your Martial Art experience and credentials.
• It improves your career opportunities and advancement in Martial Arts.
• It provides you greater professional recognition from your peers.
• It gives you a competitive edge.
• It gives you the opportunity of receiving an AMAWW Hall of Fame certificate, patch and listed on-line forever as a Hall of Fame Martial Artist through this Association.

I especially recommend joining if you are a black belt, instructor, school owner – or plan on becoming any of those things. On top of this, you are supporting a great organization, made up of real martial artists, and good people. I only work with others who put the good of all before the good of themselves; and it seems that this is the way the AMAWW functions.

How to Join

The AMAWW offers a few different levels of membership. Click Here to see their current membership options and to register.

Notice: We do not get any “kickbacks” or affiliate payments from this. We truly appreciate our recognition by the AMAWW and want to see our students support the association. Thanks!