Yama No Ken
The Way of
The Mountain Fist
Welcomes You
An excellent community school in Colorado Springs.
Our Courses
The Founders of this organization have blended facets of Japanese and Korean martial arts into a unique American style.
Yama No Ken - The Way of The Mountain Fist.
Yama No Ken
The Yama No Ken Program is best for ages eight and up. Since our classes are small, we can teach a variety of ages at the same time, Including families who want to study together. Yama No Ken Martial Art Concepts are based on the Founder's original martial art of Tang Soo Do from Korea. Self-Defense and light contact "Tournament Sparring" is introduced. You will find value in learning traditions, discipline, and a sense of belonging in the Martial Art community. Join us on Thursdays at the Meadows Park Community Center or Mondays at the Hanover Community Church, and participate in your free trial lesson today!
Ninpo Combatives
Drills and memorized training is important for the traditions of any Martial Art Style. Ninpo Combatives works beyond the drills of standard martial art self-defense training. Ninpo basics are taught during regular Yama No Ken classes. The application testing of Ninpo is more intense at higher Colored Belt Ranks and Black Belt (Dan) ranks. Basic weapon training is included at all ranks and tested at Black Belt Ranks.
Martial Artist Program
Yama No Ken recognizes students of a handi-capable nature to obtain training recognition of their hard work in class. While following the standard curriculum. This facet of training uses a special in-class sliding scale where mental and physical limitations are factored in so individuals can feel accomplished in Martial Arts. This program still includes katas (forms), self-defense, pre-arranged sparring, and martial art basics as part of each belt rank testing.
Controled contact sparring and weapon training is taught but is only a small portion of grading in this program, This way, all students are able to participate in all facets of class training.
Tiger Stripe Program
Designed for students who need to work at a slower pace. All Tiger Stripe students are able to learn the basics of martial arts though fun and engaging activities, with efforts to improve balance and body movement. We also encourage self-respect, and respect to others. In the best attempt to keep our kids safe we teach safety and awareness through "No-and-Go" self-defense techniques.
Upon completion of the program the student "Graduates" into regular Yama No Ken training.
Yama No Ken - Founder and Grandmaster - Spotlight
Grandmaster Daniel Atkinson has been involved with Martial Arts for over twenty-five years. As a parent helper in the Young Olympians/Young Champions program, he learned right along the side of his two oldest children. The instructor of the class, Sensei Craig Bryan, found value in teaching Dan in the Martial Art style of Tang Soo Do.
Despite having scoliosis in his teens which resulted in a major back surgery, a steel rod and nine fused vertebrae, and bi-lateral, full hip joint replacements due to advanced arthritis in adulthood, Dan achieved the rank of Black Belt in 2007.
He now holds Black Belts in multiple styles: 1st Degree in Tang Soo Do, 2nd in Degree Tae Kwon Do, and 5th Degree in Ninjutsu. He is also now recognized and Founder and Grandmaster of Yama No Ken.
Despite his limitations, using what is humorously known as "GIMP FU", Dan has assisted students in obtaining their black belts.
He continues to work with associates and friends in the Martial Art community, honing his own skill and incorporating material into his classes.
Yama No Ken is currently offered at two public locations: Meadows Park Community Center and the Hanover Community Church. Our third location is the Thrive Home School Academy which is offered though the schools club programming (by invitation only).
If you are interested in the home school environment click here Thrive Home School Academy
Other Martial Art Recognitions:
Ookami Do Ninjutsu Association Council.
United Stated Martial Art Hall of Fame Inductee - Distinguished Instructor
The John Williams Elite Hall of Honor - Community Service Award
More About Yama No Ken
Mountain Fist Martial Arts
Yama No Ken is a unique American Style of Martial Arts combining Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, and Ninpo Combatives.
Our history.
When Grandmaster Dan started teaching, he was associated with Sensei Craig Bryan and the Chimar Academy Tang Soo Do of Maryland, Grandmaster Dan received his First Dan. While continuing the tradition of Tang Soo Do, the Chimar Academy association changed, veering away from the original learned methods of Tang Soo Do.
Grandmaster Dan then looked locally and found a school of Tae Kwon Do, led by Grandmaster Tiger George. He allowed our training in place of his normal Tae Kwon Do training and was able to certify Black Belts. We remained associated with Tiger George until he retired. There was no one left to effectively lead the organization and the association shut down.
Grandmaster Dan started looking again locally to find another school to associate with. These organizations required a 'Start-Over". With an already running school with active students Grandmaster Dan opted to look at organizing his own unique school.
Taking his core methods of Tang Soo Do, the influence of Tiger George, and techines from Grandmaster Loyd Neal, Grandmaster Dan, along with Sensei Jacob, developed and founded Yama No Ken, The Way Of The Mountain Fist.
We are utilizing knowledge taken from all these mentioned organizations and individuals, but claiming no lineage in them.
Yama No Ken is its own entity with its own beginnings.
This was a two and a half year endeavor.
Yama No Ken is now recognized by Grandmaster Neal, Grandmaster Williams, and Mr. Scott.
Taking on the role of Grandmaster was not the intent of creating Yama No Ken.
I am honored to be a Grandmaster and hope that whether you are an active student or an associate in the Martial Art Community that you will find value in our school and training.
Our Mission
Our core mission is to provide a disciplined, engaging, but rewarding learning environment
Our unique teaching methods and our great instructors make Yama No Ken - Mountain Fist Martial Arts one of the best schools in the Pikes Peak Region.
Explore one of our locations.
We would be honored to have you.
Meadows Park Community Center
-Thursdays Beginners 6:15pm - 7:00pm
-Thursday Advanced Ranks 7:00pm to 7:55pm
Thrive Home School Academy
-By invitation through the school club programs.
Hanover Community Church
-Mondays 6pm to 7:30pm
Belt Ranks
Get in Touch
719-540-0908 Landline Office Phone
719-351-4012 Personal Cell Phone Best To Text
