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Bushin Martial Arts Academy Proudly empowering Richmond families since 2014
Bushin Martial Arts Academy has beginner to advanced jiu-jitsu and karate classes in Richmond for men, women, and children.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
At Bushin Martial Arts Academy, we believe Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts training is for EVERYONE, regardless of age, gender, athleticism, or ability. We are proud to say we are continuing the legacy of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie who believed jiu-jitsu should empower the weak to be able to defend against the strong. This is why we offer structured martial arts curriculums specific to the self-defense needs for any demographic or skill level, with programs created for beginner adults, women, and children.
We take pride in creating a safe, clean, comfortable, and welcoming learning environment for all students and family members in Richmond. We are passionate about what we do because, simply put, we believe confident humans make kinder humans.
Welcome To The Family
Whether it’s teaching you how to tie your first jiu-jitsu or karate belt, or guiding you through your first technique, our team’s priority is to make you feel at home from the moment you walk into Bushin Martial Arts Academy. Should you have any questions, call our number above to speak to one of our Student Experience representatives.
Get To Know Our World Class Instructors
Mike Nguyen
Head / Master Instructor
Mike began his martial arts training in Karate-do, Judo and Vietnamese martial arts in 1976 from his Father. Mike, Shihan (Master Instructor) was awarded the rank of Shichi-Dan, Kyoshi in his primary discipline of Karate-do from Hiroyuki Tesshin Hamada, Hanshi of Bushin-Kan Dojo USA. 1979, he started training Shorin Ken Karate-do in Newport News, Virginia under Hanshi Posenau. In 1983, at the age of 16, he received the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Karate-do. Mike continues his training to achieve his teachings and rank in the classical Japanese arts of Iaido, Kendo and Ju-jitsu. He assisted instruction at Newport News Parks and Recreations, headed up the Karate-do program at the College of William and Mary, established the Karate program at the University of Virginia before opening the Bushin Martial Arts Academy in Williamsburg in 2008 with his brother John. Mike and his wife Suzanne established Bushin Martial Arts Academy of Richmond in 2012 to share the wonderful self-defense arts with the Richmond and surrounding communities. In 2008, Mike received his Instructor’s Certification in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu from the Gracie Jiu-jitsu Academy headquarters in Torrance, California, is a certified Level 4 and GST Level 1 Instructor.
December 2021, he was promoted to Black Belt by Ryron Gracie and Rener Gracie. Mike continues to teach and train daily to further improve his martial skills and enjoy helping others to grow..
Suzanne Nguyen
Lead Instructor
Suzanne began her martial arts training in Shorin-Ken Karate-do at the College of William and Mary in 1997; she received her Shodan rank in 2000. Suzanne achieved the rank of Godan, Renshi in her primary discipline of Karate-do from Hiroyuki Tesshin Hamada, Hanshi of Bushin-Kan Dojo USA.  She also holds rank in Judo, Iaido, Kendo and classical Japanese Ju-jitsu. She was the assistant instructor for the College of William and Mary Martial Arts Club from 1999-2001, and at the University of Virginia Recreational Sports Program from 2001-2006.Suzanne began her training in Gracie Jiu-jitsu in 2008 at Bushin Martial Arts Academy Williamsburg and achieved her blue belt in 2009. She received the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Certified Instructor in July 2011 from the Gracie Academy, and January 2019 Suzanne was promoted to Brown belt by Ryron Gracie, she is currently 4th stripe Brown belt. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM). Suzanne balances her training,  instructor at the dojo, personal training sessions, being a loving Mother of 3 beautiful children, and studying to achieve Ph-D at University of Virginia.
Brandy Burkett
GJJ & Women Empowered
Assistance Instructor
Lead Yoga Instructor
Brandy earned her PhD in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2009 and is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at The College of William & Mary. Active her entire life, Brandy grew up a three-sport athlete, with a passion for basketball, continuing to play basketball at Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania. Brandy fell in love with martial arts and has been training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Shorin-Ken Karatedo since 2010 under Mike Nguyen, Shihan. Brandy was awarded the rank of Shodan in in Karatedo in 2017 from Hiroyuki Tesshin Hamada, Hanshi of Bushin-Kan Dojo USA. She was promoted to Brown belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu 2020 by Gracie University, currently is a 2nd stripe Brown Belt and is also a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Certified Instructor.
Wanting to pursue teaching in a fitness setting, Brandy became an American Council on Exercise Certified Group Fitness Instructor and Yoga Instructor. Brandy enjoys a Hatha Vinyasa style of yoga where poses are linked to flow together and held to build balance, strength, endurance, and flexibility. She also completed training to become a Level 1 Trainer for the TRXSuspension Training System. Brandy enjoys motivating individuals to help reach their goals.
John Cole
GJJ & GST Level 1 Assistance Instructor
John was promoted to Purple Belt by Gracie University HQ November 2020, currently is a 2nd stripe Purple belt, achieved Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Certified Instructor January 2021, and GST Level 1 Instructor.
Ryan Nguyen
GJJ & BullyProof Assistance Instructor
Ryan began his martial arts training in Karate-do at early age of 5. He holds a karatedo rank of Jr. Kari-Shodan and recognized by Hamada, Hanshi of Bushin-Kan Dojo, USA Division.
In 2022, Ryan received his Instructor Certification in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu from the Gracie Jiu-jitsu University Headquarter in Torrance and awarded the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt by Ryron & Rener Gracie.
Sarah Nguyen
Women Empowered Assistance Instructor
Sarah began her martial arts training in Shorin-Ken Karate-do at the age of 5. She holds ta karatedo rank of Jr. Kari-Shodan and recognized by Hamada, Hanshi of Bushin-Kan Dojo, USA Division.
Sarah is a graduate of the Gracie University and is a Women Empowered certified Instructor from the Class of July 2022. Ryron and Rener Gracie awarded her the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Combatives and Women Empowered Pink Belt.
Johanna Schneck
Women Empowered Assistance Instructor
Johanna started her self-defense journey as a pre-teen. She is a Women Empowered Instructor graduate from Gracie University class of July 2022. She is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Blue and Women Empowered Pink Belt.
