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Bushin Martial Arts Proudly empowering Richmond families since 2012
Bushin Martial Arts has beginner to advanced jiu-jitsu classes in Richmond for men, women, and children.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
At Bushin Martial Arts, 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.
It is an honored to be a part of the Gracie family as a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Certified Training (CTC) since 2008 and starting the martial arts journey in 1979.
We take pride in creating a safe, clean, comfortable, ego-less, 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. 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 Hichidan, Hanshi-Ho in his primary discipline of Chishin-Ryu Karate-do from Hiroyuki Tesshin Hamada, Hanshi of Bushin-Kan Dojo USA. 1979, he started training 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 in Williamsburg in 2008 with his brother John. Mike and his wife Suzanne established Bushin Martial Arts 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 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 Rokudan, Renshi Shihan-Dai in her primary discipline of Chishin-Ryu 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 Williamsburg. She received the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Certified Instructor from the Gracie University, and promoted to Black Belt by Ryron and Rener Gracie in 2023.
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
Assistant Karate & GJJ, Women Empowered Instructor Lead, and 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 start training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Chishin-Ryu Karatedo since 2010 under Mike Nguyen, Shihan. Brandy was awarded the rank of Nidan, Shidoin in Karatedo from Hiroyuki Tesshin Hamada, Hanshi of Bushin-Kan Dojo USA. She was promoted to Black Belt by Ryron and Rener Gracie from Gracie University in 2024 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. Level 1 Trainer for the TRXSuspension Training System. Brandy enjoys motivating individuals to help reach their goals.
Ryan Nguyen
Assistant Karate & GJJ Instructor
Wrestling Coach
Ryan began his martial arts training in Chishin-Ryu Karate-do at early age of 5. He holds a karatedo rank of 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.
Ryan is a Benedictine College Preparatory Alumni, a student at JMU and leading the Martial Arts in Empowerment 3.
Sarah Nguyen
Assistant Karate & Women Empowered Instructor
Sarah began her martial arts training in Chishin-Ryu Karate-do at the age of 5. She holds a karatedo rank of 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 Blue and Women Empowered Pink Belt.
John Johnson
Assistant GJJ Instructor & Lead Wrestling Coach
John is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt from Gracie University and is also a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Certified Instructor.
Johanna Schneck
Assistant Women Empowered 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.
Kay Alayu
Assistant GJJ & BullyProof Instructor
As a wife and a busy mother of three, it can sometimes feel unimaginable to commit to anything outside of our daily routine. Although I had some prior experience in various forms of martial arts, it didn’t seem essential or inviting to prioritize until I discovered Gracie University and Bushin Martial Arts Academy.
Inspired by the transformative and empowering benefits of jiu-jitsu, my family and I fell in love with the practice and began our journey together in the Fall of 2021. I later earned my Gracie Combatives Belt and Women Empowered Belt in the winter of 2023, my Blue Belt in the summer of 2024, and graduated from the Instructor Certification Program at Gracie University with the class of July 2024. My jiu-jitsu journey has been enriched by the curriculum, inspiring instructors, mentors, fellow classmates, and the overall camaraderie of the dojo. I continue to enjoy this journey and feel privileged to share my knowledge and give back to others.
Sarah Nguyen
Assistant Karate Instructor
Sophia began her martial arts training in Chishin-Ryu Karate-do at the age of 5. She holds a karatedo rank of Kari-Shodan and recognized by Hamada, Hanshi of Bushin-Kan Dojo, USA Division.
She is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Women Empowered Pink Belt holder.