School of Martial Arts

First impressions don't tell the whole story.

I am a former student at the School of Martial Arts, who attended for many years. It was originally called the School of Chinese Martial Arts for several years and then Zen Martial Arts for a short time.

On the surface, the School of Martial Arts has active classes, particularly kung fu, that energize and engage students. At first, I enjoyed my time in the school but I discovered undercurrents beneath the positives.

The school owner, Robert Brown, did not reveal to his students that he once attended the International Ryokukai Karate-Aikido school run by Sensei Katsumi Niikura in Sterling Heights, MI. There Robert Brown learned aikido throws and joint locks as well as the Japanese-style class ceremonies he uses in his own school.

Robert Brown also did not reveal that he once attended the Michigan Shaolin Temple for Kung Fu and T'ai Chi Chuan run by Sifu Thomas Smith in Westland, MI. Robert Brown left the Michigan Shaolin Temple without completing the teaching requirements set by Sifu Smith.

Groups of students leave the School of Martial Arts every 5-10 years as many find themselves chased away by Robert Brown in a variety of ways.

Groups of students leave the School of Martial Arts every 5-10 years as many find themselves chased away by Robert Brown in a variety of ways. In over 20 years of being a kung fu instructor, Robert Brown has given only six students the rank of black sash since he has sought to discourage the emergence of students who can rival or surpass his skill level.

Robert Brown is adept at concealing his mistreatment of individual students from the student body at large. He plays favorites among his students as well.

New students at the School of Martial Arts are well advised to study signs of discord the longer they attend classes taught by Robert Brown.

A website where some people have talked about Robert Brown and his school is at http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=29907&s=6a5ee668424ef809b24aaa44c6e35538

Do you want to change your life? Do you want to be strong and in shape? Do you want to feel at peace with yourself, in your career, in your relationships, in your skin…in your life. Do you want to realize what you are capable of and discover the strength of your sprit. Don't wait. Study martial arts. Study it at this school. All I wanted was to be strong and in shape; everything else was a bonus

Not all martial arts schools are created equal. If you are looking for a workout and basic self defense, you can find that anywhere. If you're looking to practice the true art of martial arts, to discipline the mind and body, this is the place. Be warned, once you start coming, you will never want to leave! I have been studying here for over 2-1/2 years, and this place has impacted my life in a tremendous, positive way. It's more than just self-defense, it's a way of life. Sifu Brown and this school are incredible.