Instructor

Brian Southon

2nd Dan Black Belt

Brian's Martial Arts Journey

BIO

Brian has dedicated his life to martial arts training and developing his skills across a range of combat disciplines.

His training journey began in 1986 with Judo, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for martial arts. In 1988, while studying at Newcastle University, he began training in Wing Chun and Tai Chi under Sifu Peter Young, spending four years building his technical skill and developing his understanding of Chinese martial arts.

In 1992, Brian continued his Wing Chun training in London under Sifu Allen Winner, remaining a dedicated student until 1999. During this time, he achieved the rank of Black Sash with two White Tags and became Sifu Allen Winner's top student—a testament to his commitment, technical ability, and years of disciplined practice.

During the 90s, he has entered many kickboxing competitions under the British Kickboxing Union and ranked UK 4th.

Expanding his martial arts experience further, Brian began training in Muay Thai in 1998, studying the art for three years and adding the powerful striking and clinch techniques of Thailand's national sport to his skill set.

In 2009, Brian began training in Karate, a discipline he continues to study and practise today, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to learning. In 2020, he also broadened his martial arts knowledge by undertaking training in Aikido, further enriching his understanding of movement and balance.

Brian's extensive experience across multiple martial arts systems, combined with decades of continuous training, gives him a well-rounded perspective that he brings to every class. His dedication to lifelong learning and his passion for sharing practical, effective martial arts knowledge make him an inspiring instructor.

He is known in our club for his strength, speed, sparring & chi sao skills. With his dojo & life experience, discipline, mature character and sense of humour, he is a great person to learn from and the type of role model young people need nowadays.

Get to know Brian as a teacher:

Favourite Technique Mawashi Empi

Favourite part of training Chi Sao [Sticky hands]

Why do I train? To become the best version of myself

Technique philosophy Practice, practice, practice

Favourite benefit of training When something's about to go down, you already know what's going to happen - before they even know themselves

Favourite training tool Randomly attacking family members to see how they respond

Training philosophy Mastery through repetition

What I hope students gain Insight into technique - understanding why correct technique helps deliver results

Favourite martial arts principle Sensitivity over strength, relaxation, fluidity

Motivation Being inspired by the achievements of others

Most underrated combat skill De-escalation

Why do I teach? One can not keep receiving without first creating space by giving

Most used phrase when teaching Just one more [push up]

Most important quality in a student Curiosity, with a willingness to explore

Most important quality in an instructor Relatability

What do students teach you? My journey will never end

What is success as a teacher? Witnessing the growth of a student

What does martial arts mean to you? Effective combat in a controlled manner, whether that's your mental state being controlled, or your actions

What keeps you training after all these years? Just beginning to unlock new areas of knowledge previously inaccessible

What legacy would you like to leave? A dojo with a leadership team for the next few generations

Favourite Karateka Jean-Claude Van Damme. Loved his movies!

Favourite Thai Boxer Saenchai

Favourite MMA Fighter Bas Rutten

Favourite BJJ Athlete Gordon Ryan

Favourite weapons Recurve Bow, Nunchaku, Katana, Staff

Get to know Brian as a person:

Personal Info

Born in the midlands in 1970, raised in the South.
Has a twin brother

Known for Does everything

Inspired by 1990's martial arts movies

Most valuable learned lesson If you want something - earn it!

Proudest achievement The moment I held one of my twin children for the first time

Favourite book Mr Men series

Favourite artist I am compelled to say my wife's sister Shameless plug - she has several pieces available if you like...

Favourite movie Blood Sport

Favourite video game Elite Dangerous

Favourite fruit Banana

Favourite band Heart

Favourite quote "Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do."

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing pad work with his instructor Olgun Tiltay

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham training karate in Japan with his instructor Olgun Tiltay

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing kumite with his instructor Olgun Tiltay

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing makiwara with his instructor Olgun Tiltay

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham receiving a gift in senior class from his instructor Olgun Tiltay

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing striking basics with his instructor Olgun Tiltay

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham training in Japan with his instructor Olgun Tiltay

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham sparring with his instructor Olgun Tiltay

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing martial arts in Japan with his instructor Olgun Tiltay

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham training in senior class with his instructor Olgun Tiltay

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning striking in Ise Japan from Nobuya Tagami Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning martial arts in Japan from Nobuya Tagami Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning Karate in Ise Japan from Nobuya Tagami Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham studying Karate in in Ise Japan under Nobuya Tagami Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham in Nobuya Tagami Senseis dojo in Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham studying Karate techniques with Nobuya Tagami Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham with Hideki Yamada Sensei in Nagoya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning Bo [long staff] in Nagoya Japan from Hideki Yamada Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning martial arts basics in Nagoya Japan from Hideki Yamada Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning Kobudo in Nagoya Japan from Hideki Yamada Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham in Hideki Yamada Senseis karate dojo in Nagoya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning traditional weapons in Nagoya Japan from Hideki Yamada Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning Karate in Nagoya Japan from Hideki Yamada Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing martial arts in Nagoya Japan from Hideki Yamada Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham with Sensei Olgun & Hideki Yamada Sensei in Nagoya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham in Hideki Yamada Senseis kobudo dojo in Nagoya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning Karate Kihon in Nagoya Japan from Hideki Yamada Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning Bo [long staff] basics in Nagoya Japan from Hideki Yamada Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham with Funakoshi Masaharu Sensei in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning karate basics from Funakoshi Masaharu Sensei in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing punches on makiwara in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham doing conditioning with Funakoshi Masaharu Sensei in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning karate from Funakoshi Masaharu Sensei in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham doing karate conditioning in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham training in Funakoshi Masaharu Senseis dojo in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning karate kihon from Funakoshi Masaharu Sensei in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practising karate conditioning in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing karate basics in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing shutos on makiwara in Ichinomiya Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning traditional karate from Stacey Karetsian Sensei [7th Dan Gojuryu & Gojukai Karate]

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning traditional Japanese archery in Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham with Urano Yuji Sensei [7th Dan Kyudo]

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning basics of Kyudo in Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning traditional Japanese weapons in Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing traditional Japanese archery in Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning Judo in Kogakkan school Japan from Matsuda Taku Sensei

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham learning Judo in Kogakkan school Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham demonstrating karate sparring in a Judo class in Kogakkan school Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing Judo groundwork Ne-Waza in Kogakkan school Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham with Judo students in Kogakkan school Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practising Judo grips in Kogakkan school Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practising Judo footwork in Kogakkan school Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practising Judo in Kogakkan school Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing Judo sparring Randori in Kogakkan school Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practicing Judo groundwork in Kogakkan school Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practising Judo throws in Kogakkan school Japan

Brian Southon of Shuhari Self Defence Cippenham practising Judo randori in Kogakkan school Japan