| Head Instructor
Christopher “Bushi” Ballard
- 5th Dan Aiki Jitsu
- 4th Dan Taekwondo
- Certified Senior Instructor Muay Thai Kickboxing
- Certified USA Boxing Coach
26 Years of Training: Master Ballard began his training in 1984 in the art of Taekwondo. He holds; a 5th Degree Black Belt in Aiki Jitsu, 4th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, Senior Certified Instructor (Kru) in Muay Thai Kickboxing-USMTA and he is a Certified USA Boxing Coach. Master Ballard was inducted as a Life Member into the USMA in 1997. He has “cross trained” in; Judo, Arnis, Karate, U.S. Army Combatives, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, To Shin-Do and more…Master Ballard currently serves as the President of the Vermont Muay Thai Association and he is the Vermont State Representative of the United States Muay Thai Association.
Master Ballard established UFAI, (United Fighting Arts Institute) in 2002, but due to a deployment to Iraq, was forced to close it, and then re-open it in 2006. In Iraq, Master Ballard conducted Direct Combat Support Operations as a U.S. Army Flight Medic with the 101st Airborne Division, (C Co. 3/126 Air Ambulance, 7th /101st Airborne, OIF 5-7).
Master Ballard has trained under some of the most well known instructors in the world, to include; ISKA World Kickboxing Champion Conrad Pla (Tristar Gym, Montreal), An Shu Stephen & Shidoshi Rumiko Hayes, in Bujinkan Tai Jitsu & To Shin-Do,(Dayton Quest Center-Dayton, OH), Legendary Judo Instructor O’Sensei Philip S. Porter, Former U.S. National Taekwon-Do Champion Master Alba Rosario & Hall of Fame Instructor Master Stan Parsons as well as many more...
Master Ballard was formerly a competitive fighter, who has fought locally, nationally and internationally. He was formerly nationally ranked and competed for the IKF, (International Kickboxing Federation), USKBA, (United States Kickboxing Association) and the WCMA, (World Congress of Martial Artists). Master Ballard has trained in Muay Thai multiple times in Thailand.Master Ballard is retired from active competition, but takes great pride in training martial artists & aspiring combat sports athletes. He can be reached via email at: warriorspirit@ufai.net |
