Sensei James Cockill
At Evolution Martial Arts Academy we teach practical Martial Arts, meaning we take
practical aspects from various styles and teach individuals how to defend themselves
in a realistic environment - the street.
Sensei James Cockill has been studying Martial Arts for more than 24 years, initially
in Shukokai Karate. The founder of Shukokai, Master Chojiro Tani, understood the
principles of body mechanics and used them to great effect when he was developing
Shukokai Karate. Master Tani used the hip twist as the focal point of his style.
He believed the hip to be like a coiled spring, where the most power could be produced
by effective body kinetics.
This has made Shukokai one of the hardest striking arts today. Sensei Cockill later
cross trained and studied various other Martial Arts, including: American Freestyle
Karate under Sensei Pat Burleson in Texas, USA; Gracie Ju-Jitsu under Pedro Sauer
in Utah, USA; Kata No I Aikido under Sensei Jorge Valladeres in Utah, USA; and Kickboxing
& Boxing with Johnny Cocca; number one ranked kick boxer in North America from Rochester,
New York USA.
Cross training in these styles resulted in Sensei James Cockill and Sensei Luke
Randell developing a unique and realistic Self Protection Programme at Evolution
Martial Arts Academy. The programme consists of pre-fight strategies, focussing
on body posture, conversation and evasive techniques, heightening awareness to avoid
and escape dangerous situations.
The programme also includes In-fight techniques, making use of effective striking,
joint destruction, and restraints. Combined with the Self Protection skills taught
at Evolution Martial Arts Academy, the programme also includes a Children’s Character
Education Scheme. This covers stranger awareness, creating positive attitudes, anti-bullying,
promoting self confidence, developing listening skills and many more.
Sensei Cockill has expanded his training to emphasise on children’s motor skills,
development and instruction through his tenure at Deer Valley Resort in Utah, USA.
Sensei Cockill is an internationally certified ski instructor with over 8 years
experience teaching children and adults at Deer Valley Resort. Additionally James
has received advanced qualifications for child instruction.
Keeping with the ethos of Evolution Martial Arts Academy, the instructors are constantly
trying to improve training methods and instruction.
Sensei Cockill is currently training in Thai Boxing under the guidance of Paul Hamilton
of The Darlington Boxing & Martial Arts Academy, also attending frequent seminars
hosted by some of the highest qualified instructors in the world.
In October 2007 Sensei James Cockill received his 4th Dan from IainAbernathy under
the British Combat Association.