What is Zanshin Kai Seizan Ryu Kempo Jujutsu?

Our style of teaching is called Zanshin Kai Seizan Ryu:  Those who pursue total awareness in the west mountain style of armed and unarmed combat.  Zanshin ("Complete Awareness") because our students strive to develop an awareness of themselves and their environment both inside and out of the dojo.  This makes stronger leaders and team players.  Seizan ("West Mountain") because the teaching methodologies were formulated in Westmont, Illinois, and at Seizan Training Site, located in the mountains west of Denver, Colorado.  Ryu means literally a "flow” (of knowledge).  It is a term commonly used to indicate a particular school of thought or style of teaching.

Your training in Zanshin Kai will be comprised of the following fighting styles:

Pangamot / Jujutsu:  A soft style of empty-hand fighting designed to defend against an armed opponent when the defender can acquire the opponents weapon and use it against his or her attacker;

Kali - Silat / Kempo:  A hard style of empty-hand and armed combat where many strikes and some throws and submissions are utilized to subdue an attacker;

Eskrima / Eskrido / Arnis:  This is a complex weapon-based art that involves striking, disarming, throwing, and submission with weapons.  It is traditionally taught to law enforcement and military personnel or to those requiring special tactical defense training such as women who are in fear of violence or subject to stalking;

Fitness Kickboxing:  This non-competitive sport is an outstanding and explosive way to exercise with an eye toward extreme fitness;

Grappling / submission:  This is a popular sport and incredible workout.  You will build trendous stamina, strength, speed, and flexibility.  You will gain an understanding of how to find and apply technical concepts in a moving and changing environment.  Submission simply means that at the end of the encounter one partner is placed in a condition that forces them to signal (by "tapping out") for the drill to stop.  When properly understood and completed at quarter speed and quarter power, the risk of pain and injury can be controlled.

Zanshin Kai Seizan Ryu is a complete system of versatile physical and mental tactic, and uncomplicated, supremely effective technique.  Its strategies emphasize rational, efficient, and simple solutions to close-quarter interpersonal conflict.  A heavy value is placed on mobility, the redirection of force, and the maintenance of one’s balance.  The essential principle is the rendering of an adversary powerless with the most efficient and decisive means at hand,  assuring the most optimal tactical and legal outcome for both defender and attacker.

Head Instructors

Jeremiah Minner is an owner a Head Instructor at CAMA.  He has been training and teaching in the martial system of Seizan Ryu for 19 years.  He is  ranked Shinden Omote in Kempo Jujutsu, meaning he has earned a 4th Degree Black Belt in the art, and is sanctioned as Shotoka Shihan in Seizan Ryu, meaning he is certified by Gakubucho Roland Roemer, the founder and director of Seizan Ryu Kempo Jujutsu at the Colorado Academy of Martial Arts, as a school director and master level teacher in all aspects of Seizan Ryu Kempo Jujutsu.  Shihan Minner also holds rank from the Filipino Martial Arts Academy under Grandmaster Christopher J. Petrilli.  Additionally, he is a member of the Seizan Ryu Advisory Board, an organization headquartered at the Colorado Academy of Martial Arts, designed to ensure the current and future integrity of all Seizan Ryu schools.  Jeremiah is also  a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and an active duty Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy.


Tom Weissmuller is an owner and Head Instructor at CAMA.  He is an 8th degree black belt in Pangamot, Kali-Silat, Eskrido / Eskrima.  He has studied extensively with Grandmasters Christopher J. Petrilli and Cacoy Canete and holds black belt or instructor certification in various systems and associations, including Seizan Ryu Kempo Jujutsu under Gakubucho Roland Roemer.  Grandmaster Weissmuller has been instructing and coaching traditional programs, advanced tactical training for law enforcement, women's defensive tactics, and advanced Mixed Martial Arts for 30 years.  He is the Northeast Regional representative for the Filipino Martial Arts Academy.    His teaching philosophy employs communication and non-violent intent to develop proficiency in all ranges of martial arts, from very long range to close quarters range.

The Academies

The original Academy of Martial Arts was founded in the Chicago area in 1967 as a center for the study of Seizan Ryu Kempo Jujutsu.  There are now several affiliates located throughout the United States with the Colorado Academy of Martial Arts (CAMA) as the national headquarters.

The Connecticut Academy of Martial Arts (also CAMA) was formally founded in 2010, though students of CAMA go back to 1996.  Jeremiah Minner, CAMA director and owner, maintains an active role at CAMA and with its director, Roland Roemer, who founded the Seizan Ryu Kempo Jujutsu system.