Ranks & Certifications:

• 1st Dan Torite Jutsu
• DSI Assistant Instructor
• 1st Dan Okinawan Kempo
• 5th Dan; Karate Jutsu
• BCA Instructor
• Brian is also Assistant Chief Instructor of the Karate Jutsu Association

I have been training in martial arts for the past 30 years, I started with judo then Shaolin Kung Fu, followed by my main art of Tang Soo Do, it was then that I discovered the Dragon Society International. In 2001 I achieved the rank of Shodan in Torite and since then I have taught numerous military, private military groups, Martial Artists, Police Forces, Members of the Special Forces, Members of the Elite Police Force in the principles of Torite.

Awards & Recognition:
Legend award from Martial arts Illustated
Gold award from Martial arts Illustrated

David Hansford is a 7^th Degree in Shuri-Ryu, training in a lineage that goes back to the traditional Okinawan Shurite that incorporates both soft and hard, internal and external aspects of a complete system as it developed from the Southern Chinese systems and the original Okinawan Te.  My Sensei made it his mission to understand the Chinese science and the combative methods behind the Okinawan Shurite and he shared that accumulated knowledge with me.  My mission has been to understand and apply the Western science to the trained traditional martial arts.  The result these studies of both Traditional Chinese Medicine science and the Western science as applied to Okinawan martial arts are two books, both of which are available on the Dragon Society Store.

The P.A.T.H. Approach to Effective Self Defense takes as its thesis that in a genuine self-defense situation where life and limb is on the line, the most appropriate defensive response is to counter with an attack to the heart of the aggressor affecting  an autonomic response which culminates in a vasovagal faint, but with the possibility of a more severe result.  P.A.T.H. is an acronym for Parasympathetic Attacks to the Heart.

The P.A.T.H. Approach to Effective Self Defense, Part 2, Kiko is a discussion of the unique Okinawan approach to qigong that is inseparably integrated into Okinawan Karate training for both ki development and control and for conditioning of body, mind and spirit.  This book focuses on the importance of traditional training and the Western science understanding of the neuroscience and myofascial web as it relates to energy development, storage and delivery.

On Facebook, David Hansford Martial Arts.

My interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine goes back to 1988 when I was a member of the President Eisenhower’s People to People Delegation to the Peoples Republic of China.

Throughout my career as a general and vascular surgeon in Staunton I was often thought of as a maverick due to my interest in Eastern Medical Practice.

But it wasn’t until cancer ended my surgical career and I became Chief Medical Officer that I had the time to introduce and stimulate interest in our need for a Complementary Medicine Service at Augusta Health.

I felt such a service should include Acupuncture, classes in many aspects of Qigong, Tai Chi and Yoga and a Martial Arts Program which had pressure points as the foundation of its form.

One of the applicants I interviewed was Tom Muncy, who ran a martial arts program in Waynesboro and who, along with Rick Moneymaker, had founded The Dragon Society International and the To-Ri Karate Institute.

At conclusion of the interview I only had one question to ask Tom … “Would you be willing to take on a 65 year old student into your martial arts program?” He said absolutely and I hired him on the spot.

At that time we were finishing construction of a new addition to our Fitness Center and I made certain that we incorporated into it, a state of the art Dojo for Tom to work out of.

I have been practicing Karate for the past 15 years and have enjoyed the unparalleled experience of having Grand Master Muncy as my instructor. It is like a dream come true, being able to attend a 2 hour Grand Master Muncy Seminar twice a week.

Ranks & Certifications:

• 1st Dan Torite Jutsu
• DSI Assistant Instructor
• 1st Dan Okinawan Kempo
• 4th Dan; Karate Jutsu
• BCA Instructor