Joshua Ryer

Personal History

Joshua Ryer was born and raised just south of York, Pennsylvania in the small town of New Freedom.  As a child, Josh always had a love for the martial arts, but it was not until the age of ten that he would have an opportunity to formally train.  On his tenth birthday Josh was enrolled into a Taekwondo program at the local Y.M.C.A.  His training in Taekwondo was short lived.  About one year later, Josh's family had decided to relocate to Coral Springs, Florida which led Josh to enroll at Greg Silva's renowned East West Karate.  It was during this time at East West that Josh was introduced to Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate.  However it was not long before Josh's family moved back to Pennsylvania.

In April of 1994 Josh commenced his training in Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate under Associate Master Gary Ronemus in York, Pennsylvania.  It was under the watchful eye of Mr. Ronemus that Josh was given the opportunity to test for the rank of Black Belt on June 27th, 1997.  Josh passed the test and was promoted the following day at a belt ceremony in front of the school's student body.

In the summer of 2000, Josh relocated to western Pennsylvania to attain his Undergraduate Degree in Business at the University of Pittsburgh.  With his commitment to the University and the realization that there were no American Kenpo Karate schools in the Pittsburgh area; Josh and his close friend Salvador "Alex" Dorsey founded the United Parker's Kenpo Karate Club at the University of Pittsburgh in September of 2000.

Through the establishment of the club; Josh and Alex were not only given the opportunity to teach, but also the opportunity to host and train with many top masters.  Due to these opportunities, Josh had the honor to be accepted as a student of Grandmaster Richard "Huk" Planas and Master Zach Whitson in July 2003.

As the club became more successful; Josh took the next step in his commitment to teach the martial arts by establishing a full-time martial arts academy in March 2004 in Pittsburgh's east end community of Shadyside.  Since the establishment of Ryer Martial Arts Academy, it has steadily grown and expanded offering several martial arts and fitness programs for people of all ages.

Understanding that the growth of his students' knowledge depends on the depth of his own knowledge; Josh has always remained a student in the martial arts.  In addition to training in American Kenpo Karate, Josh actively studies and is ranked in several other martial arts disciplines.

In April of 2007, Josh became the first student under Master Zach Whitson to receive the rank of First Degree Black Belt in the Counterpoint Tactical System.  The Counterpoint Tactical System, also known by the acronym CTS, is a weapon-based, integrated martial art that places emphasis on real world tactical counter offense.  Although an eclectic martial art, the Counterpoint Tactical System's largest traditional influence can be found from Filipino Martial Arts.

A significant amount of this Filipino influence has come from Master Zach Whitson's association with renowned Doce Pares Grandmaster Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete.  Grandmaster Canete is a Twelfth Degree Black Belt in Eskrima and the Founder of Eskrido.  He is also the last surviving member of the famed Doce Pares Club, which was founded in January 1932.  Over the years, Josh has had the rare opportunity to train with Grandmaster Canete and in June 2008 he was awarded the rank of First Degree Black Belt in Doce Pares Eskrima and Eskrido directly from Grandmaster Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete and Master Zach Whitson.

In addition to Filipino martial arts, Josh also studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Sensei Sonny Achille, a First Degree Black Belt under the Pedro Sauer Association.  In March 2009, Josh was awarded the rank of Blue Belt and subsequently began teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Ryer Academy.

To this day, Josh continues to be steadfast in his training and confidently looks towards the future to perpetuate the martial arts; to further the growth of his students; and to lead his academy to new heights.

To contact Mr. Joshua Ryer, please click here.

Recommendations

"Joshua Ryer at Ryer Martial Arts Academy is the place for you to train in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  He represents the high standards of the Pedro Sauer Association and Sonny Achille at Steel City Martial Arts.  You are lucky to train with him."

Pedro Sauer, Master
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

"Josh Ryer is one of the most dedicated students to the martial arts that I know.  He has trained with me for a number of years and will be a future leader in the field of Kenpo and other arts if he keeps on his steady path.  I also call him my friend as well as student and wish I had more like him as they are few and far between."

Huk Planas, Grandmaster
American Kenpo Karate
 

"Talk about a strong work ethic, Josh Ryer has it.  This will show in his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program.  Josh is a devoted student who is technical and respectful, always wanting to learn more.  He has proven himself as an instructor in the martial arts community.  I am sure that you will like the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu environment that Josh has created for you as a student."

Sonny Achille, Sensei
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

"Josh is a career martial artist. He began training at a very young age and has continued his quest for knowledge while maintaining his enthusiasm and passion throughout his career. The combination of Josh's passion for what he does combined with an unwavering work ethic make him both a great student and teacher of martial arts. But more than that, Josh has a quality of character that is very rare, this world would be a much better place if more people behaved and presented themselves as Josh does. I am honored to have Josh as not only my student but as a close friend that I admire.  Josh's enthusiasm is infectious, his students pick up on his positive energy and respond with their own positive attitude. Josh is what people expect in a martial arts instructor and leader. We see marketing pitches for martial arts schools that tout the positive benefits of training--self-discipline, self-esteem and confidence , etc.-- however many only learn how to fight never developing the truly important aspects of the training. This is not the case with Josh, he is a great example of all those positive things. Josh Ryer is a young man of exceptional character, intelligence, work ethic and natural talent and these attributes make Josh is an exceptional marital artist and teacher. I am glad to know that this inherently good person and exceptional teacher is out there as an example to anyone that cares to pay attention and benefit from training in martial arts."

Zach Whitson, Master
Counterpoint Tactical System

 

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