Chief Instructor -
Michael Schildmeyer
Michael has been training in and teaching the art of Shao-Lin Kempo since 2000. He began his training in the Salem area at the age of fifteen. His main interest in the martial arts is the traditional aspects of the arts as well as their applications for modern self defense. He loves training in and learning any martial art and knew from early on in his martial arts career that he would be doing it for the rest of his life. Teaching the art of Kempo quickly became the goal for his life and he hasn’t regretted it for one day since.
“I feel extremely lucky to have the chance to teach this art to
the people in my community. I have seen the effect it can have on a young
person’s life and being able to affect that kind of change in the world is more
than I thought I would ever get from a career. I have the greatest job on
Earth.”
- Michael Schildmeyer Yo - Dan (4TH Degree Black Belt)
ShaoLin Kempo
Assistant Instructor -
Jon Nyhus
Jon has been training and teaching the art since 2013. Originally from Wisconsin, he decided to see more of the country and moved to Arkansas shortly after turning 21. 14 years later he decided 100+ degree summers weren't his thing and he moved to Oregon in 2013. One night he saw a coworker practicing Kempo techniques. 10 minutes of questions and a quick Google search later he entered the dojo and hasn't looked back. He brings a strong wrestling background from his six years of training in that art and an endless desire to learn everything the martial arts world has to offer. From self defense techniques, to forms, to all the various martial arts weapons, he wishes there were more hours in the day for training. His current goals include mastering the art of kempo and becoming the head instructor at the second Defense Arts NW location when it opens.
"Shaolin Kempo offers all the qualities I loved about martial arts while I was growing up. It has the grace and precision of a traditional art and the street effectiveness of the newer fighting styles. My time training and teaching at Defense Arts Northwest has been amazing and I still look at the clock to see how long it is until the next class and wonder what new things we will learn today."
- Jon Nyhus Sho-Dan (1ST Degree Black Belt)
ShaoLin Kempo
