Instructors
John Robertston
Chief Instructor & Founder
Chief Instructor and founder of Bushido Martial Arts, John D Robertson is an 8th Dan and began training in Jiu-Jitsu with the Kirkby Jiu-Jitsu association in 1972. His reasons for following Jiu-Jitsu came after severe and prolonged bullying at school and it was decided that he needed something to boost his self esteem and at the same time equip him to defend himself. During his time studying Jiu-Jitsu John also studied Shotokan Karate. The marriage of Shotokan with Jiu-Jitsu has proven to be a very effective and productive union which has thus far seen over 5000 students train with Bushido Martial Arts during its 35 year history. John is now retired but still teaches for us on Mondays.
Helen Baldwin
Chief Instructor
Helen started jujitsu with Bushido in 2003 to help with her self confidence, fitness and to learn self defence and she hasn’t looked back since! Helen was one of our first two female Jiujitsu black belts. With a few years away from training here and there due to university and work, Helen returned to us in 2018 and is now a 4th Dan and one of our fully qualified and insured Chief Instructors. Helen’s special interests include throws, street defence, women’s self defence and martial arts theory. Helen has published literature in the International Journal of Martial Arts (the most recent publication is available here). Helen also enjoys weight lifting, has competed in Strongwoman competitions, is a keen swimmer and has completed a relay of the English Channel. Outside of the club she works as a veterinary surgeon and lecturer.
Paul Powell
Chief Instructor
Paul has gone from strength to strength since he joined the club and is one of our Chief instructors. He leads both the karate and kickboxing classes and his knowledge of technique and fighting style is of huge benefit to Bushido students.
Jacob Haynes
Chief Instructor
Jacob has been at Bushido since he was 6 years old and is a 4th Dan black belt in Jiujitsu and 4th Dan in Freestyle Karate. Jacob is also a WKC world champion in kata and a bronze medalist in kickboxing. Although Jacob is proficient in all the styles currently taught at Bushido, he predominantly teaches the Jiujitsu and kickboxing classes. Outside the dojo Jacob remains active and has most recently taken up climbing. Jacob has recently joined the army so will only be training with us occasionally.