This page updated on September 1, 2010. To pause the background music please click the pause button on the small quicktime box above.

www.manabi-masho.com is owned and operated by Master/Shidoshi-Ho Mark Murdock .

Southern School of Martial Arts will be moving to a new and larger location at the McGee's Crossing Food Lion Shopping center (Suite 103) in the next couple of weeks or so. We're hoping to begin Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, Kobushi-Do and Ninjutsu classes at the new location by the middle of the month. We're going to offer several new programs starting in October for adults and children including:

Jr. Kobushi-Do ages 3 to 5.

Women's Self Defense

Self Defense for Seniors

Advanced Self Defense: Teens and adults (men and women) ages 13 and up.  Includes various striking techniques, escapes from several types of grabs from standing and from the ground, as the student progresses they'll learn basic weapon defenses, basic weapon techniques, simple wrist and arm traps and simple takedowns to the mat. The student will be ranked at level one through level five. The student has the choice to transfer to the regular Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu martial art and be tested into a belt rank that fits their skill level.

For more information or to enroll in any of these programs please email me at manabimasho@yahoo.com or call 919-753-7964.

Thanks, Shihan Murdock

Welcome to the Southern School of Martial Arts Homepage.  Southern School of Martial Arts officially began in May, 1996 in eastern North Carolina. This was the first and only Manabi-Masho dojo outside the Hombu Dojo's of Grandmaster John Casarez and the late Grandmaster "Bob" Robert Edwards.  SSMA is currently the only Manabi-Masho Dojo in North Carolina. I'm also Grandmaster John Cazarez’s highest ranking Master and student.  I offer Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu in the McGee's Crossroads area (Exit 319/I-40) with nearly 30 years in martial arts.  I have earned a 7^th degree black belt in Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, 4^th degree black belt in Ninjutsu, 3^rd degree black belt in Judo and 2nd degree black belt in Aikido. 

I bring many years of experience in multiple martial art styles and have a master skill level in Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. I'm proud to share my knowledge with those that wish to learn. I continually strive for excellence by training with Grandmaster Casarez, attending seminars in many different styles and always perfecting my skills.  Our school motto is, "Shojiki-Ryu – Honesty and Integrity School."  The foundation for training is Honesty, Respect, Honor and Integrity as this is a true sign of strength and the heart of a warrior.  Please scroll to the bottom of the page for more information on our training philosophy.

Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu is always evolving as Grandmaster Casarez, myself and other high-ranking blackbelts develop new techniques and technique variations.  It keeps the energy of the system free-flowing and dynamic.  A beginner will start with the basics, and as they progress, will continue to implement them into their training as it takes time to master the techniques.  Techniques are practiced at slow to medium speed and in light to medium contact for the beginning student due to the realism of the techniques.  As students progress in rank, they will safely utilize more speed and contact.  As always, students have the choice to do the techniques that they are comfortable with.

Here at SSMA, our focus is training for self-defense. While we respect all arts, the only winning we focus on is your training so that you may win your life in an attack.

 "NO TROPHIES, NO TOURNAMENTS...YOU WIN YOUR LIFE."

The techniques of Manabi-Masho Jujitsu involve escapes from various grabs and holds, various joint locks, throws and various types of chokes, as well as damaging strikes to the organs and bones of a would be attacker. Students will also learn pressure points on the body and the throat. We utilize both standing and ground grappling techniques with various levels of sparring.  Sparring intensity is controlled and based on the technique and the students level of skill. Lethal or crippling techniques are not taught to children or any adult under brown belt level. Higher-ranking students learn a "flow" of techniques using defensive counters for various attacks, such as punches and grabs, guns and knives, sticks and other types of assaults.

Manabi-Masho Jujitsu is taught in a natural and easy to learn format. This is more interesting and entertaining for the student. Most students learn more when their training is interesting and fun. 

 I currently offer two to three training classes per week, total 8 to 12 classes per month (please see schedule page for dates & times) as well as private instruction at your location or mine. 

I've been teaching Ju-Jitsu in NC. for 16 years and Southern School of Martial Arts has been in business in Johnston County for over 14 years.

Contact me directly at 919-753-7964 or email me at manabimasho@yahoo.com.

Children's Kobushi-Do

Kobushi-Do, The Little Warrior Way is a specialty children's blended martial art. Kobushi-Do is made up from Ju-Jitsu, Ninjutsu, Aikido, Judo and Karate, all blended into a natural flow of technique.  Kobushi-Do is SSMA's children's Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu martial art style. A mixture of martial arts is more effective than one single traditional martial art. Kobushi-Do is only taught in North Carolina at Southern School of Martial Arts. To enroll in this exclusive one'of'a kind children's martial art, please call 919-753-7964.
Kobushi-Do class times: 5:30pm to 6:00pm and 6:00pm to 7:00pm. For tuition rates please visit the SSMA schedule page.

Kobushi-Do students 13 or older, who are at least 5' and at least 100 lbs are eligible to also train in the adult Manabi-Masho Jujitsu class with written parental permission. Kobushi-Do students are permitted to test into the adult program at 13 years of age with written permission from their parents.  Kobushi-Do "The Little Warrior Way" is Southern School of Martial Arts Children's Martial Art Program.  Kobushi-Do was created in October 2001 by Shihan Mark Murdock, from the martial arts styles of Jujitsu, Aikido, Judo, Karate and Ninjutsu.
This program is specially designed just for children. The Kobushi-Do program teaches children how to defend themselves in a fun and entertaining enviroment.
Kobushi-Do students learn self defense and life lessons while gaining self confidence, self esteem and self respect. In Kobushi-Do students learn how to respect their parents, teachers and elders.

The first part of the class is based on self defense techniques, physical and mental conditioning and light sparring. The last 5 to 10 minutes of class is devoted to game time. In Kobushi-Do game time we have games that are based on balance, evaision and hand and eye corndination. These games are fun and a big hit with our Kobushi-Do students. Our game time is also great for a student's physical fitness. Kobushi-Do is a children's Manabi-Masho system The Kobushi-Do black belt is a children's (Jr.) black belt. The Kobushi-Do student is eligible to transfer into the adult programs at the age of 13. Kobushi-Do students must also test into the adult program. 

We don't require the Kobushi-Do student to start all over again at white belt in the adult program. They'll start at a slighty lower rank (Shihan Murdock will decide where student will start after their test). The student will progress up to the point of testing for an official adult Manabi-Masho black belt.

Kobushi-Do Jr. is our new program for children 3 to 5 year old. It's a Preschool Kobushi-Do program. This martial art style teaches the small child basic hand and eye cordination, tumbling, basic kicking and punching and basic escapes from grabs. It also includes teaches simple and easy to learn life lessons, what a stranger is and what to do and where to go if they are approached by a person other than their parents. This program also helps with self esteem, self confidence, discipline, minor behavior problems and many other benefits. This program is taught in a fun game and contest way to help build basic martial art skill.

Our school logo and motto: "Shojiki-Ryu" Honesty and Integrity School

These four values are the very foundation of our schools, both SSMA and REBD.  We have always, and we will always continue to follow these important values in our schools, our training and our lives. Dishonesty, disrespect, stealing, arrogance and aggression are all signs of weakness. We train to better ourselves, our community and the world. This is a sign of great strength and the heart of true warrior - Shihan Mark Murdock

HONESTY - Always be honest to everyone you meet. Be honest to your parents, children, teachers, ministers, friends and especially yourself. All SSMA/REBD students must be honest and respectful to everyone. Always be honest and respectful, especially to your teachers, without them you would have no knowledge. Don't lie or steal. It's much easier to tell the truth once than tell a lie over and over again just to cover for another lie. Stealing is just as dishonest as telling a lie, don't take what is not offered.  Being dishonest and disrespectful will only destroy your credibility and eventually cause you to fail. A true heart will carry you to greater heights.

RESPECT - Show everyone you meet respect.  Always respect your teachers as they share knowledge and wisdom with you. Without teachers you wouldn't have the knowledge you need.  Respect the people that support and help you. Respect yourself, as you would others. Never be disrespectful to others. Always be willing to appologize if you're disrespectful to someone. Be willing to accept an appology if someone has been disrespectful to you. Always be forgiving and always show respect. "Give respect, earn respect". This will carry over to your everyday life. -

HONOR - Always honor your parents, your elders, your children and your teachers.  You'll be honored by many for these actions.  Do not dishonor yourself. Stand tall and stand up for what you believe in.  Be committed to everything you do.  Honor those who help you, support you and give you knowledge. True honor comes from the heart. This is one aspect that developes a martial artist with strong heart and soul.

INTEGRITY - Always be committed to being fair and responsible. Always keep your word.  Have a word of gold. Always follow through and be committed to what you say and do. If you say you're going to do something, do it.  Don't say it and never follow through, don't say it and put it off and don't mislead people by not following through. Always be willing to give, share and be kind and understanding to everyone. Never lie, steal, be selfish, boast or hurt others for your personal satisfaction. This is a sign of pure weakness. Always have a positive attitude and a strong personal integrity. This is an aspect that makes a martial artist strong, trusted, well-liked and respected.