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Welcome to 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 of Grandmaster John Casarez and the late Grandmaster "Bob" Robert Edwards in Ohio and West Virgina.  Southern School of Martial Arts is currently the only Manabi-Masho Dojo in North Carolina. The head instructor is Shihan Murdock, Grandmaster John Cazarez’s highest ranking Senior Master Instructor and Soke-Dai (inheritor).  At Southern School of Martial Arts we offer a specialized blended martial art called Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, that (translates as the working way or learning the warrior way).

Manabi-Masho has a heavy base of classic Ju-Jitsu and traditional Judo, with modified Ninjutsu, modified Aikido, modified Eskrima and with Karate, JKD techniques blended in. When a student learns a blend of martial arts instead of one single martial art style, they have much more knowledge and will be better at defending themselves. "Shihan states, the more tools you have in your tool box the more jobs you can do". That's the same way in martial arts and self defense, you need striking skills, grappling skills, throwing skills and weapon skills.

In February 2011 the training program at Southern School of Martial Arts was completely redesigned. We've added a heavier base of traditional Judo with more throws, more ground techniques and more armbars. We also modernized and modified over 70% of the traditional Bujinkan Ninjutsu techniques and added them in to the regular Ju-Jitsu program. We now call our version of Ninjutsu "Modern Ninjutsu". Our program is now even more dynamic and exciting with more striking, weapons, throws, joint locks and ground techniques.

We now offer the student the option of getting belt rank in Judo and/or Ninjutsu in addition to Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. There were a few techniques in both Judo and Ninjutsu that couldn't be modified and added to the system because they weren't effective for self defense. The student has the option to learn these techniques and test for belt rank in Judo or Ninjutsu. The student will be provided with the select techniques for both arts if they request it. The student must schedule a few special classes to learn the added techniques.

We're located in the McGee's Crossroads area  (McGee's Crossings Shopping Center at Exit 319/I-40/Hwy 210). We're only minutes from Garner, Clayton, Smithfield, Four Oaks, Benson and Angier. 

Shihan Murdock has nearly 30 years of experience in multiple martial art styles and has a master skill level in Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. He's willing to share his knowledge with those that wish to learn. Shihan's focus is not to compete with another martial artist's skills or their knowledge, but only to share his knowledge and add to their knowledge and skill level. 

In this MMA world of ego, the true martial art spirit of sharing knowledge between teacher and student has become so clouded, overlooked and on the verge of being lost. It's not about who's better, who has the biggest muscles or who can win a cage fight. It's about being a good person without ego, learn how to effectively defend yourself, learn how to be a better person and learn how to make the world a less violent and better place to live.

Shihan continually strives for excellence by training with Grandmaster Casarez, attending seminars in many different styles and always perfecting his skills. 

Our school motto is, "Shojiki-Ryu – Honesty and Integrity School."  The foundation for training is Honesty, Respect, Honor, Integrity, Courage, Wisdom, Perseverance and Loyalty. If you live and train by these eight aspects, it will give you personal strength and make you a better person.  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, Shihan Murdock and other high-ranking black belts develop new martial art techniques and martial art 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. Higher ranking students will learn how to spar with and without resistance with the techniques they've learned. A controlled spar will be used for weapons and intense techniques to avoid injury.

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."

Students of Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu will learn escapes from various grabs and holds, various finger, wrist and arm locks, Judo throws, Judo throws with added ground techniques and damaging strikes (simulated in training) to the organs and bones of a would be attacker. The students will also learn choke holds (controlled in training) and pressure point techniques. We utilize both standing and ground grappling techniques with various levels of sparring.  In self defense, It's very important to have good standing grappling and striking skills as well as good ground skills. Sparring intensity is controlled and based on the technique and the student's level of skill. 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. 

We currently offer several training classes per week. Please see the monthly schedule on the schedule page, as well as private instruction at your location or mine. 

Shihan Murdock has been teaching Ju-Jitsu in NC. for 17 years and Southern School of Martial Arts has been in business in Johnston County for 15 years.

We accept students age 12 and up in the Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu program. Teens must be at least 5' tall, weigh at least 100 lbs and have parents permission to participate in the Teen/Adult Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu class.

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

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

These eight 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, ego, 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 - Always 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 apologize if you're disrespectful to someone. Be willing to accept an apology 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 develops 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.

LOYALTY - Always be loyal to your parents, children, spouses, friends, teachers and most important God. Being loyal means that you're committed to what you do, what you think and what you say. It also means that you are committed to your relationships, friends and family and teachers. In the martial arts it's very important to be loyal to your Sensei (teacher). This shows great respect toward your Sensei. Remember, without your Sensei's given martial arts knowledge and instruction you would not have any martial arts knowledge. Loyalty is a very important part of everyday life and will bring many rewards to you along the way. You will gain great respect, friendship, love and prosperity from those that you are loyal to.

COURAGE - Always have courage to love the life you live and live the life you love. Courage is a very important part of the martial arts and life in general. It's the fire, desire and drive to accomplish the goals that you set forth to accomplish. This is also risk taking. You have to take risks in life to get ahead. "You have to go out on the limb to get the fresh fruit or settle for the older fruit that's lying on the ground". That limb may pop and crack and be very scary but with courage you can succeed. Martial arts, like life can be difficult at times. You need courage to keep you on track in both life and in martial arts. Courage is very useful in a dangerous situation. You need to have the drive to overcome the danger. This is the same in everyday life when it comes to a stressful time in your life. You need that drive, desire and focus to overcome and to conquer your problems. Be courages like warrior and never show fear.

PERSEVERANCE - Perseverance is very important in the martial arts and in life. To persevere means to work hard, to endure and to never give up. Martial arts is a way of life. Many people think that getting to black belt is the final step in martial arts, on the contrary it's the very beginning part of martial arts. When you achieve your black belt, your mind, body and spirit are ready to start learning what the martial arts really are. It takes a lot of perseverance to make it to black belt and then even more through the "10" degrees of black belt. The best way to think about this is, white belt to black belt is like high school. Achieving 2nd degree black belt is like achieving an associates degree. Achieving 3rd degree black belt is like achieving a bachelors degree. Achieving 4th degree black belt is like achieving a masters degree. Achieving 5th degree black belt is like a doctorates degree. 6th degree and above is like being a professor in the martial arts. Perseverance is also just important in your everyday life. You have to persevere at your work place, in your relationships and in your religion. Perseverance will get you to you're goals and beyond.

WISDOM - Wisdom means being wise. Wisdom comes with time, often after several years, and most often with age. Wisdom is created through different life experiences, which include; trial and error, winning and loosing and learning from your successes and your mistakes. A warrior with wisdom would be like a dragon using strategy, experience, knowledge and would only choose when to fight. A person with a huge ego would be like a dog attacking at will, starting a fight, wanting to hurt someone or fighting for the enjoyment it, without thinking of the consequences. He would enjoy showing off his ego and muscles to intimidate others. This is a sign of true weakness and is not wise, but stupid. Being wise is also being responsible and using strategy in your life while making educated and planned decisions, learning from your mistakes and successes and making your life and the world a better place to live in. Wisdom is using your experience, knowledge and heart and not your ego.