Southern School of Martial Arts and Rivers Edge Bujinkan DojoWe are now accepting new students in our Adult, Teen and Children's Programs!2025 Kid Ninja Summer Camp now scheduled! June 16th through June 20th 8:30 to 4:00pm. Please see the Summer Camp page for more information and how to buy tickets. Prices will be based on how many participants sign up. The more participants the cheaper the rates. We cannot take more than 25 participants so enroll early.
Please scroll down the page for special quick links to several of our most popular pages, Sensei Murdock's credentials and his lastest achievements. There's more pictures and more class information below Sesnei's information.
At Southern School of Martial Arts we teach a real world approach to Martial Arts and Self Defense. There are no competitions or tournaments. We teach a very practical, dynamic and effective blend of martial arts, which include: Modernized Classic Japanese Ju-Jitsu (our base art) with a blend of Ninjutsu, Judo, Short Circle Aikido (a more combative form of Aikido), Karate, Eskrima and Kali. We also teach a mixed striking art called KoGeki Manabi-Masho-Ryu which is a mix of several techniques from Karate, JKD, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Kick Boxing and a few select Silat techniques. We have a lot of training equipment at the dojo. You only need to buy any personalized protective equipment like mouth pices or groin protectors. We will have two adult/teen and two children’s sparring sets available at the dojo. You can buy your own personalized size of sparring equipment from Amazon at great prices if you want to bring your own. Our students learn from a high ranking Grandmaster, 10th degree black belt with many years of experience. The Grandmaster is also the “Soke,” which means the head of the system. This means you get the Grandmaster, head of the system and the top instructor of the art teaching you all the material. At the Southern School of Martial Arts, you get the best of the best! On May 16, 2025 Southern School of Martial Arts will celebrate its 29th year in business in Johnston County, NC.
Soke Murdock is now accepting private students and small groups for private training. Please call for availability and the hourly cost.
We train the mind besides the physical training. It’s important to learn values and morals to go along with the physical aspects of the training. To schedule a free week trial, please visit the link or call 919-753-7964.
Please scroll to the bottom of the page for more information on our programs.
Scroll down the page for more information and pictures
1996 to 2025, Celebrating 29 years in business.
Our Dojo's 29 Year History
Little Ninja
Preschool ages 3 to 6. This is a fun class for young children. It builds their hand and eye coordination, develops more precise motor skills and balance. It also prepares them for the Kobushi-Do class ages 7 to 14. They learn basic punches, kicks and grab escapes while gaining self confidence and the ability to train and get along with others their age.
Little Ninja, Preschool ages 3 to 6
Children's Kobushi-Do class
Kobushi-Do is a great school age children's programs, for children ages 7 to 14. This program is a very effective Martial Arts and Self Defense program. This class is Mondays through Thursdays 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
Children and Teen's ages 7 to 14
Teen Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu Class ages 14 to 16
The Teen Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu class is for teens ages 15 to 17. We have started a seperate class for teens in Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu on a seperate mat Monday through Thursdays 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
Teen Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu (ages 14 to 16)
Adult Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu Class (ages 17 and up)
The adult class (ages 18 and up). Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu is based in specialized self defense and reality martial arts. This is a great martial art for those wanting self defense without all the sports and competition. It is strictly a speciallized self defense art that has a modern classic Ju-Jitsu base with a blend of Modern Ninjutsu, Short Circle Aikido, Combative Judo, Karate, Krav Maga and Escrima with Kali and JKD techniques.
Adult Martial Arts and Self Defense ages 17 and up
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu Ninjutsu Training
We teach authentic Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu (ages 18 and up). This is the authentic Japanese martial art of Ninjutsu.This is a great martial art for self defense, self protection and for mental refinement, life fulfillment and goal setting. This martial art will help you achieve a great sense of awareness, focus, and personal wellbeing. In the Budo Taijutsu (Ninjutsu) style, there’s striking, throwing techniques, grappling, joint locks with throws and takedowns, ground techniques, weapon techniques and disarms, exotic weapons not normally seen in other martial art styles and the use of stealth and survival training, and besides the physical aspects of the art are the mental refinement aspects that are taught. Budo Taijutsu (Ninjutsu) encompasses the Body, the Mind and the Spirit.Currently, we’re teaching Budo Taijutsu (Ninjutsu) and the Ju-Jitsu class on the same nights on separate mats. A separate class date coming soon.
Adult Bujinkan Ninjutsu Training ages 17 and up
Soke Murdock was awarded Best of Benson Award
Soke Murdock was just awarded the Distinguised Teaching Award on February 29, 2024. "Dear Colleagues,We are excited to share that you have been named Best Martial Arts Center by DistinguishedTeaching.com in 2024, placing you among the select few recognized winners.We scored 146 Johnston County Karate Training schools across a variety of salient criteria, and Southern School of Martial Arts and Rivers Edge Bujinkan Dojo has been recognized as the Top Martial Arts Center in Benson. We want to reward your outstanding success and commitment to excellence". Best,Klaus SchneiderGeneral Manager
Best of Benson Page
Police Tactics
Supplement your BLET training and learn effective police tactics and self defense to help keep you safe on the job.
Law Enforcement Officers and Military Police Officers 18 and up
Soke Murdock is a member of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council
Soke Murdock is a Grandmaster member of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council and It's International Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Soke Murdock is now a member of the Action Martial Arts Hall of Honors
In January 2024 Soke Mark Murdock was inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Honors. There are several legendary martial artists in this Hall of Honors. Here are a few: Stephen Hayes, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Cynthia Rothrock, Kathy Long, Joe Corley and several others.
Soke Mark Murdock and Sensei Sara Kuhaneck
Soke Murdock was inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Honors in 2024. His student and Level three Instructor Sarah Kuhaneck was inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Honors for 2025.
Soke Murdock is a Certified Level 7 Police Tactics Instructor
On March 18, 2025 Soke Murdock was elevated to a level 7 Instructor and received his Level 7 Instructor certification. Soke received his first certifation on September 14, 2023 as a level Level 5 Police Tactics Instructor under GM Danny Lane. Danny Lane is Chuck Norris's top instructor and best friend. If you are a Police, Highway Patrol or a Sheriff's officer you could supplement your BLET with our program. Call us to get started.
Soke Mark Murdock is featured in the 2023 Who's Who in the Martial Arts Cynthia Rothrock Tribute Biography Book
Soke Mark Murdock is featured in the latest 2023 Who's Who in the Martial Arts Cynthia Rothrock Biography Book and recognized by the American Martial Arts Alliance Foundation. "It is an honor to be included in this book among the top Martial Artists in the world", Soke Murdock.
Soke Murdock is a member of the American Martial Arts Alliance Foundation
In September of 2023 Soke Murdock was inducted into the American Martial Arts Alliance Foundation Hall of Honors. Soke was awarded a AMAA Legacy Award. Soke's bio was also featured in Cynthia Rothrock's Who's Who in the Martial Arts Tribute Book.
Soke Murdock with Cynthia Rothrock and Don "The Dragon" Wilson
This photo was taken at the Action Martial Arts Mega Weekend January 2024.
Soke Murdock with GM Stephen K. Hayes and Rumiko Hayes
This photo was taken at the Action Martial Arts Mega Weekend February 2025.
Soke Murdock Receives the Golden Life Achievement Award from The Prestigious World Head of Family Sokeship Council
Soke Murdock received the Golden Life Achievement award for over 40 years in the martial arts from the World Head of Family Sokeship Council on May 26, 2023. Soke Murdock has been attending the WHFSC events since 1996. He became a Master member of the Masters Division in May 2006 and a Grandmaster Member in May 2017.
Soke Murdock is a member of the UFAF
The UFAF is Chuck Norris's Federation. It is an honor to be a part of this orginization.
Soke Mark Murdock and Grandmaster Chuck Norris
Soke Murdock is a member of Chuck Norris's UFAF. Both grandmaster Chuck Norris and Soke Mark Murdock are members of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council.
Soke Mark Murdock is a member of the UFAF Krav Maga Organization
Soke Murdock's Grandmaster rank is recognized by the United Fighting Arts Federation and he is a member of the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) Krav Maga Organization, founded by Grandmaster Chuck Norris.
Soke Mark Murdock Was Awarded The UFAF Sheep Dog Award
Soke Murdock as awarded the Sheep Dog Award on November 12, 2023 from the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) Krav Maga Organization, founded by Grandmaster Chuck Norris.
Soke Mark Murdock and the cast of Cobra Kai
Soke Murdock with Martin Cove, William Zabka and Ralph Macchio of the Cobra Kai TV show.
GM Zhaang Yaun Ming and Soke Murdock
GM Ming in a Chinese Ambassador to the UN.
We are BBB accredited with an A+ rating.
Our dojo store front
Located at 27 Annette Dr. Suite 101, Benson, NC. 27504 in the McGee's Crossroads area.
Pre-school ages 3 to 6
The Little Ninja is for preschool ages. This program's main focus is to build motor skill, balance and hand and eye coordination at the early ages of 3 and 4 with basic punching and kicking. Children 5 and 6 will focus more on the basics of Kobushi-Do and Ninjutsu. This includes punching and kicking with basic level throws and basic weapons (padded). The Little Ninja Program prepares children for the Kobushi-Do Program.
Children ages 7 to 14
Kobushi-Do is a Jr. version of our adult martial art, Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. Those students learn effective martial arts and self defense. They learn techniques from Ju-Jitsu, Ninjutsu, Aikido, Judo, Karate, Krav Maga and Eskrima. During their training they gain self confidence, self esteem, self control and self disciple while being respectful and kind. They continually learn valuable life lessons and goal setting while they develop good character and morals.
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Teens ages 14 to 17
In Kobushi-Do Sr. we offer a very effective self defense and martial arts program for our teens. In addition to the Kobushi-Do teachniques the begin to learn more adult versions of Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu as they get closer to 18. This is a blend of the children's program and the adult program.
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Adult Program, ages 18 and up
The Adult Program is for adults of any age or physical shape. You can go at your own pace and will modify the program for those with disabilities or limitations. Our adult martial art is a modernized classic Ju-Jitsu style with a blend of Ninjutsu, Aikido, Judo, Karate, JKD, Krav Maga, Eskrima and Kali. We also have a basic BJJ evening classes on certian occassions. We are accepting students for a traditional Bujinkan Ninjutsu class. Currently we are having select Ninjutsu techniques added to our Ju-Jitsu class on Mondays and Wednesdays. Our adult class is a fun and exciting way to get some simple exercise. We aren't a gym so our training won't be excessive and exhausting. Our students get personalized one-on-one training from a highly skilled instructor. With us you learn a skill that will stay with you for a lifetime and someday could save your life. Several of these techniques require only minimal strength to perform and they will still work when you're older or if you are out of shape. Why not learn something interesting and fun?
Police tactics training
We teach a variety of police tactics that are a great supplement to your BLET training. This program is different than the SCAT program. This program goes into more detail using small joint manipulation and other techniques to control a suspect. We also teach several knife and gun disarms that could helpful. Soke Murdock is a Level 6 Police Tactics Instructor.
White belt is the first step!
Tired of sitting on the couch and being a couch potato. Want to get a little excercise while having a lot of fun and learning a special skill that could someday save your life? Want to meet new people and develop new friendships and relationships? Do you want to take a night or two off from the boring old workout at the gym and learn something cool? Why not stop by and try it? It will surprise you how much fun you can have.
Now Accepting White Belts!
Now accepting adult program and Kobushi-Do students for the Leadership Program
The Leadership Program allows for unlimited training in all classes, free belt testing, higher-level training with advanced techniques and leadership material that starts the student off toward being an instructor.
You could make a lifetime of teaching our martial art style.
System founder, the late Professor John H. Casarez teaching the last seminar in his career in October 2019 at Southern School of Martial Arts, ending his 73 year career in martial arts. Professor Casarez passed in October of 2024.
Soke Murdock teaching a punch defense.
Our class is great for self defense, even at the basic level.
Our Head Sensei and Head Instructor
Sensei Mark Murdock, Soke, 10th Dan