Our Student Reviews and Testimonials

David White ***** Student of Southern School of Martial Arts. This review is not showing up on Google due to a glitch. This is his review: "I’m so glad I found this Dojo, and I’m proud to be a student here.

Soke Murdock has taken great care to create a dynamic learning environment, where a student of any age/skill level will feel welcome, nurtured, and challenged.

That personalized learning experience truly sets this school apart, from the generic or “one size fits all” type of programs".

Franchesca Sanchez ***** Such an amazing atmosphere to have your children at. If you are not interested in competition, but in the life skills Sensei Murdock has to give your children, I would not hesitate to schedule a free trial. Sensei Murdock has a love for what he does and it shows. My children go here and love it.

Linda Ammons ***** Soke Murdock is an incredible instructor! Anyone looking for a martial arts class that focuses on self defense, respect, and kindness should definitely check this place out! He is great with kids, making the classes fun and yet disciplined. The students that study under him admire him and really work hard for his praise and approval. He's exactly the kind of Sensei we all hope for when seeking someone to teach our children.

Thomas Marmon ***** This is a great dojo where kids receive a lot of interaction from Sensei Mark and his high ranked student teachers. It’s not uncommon to see a multiple groups, each with a teacher working with 2-3 kids at a time. Sensei Mark has a tremendous wealth of experience and a fascinating dojo with walls full of accomplishments and memorabilia.

Students focus primarily on self-defense techniques, hand-eye coordination and social skills. And each class ends with fun activities the kids can’t get enough of. The favorite seems to be “Flying Discs of Terror” (dodgeball but with foam frisbees).

Jason Millspaugh ***** This is a great place! Sensei Murdock is very knowledgeable, kind, outgoing and great with all ages of students. You aren't going to get a better Dojo or Sensei! If you're looking to join a Dojo, this is the place!

Beth Hoppough ***** This dojo is absolutely incredible. The man who teaches the class is the Soke for the art. He focuses on practical self defense, and even periodically does a class on Stranger Danger with realistic ways for children and adults to successfully avoid being grabbed. My son is taking the class, but even I learned some very realistic and practical things that I feel I should have already known as a small woman. Soke Murdock not only teaches this practical self defense, but he teaches respect and kindness with both Words of Wisdom for the older kids and Magic Words for younger kids. I cannot recommend this Dojo highly enough.

Domingo Rogers *****

Sensei Murdock has been training my stepson for the past 4+ years. Over this period, there has been a significant change in my stepson's attitude towards responsibility and maintaining his focus to achieve goals.

As someone that has personally trained under three different martial arts masters, I'm very selective of schools that I personally train at and/or support. No dojo is perfect, but as the Inheritor of Manabi-Masho Jujitsu (a very high honor), Sensei Murdock is truly the epitome of a leader. He is a leader that wishes to impart and share his knowledge of the art with his students! When you make a commitment to show up to learn and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone, you will walk away changed and be a better person.

Though I personally don't train here, my wife and I fully support how Sensei trains the students at the Southern School of Martial Arts. If you are looking for a reputable dojo with a sensei to teach you or a loved one, you should definitely consider training under Sensei Murdock!

Aj Vega *****

If you want to train for real life combat situations, train here. Sensei Murdock is the best of the best.

Ai-dung taylor *****

Our son enjoys each session while learning techniques and making friendships. He looks forward to going each time. As a parent, I appreciate the real-world scenarios Sensei is preparing the students for and the approachable way the class is taught.

William Kelly-Crapse (camelkop) *****

This is a combat art meant for real-world situations and not competitions.

Corey Hoppough *****

Nicole Williams *****

I highly recommend this dojo. The owner and sensei is well trained, great with kids, and an overall good person. My nephew goes here and my daughter used to until she switched sports. We would definitely go back if she decides to return to martial arts.

Carl Hoppough *****

Sandy Hoppough *****

T a *****

Lynda Ammons *****

Soke Murdock is an incredible instructor! Anyone looking for a martial arts class that focuses on self defense, respect, and kindness should definitely check this place out! He is great with kids, making the classes fun and yet disciplined. The students that study under him admire him and really work hard for his praise and approval. He's exactly the kind of Sensei we all hope for when seeking someone to teach our children.

Beth Hoppough *****

This dojo is absolutely incredible. The man who teaches the class is the Soke for the art. He focuses on practical self defense, and even periodically does a class on Stranger Danger with realistic ways for children and adults to successfully avoid being grabbed. My son is taking the class, but even I learned some very realistic and practical things that I feel I should have already known as a small woman. Soke Murdock not only teaches this practical self defense, but he teaches respect and kindness with both Words of Wisdom for the older kids and Magic Words for younger kids. I cannot recommend this Dojo highly enough.

shadowfox315 gaming *****

this is one of the best school i have ever gone to that teaches a Variety of different techniques and are very very affected the teacher is nice Soke Mark Murdock and he is very skilled and knows what he is doing.

Whitney Irizarry *****

5 Star Rating

My boys had been wanting to take a Martial Arts class for a long time but I couldn't find one that taught more than just kicking and punching. Soke Murdock is an awesome instructor. He teaches real techniques that actually work. My kids have tried them on me and have taken me down. I am thankful that we found this Martial Arts school. Not only are my kids learning self defense, but they are also learning morals to go along with it! Thank you Soke Murdock!

Southern School of Martial Arts and Rivers Edge Bujinkan Dojo (owner)

You're welcome! Thanks for the great review.

Rick Kelly-Crapse*****

5 Star Rating

My experience ranges from Karate, Judo, Aikido, and Juijitsu. Some instructors were better than others. I started training with the Southern School of Martial Arts. The training is more than the physical. Soke Murdock trains the spirit and the mind as well. I started out as a white belt even though I had prior training. Now I am on the cusp of earning the Shodan (1st degree black belt). Through it all, my experience shows that if you stick with it, the skills you gain will help you in other areas of your life. Will you be the movie version of a martial artist? No, this is very practical, combat martial arts. This is not a sport martial art. 1 of the lessons is flow. Have you ever seen a martial artist that seems to stutter through their technique? We work to not stutter and flow without thinking about our techniques. Is it effective? Definitely. Another thing Soke does is to test the techniques against resisting opponents of all heights and sizes. He makes sure that they work every time, not just sometimes. He is very patient and excited to teach. He shows you how to improvise weapons from everyday objects like a vacuum cleaner or a plastic bag. It all revolves around keeping your life while being a merciful warrior. How well do I like the training? My son is training there as well. He is going to be better than me.

Southern School of Martial Arts and Rivers Edge Bujinkan Dojo (owner)

Thank you for the kind review. I try my best to train students to be their best in the art.

Brian Wilson

5 Star Rating

Mark is a fantastic teacher with a well-defined skill to work with both children and adults. I highly recommend his Dojo, and him as an individual. Six stars!

Southern School of Martial Arts and Rivers Edge Bujinkan Dojo (owner)

Thank you for the great review!

Shea Tyler Handshaw

5 Star Rating

From Former Chesapeake OH. location

I’ve been training Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu on and off since late 2016. I am currently at a Green Belt ranking, and now my son Marcus has just started working toward his Yellow Belt. I will definitely say Sensei Jon Allen is by far the best instructor I have ever had in the mixed art period. He is very respectful, patient, insightful, and he makes sure you understand all the physics behind each technique or counter technique. I have become such a better student studying under him. Also, the new dojo studio. Professionally put together. It has central heating and air conditioning, very clean and maintained bathroom facilities, and they even have incorporated a very well lit and spacey changing room for you to get into uniform before your class starts. I can definitely say the owner/operator has definitely invested good money into the facility because this is the nicest Dojo I have ever trained in since I began studying Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. “2 Thumbs Up”

More 5 star ratings and new 5 star ratings from June 2023 at the bottom of the page.