Laura Armstrong – ESD Professional – Empowerment Self-Defense

Laura has been training and teaching in the martial arts for 30 plus years.  The two main arts that she has been involved in are Arnis/Kali/Escrima and Aikido.  She also has had training in Hap-ki-do, self-defense and Shotokan karate.  She has been active in teaching self Defense to people of all abilities and ages since she started in Martial Arts.Laura has also served on the Board of Directors for the AWMAI – Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors, as well as the Secretary and Vice President of the OAF (Ontario Aikido Federation).  She was the President for WEKAF International (World Escrima Kali Arnis Federation) from 2012-2014, ex officio Country Director for WEKAF Canada and GSBA International. ARNIS/KALI/ESCRIMA·       Certified instructor in the art of traditional Arnis/Kali/Escrima·       Head Instructor and owner of Combat Science – Martial Arts of Asia·       “Grand Master” Ranking Certification issued by Kali Arnis International in 2016·       Experience includes various styles and systems taught only by Grandmasters in the Philippines (GM Ben Lima, GM Ernesto Presas Sr., GM Ernesto Presas Jr., GM Remy Presas, GM Pepe Yap, GM Rodel Dagooc, GM Vic Sanchez, GM Pepe Robas, GM Bambit Dulay)·       Specializing in Impact and Edged Weapons and in all aspects of hand-to-hand combat·       Certified S.A.F.E. (Self Awareness For Everyone) instructor·       Competitive international rankings: o   1991 North American Eastern Championships Silver Medalist in Full Contact Stick Fighting.o   1994 North American Eastern Championships Silver Medalist in Full Contact Stick Fighting.o   1996 World Championships Silver Medalist in Full Contact Stick Fighting and Bronze Medalist in Formso   1998 World Championships (Philippines) Gold Medalist in Forms and Silver Medalist in Full Contact Stick Fightingo   2008 World Championships (Philippines) Gold Medalist in Traditional Double Weapon Forms and Gold Medalist in Full Contact Stick Fighting (Single Stick), Silver Medalist in Double Stick Full Contact Stick Fightingo   2012 World Championship (Philippines) Silver Medalist in Team Full Contact Stick Fighting·       2010 Team Canada Coach for the WEKAF Full Contact Stick Fighting World Championships·       2012 Team Canada Coach for the WEKAF Full Contact Stick Fighting World Championships·       2014 Team Canada Coach for the WEKAF and GSBA Full Contact Stick Fighting World Championships·       2016 Team Canada Coach for the WEKAF Full Contact Stick Fighting World Championships·       Combat Science curriculum is installed in several martial schools in the US  AIKIDO·       YanDan rank – Aikikai style·       Was Head Instructor and Owner of Aikido Sandokai for 11 years·       Primary influences: Fran Turner Sensei (6th dan), Yamada Sensei (8th dan), and Mary Heiny Sensei (6th dan) as well as other high ranking instructors·       Taught/instructed at various Aikido seminars and workshops·       Interested in the ideals of Aikido – specifically the concept of being able to redirect the attacker’s energy against himself by resolving the conflict in a safe and harmonious way; also learning how to increase and use internal power or chi instead of just physical movement or strength·       Member of the OAF (Ontario Aikido Federation), CAF (Canadian Aikido Federation) and the IAF (International Aikido Federation) Laura also teaches Self Defense and Empowerment courses to people of all walks of life.  This is a regular part of her martial arts curriculum and is modified and to the needs of specific and diverse groups who require all differing levels of self defense and empowerment.  Laura teaches seminars for various groups, including the corporate world, stressing self defense, skill building, and other courses moving towards building confidence, empowerment and prosperity.  She has taught in women’s shelters, prisons, and halfway houses, empowering others to step into their own power of self.  She also participates by helping others through outreach programs for people from all walks of life.  She is also a certified Reiki Master, Rejuvenating Face Massage and Indian Head Massage Instructor, Access Bars Facilitator as well as a Licensed Holistic practitioner.  She is Level 1 and 3 Certified in teaching Empowerment Self Defense Global curriculum.  Her goal is to create ESD Global Instructor programs all over the world.