About James Clark
Instructor James Clark is a Rokkudan (6th degree black belt) in Aikido, and holds Masters degrees in Zoology and Public Health .
James has been studying martial arts since 1965 (well technically since junior high) and began teaching Aikido in 1975. He taught self-defense courses as part of the kinesiology curriculum at the University of Texas at San Antonio for 15 years. In 2008, Clark began teaching Taijiguan (the martial art of Tai Chi) and has earned a level II instructor certification from the American Tai Chi and Qigong Association. He holds multiple certifications of high rank in Aikido, holding Shodan black belt and 5th Dan ranking of Godan status in 2001 (from the International Shuyokan Ryu Renshukai Renmei) and 6th Dan in 2012.
After he retired from 30 years of teaching health at UTSA, Clark founded the Center for Martial Arts and Self-Defense Inc. in 2021 to continue his exploration of teaching Tai Chi, Aikido and other defensive arts in relaxed settings close to home.
The Clark Self-Defense style is not about fighting, overpowering, or aggression, but about using the strength within ourselves to be safe and centered.
Credentials
Certified 2022 Tai Chi Instructor- Level II, ATCQA (requires 1,000 hours of teaching experience)
10 year veteran of the United States Army, Medical Service Corps,Environmental Science Officer, Preventive Medicine, rank of Captain.
30 years faculty at UTSA, teaching Environmental Health, Consumer Health, Nutrition, Emotional Wellness, Personal Health, Drugs and Health, Growth & Development, Human Sexuality, Exercise Psychology, Foundations of Health Education Theory, and Self-Defense activity courses
