Nami ryu Aiki Heiho
Four Winds Samurai Arts is an official Nami ryu Aiki Heiho dojo. Our instructors are certified in Nami ryu under James Williams, Kaicho.
Nami ryu Aiki heiho is the study of ancient samurai martial arts. These arts were once the exclusive secret of the Samurai warrior and cover a wide range of martial arts that were necessary for the Samurai warrior in the performance of his duties. Nami ryu means “wave style” and recognizes that energy travels in waves. This wave effect is one of the underlying physical principles of our art. As a result, practitioners of Nami ryu seek to resolve physical and mental conflicts by using the laws of physics and natural movement, which in turn create a tactical advantage over an opponent. Nami ryu Aiki Heiho is an art that promotes the understanding and the interaction between human physiology, human psychology, and physical reality that provides solutions to human conflict that would not otherwise be possible.
Nami Ryu is comprised of extremely effective armed and unarmed techniques (Aiki-jujutsu) taken directly from the study of kenjutsu and iaijutsu. Kenjutsu is the art of the Japanese sword. The sword was the primary weapon of the Samurai as well as being his badge of rank. The strategy of the sword is the most important aspect of Samurai martial training. Nami ryu kenjutsu teaches inner harmony, blending and integration with physical reality to facilitate the opponents defeat.
James Williams, Kaicho developed the Nami ryu Aiki Heiho curriculum to train students in classic Samurai martial arts. These martial arts are principle based, with an emphasis on mental training. The physical techniques are taught so that the student can learn to apply the principles to any situation.
Our Principles
The concepts of awareness, blending with and deceiving an opponent, and subtle movement using laws of physics are all used to facilitate an attacker’s defeat.
These and many other principals of strategy are learned through the study of the Japanese sword. The same principles learned through the sword are then applied to unarmed martial arts.
Benefits of Nami ryu Training
Develop Functional Abilities
Increased Awareness
Resolve Problems Without Contesting
Calmness of Mind and Spirit
Understanding of Tactics and Strategy
Practical Self Defense Techniques and Principles
Winning Attitude, Commitment, Honor
We provide professional and experienced instruction in an environment of Courtesy, Integrity, Responsibility, and Self Discipline. Training with us will provide you with lifetime skills that will allow you to realize your potential.
Whatever your experience level or prior martial arts experience, we invite you to schedule a time to observe or participate in a aiki-jujutsu or kenjutsu class.
““Nami Ryu has been distilled from the most absolute of human physical conflict; close hand-to-hand combat with edged weapons.”
Our Instructors
Austin Blue Sensei
After studying martial arts, off and on, for twenty years, Austin received a black belt in Tang Soo Do in 2004, but he saw limits to the art’s practical combative effectiveness and ability to present new challenges. He was looking for something subtler, more challenging, and that presented a pathway to true mastery. He found Nami-ryu Aiki Heiho and began studying under James Williams at the Dojo of the Four Winds in Encinitas, CA in 2005.
The sword-based nature of Nami-ryu has deliver on what Austin sought. Training for edged weapon combat provides near-infinite challenges and opportunities for improvement. The community of people studying Nami-ryu are serious and thoughtful, and are engaged in a common pursuit of higher attainment of skill through refinement of physical movement, application of superior strategy and personal growth. They also approach the pursuit the art with camaraderie and a desire to help each other grow and improve. In Nami-ryu the sword and our kata tell us if we are learning and improving and there is constant opportunity for feedback and progress and learning.
Austin brings the perspective of a lifelong study of, and Masters degree in, military history to his study of Nami-ryu and strives to apply the lessons of the past - in terms of what works and what doesn’t - to his training. He brings what he learns from Nami-ryu to operating an entrepreneurial business in aerospace technology for primarily US military customers. He has been married for 24 years and has two children
Steven Armel Sensei
Steven began his journey in Nami ryu Aiki Heiho in 2011, under the teaching of James Williams, Kaicho, at the Nami ryu Hombu dojo in Encinitas. With a 20-year foundation in various Japanese martial arts disciplines, Steven became a Nami ryu instructor in 2020. His primary goal as an instructor is to channel his knowledge and skills to help empower individuals along their own martial arts paths.
Beyond the dojo, Steven is a deep enthusiast of nature and the wilderness. He endeavors to expand his physical, mental, and spiritual connection to the natural world through the studies of tracking, awareness, and primitive skills. When he is not teaching or training, Steven enjoys backpacking and exploring his native Southwest with his wife.
Steven's currently leads the Nami ryu Phoenix study group.