 | January 2026 NEWSLETTER |
Many thanks to the Small Circle Instructors; your ability to grow and change with the times is essential. My father Professor Wally Jay would say, “You can’t fight World War II with World War I weapons…change is essential”.
And my thanks to all the Small Circle Members for your membership support. It is the way to keep my father’s art alive.
My mother Bernice Jay has told me, “Your father would be proud!”
Aloha – Professor Leon Jay
LOOKING BACK ON 2025
February 22nd Alameda California Hombu 75th Celebration
I invited SCJ’s finest instructors and their dedicated students to the home dojo in Alameda. It is where the Jay Family migrated from Hawaii in 1950, and the dojo was built in the back of the Alameda home.
Everyone (too many to list) shared a technique and an SCJ experience. My mother, Prof. Bernice Jay (102 years young) came down and shared her stories and opinions of her life in martial arts, and life with Prof Wally Jay. The atmosphere was exceptional and when I asked her if she wanted to go back upstairs, she firmly stated “NO” and sat at the mats edge saying, “I want to make sure they are doing it right”.
As a bonus she massaged SCJ instructor Dr Chas Terry. During his flight to the Hombu event he saved a passenger who experienced heart problems. His jet was diverted to another city due to the emergency, so he didn’t arrive in Alameda until the early morning.
The dinner afterward (Chinese of course) was fantastic.
My thanks to all that made the event a memorable day. Mahalo
March 1st: Oakland Bay Area
Prof David Quinonez opened a new dojo and hosted a seminar where I was able to greet his new students, and many he had brought along over the years. Prof Quinonez started in the 60’s with my father and later took over the Alameda High School Dojo that David Fairfield, also one of my father’s finer instructors, began in the 70’s. I plan on returning this February 21st, 2026, to teach again.
March 29th: St Louis Missouri
M Tim Raftery has a great ability to rally martial arts instructors and students from all styles. There were numerous martial arts disciplines represented at the seminar. He knows how to get people together! The seminar was well attended as usual and instructors included me, Tim, David Rhodes, Josh Moree, Mike Bess, and two of Tim’s instructors, Rich and Orney.
April 5th: Englewood Florida
Prof Bob Stines held a one-day event featuring myself, Prof Stines, Prof Dave Castoldi, M Clint Fish, Vince Waterhouse, and Randy DeArcia. Prof Stines has a great program for his organization, Sanshin-Ryu. A couple of years ago he had to move from his old dojo after the landlord closed it after giving him short notice. Not cool. Prof Stines moved and soon after the former dojo complex was destroyed by hurricane. Karma! Good timing for Prof Stines. We are so privileged to have him as an SCJ advisor. He freely gives his knowledge which reflects my father’s own way of freely sharing.
May 3rd: London Ontario
Steve Stewart, an excellent technician, hosted Prof. Ken Smith, a top disciple of Modern Arnis Prof Remy Presas, and myself for a seminar at his dojo. His students were well disciplined and always eager to learn and a pleasure to work with. Steve also taught and each time I learn something new!
June 20-23: Mooresville Indiana (near Indianapolis)
Dedicated in memory of Prof Will Higginbotham SCJ Director, exceptional technician and everyone’s best friend. His passing was a shock but his legacy lives through all of us he shared his life with. The Indianapolis camp is the gathering of our very finest instructors and advisors and students sharing decades of knowledge. The instruction, and kyu and black belt testing, was directed by David Rhodes who together with Will over the years helped make the camp the success it has become. Prof Dave Castoldi, Prof Tony Maynard, Prof Bob Stines, Prof Quinonez, Prof Burgo, Prof Gauss, Prof Smith and many others shared their knowledge. The Professors and I promoted David Rhodes to Professor in Small Circle Jujitsu for his dedication since the 80’s to my father’s art.
October 10-12: Drexel Hill Pennsylvania (a suburb of Philadelphia)
Dr Chas Terry hosted the East Coast Camp assisted by Pete Hobart, and John Ralston. The East Coast Camp is steadily growing after several setbacks. Our diversity of talent comes through at this camp highlighting my father’s art influence in many other styles. The 16 Principles are the key to this influence, and are used widely in many styles. Camp instructors were Professor Jay, Dr Terry, Pete Hobart, John Ralston Professor Rhodes, Jonathon Mostowski, Mike and Heather Bess, Kevin Balmer, and many others. Thanks to the dedicated team on the East Coast for efforts in promoting SCJ.
October 25th: Montpellier France
Arnaud Esclangon SCJ French Director and European representative has held I believe 9 years maybe more of Small Circle Jujitsu seminars that I thoroughly enjoy teaching. His students are always ready to learn with an open friendly attitude. And how can you not like the South of France and French food and beverages? He has done an exceptional job in maintaining high standards. Well done!
November 8th: Dickson Texas (near Houston)
Earl Tullis hosts the Southwest Camp. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this year, but the Camp was well instructed by Prof David Rhodes, Prof Ken Smith, GM Ian Lovan, and M Tim Raftery.
My thanks for the support guys! Mahalo
November 29-30: Munich Germany
Christian Gembe, now a Goodwill Ambassador for SCJ, hosted GM Zsolt Szénási and myself. Also instructing were Arnaud Esclangon and Veronica Gembe. Arnaud taught SCJ methods and techniques in his session. Veronica has a fine Women’s Self Defense Program. The techniques are very practical and I was impressed
UP NEXT: February 21st at Prof David Quinonez dojo, and I’m working on an Alumni gathering at the home dojo and luncheon on Sunday the 22nd.
2025 Black Belt Promotions – Congratulations to everyone!
| Ian Lovan 7th Dan Josh Moree 6th Dan Kevin Balmer 6th Dan Aaron Ellis 5th Dan Matthew Keithley 5th Dan Timothy Raftery 5th Dan Andrew Meyer 3rd Dan Brian J McDorman 3rd Dan Kevin Phillips 3rd Dan Matthew Miller 3rd Dan Otha Lawless Jr 3rd Dan Richard Norton 3rd Dan Wayne Sniffen 3rd Dan | Christopher Haleva 2nd Dan Tina Carpenter 2nd Dan Hélène Guillet-Bienvenue 2nd Dan Mark Swingle 2nd Dan Philippe Voisine 2nd Dan David Reese 1st Dan Chase Hall 1st Dan Chris Robinson 1st Dan Douglas Robson 1st Dan Logan Moree 1st Dan Mark Kohnen 1st Dan Mark Wilson 1st Dan Orney Walker 1st Dan Claude Gaudon 1st Dan Darren Breslin 1st Dan |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We’re proud to announce the Small Circle Jujitsu Foundation—created to protect the legacy of Professor Wally Jay and ensure the art continues to grow, inspire, and shape future generations. This Foundation is our promise that Small Circle Jujitsu will not only endure, but thrive.
KYU RANKS…It’s great to see all the SCJ Black Belts at Camps and Seminars but we need to see YOU there too!! Who else is going to help the Black Belts when they forget something?
Greener v M Phelps, INC et al
This court decision impacts all martial arts instructors, school owners, and students. Though it is understood that there is an “inherent risk” while training in martial arts, there may be liability where the risk to a student is raised beyond that which is inherent to the sport. This case resulted in a 56-million-dollar verdict!
There is more information about this verdict in the Instructor Course Safety First Module on SMALL CIRCLE JUJITSU UNIVERSITY
INFORMATION YOU NEED
- Instructors/Dojo Owners
- We will be sending out an audit in January to true up your student’s information (still active?, rank, contact info, etc.). Please review and send back any updates.
- Please read the Dojo Owner’s Roles & Responsibilities course on SCJ University as this contains everything you need to understand your duties, uphold standards, and fulfill your role effectively.
- SCJ University is constantly adding new content. Check back often for new courses and info such as:
- Legacy & Vision
- Supplemental Training Courses (coming in 2026)
- Instructor Course (coming in 2026)
- Includes Safety Standards
- SCJ Branding Standards & Approved 3rd Party Products
- 16 Principles
Visit SCJ Events for upcoming seminars and camps.
Visit SCJ University for syllabus, training and general information.
| SEE YOU ON THE MAT! |  |