 Training for more than half his life, Todd “Takuraba” Santo is the current head instructor of IMC Academy. Takuraba holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and
a black belt in the Panjo Fighting System. Following in the footsteps of his teacher, Takuraba has dedicated his life to the training and study of the martial arts. At 20 years old, Takuraba took the vows of a fighting monk and
to live a life of martial arts.
Takuraba is one of Sensei’s original 4 students who witnessed the creation of Panjo. At age 15 Takuraba would face off with marital artists from Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Sanshou,
as well as regular street fighters who were eager to test their skills against Panjo or try to discredit the style. In Sensei’s own words, “I trained Takuraba like a young tiger. He could be trusted with that knowledge. Since being very young, it was always very obvious that Takuraba had deep compassion for the people he was fighting. This quality is essential if one is to immerse himself in the path of true martial arts. Takuraba is not afraid of anyone. Behind his kind smile
are the fangs of a dangerous tiger who fears no one.”
Takuraba’s fearlessness is apparent in his creation of some of the most dangerous and unexplainable techniques. He has competed full contact in Sanshou, Kickboxing, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts--always with a smile on his face as he punishes his opponents.
The students love Takuraba and it is obvious
that the feeling is mutual. With the future of IMC so bright, Takuraba will always be the Tiger Monk of IMC ready to face any challenge.
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Beauty, power and precision
correctly describe the training and teaching
techniques of one of the Bay Area's most
sought-after personal trainers. Lauren
Kimberly Stratton (aka. Electra) holds a
black belt in Korean Tae Kwon Do and holds
numerous gold medals in fighting and in
forms. As the Lead Flier in the nation's #1
cheerleading squad, Electra earned the title
of National Champion 5 years in a row and
has coached and trained other champions
following in her footsteps.
Currently she is
continuing her training in Tae Kwon Do and
is working towards her black belt in Panjo
while preparing for the World Yoga
Championships. She is the Head instructor of
the Trim and Sculpt Pilates and the Yoga
programs and a lead trainer of the Fit and
Lean program.
It makes no difference if it's
your first time working out or if you are
world class athlete--a training session with
Electra will leave you wanting more,
sweating and feeling electrified!
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Strength, Speed and clean precise technique
are some of the words that best describe
Kirk "Kamikaze" Yabut. Kamikaze grows up in
a family rich in the warrior tradition.
Whether its performing the most advanced
moves or fighting toe to toe or grappling on
the ground, Kamikaze is sure to stun his
opponents with his rhythm and aesthetic
grace. |
