Arash Javadi Dibazar is the founder of IMC Academy and the Panjo Fighting System.  He was introduced to the martial arts at the age of 2 in his native land Iran by his 7 cousins who all held black belts.  However his formal training started at the age of 11 in Tae Kwon Do.  At 16 he won the gold medal in the California State Junior Olympics and that same year went on to win the gold medal at the National Junior Olympics in Florida beating out 52 other competitors.  By 17 he was a member of the number 1 martial arts demonstration team in the world The Next Generation Action Team, and by 18 had toured the US and Europe performing martial arts for audiences as large as 37,000 people. His talents have been featured in the first web designed fighting game “The Net Fighter”. At 20 years old he moved to Hollywood and landed featured roles in the film “The Ultimate Fight” and “Que Sera, Que Sera”. He has also been featured in numerous commercials and music videos as well as TV interviews and magazines. He was cast as the Red Ranger in Saban's TV hit the Power Rangers, but due to other projects at the time he did not continue with this.

Sensei Dibazar is one of the original students of the late Prince of Fiji “Manu Tupou”. As one of the most researched martial artists of our generation, Arash continues to train under some of the world's most renowned fighters and martial arts masters. His passion for the martial arts and his dedication to his craft have afforded him accomplishments at a very young age that have taken others a full lifetime to achieve. Under the guidance of his mentor and close friend Prince Manu Tupou he has extensively researched the history and development of the Fighting Monks of Shaolin, the Japanese Samurai, the Persian Assassins of Alamut, the Ninja and many other warrior classes of past and present.

His dedication to the arts led him to take the vows of a fighting monk at the age of 21. His deep understanding of Zen and the Tao are evident in his technique and movement. A true martial artist, Sensei Dibazar has devoted the last 18 years of his life perfecting his craft and studying the great masters before him gaining an insight into the essence of the art. As he himself says “I love the martial arts. It is my life and I want to share its power, magic and beauty with others.”

Black Belts from different styles come to train with Sensei to expand their knowledge of the art of war and gain a deeper understanding into their own art. One of the most enjoyable things about Sensei is his admiration and respect for other martial artists. As he says often “They are all my heroes. I started the martial arts because I wanted to be like them. I am privileged enough to be able to go to lunch with and train with the people I grew up admiring. We all share the martial arts in common. Regardless of age, sex or color, we can all appreciate each other's skills and dedication to the arts.” 

To train with Sensei is truly a magical experience.

Visit www.arashdibazar.com for more info

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.