Dan Gilliland,Sensei-Rapides School of Keichu Ryu Karate

Sensei Gilliland began studying Keichu Ryu at the Alexandria Karate Institute in 1979. For the next several years, he trained under the AKI's impressive group of sempai. Beginning in 1986, Sensei Gilliland began teaching Keichu Ryu. Teaching the style as a systematic approach to self-defense, Sensei Gilliland stresses the importance of understanding the unique distancing and engagement properties of the striking, throwing and grappling aspects of classical Keichu Ryu. Complimenting his Keichu Ryu training, Sensei Gilliland has trained extensively in various martial traditions, including Motobu Ryu Udun Ti, and Okinawa Kenpo Kobudo, holding a nidan in both. The classical techniques and training methods taught at the Rapides School of Keichu Ryu Karate have been instrumental in developing an impressive new generation of Keichu Ryu students. Since 1991, Sensei Gilliland's Rapides School of Keichu Ryu Karate has been rated among the nation's top ten karate dojos and produced more than thirty World and National Champions.