What styles of martial art are taught at the Harris Academy?
Three (3) different styles of martial art are taught at the Harris Academy:
1) Jeet Kune Do
2) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
3) Kalis Ilustrisimo
The Harris Academy also offers a unique and exciting fitness class, as well as an advanced guard work class.
Here are the generic descriptions of each style:
1) Jeet Kune Do - Jeet Kune Do is Bruce Lee's method of training and fighting. The goal of Jeet Kune Do training is to prepare the student to adapt to any life threatening situation by teaching the student how to defend themselves in a variety of different ranges and against a variety of different weapons.
Class structure involves learning, practicing and drilling of technique, as well as sparring.
2) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a ground oriented grappling art that is similar to Judo and Wrestling, but very different from both. The main objective in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is to finish the fight with some sort of submission hold, such as an arm lock or choke.
Class structure involves learning, practicing and drilling of technique, as well as sparring.
3) Kalis Ilustrisimo - Kalis Ilustrisimo is a sword and dagger fighting art from the Philippines. Unlike many of the stick fighting arts from the Philippines, Kalis Ilustrisimo focuses exclusively on sword fighting methods. Steel and aluminum swords are used in class rather than rattan sticks.
Kalis Ilustrisimo means, "The Sword of Ilustrisimo." The name of this unique art gives credit to its founder, Antonio “Tatang” Ilustrisimo.
Class structure involves learning, practicing and drilling of technique, as well as sparring.
4) Fitness class - Our fitness class is a mix and blend of kickboxing drills, boxing drills, wrestling drills, aerobics, gymnastics, calisthenics, stretching and kettlebell training. We place a lot of emphasis on kettlebell training.
Now, even though students perform boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling drills, they do not spar in this class.
5) Advanced guard work class - Our advanced guard work class focuses on using various guard control methods (e.g. defensive closed guard, defensive open guard, defensive butterfly, defensive half guard, offensive closed guard, offensive open guard, offensive butterfly, offensive half guard, etc...).
Class structure involves learning and practicing techniques, combinations and drills, as well as sparring.
What times are the classes?
Group classes are held Monday through Thursday from 6:15pm to 10:00pm. Classes begin at 15 minutes past the hour.
There is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class on Friday evenings at 6:30pm, and another one on Saturday mornings at 10am. Both classes lasts for 90 minutes.
Do I need to have previous training to join the classes?
No.
Can I sign up for classes at any time?
Yes. However, the best evenings to sign up for classes are Wednesdays and Thursdays between 6pm and 8pm.
How much do classes cost?
It depends on how often you train and whether or not you chose to use the Electronic Fund Transfer system or pay by credit card or cash on a month to month basis. If a student chooses to pay each month using the EFT system, the costs will be substantially less than paying each month by cash or check.
No contracts are ever used!
For more info, click here.
Can I train in more than one style at the academy?
Yes. You can train in as many styles as you like.
What style do you recommend I start with?
We recommend prospective students come in to the academy, watch as many classes as possible and then participate in as many classes as they are interested in. Then, based upon the student’s experience watching and participating in various classes, and combined with the student’s personal likes and dislikes, he or she can then make an informed decision.
What is the focus of the training at the Harris Academy?
The focus of all the training at the Harris Academy is self-defense and physical fitness.
What is the average class size?
The average class size is a twelve (12) students.
How long are the classes?
Classes start at 15 minutes past the hours and are 45 to 60 minutes in length.
Who teaches the classes?
Mr. Harris teaches most of the classes. However, he does have several assistant instructors who teach classes for him (Susan Gross, Mars Cheung, Dale Lowrimore, Al Lowrimore, Phil Palmejar, Mike Moeller, Dustin Bortin, Quinn Deveraux, Brad Hirakawa, Preston Rawlings).
Do students spar?
Yes, students do spar in all of the classes, except the fitness class. However, students are not required to spar.
What is the average age of the students at the academy?
The average age of all the students at the Harris Academy is in the early to middle thirties.
Do I need to bring any special gear to attend classes?
All a student need bring to class is some athletic gear (shorts, t-shirts and shoes) and a positive attitude.
If I miss some classes, can I make them up?
If you let Mr. Harris know in advance of your absence, you may make up the classes you missed.
I see I am required to pay a membership fee. How long it good for?
Your membership fee is valid as long as you continue your training at the Harris Academy. Once you cease your training at the academy for a period longer than two months, you will need to pay a membership fee again once you resume your training. We do allow exceptions to this rule for members of the military and parents of newborn children.
Do I have to sign a contract?
You will never have to sign a contract at the Harris Academy. Classes are paid for on a class to class, month to month, or even yearly basis. However, we NEVER use contracts.
How do I enroll at the academy?
The process is simple: Come in, watch a few classes, take one free of charge, fill out the new student registration form and pay for your classes. Click here to find out more.
Where is the academy located?
The Harris Academy is located at 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J. San Diego, CA 92121. Take I-805 north or south from wherever you are coming from. Take the Miramar Road / La Jolla Village Drive exit and head east for one mile. Turn left at the fifth traffic light (which is Camino Santa Fe). Get into the lefthand turnn lane and turn left at the first intersection. We are located on your right hand side.
What is the youngest / oldest age student you will accept?
The youngest age we will accept as a student at the Harris Academy is twelve (12).There is no age limit.
The youngest student we have training with me is 14 years old. The oldest student we have training with us is 73 years old. We have one guy training that in his sixties, five guys in their middle to late fifties, about fifteen guys in their forties, a bunch of guys in their thirties and several in their twenties.
What type of clientele do you have?
Surgeons
Mechanics
High school students
Attorneys
Computer programmers
Stock Brokers
Paramedics
Navy Seals
Graphic artists
Scientists
Engineers
Housewives
Musicians
Police officers
MMA fighters
Nurses
Pilots
Janitors
A Minister
You can find a person from just about every walk of life at Harris Academy of Martial Arts!
How long has Harris International been in business?
Since 1987.
How long has it been at its current location?
Since July of 2000.
How does a person host a Roy Harris Seminar?
To host a Roy Harris seminar, the prospective seminar host needs to contact Mr. Harris by e-mail with the following information:
1. An e-mail expressing interest in hosting a seminar or workshop.
2, Seminar host contact information.
3. Seminar host school information.
4. Three or four potential dates for seminars.
5. A non-refundable deposit for the seminar.
For more information, please click here.
Here are a few example of topics Mr. Harris has taught in past seminars:
I. Street Fighting Techniques, Tactics and Training Methods
1. Striking for the streetII. Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do Concepts
2. Grappling for the street
3. Multiple assailants
4. Environmental training
5. Weaponless defense
6. Reading people / Raising your level of awareness
1. Jun Fan Kick boxingIII. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
2. Jun Fan Trapping
3. Clinch training
4. Ground grappling
5. Multiple assailants training
6. Strategy and tactics
7. Environmental training
1. Throws and TakedownsIV. Women's self-defense
2. Mount escapes
3. Side mount escapes
4. Guard passing
5. Bent arm locks
6. Straight-arm locks
7. Bare arm chokes
8. Collar chokes
9. Leg locks
10. Sweeps
11. Strategy and tactics
1. Basic arm and leg strikesVII. Defensive Tactics for Law Enforcement
2. Knife defenses
3. Escaping grabs and holds
4. Awareness training
5. Tactics and strategy
1. Edged weapon defenses
2. Ground control tactics
3. Weapon retention
4. Handcuffing
5. Arrest and control
6. Multiple suspect scenarios
7. Self-defense
8. Takedowns
9. Gun disarms
**Mr. Harris has taught more than three-hundred and twenty (320) seminar since 1987. Click here to view a partial list of clients he has worked with in the past.
Which instructionals are available?
Please see this page.
Thank you for your time and interest!
Roy Harris
Harris International
8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J.
San Diego, CA 92121
E-mail: harris.international@yahoo.com
Phone: 1. 858. 353. 4769
© Harris International 2007