Jeff Cooper has been practicing martial arts for 39 years. He holds a 4th degree black belt in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Seibukan under Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro and Victor Banks, 3rd degree black belt in Shorin Kempo under Hanshi Terry Bryan, and has satisfied black belt requirements in Tang Soo Do. He began his Karate training in 1974 with Kyoshi Noel Fernandez, of the Shorin-Ryu – Chibana lineage.

Sensei Cooper is an international level competitor and competition judge, first licensed by the National Governing Body of Olympic Karate (USA NKF) in 1995. In 1997 he was awarded Men’s Open Champion (Kata) for the State of Colorado and in 2001 was a Bronze medalist (Kumite) winner in the Okinawan Karate-Do World Championships. Sensei Cooper became a certified fitness trainer in 1983 and worked professionally as a personal trainer and counselor with adolescent and adults from 1981 to 1987. He has been a trainer and Karate instructor for all age groups since 1995.

Mr. Cooper holds BA and MBA degrees from the University of Colorado. He has served as Adjunct Faculty of the University of Colorado Health Sciences department and as the UCCS Karate Club coach since 2005. Prior to that he was a martial arts instructor at Cutting Edge Mixed Martial Arts, cross-training in Karate, Jeet Kun Do and Shooto. Mr. Cooper is the founder and President of Plyo Systems, LLC, a designer and manufacturer of power training athletic equipment with installations in Olympic, professional sports and College facilities across the United States. Sensei Cooper is a chartered Shorin-Ryu Seibukan instructor from Okinawa, Japan.

Dr. Salamander is dedicated to developing men and women of character through the study and practice of traditional Okinawan karate. Dr. Salamander holds a 5th degree black belt in Okinawan Shorin-ryu Seibukan Karate and a 3rd degree black belt in Korean Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do. He has trained in and taught martial arts since 1974. From 2001 to 2005 he trained on the island of Okinawa at the International Seibukan Headquarters Dojo (training academy). Dr. Salamander is a direct student of Hanshi 10th Dan Zenpo Shimabukuro and Sabu Nim Grand Master Yong Taek Chung, and holds all rank promotions through them.

Dr. Salamander retired as a United States Air Force Colonel after serving over 26 years on active duty. He is also a retired, board-certified prosthodontist. He holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree, a Master of Science in Prosthodontics degree, and is a life member and Fellow of The American College of Prosthodontists.

Dr. Salamander’s other interests include yoga, baking and cooking, skiing, hiking, art history, and reading.

Dr. Salamander lives in Colorado Springs, has been married to the same beautiful girl he met in 1975, and has three fabulous children, one granddaughter, and one black lab “grand-dogter”.