Ko Tai Shin Ryu translates as "the Old School of Body/Mind" and, in a way, fits the current title "Mixed Martial Arts".  However, just as Karate or Tae Kwon Do practicioners, for example, may be considered kickboxers its all semantics after all.  The White River Budokan offers training in the following arts:

1.  GojuRyu Karate and kata and kihon as well as exposure to kata from Shotokan, WadoRyu, Shiito Ryu, and Uechi Ryu. Ippon, Sanbon, and Jiju Kumite is also taught at our dojo for KartaeKa.

2.  Jujutsu with influences from classical jujutsu as well as modern self defense strategies, techniques, and needs.  THe jujutsu here is influenced by Hakko Ryu Jujutsu, Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu and, primarily, Nihon Jujutsu(this last system is highly classical and was developed by Shizuya Sato, a direct student of Kyuzo Mifune Sensei)

3.  Aikido   with techniques from different branches of Ueshiba Sensei's teachings.(i.e. Hombu Dojo, Yoshin, Shobu, and input from USMAA Aikido instructors)

4.  Judo  with interactions with teachers from the United States, Japan, and other practicioners

5.  Chinese Boxing   ranging from street oriented techniques to more formal Tai Chi Chuan and other Chinese Boxing schoolssuch as Wing Chun and its derivative, Jeete Kun Do(Master Josh Dingler, Illinois instructs)

6.  Kobudo    both Japanese and Okinawan as taught to us by Okinawan and Japanese instructors and some from the USA.

7.  Iaido    Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu with Ota Sensei as the chief influence from Kumamoto, Japan.  Sensei Louise Herschel is in charege of our Iaido program.

A question asked by visiting folks is "so what is it you do here?"......  and the wheels started turning in my head.  Being rather bored with the current television trends that attract the masses I told an MMA friend of mine that I was a mixed martial artist.  He chuckled and said: "Sensei I know what you think of MMA" but I wasnt being silly but, rather, trying to say that I believe, with studying the arts I do that I would qualify.  Of course, here is another lesson in semantics.  Folks don't consider someone like me as a Mixed Martial Artist.  I know this by visitors to my dojo that, despite seeing rank certificates indicating the long term study of five or six disciplines, still say they were more interested in finding mixed martial arts instruction.   Thus, I am trying hard to not misrepresent KoTai Shin Ryu.  So let me say it is not mixed martial arts.  Let me just say it is a system with the techniques and principles from KarateDo, Judo, Jujutsu, Aikido, and Ch'uan Fa.  I do think the study of what is called KoTai Shin Ryu requires repetitions of the basics in all of these arts.  Therefore, it is taught with the simple basics of highly effective self defense as a starting place. This puts the student on the continuum reaching to areas that pure instict,  developed from thousands of repetitions of the techniques and principles of those arts mentioned, provides.  KoTaiShin Ryu is also highly individualized.  Having taught it at, at least, three seminars, I tell folks that their KoTai Shin Ryu may look very different from mine if their training background is different.  However, if one has not put in the sweat and discomfort of many, many years of injuries, mistakes, adjustments, and  repetition of what the true technique is then the fluidity, quickness, instinctiveness of KoTaiShin probably will not come forth.  Recently teaching at a seminar I presented KoTaiShin instruction as highly interactive in a specific manner.  I asked an assisting yudansha to attack without my knowing the attack.  My responsiblility was to attain Mushin(empthy mindedness),Fudoshin(no concern over the immediacy of the past"how did i get into this?" and future'i hope i dont get hurt"), and Zanshin(fighting spirit or "technique" availability).  I then asked participants to describe to me what I did.  I told them I would not have a total picture of what I did.  I might be able to recall most but not every nuance of my response.  Both they and myself found this very helpful as they were able to point out some of my responses as specific arts and/or the use of off balancing(kuzushi), striking at a vital area(Atemi) and which throw, perhaps lock,  and/or strike led to controlling the situation.  The next step in the development of KoTaiShin Ryu, I told the class and myself, is to video for several hours, study my responses with the help of others in my dojo, and list groups of techniques accordingly. This, to me, will possibly give the impression that KoTaiSHin Ryu is learned in a linear manner by studying formal techniques but, then again, its a journey right? I was recently asked by a good friend what Kata are in KoTaiShin.  I guess that would depend on what Kata an individual trains with.  i can merely make suggestions as to thoe ones that seem to have influenced my natural body rhythms.  Please consider what I have written as a developing, evolutionary process as is the Tao.  More information and, hopefully, vidoes, will be added soon.  Til then, please empty your mind, let your fudoshin keep it from wondering how and what, and feel the freedom of your techniques released unimpeded by silly emotions.  After all, to quote the movie, GodFather, its strictly business and not personal.  Also try and complete your technique before anyone in your class or dojo can finish saying "One Mississippi".  Trust me.