Harbor Profile: Mits Yamashita
Peggy Bacon
Posted in: News on 11/15/07 at 1:04 PM PST
The techniques that Yamashita teaches are realistic and simple. Anyone can learn several today and use them tonight. He teaches an Elbow Striking series that is very effective. Yamashita tells his classes a story about a lady student who initially thought that elbow striking was kind of silly, but when she was assaulted in a dark parking lot, her elbows saved her, and she reported having fun while fending off her attackers. Students also learn how to disarm an enemy who has a weapon and how to use a physically larger and stronger attacker's size against them, always with kindness and dignity.
Yamashita holds the rank of 6th degree black belt in Budo Jujitsu, 6th degree in Aikido, 2nd degree in Karate, and 1st degree in Judo. He taught Police Science Tactical Defense classes at El Camino College for 32 years. He has appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and in movies. In 1992, Universal Studios and producer, Al Thomas, cast him in "The World of Martial Arts" with 15 or 20 of the world's top martial artists. The movie played all over the world and is available to purchase over the internet.
When asked if he will ever retire, Yamashita replies, "Never. I will always teach Martial Arts. In fact, I am starting a Boxing Program here at Harbor College. Classes will, hopefully, begin next year."
Currently, Sensei Yamashita teaches Self-Defense in the gymnasium in back of the PE Building on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, and Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm.
Yamashita holds the rank of 6th degree black belt in Budo Jujitsu, 6th degree in Aikido, 2nd degree in Karate, and 1st degree in Judo. He taught Police Science Tactical Defense classes at El Camino College for 32 years. He has appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and in movies. In 1992, Universal Studios and producer, Al Thomas, cast him in "The World of Martial Arts" with 15 or 20 of the world's top martial artists. The movie played all over the world and is available to purchase over the internet.
When asked if he will ever retire, Yamashita replies, "Never. I will always teach Martial Arts. In fact, I am starting a Boxing Program here at Harbor College. Classes will, hopefully, begin next year."
Currently, Sensei Yamashita teaches Self-Defense in the gymnasium in back of the PE Building on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, and Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Mike Estrada
posted 5/04/08 @ 7:46 PM PST
Back in the mid/late 1980's I took all of Mits' self-defense classes & his Police Defense Tactics classes.He's a really great guy.The article doesn't mention that Mits also trained with Rorion Gracie back when Gracie Jiu Jitsu was taught from Rorion's garage. (Continued…)
Jeremy Johnston
posted 7/18/08 @ 3:53 PM PST
Another thing this article doesn't mention is that he has a Dojo separate from the local community collages in Bellflower, CA. You can find out more abut him and his classes at http://www. (Continued…)
Airess
posted 9/05/08 @ 3:01 AM PST
Sensei is an excellent teacher. A person can learn a lot from him, both self defense skills and wisdom. Its great that they made an article about him. (Continued…)
Luke Thomas Freiburghouse
posted 12/18/09 @ 10:29 PM PST
Sensei is the best instructor I have ever had. He is so humble and skilled and a great martial artist and boxer. My life has always been good and I have always strived to be a good, noble person, but Sensei has made me even better!
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