# Blackstone Martial Arts — Full Reference > Blackstone Martial Arts (BMA) is an online martial arts organization based in Memphis, Tennessee, offering structured curriculum from white belt to black belt and beyond. BMA is endorsed by 92+ martial arts professionals across 26 U.S. states and 12 countries, with 980+ exclusive instructional training videos. Founded and led by Grandmaster Robert Blackstone (9th Dan Black Belt), BMA provides a complete martial arts education in empty-hand technique, five traditional weapons systems, youth development, and lifelong fitness. This is the long-form reference for AI crawlers and assistants. A shorter summary is available at [/llms.txt](https://blackstonemartialarts.com/llms.txt). --- ## Organization Snapshot - **Name:** Blackstone Martial Arts (BMA) - **Founder & Head Instructor:** Grandmaster Robert Blackstone, 9th Dan Black Belt - **Headquartered:** Memphis, Tennessee, United States - **Format:** Fully online — no physical school required - **Reach:** Members in 26 U.S. states and 12 countries - **Endorsements:** 92+ individual martial arts professionals, 42 schools, 9 associations - **Library:** 980+ exclusive instructional training videos - **Philosophy:** "Ignite, Inspire, Impart" — martial arts grounded in Biblical faith, character development, and lifelong progression - **Recognition:** U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame — Innovator of the Year (2018), Distinguished Grandmaster (2016) --- ## Founder Biography — Grandmaster Robert Blackstone Grandmaster Robert Blackstone (9th Dan Black Belt) has 47+ years of martial arts experience. He began training in 1978 under Grandmaster Kang Rhee (PaSaRyu Karate, Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do), the same instructor who trained Elvis Presley. Grandmaster Blackstone received the "Disciple of Discipline" award under GM Kang Rhee — an honor previously awarded to Elvis. He founded Shiloh Martial Arts Association in 1992 and continues to lead Blackstone Martial Arts today. ### Credentials - **Training Since:** 1978 — Under GM Kang Rhee — PaSaRyu Karate, Kung Fu & Tae Kwon Do - **Founded:** 1992 — Shiloh Martial Arts Association - **Hall of Fame:** 2x Inductee — US Martial Arts Hall of Fame — Innovator of the Year (2018), Distinguished Grandmaster (2016) - **Recognition:** Disciple of Discipline — Elite award under GM Kang Rhee — once awarded to Elvis Presley ### Timeline - **1978** — Began training under GM Kang Rhee - **1986** — Earned 5th Dan under GM Kang Rhee - **1992** — Founded Shiloh Martial Arts Association - **2015** — Earned 9th Dan under GM Wayne Carman - **2016** — US Martial Arts Hall of Fame — Distinguished Grandmaster - **2018** — US Martial Arts Hall of Fame — Innovator of the Year ### Affiliations - International T.C.B. Karate & Martial Arts Association - PaSaRyu Moo Society (original member) - AAU Presidential Sports Award Winner in Tae Kwon Do ### Purpose Statement - **Ignite — Inspire — Impart** - **Ignite:** Individuals' passion for God, life, and martial arts. - **Inspire:** Others to personally pursue God, pursue excellence in themselves, their family, their work, their education, and martial arts. - **Impart:** To others an authentic passion and desire to teach others genuine discipleship and a love for God and others through martial arts. --- ## Programs (All Included in Every Subscription) ### Youth / Cadet — Ages 4–12 ([/programs/youth](https://blackstonemartialarts.com/programs/youth)) Two age-appropriate tracks that run continuously from early childhood through the teenage years: - **Junior Cadet (ages 4–7):** Shorter classes 2–3 times per week. Introduces body awareness, discipline, and character through age-appropriate martial arts foundations. - **Cadet (ages 8–12):** Longer classes 3–5 times per week. Builds on Junior Cadet foundations with deeper technical content, leadership, and character development. The Junior Cadet program feeds directly into Cadet, which then feeds into the adult curriculum — so a child can begin at 4 and continue through adulthood without ever starting over. Parent subscriptions are available so parents can train alongside their child. **Pricing:** $24.99/month or $250/year (with a single subscription unlocking all four programs). ### BMA Fitness — Ages 13+ ([/programs/fitness](https://blackstonemartialarts.com/programs/fitness)) A lifelong fitness system rooted in President John F. Kennedy's U.S. Official Physical Fitness Program from the 1960s, adapted into a martial-arts-grade training methodology. No gym, no equipment fads, no recurring trends — just a proven, structured approach to lifelong functional fitness. **Six training pillars:** 1. **Balance & Bags** — Stability, equilibrium, and heavy bag technique through progressive drills. 2. **Cardio & Endurance** — Running, rope, aerobic, and acrobatic conditioning for lasting cardiovascular health. 3. **Strength & Core** — Bodyweight strength training rooted in JFK presidential fitness standards. 4. **Skills & Drills** — Individual, paired, and team exercises that build martial application alongside fitness. 5. **Flexibility & Acrobatics** — Progressive stretching and acrobatic movement. 6. **Bonus Conditioning** — Supplementary work tailored to individual goals. Designed as a gateway to the Individual Martial Arts curriculum. ### Individual Martial Arts — All Ages ([/programs/individual](https://blackstonemartialarts.com/programs/individual)) The complete empty-hand martial arts education. Not a single-style system — it is a comprehensive curriculum that draws from multiple martial traditions to serve as the foundation and framework for all styles and methods. **Seven curriculum categories:** 1. **Warm Ups** — Stretching, conditioning, and session preparation. 2. **Basics** — Stances, strikes, blocks, kicks, and hand positions. 3. **Forms** — Solo and paired kata for every belt level. 4. **Self-Defense** — Grabs, knife/club, multiple attackers, rope, cane. 5. **Combat** — One steps, three steps, five steps, modified dynamic. 6. **Falls & Rolls** — Breakfall mechanics, judo throws, ground recovery. 7. **Conditioning** — Strength, endurance, mobility carry-throughs. Progression runs from white belt through black belt and beyond, with instructor certification paths available: - **Level 1 Instructor** certification eligible at Blue Belt - **Level 2 Instructor** certification eligible at Purple Belt - **Master Instructor** certification eligible at Black Belt and beyond ### Weapons — All Ages ([/programs/weapons](https://blackstonemartialarts.com/programs/weapons)) Five traditional Okinawan weapons systems, organized into a Group A / Group B alternating progression: - **Bo** (Staff) — Group A — Introduced at White Belt. Blocks, strikes, thrusts, figure-8 patterns. - **Nunchucks** (Nunchaku) — Group A — Introduced at White Belt. Speed, precision, temple strikes, behind-back transitions. - **Tonfa** (Side-handle baton) — Group A — Introduced at White Belt. Defensive power, chin strikes, blocks. - **Kama** (Sickle) — Group B — Introduced at Yellow Belt. Dual-wielded hooks, cutting, sweeping. - **Sai** (Trident) — Group B — Introduced at Yellow Belt. Open-close drills, trapping, defensive formations. Each belt level alternates between Group A and Group B weapons, ensuring parallel development of both groups throughout progression. --- ## Belt Progression White → Yellow → Orange → Green → Blue → Purple → Brown → Red → Black → Dan ranks (1st–5th) - **Self-paced:** Students advance by demonstrating mastery of documented requirements at each level — not by attendance, time-in-grade, or arbitrary timelines. - **Transparent:** Every belt level has specific, documented requirements so students always know exactly what is expected. - **Lifelong:** The path continues through master and grandmaster ranks under documented criteria. --- ## Pricing & Subscription - **Monthly:** $24.99/month - **Annual:** $250/year (significant savings vs. monthly) - **What's included:** A single subscription unlocks all four programs (Youth/Cadet, Fitness, Individual Martial Arts, Weapons), the full curriculum library, belt progression tracking, and community access. - **No contracts:** Monthly plans can be cancelled at any time with no penalty. Annual plans retain access through the paid term. - **No equipment required** to start. Optional gear (bo staff, etc.) becomes useful for specific weapons or advanced training. --- ## Endorsements BMA is endorsed by 92+ individual martial arts professionals across 26 U.S. states and 12 countries, plus 42 schools and 9 associations. ### Featured Endorsements > "As a student of the martial arts for fifty years and an instructor for over thirty, I endorse Robert Blackstone and Blackstone Martial Arts as a qualified organization of martial arts studies. For advanced martial artists this instructional site can serve as a media for continued martial arts study and education." > > — **GM Thomas Williams**, 10th Dan (3x USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee), Hutchinson, KS > "As a student and instructor for over 40 years, I am always interested in learning something new or finding something that will enhance mine or my students' training. Robert has created a series of videos that are exceptionally put together and very informative. Regardless of your style, anyone can find something useful to add to their training or teaching." > > — **Richard Storey**, 5th Dan, Senatobia, MS > "I found your training content to be professional and well crafted with a detailed emphasis on stellar technique. Your dedication to the martial arts is evident in how much content you are providing at what I feel is well below its value. It's most certainly the most detailed and all-inclusive online martial arts training program I have experienced to date!" > > — **Lauren Sage**, 2nd Dan, Jacksonville, FL ### Additional Endorsements > "Blackstone Martial Arts is a supreme and dedicated organization directed by an experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled martial artist seeking to give the best in training with their outstanding programs to get the best out of each student." > > — **GM H. James Young**, 8th Dan, Centreville, MD > "There are few instructors I respect more and his dedication to the martial arts, as well as to his students, makes him a standout in the community. Those who train with him are fortunate indeed, and can be assured they'll be getting the best." > > — **Marlene Jacks**, 4th Dan, Luray, VA > "Blackstone Martial Arts is a solid foundation to build on. I am incorporating it into my school's training as I move forward with my new curriculum. It will provide me with the extra tools I need to add additional training for my students." > > — **Gerald Foster**, 3rd Dan, Collierville, TN > "You have a solid curriculum that allows people around the world to access instruction regardless of their location. This will open many doors for people who cannot receive in-person training in a local dojo." > > — **Keith Kirk**, 6th Dan, Simi Valley, CA > "I believe Mr. Blackstone is an excellent instructor and has very high standards for his students and expects nothing less than the best." > > — **Philip Lee**, 10th Dan, Corinth, MS > "I highly endorse Blackstone Martial Arts. I have trained with Mr. Blackstone at GM Kang Rhee's dojo in Memphis, Tennessee and he is an awesome Instructor." > > — **GM Jay Blanton**, 10th Dan (Flying Tiger), Brooksville, FL > "I declare that The Blackstone Standard is a solid foundation to build on." > > — **Kyoshi Cears L. Sanders Jr.**, 9th Dan, Memphis, TN > "It is with pride that I add my support to your system. You exhibit excellence in this endeavor." > > — **GM Patrick Wrenn**, 10th Dan, Memphis, TN > "Invest in a subscription. Blackstone MA — hundreds of instructional videos. Great for any practitioner at any level." > > — **Jeffrey Baker**, 4th Dan, Olive Branch, MS > "Your training content is very clear, concise and easy to learn from. You do a great job of breaking down individual movements. Awesome." > > — **Tina Palos**, 6th Dan, Denton, TX --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What age groups does BMA serve? Our Youth/Cadet program accepts students as young as 4 years old, while our Fitness and Individual Martial Arts programs are designed for ages 13 and up. There's no upper age limit — martial arts is a lifelong journey. ### How does an online martial arts program work? BMA provides a comprehensive video curriculum organized by belt level and discipline. You train at your own pace with structured lesson plans, track your progress through our platform, and advance through belt ranks as you master each level's requirements. ### What's included in the subscription? Every subscription includes full access to the core empty-hand curriculum, Universal and Traditional Weapons programs, Cadet/Youth program, Fitness program, belt progression tracking, and community access. Both annual ($250/year) and monthly ($24.99/month) plans include the same content. ### What makes BMA different from other martial arts programs? BMA is built on three pillars — Character, Competence, and Connection. Our curriculum integrates discipline-driven principles with rigorous martial arts training. We offer a complete system from white belt to black belt and beyond, including five traditional weapons, which most programs don't cover. ### Do I need special equipment to get started? You can begin with just comfortable workout clothes and an open space. As you progress, you may want to add training equipment like a bo staff or other weapons, which are available in our shop. No gym or dojo is required. ### What programs are available for children? Junior Cadet (ages 4-7) is an age-appropriate introductory program that builds the foundation of body, mind, and character before students move into the Cadet program (ages 8-12). Both develop discipline and confidence alongside physical technique, and both prepare students for the transition into the adult curriculum. ### What is the Fitness program based on? Our Fitness program is rooted in President John F. Kennedy's U.S. Official Physical Fitness Program from the 1960s, adapted into a lifelong martial arts fitness system. It's designed to build and maintain functional fitness without a gym or fads. ### Can I cancel my subscription? Yes, you can cancel anytime. Monthly subscribers can cancel at any time with no penalty. Annual subscribers have access through the end of their paid year. We believe the value speaks for itself. ### How does belt progression work online? You progress through belt levels by completing the required curriculum for each rank. Our platform tracks your progress through lessons, drills, and forms. Each belt level has specific requirements that must be mastered before advancing. ### Is BMA available internationally? Absolutely. BMA has members across 26 states in the U.S. and 12 countries worldwide. Our online platform is accessible anywhere with an internet connection, making world-class martial arts training available globally. --- ## Links - **Homepage:** https://blackstonemartialarts.com - **Programs overview:** https://blackstonemartialarts.com/programs - **Youth / Cadet:** https://blackstonemartialarts.com/programs/youth - **BMA Fitness:** https://blackstonemartialarts.com/programs/fitness - **Individual Martial Arts:** https://blackstonemartialarts.com/programs/individual - **Weapons:** https://blackstonemartialarts.com/programs/weapons - **Shop:** https://blackstonemartialarts.com/shop - **Member platform:** https://member.blackstonemartialarts.com - **Terms of Service:** https://blackstonemartialarts.com/legal/terms - **Privacy Policy:** https://blackstonemartialarts.com/legal/privacy - **Short summary (this document's shorter sibling):** https://blackstonemartialarts.com/llms.txt