Senior Head Instructor Doug Grimmett, 3rd Degree, has trained in several martial arts styles since 1973. He began his training in Universal Kempo-Karate under Assistant Professor Garland and Senior Chief Instructor Bridget Johnson in October 1998. Two months prior to being promoted to Black Belt in 2001, Senior Head Instructor Doug traveled to China with Professor Martin T. Buell, the founder of the Universal Kempo-Karate Schools Association and several of the association's Chief Instructors and students from Hawaii, Colorado, and Texas. The group traveled to various locations throughout China including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, The Great Wall of China and trained with the monks in Shaolin. He opened the Garden of the Gods branch in 2002 where he is assisted by wife Denise, an adult Brown Belt and his son Brent, a junior Black Belt. He has received numerous awards since joining the Universal Kempo-Karate family. His most noted award is the 2003 "Most Overall Inspirational Instructor". The path to martial arts is one of personal growth and self-discovery of mind, body and spirit. At the Garden of the Gods branch, you will learn new techniques and interesting concepts. Each class will be challenging, but fun. Within the first couple of months, through regular practice, you will gain greater command of your body and begin executing techniques with greater confidence. When you realize the power of these concepts, and see how it affects your life each day, you will become a committed and dedicated student for years to come. We maintain a safe training environment with an emphasis on 'partners' rather than 'opponents'. Our training methods consider the different physical and mental capabilities that each student possesses while breaking down the learning steps so that students do not fail or become frustrated, but rather build on daily successes. All of our students, adult and children alike, are taught the traditional manner of Chinese Kempo-Karate, and as such are taught respect for themselves, their family members, other students, co-workers, etc.