TAN KYU SHIN
Learn Traditional Martial Arts For The Modern Day & Protect Yourself & Your Family
If you’re looking for a fun and relevant freestyle martial art for fitness, self-defence and wellbeing, then Tan Kyu Shin will help you achieve your goals in a safe and professional environment.
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Empower the Next Generation — Teach Tradition, Build Leaders, and Shape Stronger Communities
Our instructors provide a safe, structured, and family-friendly training environment where students of all ages can thrive. Through patient guidance, consistent support, and high-quality martial arts instruction, they help kids, teens, and adults grow mentally, physically, and emotionally—both inside and outside the dojo.
TAN KYU SHIN
Learn Traditional Martial Arts For The Modern Day & Protect Yourself & Your Family
If you’re looking for a fun and relevant freestyle martial art for fitness, self-defence and wellbeing, then Tan Kyu Shin will help you achieve your goals in a safe and professional environment.
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Empower the Next Generation — Teach Tradition, Build Leaders, and Shape Stronger Communities
Our instructors provide a safe, structured, and family-friendly training environment where students of all ages can thrive. Through patient guidance, consistent support, and high-quality martial arts instruction, they help kids, teens, and adults grow mentally, physically, and emotionally—both inside and outside the dojo.
Kaicho George Pokkias, Shichi Dan (7th Dan)
Our Founder, Kaicho George started his love of Martial Arts at the age of 10, when he started training in Shotokan Karate under Alan Basham before he moved to Kyokushin Kai, when he was 16, under the guidance of Bill Vaughan. At 18, he joined Zen Do Kai under Ed Skipter and was mentored by Gary Macrae (now Kancho of Golden Knights) from Brown Belt to 2nd Dan. In 1986, at the age of 24, George left Zen Do Kai and started Tan Kyu Shin, “the want to learn” or “the want to better yourself”.
Shihan Richard Taylor, Yondan Ho (probationary 4th Dan)
Shihan Richard, or Squizzy as he is known, is the Chief Instructor at Tan Kyu Shin Martial Arts. He started his love of Martial Arts around 4 years old while training with his Poppa, who was a Captain in the British Army. He started with Tan Kyu Shin in 1991 when he was 20 and has also trained other martial arts such as Rhee Taekwondo, Shotokan Karate, Aikido, Ramindjeri Martial Arts and recently started Kenpo.
Dai Sempai Cory Volar, San Dan (3rd Dan)
Dai Sempai Cory started training in Tan Kyu Shin at the age of 11. While he still continues to practice and teach Tan Kyu Shin, Cory’s love of the Martial Arts has seen himself learning Arjukanpo Karate, Pangamot Filipino Jujitsu, Boxing, Kick Boxing and Cacoy Doce Pares Escrima.
Dai Sempai Dave Stasinowsky, Shodan (1st Dan)
Dai Sempai Dave is one of Kaicho George’s longest serving students having started in 1985 when they were both in Zen Do Kai. Prior to this, he dabbled in traditional Karate styles but it was the freestyle martial arts that became a passion. He’s an excellent source of knowledge for our style and an inspiration that stems from his time serving in the Australian army. He currently resides in Plainland, Queensland, where a new Dojo is imminent.
Sempai Brendon Harslett, Shodan Ho (probationary 1st Dan)
Sempai Brendon started with Tan Kyu Shin in 2012, just prior to turning 40 and is proof that learning never ends. His ability to pass on key concepts to both junior and adult students is evident to the quality of martial artists emerging through the Tan Kyu Shin ranks. Always looking to the “what next”, his next journey to further his skills is imminent and will bring further diversity to the style.
Sempai Tyler Martin, Junior Black Belt Shodan Ho (probationary 1st Dan)
Sempai Tyler started Tan Kyu Shin in 2012 when he was 8. A calming character known for his composure under pressure, technique and movement. His ability to pass on key aspects of Tan Kyu Shin at a level well beyond his years makes him an integral part of our Instructor ranks.
Sempai Caitlin Taylor, Junior Black Belt Shodan Ho (probationary 1st Dan)
Sempai Caitlin commenced her training in Tan Kyu Shin when she turned 5 in 2011 and is Shihan Squizzy’s longest training student. Caitlin often takes the warm ups and flexibility sessions which extends most who experiences them. She is also known for her outstanding technique and precise ability to guide and teach students of any age.
Contact Us
140 Bicentennial Drive, Golden Grove, SA, Australia, South Australia
