American Jiu-Jitsu: 4th degree Renshi Black Belt with over 25 years of experience

Japanese Kokusai Jiu-Jitsu Renmei: 2nd degree black belt

Alliance Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (Roni Cardoso, Fabio Gurgel): Purple belt instructor

Kendo (japanese fencing) / Muso-Shinded Ryu Iaido (art of quickdraw samurai sword)

Arnis / Escrima (Filipino stick and knife) Pananandata and Modern Arnis

Kickboxing and Muay Thai
To gain a wide understanding of many martial arts, John has competed in kendo (Japanese sword), brazilian jiu-jitsu, self defense competition, open karate, demo team competition, judo, wrestling, and natural bodybuilding competition. He was also been a referee for Top Kick Championship Kickboxing's grappling and submission bouts for both amateur and professional fights.With the desire to always make our students better, John has trained in seminars and private training with masters Fabio Clamente, Roni Cardoso, Royce Gracie, Craig Kukuk, Rorion Gracie, Frank Shamrock, Fabio Gurgel, Prof. Wally Jay, Oleg Taktarov, Remy Presas, Stephen Hayes, Leo Vieira (leonzinho), Joe Lewis, Alex Gong, Mike Swain, Roy Goldberg, Willy Cahill, Ricardo Vieira, and Matt Furey.

Renshi John Giotis 4th Degree In American Jiu Jitsu began martial arts training at the age 9. At age 24, he opened his first professional martial arts studio in Commack NY, and now trains more than 350 students in his current East Northport location. As a cancer survivor and martial arts athlete, John understands how to motivate students despite adversities they may be facing in any facet of life. He has been successful in far exceeding his physical fitness and martial arts ability prior to cancer treatments.

Having completed multiple practical and written exams, John is a certified martial arts and fitness instructor through:

American Jiu Jitsu Centers Practitioners Federation (AJJCPF)

International Sports Science Association (ISSA): Certified Fitness Trainer CFT

American Counsel of Martial Arts (ACMA): Certified Martial Arts Instructor

The Cooper Institute of Aerobic Reseach: Martial Arts Specialist

CPR Certified: Infant, child, and adult

'My goals are twofold:
First, to bring many students to the level of a quality black belt, and second to continue my own persuit of excellence in martial arts, so that i can always have something to pass on to my students. By surrounding myself with high level martial artists, I too constantly improve.

What I believe is most unique about our school is that we have an excellent balance of philosophy and effectiveness. We produce high quality, multi-talented martial artists that display traditional values such as respect, courtesy, and patience.

'Martial Arts" is broken into two distinct facets. The "Martial" side implies combat effectiveness if necessary in self defense or in competition. Simply, can you really fight? The "Art" involves all the philosophies experienced in classical martial arts training. There are many benefits to learning about traditions, courtesy, zen, respect, meditation, and mind body unification.

I have a strong background in modern and traditional martial arts. I believe many instructors are too far to one side or the other, either producing good fighters with no philosophy, or students of high character with no true practical ability. My goal is to produce and surround myself with true martial artists that exhibit black belt qualities in both the "Martial" and the "Arts"."


John Giotis
Head instructor
American Jiu-Jitsu Centers Commack