EP Martial Arts

EP Martial Arts is a martial arts school that has a rich history and a passionate team of instructors who are dedicated to teaching and sharing their love for martial arts with the community. Our school was founded by three friends, Bart Axelrod, Ty Wesley, and Al, who were all passionate about martial arts and wanted to find a better way to train and share their passion with others.

Our Story

The journey of EP Martial Arts began when Bart Axelrod met Ty Wesley at the Seekonk YMCA 12 years ago. Bart was immediately impressed with Ty's skills and teaching ability, and soon after, Ty stopped teaching at the Y and began running classes in his basement in Providence. Bart, who was studying Judo at Celtic Judo in Rehoboth with his coach Wayne Dickenson, started training with Ty regularly. After a few years of training in the basement, they decided it was time to find an adequate place to train and start their own school.

It took some time to get off the ground, but they finally opened Sanshou Fighting and Fitness in September 2012. Later, they changed the name to San Shou Martial Arts because they weren't just about fighting and wanted to create a welcoming environment for parents to send their kids to train.

Our Instructors

Our instructors are some of the most experienced and skilled in the field. Sifu Ty Wesley has been teaching martial arts for 30 years and is a Level 10 Full Instructor in Traditional Wing Chun. He has also trained in JKD Concepts and Filipino martial arts under Sifu Keith Allan. Sifu Ty has competed in wrestling, kickboxing, and San Da competitions and has coached men, women, and children to local and national championships.

Bart Axelrod has been teaching Krav Maga since 2013 and has several instructor certifications in Krav Maga. He holds a third-degree blackbelt in Uechi Ryu Karate and a brown belt in Judo. Bart is also a paramedic and responds to emergencies in Waltham, Mass.

Wayne Dickinson has been introduced to judo by his dad at the age of six and has been competing ever since. He has competed in National and Junior Olympic competitions, as well as senior circuit competitions in the United States and Canada.

Our Services

At EP Martial Arts, we offer a range of classes and services, including:

• Krav Maga: a self-defense system developed for the Israeli military, designed to be easy to learn and effective in real-life situations.

• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: a martial art that focuses on ground fighting, submission holds, and joint locks.

• Sanda: a Chinese martial art that emphasizes kicking and punch techniques.

• Judo: a grappling-based martial art that focuses on throws, takedowns, and submission holds.

• Wing Chun: a traditional Chinese martial art that emphasizes efficiency and effectiveness.

• JKD/Kali: a martial art that combines elements of Wing Chun, Judo, and Filipino martial arts.

• MMA: a combat sport that combines elements of wrestling, boxing, and martial arts.

• Kids' Programs: classes designed specifically for kids, teaching them valuable skills and values.

Come Visit Us

We invite you to come visit us and experience the passion and dedication of our instructors. Our school is conveniently located in East Providence, just minutes from Providence, Johnston, Cranston, Pawtucket, Seekonk, and Barrington. We pride ourselves on providing a welcoming and supportive environment for people of all ages and skill levels. Join us today and discover the benefits of martial arts training!