Spartan School of Self Defense

**Vorpal** · Posted On: 7/15/2008 10:17am

There are a few different styles being taught at this dojo. I train Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu under Dino Koutsogiannis the school's owner. The school itself has a large, well matted training area with heavy bags and weightlifting equipment as well. All of the classes are taught by well qualified instructors to relatively small classes ( less than ten students usually). I haven't seen or heard of anyone using assistant instructors. Shihan Jose Garrido teaches a very traditional Aikijujutsu class with strong ties to the mainline tradition. There is also a Judo class, Taijutsu and a Kung Fu class (Black Tiger, I think). Dino's class is less formal and you can expect to do full contact sparring several times a month (more if you want it) with striking, throws and grappling (grappling is rudimentary however, not as advanced as BJJ). Classes vary from day to day with the emphasis shifting from conditioning, striking, sparring, self defense techniques, throws to whatever on any given day. We also occasionally have instructors from other styles (a Shotokan BB, an Aikido BB , a wrestling instructor) stop in to train and teach. Ultimately it is a solid neighborhood dojo with something for almost everyone. People interested in competitive sportfighting would most likely not feel challenged by the level of conditioning in most of the classes and would not receive the level of ground grappling training they would need to be competitive.

**Vorpal** · Posted On: 10/05/2008 8:52pm

Update, no more ninjas (they went to Bloomfield, NJ I think). There has been some Muay Thai training going on I will post details as they become availible.

**babo78** · Posted On: 6/09/2010 2:58pm

I passed by this school I think. It's in Cliffside Park, NJ now. Is this the same dojo?

http://www.spartandojo.com/

Curious because I was looking for Muay Thai gym near where I live and ran into this by accident.

**Vorpal** · Posted On: 7/08/2010 1:17pm

Sorry, I didn't see your post Babo. Sadly the recession has closed Spartan Dojo. Dino is instructing up the street at Harrito's. The Muay Thai guys have moved on. I'd reccomend you take a look at North Jersey Muay Thai in Lodi. I've been training at Silver Fox BJJ in Lodi but am out with shoulder injuries.

**Soju_King** · Posted On: 7/09/2010 6:01am

i took a seminar there on 4th of july weekend in '08 when the ninjas was there. the facility has some good space and cool design. i wish was there longer to train with the other styles though.