Dynamic Self Defense International

The Modern Martial Art

5TH DEGREE BLACK BELT
CO-FOUNDER OF DYNAMIC SELF DEFENSE INTERNATIONAL
Master Robert Lowrey was born September 9th, 1960 in Martinsville, Virginia, USA.  At the age of 7, he began the study of Judo/Jujitsu with his Father, Mercer Lowrey.  Their instructor was a famous professional wrestler and Judo/Jujitsu Instructor named Hans Von Toffton.

Mercer Lowrey went on to become a regionally prominent Judo and Jujitsu Instructor, opening clubs through out the Southeast, with Robert as his assistant.  Through his father, Robert began studying other arts, including Aikido, Tae Kwon-Do and Shotokan Karate.

At age 12, Robert began the study of Tang Soo-Do under Mr. Thomas McConnell, then studied Yoshukai Karate from 1973 until 1977 under Mr. McConnell and Hirayuki Koda, who was a Regional Director for Yoshukai in the Southern U.S.

During this time Robert began to participate in various tournaments and non-rated kickboxing matches, winning first place under full contact, bare knuckle rules, at the all-Yoshukai clinic in 1976. Robert moved to Atlanta in 1979.  A year later, he began training under Master Kwang Jo Choi, future founder of Choi Kwang-Do.  Mr. Lowrey excelled under Master Choi’s tutelage.  In 1981, he attained 1st Degree Black Belt in Kwang Duk Kwang (the modified Tae Kwon-Do style that was the forerunner to Choi Kwang-Do).  He earned 2nd Degree in 1983, and 3rd Degree in 1985.

In 1985, Mr. Lowrey began teaching martial arts as a college level accredited course at Kennesaw State University.  He still teaches this course today, and it has become one of the most popular courses in the Physical Education Department.

Master Choi officially formed Choi Kwang Do in 1987.  Mr. Lowrey continued with him, becoming one of the organization’s foremost pioneers.  He was appointed Chief Instructor and Examiner for Choi Kwang-Do International in 1987.  In 1991, he was appointed Regional Director and International Technical Director, in addition to earning his 4th Degree (Master level) Black Belt.

During his time with Grand Master Choi, Master Lowrey trained with martial artists from all over the world, exchanging ideas and developing skills.  He also worked extensively with various law enforcement agencies, training the local Marietta/Cobb/Smyrna narcotics squad in 1990, and participating in the FBI retraining seminar in Bullhead City, Arizona in 1993.  He attended the Police Defensive Tactics Instructors course in Cobb County, Georgia in 1996.  Master Lowrey has also conducted training seminars for military personnel, including army rangers at Fort Benning GA from 1994 through 1996.

In 1988, Master Lowrey met Gideon Hajioff, who was with the UKTF, formerly under Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha.  Master Lowrey and Master Eric Hennings were the main instructors tasked with training all of the UK instructors into CKD.  Master Lowrey also met and trained with Mr. Henry Woodcock, another pioneer of CKD in the UK.  As fate would have it, Master Lowrey and Master Hajioff became friends and training partners.  They had many training seminars and road trips to gradings throughout the Southern US.  In 1992, Master Lowrey was invited to come to the UK to train with instructors of the United Kingdom CKD Association, and stayed at Master Hajioff’s house, training and exchanging ideas.  Master Hajioff went on to become the Technical Officer of the UKCA, with Mr. Woodcock assuming the role of Secretary General.

Master Lowrey and Master Hennings left Choi Kwang Do in 1997, and went on to found Modern Defense Martial Art.  Gideon Hajioff, left Choi Kwang Do in 1998, and went on to found Dynamic Self Defense with a group of dedicated instructors, many of them from the former UKCA.

As fate would again have it, as of January 1st, 2006, Master’s Lowrey and Hajioff came together to combine the best technical knowledge of Choi Kwang Do, with innovative training concepts from Modern Defense, Dynamic Self Defense, Juijitsu, kickboxing, and other arts to form Dynamic Self Defence International.

Master Lowrey continues to teach at Kennesaw University, and conducts training seminars for instructors throughout the US and overseas.  Master also serves as a Senior Training Specialist for US Security Associates, the fourth largest contract security company in the US.