Sensei Ed Yuncza: Owner/Chief Instructor

Sensei Ed Yuncza has been involved in the martial arts for over 25 years. He is an inducted member of both the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame and Action Martial Arts Magazine's Hall of Honors. In addition, he holds a 5th degree black belt in the Superfoot System under Grandmaster Bill Wallace, a 5th degree black belt in American Taekwondo under Master John Graden and a 4th degree black belt in W.T.F. Taekwondo (Kukkiwon certified) as well as teaching certificates under Grandmaster Richard Chun and Master Sang H. Kim. He also holds a 4th degree black belt in the Okinawan/American based system of Gu Ju Dao Te Karate Do under Master Jeffrey A. Mack and is an Apprentice Instructorin Jeet Kune Do Concepts under Paul Vunak's Progressive Fighting Systems.

While working his way through college, Ed managed one of three Golden Eagle Karate Studios and in 1995 founded E.Y. Martial Arts Academy. In 1997, he turned his attention to a career in the Information Technology field, but continued to teach the martial arts on a part time basis. Over the years, Ed has taught a variety of martial arts programs to a diverse clientele including: The Hamilton Township Adult School, The Hamilton Township YMCA, Little Kids College, Kidsafe Youth Programs as well as multiple private and in-home lessons. In 2003, Ed opened E.Y. Martial Arts & Self-Defense Concepts in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. In 2007, due to a growing demand for classes he moved his school to Mercerville, New Jersey where it now operates on a full time basis.

Ed is a frequent contributor of freelanced martial arts articles covering a variety of topics for Black Belt Magazine. They include: "Balloon Training"Feb 1995, "Special Sparring Drills" March 1996, "The Sidekick of Taekwondo" April 1998, "Going for the Gold" October 2001 (a Black Belt magazine featured article), "Lights, Camera Action" April 2003, "Spin Master", December 2005, "10 Commandments of Kicking", December 2006, and "Counter-Kicks"April 2008.

Extremely active in the local/regional sport karate tournament circuit for over 12 years, Ed had a number of successfully experiences, particularly in the adult black belt sparring and weapons divisions. In 1998, he won the Men's Black Belt Sparring Grand Championship at the Jersey Shore Regionals. This achievement also earned him a featured story in the Trentonian. He retired from active tournament competition in 2001 so that he could dedicate more time towards teaching as well as spending more time with his family.

Ed is a co-founder of the North American Martial Arts Alliance an organization designed to provide support, training, and activities for a wide range of martial artist. He is also a member of the Martial Arts Teacher's Association (MATA), the United States Taekwondo Association (USTA) and the Superfoot System.

Today, Ed continues his personal development in the martial arts through his direct involvement in the education process of both his students and his instructors as well as his continued collaboration with a variety of various martial arts groups. He also continues to participate in seminars and workshops as often as possible.

Ed has trained with such notable martial artist as: Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, Joe Lewis, Tony Blauer, Jhoon Rhee, Grandmaster Phil Holder, Grand Master Michael DePasquale, Jr, Master John Graden, Master George Dillman, Master Jeff Smith, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Guro Julius Melegrito and Sifu Paul Vunak

Ed tries to absorb something new as often as he can. He has completed the requirements for his Instructor Level 1 certificate from the Philippine Martial Arts Alliance. He is also a certified National Security Alliance (NSA) Kid-Safe Network Agent. Which main purpose is to promote educational safety programs and danger awareness training for children and their parents.

In November 2005, Ed was honored with the prestigious "20 Under 40" Award by the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce for his continued work within the community. In 2007, he was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame as the "2007 Taekwondo Instructor of the Year" and again in 2009 as "Taekwondo Man of the Year". These honors were both presented by Dr. Jim Thomas. In 2009, Ed was inducted into the Action Martial Arts Magazine's Hall of Honors receiving the award of "Outstanding Achievements in the Martial Arts". This honor was presented by Master Alan Goldberg. Ed teaches today out of pure love for the arts, as well as the satisfaction he receives from the students he works with. He plans on continuing teaching the martial arts as long as there are students interested in learning.

Sensei Mike Ryfinski: Instructor

Sensei Michael Ryfinski began his training under Master Edward Yuncza at the age of ten.  He currently holds a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo and a 2nd degree black belt in the Superfoot System under Grandmaster Bill Wallace.  Sensei Michael has been an instructor at E.Y. Martial Arts & Self-Defense Concepts since 2008.  He is also an active tournament competitor.

Michael graduated from Lawrence High School in 2008 achieving high academic grades and was a member of the National Honor Society in his junior and senior year.  He continues his academic success at Mercer County Community College as a member of New Jersey Stars and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.  Michael is majoring in Digital Arts and plans to earn two AAS degrees in 3-D animation and game development.  He plans to continue his education after obtaining his degrees from Mercer County Community College.

Sensei Michael has gained much through his training and has no doubt that his many successes in life can be traced back to his martial arts training with Master Yuncza.  He has gained greater focus, self-discipline, goal setting and confidence.  Today, Sensei Michael continues to train in the martial arts purely for the love of learning something new.  He is very grateful for the opportunity to help teach as well as the numerous benefits gained from his continued involvement in the martial arts.

Sensei Guy Bramonte: Instructor

Sensei Guy Bramonte has been involved in the martial arts for over 15 years.  He began his training at the Golden Eagle Karate Studios, where he achieved the rank of 2nd degree black belt in the Okinawin/American based system of Gu Ju Dao Te Karate Do under Master Jeffrey A. Mack. 

Sensei Guy continued his martial arts training at the International Atama-Mu-Do Kickboxing & Martial Arts Academy, where he achieved the rank of 1st degree black belt in the art of Atama-Mu Do Kickboxing under Grandmaster Rocco Nicolini.  

Subsequent to the retirement of Grandmaster Nicolini, Sensei Guy continued his training at various martial arts schools within the Tri-State Area.   In 2007, he resumed his training under Master Edward Yuncza at E.Y. Martial Arts & Self-Defense Concepts. 

He recently added to his martial arts resume by attaining a1st degree black belt in Superfoot Systems under martial arts legend Bill “Superfoot” Wallace.