Isaac Costley
Isaac Costley, or Master “C” as he is affectionately called by his students has been involved in martial arts for over 40 years. He has trained throughout Asia to include Korea, Japan, and Okinawa. He has earned black belts in several systems and styles and continues to blend them together to teach his students the best of all that is available. “It is not which martial art is the best, it is the practitioner of that art which makes it the best.”
Before entering in the United States Military, Master “C” competed regularly in martial arts tournaments and events winning many Grand Championships and 1st place finishes. He is quick to remind his students that he never lost a match “I didn’t win all of them, but I learned from each of them, so I never truly lost.” Even while active duty Master “C” continued to compete, train, and learn from everyone willing to teach him. The military offered him the great opportunity to hone his skills and discover which techniques truly work for the real world and which ones are meant to remain a part of the “martial ART”. “There is a place for reality concepts and a place for the art. It is the job of the instructor do to more than teach punch punch kick kick. We are to help the student to grow mentally and physically. Confidence, respect, focus, discipline, are just a small part of what we do, an important part yes, but just a part of what you receive at CFMAF.”
As a police officer Master “C” found himself in situations where his training allowed for him to protect the general public as well as his fellow officers. “His knowledge of joint locks, pressure points, and arrest control are far above others I have ever experience” stated Officer “J” a police officer and SWAT TEAM member. Charles “C” a Navy Seal says that Master “C”s training is the best training that he has ever received and he recommends it to all military and civilians. Retired CSM “S” utilized Master “C” training for himself as well as his soldiers in the Special Forces Community. Sgt. “S” a SWAT TEAM leader said there is none better at doing and teaching what really works. Whether you are a Navy Seal, Green Beret, an operator in the Special Operations Community, or a parent wanting to protect yourself and your family, training with Master “C” and his instructors is the best place to be.
As a youngster and throughout his mid 30′s Master “C” was known for his outstanding, high flying, and fast kicks. His self defense techniques are noted worldwide for being direct, to the point, and “Real for the Real World.” His belief is that to be truly effective in the real world you need to have technique, command of concepts, speed, strength, and flexibility. With his knowledge as a personal trainer and an internationally recognized black belt instructor Master “C” has been able to teach a system that has proven to be beneficial to kids as young as 2 years of age and adults well into their 70’s and beyond. Now older Master “C” still demonstrates that he is able to do flash when asked, but he also teaches true techniques for every day realities. “The fact of the matter is that as we get older we must adapt. Our bodies cannot do what it used to do in its 30′s, 20′s and teenager years. The problem is that most instructors still force older adults to perform techniques that their bodies are no longer able to do. At CFMAF you learn to do what you are able to do, we adapt, change, and implement. Like Bruce Lee had said “Be Like Water”. That is what we teach: conform, change, adapt, survive.