Reflecting on Our Yossi Sheriff Seminar – September 20th, 2025

Reflecting on Our Yossi Sheriff Seminar – September 20th

On September 20th, Quest Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense was honored to host Yossi Sheriff for an incredible seminar that blended deep tradition with practical application. Yossi, known worldwide for his expertise and innovative teaching style, shared his extensive knowledge with our community and left us both inspired and energized.

Exploring Unarmed Striking and Hanbō Training

We began the day focusing on unarmed striking movement and hanbō kata. Yossi carefully walked us through the underlying striking principles, layering drills and skills in a way that built naturally toward sparring with the hanbō. This approach gave our students the opportunity to bridge the gap between form and function — translating classical techniques into live training scenarios.

Kusarifundō Techniques and Striking Skills

The seminar also explored kusarifundō techniques — a rarely taught yet highly effective aspect of traditional martial arts. Participants practiced a range of striking skills and control methods that highlighted the versatility of this unique weapon. Yossi’s detailed instruction allowed us to experience how these methods can complement our existing training in both Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense.

Precision, Power, and Humility

Throughout the seminar, Yossi displayed an inspiring blend of humility and mastery. While his presentation was gentle and approachable, his techniques were executed with stunning power and precision. This juxtaposition reinforced the seminar’s central lesson: true skill is rooted in deep understanding, not in force or ego.

Insights Into Daily Training and Keeping the Art Alive

Yossi also took time to discuss his personal daily training strategies, giving us a rare look into how he develops his own practice. He shared his philosophy on training in a way that keeps martial arts alive and growing — not locked in rigid tradition but continually evolving for modern relevance. This message resonated strongly with our students and instructors alike.

Looking Ahead

We are deeply grateful to Yossi Sheriff for sharing his time, knowledge, and passion with us. The lessons learned during this seminar will shape our training for months to come, and we are already looking forward to hosting him again in the future.