Raining Spirit Dojo - Martial Arts in Eltham

Head teachers of Raining Spirit Dojo

Sylph Dominic
Hawkins sensei

Sylph is the director and founder of Raining Spirit Dojo, Melbourne, and has a background in Hoshin Jutsu, and Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, both forms of what are effectively Japanese Jujutsu Martial Arts.

Originally studying Hoshin Jutsu in Sydney, under Hoshin Justu Australia Pacific at the Avalon Beach Dojo and Bobbinhead Turramurra Dojo, headed by Sensei Geoff Smith and Sensei Rose Smith, he was an active student, member and Teacher of Hoshin Australia Pacific for 9 years between 2001-2013,
and received a Shodan Grade Black Belt (1st Dan) and Teaching Certificate in the Hoshin Jutsu Ryu.

He has been an active student of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu since 2009, under Shihan Craig Guest in Melbourne, and holds a Nanadan Grade Black Belt (7th Dan) in the style, as well as a Shidoshi License (Teaching License)

He has been an active student and teacher for over 20 years, originally working for Hoshin Jutsu Australia Pacific as a childrens' and teenagers' teacher. He worked as a freelance martial arts teacher in Melbourne at Guests' Martial Arts School across all age groups while establishing the Raining Spirit Dojo in May 2009, running weekly Kids, Teens + Adults classes, initially under the Hoshin Jutsu Aus Pacific banner, then later branching off to form his own interpretation called "12-Phases Hoshinden Jutaijutsu" as the main art-form studied at The Raining Spirit Dojo.

A passion of where oriental philosophy meets western philosophy in context, as well as the physics of movement, classes at the Raining Spirit Dojo are fun and exciting, and you will find Sylph laughing through most of his teaching.

Reeve Leaford sensei

Reeve has been a key member of the teaching staff at The Raining Spirit Dojo since 2012, and has run classes for both groups and individuals across all age ranges (Kids, Teens, Adults) for the past 9 years.

Reeve currently holds a Nidan grade (2nd Dan Black Belt) in 12-Phases Hoshinden Jutaijutsu, and is qualified as a Level 2 Teacher of the art. He has been an active and passionate student of Sylph Dominic sensei since 2010 enjoying now more than 12 years of study.

A fascination of, and natural talent for patterns and forms, Reeve sensei's understanding of principals shines through his interest and study of fundamental Kata (patterns).

Reeve sensei is a key part of the Black-Belt Dan Grade level students who help Sylph Dominic sensei run The Dojo, and manage the expansion of the art, further exploring variations on current techniques and plowing deeper into the fundamental principals of the movements that make things work.

An incredibly important cornerstone of The Raining Spirit Dojo, Reeve takes over Dojo Administration in Sensei's absence, and co-runs The Dojo with the other black belt students when Sensei is away for extended adventures overseas.

Steven Leaford sensei

Steven is a class Teacher at The Dojo, and has been a member of the teaching staff since 2013, after starting his studies at Raining Spirit Dojo in 2010. Steven's long background of martial art studies over many decades include: Aikido, Karate, Hoshin Jutsu and 12-Phases Hoshinden Jutaijutsu.

A passion for sword work (kenjutsu) and the details of technique he is an invaluable member of the Dojo teaching staff and holds a Shodan grade (1st Dan Black Belt) in 12-Phases Hoshinden Jutaijutsu and a Level 1 Teaching Licence. Steven is an instrumental part of The Dojo's expansion and growth over the last 10 years.

He assists Sylph Dominic sensei with Technique creation and in-depth study of the art, as well as class filming and documenting of techniques. Steven sensei can generally be found having fun in his classes. Steven brings a love of technical points and his interests in uncanny modern weapons such as walking cane defense.

Ruari McKinnon sensei

Ruari sensei is a Martial Art Teacher and student who has studied at The Raining Spirit Dojo since 2010.
Alongside the other black-belt students of The Dojo, Ruari plays a crucial role in the direction that The Dojo develops in and he helps prepare other students for their Black Belt exams.

An invaluable member of The Dojo, and the expansion of the art as a whole, he currently holds a Shodan grade (1st Level Black Belt) in 12-Phases Hoshinden Jutaijutsu and a Level 1 Teaching Degree in the art, as well as a Shodan Grade Black Belt in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu (Ninjutsu). He studied Hoshin Jutsu for over 3 years between 2010-2013, in which he holds the rank of Green Belt under the Hoshin Jutsu Australia Pacific system. He also holds a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jui-jutsu.

Ruari is passionate about the real world applications of martial arts including fitness, realistic self defence, self-confidence and physical self-empowerment. A passion for ground-work and martial art skills applied on the ground in street-style fighting scenarios, he brings these skills to The Dojo and writes techniques to help the students gain confidence and skills defending themselves on the ground.