About
Empowered Martial Arts Academy - Springfield offers classes in Preschool Martial Arts, Kids Martial Arts for ages 6–7 and 8–12, Teen Martial Arts, Adult Martial Arts, Adult Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, American Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and hand-to-hand combatives. The program also includes training in Shorin Ruy, Wing Chun, Kyuki-Do, Tang Soo Do, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, BKF Kenpo, Shudo Kan, Goju Shorei Kifaru, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Kifaru Karate, Krav Maga, and Muay Thai Kickboxing. Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothes suitable for sports and to bring a water bottle to classes.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
Empowered Martial Arts Academy - Springfield has served the Springfield area since 1982. Hanshi John Geyston started teaching martial arts at age 19 in 1982, and in January 2022 he began his 40th year teaching in the martial arts. The academy provides martial arts classes to the Springfield, Pleasant Plains, New Berlnd, Chatham, Sherman, Riveton, Pawnee, Mechanicsburg, Kinkaid, Edinburg, and Taylorville communities.
The leadership team includes Renshi Rick Christie (4th Degree Black Belt), Sensei Mason Christie (2nd Degree Black Belt and blue belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu), Sensei Austin Simmons (2nd Degree Black Belt), Sempai Gage Blevins (assistant instructor), Renshi Zach Hecht (4th Degree Black Belt and head instructor at the Rochester location, and 4th degree black belt in Nippon Ketsugo Ryu Kenpo Jutsu and 2-stripe purple belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu), Sensei Scott Bayles (1st Degree Black Belt), and Hanshi John Geyston (owner and Chief Master Instructor). Hanshi John Geyston is a 9th Degree Black Belt in Nipppn Ketsugo Ryu Kenpo-Jitsu, holds black belt ranking in BKF Kenpo, Shudo Kan, Goju Shorei Kifaru, Nippon Ketsgo Ryu Kenpo Jutsu, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, and Kifaru Karate, is a certified instructor in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and is a certified coach in both Krav Maga and Muay Thai Kickboxing.
Hanshi John Geyston was appointed Soke Sai Dai 3rd Successor and inheritor of the Nippon Ketsugo Ryu Kenpo Jutsu system by his instructor, Grandmaster Larry Hilton, 10th degree and founder of the system. He placed in close to 200 tournaments with over 250 first and second place wins and won 7 Grand Championships. In AAU he fought in the Nationals twice and represented TEAM USA-IL in 1985, 1986, and 1987, and was the only American to win against the Greece team in 1987. He fought full contact kickboxing as a welterweight for the NKA and PKA with a 2–0 record.
Since opening, Empowered Martial Arts Academy - Springfield has stated that it is dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time through martial arts, education, and coaching. The academy states that it strives to provide a safe, comfortable, and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members in Springfield and that it takes pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop, and succeed in their personal goals. The program states that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or experience levels, and that it stands behind a realistic and practical approach. The academy encourages parents to watch their children in kids martial arts lessons and to join adult classes to build a strong family bond.
The Preschool Martial Arts program is described by the academy as a blend of building gross motor skills and having fun, preparing children for school and life. The Kids Martial Arts program is described as teaching self defense and life skills like focus, discipline, and respect, and is referred to as a Child Greatness program. The Teen Martial Arts program is described as focusing on getting teens active and off screens. The Adult Martial Arts program is described as combining fitness with fun and real-world self-defense skills. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program is described as aiming to transform physique, support fitness goals, and teach practical self-defense. The academy states that Springfield members have seen improvements in as little as 7 days and describes the atmosphere as safe, comfortable, and welcoming, with a welcoming family vibe.
One parent testimonial states that the kids curriculum is “the best around” and that a child “will learn self respect, self-discipline and to overcome those hard decisions.” The same testimonial describes the atmosphere as “top notch” with “a welcoming family vibe at the academy,” notes that both the parent and their kids are enrolled because of the “safe environment and high standards that are set,” and describes the instructors as “great with the kids.”
Last updated August 11, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
Empowered Martial Arts Academy - Springfield has served the Springfield area since 1982. Hanshi John Geyston started teaching martial arts at age 19 in 1982, and in January 2022 he began his 40th year teaching in the martial arts. The academy provides martial arts classes to the Springfield, Pleasant Plains, New Berlnd, Chatham, Sherman, Riveton, Pawnee, Mechanicsburg, Kinkaid, Edinburg, and Taylorville communities.
The leadership team includes Renshi Rick Christie (4th Degree Black Belt), Sensei Mason Christie (2nd Degree Black Belt and blue belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu), Sensei Austin Simmons (2nd Degree Black Belt), Sempai Gage Blevins (assistant instructor), Renshi Zach Hecht (4th Degree Black Belt and head instructor at the Rochester location, and 4th degree black belt in Nippon Ketsugo Ryu Kenpo Jutsu and 2-stripe purple belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu), Sensei Scott Bayles (1st Degree Black Belt), and Hanshi John Geyston (owner and Chief Master Instructor). Hanshi John Geyston is a 9th Degree Black Belt in Nipppn Ketsugo Ryu Kenpo-Jitsu, holds black belt ranking in BKF Kenpo, Shudo Kan, Goju Shorei Kifaru, Nippon Ketsgo Ryu Kenpo Jutsu, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, and Kifaru Karate, is a certified instructor in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and is a certified coach in both Krav Maga and Muay Thai Kickboxing.
Hanshi John Geyston was appointed Soke Sai Dai 3rd Successor and inheritor of the Nippon Ketsugo Ryu Kenpo Jutsu system by his instructor, Grandmaster Larry Hilton, 10th degree and founder of the system. He placed in close to 200 tournaments with over 250 first and second place wins and won 7 Grand Championships. In AAU he fought in the Nationals twice and represented TEAM USA-IL in 1985, 1986, and 1987, and was the only American to win against the Greece team in 1987. He fought full contact kickboxing as a welterweight for the NKA and PKA with a 2–0 record.
Since opening, Empowered Martial Arts Academy - Springfield has stated that it is dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time through martial arts, education, and coaching. The academy states that it strives to provide a safe, comfortable, and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members in Springfield and that it takes pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop, and succeed in their personal goals. The program states that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or experience levels, and that it stands behind a realistic and practical approach. The academy encourages parents to watch their children in kids martial arts lessons and to join adult classes to build a strong family bond.
The Preschool Martial Arts program is described by the academy as a blend of building gross motor skills and having fun, preparing children for school and life. The Kids Martial Arts program is described as teaching self defense and life skills like focus, discipline, and respect, and is referred to as a Child Greatness program. The Teen Martial Arts program is described as focusing on getting teens active and off screens. The Adult Martial Arts program is described as combining fitness with fun and real-world self-defense skills. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program is described as aiming to transform physique, support fitness goals, and teach practical self-defense. The academy states that Springfield members have seen improvements in as little as 7 days and describes the atmosphere as safe, comfortable, and welcoming, with a welcoming family vibe.
One parent testimonial states that the kids curriculum is “the best around” and that a child “will learn self respect, self-discipline and to overcome those hard decisions.” The same testimonial describes the atmosphere as “top notch” with “a welcoming family vibe at the academy,” notes that both the parent and their kids are enrolled because of the “safe environment and high standards that are set,” and describes the instructors as “great with the kids.”
Last updated August 11, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.