After attending a seminar in Hilton Head with
Sensei Rck McElroy, Mark became intrigued with
Wing Chun Kung Fu and a seminar with Sifu
Francis Fong from Atlanta. He began training with
Sifu Fong at Francis Fong martial Arts Academy in
Kali. He returned to Hilton head to attend Kali. He
returned to Hilton head to attend a seminar with
Sifu Francis Fong from Atlanta. He began training
with Sifu Fong at Francis Fong martial Arts
Academy in Altlanta, traveling back and forth
several weekends a month. He was also able to
attend the Southeastern Martial Arts Conferences
hosted by Sifu Fong. Mark met and began training
with Sifu/Guro Dan Inosanto, training partner and
protege’ of Bruce Lee in the arts of Jun Fan Gung
Fu/Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino Martial Arts. In
1999, Mark was accepted into the instructor
training program in both arts.
Sensei Rck McElroy, Mark became intrigued with
Wing Chun Kung Fu and a seminar with Sifu
Francis Fong from Atlanta. He began training with
Sifu Fong at Francis Fong martial Arts Academy in
Kali. He returned to Hilton head to attend Kali. He
returned to Hilton head to attend a seminar with
Sifu Francis Fong from Atlanta. He began training
with Sifu Fong at Francis Fong martial Arts
Academy in Altlanta, traveling back and forth
several weekends a month. He was also able to
attend the Southeastern Martial Arts Conferences
hosted by Sifu Fong. Mark met and began training
with Sifu/Guro Dan Inosanto, training partner and
protege’ of Bruce Lee in the arts of Jun Fan Gung
Fu/Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino Martial Arts. In
1999, Mark was accepted into the instructor
training program in both arts.
| Mark Mills Owner and Chief Instructor |
Mark Mills began training in karate as a teenager in
the mid-1970’s. He trained sporadically during the
next few years as he built up a separate business,
Muffler Works, expanding it to three locations in
the Columbia and Lexington area. In 1988 he
returned to training and teaching, earning Black
Belts in Karate under Sensei Michael Guy and in
Shinto-Yoshin Ryu Jiu-Jitsu under Hanshi Ridgley
Abele, Tachi troy Price and Kyoshi Steven
Roensch.
the mid-1970’s. He trained sporadically during the
next few years as he built up a separate business,
Muffler Works, expanding it to three locations in
the Columbia and Lexington area. In 1988 he
returned to training and teaching, earning Black
Belts in Karate under Sensei Michael Guy and in
Shinto-Yoshin Ryu Jiu-Jitsu under Hanshi Ridgley
Abele, Tachi troy Price and Kyoshi Steven
Roensch.
Mark also began training in Muay Thai Kick Boxing with Ajarn Chai, founder and
president of the Muay Thai Association of the United States. He passed his the grueling
instructor test in Muay Thai in 1998.
president of the Muay Thai Association of the United States. He passed his the grueling
instructor test in Muay Thai in 1998.
Through training with Sifu Fong and Guro Dan, Mark was introduced and trained with
many notable instructors, including: Erik Paulson (former Light-Heavyweight Shoot
World Champion), Shooto Instructor Sensei Yori Nakumora,; Jean Jacques, Rigan,
John and Carlos Machado; Rickson, Royce and Relson Gracie: Sifu Larry Hartsell (an
original student of Bruce Lee); Silat Instructor Pendakars Paul and Victor de Thours;
Pekiti Tersia Instructor Bill McGrath; Sensei/Sifu/Guros Lavonne Martin and Tony
Palermo as well as countless other students and instructors.
many notable instructors, including: Erik Paulson (former Light-Heavyweight Shoot
World Champion), Shooto Instructor Sensei Yori Nakumora,; Jean Jacques, Rigan,
John and Carlos Machado; Rickson, Royce and Relson Gracie: Sifu Larry Hartsell (an
original student of Bruce Lee); Silat Instructor Pendakars Paul and Victor de Thours;
Pekiti Tersia Instructor Bill McGrath; Sensei/Sifu/Guros Lavonne Martin and Tony
Palermo as well as countless other students and instructors.
| Tonya and Sifu Mills |
| Sifu Mills, Brianna, Tonya, and Zeta |
| Sensei Erik Paulson and Sifu Mills |
Mark’s passion for training and sharing the knowledge and
benefits of martial arts led him to start a small school in West
Columbia in 1995. Four years later, the school grew and moved to
a 2500 square foot location. In 2007, the new Columbia Martial
Arts & Fitness Center opened just outside of West Columbia. This
is a 5000 square foot facility dedicated specifically to martial and
fitness training. It features three separate training areas with over
3000 square foot of mat space. The primary goal is to bring
together the best instructors tin the area and offer world class
training to residents of the midlands.
benefits of martial arts led him to start a small school in West
Columbia in 1995. Four years later, the school grew and moved to
a 2500 square foot location. In 2007, the new Columbia Martial
Arts & Fitness Center opened just outside of West Columbia. This
is a 5000 square foot facility dedicated specifically to martial and
fitness training. It features three separate training areas with over
3000 square foot of mat space. The primary goal is to bring
together the best instructors tin the area and offer world class
training to residents of the midlands.
| Guro Dan Inosanto, Sifu Mills and Instructors Keith, Kristi and Damon |
Sifu Mark Mills is a Certified Instructor in Jeet Kune Do and Filipino
Martial Arts under Dan Inosanto, training partner and protege’ of
Bruce Lee. He is a Certified Instructor in Wing Chun Kung Fu under
Sifu Francis Fong. Wing Chun is the only system that Bruce Lee
formally studied. Sifu Mills is also a Certified Instructor in Muay Thai
Kick Boxing under Ajarn Chai, president of the Muay Thai Association
of the US. He is an instructor in Erik Paulson’s Combat Submission
Wrestling system. Sifu Mills holds Black Belts in Karate and Shinto-
Yoshin Ryu Jiu-Jitsu. He holds Purple Belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under
Royce Gracie and Carlos Machado.
Martial Arts under Dan Inosanto, training partner and protege’ of
Bruce Lee. He is a Certified Instructor in Wing Chun Kung Fu under
Sifu Francis Fong. Wing Chun is the only system that Bruce Lee
formally studied. Sifu Mills is also a Certified Instructor in Muay Thai
Kick Boxing under Ajarn Chai, president of the Muay Thai Association
of the US. He is an instructor in Erik Paulson’s Combat Submission
Wrestling system. Sifu Mills holds Black Belts in Karate and Shinto-
Yoshin Ryu Jiu-Jitsu. He holds Purple Belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under
Royce Gracie and Carlos Machado.
| Sifu Mills, Master Ajarn Chai, Anthony and Keith |
| Matt Sera and Sifu Mills |
| Sifu Mills and Royce Gracie |
| Copyright, Columbia Martial Arts and Fitness |
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Instructors
"The arts that we teach – particularly Jun Fan Gung Fu/JKD,
Wing Chun, BJJ/Submission Grappling and Filipino Martial Arts
require much more than just knowledge of techniques – they
require understanding. As Guro Dan Inosanto has said many
times – “you can give knowledge but you cannot give
understanding”. Understanding requires research and thought
– this makes the art or technique yours. Many people
misinterpret martial arts as a list or compilation of techniques
and this may be true for some arts. All of the instructors at
CMA&F have demonstrated a willingness to explore, question
and strive for a deeper understanding – then gone further in
trying to help others understand as well."
Wing Chun, BJJ/Submission Grappling and Filipino Martial Arts
require much more than just knowledge of techniques – they
require understanding. As Guro Dan Inosanto has said many
times – “you can give knowledge but you cannot give
understanding”. Understanding requires research and thought
– this makes the art or technique yours. Many people
misinterpret martial arts as a list or compilation of techniques
and this may be true for some arts. All of the instructors at
CMA&F have demonstrated a willingness to explore, question
and strive for a deeper understanding – then gone further in
trying to help others understand as well."
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