News and Articles

Martial artist teaches leadership, self-respect

Date: 26 March, 2010

Matt Woodard has protected a Nobel Prize winner, a president’s wife and other personalities, but his ability to defend public figures comes from knowledge and inner peace, not a desire for conflict.

Woodard is a trained ninja who now shares his expertise and wisdom with Moorpark residents at Woodard’s Todai Dojo family selfdefense academy.

Todai Dojo means “light house” in Japanese. The martial arts guide people to a safe heaven, said Woodard, who thought of the name when the pastor of the church he attends challenged his congregation to be a “light in the world.”

“Martial art is much more than punching and kicking. It’s about being a leader in all areas of your life,” Woodard said, who teaches Budo Taijutsu, a Japanese martial art used by ninjas for 900 years

Martial arts is a discipline that teaches individuals how to carry themselves, Woodard said. It’s not militaristic but it’s consistent.

Woodard grew up in a small Ohio town and began taking martial arts classes when he was five. “I was an active boy, so my parents wanted to direct my energy toward something positive,” he said. By age nine, Woodard already knew he wanted to use his skills professionally.

Before he became a martial arts instructor, Woodard worked as a police officer in Cincinnati, Ohio for seven years. He also worked as an executive protection specialist, protecting world leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Barbara Bush and William Bennett.

Woodard’s experiences with the Dalai Lama were insightful, he said, especially when the two discussed religion. “I got to learn a lot about the Buddhist philosophy and their life of acceptance of all sorts of things,” said Woodard. As a Christian, Woodard believes in the Bible and Jesus Christ, but the Dalai Lama believes that all religions have validity in their own fashion and all increase a person’s ability to persevere.

“It’s not like there is one common truth in his idea. Everyone has the opportunity to believe what they want to believe,” Woodard said.

Woodard protected the Dalai Lama several times because the Dalai Lama always requested a unit of trained ninjas as part of his bodyguard team when he came to the U.S.

The exiled leader’s simplicity also touched Woodard. “What I enjoyed the most about him and being around him, is that he approached us as family,” he said. The Dalai Lama would invite the bodyguards to join him for dinner.

Currently, Woodard, the father of four teenagers, has settled down in Moorpark and shares his skills with about 250 students.

Woodard looks forward to expanding his academy to nearby towns. J.P. Durrer, 35, a 16-year karate student who works with Woodard, will serve as chief instructor in the next Todai Dojo academy, which Woodard plans to open in the Agoura/Westlake area soon. Woodard has been a powerful personal mentor for both business and personal matters, said Durrer.

Vicki, Woodard’s wife, also works at the academy. She is the highest ranking female Ninjustu artist in Southern California. “It’s practical self defense and it’s wonderful for women. Ninjutsu is about being smarter, not faster,” said Vicki Woodard, adding students of all abilities and ages can learn the art.

The Moorpark facility serves students at all levels, from beginner to advanced. A black belt can be earned at the academy in about two-and-a-half to three years, but black belts are only the beginning of another round of learning.

“People here develop into leaders at home, school and work,” said Woodard.

Woodard continues to refine his knowledge. He goes to Japan once a year for about a month to learn from the masters.

Woodard’s Todai Dojo is at 6685 Princeton Ave., Moorpark. For information about classes, call (805) 532-1794.