VAJ-Instructors 

Instructors

Professor Scott Stewart

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Professor Scott is a 9th Dan and the Head Instructor of the VAJ Staten Island dojo in New York. He began his training at age 21 in 1976 under his father, the late Sensei Harold Stewart, who was a student of Professor Vee in the original Vee Jitsu Te-Vee Jitsu Ryu system. After his father’s passing in the late 1980s, Professor Scott continued training under Professor David James (inheritor of the VAJ) and Professor Vee. Today, Professor Scott is one of the most senior-ranked instructors in the Vee Arnis Jitsu system. He is very knowledgeable about the Visitacion Arts and has been inducted into several Hall of Fames. He is also known as a co-host of the long-running martial arts television show, “On The Mat”, which was produced by Shihan Ron Howard on the BCAT network and aired in the New York metropolitan area.

Shihan Erskine Isaac

Shihan Erskine Isaac is a 6^th degree Black Belt in Vee Arnis Jitsu. He is a well versed practitioner with a background in boxing, Kung Fu and wrestling.  He studied American Karate in 1973, in Harlem New York.  In his late teens, he began his studies of Shorin-Ryu Karate under Shihan Scaglione also in New York. He saw the martial arts documentary “ The Warrior Within” which featured Professor Vistitacion and the Vee Jitsu system.  In 1998, Sensei Erskine began his training with Professor David James.  Sensei Erskine has been a senior instructor at the Staten Island dojo, since 2005.

Lady Sensei

Lady Sensei is a 6th-degree Black Belt in the Vee-Arnis-Jitsu system. She also holds a 3rd-degree Black Belt in Ninjutsu under late O’Sensei Ronald Duncan and a 6th-degree Black Belt in the Angelic system under Grand Master Dan McEaddy. She specializes in weaponry and women’s self-defense.  She brings a fresh female perspective to the dojo. Lady Sensei is also a certified verbal de-escalation and non-violent instructor in Behavior Healthcare Services for the city of New York.  She is our first female Black Belt at the Staten Island dojo. She appeared on The History Channel’s Forged in Fire-Knife or Death Show as a blade competitor. In February 2021, she was inducted into Black Belt Magazine’s Hall of Fame as Instructor of the Year.

Shihan Edwin Myers

Shihan Edwin Myers has been a disciple of Vee Arnis Jujitsu School of Self Defense for over twenty-seven years. Early in his journey, he partnered with senior VAJ instructors teaching youth across the five boroughs of New York City.  Today, he remains committed to using the martial arts to mentor young men and financial freedom program for young men in New Jersey.

He is also known as one of our system’s fiercest competitors in Arnis and Escrima stick fighting tournaments; he is especially proud of achieving a spot in the top Australian competitions.

The most recent inspiring transition is working with women’s support groups such as the Women’s Martial Arts Network which promotes training women to overcoming trauma, rebuilding trust and how to remain safe

Lady Felicia

Sensei Felicia Rivers holds the rank of 5th dan and began training at the VAJ dojo at age 48. She became the second female black belt instructor at the Vee Arnis Jitsu Staten Island dojo. She is a retired law enforcement officer and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our students. Our students describe her as warm, enthusiastic, and very supportive when she teaches. Sensei Felicia serves on the executive committee of the Women’s Martial Arts Network and travels throughout New York City and Canada to teach and role model the beauty and strength of women in the arts, inspiring others to train at any age.

Sensei Angel R. Sanchez

Sensei Angel Sanchez began his martial arts training in ninjutsu with O’Sensei Felix Vazquez in the Circle of One System where he achieved the rank of Shodan. Subsequently, he is also ranked Shodan under Marcos Miranda and O’Sensei Hector Rodriguez. He joined the Vee Arnis Jistu system at the Staten Island New York in 2017. He currently holds the rank of 4th degree black belt under Professor Scott Stewart. Sensei Angel is a lifetime martial artist, family man and United States Army veteran. He is proud to have his wife and daughter training alongside him in the Vee Arnis Jitsu system.