Daryl Pennington is the head instructor of the Golden Phoenix, the school that sponsors this web site and the products and services offered on it. He started the school in Minturn, Colorado, in 1993 and has since moved to the Recreation Center in Avon, Colorado.

Daryl Pennington is one of a small group of Yawara Kai still actively teaching Matsuyama Ryu. Pennington began his study of the martial arts under Frank Goody in 1971. He was initiated into the Yawara Kai in 1976. Though he achieved master's rank in Shin Go Ju Ryu Karate, Nagai Ryu Jujitsu, and Wu Tai Chi Chuan, his main interest was always Yawara.

Because Yawara is an uncompromising fighting art, it was taught only to a select few for many years. In 1996, Pennington, concerned for the future of this warrior art, began teaching Yawara openly to the public.

The only active Yawara Kai in the world at this time are:

Heinz Schlue

Norm Rose

Art Doris

Red Doris

Steve McDanal

Dan Huizinga

Mike Hamel

Joe Romero

Jeff Myers

Mark Nothdurft

Daryl Pennington

Special thanks to Art and Red Doris, Dan Huizinga, Mark Nothdurft, Steve McDanal, and Mike Hamel for their interest and efforts to keep this rare art alive.

Daryl Pennington currently holds the rank of 5th Dan in karate and Jujitsu, and is ranked 6th Dan in Matsuyama Ryu Yawara. Pennington currently teaches Yawara Jitsu at the Avon Recreation Center, in Avon, Colorado. He can be reached at (970) 748-4060.