Following a life dedicated to the martial arts, Kevin Pell turned professional and founded his own school of Ju Jitsu on the 9th of January 1990 – and named it “Ishin Ryu” (One Heart/Mind School) based in his then home town of Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, England.

From its humble beginnings, with just 7 adults training on the first night, this no nonsense style of Jiu Jitsu (jiujitsu), has today become not only a “National Governing Body”, but one of the largest independent martial art organisations in England.

Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu is the culmination of over 60 years of Kevin Pell’s martial arts experience and “cross-training” (a term virtually unheard of in his early pioneering days) in the arts of Ju Jutsu, Shorinji-Kempo, Judo, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Iaido, Escrima and Kyokoshin Karate.

Ju Jitsu is a Japanese martial art and translates as “the gentle way”. The emphasis is on using an opponent’s strength and weight against them. 

Ishin Ryu jiujitsu is a modern and constantly evolving martial art, yet the system proudly embraces the best of its Japanese heritage and traditions.

The school  currently has in excess of 1000 students, both Infants (4 – 7 years) Juniors (8 – 12 years) Teenagers (13 – 15 years) and Adults (16 – 80 years) training regularly in separate classes throughout its clubs in England.