Our Journey
so far...
Martial Journey is a family business. We started small in Jan 2005, operating out of scout halls dotted around Melbourne. We have been part of the Point Cook and Wyndham community since Jan 2007 and established our full-time dojo on Wallace Ave in Oct 2009.
We're a premium dojo, attracting students from all over Melbourne; some students travelling from as far away as Shepparton, Knoxfield, Malvern, and Geelong. Our strong retention rates and the quality of our students speak to the success of what we do.
Our Story
by Cindy Chong
Chris had been teaching martial arts since 1991 while also working as a chef. I joined his classes at Swinburne Uni in 2000, which was how we met. We married in 2003, welcomed our daughter in 2004, launched Martial Journey in 2005, and were blessed with our son in 2006.
As an instructor at his previous school, Chris became frustrated by the constraints of tradition. Modifying techniques, even to improve efficiency or reduce injuries, risked compromising the original form. While he holds deep respect for the traditions that have shaped martial arts over centuries, he felt it was important for techniques to remain relevant and meaningful in a modern context. With this in mind, he began establishing the foundations of Issei Ryu Bujutsu.
We started Martial Journey with $5K and a lot of heart. In the early days, we travelled from scout halls to church halls with an A-frame sign and a wagon full of mats; juggling parenting with microwave meals and a port-a-cot stuffed with toys. We didn’t have much, but we were determined to be as professional as possible; arriving early to sweep the floors, lay out the mats, and set up the tea and coffee station. We worked hard on our syllabus, continually raising the bar.
Of all our locations, Point Cook grew the fastest and showed the most potential. We outgrew Jamieson Way Community Centre in under two years, and the Point Cook Town Centre room in just six months. In 2009, we committed to a full-time space on Wallace Ave, and it’s been home to our dojo ever since.
Our dojo has spacious training areas, comfortable lounges, and a cosy vibe; but that is mostly presentation. What made us special in the beginning still makes us special today. Students come and go; some return and stay. Many team members have been part of our journey, each contributing something that’s made us better. We are in a privileged position to witness our students grow and excel. It's a joy to raise our kids along side yours. There is immeasurable pride in seeing our instructing team inspire the next generation of students, especially when we remember them as children. We set out to teach martial arts, but along the way we’ve surrounded ourselves with a supportive dojo family that motivates us every day.