From The East Hampton Star, East Hampton, NY.

Mark Tuthill, who oversees a martial arts studio on Three Mile Harbor Road in East Hampton, recenly taught the techniques of Small Circle Ju Jitsu with his mentor, Ed Melaugh of Boston, in the Czech Republic.

They were told, said Tuthill, "That we were the first Americans ever to teach Ju Jitsu there." The sessions, in Istrava, were attended by students from Poland, Austria, Germany, and Slovakia as well as from the host country.

Tuthill described Small Circle Ju Jitsu, developed by Professor Wally Jay, an 84-year-old Hawaiian martial artist now living in Oakland California, as "a series of very efficeint joint-locking techniques using the body's pressure points in order to conmtrol an assailant wielding a gun, knife, or club. It's very street-oriented."

"The beauty of Small Circle Ju Jitsu," Tuthill continued, "is that, unlike karate, you're not out to wreck the attacker, but control him."

Tuthill has increasinlgy been giving seminars throughout the United States. He has trips planned soon to Portland Oregon, Oakland, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.

— Jack Graves

Sensei Tuthill had the honor of having Professor Wally Jay visit his dojo, Long Island Small Circle Jujitsu™ after the seminar. He was accompanied by Mrs. Jay, Ron Ogi, Chris Peterson, and Rob Gale. All of them came from the West Coast.

Ron Ogi came the furthest as he lives in Hawaii. It was great having Professor Jay here at our dojo to see what he has created. There were plenty of photos taken which can be seen in our photo gallery.

Owner and head instructor of Mark Tuthill's Martial Arts Center of East Hampton was recently honored on his last trip to California by becoming a Goodwill Ambassador of Small Circle Jujitsu International™.

He was given the award by two time Black Belt Hall of Famer, Professor Wally Jay at the Small Circle Jujitsu’s 2000 Convention. The Convention consisted of three days of training clinics given by some of the top instructors from around the world. Over 300 students of the martial arts attended this event, where Sensei Tuthill was a featured Instructor. Sensei Tuthill is heading back to California in October to teach at Professor Wally Jay’s home dojo. Tuthill will be teaching there with one of the inheritors of Small Circle, Ed Melaugh of Boston. Tuthill and Melaugh will teach in California for two days, then fly to Portland, Oregon for another seminar. Later in the month Tuthill will be teaching in Indianapolis for another 3 day seminar. Sensei Tuthill teaches in Indianapolis at least four times every year.

WE WILL BE CLOSED MARCH 29th - APRIL 2nd