Ranks

Yondan - Jun Dairi Kyoju - 4th Degree Black Belt - Daito Ryu Aikijujijtsu Roppokai - Okamoto Seigo

Godan - 5th Degree Black Belt - Goshin Budo Jujitsu - Shihan Robert Hansen

Sensei Joe Brogna also studied the following Japanese Jujitsu systems of the Kokusai Jujitsu Renmei under Shihan Robert Hansen:

Asayama Ichiden-Ryu, Hontai Takagi Yoshin Ryu, Kukishinden Ryu Hanbo-jitsu

Training History

Sensei Joe Brogna began his training in Goshin Budo Jujitsu in 1991, under the tutelage of Shihan Robert Hansen. He continued to train under Shihan Hansen until December 2006, when he began construction of the Popkin Brogna Self Defense Center.

In 1998, Howard Popkin brought Seigo Okamoto, Soshi of the Daito Ryu Aikijujitsu Roppokai, to NY to teach a seminar. Joe was immediately intrigued with the skills and techniques of Okamoto Sensei. During that same seminar, Joe had the opportunity to work with Ole Kingston, Okamoto's top non-Japanese student. Ole's ability to off balance Joe at will, regardless of being paraplegic, sealed his decision to pursue the Roppokai. Later that year, Joe joined the New York Roppokai study group, under the leadership of Howard Popkin. At that time, the study group was in Howard's parents' garage and classes were held 4 days a week.

Okamoto Sensei would come to New York 3-4 times a year to teach his art. These in depth seminars took place over 4-5 days, lasting 3 hours per night on the weekdays and 7-8 hours on the weekend. When Sensei Popkin moved to Japan in 2000 for 3 months, Sensei Brogna assisted running the New York Roppokai branch.

On January 14, 2006, the Popkin-Brogna Self Defense Center had its official grand opening. The main focus of their instruction was Goshin Budo Jujitsu and Daito Ryu Aikijujitsu Roppokai. Sensei Brogna and Popkin continued to diligently practice Okamoto's techniques.

In October 2007, Sensei Brogna earned his Okugi San Dan and was given the 1st transmission scroll of Daito Ryu. In July 2009, Sensei Brogna earned his Yondan - Jun Dairi Kyoju - 4th Degree Black Belt in Daito Ryu Aikijujijtsu Roppokai.

In October 2010, Senseis Popkin & Brogna respectfully resigned from the Roppokai due to political reasons. Later that same year, Senseis Popkin and Brogna began laying the foundation of what would become the Daito Ryu Aikijujitsu Ginjukai.

In October 2009, at the suggestion of Howard, Joe attended an internal energy seminar taught by Dan Harden. Joe found Dan's approach to internal energy development to be an essential addition to his studies. Joe is currently a student of Dan Harden.