Pacific Self Defense Academy/Esteller Martial Arts

The Pacific Self Defense Academy is a school of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu under the direction of Prof. Chris Nicholas.  We are also proud members of the Pacific Jujitsu Alliance.

Stop in and see what we do.

Prof Chris Nicholas began studying martial arts in 1990 at West Coast Tae Kwon Do in Newark, CA. Six months later he began his training in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu under Professor Bob McKean. He continued with Tae Kwon Do for seven years earning a 2nd Degree Black Belt from Master Ev Pepper while also training in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Chris has also cross trained in Kempo Karate (Tracy Style for 2 years), Kodokan Judo at San Jose State University (2 years), Krav Maga (3 years), Brazilian Jujitsu (3 years), and Kodenkan Bokendo.

Prof Nicholas has been a full time police officer since 1995 and is certified as a law enforcement arrest & control tactics Instructor in both the F.B.I. and Krav Maga law enforcement methods of police defensive tactics. He is currently assigned to the traffic division as a motor officer and is one of his departments arrest & control instructors and is a former Firearms Instructor.

Chris is one of the original students of the K.I.T.W. combat knife fighting course developed by the late Professor Bob Krull and Professor Bob McKean in 1993. Chris has participated as a student, basic instructor and advanced instructor in these courses for the past 15 years. In 2008 Chris was promoted to the title of Master Combat Knife Instructor by Professor Bob McKean and Master Don Richardson.

Chris balances his martial arts training by studying Master Okazaki’s method of restorative massage. He began the basic study of massage with Jill McKean and received additional training from Professors Bob Krull and Bob McKean. Chris is continuing his study of massage with Sensei Robert Korody.

Sensei Nicholas holds the rank of Rokudan (6th degree black belt) in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu under Professor Bob McKean. Chris is a charter member and one of the senior black belts of the Pacific Jujitsu Alliance.  Chris is also an active member of the Kilohana Martial Arts Association and a Former member of Jujitsu America and the American Judo & Jujitsu Federation.