Sensei Jaye Spiro

Jaye Spiro has been involved with anti-violence training for fifty years. She began studying Karate in 1971 seeking survival skills to help her to recover from victimization. She was an early pioneer in the development of self-defense courses for women. Now nationally and internationally known, she has traveled throughout the US and in Europe and Belize teaching instructors how to teach self-defense. She was the first chair of National Women’s Martial Arts Federation and was awarded its highest honor, the Award of Excellence in 2015.

Jaye headed the NWMAF Self-Defense Teacher Certification Committee for ten years. She instructs thousands of individuals each year in safety skills. She was on the first team to offer the Self-Defense Empowerment Model program at the National Women’s Conference. This approach to self-defense emphasizes that survivors are in no way to blame for attacks. It honors the courage survivors have already shown in the face of danger. Empowerment Self-Defense offers many populations who suffer trauma the opportunity to practice simple, effective techniques ranging from verbal to physical to prevent, diffuse and handle potentially volatile situations. Students encouraged to confront their worst fears in a supportive atmosphere and having their growing confidence validated.

Jaye Spiro has directed Mejishi Martial Arts in Detroit, Michigan for over forty four years. The Mejishi community represents and strong and healthy center where students of all backgrounds, ages, abilities and lifestyles grow. Sensei Jaye is a member of the Michigan Karate Hall of Fame, Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors Hall of Fame, recipient of the NWMAF Founders Award in 2012 and Award of Excellence in 2015. Other honors include a ninth degree black belt in Karate and a sixth degree black belt in Arnis and has been declared a Grand Master. She continues to teach and train in martial arts with a smile and love of sharing and discovering this vast knowledge for the welfare and safety of the community.