Instructors

Joshua Noro Polier is our main instructor. A native New Yorker, he has been an active student in the martial arts since he began training in Kodokan Judo at the age of four. Joshua has been training in the Bujinkan since 1991.

Joshua's experience of studying all over the world, under many instructors, has influenced and complimented his understanding of the Bujinkan art. Some of the instructors Joshua has trained with are: Arnaud Cousergue in France; Regina Brice from Ohio; Jack Hoban in New Jersey, Kacem Zoughari and Ishizuka Sensei in Japan. His quest for the best instruction available has brought him all over the USA, to Italy, to France, to Canada and of course to Japan.

Joshua's first trip to Japan for training was in 1992 for 2 months. More recently Joshua travels to Japan for training about twice a year. Joshua received his Shidoshi Menkyo (teaching license) from Hatsumi Soke in 2000.

Outside of the dojo, Joshua strives for balance by pursuing the healing arts; Joshua is a practicing NY State Licensed Massage Therapist and a student of wellness, health and spirituality.

Assistant Instructors

Koji Igarashi began his martial arts training at the age of 12 in Japan. For many years he enthusiastically trained in Shotokan Karate and participated in various Karate competitions. In 2002, Mr Igarashi came to NYC to study for his MBA at Columbia University. For much of a year he did an extensive search to find a martial arts school to continue his studies in Budo. In 2003 he found the school he had been looking for and formally began training in the Bujinkan with Shidoshi Joshua Noro Polier. Mr Igarashi has been back to Japan several times for training at the Hombu dojo and with various respected Japanese instructors. Outside of training, Mr. Igarashi works for a financial division of a pharmaceutical company.

David Levy began training in the martial arts at the age of five, with his first experience in Seido karate. In 1998 he began his training in the Bujinkan with Greg Kyle. This is where David was introduced to Joshua Polier who would become his primary instructor and close friend. David also regularly attends seminars and Tai Kai. Some other instructors he has trained with are David Greenberg, Jack Hoban, and Sean Askew. Outside of the martial arts, David is a computer engineer, and a network security enthusiast.

Dae Yoo has been training with Joshua Polier and the Benevolent Heart Dojo since 1998. She has also attended seminars with other instructors within the Bujinkan. Her primary motives for studying Taijutsu were self defense but she soon developed a great appreciation for the basic principles and the subtle movements behind the art. In addition to her interest in martial arts, Dae is also studying Chinese calligraphy and brush painting. She often incorporates the feeling of the martial arts into her paintings and uses the brush as an abstract expression of physical movement. She has done all of the original artwork you see on this website including the shadowed images that truly make her work unique.

Cameron McNair started his formal training in martial arts while attending Princeton University, studying for several years the Korean art of Tang Soo Do, Moo Duk Qwan, achieving the rank of black belt. Cameron joined the Bujinkan dojo in 1999 training under Greg Kyle, David Greenberg and his current instructor, Joshua Polier. Currently holding the rank of black belt in the Bujinkan, he attends Bujinkan seminars and Tai Kai whenever possible. Outside of his interest in all things Japanese, Cameron is employed as a senior director of budgets. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, and playing music in his free time.

Ignacio Cubillan started training in the Bujinkan in 1992, while in high school. Fortunately at this time, Sweden was one of the "capitals" of Bujinkan training in Europe. He has also trained in Venezuela and in the USA. He is trilingual, fluent in Swedish, Spanish and English. Ignacio moved to the US in 2000 and spent a fair amount of time investigating the various dojos in NYC before finding a good match, in the Benevolent Heart Dojo (BHD), for his continued training.

Out of the BHD instructors, Ignacio has perhaps the most dramatic (and likely the most stupid) experience of using his Taijutsu in NYC: Ignacio successfully defended himself at gunpoint in Harlem. His life path, and in contrast his continued enthusiasm for training is a true living testament of "Nin", endurance.