Our Martial Arts Academies
What began as informal training sessions with a small group of friends eventually developed into established martial arts academies serving Coventry and Leamington Spa.
Our first full-time academy opened in rented premises in 2005. In 2010, we moved into our own purpose-equipped premises in Holbrooks, Coventry, providing approximately 5,500 square feet of training space, including a boxing ring, full-size training cage, extensive matted areas and fitness facilities.
Today, Gracie Barra Holbrooks Coventry operates under the leadership of my son, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.
In November 2025, our family expanded its martial arts activities with the opening of a second full-time academy, Gracie Barra Leamington Spa. Occupying the second and third floors of its building, the academy includes dedicated training areas, separate changing facilities, showers and a comfortable coffee and seating area.
Together, the two academies provide opportunities for people to train in a welcoming, purpose-equipped environment.
Gracie Barra Holbrooks Coventry: https://graciebarraholbrookscoventry.co.uk/
Gracie Barra Leamington Spa: https://graciebarraleamingtonspa.co.uk/
Martial Arts
A Lifetime of Learning, Teaching and Sharing Knowledge
Lakhvinder S. Madahar
My interest in martial arts began as a young boy in the 1960s, long before I understood what martial arts really were. Television programmes such as The Avengers, Batman and later Kung Fu, starring David Carradine, captured my imagination. Like many youngsters of my generation, I was fascinated by the mysterious abilities associated with karate and the black belt.
During my childhood in Punjab, India, I regularly played kabaddi and experienced traditional Indian wrestling, known as kushti. After returning to England in 1972, I received my first formal introduction to Judo through school lessons. By 1974, having settled in Coventry, I began training regularly, eventually progressing into Shotokan Karate and Shaolin Mok Gar Kung Fu.
The films of Bruce Lee had a profound influence on me. What fascinated me was not simply his speed or physical ability, but the way his movements appeared to bring together different fighting methods. I began to realise that no single martial art seemed to contain everything I wanted to learn. This curiosity would shape my approach to martial arts for the rest of my life.
Discovering Filipino Martial Arts
My interest in the nunchaku and the double sticks used by Bruce Lee eventually introduced me to Filipino Martial Arts, including Kali, Eskrima and Arnis. At the time, very few people in Britain were familiar with these systems, and much of my early learning came through books, magazines and instructional films.
In September 1979, I had the opportunity to see Dan Inosanto and Jeff Imada demonstrate Filipino Martial Arts in Birmingham. That experience opened my eyes to an entirely new world of movement, techniques and possibilities.
Over the following decades, I continued to develop my knowledge through seminars, workshops and training with respected instructors, including Dan Inosanto, Bob Breen, Larry Hartsell, Erik Paulson, Rick Faye, Mark McFann and Ron Balicki.
My training has included Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Combat Submission Wrestling, alongside my earlier traditional martial arts background.
I have earned black belt qualifications in Filipino Martial Arts, including Warriors Eskrima and Rapado Escrima, and achieved Level 4 Advanced certification through training with Ron Balicki.
From a Garage to a Martial Arts Academy
My teaching journey began modestly, initially sharing what I had learned with friends. An early attempt to establish Filipino Martial Arts classes met with limited success, largely because few people understood what the art involved.
I later began teaching friends in my garage, without charge. Gradually, the group grew until the garage was no longer large enough, and I began hiring halls to accommodate the students.
During the 1990s, I expanded into teaching Muay Thai alongside Filipino Martial Arts. This eventually led to teaching opportunities at Coventry University and the University of Warwick.
I taught at Coventry University for approximately ten years and at the University of Warwick for more than twenty-five years. Some university sessions attracted over a hundred students, with my largest class reaching 167 participants.
I also began organising seminars in Coventry, bringing respected international instructors to the city and giving local martial artists opportunities to experience different systems and approaches.
In 2005, I established a full-time martial arts academy in rented premises. In 2010, I acquired a larger, purpose-equipped training facility of approximately 5,500 square feet.
Today, the academy operates as Gracie Barra Holbrooks Coventry, under the leadership of my son, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. I remain actively involved in teaching and sharing the knowledge accumulated over more than five decades.
Along the way, I have received martial arts Hall of Fame recognition and performed demonstrations at martial arts events, including the UK Martial Arts Show.
Private One-to-One Tuition
I offer private one-to-one instruction in Filipino Martial Arts (Kali, Eskrima and Arnis) in Coventry.
Whether you are a beginner wishing to explore Filipino Martial Arts or an experienced practitioner interested in developing additional skills, tuition can be adapted to your experience, interests and training goals.
Areas of study may include:
Single-stick and double-stick techniques
Stick-and-dagger methods
Footwork, coordination and movement
Empty-hand applications and trapping
Partner drills, sensitivity and flow exercises
Technical understanding and the relationships between different Filipino Martial Arts methods
My approach is based on developing sound fundamentals, practical understanding and the ability to continue learning independently.
Private tuition is available by arrangement.
Please contact me to discuss your experience, interests and lesson availability.
Training at Gracie Barra Holbrooks Coventry
For those interested in regular group training, our family academy offers classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and Combat Submission Wrestling.
The academy provides a dedicated training environment for beginners, recreational practitioners and experienced martial artists.
Visit Gracie Barra Holbrooks Coventry
https://graciebarraholbrookscoventry.co.uk/
A Journey That Continues
Looking back, martial arts has been part of my life for more than fifty years. During that time, I have experienced the excitement of discovering new skills, the challenges of teaching, the responsibilities of raising a family and the satisfaction of watching students develop their own abilities.
Not everything has gone according to plan. Some ambitions changed, opportunities were missed, and there were times when earning a living and supporting my family had to take priority over training.
But my interest in martial arts never disappeared.
Today, alongside teaching, I continue to pursue my interests in writing and art, including work on a book exploring the Filipino nunchaku, known as the Tabak Toyok.
For me, martial arts has never been simply about earning belts or collecting qualifications. It has been a lifelong process of learning, questioning, practising and sharing what I have discovered.
And that journey continues.
