IMPORTANT MESSAGE!
We have been growing at a fast rate and to keep it a quality over quantity network we have had to stop all new memberships.  It has become hard to moderate the forum and new memberships in a timely manner. So from now on the only way to join is through an existing member. We thank you in advance for your understanding. We are also undergoing restructuring of our Board of Directors for 2009, a New Logo/Patch, and New Membership Certificates.

Mission Statement:
"We are the Brotherhood of Martial Artists, an organization using a true global forum that was specifically created to share knowledge. BHMA is a true vision in action "where progressive martial minds unite." Forever growing, forever learning, it is martial arts education and support at its best, recognizing that knowledge, not rank is what matters most."

Martialartists: This is intentionally spelled with martial and artists as one word.  We do this because we have successfully brought together the combative and artistic styles in a unique blend of brotherhood to share knowledge.

What are we looking for?
We want people who are willing to contribute, and not just people who want a free certificate. Your certificate is considered null and void if your name isn't on our site. So contribute to the message board or other school in the network. We will never ask for any money so don't fall prey to anyone using our name. Here you must earn your membership by posting on our forum.

What is the credibility of our member certificates?
The credibility of our certificates are backed by each one of our board of directors and our members. So when you have one of our certificates you also have the backing of our members too both high and low rank. We feel all our members should be supporting our certificates and not just the high rank members. We feel all our members are equal. When you join us you must know that you back up our certificates, and what we do here. This is why each certificate says on it that it is backed up by all of our members. So in essence each member's signature is implied on our certificates. They also carry the actual signatures of our Board of Directors. We once again get so much support for what we are doing. Again we don't want any money from you at any time. We just want your knowledge. We are backed up by many organizations and martial artists from all over. So in closing our credibility is in our members, and being in existence for over 5 years as a premiere martial arts educational network that is world wide. You earn our certificates and do not pay for them. Enough said.

Unique Breaking the Mold Membership Certificate. We don't care about rank so we list your time instead.

Here Is How To Join:

1. You must be referred by an existing member.
2. Sign up on our message board. Use your real name. IP Addresses are also tracked. This way we get no keyboard warriors.
3. Introduce yourself to our members on our forum in the appropriate Category. Tell us of your training and more.
4. Send us a copy of your 1st Degree Black Belt Certificate & your current one. This gets rid of the instant grandmasters. If you are under black belt or in a system that has no rank that is okay as well. You don't need to be a black belt to become a member. Beginners are also welcome too. Some styles use titles only. Send Certificates To:  B.H.M.A. PO BOX 92, NORTH DIGHTON, MA  02764
5. Send us a real phone number so we can contact you to confirm your membership if we want to.
6. To get listed on our members section and to get our EARNED MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE you must post a minimum of 100 times.  However legitimate martial artists who are not computer literate may be brought in by current members.

Brotherhood School License:
The brotherhood must recognize the rank of its fellow members. Each certificate carries with it all the members associated with the Brotherhood, as they believe in what we are doing. We will offer free school licenses to all black belts running a school. Once again the credibility is backed by all of our members. There is no official licensing board that exists for this purpose. The credibility is by it's member base. Once again other members must recognize each listed school as officially licensed by the BHMA. As martial artists we know this makes no difference in our abilities to teach, but to an outsider it will help you gain students. I am sure we would all agree. The BHMA is not in martial arts to make money. We are truly in it to promote the arts and it shows. We have gotten so much support for what we are doing.

Why Don't We Sell Patches or Certificates?
People have been asking the board for patches to wear, because they believe in what we are doing. We have elected not to sell patches or certificates so that no one can say we are out to make money. We are true martial artists out to educate, and promote the arts. Please feel free to have our logo made into patches for your school. All we ask is that you let us know, and send us one. Feel free to use it on your page, and link back to us. Remember it is our official logo, and any misuse of it could result in legal action. If a name is not on our member list then they are not a member. We are one of the few out there that charge no money. We could have, and some do. There is nothing wrong with that, because people join them freely. We want to be different, and show that there are no ulterior motives for what we do. If you join you can be proud to be part of a group who are true martial artists. You don't have to be a super fighter, martial arts is more than that. This is what we are about. We recognize that everybody has different interests, and abilities in martial arts. We all should be treated equally. We should all realize that even a beginner has something to offer. We live our lives as martial artists inside, and outside of the dojo. We never put down another style, or martial artist. This is what sets us apart. We help our brothers/sisters when called upon. We wish you all the best, and could talk forever. Thank you for considering us along your path to self-improvement.

OK You Asked For It:
So many people have asked for T-shirts, etc to show their support for what we are doing. We didn't want anyone to think we were out to make money so we elected not to do so. However we have found a service that will do this for us. We make no money off of the sales of the shirts, and ask you to check it out for yourself. All we are doing is spreading the word about the BHMA. If you are a proud member then go ahead and order our official T-Shirts below. We have two for you to choose from. Enjoy.

What does the patch mean?
The patch is a circle to signify the circle of brotherhood. It is never ending, as your quest for knowledge should never end, and the bond of brotherhood shall never end. The red outer circle is the blood spilled by our enemies when our skills are needed to protect ourselves or our loved ones. The dark inner color means to keep our knowledge a secret to all others, but to our brotherhood we share freely. The animals signify the journey of the martial artist who starts out as a tiger, and becomes the ultimate fighting spirit, which is signified by the dragon. The skull in the middle signifies our opponent after our battle. Notice how each animal moves easily through out our opponent.

What does the membership certificate mean?
The Bonsai tree represents the peaceful aspect of martial arts. It also represents rooting. The Samurai warrior represents the dangerous side of martial arts. The martial artist is peaceful until the warrior is called upon. The Samurai is kneeling waiting to be called into battle.

BHMA Members used in Advertisement:
As a member you give us permission to use your likeness, photos, images, logos, videos taking at any BHMA event for the purpose of promoting the BHMA. There will be no financial compensation at any time. No one will be allowed to profit in any way shape or form. If a DVD of an event is taken then a small nominal fee just to cover postage and the cost of DVD can be charged.

BHMA take on rank:
Rank should be given for the following reasons ability, knowledge, and for time in. Of course there are other factors but these reasons are the dominant ones. To us the only fair way across the board is time in grade. As far as ability goes you are limited by your own natural ability. And as far as knowledge goes you are limited by your system. By this some systems have more material than others. So knowledge really isn't fair to match one system to another. However time in grade is fair. And rank is in that system only. You have people who form their own systems and then are instant 10 degree black belts without the time in grade. They mean no one any harm, and have to be recognized in their system only. We still prefer time in grade. They should be given the title of Founder, Soke or Sijo in my eyes, and let the rank follow with time in grade. I would prefer no rank system at all after black belt as it really isn't a fair assessment, nor can one match one instructor's style or school just on rank alone. I think the number of years, as a black belt should be embroidered on your belt, as this is fair across the board. Some people sit on the couch and still go up in rank. This is absurd. You must be continually attending class on a regular basis, and if you are an instructor then you should be teaching on a regular basis. We as a whole should never concern ourselves with someone else's rank as there are many factors from school to school and from style to style. The time in rank varies between schools from 2 years between ranks all the way up to 8th degree and more. Some wait the rank value in years before adding rank. If you were going for 7th then you would have to wait 7 years as a 6th before you are promoted. However 3-5 years seems to be the norm after 3rd Dan. Also school owners, instructors, and students all go up at different time in grades too as they all put in different time & effort. It can be a messy topic. Our feel once again is who cares as long as the arts are moving ahead. Have no ego, be humble, and better the arts. These are the people who will stand out plain and simple. Let us all support one another here at the Brotherhood of Martial Artists.

BHMA Networking how does it work?
Networking is using other members to assist you in helping you run your school, or whatever your needs are. Use their links to contact them. Some members have visited other members such as Mr. Brooks' visit to my dojo. Members of similar styles have become closer. The distance that separates us has been shortened through the internet. We are a world wide network. Through the different contacts that our members have we will go out of our way to help each other by establishing a strong network of martial artists out for the promotion of martial arts and the betterment of our members. Our network allows our members to reach out through their computers to shake the hand of other martial artists from around the world.

BHMA Official Black Belt
Our Black Belt members can wear our official Black Belt to show support for our network. It is a unique belt with a lot of meaning. We have built something here worth being proud of. The belt is black on the entire back, and white on the entire front as shown in our logo. This stands for the journey through white belt to black belt. Only martial artists who have earned black belt rank can purchase one through our official supplier. Contact me once you are a member, and I will give you the details on how to order one. It also shows that even though you are a black belt that you are forever a student. The black and the white also represent total opposites. Just like our members who are on opposite sides of the world, religion, race, etc come together in brotherhood to share knowledge freely with our members. The black goes around your waist, and the straps hang down are in white, to display our Kanji which says Martial Arts Brothers Network in Chinese. On the other side can go your school name, or your name, or nothing at all. It is your choice to wear it or not. Again we make no money off of this. We are just growing as a world wide network out to promote brotherhood in the martial arts. Thanks for your interest. This belt can be bought at Kataaro.  Note that it says it is a Master's Belt. We were the first one to have such a belt made, an they decided to use it, but they give us credit and this belt is for all black belt ranks and not for just master as we don't care about rank just knowledge.

BHMA Instructor Belt for Systems with no ranking

There are many legitimate non ranked systems that offer so much. For these members we offer to them the Official BHMA Instructor Belt which is all Grey. It is a blend of our Official Black Belt for the ranked systems. So Grey makes sense. The kanji and all else remains the same. This belt can be bought at Kataaro. Just contact them and tell them you want the BHMA Kanji, but on the grey belt instead.