A former Chicago Police Department sergeant and detective, Eddie Yoshimura taught self-defense techniques to domestic and international partners between 1986 and 2020. At the same time, Eddie Yoshimura opened the Chicago Fitness Center in 1982, where he applies his skills to educating the public.
Mr. Yoshimura primarily teaches shidokan, which is a combination of karate, kickboxing, and grappling, to the Chicago Police Department, local SWAT team members, and students interested in entering competitions. He also advises members of the Cook County Department of Corrections Special Operations Response Team and Homeland Security departments. His students range in age from 5 to 60 years, and he tailors his classes to both men and women in private and group settings.
To meet the needs of the general public, Mr. Yoshimura also holds classes tailored to specific demographics. His women’s self-defense course accommodates students in industries like health care, air travel, and real estate, adjusting the curriculum to accommodate students with physical disabilities. Meanwhile, children who enroll in Mr. Yoshimura’s Shido-Kids program develop not only flexibility and strength, but also transferrable skills like self-discipline and confidence.