Meet the Instructors
At Mushin Judo we are dedicated to the development of others through the teaching of Judo. We believe a strong community is built through the focus on people and encouraging them to pursue their goals while assisting them along the way. Our greatest hope is to teach others to stand up after they have fallen down.
Joshua Kindelberger is a Godan (5th degree black belt), from Boise and one of the founding members of Mushin Judo and is the instructor for the senior/adult class. He started Judo in 1985 under Michael Campbell (Rokudan, 6th degree black belt), at the beginning of the school year, as he entered the 4th grade. Josh and his brother Jason wanted to take Karate and their Dad, Harry Kindelberger, took them to Judo instead. Josh became a lifelong student of Judo as a member of the Capitol Judo Club and now, Mushin Judo.
Since he started teaching in 1996, Josh has focused on the students of Judo, to ensure they develop as people, mentally and physically, as intended by Jigoro Kano. This included an opportunity to teach in Cape Verde, Africa from October 2000 to February 2001, when Josh was only a Nidan (2nd degree black belt). Josh also had the opportunity to teach Judo in Madagascar with his youngest brother Brandon in September 2022, at La Porte Judo Club. Josh started the kids class in 2008, which has grown to include the intermediate level students and he also started the Kata class, which he shares in the teaching with Ben Ott Sensei. Josh holds certifications in teaching and coaching from the United States Judo Federation (USJF), and is the Director of Development for USJF. Josh loves Judo and he loves to see what Judo does for others, as they grow and learn about themselves. |
Ben Ott Sensei is the instructor for the family class for Mushin Judo and currently a Godan (5th degree black belt). He started practicing Judo in 1989 in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was a student of Eiko Shepherd (8th Dan). Throughout Ben’s career, he has competed nationally both in Shiai and Kata, and this knowledge is evident in the lessons he gives.
With respect to Ben’s credentials, he is a certified class A Kata Instructor in all seven Kodokan Kata through USJF. He has been the Intermountain Yudanshakai Kata Chair since 2013. On 4/14/2023 Ben became the USJF National Kata Chair, after serving in the capacity as Vice Chair since 2021. Due to Ben’s knowledge and recognition of expertise in Kata, he has been the head Kata clinician at State, Regional and National level. Ben is actively involved with the development of others and the nurturing of new students. He is a wonderful teacher, a great mentor and he encompasses the values of USJF in his daily life and in the dojo. Ben is a professional teacher with the Boise School district, and he has been a science teacher since the year 2000. He has a selfless approach to sharing his knowledge of Judo and life. This is notable in the club, and other aspects of Judo, with the intent to have a positive impact on others. |