Our Instructors

Meet the dedicated mentors guiding your path.

Owner, head instructor Blue Lantern Martial Arts: SWC
Sifu Dane Griffith

Sifu Dane Griffith, owner and head instructor

Sifu Dane Griffith is the owner and head instructor of Blue Lantern Martial Arts in Elsmere, Kentucky. He holds a 3rd Degree Black Sash (Saam Dyuhn) in the Shaolin Wing Chun system and is a Ving Tsun Museum Certified Instructor.

His teaching is based on the Shaolin Halls system blended with a strong personal Norse  philosophy of self-reliance, personal responsibility, truth, honor, courage, and perseverance. The  making his academy a one-of-a-kind experience.

In Old Norse society, most famously the Viking warriors, valiant men who exert a good influence were called drengr. A drengr possessed bravery, nobility, magnanimity, a sense of fair play, respect for others, the strength to do what is right, and a sense of personal honor. Physical bravery and living a bold life was taken for granted. More important was self-control. A drengr showed equanimity in the face of danger, not because of insensitivity or stupidity, but because the danger and the possible risk to life and limb was unimportant compared to the need to maintain self-respect and the respect of the community.
 
This Norse concept of "honor" and of a "good name" and the extraordinary lengths to which a Norseman went in order to protect his good name require a far lengthier explanation than can be given here. In part, that's because similar concepts don't exist in modern western culture. It's too easy to shrug and say "whatever."
 
That is not what is taught by Sifu Griffith.
 
"The coward believes he will live foreverIf he holds back in the battle, But in old age he shall have no peaceThough spears have spared his limbs."
- Hávamál 16
 
The Drengskapr code and the Chinese concept of Wu De, the concept of "morality of deed" and "morality of mind" and living the "kung fu life" mesh together perfectly to form a rational, morally sound and compassionate human being capable of defending themselves and others.
 

He is passionate about leading the life of a Skald, a warrior, poet, and scholar. He is a master of lore in Norse and Slavic mythology and a fan of Chinese Wuxia (武俠). This blend of interests led him to found the Bluegrass Jomsvikings, a combat and entertainment troupe that combines Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) with Traditional Chinese Martial Arts (TCMA) for theatrical skits at local events.

 

Sifu Griffith's martial arts lineage is both deep and prestigious. He is a fourth-generation disciple of the legendary Yip Man and a third-generation disciple of his Sigung, Grand Master Benny Meng. His direct Sifu is Master John Lambert, a Hall of Fame inductee at the Ving Tsun Museum. Under Master Lambert's guidance, Sifu Griffith has excelled in competition, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals in forms and sparring at various tournaments. He has competed at The Arnold Schwarzenegger "Battle of Columbus" in 2019 and 2023, where he won a silver medal in advanced forms.

In 2023, his own students also competed and brought home a collection of gold, silver, and bronze medals. In February 2023, he was certified by the Pan American Wushu Federation as a judge in the Shaolin Wing Chun division and is now a highly sought-after judge for national and local circuits, including the USA Wushu Kung Fu Federation.

 

Sifu Griffith's life is a testament to the "warrior/philosopher" lifestyle, which he teaches through the Three Treasures of Shaolin: Chan, Health, and Combat. This approach is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom. He connects the Norse concept of the Skald, a well-rounded individual who is a philosopher, poet, and warrior, with the core of his teachings.

Sifu Griffith teaches the Shaolin Wing Chun concept of "Harmony of Mind, Body and Spirt". This concept stems from "what I think affects how I feel, and how I feel affects what I do." Thoughts. Feelings. Actions. This can be summed up in the phrase "choose how you feel, choose how you deal." 

During his years after high school and time spent traveling the world with the US Navy, Sifu Griffith experienced a spiritual awakening. He studied Buddhism, Islam (Sufi), Judaism, Hinduism, and finally Asatru, the old Nordic beliefs of his ancestors. In all of these - and many more- traditions he found a common theme: the innate goodness of nature and humanity. Bad people are taught to be bad, no one is born bad. 

Every class begins with meditation, a few moments to clear one's head and prepare the mind for learning.

Harmony of Mind, Body, and Spirit. 

Sifu Griffith's martial arts journey started as a 7th grader in the 1980s, influenced by ninja movies. He began his training in Okinawan Kempo Karate and continued with Guam Kyokushin Karate while serving in the U.S. Navy. After his honorable discharge, he gained a wide range of experiences, from working in new home construction and as a waiter to being a bouncer at a nightclub and even working a summer in a Southern West Virginia coal mine.

Professionally, he is a surgeon's assistant specializing in Da Vinci surgical robotics and works for a prominent oncology practice in Cincinnati.

 He is married and a proud dachshund dad. He lives in a historic Italianate home built in 1886.

 

Meet Our Assistant Instructors

DorothyGreen

Sijei Dorothy Van Huss 

Lohan
Dorothy is the Sijei (Big Sister) of Blue Lantern Martial Arts and is a dedicated Dragon Track, Lohan assistant instructor. She serves as the kwoon office manager as well helps lead the Forms & Weapons Competition Team, and assists with the Mighty Mights Children's Program. She is affectionately known among the students as the "Den Mother".
manishgreen

Sihing Manish Gupta

Lohan
Sihing Manish is a skilled assistant instructor on the Lohan Dragon Track. He provides valuable support to his Sifu and the System and is active in structural support and planning. He assists in instructing the Tai Chi program and brings many years of martial arts experience to the kwoon.
DaisyGreen

Sijei Daisy Vilvens

Black Sash Program (BSC)
Daisy is a dedicated student in the Black Sash Program and is an active member of our Competition Team, helping others prepare for tournaments. Daisy brings a "can do" attitude to the kwoon and is an inspiration to the students. Daisy is a force to be reckoned with and is a source of inspiration for the entire System.
PaulBlue

Sihing Paul Frazier

Black Sash Program, Tiger Team
Paul is a Tiger Track member of our Leadership team. He is a US Army veteran and brings an almost palpable energy to the kwoon and is a natural for leadership of BLMA's Tiger Team competitive fight team. He is in the Black Sash Program and is relentlessly dedicated to excellence.
MarkBlue

Sihing Mark Albert

Black Sash Program, Tiger Team
Mark is a Tiger Track member of our leadership team. He is a USMC veteran and a professional fitness instructor who brings his expertise to the Black Sash Program and the Competition Team. He helps students develop the strength and endurance needed to excel.
AJGreen

Sihing Alex (AJ) Gallagher

Black Sash Program, Tiger Team
AJ is a Tiger Track member of our Leadership team. He is an experienced martial artist and active in the Armored Combat circuits. He is eager to share his expertise with the students. He is an experienced tournament competitor and a welcome addition to our Competition Team.

Our Supportive Community

We are more than just a martial arts school; we are a family. Our students and instructors share a commitment to self-improvement and a love for the art. We believe training should be challenging, rewarding, and fun.

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