Sensei Desfosses

Sensei Stephen Desfosses started his lifelong journey in the martial arts in the fall of 1984. This journey started after being introduced by his best friend and talented martial artist and Black Belt John Dunlap to Sensei Lou Demas. Sensei Demas was teaching the Japanese Art of Shotokan Karate-Do at the Taisodokan located on the Wheaton College Campus. Sensei Demas agreed to accept him as a student and he immediately started his training. It was during this time he met another talented Martial Artist, Black Belt and Senior Student Gordon Marshall. Later that fall, due to a broken and dislocated collarbone injury (Non-Martial Arts Injury) Sensei Stephen was forced to put his training on hold until the following year.

In Fall of 1985 after his completion of Army Basic Training, He started on this journey for a second time in which he was able to obtain his 1st degree Black Belt (Shodan) in Spring of 1988 under the strength and guidance of Sensei Demas. It was during this time that he also joined the Norton Police Department where he still currently works as a Detective. Sensei Stephen assisted with under belt instruction through Sensei Demas at Wheaton College during this period.

An early photograph of Sensei Desfosses (1st row, extreme right) with other students at theTaisodokan.

In the fall of 1992 He earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt (Nidan) in Shotokan also through Sensei Demas.

A few short Years later Sensei Demas left his instruction at the College and worked out with his black Belts only at a private club which met a couple of times a week.

In the summer of 2004 he was advised by Sensei Demas that Sensei Gordon Marshall was opening a Kensho-Ryu Dojo in Norton. He contacted Sensei Gordon Marshall and expressed his desire to continue his formal training in the Martial Arts.

In February of 2005 He started training in Kensho-Ryu Kenpo as a white belt under Sensei Gordon Marshall. He continued his training and due to the assistance and guidance of Sensei Marshall and his Shotokan back ground, was able to move through the ranks quickly achieving his Shodan (1st Degree Black in Kensho-Ryu Kenpo) in June 2006 under Kyoshi Mark Sheeley.

Sensei Desfosses with Kyoshi Sheeley after successfully completing the Shodan examination

He continued to Help out Sensei Marshall at the Norton Dojo and still trained with Sensei Demas from time to time. In August 2006 he obtained his 3rd Degree Black Belt in Shotokan from Sensei Demas again with the assistance and guidance of Sensei Marshall at the Taisodokan. A short time later he received his instructors certificate and Title of Sensei Awarded by Sensei Demas in Shotokan Karate-Do.

He continued his training under Sensei Marshall in the fall of 2006 and occasionally worked out with Kyoshi Sheeley in Black Belt Training Sessions.

Sensei Desfosses with Sensei Marshall after successfully completing the Shodan examination

In December 2006 he received his Title of Sensei under Kyoshi Mark Sheeley. In January 2007 he started training under the tutelage of Kyoshi Sheeley at the Kensho-Ryu Hombu located in North Providence and during December, 2007, Kyoshi Sheeley promoted Sensei Desfosses to Sandan grade bypassing the Nidan grade (2nd degree).

Over the past couple of years in the Kensho-Ryu System He has attended numerous training sessions and seminars with such martial artists as Shihan Rick Letendre, Shihan Chris Horlbogen, Shihan Paul Parent, Soki Wali Islam and Kyoshi Mark Sheeley.

Sensei Stephen continues his life long journey in the martial arts and thoroughly enjoys being able to pass his knowledge and life experiences in the Martial Arts on to others.