History of Art & Gym — CT School of Survival
A Legacy of Martial Arts & Survival Training
CT School of Survival stands on a rich foundation of martial arts history and practical self‑defense principles. Born from the combined legacy of Vee‑Jitsu, Sanuces Ryu, and Kumite Ryu, our gym has evolved into a teaching institution that honors tradition and adapts to modern realities.
Our Grandmasters Bio
01.
Professor Vee
Florendo M. Visitaction- better known as "Professor Vee"—was born in the Philippines in 1910. He began training in Arnis (Filipino stick fighting) at age ten and continued to practice Filipino martial arts throughout his life. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and became intrigued by the officers' hand to hand combat course, which represented a combination of styles from different countries. The idea of integrating techniques from a variety of martial arts appealed greatly to him. In 1955, after devoting many years to the study of different fighting styles, he founded Vee Jitsu. In 1966, the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation awarded Vee the title of "Professor" and made him a 10th Dan in his own art. Grandmaster Florendo Visitacion departed on January 4, 1999.
02.
Dr. Moses Powell
Dr. Moses Powell, a 10th degree black belt and one of the true legends of the martial arts world, was born on January 13, 1941 in Norfolk, Virginia. He is the founder of Sanuces Ryu, a fighting style that combines his over 45 years of experience in various martial arts. He is a member of both the Black Belt Hall of Fame and the World Karate Hall of Fame. Dr. Powell was the first martial artist invited to demonstrate martial arts at the United Nations and a featured martial arts demonstrator at the New York World's Fair in 1965. The following year in 1966, he was the first martial artist to receive The African Benign Arts Award. Between 1967 and 1968, Dr. Powell pioneered his craft by traveling overseas to the Caribbean. There, he introduced Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu to the island of Jamaica and Trinidad and to Bermuda in the early 1970's. He was inducted into the International African Arts Festival's "Living Legend" Award, and he was also one of the first African-American martial artists to teach the fighting arts to U.S. law enforcement agencies including the Secret Service and FBI. In addition to these great accomplishments, the Benin Empire of West Africa awarded him the international Benin Award in 1972 for his community work and efforts throughout the world.Dr. Powell was deeply committed to sharing his knowledge and principles with all.
03.
Soke Little John
10th Degree Black Belt Martial Arts Instructor
Grand Master John Davis is a tenth degree black belt. He is undeafeated as a World Champion fighter and Self Defense Grand Champion. His title is "Soke" and Founder of Kumite Ryu Jujitsu, a discipline that incorporates jujitsu, judo, karate, and karate.
- Education -
10th DAN - Prof. F Visitacion, Founder of Vee Jitsu
10th DAN - Prof. Moses Powell, Founder Sanuces-Ryu Ju-jitsu
Bachelor of Arts - College of New Rochelle
- Television & Film Experience -
Bill Boggs TV Show........ Fight Demonstration
Profile 2 ...... Weapons
Kung-Fu Documentary...Role of Jonathan & Fight Coordinator
Warrior Within - Documentary ... Fight Choreographer
Dojo Documentary ..... Fight Choreographer/Stunt man
Superweapon .... Stunt Coordinator & Extra
The 13 Disciples .... Role of Toni - Fight Scenes
Across Two Continents ..... Role of Smart
Wide World of Sports .... Live Feature Fight - Karate vs. Kung-Fu
Die Hard III ..... Stunt work explosion scene
Transporter II ...... Role of US Marshall & Fight scene
- Other Experience -
Fight Choreographer in armed, unarmed, single or group combat situations.
Body Guard to Eddie Murphy & Haile Barry during Boomerang. Certified Life Guard & Swim Instructor.
- Martial Arts Award -
Honoree in the first "Tribute to Martial Arts Masters" hosted by Wesley Snipes * Grand Champion - Self Defense - Lamar Thornton Annual Karate Tournament * 1st Place fighting, 3rd, 4th, 5th place Board Breaking - Great Grand National Championship * 1st Place Fighting, 3rd Place Board Breaking, Grand Champion Kata - Grand Nation Tourney * Grand Champion - Fighting, World Karate Championship * Grand Champion, United States Grand National Invitational Karate Tournament * Grand Champion & 1st Place Free Style Fighting, First Metropolitan Great Grand Karate Championship Tournament * Grand Champion - Self Defense, GSI National Tournament * Inductee and member of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council (WHFSC).
04
Grandmaster George Logan
George Logan began training in 1967 at Tremont School of Judo and Jiu-Jitsu in the Bronx. In 1972 he was part of the U.S. Olympic Judo team, and in 1973 won a New England Grand Karate Championship. In 1969, he began studying with Moses Powell and dedicated himself to Dr. Powell’s Sanuces Ryu jiu-jitsu system and its companion Kumite Ryu system, developed by Soke “Li’l John” Davis. Making his home in Connecticut, Mr. Logan earned multiple state and region championships in judo -- the CT light title four times and the New England light title five -- building to a U.S. Jiu Jitsu Champion title in 1995 and his first World Jiu Jitsu Champion title in 1996. Since then, he has won World Jiu Jitsu Champion titles three times, and consistently won CT's "Nutmeg State" National Championship in Jiu Jitsu/Self Defense from 2009-2014.
Mr. Logan played several character roles in movies produced by Warrington Hudlin, most notably in House Party and Boomerang. Recently earning his 10th-Degree Black Belt in Soke Davis' Kumite Ryu system, he is a certified grandmaster in both Sanuces and Kumite Ryu systems of jiu jitsu. He founded his New Haven dojo, CT School of Survival, in 1977. GM Logan continues to teach a new generation of students the principles of this wide-ranging style. Students begin with a karate and judo base, and as they mature GM Logan introduces the principles and forms of Sanuces and Kumite Ryu. His diligent categorization of combinations created by Dr. Powell, Soke Davis and himself have served to keep Sanuces and Kumite true to their sources. CT School of Survival teaches in school, government and Yale University programs as well as private lessons, and GM Logan personally works his own hands-on, “Each One Teach One” approach so the techniques remain pure. As Senior Adviser and First Regional Director in the Family of Sanuces, GM Logan looks forward to bringing Dr. Powell’s mantra to a new generation: “Keep it simple, but keep it real.”
• 4 time Lightweight New England Judo Championship
• 3 time Connecticut Judo Championship
• 2 time Northeast Championship
• 1972 U.S Olympics Judo Competitor
• 1973 New England Karate Champion
• 1995 and 1996 U.S Jiu-Jitsu Champion
• 1996 World Jiu-Jitsu Champion
• 1996 Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2002 New York State Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2009 Nutmeg Championship
05
Shihan Aqil
Shihan Aqil’s martial arts training began in August 2000. His first instructor was Sensei Larry Rogers of Top Ten Karate Studio. He studied and was trained in karate, Tae kwon do, self-defense and weapons. The following month in September 2000 he joined the Connecticut School of Survival (CSS) where his training under Grandmaster George Logan began. At the CSS he trained in the arts of Sanuces & Kumite Ryu Ju Jitsu, mixed martial arts, weapons, and self-defense. Sanuces Ryu Ju Jitsu was founded by the late, great Dr Moses Powell and Kumite Ryu Ju Jitsu was founded by the legendary Soke Lil John Davis. Shihan Aqil cross trained with Top Ten Karate Studio and the CSS and in 2001 began competing in New England and Mid Atlantic Karate Tournaments. He actively competed in sparring, kata and self-defense competitions. In 2003, after being promoted to the rank of blue belt with Sensei Rogers he decided to fully concentrate on Ju Jitsu and self-defense training with Grandmaster Logan. Shihan Aqil’s training under Grandmaster Logan expanded to include judo, grappling, and intense physical conditioning. In September of 2004, Sensei Aqil tested and was promoted to Shodan/first degree black belt. In October of 2005, he tested again and was promoted to Sandan/third degree black belt. In December 2009, he tested and was promoted to Yondan/fourth degree black belt. In 2017 Shihan Aqil was promoted to Godan/fifth degree black belt and in 2022 he was promoted to Rokudan/sixth degree black belt. The Positive Youth Development (PYD) Program was created by Shihan Aqil and CSS to teach essential life skills of conflict resolution, health education and self-defense to youth. Since 2005, he and the instructors of CSS have facilitated a vibrant after school martial arts program for elementary, middle and high school students in New Haven and Hartford, CT. He is the President of CSS and plays a leading role in establishing martial arts and youth leadership programming in collaboration with a number of municipalities and nonprofit organizations throughout Connecticut. He teaches youth and adults at the CSS and has been an active participant in teaching seminars throughout the east coast. On September 17, 2011, he was inducted into the Soke Little John Davis Black Belt Hall of Fame.
Highlights & Milestones
Birth of a Pioneer
Florendo “Professor Vee” Visitacion is born, laying the foundation for what will become Vee‑Jitsu, an integrated martial art blending multiple disciplines.
A Martial Arts Legend is Born
Dr. Moses Powell is born, destined to create Sanuces Ryu — a style emphasizing survival, simplicity, and real-world effectiveness.
The Birth of VSK Lineage
Vee‑Jitsu, Sanuces Ryu, and Kumite Ryu evolve during this period, forming the combined martial arts lineage that defines CT School of Survival today.
Kumite Ryu Ju Jitsu Is Founded
Soke Little John Davis, 10th Degree Black Belt and undefeated World Champion, founds Kumite Ryu Ju Jitsu, integrating jujitsu, judo, karate, and combat self-defense. His system becomes a core pillar of the CT School of Survival lineage.
CT School of Survival Is Founded
Grandmaster George Logan establishes the CT School of Survival in New Haven, Connecticut, unifying Vee-Jitsu, Sanuces Ryu, and Kumite Ryu into a complete survival-based martial arts system.
A New Generation of Leadership
Shihan Aqil begins training at the CT School of Survival under Grandmaster Logan. Rising through the ranks to 6th Degree Black Belt, he becomes President of CSS, expands youth development programs, and helps carry the VSK lineage into the modern era.
Join the Legacy Today
Whether you’re new to martial arts or seeking to deepen your training, CT School of Survival welcomes you.
