NEW FACILITY Opening Fall 2026 • Newbury Park, CA
PRACTICAL martial arts TRAINING IN VENTURA COUNTY
Striking · Grappling · Weapons · Movement
Train in a complete system that helps you understand self defense: distance, leverage, timing, awareness, and control
use your body better.
adapt under pressure.
start where you are.
Combat Body Mechanics is a practical martial arts and self-defense school opening in Newbury Park in Fall 2026. Until then, we offer private lessons, adult training, and self-defense workshops by appointment in Thousand Oaks.
We train adults, women, youth, and professionals in practical self-defense, movement, awareness, weapons concepts, and controlled partner training.
Head Instructor:
ANDREW STRINGFELLOW
30+ Years of Martial Arts Training
Andrew has trained in Budo Taijutsu since 1989 and has studied under master instructors in the United States and Japan. He has been instructing for over 20 years.
Military & Executive Protection Background
Andrew served five years in the United States Marine Corps and spent ten years working in executive protection, and two years as a fugitive recovery agent.
Movement-Based Instruction
With 33 years of gymnastics coaching experience, Andrew teaches martial arts through balance, leverage, positioning, and practical body mechanics.
Reviews
I enjoyed the women's self defense workshop and will definitely attend more classes, learned alot!
Love Leslie and Andrew's teaching style.
— Julie, Women's Self Defense Workshop attendeeThe instructors at Combat Body Mechanics are patient, highly knowledgeable, and attentive to proper technique and body mechanics. Training goes beyond basic martial arts—you learn balance, control, awareness, and how to move efficiently and safely.
Whether you’re brand new or experienced, the instruction is thoughtful, detailed, and adaptable. My daughter and I train together, and she’s learning a lot about life and how to protect herself.
— Brian, studentPrior to training with Andrew, I had to rely more on higher levels of force to control violent suspects.
Andrew taught me how to gain compliance more rapidly while dealing with aggressive/assaultive uncooperative suspects.
I would highly recommend Andrew’s training to any of my fellow law enforcement professionals.
— Craig Kelly, peace officer in the Ventura County areatrain with us:
Combat Body Mechanics currently trains in Thousand Oaks by appointment only while our Newbury Park facility is being prepared. Contact us to join adult classes, schedule private training, or ask about upcoming workshops.
Drop-in adult classes are $50 per 2-hour session. Monthly memberships are available for regular students.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Beginners are welcome, and you do not need to get in shape first.
You’ll start with fundamentals like footwork, falling, striking mechanics, distance, body control, and safe partner drills.
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Combat Body Mechanics is opening a new facility in Newbury Park, California. We plan to open by Fall 2026.
For current training options, contact us to join our weekly adult classes, or book a private lesson.
We serve students from Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Moorpark, and the surrounding Ventura County & Los Angeles areas.
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Yes. Combat Body Mechanics offers a youth program for kids and teens focused on movement-based self-defense.
We do not teach kids to be aggressive.
Students learn movement, balance, falling safely, awareness, coordination, emotional control, and positioning.
The goal is to help students move better, recognize danger, create space, and make safer choices.
This gives them practical self-defense skills without teaching them to be aggressive.
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Yes. Combat Body Mechanics offers practical women’s self-defense workshops for adults and teens 16+.
Students learn how to create distance, escape common grabs, use leverage, strike effectively, recognize improvised tools, and make better decisions under pressure.
These workshops are beginner-friendly and focuses on meaningful skills women can practice immediately—not fear, fantasy, or false promises.
See our women’s workshop information here. To begin training outside of a workshop, contact us. -
Yes. We offer private training for individuals, couples, families, and small groups.
Private lessons are a good fit for beginners, students with specific goals, people who want extra support, or anyone who wants self-defense and martial arts instruction tailored to their body, schedule, and concerns.
Private training can focus on fundamentals, practical self-defense, movement, confidence, weapons awareness, or specific questions from regular class.
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Most classes are two hours long and are divided into two parts.
The first hour focuses on foundational skills: movement, footwork, falling, balance, body mechanics, strikes, positioning, and drills that help students move more effectively. These skills support everything else we train.
After a short break, the second hour focuses on partner training. The instructor demonstrates a technique or concept, then students work with a partner to practice it safely and progressively. Students take turns as the defender so they can learn both how the technique works and how the body responds to pressure.
Students learn the mechanics behind each drill so they can understand what is working, what is failing, and how to adjust.
For more information about our training method, visit our About page.
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