Meet Grant Clyman | Tai Chi and Martial Arts Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Grant Clyman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Grant, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always been someone with a particular vision for how I want to do things. In that way, I think I sort of had to work for myself. I needed the freedom to pursue my vision and make the changes I believed were necessary along the way. I knew from about the age of twenty two that I wanted to pursue a career in martial arts, and that I wanted to teach. Darsana Martial Arts was born out of my passion for the martial path, my desire to share the things I have learned to help others, and my need to pursue my own vision for how to do that.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

In the broadest sense, we are a Tai Chi school. What I mean by that is everything we do is guided by the Tai Chi principle – the harmonization of seemingly opposing forces into complementary pairs. When we apply that principle, we come to experience another Taoist concept, Wei Wu Wei, which means doing without doing. Practically, that manifests as learning to flow with and utilize whatever circumstances throw at us, rather than fight against them. In our movement and in fighting, we blend with the forces that are brought against us. In our minds and in our lives, we learn to find the balance between aggression and passivity, engaging challenges with calm, patience, and clarity. That’s our focus at Darsana Martial Arts.

I’m very proud of the growth Darsana Martial Arts has seen. I refer to our members as the Darsana Family, and that’s what it really feels like. There is a connection that develops when you are helping people find balance, confidence, and perspective; and there is something uniquely powerful about a process of training that combines physical movement, philosophical ideas, and deep, internal awareness the way Tai Chi does. That’s what I love about what I do. It’s more than exercise or self-defense. There is a deeper learning going on. My students and I explore our own natures, learn to center ourselves, and navigate life with greater balance and grace. It’s honestly a spiritual journey. It’s also really rewarding to work with children, watch them become empowered by the self-defense training, and grow as individuals who are realizing their potential to become more through consistency and effort.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m honestly a pretty simple person. I like being in nature. One of my favorite places for that is the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. They also have a very nice art gallery there. There are other beautiful places of that kind, Butterfly Garden, Kayaking on the Loxahatchee River through Jupiter Outdoor World are a couple of my favorites, but a simple nature walk like Fern Forest will do just as well. For fun and games, I like Xtreme Action Park — lots of interesting options from Lazertag to a trampoline park, escape rooms, and suspended a rope course among other great stuff. One of my favorite places for food and ice-cream is Dairy Belle, but if you’re not from Florida, you have to visit Jackson’s at least once. All that said, I’d just as soon have an intimate and relaxing hangout at home with friends. A good conversation, and maybe a drink, is my favorite way to spend time with friends.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Many people and things influenced the course of my path and helped bring me to where I am today. While I can’t list them all, here are a few of the headliners:

My mother, who always made me feel like I could accomplish anything.

My father, who always encouraged me to follow my dreams and gave me the space to be who I am.

Eiji Yoshikawa’s novel, Musashi, which inspired me to follow the path of the warrior philosopher.

My current sifu and mentor, Monk Yun Rou, for all his guidance, encouragement, and faith in me.

My senior students Nichole Coombs of @martialartspath and Dr. Daren Grosman, both of which have been with me through much of my growth process and without which I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today.

Finally, and foremost, my wife, Angel, for pushing me when I needed it, supporting me always, and believing in me even when I found it hard to believe in myself. Without her, there would be no Darsana Martial Arts. 

Website: darsanamartialarts.com

Instagram: darsanamartialarts

Facebook: Darsana Martial Arts

Yelp: Darsana Martial Arts

Youtube: Darsana Martial Arts

Other: Call or text us at: 954 960 2789 (text preferred) Email us at: info@darsanamartialarts.com

Image Credits
Grant Clyman (me)