Instructor Bio




Nate Hill
Nate Hill
Nate has a lifelong history with martial arts. As a child, he started out with Karate classes, changing over to Taekwondo as a young adult. After some basic instruction in arts such as Iaido and Aikido, he found his true passion in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu and began training in 2008 with Sensei Dan Browning.

Nate currently holds the rank of Yodan (4th degree) and Senior Instructor in the AJJF. In the tradition of the DZR founder, Seshiro Okazaki, Nate earned his Bodywork Technician Certificate in Danzan Ryu Restorative Therapy from the Danzan Ryu Seifukujitsu Institute in 2011. He enjoys giving back to his students and friends by providing restoration treatments.

Nate demonstrated his dedication and commitment by taking on the role of Head Instructor for Shinzen Kai in 2013. He continues the tradition of providing high quality instruction to all comers in a friendly and safe environment.

Brian Rakkaus



Sensei Brian Rakkaus, a Nidan practitioner of Danzan Ryu jujitsu. His martial expertise extends to both traditional Japanese-Hawaiian jujitsu and the healing arts of Seifukujitsu. Brian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our jujitsu community, contributing to the growth and well-being of our members.


Dan Browning
Dan Browning
Dan is a rokudan in Danzan Ryu jujitsu. He obtained his shodan and nidan ranks from Prof. Lamar Fisher, judan, of Chico, Calif., and his sandan and yondan from Ward Melenich, of Duluth, Minn.. Browning is a member of the American Judo and Jujitsu Federation, the world's largest promoter of Danzan Ryu jujitsu. He operated the Shinzen Kai dojo at the University of Oregon in Eugene from 1979-81. He then went on to study Aikido in Singapore and Alaska, Danzan Ryu with Prof. Joe Holck in Tucson, Ariz., and escrima and kickboxing in St. Louis. After a 10-year parenting hiatus from the martial arts, he took up Aikido in the Twin Cities, and reconstituted Shinzen Kai dojo in 2000. In addition to his jujitsu practice, he is a student at Aikido of Minnesota, an affiliate of Shihan Okimura Z and his World Aikido Aikikai Inc.


Tom Thiel
Tom Thiel
Instructor Tom Thiel is a 3rd degree black belt in Danzan Ryu and has been practicing Jujitsu since 2008.  He earned his 1st degree black belt in 2010 and his 2nd degree in 2013. He is the co-sensei of Shinzen Kai in St. Paul.