Ray's Personal Protection Training
Ray's Mission
A Lifelong Journey in the Martial & Healing Arts
55 Years of Mastery, Movement, and Restoration
Ray’s approach to bodywork is inseparable from a journey that began over five decades ago. At 67 years old, Ray has been training in the martial arts since he was 12. This lifetime of dedication allows him to understand the female body not just as a collection of muscles, but as a dynamic system of energy, strength, and resilience.
The Private Lineage: Tze Lung Chan.
For over 30 years, Ray has been a "closed-door" student under Grandmaster Chan Tze Lung and Master Yoko. This is not a commercial style; it is a private family system with roots tracing back to the Heian Period (794–1185).
Elite Mastery: In July 2025, Ray travelled to Asia to complete his full Senior Master’s training, being graded to the 6th Dan Master level.
A Living Legacy: Now, with 55 years of training behind him, Ray has mastered the full syllabus of his lineage. This includes 30 years specifically dedicated to the healing arts, a foundation that informs the "Somatic Grace" he brings to his clinical massage practice today. Other grading of black belt is done in Australia and Asia. The grading isn't like normal grading, as you get one at each stage. You only got graded once you were at a black belt level, and then after that, only dan grading, which took me a long time due to the distance to complete my training. Part of the test was that I was asked early on in the training, as a younger guy, whether I wanted to know when I pass a grade. The answer was no; if I had said yes, I would have failed the test, and Grand Master Chan would not have trained me anymore. I only show dates of the last two gradings as they were the most important ones, as they also had healing arts attached to them.
A Diverse & Prestigious Heritage
Ray’s expertise is built upon 55 years of training with some of the world's most respected masters across multiple disciplines, including Judo, Wing Chun, Karate, Chin Na, Muay Thai, and Arnis:
Shotokan Karate: Earned his Black Belt under the legendary 7th Dan Murakami Sensei (Japan) in 1992. Ray also had the privilege of training under 10th Dan Master Kanazawa.
Okinawan Karate: As a private student, Ray trained under Sensei Mark Greville in the 80s in Shorin Ryu, Shorinkan Okinawan Karate. (Ray fixed Sensei's Mark's 4-wheel drive bodywork for private lessons) Sensei Mark was one of the best teachers and a humble man he has trained under.
Instructional Leadership: Hand-picked by Sensei Tim Duffy (3rd Dan) to lead classes and served as an assistant instructor under World Champion Kerry Flynn.
Internal Arts: Trained in Tai Chi (Yang Style), including sessions with Master Fu Sheng Yuan in 1993, as well as Chi Kung, focusing on the flow of energy and internal health.
International Expertise & Global Exchange
Ray is a global practitioner who consistently travels to Asia to refine his skills and share his knowledge of Western pain management with international peers.
2025: High-level training and consultations across Asia, culminating in his 6th Dan Master grading at age 66.
2024: I returned from my overseas trip to Asia for a brief break, also for training and meeting with my international police and sports clients. Got back on 16/07/24.
2019: Back again from Thailand, learning new skills on 6th October 2019 and also massaging overseas clients with my pain management sports massage and stretch therapy. Hong Kong training was cancelled due to the unrest in Hong Kong.
2018: Advanced training in Japan and a grading, and got back on the 7th of July 2018, from my Asia trip, learning new skills and teaching my pain management to massage therapist friends in Hong Kong.
Empowering the Community
Ray’s 55-year journey is not about competition; it is about empowerment. He uses his lifelong expertise to teach free women’s self-defence in Canberra, believing that the combination of physical skill and mental resilience is every woman’s birthright.
"At 67, I am a testament to the arts I practice. My 55 years of training taught me how the body breaks; the healing arts taught me how to put it back together. I am here to help you move with the same strength and grace I’ve cultivated over a lifetime."
Ray Flaherty Other Training
Psychotherapy to help with awareness of various emotional and psychological challenges, such as anxiety, depression, trauma and more.....
A Diploma of Psychology to develop a deeper understanding of the human mind and behaviour.
Certificate 4 Allied Health Exercise Programs HLT42507 in Occupational therapy & Physiotherapy assistant units in exercise for recovery.
Assist with the development and maintenance of the client's functional status.
Conduct group sessions for individual client outcomes.
Assist in the rehabilitation of clients.
Assist With Client Movement.
Support the fitting of assistive devices and more.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury.
Introduction to Physiotherapy Diploma.
Certificate upgraded from TAA to TAE40110 4 Training & Assessment.
SISFFIT014 Instruct Exercise To Older Clients.
Diploma of PTSD Awareness.
Diploma in Pilates.
Diploma of Mindfulness Instructor.
Diploma of Mediation Instructor.
Diploma of Counselling Skill Set.
Certificate 4 in OHS Safety BSB41407.
Ray's Vision
Independent Spirit, Community Driven: Free Self-Defence for Women
Reclaiming Your Safety and Strength in Canberra
At Athletic Sports Massage Canberra, Ray’s commitment to women’s health extends beyond recovery—it encompasses the fundamental right to feel safe. Ray offers free, practical self-defence training specifically for women in our community. Whether you are a martial artist looking to sharpen your skills or a beginner wanting to feel more secure, this is a space for you.
Why Ray Offers This for Free
Ray’s mission is deeply personal. Having witnessed and experienced domestic abuse as a child, and having spent years listening to the heartbreaking stories of women in his clinical practice, Ray is driven by a simple goal: to give back.
He believes that every woman deserves the tools to protect herself and her children. This isn't about profit; it’s about promoting safety, health, and a resilient Canberra community.
A Unique, Practical Approach
Ray is an independent practitioner with a focus on real-world effectiveness over "flashy" sport styles. His background is diverse and specialised:
Decades of Experience: Ray began training privately at age 12.
Shotokan Karate: Previously trained and taught in Canberra, earning one of his black belts within a supportive local community.
Tze Lung Cha (High-Level Black Belt): In 2025, Ray completed advanced overseas training in this private, invitation-only system.
Ray isn't tied to a national organisation, allowing him to focus on what truly works. He welcomes collaboration with local dojos that share his core values of mutual respect, openness, and practical protection.
Training Options Tailored to You
Skills Enhancement: Already training? Ray can assist with focus mitts and kicking pads to boost your cardio, striking power, and blocking skills.
Practical Self-Defence: Learn basic, effective techniques designed for real-world scenarios in public spaces or at home.
A Safe Environment: We maintain a strict policy to ensure the integrity of our group. Ray does not train individuals with a history of violence. To support an accountable community, all participants are required to hold a current Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration.
The Reality of Safety in the ACT (2024–2026)
The statistics remind us why preparation is a form of self-care. Recent data highlights the importance of women’s self-defence in Canberra:
Rising Reports: ACT Policing now attends roughly 12 domestic violence-related incidents every day, a 33% increase over the last five years.
Public Safety: 1 in 5 Australian women has experienced stalking. Nationally, 74% of physical violence by strangers occurs in public spaces or transport.
The Empowerment Gap: While sexual assault rates reached record highs in 2024–25, fewer than 9% of women report these incidents. Self-defence is about closing that gap and reclaiming your agency.
