About Us

Master Terri Giamartino

TERRI GIAMARTINO, owner and 7th degree black belt has been training in the martial arts since 1978. In addition to Cuong Nhu, she has studied Shotokan Karate and Jujitsu. Her energetic and enthusiastic style is contagious to those who train with her. She believes that proper training can not only build stronger and more confident individuals, but provides a background for deeper self-realization.

Her community service activities stretch back to 1980, becoming one of the founding mothers of the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artist (PAWMA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of women and girls in the martial arts.

Starting as their first President, she continued to serve in various executive capacities from 1980 through 1989. She has served on the board of the Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts Association (CNOMAA), is a member of the American Teachers Association of Martial Artists (ATAMA) and The Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI). She has coordinated and taught at numerous regional and national martial arts camps.

Recognized as a leader in her field, she has worked for national corporations teaching self defense and safety programs and has been influential in both the public and private school sector teaching martial arts and bully prevention to children.

In 1993, Master Terri began Skills for Safe Living, a company dedicated to teaching safety and self-defense skills and opened her school, Emeryville Martial Arts, located in Emeryville, California.

In 2024, Master Terri was inducted into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame.  In 2019, Master Terri received the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists. She was promoted to Master Level, Sichidan (7th dan) at the Cuong Nhu International Association Training Camp, 2018. In October of 2016, Master Terri was featured in the book: Modern Masters of the Martial Arts: Actions and Insights of the World's Classical Fighting Styles.  In 2013 Master Terri was inducted into the AWMAI Hall of Fame.  In 1999, Master Terri was voted Martial Artist of the Year by the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists. She has been a guest on both radio and television including segments on KPFA, KISS FM and SF Live.
 
A mother and wife of over 45 years, she continue to train and volunteer her time for various martial arts organizations.