Instructors
Our world-renowned instructors teach classes weekly and are also available for private training sessions.
MIKE CHAT – XMA Founder / Chief Instructor
Known as the Tony Hawk of martial arts, 7-time World Forms & Weapons Champion and former Blue Power Ranger, Mike Chat is the founder of XMA — Xtreme Martial Arts.
With over 1200 licensed facilities worldwide, Mike Chat is responsible for training over 60 world champions, stunt doubles for Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Keanu Reeves and Hollywood superstars Taylor Lautner (Twilight Saga), Jaden Smith (The Karate Kid) and Grammy artists Usher, The Black Eyed Peas, and more!
TYLER BONURA – XMA Head Instructor
“Mr. B’s” passion for martial arts began when he took his first class in 1994 in Madison, Wisconsin. He holds a 4th degree black belt and competed for 8 years in the Mid West, including a few national tournaments. “Mr. B” trained for 17 years under John Nania, who is the head master sword instructor for XMA and has been teaching martial arts for 8 years. He started with teaching Karate, self defense, and practical training and ran a martial arts school for 2 ½ years in Wisconsin. “Mr. B” came to Los Angeles in January of 2010 to teach at XMA and is now XMA HQ’s Head Instructor.
MARC CANONIZADO – Tricks and XMA Instructor
As a member of the prestigious Team Paul Mitchell, Marc is a 12-time NASKA World Champion, and holds 9 ISKA World Champion titles. Marc has made several appearances on ESPN2 as an ISKA World Champion in; Extreme Forms, Weapons, and an XMA Tricks Battle Champion on the famed U.S. Open stage. Originally from Orlando, Florida he has made California his new home pursuing acting, dance, and stunt work opportunities. Some of Marc’s work includes performing for the 2011 Kid’s Choice Awards, appeared on Access Hollywood with the renowned dance performance team – LXD, and just came off a film with Jackie Chan in China. “Mr. C” is one of the lead instructors for the XMA Tricks classes and also teaches the XMA curriculum.
NATE CRAWFORD – Acrobatics and Trampoline Instructor
Nate was originally groomed as a gymnast. He competed for the University of Illinois at Chicago graduating with a Bachelors of Business Administration. After four years of working in a traditional management role, he took a break to try performing for just one year. That was nearly 15 years ago and Nate is still performing around the world. Highlights have included performing for President Obama’s Inaugural Ball, World tour with Britney Spears, American Music Awards with Enrique Iglesias, solo for King Jamalaullail in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, TODAY Show performance with Anti-Gravity, and hundreds of other wonderful memories.
CAITLIN DECHELLE – Tricks and XMA Instructor
A member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame and the prestigious Team Paul Mitchell, Caitlin is a 62-time World Champion in Forms and Weapons and has achieved 44-NASKA World titles, 6-ISKA World titles, among many others. She was named “Competitor Of The Year” in 2007 by Black Belt Magazine. Caitlin came to Los Angeles in 2011 to pursue a career in entertainment which includes a film with Jackie Chan performing stunts and acting for the project. Ms. Dechelle teaches XMA and is one of the lead instructors for Tricks.
ANDREW FRANKLIN – XMA Junior Instructor
Andrew Franklin began training in martial arts at the age of 4 ½ with Jason David Frank former Power Ranger and earned his black belt at the age of 8. He came to XMA HQ in the fall of 2008 to train for competition on the NASKA World circuit. His goal was to one day earn a spot to perform and compete on the US Open stage. Under the coaching of Mike Chat and the team of XMA instructors, Andrew was able to reach his goal in July of 2010, making it to the US Open Stage and completing his NASKA world competition career with 5 world titles. In this process, Andrew also earned his black belt in Taekwon Do and competed on the ATA circuit. He is currently the yougest of the XMA instructors teaching the XMA cirriculum and assists with the Tricks and Acro/Tramp classes.
SALAR GHAJAR – Acrobatics and Trampoline Instructor
A competitive martial artist and gymnast, Salar began his training at age 4 and continued throughout his high school years. He received a scholarship for cheerleading at the University of Central Florida where he also received a BA in Marketing. While attending university, Salar worked at Universal Studios in Orlando where he performed as Zorro and a stilt walker. In 2006, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting and entertainment. Salar is a writer, stunt man, actor, and a fight choreographer. He is a trampoline and acrobatics instructor at XMA World Headquarters.
NICK STANNER – Acrobatics and Trampoline Instructor
21 years as a gymnast, including time training at the University of Nebraska and the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, 3 years with Cirque Du Soleil, and 10 years as a professional stunt man for film and television. Nick was raised in a gymnastic’s club owned by his parents in Omaha, Nebraska. Nick’s father, Mike was Chairman of the US Gymnastic’s Federation. Nick started instructing at age 13. Nick is the lead acrobatics instructor for the last 8 years at the XMA Program designed by Mike Chat. Nick has trained numerous World Champions, helping them to achieve their titles.
OSEI “AXE” VITA – Capoeira & Acrobatics Instructor
Axe (ah-shay), originally from Chicago, Illinois, learned martial arts from his father. Axe and his 3 brothers started learning Kung Fu and acrobatics at age 4 and continued for 17 years. Axe, his brothers, and father performed for Ringling Brothers’ Circus for 1 ½ years. At age 20, Axe began studying Capoeira, the Brazilian martial art form invented by the Brazilian slaves 500 years ago. He moved to Brazil for some time to continue his studies. He has been instructing Capoeira at XMA since it’s opening in 2007. He has done and continues to do commercials. He, his father, and his brothers have performed on the Emmy’s, Grammy’s, The NBA Half -Time Tour, BET Awards, and MTV Awards.