Who We Are

Melanie Martinez and Joshua Estep are the co-founders of Coulee Roots Movement

Melanie Martinez became interested in movement and martial arts as a child through gymnastics, judo and karate and continued exploring various other martial art forms into adulthood.
2001-2006 Melanie trained passionately in Capoeira through which she developed new ranges of mobility and coordination.  In 2007 Melanie began her journey in Bujinkan, training each winter with Gayle Nielson. In 2010 she knew Bujinkan would become a lifetime art for her and committed to training year round. Melanie is currently ranked as Go Dan (5th degree black belt) and holds a shidoshi (teacher's) license, both received from Masaaki Hatsumi at the Honbu dojo in Noda, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. 

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Joshua Estep began his martial arts training at the age of three in a very formal Tae Kwon Do school in IL. Between then and the end of high school he tried Aiki Jujitsu, Judo, and Aikido.  After college he realized he needed to rediscover budo as an adult, and began to study Bujinkan Budo Taijitsu under Michael Russel Shihan in Madison, WI in 2009.  The blend of hard and soft, linear and circular, practical modern and historical aspects of this art allows the practitioner to continue learning for a lifetime. The strong emphasis on natural movement, serious play, and personal growth inherent in the Bujinkan's way are what inspires him to dedicate his time and energy to learning and sharing this art.  He holds a Go Dan (5th degree black belt) and a shidoshi (teacher's) license, both received in October 2018 at the honbu dojo in Japan.