Our Story
Waterman's Martial Arts opened its Oneida/Sherrill location Feb 2, 2008 and our second location in Hamilton on July 10, 2018. We have been blessed over these many years to have a strong network of mentors and friends to help our dojo and its programs grow into something unique among martial arts schools.
The core club was originally based in non-traditional Karate with a few fitness classes to supplement. We launched our exclusive Sword program in the summer of 2020, evolving our dojo into a twin style system.
We believe in teaching complete martial arts, utilizing outside grappling and combatives instructors to complement our striking and weapon arts. This extends to our AWARE curriculum, which covers the mental, behavioral, and social considerations of self-defense.
Our dojo's core philosophy is that there is no limit to improvement. Heath and Jeanine believe an individual can always be better and grow with enough hard work. It will not be easy. Failure is common.
But it is never definite.
Meet Our Team
Sensei Heath Waterman
Primary Karate Instructor
Heath began training at Pinney’s American Karate in 1993 and earned his black belt in 1999 at age 13. He was the first to achieve this rank in the school and one of the youngest to be certified by the Zen-Do Kai International Association.
In 2000, the ZDK and Mr. Pinney awarded Sensei and his family the opportunity to meet Chuck Norris on the set of Walker Texas Ranger.
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He became Mr. Pinney's full-time assistant in 2004, helping develop curriculum improvements and implement new testing standards, and was awarded his 3rd Degree black belt in 2007.
Since opening WMA in January 2008, he has worked with local schools and developed an annual self-defense program that continues to be taught throughout Central New York. This introductory seminar was enhanced with Jeanine’s knowledge to became the framework for the school’s AWARE curriculum.
Despite WMA students routinely scoring high in tournaments and tests, Heath continues to increase his knowledge and discover ways to improve the school and its programs.
Instructor Certification:
3rd Degree Black Belt, Zen-Do Kai International Association
Jeanine Conway
Primary Sword Instructor
Jeanine first joined the dojo as a parent, watching her daughters climb through the ranks. In 2014, she was invited to train under Sensei Woodcock and immediately connected with the sword arts.
She was awarded her Shodan rank in both Kendo and Iaido in 2017.
In 2018, Jeanine began working with Heath to create a fully realized sword curriculum for the dojo that matched the karate program’s high standards. With a degree in Psychology focusing on abnormal and criminal behavior, she provided key insight in the development the dojo’s annual SSA seminars, and ultimately, was the driving force behind the AWARE curriculum.
In 2021, she began training in traditional Kendo under Masahiro Imafuji, and in 2022 become co-owner of WMA.
She was awarded her 3rd Degree Black Belt in September 2025.
Instructor Certification:
3rd Degree Black Belt, Sensei Woodcock