That is an excellent question. I now really want to know more about akarui-do, but the only thing I could really find is that it is combination of kung-fu and a Thai boxing. While Jillian talks about her martial arts instructor in glowing terms in several articles, she never actually mentions her akarui-do instructor's name. She does note that she no longer has time to practice akarui-do.

Now in the comment section of a Q&A with Jillian at DietDetective.com, a couple of the comments say that the originator of akarui-do was Rob M. One comment said that he ran the classes from his converted garage and the commenter had never seen Jillian there. I looked it up but I can't find any more info about the originator of akarui-do.

The only other thing I can think of is to try to ask Jillian Michaels. Her website is http://www.jillianmichaels.com/ contact info can be found here: http://www.jillianmichaels.com/meet-jillian/contact.aspx and an email you might want to try: questions@jillianmichaels.com

Good luck!
Source(s):
http://issuu.com/chartsky/docs/american_vista_1/15
http://www.dietdetective.com/content/view/2209/57/
http://www.fitsugar.com/672082

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Akarui-do is a hybrid style, a mix of Aikido and Muay Thai. In her book "Master your metabolism" Jillian mentions him. His name is Robert David Margolin and it says that he used to taught in his garage in the Calabasas Hills.
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