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Most of you have asked about the
various people who I have learned from. This section will make
an attempt to provide a brief introduction to each of them.
I have been very fortunate in my
martial arts pursuits to have had the opportunity to train with
s teachers of our time, but also some of the kindest, most
giving people I have had the good fortune to meet.
In some cases
I have known and trained with the instructor not for months or
years, but decades. Some I have trained with for hundreds and
even thousands of hours and other I have only trained with for a
few. In some cases I am truly a long-time student, in others I
only have limited time. Yet, with every individual teacher below
I have taken away something of personally helpful from their
teaching.
I believe in honoring the time I
have spent with each individual and feel it is necessary to
identify exactly how much I have trained with any one individual
teacher out of respect for them. As such, I will make every
attempt to provide the correct dates and times spent with each
one.
Regardless of the time spent with any given person, each
teacher on this page has given me something and has helped me
along my path. This is where I give my respect and love
to each one of them.
Professor Jon
Collins
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I
began my training In Burmese Boxing, Bando,
Banshay and the Python/Naban System with
Professor Collins in the Spring of 1977. I have
continued with Professor Collins to the present day,
representing more than 31 years with him. Over the
years he has been a teacher, coach, mentor,
associate, and friend. Along with his wife Betsy,
they are as close to me and my wife as my own
family.
Few
people have had the opportunity to train with
someone of the caliper of Professor Collins. Even
fewer have had the chance to continue such training
for more than three decades. Professor Collins has
never charged for my training in all the years. He
established my martial arts roots in Burmese Boxing,
Naban,
and Bando. |
Guro Dan Inosanto
 |
I was
fortunate to begin my training under Guro Dan
Inosanto at the original Filipino Kali Academy in
Torrance, California in 1982.. From the beginning,
Guro Dan welcomed me into his circle and shared his
knowledge with me freely. Guro Dan has taught me in
his home, his schools, at seminars, at camps, and
anywhere else we had some space and time. The
knowledge he has shared with me he did so without
asking or expecting payment from me. I consider Guro
along with Dan Professor Collins to have been
responsible not only for providing the foundation of
my martial artist development but also as a teacher
and professor as well.
http://inosanto.com/ |
Simo Paula Inosanto
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I met
Simo Paula Inosanto in 1985-6. Simo Paula and I
began a friendship back then that I cherish to
today. Simo Paula has been a teacher, friend, and
confidant. Along with Guro Dan, I consider them to
be part of my extended West Coast Family. Paula, in
particular, has been like a sister to me over the
years.
Simo
Paula and Guro Dan have opened up not only their
knowledge and schools to me, but their homes and lives as well. I
cannot possibly express the gratitude and love I
have for all they have given me over the years.
http://inosanto.com/ |
Sensei Erik Paulson
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I first met Sensei Erik in 1989 at Inosanto Academy.
I began
training with him and his teacher Sensei Yori
Nakamura (see below) at that time. Sensei Erik has
been a teacher, a coach, and a friend. Back in the
day (early 90s), Sensei Erik often invited me to
train with him both at the Academy and his home
during the day, and then to visit him at the
Huntington Beach club where he was tending bar. His
kindness and giving spirit continues to this day.
Almost 20 years later, I serve as the Senior Representative for Sensei Paulson's CSW in
Maryland.
http://erikpaulson.com/ |
Dr. Maung
Gyi
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I
first met Dr. Maung Gyi when I attended an
exhibition of of a Burmese martial arts of Bando,
Burmese Boxing, and Naban. After
introducing myself, I expressed my interest in learning
his martial art and asked if there was somewhere I might
go to learn Bando. He was very open and friendly to me
and he gave me information on the Catonsville
Community College Bando Club.
That
summer attended the Third Annual Bando Kick-boxing and Special
Weapons Camp, where I had the opportunity to to train
with Dr. Gyi for the first time. I have
continued to train with Dr. Gyi whenever the
opportunity presented itself over the last 30
years. |
Pak Herman Suwanda
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I first
met Pak Herman in 1991. I began training privately, in
classes, and through seminars at that time. In 1992
I was given verbal permission (as was the old way) by Pak Herman
to teach Mande Muda. Along with my
former student Guro Steve Braun, (who was also given
permission to teach at that time by Pak Herman) I/we
became the first person (s) given permission to teach Mande Muda in the MD/DC/VA area and two of the first
outside California. I consider it an honor that both
Guro Steve and I were included in the photo essay
found in Pak Herman's posthumously published book, "Pencak
Silat: Through My Eyes".
I consider Guro Steve to be much
better versed in the Mande Muda system. Please
contact him if interested in studying this art.
http://www.suwandaacademy.com/ |
Sifu Larry Hartsell (dec)
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I first met
Larry in 1982 at the Kali Academy. I continued to
train with Sifu Larry whenever I was in L.A. and
even had the opportunity to train at his
original school in North Carolina. My training with
Sifu Larry spanned more than two decades and his
knowledge, kindness, and sense of humor will be
missed.
http://www.jkdassoc.com/ |
Pendekar Paul deThouars
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My first exposure to Pendekar Paul de Thouars and
his Bukti Negara Pentjak Silat came in 1987 at
one of Guro Dan's seminars hosted by Don Garon's
hosted in Pittsburgh. During the seminar, Pendekar
Paul demonstrated his art. I felt there were many
similarities between it and some of the Bando I had
learned during the previous ten years. I asked his
permission to travel to L.A. to train with him
in Bukti Negara and was accepted. In 1991, Pendekar
Paul gave me permission to begin teaching his art
and certified me as the first Bukti Negara Pentjak
Silat instructor in Maryland and only one of 9-10
outside of California at the time.
http://www.buktinegara.com/ |
Sifu Tim Tackett
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I
first met in Sifu Tim Tackett in California
in1982. Guro Dan had invited me to Accompany him
to the California Martial Arts Academy/Camp. It
was there I was introduced to several renowned
martial arts including Sifu Tim. I did not have
the opportunity to communicate with him again
until 2005 when we began corresponding via
email. In Spring of 2007, both Joe and I
attended seminars by Sifu Tackett w
http://www.jkdwednite.com/ |
Sifu Francis Fong
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I
first met and trained with Sifu Francis in 1982 at
the Kali Academy. It was my good fortune that Sifu
Francis happened to be there to conduct classes and
workshops. Over the proceeding years, Sifu Francis
continued to help me with my Wing Chun skill
development and understanding, as well as Muay Thai,
JKD, and FMA.. I was fortunate to be invited to
train the first time at his Academy in Atlanta in
1985.
http://www.francisfongacademy.com/ |
Grandmaster Diony Canete
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I
first met Grandmaster Diony Canete in 1988. The
initial training sessions were arranged by a friend
of Joe's who resided in the Philippines and was, at
that time, training with Grandmaster Diony. Joe and
I, along with several other of my students of that
time, continued to train with GM Diony whenever he
was in the U.S. In
http://www.doceparesinternational.com/ |
Sifu Richard Bustillo
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My initial
introduction to Sifu Richard was, again, in 1982 at
the Kali Academy in California. I had the
opportunity to continue my training with him for the
next 3-4 years through the Inosanto Academy. In 1985
and for the next few years, my training continued
with Sifu Richard at the original IMB Academy.
http://www.imbacademy.com/imb-martial-index2.html |
Mr. Jesse Glover
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Both Joe and I first trained with Jesse in Spring of
2005 at a seminar that we helped Robert Crawford
host at gym in Laurel. The following year, we again
helped Robert bring Jesse in for his second seminar.
In just those short training sessions, I have found
any number of techniques and methods that I could
include in my own training.
http://www.nonclassicalgungfu.com/ |
Sifu Leo Fong
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Joe, myself, Doc (William), and Mike recently
(March) attended Sifu Fong's seminar in West
Virginia. It was the first time for all of us. Much
good info was gained. Since that time, Sifu Fong has
been kind enough to continue ongoing correspondence
with me on various training topics.
http://www.leotfong.com/ |
Sifu Ted Wong
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I, along with Joe, have had been fortunate to
have trained with Sifu Ted Wong recently at two
seminars, the most recent which was hosted by
Paul Bax of the JKD Brotherhood. Sifu Ted's
method excels at footwork, closing the gap, and
the highly efficient boxing and kicking
techniques of JKD.
http://www.totallyjkd.com/ |
Ajarn Chai Sirsute
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I
first met and trained with Ajarn Chai Sirsute in
1985 while visiting and training with Guro Dan. I
have had the chance to train with Ajarn Chai at the
various Inosanto Academies and in seminars. While my
core is Burmese Boxing, I found much that I could
incorporate from Ajarn's Muay Thai techniques and
training methods.
http://www.thaiboxing.com/ |
Sensei Yori Nakamura
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Yori Nakamura is the Middle
weight champion of the world in Shoot Wrestling. A
style created by Satoro Sayama, Yori was the first
inducted student in Sayama's new school, Super Tiger
Gym in Tokyo, Japan. Shoot Wrestling also known as
Shooto is a blend of Russian Sambo, Ju Jitsu, Catch
as Catch Can Wrestling, Judo and Thai Boxing.
Yori is also a full intructor
under Guro Dan inosanto in both Filipino Martial
Arts and Jeet Kune Do. |
GT Leo Gaje
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I began my training
in Pekiti Tirsia Arnis with Master Fred Ocampo in
Baltimore. Having the opportunity to continue my
training in Pekiti Tirsia with the head of the
system, Tuhon Leo Gaje, in the summer of 1984 I was
certified as an instructor in Pekiti Tirsia through
him.
Grand
Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, Jr., the grandson and heir of the
Great Grand Tuhon Conrado B. Tortal, is the present
Keeper of the Pekiti-Tirsia Kali System.
http://www.pt-go.com/index.html |
Pak Victor deThouars
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I met Pak Victor de
Thouars in 2000 when I acompanied Guro Dan on one of
his training sessions with Pak Vic. I found his
Serak to be effective and he himself to be both a
scholar and a gentleman, as well as an outstanding
teacher. I continued to train with Pak Vic for the
next several years, whenever I traveled to L.A. as
well as through seminars. My former student, Steve
Braun, trained more extensively with Pak Vic than i
did, I would again recommend contacting him if you
are interested in Silat training.
http://www.serak.com/ |
Mang Jorge
Lastra
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picture
not
available |
I
began training with mang Jorge in 1985. Mang Jorge
was the head of the Lastra y Saya system of Armas de
Mano which was passed on from Grandfather to him.
While it emphasized the Largo Mano range, it also
included close range and dagger methods. Mang Jorge
lived in Newport News, Virginia, and on weekends I
would drive down and train with him in his garage.
He was kind enough to share the entire Lastra y Saya
system with me during those visits. |
Guro Ted Lucaylucay (dec)
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As with many of the instructors listed here, I first
met Sifu Ted Lucaylucay upon my initial training
experience at the Kali Academy in 1982. I continued
to train with Sifu Ted whenever the chance arose,
during my many training trips to the Inosanto
Academy. |
Sifu Chan (dec)
picture
not
available |
After graduating
high school in January, 1978, I had the opportunity
to begin learning Wing Chun Gung Fu through Sifu
Chan in New Orleans. Sifu Chan was of the Yip Man
lineage and was open with his teaching. After relocating back to
Maryland, I unfortunately lost contact with Sifu
Chan. |
Master Bow Sim Mark
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In early 1983,
Master Mark was kind enough to begin my Tai Chi
education in the Simplified Tai Chi form (aka
Beijing Short form). After learning this form, I
found I had a tremendous interest in Tai Chi,
especially the less well known Sun Style. In 1983-4,
through Master Mark's kindness, I was able to
finally learn the Traditional Sun Style Form.
Twenty-five years later, I practice the form daily
and owe Master Mark a great debt of gratitude.
http://www.taichi-arts.com/index.shtml |
Dr. John Stark
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Dr.
Stark was a graduate student working on his Master's
in Entymology at Louisiana State
University in 1978 when I started as a freshman. Dr.
Stark who hailed from the Bronx, NY, had been a
lightweight golden glove champion and served
as my boxing coach and cornerman during the
year I attended LSU. His tutelage helped improve my
boxing skills and training methods. |
Sifu Willy Diaz
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picture
not
available |
I
met Sifu Diaz at the Riverdale YMCA in 1983. He was
an instructor of the Wu style of Tai Chi. Having
moved from New York City to Maryland, Sifu Diaz was
a long-time student of Sophia Delza, one of the
foremost practitioners and teachers of the Wu Style. |
Other Instructors
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I have, over the
years, trained with a number of other teachers of
various arts. The training has been done through a
limited number of classes and/or seminars. Examples
of some of these
individuals include Pak John de Jong, Sifu Bob
Bremer, Sifu Jim Sewell, Professor
Salem Assli, Joe Lewis, and Bill Wallace,
etc.
In attempting to
maintain an honest and straight-forward accounting
of my experience, I feel it would be disingenuous of
me to identify myself as having "trained" with these
teacher that I have spent only a single seminar or a
few class hours with.
I find it a
deceptive practice by those who advertise or merely
state that they have trained with this person or
that person without actually identifying how much
time they have actually spent (e.g., without stating
that it was only for a single seminar, etc). I find
it similarly deceptive when individual instructors
identify themselves as being "certified" as an
instructor under a particular teacher without at the
same time specifying the level at which they were
certified (e.g., advertising that they are certified
as an instructor under Guro Dan without providing
that they are a first-year apprentice, etc). |
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