Friday, August 25, 2023
Cabales Serrada Escrima: The Unyielding Impact on Martial Arts Today
Friday, August 7, 2020
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Friday, November 22, 2019
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Monday, September 2, 2019
Friday, July 19, 2019
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Sunday, March 3, 2019
The Legacy of Great Grandmaster Guru Angel Cabales-The Bio
In honor of GGM Angel Cabales' passing the WSEF remembers.
Saturday, August 19, 2017
The Man, The Legend, The Teacher of Living Legends, GM Angel Cabales
Dead Man Talking 2: Angel Cabalesl Awaded WSEF Lifetime Achievement Award
Angel Cabales Awarded WSEF
Lifetime Achievement Award
March 4, 2006
Part Two
The late Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales was awarded the "World Serrada Escrima Federation Lifetime Achievement Award" on March 4, 2006, at Langley’s Karate School in Sacramento, California. The award was given posthumously by the sponsor of the event Senior Grandmaster GMD, a former private advanced graduate instructor of GGM Angel Cabales. Additionally, SGM D is the president and the co-founder along with Grand Prof. Leo T. Fong of the ” World Serrada Escrima Federation." On hand to accept the award in behalf of their father was Gelmar Cabales, his older sister, Marigel Cabales, along with their mother, Maritess Cabales. Assisting his younger brother and sister as an official witness of the acceptance of the award was honorary special guest star Vincent Cabales Sr., and his son Vincent Cabales Jr..
The award acknowledges GGM Angel Cabales as the primary person responsible for the emergence of Filipino martial arts in America, and he has officially been recognized as the Father of Escrima in America. GGM Angel Cabales opened the first official Filipino martial arts academy in 1966 in Stockton, California. Some of the Great Grandmaster’s first students at the Stockton academy include, Max Sarmiento, Leo Giron, Dentoy Revillar, Mike Inay, Jimmy Tacosa, Al Concepcion, Rene Latosa, JC Cabiero, Kathy Lee, Abel Miraflor, Art Miraflor, Leo T. Fong, Dan Inosanto, Richard Bustillo, Ted Lucaylucay, and numerous of others. GGM Angel Cabales was also one of the first escrimadors to be featured in an actioned packed martial arts film in 1972, titled; TIGERS REVENGE. Leo T. Fong, a former friend and student of both Bruce Lee and Angel Cabales, was the leading actor and producer of this historic movie.
Also receiving the World Serrada Escrima Federation Lifetime Achievement Award was one of GGM Angel Cabales’ top graduate master instructor, Darren Tibon. Master Darren Tibon is the founder and president of an escrima organization known as Angel’s Disciples. The WSEF recognized Master Tibon as a loyal and dedicated student of GGM Angel Cabales. After GGM Angel Cabales’ death on March 3, 1991, Master Tibon, along with his family members, continued supporting family members of the Great Grandmaster. With sticks and daggers blazing at the speed of light, Master Tibon and his Angel’s Disciples demonstration team presented a riveting demonstration of their skills for those who gathered at the commemoration event and then went on to further elaborate upon some of the finer points of his style of Serrada Escrima, by conducting a special hands on seminar.
Other top notch Angel Cabales graduate instructors; along with some of their third generational Serrada Escrima students, attended the event to show their support. This included Master Jerry Preciado, Master Wade Williams, Master Carlito Bonjoc, Master Ron Saturno, Master Guru Michael Schwarz, Master Guru Anthony Davis Jr., school host Master Bob Langley, Master Jeff Finder, Apprentice Master Fernando Cabe, and Guru Elrik Jundis. Iron Dragon/Kosho Ryu Grandmaster Ray Arquilla and his wife, made a suprise appearance at the commemoration function paying their respects.
At this event all differences were set aside in order to share in the true spirit of Serrada Escrima in the memory of Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales. It was a great accomplishment on the part of Senior Grandmaster D, who organized, promoted, and hosted the event that brought together so many great Master's.
About the event Grandmaster D said. “It takes a unified team in order to reach higher grounds and had it not been for all of those that came out to support the ‘Legacy’ of GGM Angel Cabales, this commemoration event could not have been as successful as it was."
At the conclusion of the event, It was clearly apparent to everyone in attendance at this special gathering, that they all had become a vital part of the continuing "Golden Legacy" of the legendary Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales.
The "WSEF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD" is presented to GGM Angel Cabales' youngest son, Datu Gelmar Cabales.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
"Dead Man Talking" Chronicles of Legendary Stick/Knife Fighter Angel Cabales Pt. 1
SGM Angel Cabales learned the rudimentary foundation of the Filipino art of escrima from his mentor, “Dequerdas” Sr. Grand Master Guru Felicisimo Dizon. Grandmaster D, began studying Cabales Serrada Escrima back in 1984 in Stockton, California. With several years of genuine combat experience already underneath his belt, GM D, knew instantly that after having witnessed SGM Angel Cabales in actual combat action, he was indeed a genuine weapons ‘Master’.
(l-r) Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales & GM Gura Graciela Casillas
"When a person is seriously engaged in close-quarter combat, there is no time for thinking, feeling, choosing or judging what is occurring from moment-to-moment.” Here's how SGM Guru Angel Cabales put it. On June 3, 1990, GM D traveled to SGM Angel Cabales' home in order to conduct a very special interview on him. Although GM *D* had spoken to SGM Cabales many times about his style of fighting, he was always reluctant to ask him about his death matches. SGM Angel Cabales told GM D, that escrima death matches were an integral part of the ancient warrior code & traditions of the Philippines. "To willfully test one's skills in an actual match to the death is the ultimate test of true fighting skill and indomitable courage".
SGM Angel Cabales taught GM *D* that obtaining high levels of rank or degrees should never be the primary focus of a martial arts aspirant. Instead, a practitioner should focus upon the fundamentals & upon the metaphysical ingredients that lie behind all external formulas for combat fighting.
According to SGM Angel Cabales, no level of rank could ever equate with the raw courage and skill that is latent within the hearts, bodies, and the minds of every human being. A real warrior works from a position of practicality, and begins the process of becoming a master craftsman by using whatever personality & circumstances he/she is in at the time. To SGM Angel Cabales, befriending and assisting a person with the elevation of their mind was his greatest and highest achievement award within his lifetime. The 'Cabales Serrada System of Escrima' was designed for thinkers, and for all those who are seeking a supreme martial arts type of lifestyle. The art of Serrada Escrima as developed by SGM Angel Cabales entails many aspects of the art of combat. "In order to make my art of Serrada Escrima serve the present time, we only have to assemble or reassemble my art into its fullest dimensions scientifically, and then my students have to bring to life my art of Serrada Escrima, and then make it their own." SGM Angel Cabales stated that his style of fighting could not fail him in any combative encounter. In SGM Angel Cabales' mind his art could never fail him because he always thought in a completely positivist way when it came to close-quarter-combat-fighting. SGM Angel Cabales was not afraid to engage in actual hand-to-hand or weapon-to-weapon encounters. The Serrada System of Escrima as taught by SGM Angel Cabales was very people oriented. SGM Cabales was not only the first escrimador master to open a commercial escrima academy in America, but also! like the legendary Bruce Lee; he was amongst one o the first Filipino masters to teach outside of his race. A good example of this are the top three African American master graduate students that Cabales personally taught escrima to; Professor Sultan Uddin, Master Jerry Preciado, and SR. Grandmaster D.
(l-to-r) GM Jim Mather, SGM Angel Cabales, Grand Master *D* & Professor *Sultan Uddin*
Finally, Angel Cabales believed in the eternal goodness of man. Even when the usurers were closing in on him, he still had faith in his 'Serrada System of Escrima'.. After several years of practicing, and promoting the “Cabales Serrada System of Escrima” worldwide; GM D still continues to discover hidden clues & further meaning that has unearthed some of the deepest secrets of the "Angel Cabales Serrada System of Self-Defense". It's these time energy-releasing secrets that continue to propel GM D upon an " Endless Journey " of self-discovery & further development within the area of close quarter combat. In a follow-up interview in early 1990, just prior to SGM Angel Cabales' death, GM D asked the 'Supreme Grand Master' who he felt his top Serrada Escrima student (s) were; In a proud voice he said; "All of my students are top notch students."
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
GM Angel Cabales teaching
Teaches outside #1
Teaches inside #1
Teaches empty hand
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Monday, September 19, 2016
Wes Bennett Seminar
2016 SEPTEMBER 24TH, Saturday.... from 10am until 2pm I will be teaching a martial arts seminar in the St Louis area.
For reservations (LIMITED SPACES) please message Sifu Dennis Moreland at West County Wing Chun
https://www.facebook.com/
This seminar is for ALL LEVELS of expertise (or lack thereof)
NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NEEDED--but if you have it, that's cool too.
Male or female... young or "older" ;-) **some lower age restrictions may apply--inquire with WCWC**
It will cover aspects from my journey and training in
* Guro Ted and Guro Lucky Lucaylucay Kali/Escrima/Arnis/ JeetKuneDo/ Panantukan, etc
* Sifu Larry Hartsell curriculum of JFJKD/Kali/Escrima
Some of the available subjects will be self defense that works, drills to enhance skill sets, weapons (impact and edged), empty hand (modified use of WingChun, Panantukan, Sikkaran, Boxing, dumog and grappling from Sifu Larry Hartsell, Kickboxing, etc) and applications to YOUR world by the concepts and flow of Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino Martial Arts.
*** There MAY be availability of a few private/semi private lessons as well. Set aside time for INSTRUCTOR/HIGHER LEVEL STUDENTS ONLY at end of seminar.
Limited room...don't wait... open to EVERYONE...no politics/no bs/ we will train, we will laugh, and we will learn.
God bless
~guro wes bennett
http://wcwingchun.com/
Photos by: Zachary Stearns
Graphic Design by: Brad Owens of Snake Productions And Graphics
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Hapkido Seminar upcoming with Mr. Columbus Smith
If you're in the St. Louis, Missouri are the weekend of September 24, 2016, I encourage your attendance. It should prove to be an outstanding day!
Also, do check out his short videos which I've shared links to below.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Monday, March 21, 2016
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Good Structure is the Essence of Effective Defence with GM Ron Saturno
Good Structure is the Essense of Effective DefenceGood structure is the Essense of Effective Defence.Here is a short clip of me training with some advanced Aiki and Taiji teachers over Superbowl Sunday. Hope you all enjoy the clip
Posted by Living on the edge with Ron Saturno on Monday, February 8, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Philippine Maharlika Kuntaw Association by Brian "Buzz" Smith
Some of you may have read the articles posted about the formation of the PMKA in the Philippines ( FMA Informative issues 124, 134,137} this is an update. In July of 2015 I returned to the Philippines and started forming contracts with Barangay offices, Public schools,National High Schools, Philippine National Police stations and some security companies to get a strong footing to start with. Several people met with me and we formulated a plan. Unfortunateliy the plan was not set in motion before my visa ran out. So, we regrouped. On my return in September GM Tony Villareal offered to help expedite the filing of sec numbers with the Philippine Securities and exchange commission. I gave him 2000 peso to start the process. I had to go to Manila to file for a visa extension and was delayed by navigational failures on our air craft and missed my connection to get to the Sept meeting. So, I bought another ticket and made a direct flight to Naga to get to the meeting. This is where everything went south.
Since I had to pay 13000 peso for the extension, 300.00 for the filing, 200.00 for the ID and the extra plane ticket of over 4200 peso, I did not have much money left when I got to the meeting. Someone at the meeting was upset that I could not readily finance everything so they dropped me from the filing. At this point several or the people I invited to join the PMKA decided it would be better if they just created their own PMKA.
Problem is, I we already had a constitution/by-laws I had already paid for patches, uniforms, T shirts stationery, Business cards, Banners and Tarpulin, as well as set up a web page, phone account,VISA account and had registered with many FMA groups in the USA. I had also contracted for several companies to fabricate training gear with the PMKA logo. There were also 9 groups of FMA practitioners already wearing the PMKA logo and had certificates made for their groups under PMKA. There is also a series of training manuals contracted for unter the PMKA title. When confronted with these facts I was told that I no longer was included in the PMKA Plans and “ Mr Smith, you should choose your Filipino friends more wisely” I have documented everything and have gotten statements from the people who were there at the second meeting .
If you should happen to see someone claiming to “OWN” the PMKA and I am not in the picture, then you will know who these people are. I have photos from July where I gave PMKA t shirts to these people as they agreed to belong. They can take me to court saying that they alone have the right to the PMKA because they paid for the registry, but if we are in court the Judge will be able to see through the fog and see that several individuals have cheated to take what they did not form and establish. If they win and they get the PMKA identity, they will assume all liabilities of the PMKA which includes the bills and contracts that were signed with the names of these people on the stationery.
Needless to say this will get interesting. But, I have faith that my FMA friends will see thru the fog and call these people on their treachery.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Kuntao In Southeast Asia by Mark Wiley
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Why Filipino Martial Arts Training is Unrealistic with Doug Marcaida
Doug Marcaida says that his Kali training is unrealistic. That "none of this is real" and that there is a damn good reason for it. Filipino Martial Arts, like all martial arts, is plagued by criticism of its training principles. That movements are staged, rehearsed, practiced over and over again, drilled, memorized---until it becomes routine, until it becomes natural, until it becomes instinctive. Sound familiar? If you're into firearms training, it should sound familiar.
(www.DougMarcaida.com)
Training is a progressive and fluid, never-ending lifestyle that first takes into the account the safety of the practitioner. When teaching someone how to use firearms it is advisable to take baby steps. To learn the safety rules. The mechanics of the firearm. Perhaps they start with a smaller calibre and progress and explore their preference. Paper and steel targets certainly do not shoot back. But the skills extracted through compartmentalized training (like how a boxer uses a skipping rope to work on stamina and coordination) are invaluable steps needed in order to progress the nature of said training.
Keyboard warriors aside, those who train understand that the value of compartmentalized training is absolutely essential to the bigger picture. Yet, we still read comments like "Paper Targets Don't Shoot Back"---of course they don't. In the same token we hear things like well he's not attacking you realistically with that knife. Of course not. It's a knife. Even dulled training knives hurt.
The point Doug Marcaida makes in this video is that like ALL training of ANY combative sport, any martial art, any sport PERIOD needs to first develop a solid understanding and mastery of the fundamentals before progressing into advanced. That the skills developed in training are valuable tools in order to appreciate and fully understand the nature of high speed, realistic and aggressive training. In the same way that a gun owner shoots paper targets to develop their skills and not simply tossed into an active shooter situation to "train." So the next time someone tells you that Kali or Filipino Martial Arts training is unrealistic, simply smile and say "Yes. Yes it is." ----you'll smile knowing the reason its unrealistic is that it HAS TO BE.
www.Doug Marcaida.com
Chris & Doug, Great job! Have to be able to flow from as Doug said from one question to the answer & back to another question. Flow drills are so important within our systems, yet when an outsider looks they barely scratch the surface with their understanding. NEVER, EVER underestimate the ability of any FMA stylist to "have a conversation"
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Modern Arnis and the Long Blade: An Expository Essay Regarding Good Footwork by Jerome Barber, Ed. D. GM & Datu, Independent Escrima-Kenpo-Arnis Associates
The long blade and good footwork are an essential pairing regardless of the martial art system or style being considered. A good number of my fellow Modern Arnis instructors talk a good game but fail to fully execute the footwork that they mention in their classes. Modern Arnis is in reality a bladed art that is based on the bolo or long knife. The rattan stick is a training tool and was utilized by the late Professor Remy A. Presas to show the beauty of the art and to make the art acceptable for instruction in physical education programs involving children in the Philippines. Consider the following quote:
"Imagine that your stick is a sword and that you are “slicing” your opponent’s arm. (Modern Arnis, Remy Presas, page 83, 1983."
Strictly speaking (writing) for myself, I believe that mobility, footwork and body-shifting needs to be emphasized more in the training of most Modern Arnis students in the United States. If there is one constant that I have observed in my 39 years of training within the Modern Arnis System, it is that most of the practitioners do not demonstrate a mastery of good footwork and body shifting. They typically ‘plant’ their feet, thereby ‘rooting’ themselves in one spot as they practice their striking and/or defending themselves in the various system drills. These people tend to rely heavily on their stick and empty supporting hand in defending themselves against an attack. Many of my fellow Modern Arnis instructors will talk mightily about mobility and movement, but in actual practice they fail to execute the very behaviors that they claim are so integral to their art or instructional formats.
I have found that most of my fellow Modern Arnis instructors, regardless of current ranking, have failed to establish any sort of definitive pattern with regard to triangulation stepping as described by the late Grandmaster Remy A. Presas, in his various books. Without that essential footwork foundation these instructors can not establish any sort of alternate supplemental patterns for evasive footwork to augment the primary evasion triangulation steps that Professor shows in his books, particularly the Ohara Publications version of Modern Arnis (Modern Arnis: The Filipino Art of Stick Fighting. Remy Presas. 1983, p. 26). Merely talking about footwork and mobility is not enough. One actually has to use it in his/her own training sessions and drill it into their students until it is a reflexive habit. If one were to closely examine Modern Arnis stick strikes 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 it would be readily apparent that these attacks can be evaded and neutralized by merely shifting your body off the line of attack with either a single step and/or rotation of upper body.
The integrated transitional concepts which are inherent within the logical philosophy of blade avoidance in Professor Presas’ system should be readily apparent to anyone who has studied Modern Arnis in depth. The thing that makes the Modern Arnis System so effective, efficient and logical is the built-in economy of motion that establishes the foundation of the system. At the very core of the system is the reality that Modern Arnis was built on the principles of the long Filipino blades, such as the bolo, itak, kris, barong, machete and kampilan among others.
Professor wrote the following statement in his first Modern Arnis book in 1973:
“What should be emphasized, however, is the fact that the cane is only for practice purposes for its basiclly less lethal in nature. For in actual combat, the standard weapon is still the bolo or any bladed weapon which is more stable and convenient for this kind of combat technique.” (Modern Arnis: Philippine Martial Art “Stick Fighting”. Remy Amador Presas, Founder of Modern Arnis. p. 9, 1973.).
Blocking incoming bladed strikes is simply not at all practical in many cases. Evasion and counter-striking are really much better defensive actions. In Modern Arnis as conceived by Professor Presas, the 12 stick strikes are “…the life and soul of arnis. They are the things around which all other techniques revolve.” (Remy Amador Presas, 1973, p. 32). With that idea in mind, blocking, whether with a stick or empty hands must be seen as a secondary behavior which compliments body shifting and evasive footwork because these strikes are conceived of and presented as originating from bladed instruments.
In his books Professor always included information about stances and body shifting. Professor believed that “… your body shifts almost automatically into the proper stances as you execute each strike.” (Presas, p. 31, 1983). But, how can one learn to step and shift effectively if one has not been taught the correct methods for doing so? Learning to shift is tied to striking and striking relies on footwork to place ones self in the proper position to effectively execute the strike.
“Learning to employ body shifting in arnis is extremely important. Virtually all the techniques in this book employ some degree of body shifting to move your body away from the opponent’s angle of attack, yet close the distance so that an effective defense can be used (counterstrike, disarm, takedown)”. (Presas, p. 26, 1983.).
Professor Presas was quite adamant, in his printed materials, about the importance of evasion and he wrote, “Body shifting is very important. An eskrima player should be shifty in positioning his body at a vantage point so that he can strike with utmost power. Proper body positioning will also enable him to be outside the effective range of an opponent’s blow or strike. Body shifting consists of stepping, sliding, turning or (a) combination of these movements.” (The Practical Art of Eskrima: 2nd Edition. The Filipino Martial Art of Attack and Defense with cane or barehands, otherwise known as Arnis. Remy Amador Presas, “Father of Modern Arnis”. 1994, page 26)
When Professor actually taught seminars and camps he often skipped right past any references to stances and body shifting. He would immediately began teaching the 12 angles of stick attacks, plus the single stick and empty hand translations, joint-locking, double stick and disarming techniques that were based on the 12 striking angles. In his later years (mid to late 1990’s) he included and emphasized sinawali boxing and tapi-tapi concepts. Professor Presas also made the following statement regarding the importance of the 12 stick striking techniques, “In the twelve striking techniques, the learner is taught how and where to deliver a strike in order to achieve the maximum power and efficacy.” (Remy Amador Presas, 1974, p. 32). Combine the above quote with the following two statements that Professor wrote in his 1983 version of Modern Arnis:
“Notice that your body will shift almost automatically into the proper stances as you execute each strike”. (Remy Presas, 1983, p. 31.). “You must stay loose and move quickly, always pivoting to face the strike and keep your balance.” (Presas, p. 45, 1983.).
It appears to me that Professor Presas is making a strong case for assuming that his Modern Arnis students would automatically find, use, as well as fully understand the proper positioning and body shifting methods without his formal input. Unfortunately this assumption and instructional omission on Professor’s part may be the major contributing factor to the tendency of many of his top instructors (and by extension, their own students) standing-in-place, relying on their hand and stick skills when practicing the art. Professor Presas was a strong and powerful man with good upper body strength. He was also a very good counter-fighter who could effectively stand his ground and prevail in an armed confrontation. Therefore he was prone to say one thing yet actually do another when it came to evasive footwork and body shifting. A large number of his students followed his physical examples rather than his spoken or written words when it came to evasion and footwork.
In the Kenpo-Modern Arnis curriculum that I developed for the Erie Community College credit bearing self defense program, I included 4 basic methods of footwork and body-shifting. These methods of stepping are based on the traditional premise that Modern Arnis is a bladed art and the primary striking tool is in reality an 18 to 26 inch blade. My own choice for a training tool to replicate the blade is a wooden replica of the Negrito Bolo, which is found on Professor’s home island of Negros.
There shouldn’t be any doubt that Professor Presas clearly saw bladed weapons as being at the heart of Arnis as he understood it. Then, so as to remove any lingering doubts, Professor added the names of some of the blades that were featured in the art as he understood it, and taught it in the Philippines, “…kris, bolo, kalis, laring, barong, gunong, kampilan, gayang,pira, punal, itak banjal, bangkcon, lahot and the panabas.” (Remy Amador Presas, p. 10, 1973).
In conjunction with good footwork one should also have a firm foundation in terms of stances and Professor mentioned this as well in his publications. Professor wrote:
There are only a few specific stances or ready positions in Modern Arnis, but learning them is essential before they become a part of your automatic response in a self defense situation. Effective balance and the ability to move swiftly backward and forward to facilitate blocking and striking are the backbone of arnis or any martial art. Stances or ready positions are not static things to be assumed and then maintained throughout practice. The body flows into each appropriate stance as the situation demands. (Remy Presas, p. 21, 1983.).
Perhaps one of the reasons that Professor Presas skipped right over the stance training and footwork when he taught in the United States, Canada and Europe is because he was initially teaching accomplished black belt martial artists who were in reality studying Modern Arnis as an ‘add-on ‘ or secondary art to their original karate or kung fu systems. Most of these people were already well established instructors within their ‘mother arts’ and were well beyond the basics. While this methodology worked very well in 1975 when Professor first came to the USA, but as time advanced and a good number of his fir
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Elevate Your Thoughts And Rise" A Personal Journey
Recently, Turkish WSEF Master Guru Mustafa Gunaydin, made a special pilgrimage from his homeland country Turkey to America, in order to pay homage to his "D/C Serrada System of Escrima" roots. As far back as 1999, Master Guru Gunaydin first began his Serrada Escrima training under "D/C Serrada Escrima" Grand Master Guru Mustafa Bugur. GM Bugur began his formal Escrima training in 1990, and studied under the legendary Guru SGMD, in Berlin, Germany. In turn, GM Bugur passed his Escrma knowledge onward to his fellow countrymen in Turkey. For his meritorious, and well earned lfifteen years of labor within the field of keeping the legacies of Great Grandmaster Angel Cabales, and his mentors' teacher SGMD alive in the country of Turkey;
Master Guru Mustafa Gunaydin is hereby awarded the "WSEF Honorary 6th. Degree Grand Master's Guru Award."
"CONGRATULATIONS"
From All Members of The WSEF
Grand Master Guru Mike Schwarz/President/ World Serrada Escrima Federation
SGMD/Co~Founder/WSEF
Friday, September 18, 2015
WSEF Welcomes & Honors Master Frank Schlefendorf
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Congratulations Gura Jackie Bradbury!
Guro Michael Schwarz
President of the WSEF
following content courtesy of "The Stick Chick" Blog:
With her husband, Kevin, I've been studying Modern Arnis and related arts since 2008.
We started the martial arts studying PaSaRyu Tae Kwon Do at John Wade Karate in Southaven, MS. My daughter also studied there starting at age five.
At the beginning, we fell in love with the marital arts immediately and it changed our lives very much for the better! I can't imagine a life without martial arts in it now!
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| Me and my PaSaRyu Yellow Belt. |
What I loved about PaSaRyu was my instructor, Darrell Kellner. He is an excellent martial artist and includes a lot of great physical conditioning in every class. I learned many forms, learned martial arts basics, and even played around with the Bo a little bit. Always a humble and open-minded person, I'm proud to call Darrell a friend to this day, even though I no longer study PaSaRyu. I eventually reached the blue belt level before I relocated to Las Vegas.
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| David and I cross sticks. |
Just before I moved to Las Vegas, I discovered I was pregnant with my second child. As I did not want to practice any hard arts during the pregnancy - it was considered high-risk due to my age and other factors - I studied Tai Chi Chuan with two different teachers in Las Vegas. One taught me a smattering of Chen style, and once he stopped teaching, I started studying with this group: The Las Vegas Tai Chi Meetup Group. That's a great group and if you're in Las Vegas, I highly recommend you check it out. What I learned there definitely influences me to this day.
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| Bruce Chiu, me, Jack Hogan, Kev. |
A few months after the safe delivery of my perfectly healthy younger daughter, circumstances required us to move (again), this time to the Fort Worth, TX area. I briefly studied Tae Kwon Do again, but my heart was not in it, as my husband and I really wanted to continue studying Modern Arnis (or a close enough version, if we could find a tacher) more than anything.
That's when we got very lucky.
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| Mark Lynn - he delivers bruises to us frequently! |
He knew we'd studied Modern Arnis, so I almost fell over myself as I rushed over to introduce myself to the man. It turns out, I'd spotted him months earlier posting really good stuff about Arnis (and other topics) on Martial Talk and noticed he was nearby, so I messaged him and got no response. I figured he'd either quit MT or maybe he'd moved or something, so I wrote it off in my mind.
The guy that instructor pointed out to me is the same guy! His mailbox at MT was full and he didn't see my message - so maybe we were destined to meet him eventually!
He is Mark Lynn, and is our main instructor today at Hidden Sword Martial Arts. My daughter also studies with him in his Tae Kwon Do program and recently attained the rank of Black Belt (1st Degree) under Mark.. My younger daughter is chompin' at the bit to start studying as well, as soon as she's old enough!
Kevin and I are both black belts (Lakan and Dayang Isa) and we both help instruct our lower-level students at Hidden Sword as well as study with Mark. We opened our own community-center based Arnis program - Mid-Cities Arnis - at NRH Centre in North Richland Hills, TX in July 2015.
I have studied the Jo under Mark Lynn, and I am currently studying Kobudo with A-KATO. Kevin studies Goju-Shorei weapons (walking cane) with Keith Freeman at Freeman's Martial Arts
I also enjoy the Kansas City Chiefs, sci fi and fantasy geekery of all kinds, Celtic and punk music and art, low carbing, liberty, and of course, being a mom and wife.