Hello All.
I'm new to the forum (obviously) - but not new to martial arts. As an introduction here is my training history. As you will see, my work career has had me move about quite a lot, so I've got a lengthy history learning from a variety of styles and instructors. As I grew up, my father taught me that "if you learn from only one teacher, you'll never know more than he does". This is a saying that I've held close to my heart for much of my life.
I began training in 1959 in the art of Savate. My father, a WW2 vet and DI was much impressed with that art during the war, and so when I was 5 years old he found an opportunity for me to train in that art. As it is with most children training though, most of my instruction revolved around coordination, balance, distance control, and spatial relationships. My instructor (Mssr. Gassion) was an artist (painter) known locally, so many of the analogies I use regarding this art involve art in some degree or the other.
When I was 10 years old Mssr. Gassion died, and so I went without training for almost a year.
Soon though a Kenpo instructor came to my town and began teaching out of the back of a restaurant. - no... I'm not making that up.. even though it sounds like some kind of kung-fu movie plot - This was Professor Jack Long, a student of Master Professor Ralph Castro, and Master John Keehan. I studied with Jack Long until 1974, earning my 1st degree black during that time.
Years later I would find and train with Master Long again - earning my 2nd degree black belt from him.
During that year my work career took me to another city, and so it was there that I started training it what would become my main art - Taekwondo. I began studying with Master Marty MacKowski in San Mateo CA. Later after about 2 years study there, my career moved me south to San Jose CA, and I changed instructors to Master Dan Choi.
While studying at Master Choi's school, there was a shake up within the ranks, and the school split. As circumstances would fall, I had been training at one of his schools that broke away, forming West Coast Taekwondo, under Ernie Reyas, Tony Thompson, and Ed Fong.
While at West Coast Taekwondo I earned my 2nd degree black belt, and did a considerable amount of tournament fighting / form competition as well as several PKA full contact fights. Also, in 1983 I opened my own West Coast Taekwondo training studio in San Ramon CA. Within a couple of years of starting my studio, I had a business related falling out with Master Thompson, and left their organization. It was at that time that I began training first with Grand Master William Kim, and later with Grand Master Pyong Hoe Koo.
Through Master Kim I began study in Hapkido, and through Master Koo I became involved in the PTA (Pro-Taekwondo Association), and eventually earned my 6th degree black belt in Taekwondo.
I ran my own studio for 8 years, then in the early 90's I gave the studio over to Master Koo due to family issues. I then continued as Chief instructor for Master Koo, overseeing instruction at his 2 schools.
As I am a believer in continually furthering my education through concurrent training, I have also studied Judo in college, Jujitsu (briefly) with Master Wally Jay, Shotokan Karate with Master Jim Mather, and Escrima with Mike Innay and Grand Master Remy Presas. I also continued my Hapkido training with Master Riccardo Oliveria.
So that's pretty much it. So.. Hello!
I'm new to the forum (obviously) - but not new to martial arts. As an introduction here is my training history. As you will see, my work career has had me move about quite a lot, so I've got a lengthy history learning from a variety of styles and instructors. As I grew up, my father taught me that "if you learn from only one teacher, you'll never know more than he does". This is a saying that I've held close to my heart for much of my life.
I began training in 1959 in the art of Savate. My father, a WW2 vet and DI was much impressed with that art during the war, and so when I was 5 years old he found an opportunity for me to train in that art. As it is with most children training though, most of my instruction revolved around coordination, balance, distance control, and spatial relationships. My instructor (Mssr. Gassion) was an artist (painter) known locally, so many of the analogies I use regarding this art involve art in some degree or the other.
When I was 10 years old Mssr. Gassion died, and so I went without training for almost a year.
Soon though a Kenpo instructor came to my town and began teaching out of the back of a restaurant. - no... I'm not making that up.. even though it sounds like some kind of kung-fu movie plot - This was Professor Jack Long, a student of Master Professor Ralph Castro, and Master John Keehan. I studied with Jack Long until 1974, earning my 1st degree black during that time.
Years later I would find and train with Master Long again - earning my 2nd degree black belt from him.
During that year my work career took me to another city, and so it was there that I started training it what would become my main art - Taekwondo. I began studying with Master Marty MacKowski in San Mateo CA. Later after about 2 years study there, my career moved me south to San Jose CA, and I changed instructors to Master Dan Choi.
While studying at Master Choi's school, there was a shake up within the ranks, and the school split. As circumstances would fall, I had been training at one of his schools that broke away, forming West Coast Taekwondo, under Ernie Reyas, Tony Thompson, and Ed Fong.
While at West Coast Taekwondo I earned my 2nd degree black belt, and did a considerable amount of tournament fighting / form competition as well as several PKA full contact fights. Also, in 1983 I opened my own West Coast Taekwondo training studio in San Ramon CA. Within a couple of years of starting my studio, I had a business related falling out with Master Thompson, and left their organization. It was at that time that I began training first with Grand Master William Kim, and later with Grand Master Pyong Hoe Koo.
Through Master Kim I began study in Hapkido, and through Master Koo I became involved in the PTA (Pro-Taekwondo Association), and eventually earned my 6th degree black belt in Taekwondo.
I ran my own studio for 8 years, then in the early 90's I gave the studio over to Master Koo due to family issues. I then continued as Chief instructor for Master Koo, overseeing instruction at his 2 schools.
As I am a believer in continually furthering my education through concurrent training, I have also studied Judo in college, Jujitsu (briefly) with Master Wally Jay, Shotokan Karate with Master Jim Mather, and Escrima with Mike Innay and Grand Master Remy Presas. I also continued my Hapkido training with Master Riccardo Oliveria.
So that's pretty much it. So.. Hello!
Also, you've had experiences I have never had--I'd like to hear more about Savate, as it's an art of which I've never heard!
