ACADEMY CURRICULUM
A description of the philosophy and curriculum of the Academy
"The ultimate aim of the Martial Arts lies not in
victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its
participants."
-- Gichin Funakoshi
This is an open letter to anyone considering training at my
academy. I have a two-fold goal in what I would like my students to
experience and learn. Of roughly equal importance to me is that my students can
really, really defend themselves, their friends and family from the harmful
intentions of "bad guys." AND that they are learning with respectful,
disciplined and responsible attitudes and behaviors toward others and society.
This means that the training has to involve absolutely the
best, most modern and up to date proven techniques and tactics that have
actually been tested and are being tested constantly in real life, and are being
taught by pros around the world.
This means that for the street we focus on Brazilian
Jiu-jitsu, Judo, Muay-Thai and western boxing and kick-boxing, plus an assortment of
"mean stuff" as is found in Krav-Maga and JKD. This is the part
of our training that immediately and directly can be used by students of all
ages and either gender to actually come out ahead in a real life encounter. Our
style of training is taught with "aliveness" as by ourselves and places
like Straight-Blast JKD, Boxing/Thai Boxing gyms and Judo clubs or Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu schools.. Almost all of the time in class is spent actually training.
With a partner or opponent. Focus mitts, bag work, sparring, ground
fighting are things that we do all the time, at all ages. Very little time
is spent sitting around or thrashing the air. We train
students to defend themselves using the every day proven methods that will
actually give them the needed skills and abilities, as well as reshape and mold
their bodies, just as the professionals around the world do. We train with
partners that resist, evade and counter-attack, allowing the student to learn to
really be able to use the moves they are taught. Not training with
aliveness, using an unresisting static unrealistic "attacker"...or the
very worst, "sparring" for "points," is quite common at
other schools, and will never give you the needed abilities of timing,
improvision and adaptability to actually defend yourself. In fact you will
be less and less capable while thinking you can. Very dangerous!
The type of training we use is the only style being
taught seriously for self-defense in the world today, and while many
'trademarked" varieties exist, the generic term is "Mixed Martial Arts."
MMA doesn't mean mixing just anything. It specifically means the arts as shown
above, taught realistically and with an emphasis on grappling (Brazilian
jiu-jitsu) first, as all real life encounters involve grappling, and
grappling skills are the ones that determine if striking/kicking or "running
away" skills can even be used. In other words if you can't grapple, you
can't fight, or even get away from one.
The other EQUALLY important aspect of our training is the
traditional side of the martial arts. We use the uniforms, belt-ranks,
class structure and respectful and careful training methods that have worked for
hundreds or even thousands of years to make better people not just better
martial artists. We believe in traditional training as a path to
better physical, mental and even spiritual well-being. While perhaps not
of much use in a "real fight," this part of our training compliments
and strengthens the realistic side, providing a framework in which the greatest
and most lasting changes and growth can occur. Most of us will
never, ever actually use our fighting skills against an actual assailant.
All of us WILL benefit in every aspect of our lives from the lessons learned
about ourselves, the confidence gained, and the discipline acquired through
traditional martial arts training.
If the enemy thinks of the mountains,
attack like the sea; and if he thinks of the sea, attack like the mountains. -
Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645)
The School Motto:
STRIVE FOR IMPECCABILITY
The Five Rules:
EFFORT
...try your hardest
ETIQUETTE
...have good manners
CHARACTER
...your actions define who you are
SINCERITY
...be truthful to all, especially oneself
SELF-CONTROL
...how you live and what you do is your own
choice
The FIVE ANIMALS or ELEMENTS
At the Martial Arts Academy all students are encouraged to
become truly educated and complete Martial Artists, rather than limited
and one or two dimensional Partial Artists. Undergraduates may
declare a "major" in one or two of the five divisions of Martial Arts
study, but are trained to be proficient in them all, just as are students of any
reputable and accredited University. Graduate students may then extend
their training in the most profitable and interesting areas as they discover
where those interests and needs take them.
The base system of Shaolin Kempo
Jiu-Jitsu is the system our students are ranked in, and has the advantage of
being the foundation of most or all of the popular styles, thus a student who
masters our program is prepared to continue with us or in any style or school, around the country or the world, or for real life!
At our Academy we have many black belts from
other schools who are really thrilled to find a home at our dojo. We are
constantly told that the type of training we offer is nearly impossible to find,
and once they discover us they are re-vitalized and make a whole new commitment
to train in the arts. This can be especially true for children in ordinary
mass-market Dojo's / Dojang's who just aren't being stimulated or challenged any
longer, or for adults who have already tried one or more styles, but are
still looking for more...you just found it!
Dragon or Wind
The dragon is elusive and wise, never where you expect him,
always moving like the wind. The dragon likes to spin and lash out at long
range with powerful kicks and can jump and twist and miss-direct its opponent
while setting up it's attack. When you think you are defeating the dragon,
watch out, you might be in for a surprise.
Dragon styles include Tae-kwon-do, Jeet-Kune-Do and
Kung-Fu
Tiger or Fire
The tiger is the strongest of the animals, it attacks
directly and without guile, and few can withstand going toe-to-toe with it.
The tiger attacks relentlessly and without fear, its strikes can be used as
blocks and its blocks can be as punishing as strikes.
Tiger styles include Muy-Thai, Boxing and Shotokan Karate
Leopard or Water
The leopard is similar to the other cat, the tiger, except
as it is smaller it must be faster and more accurate. The leopard is a
grappler, always closing in with elbows, knees and forearm strikes, then seizing
and crushing and choking its opponent. It loves to fight from inside at
trapping and grappling range, where it's opponents superior size and strength
are not factors. The leopard is said to be the most tenacious of the animals,
penetrating it's opponents defense, flowing like water into any gap in the
defense of it's enemy and never, ever backing out.
Leopard Styles include Jiu-Jitsu,
Aiki-jutsu and Krav-Maga
CRANE or VOID
The crane is the most graceful and balanced of the animals,
and sometimes the most underestimated. The crane tries to be unassuming,
never boasting or challenging. The crane avoids meeting force with force, but
instead will deflect and/or re-direct an opponents attack back against that
opponent. The crane relies on superior timing and balance to achieve
victory, and will define victory as a successful escape, not necessarily harming
its opponent at all. The crane is always turning its opponent, using the
principal of the "dynamic sphere" where all harmful energy can be
returned to it's source. The crane can be especially effective against an
armed attacker, or multiple attackers.
Crane styles include Aikido and Ba-qua
SNAKE or EARTH
The snake is the "bad boy" of the animals, sneaky
and mean. The snake strikes with extreme rapidity and accuracy, usually
into the eyes, throat or other vulnerable area of it's opponent. It wins
by any means necessary, an important trait when your life or the lives of loved
ones are at stake. The snake is comfortable on the ground, but is a threat
at any range. The snake believes that the best defense, once cornered, is
a strong offense.
Snake styles include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and
Kung-Fu San-Shou
Some Other Lesser Known
Animals
BEYOND THE Animals
The Academy also trains, where appropriate, students in the
uses and defenses against modern weapons such as guns. While not part of
any "traditional" system (obviously), knowledge of the modern realities
are important not only for law enforcement and military personnel, but for
anyone who would like a realistic chance on the street. We teach children
anti-molestation and anti-abduction techniques as well as how to handle bullies. Highly
effective moves and tactics that work especially well for woman are also covered, and even car-jacking
defenses. For those with a special interest in Filipino arts or edged weapons, we offer
extra classes in Kali, Escrima, and Arnis.
We feel without a doubt you will get the best education, the best work out,
and receive the benefits of martial arts study to the fullest at our academy!
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