Martial arts magazine budo international 278 2014

"Put your heart, your mind, your intellect and your soul even in your smallest acts.

In this lies the secret of success."

Swami Sivananda

fter making for years all the necessary tests (one month printed and sold in newsstands and the following month published on-line), we decided we had to make a free magazine on Internet. We had discovered that in this way there were many more readers and that a new business model was starting to be born. Sales of our products (videos, DVDs, equipment) increased the months we appeared on line; besides, there were not few the masters willing to benefit from the fivefold diffusion all this entailed. The boldest of them bet, some by the trust and confidence placed in my person and others by an authentic forwardlooking vision. We were right. Today we can say that this has multiplied tenfold!

As a result of this success, we have had to make a new decision that we hope it pleases all of you, offering you each month not one but two magazines, always for FREE. The Internet world has nothing to do with the paper world. Before, when we raised the idea of making fortnightly editions, we encountered the problem of the quick expiration date of the product.

Before placing the next issue, we had to withdraw the former one. As a result, it was very difficult to get enough readers, and publishers and advertisers; we regretted the effort we had carried out. Today everything is different because the magazines remain accessible and this fact simply adds readers instead of reducing them!

It is true that all of this requires an extra effort on my team, but we do it with tremendous enthusiasm and excitement, because in this way will also have the opportunity to come into your homes and lives twice a month, bringing you the best of the martial world and providing access and entry to new collaborators, among the many of those who are seeking new developing ways for their teaching and learning approaches.

Following this line, with great resources and work, we have devoted the last 8 months to unify in

A

"Change is the rule of life. Whoever sees just the past or the present will miss the future."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

language and content all our sites in a new website under the name of www.budointernational.com that we have just released for you all with incredible acceptance.

Made under the most modern standards of Prestashop, the magazine offers you weekly information with exclusive contents and the possibility of reading the magazine on the spot, as well as weekly OFFERS on our products, and many plans already underway, of which you will have full information simply by registering. An added advantage of this registration (it will take you just a few minutes) is that you can receive full information of each new magazine as soon as it is published, and exclusive offers for those belonging to this club.

Our website aims to become a real portal for Martial Arts, where you can have everything you may need regarding our world. Please, visit it, you won't be disappointed. Also, don't let pass by the opportunity to know our download website! There is a welcome offer for a few days of only 6 Euros per video! The number of titles available in download has reached 400 and it's growing every week!

For our readers this implies that, twice a month, you will have a new magazine to read and also a website with exclusive contents where each week will present articles that will NOT come out in the regular magazine, some of them real gems previously published in our pages and that many of you didn't have the chance to read in due course.

Don't forget to visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel under the name of "videobudo", where lots of FREE videos have helped us to gather today the incredible (and increasing!) figure of 18,000 subscribers.

All this has a common denominator, and it's very simple: the generosity and affection with which all of you have treated us in this whole transition process that culminates now with a new model of communication for the XXI Century Martial World.

All I can say is a deep and fond THANK YOU!

Alfredo Tucci is Managing Director to Budo INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING CO. E-mail: budo@budointernational.com

https://www.facebook.com/alfredo.tucci.5

T

his is a for sure controversial article. But as my dear old mom would have said “honesty is always the best policy�.

So after a few years of punching and kicking here is my take on the subject.

It really depends on what you study martial arts for whether its sport, history and philosophy, selfimprovement, weapons training and self defense, fitness, self- defense or just plain fun.

If you're interested in sport it really does not matter which one you train in as they nearly all have a sporting aspect these days. None though are in the Olympics except Tae Kwon Do and Judo. So if you are a young person with eyes set on being a world champion or Olympic Champion join Tae Kwon Do or Judo.

Now if your interested in pure self defense there are a few that offer the best and that would be Boxing, Brazilian Ju Jitsu and Muay Thai as they really will teach you what it is like to be hit and hit hard and this is what happens on the street.

For fitness I would suggest Tae Bo or Karate Aerobics or something like this.

If philosophy and pure health then I suggest Tai Chi and Kung Fu although several of the other arts have this aspect a well these I feel are the best.

For weapons training and self defense I would stat in Escrima as they specialize in stick and knife training before going to open hand techniques and this is an excellent art for law enforcement as well.

For self-improvement as a young person the modern m a r t i a l a r t s i n A m e r i c a w h e re t h e y h a v e m i x e d

everything into what they teach many of these are excellent as they teach self-improvement, goal setting and camaraderie.

If it is just plain fun then join the school your friends are at and the fun will happen.

Now in saying all that arts like Traditional Japanese Karate are excellent at discipline and as well are good for fitness and sport but be prepared to study a long time to develop self defense skills but once developed they are with you for life.

In summary I suggest always watching at least three schools work out and watch the way the head instructor interacts with students and see if his personality is what your after for your self or child.

The decision you will make is an important one because if you choose incorrectly you will be wasting time and a lot of it. The time you spent at the school, the time it will take your new instructor to correct the mistakes you have acquired and finally the time to get you back to the level you should be at.

So take the decision very serious and don't be in a big hurry.

When I started karate I was required to watch three classes before I was allowed to start and pay the fee. The instructor did not want to waste his time teaching some one who was only going to be there for a few months and then quit.

Good luck on your martial arts journey. No matter what art you study it always comes down to the quality of the teacher and the quality of the student.

He is beyond doubt one of the brightest stars in the martial firmament and has left a definite mark on the sector films, a type of cinema in which he's always been in the right place at the right time, from his encounter with the Little dragon in the memorable fight at the Roman Colosseum, to a brilliant personal career that has been riddled with successes in film and television. But Chuck Norris is much more.

Behind the character there is a whole lengthy story, it’s the story of someone touched by fate that we all want to know. For this reason, we asked Master Pedro Conde, our super skilled reporter, to deepen into the biography of the most famous Ranger of history, and he has prepared this fantastic article, entertaining and complete indeed, that certainly will turn into a reference from today for collectors.

Alfredo Tucci Text: Nuria Ortiz López & Pedro Conde.

Photos: extracted from Budo & Don Warrener Files

CHUCK NORRIS, ON THE THRESHOLD OF THE LEGEND

C

arlos Ray Norris, better known as Chuck Norris, was born in Oklahoma on March 10, 1940. Norris was brought up in the bosom of a modest and very religious family; in fact, he was named Carlos after Reverend Carlos Berry, as a tribute to the spiritual minister of the family during those years. Norris has Irish ancestry on his paternal grandfather and his maternal grandmother, and Cherokee ancestry from his paternal grandmother and his maternal grandfather. As a competitor he used to joke about his origins, telling his opponents: “If you can beat the combativeness of my half Irish, my half Cherokee will rip your scalp”. Now seriously, he's always considered that his energy and vitality come from his Irish blood, and his determination and stoicism from his Indian blood.

When Norris says that nothing has ever been given to him for free and that he has always been a fighter, he's surely right, his own birth having been a struggle with life; after a long and difficult delivery, he was born with severe breathing problems and needed five days of attentive medical care to be declared out of danger.

His childhood was not easy. On the one hand he developed an immense shyness due to the fact, among other things, that from the beginning it was impossible for him to get lasting friends: his family was constantly moving house. Before 15 he had gone through thirteen different cities. The economic situation of the family was never too good, they used to rent small apartments in which they had to sleep huddled up together. Another big problem of his childhood was his father's alcoholism: Ray Norris returned from fighting in World War II with severe drinking problems.

This resulted in many tense situations with his wife and children. "Fortunately he never got to spank us - recalls Norris -, he was a peaceful man and when he was not drunk he was nice. But when he was under the influence of alcohol (most of the day) he was very bleak and unpredictable. Sometimes he screamed at us and threatened us, and that affected me a lot because I was a very sensitive and vulnerable child. Sometimes he disappeared for days and even weeks". The situation became untenable and when Norris was 16 and his brothers Wieland and Aaron were 12 and 4 respectively, their parents divorced.

Shortly after, his mother remarried and his stepfather managed to stabilize the family situation, a period during which he met Dianne Norris, who he would marry years later.

"Carlos Ray Norris, better known as Chuck Norris was born in Oklahoma on March 10, 1940"

After graduation, Norris decided he wanted to join the Air Force in seeking to get later a position within the military police. He enlisted in August 1958 and was assigned to the military base in Lackland, Texas. It was there that the other recruits, given the difficulty of pronouncing his name, "Carlos", started to call him Chuck.

Soon after, in late 1959, he was sent to Osan Air Base, South Korea. This move, very problematic in principle for he couldn't bring Dianne (who he had recently married) with him, proved to be decisive for the life and

future of Chuck Norris. Nothing would be the same when he returned from Korea. "In the Osan military base there were only 4 activities to which you could devote your free time: play cards, go out drinking with other recruits, sign up for academic training classes or learn Judo.

Most recruits chose the first two options, I chose the latter. The why is pretty simple: our military instructors cared very little whether we trained or we were in shape, at the earliest opportunity they crushed you physically to exhaustion. So I decided to practice Judo (the only Martial Art known at the time) to develop

Curious pictures of a young Chuck Norris in his phase of competitor, when he was part of the elite of the Contact Karate revolution that, along with Mike Anderson and other big names of the time, "disjapanized" the Martial Art and gave birth to a new sport concept.

my physical abilities and, in turn, to overcome the insecurity that characterized me".

On a visit to the village of Osan, a strange sight caught his eye: surrounded by lots of curious, young Koreans were conducting a demonstration of Martial Arts, performing incredible kicks of all kinds, circulars, spinning, jumping, etc. Norris was really impressed by what he saw; he never thought the human body could achieve such feats.

After much prodding, Norris gained acceptance in Tang Soo Do classes (that was the Martial Art practiced by those youngsters) of the Korean master Jae Chul Shin. "Shin imparted his training in the traditional style - recalls Norris with a smile -.

That is, five hours a day from Monday to Saturday.

There were about 20 students, most of them Korean black belts, and a few Americans. The beginning was especially hard; Shin and his students knew little about educational psychology.

There was no middle ground: either you liked and were passionate about it making the utmost effort in every workout or after a week you left cursing.

Fortunately, from the beginning to the end I was and assiduous and persevering student. It can be

Bruce Lee launched his career in the Cinema, in which he has left a deep impression over a long and successful career. Pictures during recording, some of them curious as the outtake on the right. Above with Bob Wall, his friend for years.

said, without wishing to exaggerate, that the spirit of Martial Arts changed my life.

Within a few months of training I started to feel much more self-confident and became more talkative and sociable with my base fellows. I even got to be elected once as "Soldier of the Month"!".

When Norris left Osan to return to the United States in March 1961, he already was TangSoo Do black belt and brown belt in Judo. Back home he was appointed Military Police sergeant at the airbase of Riverside. He then decided to combine his military career with his passion for Martial Arts. He continued to receive Judo classes (he even competed in different interstate tournaments) while he kept practicing TangSoo Do on his own, not knowing any master who taught this style.

He then began to impart classes of what he first called "Karate", since at that time, when you spoke of Tang Soo Do people assumed you were talking about some kind of oriental food, so Norris was compelled to look for a more familiar designation for his art, even if it was minimally known, as "Karate".

His first students were his brothers and cousins and military personnel from his base. He soon realized that there were many people interested in Martial Arts, so

in 1962 he left the Air Force and decided to dedicate himself fully to teaching. He opened up a small gym but things didn't go as expected: "If I really wanted to succeed as a Martial Arts teacher I had to win a few national tournaments. It was the only way to make myself known in this world and capture the attention of the press."

Oddly enough Chuck Norris was defeated in his first two attempts to become a champion. Far from being carried away by discouragement, he proved once again that perseverance and faith in oneself, sooner or later, bear their fruits; this is how in 1964 was proclaimed winner of the tournament in Los Angeles. It was the beginning of an extraordinary career in which Chuck Norris soon made fashionable the spinning kick that gave him more than one title, and he and his students began to raze wherever they went. Finally, in August 1966, he was presented with the opportunity to compete in the most prestigious tournament of that time: The Long Beach Inter national organized by Ed Parker, an opportunity he didn't let pass and returned home with the title of the middle weights in his pocket.

That was when Chuck Norris realized that if getting to the top had made him

With Pedro Conde, in one of the several interviews that author of this article has made to Chuck Norris throughout his life.

sweat blood, remain among the elite was going to cost him much more. So he decided to plunge himself body and soul into the study and practice of Martial Arts and started to train with the best Karate teachers of the American West Coast: Fumio Demura, Shito Ryu expert; Hidetaka Nishiyama, Shotokan Master, and Tsutamu Oshima, of which he has some very special memories: "Oshima was extremely tough. The level that he printed to his classes was really impressive; with him I learned to overcome the limitations that your imposes you, and to base the physical and technical progress in the power of the mind, through sacrifice and suffering." He also trained Hapkido and Aikido with Master Jun Chung, and Ju Jitsu with Al Thomas. Under the tutelage of Ed Parker he learned KenpoKarate, and Gene Lebell, an expert in American wrestling, Judo, Boxing and Karate, gave him a good combat basis in the short distance and ground fighting.

In 1967, his talent and the teachings of such masters enabled Norris to defend his title of middleweight champion, and also achieve the title of All Weights champion by defeating the famous Joe Lewis. It was in this tournament where he met Bruce Lee. This tournament was followed by many other victories, and Norris soon became the colossus of American competition. On his success in these sporting events he would declare: "There are three facets to be a winner: mental, physical and psychological. I prepare myself mentally trying to know the strong and weak points of my opponent so that I can take advantage of. When I am mentally ready, I can see and be aware of everything going on around me. I prepare myself psychologically believing in my ability to beat him.

I prepare myself physically training hard so that I can execute my techniques in the best possible way. When I'm in excellent condition, I often hit my opponent even before my brain can register it. There where I see a gap, I go straight in."

As a result of meeting Bruce Lee, they both began to train three or four hours once or twice a week, thus a friendship developed. Bruce Norris managed to convince Bruce that knowing how to kick high could always be helpful (at that time, Bruce, heavily influenced by the Wing Chun, only kicked from the waist down) and taught him various techniques. In return, the Little Dragon explained to him the mechanics of the direct

punch in Wing Chun, which Norris immediately included in his repertoire of combat.

Chuck Norris achieved his first role to act in a film through Bruce Lee, when one morning in 1968 he called him and said: "Chuck, I can get you a small role ideal for you: you'd have to make bodyguard of actress Elke Sommer in the movie 'The Wrecking Crew'. Are you interested?" In the film also acted Dean Martin and Sharon Tate... Obviously, Norris was enormously interested. But the first opportunity for a serious and important involvement in the world of the 7th Art did not come until 1972, when Bruce Lee called him from Hong Kong proposing him the role of co-star of his next film in "Way of the dragon" (titled “Return of the Dragon� in United States). Although Norris already enjoyed great popularity, he didn't miss the opportunity offered by Bruce Lee to become known throughout the world and entering the film industry. Norris traveled to Rome and then to Hong Kong to roll with Bruce Lee what has come to be called "the fight of the century", his duel at the Colosseum recalling the ancient gladiators.

Having won practically everything, Chuck Norris stopped participating in competitions in early 1974 to

With the author of this article, Pedro Conde, and the great Master RaĂşl GutiĂŠrrez, years later.

devote himself to his work as a teacher of Martial Arts. "Sometimes, knowing when to retire from something is almost as important as knowing when to start. At thirty four I had held the title of World Karate Champion for six consecutive years. I no longer had the necessary intensity to compete again, so I decided to get involved fully in teaching Martial Arts.

Whether the decision was influenced by the death of Bruce Lee or simply by the desire to retire while I was on top, I'm not sure, but officially I retired from Karate championships in 1974, leaving the ring as six-time world professional middleweight champion."

After his retirement he teamed up with Bob Wall and they opened several schools, Norris took charge of

classes and Bob was responsible for running the business, but that did not work. After the premiere of "The wrath of the Dragon" in America, his fame grew and in 1977 starred in "Breaker! Breaker!� followed a year later by "Good Guys Wear Black ".

After the death of Bruce Lee, the throne of the "King of the Martial Arts" became vacant; it seemed that there was no Oriental actor with sufficient talent to take his place, then, Hollywood sought an alter native. Logically, the only Westerner with fame and enough martial knowledge to occupy the position at the time was Chuck Norris. It was clear that the public was tired of so many oriental films, it was needed a Western actor with which the audience could feel

identified. "A Force of One" was his next job (in which he acts with Bill Wallace), "The Octagon", "An eye for an eye", among others. While the first stage of his filmography is basically reduced to Martial Arts films in the early 80s, Norris will try to change the roles on which he seems to be pigeonholed and pursue starring action films in the line Stallone or Schwarzenegger. "Missing in Action", "Invasion USA", "Lone Wolf McQuade", "Code of Silence" and "Delta Force" are good examples of the second cinematographic stage of Chuck Norris. Regarding this change Norris commented: "A mid-70s, they immediately pigeonholed me as a Karateka-star. My purpose was to break with that topic and for that I had to zoom out enough of Martial Arts in films. I think I've managed to make a name for myself among the greatest of the action movie, and now I can think seriously about re-including many Martial Arts in my films."

In 1987, before the filming of "Braddock. Missing in Action III", Chuck Norris had an experience that completely changed his concept in Martial Arts. "Bob Wall and I traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on a diving trip. While we were there I wanted to know about the different styles of Martial Arts practiced in the country. We trained at several schools wherever we went, someone told us about the amazing Gracie family, local icons of Jiu Jitsu. "Nobody messes with the Gracies", everyone said. "They are tough people!" Bob and I decided we wanted to know the Gracie family and so we started to look for their academy all over Rio. There we met Helio Gracie, the father of the clan, a short man in his seventies, and his son, Rikson, the leader of the young Gracies.

Bob and I asked them if we could train with them and the Gracies gladly accepted. I had learned some Ju Jutsu with Gene LaBelle in the United States and I am black belt in Judo, so I felt I could be on the level of these guys. But when we entered the tatami, I quickly discovered that all my Martial Arts moves were not effective against the Gracies. It was as if I had never done Martial Arts in my life! It was the most humiliating experience I've had as a martial artist.

Those guys left me at rock bottom! Helio Gracie came into the mat and he wanted to have a combat with me. We fought all over the tatami and for a moment I could be on top of him.

Then Mr. Gracie said, 'Chuck, hit me.' 'Uh no, Mr. Gracie, I'm not going to hit you'. 'No, no problem. Go ahead, hit me', the old man insisted. So I said, 'Well ... okay', as I raised my arm ... and that was the last thing I remember. He knocked me off. When I woke up and looked around, I thought the old man had applied me a neck lock and I was knocked unconscious. I felt that my throat would be sore for days. Mr. Gracie smiled and told me: 'Chuck, stay here in Rio with us and will make one of you one of the best Jiu Jitsu practitioners in the world.' 'Thank you, Mr. Gracie, but I really have to go back to United States', I said as I tried to swallow.

I was going to start shooting another movie so I couldn't stay longer in Brazil."

But that experience marked him to the point that as soon as he had the chance to do it he began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the Machado brothers and, on occasions, with the Gracies ... "Since 1978 I have led an organization of black belt practitioners of Martial Arts known as Federation of United Fighting Arts. Every year in July, I invite all my black belt students to a convention in Las Vegas, where we train together for several days. For ten consecutive years starting from 1993, the Gracies and the Machado brothers have given seminars at the convention."

Referring to his film career, in the late 80s the figure of Chuck Norris as an actor and martial artist clearly went into

crisis. His last films ("Hero and the Terror," "The Hitman") did not get the expected success. In Spain for example these productions went straight to the video market without premiering in cinemas.

Nevertheless, he remained very popular in the United States: a personal friend of former President Bush, developing extensive against drugs program by teaching Martial Arts to the young people living on marginalized neighborhoods...

In 1992, when it seemed that other martial film "heroes" were taking the lead, he was proposed a risky project: a television series whose protagonist evoked the character he played in 'Lone Wolf McQuade'. "While in Israel filming the film 'Hellbound' in 1992, my agent, Mike Emery, called me and asked if I would be interested in doing a weekly series called 'Walker; Texas Ranger', with CBS, a modern story of a Texas Ranger with old-fashioned values, and represented good versus evil. At first, I wasn't too interested, but Mike encouraged me when he told me that the series was about a cowboy type law officer fighting crime in modern Texas.

'Let me think about it, Mike, I'm not sure I want to do television', I said, 'After all, it would be a big risk. Also, if the series is not successful, it could affect my film career."

Occasionally Chuck Norris had stated that he had identified and felt very comfortable with the character he had played in "Lone Wolf Mc". The idea of the series attracted him but if he did not get the expected success, being his career

the way it was, a failure could bring fatal consequences. Chuck Norris had made many risky decisions throughout his life and "almost" always everything had gone well; that occasion was no exception, he agreed to star in the series ... “Walker became the most successful television series on Saturday nights, since the legendary Gunsmoke saga. It wasn't surprising that many television critics assessed the series as being very violent. I was disappointed but not upset. We had a yester year cowboy type atmosphere in the program and our characters often got into fights, firing guns and of course, Walker winning many fights by incorporating his Martial Arts knowledge.

That made that he was seen as too aggressive by some people. What critics chose to ignore, of course, was the fact that the good guys in Walker never showed a violent behavior if there was another way to arrest criminals, and even in those instances, we always made clear that violence was used as a last resort and only as a means to overcome evil with the good.�

The series was a huge success not only in North America, but also in all the countries where it was released, turning Chuck Norris into the most famous character at martial level, his fame beating that of Steven Seagal or Jean Claude Van Damme .Walker, Texas Ranger, consisted of two hundred and three 45-minute episodes, aired between April 21, 1993 and May 19, 2001 by the American network CBS. Internationally, it was retransmitted in over 80 countries around the world with an average of one billion viewers per episode.

"The last episode of Walker, Texas Ranger, a grand finale of two hours, was on 6 April 2001. It was a very emotional moment for everybody. Many of us in the cast had worked together for eight seasons; we were like a family. When we finished our last day of work, I spoke briefly to the staff and the cast. I did not dare to talk too much for fear of ending in tears. However, there were many tears as we say our good-byes. When we shut the scenery of Walker, I looked at my wife Gena and I said: "Let's go home‌!" When we started working for the show, I thought Walker had the potential to stay for three or four years... I never thought it could get up to eight! CBS might have continued for another year, but by then, Gena was pregnant and I didn't want to be tied to the rigid schedules of the series.

Gena was having twins and I knew she would need my help."

After the birth of the twins, Chuck Norris practically retired, starring occasionally in films (TV premieres) linked to his series. In 2005 he shot the film "The Mediator", which passed virtually unnoticed. Since then he has barely left his ranch in Lone Wolf Napisota, Texas, just for some public events. In 2012 he agreed to participate in "The Expendables II", this being his last job.

At 74, he just wants peace of mind and enjoy his family. Those who have had the honor of meeting him know he is a gentleman; he is simply the great Knight, with a capital "K" letter, of the Martial Arts. Those who have had the privilege of knowing him and talking to him can corroborate that he has left the bar very high, both as a Person and as a Master, in the latter area, of the few which remain.

COMBAT HAPKIDO Tactical Pressure Points: Scalable Solutions for Diverse Populations Text: Master Mark S. Gridley Photos: Šwww.budointernational.com

In this article my goal is to help you understand the scalability (or versatility) of tactical pr essur e points not only in self-defense but also in every-day life situations.

Anatomy: The posterior auricular artery, the superficial jugular vein, the great auricular nerve and the facial (seventh cranial) never at its point of emergence from the stylomastoid foramen.

Activation: Strike down diagonally from back to front, hitting the target against the back of the jaw bone, resulting in unconsciousness. This is also a great press target for pain compliance.

Caution: A hard strike may dislocate (sublusate) the jaw.

Location: Behind the jaw, in the depression under the ear.

Lateral view of adult male head with skull outline and major facial nerve.

I’

d like to begin by expressing gratitude to my generous and insightful teachers, GM John Pellegrini, GM George Dillman, and GM Chris Thomas who helped open my mind to the great variety of techniques and applications available according to the individual's ability, situational need, or occupation.

The well-known karate phrase “one punch, one kill� has become, in modern societies, inappropriate for moral and legal reasons and, for most of us, was always a difficult and highly limited skill set to focus on due to the difference in physical abilities and the low probability of success in the dynamic realities of combat. Our time is best spent preparing for the most probable situation with skills that are adaptable based upon the needs of ever changing scenarios. I will illustrate this thought process by

using the same tactical pressure point in different scenarios based on the role of the practitioner.

Combat Hapkido students come from all walks of life and vary greatly in levels of physical ability as well as age, gender, size and personality. To demonstrate the premise of my theory, I have chosen 3 very different individuals with 3 very different missions: a military operative in a close quarter battle field scenario, a law enforcement officer dealing with a subject in passive resistance, a nurse handling a person in an agitated mental status, and a law abiding civilian facing a bully who has watched too much MMA (mixed martial arts).

These roles could easily be expanded to include a wider spectrum of variables such as disability, size disparity, gender, age, environment, etc.. But for the scope of this article, our 4 examples should sufficiently demonstrate the advantage of

including proper pressure point applications to your Martial Arts training, regardless of style.

As we begin it is important to keep in mind the defining rules of redundancy, responsibility and economy of movement (discussed in previous articles). In addition, successful execution and effectiveness require proper location, activation, and application of multiple sequenced tactical pressure points.

For your reference our target will be Triple Warmer 17 (a.k.a. Triple heater, Triple Burner, TW-17, or Facial Nerve Cluster) which is include in the graphic below: We start our first scenario as the most serious but also the simplest as the choice of response is very limited.

A soldier in an active combat zone is ambushed and unable to deploy a weapon (perhaps due to malfunction or proximity) and is now entangled in a life or death struggle. Given this

situation use of force limitations no longer apply and the soldier can and should use any means necessary to stop the threat. In this close quarter encounter a hard strike to the TW17 utilizing the proper angle will dislocate the jaw and, more importantly, will release the head and neck making it susceptible to injury or break. In can also create the much needed space to enable the soldier to deploy a weapon.

Next, a law enforcement officer (LEO) must remove a “peaceful� protestor sitting cross legged and refusing to comply. The protestor is much larger than the officer ruling out the possibility of physically lifting him. In this case, an excessive use of force would result in serious consequences and escalation of violence.

Utilizing good ergonomics the LEO approaches the subject from behind with the weapon side back; the LEO supports the subjects head in the cradle of both hands using his middle fingers to slip into TW-17 while simultaneously pressing forward towards the nose and giving verbal commands. The subject's natural response to the pain will cause him to want to escape by moving away from the stimulus. The LEO directs his middle fingers upwards as the subject stands and escorts him to safety while remaining in a safe tactical position. Onlookers simply see the LEO walking the subject away in a controlled manner.

On a late night in the emergency room, a patient is in an extremely agitated state and will not or cannot follow directions. During the initial exam, a head or neck injury has been ruled out and a high blood alcohol level has been confirmed.

Now the nurse needs the

patient on the table to move his head to continue the examination. The patient doesn't comply so the nurse uses her hand to support the head while the opposite hand presses into TW-17. The patient immediate response to the stimulus allows her to manually turn the head without injury or resistance.

In our last scenario, you are in a public place and accidently bump into a person. This person turns angrily towards you and as you apologize he quickly lunges and wraps his arms around you in a bear hug with the intention of taking you down into a “ground and pound” position. As a natural gesture, your hands went up as you “flinched” so they were free to grab his head and dig into TW-17 with your thumbs while rotating your hips to take him off balance and throw him to the ground. You escape to safety.

These brief examples hopefully illustrate that not all situations are equal and that your responses should be effective and scalable. In any of the above scenarios, the versatility of the TW-17 target allows for useful physiological, psychological and energetic responses. And although only one pressure point was highlighted, you must keep in mind that true pressure point fighting utilizes several pressure

points in combination. Proper activation of one tactical pressure point will expose many other useful pressure point targets.

In conclusion, I hope to have convincingly demonstrated both the usefulness and the versatility of tactical pressure points in very different situations. Confidence in your skills allows you to be more aware and emotionally prepared for any situation and to avoid moral conflicts resulting in hesitation. It also fosters the empowerment to select

the most appropriate, efficient and effective responses.

To learn more about Combat Hapkido Tactical Pressure Points, check out our book and our DVD instructional series at: www.combathapkido.com and www.dsihq.com If you are interested in certification, Combat Hapkido University (online program), books, DVDs, seminars, or questions please contact; info@dsihq.com.

WADO RYU KARATE

by Hironori Otsuka Otsuka was born on June 1, 1892, in Shimodate City, Ibaraki, Japan. He was one of four children to Tokujiro Otsuka, a medical doctor. At the age of 5 years, he began training in the martial art Jujutsu. Otsuka's father took over his martial arts education in 1897. Then at the age of 13, Otsuka became Shinzaburo Nakayama’s student.

By 1911, while studying business administration at Waseda University in Tokyo, Otsuka trained at various Jujutsu schools. When his father died suddenly Otsuka was unable to continue studying. He found work as a clerk at a bank.

Although he wanted to become a full-time instructor, he waited, out of respect for his mother's wishes.

On April 1, 1934, Otsuka opened his own Karate school - the Dai Nippon Karate Shinko Kai in Kanda, Tokyo. He blended Shotokan Karate with his knowledge of Shindo Yoshin-ryu- jujutsu to form Wado Ryu Karate. With recognition of his style Otsuka became a full-time instructor. In 1940, his style was registered at the Butokukai, Kyoto. Through the 1950s, Otsuka held various Karate competitions.

WADO RYU KARATE is a direct translation of the Japanese work by Hironori Otsuka. Masters Publication took on the job of the translation in 1997. This book has since then become a best seller around the world.

This book features Wado Ryu katas performed by the master himself, as well as information on the basics.

357 pages. $29.94 paperback Contact us at: masters@porchlight.ca or see our website warrenerentertainment.com

TAOWS Academy and its "Game of Positions" Looking in perspective the evolution of the different systems and training methods of Wing Tsun in the last 50 years, we will probably be in for a surprise to discover that those who cling to the idea of "classic" are absolutely confused for several r easons. Because of my work in the Spanish Federation of Olympic Fights and Associated Disciplines and its Department of WingTsun, I keep receiving countless inquiries about styles, substyles, branches and evolutions of a system of which we can say without fear of error that has more enthusiastic followers worldwide. In another article we could assess what are the reasons for W ing Chun to have that effect on people who approach its practice and study, and why those who try with a good teacher never stop practicing to the point that the style becomes an important part of their life. But we will talk about that some other day...

I

n this month's column I want to reflect on the Wing Tsun training systems and, above all, explain our sparring training method that certainly has become one of the principles for the success of our association: The Game of Positions.

Understanding the evolution of the Wing Tsun training systems is as simple as looking back and recall the first video graphics documents (or even technical series photographs). On a walk through memory we will find that twenty-five years ago training Wing Tsun was really basic. The technical and training scheme was simplified to the maximum in a three-part plan: forms, chi sao and lat sao. We understand this scheme as the basis of what some masters and schools define as "Classic" Wing Tsun.

Although, as I have explained in some articles in recent months, the notion of classic not only DOES NOT exist in the Wing Tsun system, but I dare say is deeply inconsistent with the spirit and the idiosyncrasies of style. I think that the hackneyed phrase "Wing Tsun is not traditionally

WingTsun

TRADITIONAL" defines hunky-dory a philosophy of work and becomes a motto we should recite aloud at the beginning of each class. But also, if we study in depth how Wing Tsun has been trained in the last hundred years, we realize that may be is less DARING to label some of the styles as "Classic" Wing Tsun. Don't tell me it's not somewhat comical to define as Classic what fifty years ago was modern ... Because taking stock of the past 25 or 30 years of a style that has over 500 years (as far as we know) and qualify it as "Classic", calls for a deep reflection...

Very often, it would suffice to ask masters of branches not of Grandmaster Yip Man's lineage to realize that this statement can't be taken seriously. GM Yip Man was labeled as "revolutionary" by his contemporary training partners and marked with the scars of those who dared to make changes on their own in a style that had followed a direct transmission from father to son (one to one) until the opening of the first "public" school that Cham Wa Shun saw fit to make.

The question is: why so many practitioners need to affirm or somehow label their Wing Tsun practice? Or rather, why is it so hard for them to accept that other people from other lineages and "unoriginal" families can do an equal work or even better than theirs? When we speak about Martial Arts we are talking about things that are easily verifiable if we only remove all these conditioning factors. Sometimes simply by testing to see if it really works in a free sparring and others (if we don't want to do that free sparring) merely looking with some critical spirit and ask ourselves the six-milliondollar question: would it work with someone who was not my student or classmate? Could I make all these techniques and theories of war with someone who didn't collaborate in excess?

I agree that they are a series of delicate questions that many people simply don't even dare to face. I respect your view, but my intention is to "stir consciences" to try to do better this fantastic legacy of Chinese culture.

On many occasions, for that emotional engagement with our masters or schools we self-impose a braking to evolution and change. But Wing Tsun Kuen is, like the Taoist philosophy that defines the style itself, CHANGE AND EVOLUTION. What doesn't change and evolve is approaching death.

Interesting thought...

Of course, any evolution, in any of its technical or technological aspects, occurs with a rupture with established reality. Whether a new approach or way of thinking or even in the use of new techniques, materials, etc. It doesn't mean forgetting the origins, but rather reviving from its ancient basis an art that already in its conception was meant for being alive, flexible, adaptable. Or stated another way, let's say that what has been received from an earlier generation must be used to try to build something better. It is not always possible, but I'm sure that you will agree that doing nothing is not within the logical thing for any developments.

“It doesn't mean forgetting the origins, but rather reviving from its ancient basis an art that already in its conception was meant for being alive, flexible, adaptable.�

Maybe all these points, and some others, are those that often have encouraged us to continue doing things the same way our ancestors used to do for the simple reason that "my master did this way... and I must continue to do so."

Maybe all these points, and some others, are those that often have encouraged us to continue doing things the same way our ancestors used to do for the simple reason that "my master did this way... and I must continue to do so."

At a certain point, some of us end up asking ourselves what we could do to make a better use of the style in real situations. When I talk about real circumstances, I should like to clarify that I don't consider as such situations in which it is assumed that the adversary (training partner) will throw us one or two attacks and then he will stand still for us to do whatever we want, allowing us to hit him and do all sorts of "fantastic techniques." This might seem a funny remark form my part, but just take a glance at the fantastic world of Internet and YouTube and you'll realize that that in the vast majority of cases this is the way it is. I seek more ambitious challenges: Be able, after a period of study, review, training and adaptation (nobody ever said it was easy), to fight whatever adversary with NO cooperation on his part. Moreover, be in disposition to use my own style techniques and tactics regardless the opponent that I have in front. As I said at the beginning of this paragraph: "nobody ever said it was easy..."

Albert Einstein used the famous phrase: "If you want different results stop trying to do the same things." When three years ago we faced the attempt to substantially improve these skills and the goal we set ourselves, it was clear for us that if we kept using the classical system in which Wing Tsun practitioners base their training: 1. Perform Forms 2. Practicing Chi Sao (90% of practice time) 3. Carry out "applications" on an opponent with zero mobility who "collaborates in excess" ‌it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to get in front of opponents who now handle all distances (including ground fighting) and practice regularly mobility, speed, power, focus, etc.

It is important to note that what 30 years ago could be fully functional, today may not be so because of a simple question of evolution: PREDATORS have evolved...

After a glance at other classic styles, and especially the modern Martial Arts systems generated by the famous Mixed Martial Arts (in any of their conceptions or forms) we realized that the more effective systems in their application were today the so-called contact sports such as Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, etc.

Surely some fanatic uncompromising defender of tradition will answer to me with one of those overused phrases like: But this is not the same!!!

FORTUNATELY it's not the same, but you'll agree with me that these systems are there and I think that nobody or almost nobody would dare to dispute their fighting ability and time adaptation. I don't think it's possible to develop any system for real fight without looking the way these systems workout. In them, there is not the figure of an adversary who collaborates in excess. There is no such thing as an attacker who stands still and let you hit him.

There's just two contestants trying to give the best of themselves with the technique and tactics they know to outdo their opponent.

Every inch, every victory is sweated it out like in the war. THIS IS THE SPIRIT of MARTIAL ARTS. Wing Tsun also!!! This is what inspired me to "review" the incorrectly named "classic" method, to stay with those aspects that are very good (remember that they have served to form excellent teachers and practitioners worldwide) but using anything that can make me stronger and more effective in combat, so that if one day any adversary wants to defeat me, he should fight and shed until his last drop of sweat to earn every inch of his victory. But I also want to do it with the style to which I have devoted more than half of my life: Wing Tsun When I say this, I do not want anyone misinterpret my words, but if I was interested in doing a MMA and know excellent teachers and specialists. If I have dedicated many hours, I still do, to the study of an art, I wish it were the same art that served me to grow in the art of combat.

When I started developing the "Game of Positions", I did it by facing two students in very simple exercises. Drills of two or three movements. Small battles in which I just put TWO conditions: 1. The technique should be pure, clean and be content in one of the forms of the style 2. Each of the contestants had to fight with everything he had to try to impose his role (attacker / defender, ying / yang) Adjusting the speed and intensity from little to much. From slow to fast. But both of them giving all of themselves and without yielding an inch in defending their position.

I must admit that the outcome has surprised me and exceeded my expectations. The evolution of students, instructors and trainers is still surprising. This

“At a certain point, some of us end up asking ourselves what we could do to make a better use of the style in real situations.” dynamic training has not only generated that classes turned into much more physically intense workouts. It has also forced contenders to understand and analyze in depth each one of the system techniques. Sometimes when one of the contestants is beaten by his mate, he must ask himself: what's wrong? Why my opponent's technique exceeds mine? These questions take you immediately to the style forms (where the own techniques of the system can be found in the form of "textbook") and to a deep and methodical evaluation thereof.

I never liked the responses of some teachers to students such as: Don't ask! Practice! I prefer another: Observe, understand and then… practice!!

After nearly a year of this conceptual change and focusing on the practice of sparring, I can say that the "Game of Positions" is one of the keys to the success of

our association and our schools. Students learn, enjoy and progress in a record time. Furthermore, these dynamics generate evolutions based on the experience in these little "war games". In this human chess that is based on the technique. And what is best... it continues and it will continue forever alive. In a constant reviewing. All that without losing an ounce of respect for tradition, Chinese culture... respect for masters and schools before us ... All this putting a great emphasis on a phrase from Art of War

by Sun Tzu: "Know your enemies and yourself and you shall not be defeated even in a hundred battles."

Soon we will show you some examples through a new DVD in which we will offer you some keys. Thank you very much for your follow-up and support from all over the world. It is an honor being able to inspire people who love this art and Martial Arts in general.

“I never liked the responses of some teachers to students such as: Don't ask! Practice!

I prefer another: Observe, understand and then… practice!!”

School of Leadership Part 2 LEADERSHIP I N MARTIAL ARTS: “What is martial? Martial is warlike and war was not invented in the twenty-first century, it has existed since beginning of humankind. So does that mean we have to be at war. Absolutely not!

Hwa Rang Do

Korean MA “Fighters fight because they like to fight; Warriors fight because we must.”

For us, a modern day warrior does not mean to be a soldier, but to live life as a warrior, with courage, honor, integrity, respect, loyalty as outlined in our “Hwa Rang Do Meng Sae” (code of ethics).

Hwa Rang Do Meng Sae (Code of Ethics) Loyalty to one's country Loyalty to one's parents and teachers Trust and brotherhood amongst friends Courage to never retreat in the face of the enemy.

Never to take a life (any life) without a cause.

Hwa Rang Do Kyo Hoon (Nine Virtues) Humanity, Justice, Courtesy Wisdom, Trust, Goodness Virtue, Loyalty, Courage To be a fighter or a soldier is not the end, only a means. We use the Hwarang Warrior Discipline as a means of becoming a better human being.

In the warrior mentality, one of the fundamental principles is strength. From this point of view, a martial art leader has to lead by example, which is the hardest

Hwa Rang Do “t”

Hwa Rang Do yet most effective means of leadership. There are different types of leaders: there are leaders who don't lead by example but who lead by speech, motivating his followers telling them something, but never going out there and personally doing anything. We as martial artists cannot do that, we need to lead by example, living our lives and doing things in accordance to our martial way. We have to be able to perform and demonstrate the right path and show to our students what is possible, enlightening them to new experiences that they never thought was possible.

Furthermore, a leader to me is somebody who is unafraid and selfless. I know very well that everybody has fears, but a leader overcomes their personal fears, realizing that their mission is far greater and beyond the mere self, driven by altruism. If one were selfish then he/she would have to listen and answer to their own personal fears, but because they live for others they must be willing and possess the courage to sacrifice themselves for the betterment of others.”

LEARNING TO BECOME A LEADER: “Following the path of least resistance is what makes rivers and men crooked.”

“You have to understand that you cannot gain strength by doing things that are easy. Just a simple example: you can't get stronger by lifting light things; in order to be physically stronger you must challenge yourself by lifting things that are heavier and harder to pick up. In the same way as your spirit, heart and mind, you must be challenged and do things that are difficult in order to truly get stronger.

STRENGTH AND UM-YANG: “We believe that the interaction of two dialectic forces: UM and YANG (Chinese Yin Yang) created all things and all life in the universe. It is said that the symbol of UM-YANG is a representation of two dragons (or a dragon and phoenix) swallowing or chasing each other in constant rotation, never ending and without any beginning or end. Hwa Rang Do® absolutely follows this natural law of the universe and teaches to the students how to combine a soft and hard approach for their life style to receive extraordinary power. That's real strength! The capability to be both soft and hard when needed, to be adaptable and ready to change in accordance to the ebb and flow of nature as nothing is constant or absolute.”

About the author: Hwa Rang Do® Head Instructor, Lieutenant Colonel of the Italian Military Police Force (Carabinieri) and Engineer Marco Mattiucci is the Chief of the Italian Branch of the World Hwa Rang Do® Association and one of the main followers of Grandmaster Taejoon Lee.

“It is said that the symbol of UM-YANG is a representation of two dragons (or a dragon and phoenix) swallowing or chasing each other in constant rotation�

Great Masters

Born in Osaka, Japan, in 1951, Masayasu Sugihara started very young to practice Judo and Karate. Later he discovered the Shorinji-Kempo form hand of its founder Doshin So. As a child, he had a rebel temperament, and he won his 6th Dan in Shorinji-Kempo with only 28 years of age. He was the escort and a very close student of Doshin So, and he was sent to fight in numerous "open" tournaments where he acquired a reputation as a tough man.

Great Masters FU-SHIH KENPO. IN SEARCH OF THE AUTHENTIC COMBAT SENSE IN SOME KENPO STYLES. BYAKURENKAI KENPO Masayasu Sugihara Upon the death of the Master, he left the organization and continued investigating different forms of Karate Full Contact. He participated in numerous Inter-styles tournaments before creating his own organization. Today he is Kancho (President) of the International Kenpo Karate Federation. Even though he is outside the Shorinji Kempo world organization, he keeps an immense respect for his deceased master.

The remarkable spirit and tolerance of Master Sugihara, equals his high technical level and his passion for teaching. Master Sugihara has set up a training program for instructors and managers, these being chosen for their personality and not their technical skills or business acumen. In classes, Master Sugihara carries out combat practices with all his students, without forgetting the rules of the dojo. Thousands of students belonging to their organization with representation in USA, Brazil, Ceylon, France, Belgium, Netherlands...

The meaning of Byakuren Kaikan Byakuren means Lotus". The purity of the Lotus

"White

teaches every moment that he who develops the roots of "good" will achieve wisdom. Kaikan is organization.

The Byakuren style The style presents two major facets; the first is for fighting with full contact atemi, which is ruled by a regulation system similar to that of Karate Kyokushinkai.

And the other face of the system, which can be practiced from black belt and is dedicated to self-defense, involves locks, joint dislocations, throws, etc.

Championships are open to all styles; moreover, Master Sugihara makes his students participate in other open tournaments.

Feet and fist techniques are a characteristic of the Byakuren style and don't come from other schools. For example, punches are given with the fist semi open at the beginning of the

Byakuren means "White Lotus".

The purity of the Lotus teaches every moment that he who develops the roots of "good" will achieve wisdom.

Great Masters

movement and closing it at the moment of impact. The elbow remains closed, and the muscles that come into play are the lats and shoulders (not the hips). They are short punches that hurt, not at the site of impact, but behind. Punches are never performed from a long distance, leg are used for this, also without hip, chest remains to the front and the knee is lifted to the side, passing both high and low attacks through the middle kick, which is the basic kick.

Body reinforcement is needed to absorb impacts, because combats are always done to full contact, though attacks to the head are banned. Competitions are to K.O., prioritizing fist-foot techniques, grips are prohibited as well as ground fighting or joint dislocations, but they can be used in "free" combat.

RYU KYU-KENPO / SHIN SHU HO RYU KENPO Seiyu Oyata The term "Ryu-Kyu Kenpo", which can be translated as the "Boxing Methods of Ryu Kyu," also also designates an amalgam of Okinawan fighting styles. For a time, a style specifically called "Ryu-Kyu Kenpo" was directed by Master Oyata Seiyu, who was a disciple of Nakamura Shigeru (Okinawa Kenpo). Oyata Master, who emigrated to the United States, is 10th Dan and sole heir of the ancestor style of karate, the Tui Te of Uhugushuku No Tan Mei. This style comes from an old Bushi (warrior) who had been expelled from service when the Bushi class was disbanded after the Meiji period (late XIX century).

The study of Tui-Te should be done through oral transmission since, hidden as it is within the Karate Kata forms, it shows more than just kicking and punching techniques. According to legend, within the kata was contained a fighting art, even its name was kept secret. These internal kata techniques, Tui-Te (grasping hand), were jealously guarded by ancient Karate masters, for they were the key to overcome the effectiveness of hand and leg techniques provided in the superficial current Kata forms.

Oyata later created the Shin-Shu-Ho-Ryu (School of the True Hand Method). He's had two famous American students; George Dillman and Joe Lewis. With him also studied Master Enzo Montanari, one of the pioneers of the Shotokan style in Italy and disciple of Master Shirai and author of the book "Unknown Karate."

Joe Lewis was repeatedly Karate World Champion (noncontact, Light-Contact and Full-Contact) and pioneer of KickBoxing and Full-Contact in the U.S. and worldwide. Here's his opinion on Okinawa schools: “(...) Schools in Okinawa are the best in the world. I studied both styles, Shorin-Ryu and traditional Kenpo. It was there where I discovered the true combat philosophy and real effectiveness.

You should know that in Okinawa Kenpo, fighting is to the KO, with or without protection.� (1) (1) Joe Lewis in "Joe Lewis, the Immortal", Karate-Bushido magazine # 184, October 1991. Interview agreed with Patrick Lombardo.

Every system has its limits and when you need to move from one system to another, you must learn another art and this is what the Kapap tries to avoid. This is Kapap, face to face combat, a bridge among systems. Its founder coined a phrase whose concept is widely used by other traditional martial arts styles: "Don't carry a weapon, be yourself the weapon." If your mind, your spirit and your body are the weapon, then you will be a weapon that will be equally effective when you carry a weapon. This "Avi Nardia Academy" DVD discusses the connection between the "old school" martial arts and the modern CQB (Close Quarters Battle).

His experience as a commander in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and official coach of the main Israeli antiterrorist unit, taught Nardia that cultivating the warrior's mind and spirit must be considered a priority over the simple body workout.

Among other things, we will study gun safety as well as the convincing parallelism between Iaido and the proper firearm handling. Firearms are the ultimate in single weaponry, but do not escape the eternal wisdom and logic of the old school. Exercises adapted from the BJJ, disarming methods and intelligent body training using special exercises, with explanations of its benefits and precautions. An educational, inspiring, and revealing DVD, recommended to practitioners of all styles, both ancient and modern. davidgramage@gmail.com

REF.: • KAPAP8

Hung Gar Kung Fu - a Lifesaver Grandmaster Martin Sewer is used to seeing his traditional Hung Gar Kung Fu producing efficient defense his students may use to protect themselves and their loved ones. However KUNG FU SCHULE MARTIN SEWER supports and challenges its students on many other levels, and sometimes even saves a life.

Discipline, Respect, Control, Courage and Attentiveness are but a few of the many mental attributes being taught at KUNG FU SCHULE MARTIN SEWER. Like Grandmaster Martin Sewer's teacher, Kung Fu legend Chiu Chi Ling, used to say: "There’s no use in being the strongest and most skillful fighter, if no nobody wants to be concerned with you because of your bad character." But the mental curriculum taught by Martin Sewer reaches far beyond just that. It's about learning to take responsibility for one's own life, with the aim of not just improving the Kung Fu skills of the student but pointing his or her entire life towards success. "You make your own luck" - a well-known phrase, teaching us to take an active role in order to make changes in our own lives. Of course not everyone shares equal prerequisites or equal education. Or as Grandmaster Martin Sewer puts it: " It isn't important to compare oneself to others, but to one's own possibilities". Marcel Fischer is a long-term student of KUNG FU SCHULE MARTIN SEWER currently enjoying lessons on mid-level, shortly before the Black Sash. He also believes in this principle. Marcel didn't always have the best prerequisites in his youth, as he puts it himself. "Early in

Kung Fu my life it was evident that I couldn't deal well with conflicts, and was even out looking for confrontation. I often reacted aggressively, was easily provoked and frequently started fights with other kids. "A difficult family background amplified Marcel's problems and his parents were at a loss. Doctors tried to explain young Marcel's behavior with Attention-Deficit-Syndrome and other diagnoses. But that was not of much use. There was just one thing Marcel had always loved and had always been calmed down by: physical activity. Longknown insight to Grandmaster Martin Sewer: "The importance of the connection between body and mind is well-known in the world of martial arts. Joy is almost always accompanied by body movement. This principle stays true for the opposite as well. People, who regularly exercise for example in our lessons, are not only doing something for their phisical health

but also for their mind. One of the reasons people experience joy during physical activity is because they don't have time to worry or be preoccupied during that time" Also Marcel and the people surrounding him at some point realized that regular physical exercise proved beneficial. It was decided upon martial arts. "It helped me very much to gain a foothold in my own life and it provided me with a point of reference.

Unfortunately I did not encounter the best teachers. A teacher is supposed to live by what he teaches and support the student therein. Regrettably that was not the case and I, by now a teenager, went back to my old ways." Professionally Marcel had tried everything possible given his references. He began multiple apprenticeships in the technical department, every time discontinuing again and eventually went astray. Alcohol and parties became a big problem to the point where he was unable to attend his lessons. "I can very clearly remember how after one of the worst nights in smokefilled clubs and way too much alcohol, I was looking into the mirror at home and knew I had to make a change.

Subconsciously I had already known then that I would need to start again the most important thing in my life, physical activity, martial arts, and needed to find a new school." Marcel went to look for a new, better martial arts school and soon

found KUNG FU SCHULE MARTIN SEWER. Upon entering the lessons a new stage of life would begin.

"Lessons under my Sifu Martin Sewer were so different than what I had experienced until then. It was tough.

Very tough. I had already shortly after entering the school hinted at my past. I had attentively been listened to. But I was not being treated differently. To the contrary.

Today I am grateful for every single lesson. I was very fortunate to have encountered Grandmaster Martin Sewer, based on his education over decades under his Sifu and the life and its traditions and values I had a connection to genuine traditional martial arts." It didn’t take long until, motivated through hard training, Marcel had a realization.

He understood that martial arts and everything connected to it was the only thing able to bring out motivation in him and provide him with joy of living. "I had realized that this was my last chance to make something out of my life and that I had to work hard to advance in life." He took up studies in Asian languages and other subjects. Today Marcel is well on his way to the black sash and the completion of the basic education in original Hung Gar System under Grandmaster Martin Sewer. "I am very much looking forward to the final exams under my Sifu Martin Sewer as well as the ones of my istudies. And when I think back to the time when every thing was on edge and how I made it thanks to Kung Fu, I tell everyone who wants to hear it: Yes, Hung Gar has saved my life."Grandmaster Martin Sewer is proud of his student: "Students like Marcel show that not only an education in fight but also an education of mind and character are important and it is this part of the curriculum which can make a positive change in a student's life.

As my Sifu Chiu Chi Ling used to say: There's no use in being the best, if nobody wants to be around you because of your behavior. People who know me also know that every single one of my students is a VIP to me and belongs to the family.

Understandably, in my school not only the education in fight but also an education of character is close to my heart!"

Kung Fu

Events Third International Shaolin Festival - London Under the banners of health, compassion, equality and peace, it was held in London the Third International Festival of Shaolin, second edition at European level.

The first was held in Berlin in October 2012.

Text and photos: Bruno Tombolato Shaolin Cultural Center Spain www.shaolinspain.com

T

he Festival aimed to promote cultural exchange between China and Europe, through Kung Fu, Buddhism, Calligraphy and Chinese medicine, among other disciplines. Over 700 people from more than 10 European countries took part in the Shaolin Festival. Some of the participants came from Greece, Italy, Holland, Germany, France, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, among others.

The Festival was organized by Master Shi Yanzi and his school Shaolin Temple UK, in collaboration with the Shaolin Temple in China. Other London Shaolin schools also participated in the organization.

A group of over 50 people from China attended the festival, led by Venerable Abbot and spiritual leader Shi Yong Xin, who is also the president of the Shaolin European Association (SEA). Masters Shi Yan Ao and Shi Yan Zhuang, who were also part of the delegation, participated in the event,

“The competition was one of the most interesting attractions, where students and masters displayed all their skills on the mat.� together with the group of more than 30 monks of the Monastery.

The event was held at the London Soccerdome in G re e n w i c h , a n e x t re m e l y l a rg e p l a c e f i t t o accommodate the more than 700 people who attended the Shaolin festival. The Festival lasted a week, but the

most important days were on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October, which was when most of the activities took place. Attendees could enjoy one of the biggest Shaolin competitions worldwide, Shaolin Kung Fu and S a n d a w o r k s h o p s , C a l l i g r a p h y e x h i b i t i o n s , Te a Ceremony, lectures on Buddhism and Meditation,

Events stands of Chinese Medicine, books on Buddhism, Merchandising, etc.

On Friday 10th the participants of the competition were summoned in the school of Kung Fu Shaolin Temple UK, to formalize the registration and give directions for the competition that would take place during the weekend in the London Soccerdome.

On Saturday the 11th, all participants were present, and after a brief opening of the Festival, the tournament began at 10 am. The competition was one of the most interesting attractions, where students and masters displayed all their skills on the mat. Many characteristic Shaolin styles were seen, like Hong Quan, Luohan Quan, Tong Bei Quan, Qi Xing Quan, Taizu Chang Quan, among others, as well as forms with long, short and flexible weapons and imitation forms.

There was also a team competition, hard Chi Kung, Dui Lian (form of two) and Tai Chi. That same day in the

afternoon, at the end of the competition took place the presentation of the medals.

The Spanish representatives attained very good positions.

On Sunday the 12th was scheduled the Sanda tournament, which was run by the famous Shaolin Master Shi Yan Lei. Although there was a broad participation, it wasn't as large as that of Saturday, with over 300 participants.

While some displayed their skills in combat, others enjoyed a Shaolin Kung Fu workshop with Instructor Shi Yan Hao and Master Shi Yan Zi. Around noon, the leading members of the Shaolin European Association (SEA) and some of the new applicants were called to a meeting with the Venerable Abbot Shi Yong Xin, who asked the masters to recount their experiences with Shaolin culture. The meeting lasted about an hour.

About 14: 30h the official members of the SEA were

again summoned for a meeting to discuss different topics related to the Association, including the addition of new members and the following European Shaolin Festival. Only two candidates offered themselves formally to take charge of its organization, in 2016, one of them a candidate for France and Master Bruno Tombolato Shaolin Cultural Center Spain for Spain; that day was not decided where it would be, but we hope that 2016 we can have the privilege to live an experience of this kind in Spain.

After the meeting, the members and new applicants of the SEA went out to the main building for a picture is taken. In the photo you can see the official members sitting alongside the Abbot, and standing behind, the applicants.

Throughout the rest of the day, workshops and arrivals continued. At 19h. began one of the most anticipated activities of the Festival, the closing ceremony, led by Abbot Shi Yong Xin and the exhibition by the monks of the Shaolin Temple. The ceremony began with the blessing of Abbot Shi Yong Xin, which lasted about fifteen minutes and continued with a set of traditional forms of empty hand and weapons, styles of imitation of animals, such as mantis, tiger, leopard, snake, etc. Undoubtedly, the exhibition was the best of the entire festival, leaving everyone wanting more.

Shaolin culture has crossed borders and this time it got into the heart of the 700 people who attended the festival. Masters have taken great care to plant the trees in their countries and these eventually have borne fruit.

Health, Compassion, Equality and Peace for every person and country.

Texto: Pedro Conde Fotos: Antonio Mora y David Gramage & davidgramage@gmail.com

On Friday September 26th, the City Hall of Madrid (Spain) awarded the actor, bodybuilder and former governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the first 'Destination Madrid Ambassador Medal' for his "extraor dinar y" international promotion of the city by deciding to hold in Madrid the Arnold Classic Eur ope (ACE), an annual multidisciplinary sports convention that brings together 24 modalities of Olympic and non-Olympic sports.

Text: Pedro Conde Photos: Antonio Mora & David Gramage. davidgramage@gmail.com

T

he event took place in the Town Hall Functions Room. The actor was accompanied by his girlfriend, Heather Milligan, a young physiotherapist with whom he shares his life for a year and a half now, and Rafael Santoja, President of the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB), authentic promoter for the Arnold Classic in Spain.

Pedro Corral, delegate of the Government Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism was the person in charge of handing over the medal to the actor on behalf of the Mayor of Madrid, Ana Botella, who was on an official trip to Buenos Aires.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his mother tongue, declared he had decided to hold the event of the Arnold Classic Europe (ACE) in Madrid against other European cities such as Vienna, London or Paris, because it was here where his film career had begun: "Nothing would have been possible without Conan, who launched me to stardom."

He recognized a before and an after in his life following the premiere of Conan and recalled some of the places where it was filmed, ending up by showing his pride to receive the recognition that the city gave him: "It means a lot to me, because I love Spain".

It was the fourth consecutive year that the ACE convention is held in Madrid, providing a great promotion for the city at an international level. Each year, the former gover nor of California visits the Spanish capital to attend the

festival and contribute to this sports event that was born in the United States in 1988 as the Arnold Sports Festival, and in 2014 has celebrated its twenty-sixth edition.

The event gathered up to 5,000 athletes from 60 countries, who met from 26 to 28 September, "allowing a major promotion and diffusion of Madrid in the local, national and inter national media", according to the Council.

In its 2013 edition, held at the Madrid Arena fairgrounds, it managed to attract up to 40,000 fans worldwide.

The multisport program featured countless sport modalities such as Athletic Fitness, Strongman, Pole Dance, Cheerleading, Weightlifting, Gymnastics, Figure Skating, Powerlifting, MTB, Triathlon, Barbarrio, Cross Fit, etc., and in Martial Arts, disciplines like Taekwondo, Capoeira, Karate, Aikido, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kung fu, Ju Jutsu, Krav Maga, Lima Lama, Kempo Kembudo, Hellenic Koryu Bugei, Ken Thay, etc.

In contact sports there were exhibitions and tournaments of K-1, MMA, Kickboxing, Full Contact and Muay Thai.

During the night it was held an exceptional evening: a MMA championship where the winner, Enoc Solves, received the first Arnold Fighters/Men of Honor Belt and 3,000 Euros in cash. He also achieved a signed contract with Espa単a Imperial, by which he can access M-1, the big Russian competition, and

Events participate in other top level international competitions.

There was also a K-1 tournament, the winner of which was Christopher Opazos, who apart from getting the Arnold Fighters/MOH Belt, received € 2,000 in recognition of his victory.

On Saturday September 27 took place the Arnold Classic Europe of female and male professional bodybuilding championships, which brought together not only European

bodybuilders but also professionals in this sport elsewhere, as the great champion Mamdouh Elissbiay, the Egyptian giant better known as Big Ramy, twice winner of the New York Pro, Tanji Johnson (Fitness ACE Pro winner in 2013) and other great living legends like Dennis Wolf, Dexter Jackson or Shawn Roden, etc.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's schedule was too tight: Sunday September 28 traveled to Almeria, 33 years after the

making of the movie 'Conan the Barbarian', to receive the honorary award "Almeria, Tierra de Cine" (Almería, Land of Cinema) from the International Festival of Short Films "Almería en Corto" (Almería in Short) and to inaugurate a star named after him on the Walk of Stars of the Andalusian city.

He also gave a press conference at the Almería Deputation in which he assured to more than 70 accredited

"Arnold Schwarzenegger will reprise the hero in "The Legend of Conan", whose premiere is planned for 2016." journalists there assembled, that he kept very much alive the memory of filming Conan in that place, recognizing: "I will never forget all that I lived in Almeria.

Despite many hard scenes, like the vulture that pecked my face, when I finished filming I said: I shall return."

Schwarzenegger made a tour around the province along with the producer of the film "The Legend of Conan", Fredrick Malmberg, who is in full search of locations for filming in 2015. Recall that some of the most iconic scenes from "Conan the Barbarian "were filmed in various places located in the Almeria capital, El Ejido and Tabernas.

Arnold Schwarzenegger will reprise the hero in "The Legend of Conan,� whose premiere is planned for 2016. Faced with the media, the actor has said that on his return to Los Angeles, he will support the option of Spain, and specifically Almería, to make the filming.

Text by Chris Sutton Let's face it, bullying is no longer like it was when you and I were growing up. In the old days, bullying had to happen face-to-face. You had to actually be in physical contact with another person to effectively bully them or to get bullied.

Today, fifty percent or more of incidents involve cyber bullying, which takes place online. Two people don't even have to meet each other face-toface for one to bully the other. It can happen with the push of a button. We have Internet tough guys and girls, people who hide behind a screen name and think they can say anything they want. For kicks they try to wreak havoc on somebody's life, without ever having to meet the person faceto-face. Their victim may be a

classmate, or perhaps even a complete stranger.

The impact of bullying is very real. Let's face it, we have kids who are killing themselves because of a change in status on sites like Facebook and numerous other social media venues. Children and adolescents are at an extremely emotional time in their life. Whatever is going on in their immediate world with their friends and in their social life is everything to them.

This makes them extremely vulnerable to bullying.

Oftentimes bullying is going on right in under your nose, and you don't even know it. Most students haven't been taught an effective way to communicate these situations with parents and/or teachers, to clear the air.

There isn't an easy-to-follow and effective action plan in place. Oftentimes the situation just goes on and on and on, until you see the end result. Then we call it bullying, after the damage is already done.

Someone can get bullied for weeks and months and years on end with no physical contact. They're waking up not wanting to go to school and in fear for their life, because of something someone said about them in a social media forum on the Internet. The bullying may go on at night while the student is asleep, and when they wake up the next morning they read all sorts of horrible stuff and then they have to go to school and deal with the looks and the laughing behind their back, because it seems like everybody in the whole school has read it, too.

There is face-to-face bullying. There is cyber bullying. The reality is that both wreak havoc on the victims, not only if they may be weaker physically, but because they are susceptible to influence by their peers, which most children are.

There are a variety of reasons why bullies do what they do, but that's a whole other book. We don't have room here to go into psychological profiles, domestic abuse, kids who have been enabled their whole lives, kids who feel as if the world owes them something, kids who won't settle for anything less than to be the alpha male or alpha female. Bullying happens for many reasons. We're not here to discuss where it stems from.

We are here to learn what we can do about it prior to, during, and even after a bullying situation occurs, so

you can protect your child from the reality of today's world.

Zero tolerance is the approach you have to take with your child when it comes to bullying. This is a must.

There's no way around it. There are no half efforts here. Like a fire that starts out small, what starts out as a seemingly minor confrontation between your child and a bully will only get bigger if you let it go and don't take some kind of action.

Eventually the problem becomes so big that it gets out of control. Instead of stepping on a burning match, you're having to call on the fire department. Or in the case of bullying, the police department. And in many cases, by that time it's just too late.

You as a parent must look at every single situation, address it, and attack it. There is no situation that is too small. Once you have identified it as a case of bullying, then you have to address it immediately.

What exactly is bullying? The dictionary definition is “to use superior strength to intimidate or influence someone emotionally or physically�.

In real life, bullying can take on a variety of different forms. When we talk about zero tolerance and addressing things immediately, you have to know when a situation qualifies as actual bullying. We don't want to be overzealous, walking on eggshells all the time.

Once you determine that bullying is in fact going on, then you have to take immediate action steps. Remember, that fire can get out of control really quickly, and the effects of bullying can last well into adulthood. It's up to parents and other responsible adults to help young people cope with the world we live in today. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe environment, and it's up to the adults in that child's life to make that happen. It's up to you.

A former street cop, sheriff, and maximum security prison guard.

Chris Sutton is the founder of Cobra-Defense in Clearwater, FL. Cobra-defense is a law enforcement based self-defense system. Cobra-Defense is the official self-defense system of John Graden's Martial Arts Teachers' Association (MATAwww.MartialArtsTeachers.com).

Instructor certification in CobraDefense is at www.SelfDefenseCertified.com.

Chris Sutton is availble for seminars and special training. He can be reached at 727-791-4111 or Cobra@CobraDefense.com

The “C” Word — A Minute Motivator Speech about Practice and Commitment.

It’s important that you have a tool box of “minute motivators” on respect, self-discipline, persistence etc...

The Martial Arts Teachers’ Members area has dozens of these speeches already written for you at www.MartialArtsSchoolOwners.com At some time during your first or second intro lessons, for children old enough to comprehend it, a short “stump” speech should be given about the meaning of commitment (the “C” word) and the need for practice. For commitment, the chat might go like this: “Johnny, commitment means you go beyond just “trying” something; it means you find a way, regardless of the obstacles. Commitment is standing at the end of the diving board and leaning forward. It’s locking the door and throwing away the key. You MUST have commitment to get anything out of the study of the martial arts…without commitment, and you ask your Mom and Dad about this after your lesson…you almost always fail. Your Mom and Dad know this well: Whenever we’ve been truly and deeply committed to something, we’ve almost never failed at it.

Most of us fail when we lack commitment, so here’s the deal: You can’t join this school and I won’t teach you if you won’t commit yourself to this program. Now here’s what I mean by commitment: You must practice what you learn in classes at least 10 minutes per day, on the days you don’t attend (take Sunday’s off if you like). Also, you must commit yourself to a minimum of 100 attempts before giving up on anything I teach you, and that includes the number of classes you attend. Can you do that?”

Now, of course, we’re presuming that you’ve built a solid level of rapport with the student, and that the student is at a peak of enthusiasm due to the instructor’s masterful teaching. In other words, don’t ask this question unless you’re sure to get a “YES, SIR!” Children’s Intro Lesson Plan: (Sample) • Eye Contact • “Yes Sir, No Sir” • Attention and Bow (most important of Martial Arts) • Polite Greeting • Ready Position • Switching Feet • Slide Step (forward and back) • Double Punch

• Where to Punch and where NOT to Punch • The Front Leg Stretch (You Can Always do Better Than You Think You Can!) • The “C” Word — a Stump Speech about Practice and Commitment

Ending Lesson 1 and Building Excitement for Lesson 2 One of the primary goals of the first lesson is to get the prospective student to come back for the second lesson.

One way to do that is to show the student a front kick and side kick and let them know that’s “some of the fun and exiting stuff” they’ll be learning when they return next. In addition, you’ll want to remind them to practice as much of the first lesson as they can remember as you’ll be testing them for their white belt at the end of the second lesson.

John Graden is the Executive Director of the Martial Arts Teachers’ Association and the author of the bestselling books on how to run a successful martial arts school without selling out. www.MartialArtsSchoolOwners.com

MA Pro

History

eter Urban is without a doubt one of the most influential martial artists of the 20th Century.

Born New Jersey Urban began his karate training in 1952 while a sailor in Yokohama Japan under the guiding light of Richard Kim and then Mas Oyama and finally under “The Cat�

Gogen Yamaguichi. These three (along with the JKA) are the ones who shaped the martial arts to become as popular outside Japan as inside Japan in the 1950's and 1960's.

It was the late Richard Kim that said Peter Urban is the only man he ever met that knew no fear whatsoever.

Urban was a Geijin or foreigner in Japan during the early 1950's and it was during this time he trained with best of the best.

When he came back to USA in 1957 he was the official representative for the Goju Kai headed by Yamaguichi Gogen. He represented the organization until the mid 1960's when he had a falling out with Yamaguichi in a story made for TV itself.

By this time he was the biggest name on the East Coast of the USA and was in great demand as an teacher in New York City where he had a 3month waiting list and as well as the nations #1 referee in tournaments. Students of his like Al Gotay, Chuck Merriman, Frank Ruiz, and Luis Delgado were the best competitors on the East Coast during the Manhattan Center Days.

Other students of his like Aaron Banks, Skipper Ingham, and Bob Dalgleish were making names for themselves as well in other ways.

After the split with the Yamaguichi's in 1965 he started his own organization calling it USA Goju Ryu Karate. Even this was started in yet another story made for TV as meat cleavers and guns were brought to the forefront in its inception.

Things changed though after this point in time not only in the training of students but also in his entire attitude towards the martial arts.

P

According to Bob Dalgleish Urban vowed to personally erase the validity of dan rankings in the USA and he did so.

Urban claimed that there were always two types of black belts, those who earned their ranks legitimately and those who became slave black belts. These were the ones who were given dan ranks and knew they did not deserve the rank and who do whatever he wanted in either appreciation or fear of being outed so to speak.

The Maestro (as he preferred to be called) thru all this maintained his sense of humor and kindness for his students while continuing to write books to pass on his unique way of thinking. Although he wrote several books over the years none reached the popularity that his book

Karate

Karate

“The Karate Dojo” did. The book still in publication with Charles Tuttle out of Rutland Vermont is still one of the best sellers the company has.

Recently his star has faded some what but with the new release of a book “Peter Urban America's 1st Tenth Dan” by known historian and author Don Warrener it seems his name now will go down in eternity as the book has all the goodies and truths in it that we have all wanted to hear for years about this American Legend.

Although he was a technically gifted karate ka in his early years it was his unique perspective on life that set him apart from the rest of the martial arts practioner's and made him what he was.

Perhaps his most unique and profound quote that was his own was this “Enlightenment is realizing the fact that everyone is looking for someone to save him or her from themselves and enlightenment is realizing the fact, that, that someone is yourself”.

Peter Urban, when he was born the mould was surely broken and there will never be anyone who can replace his uniqueness. He was most certainly a one of a kind and a pleasure to know as a man for any of us who came into his teachings.

Peter Urban America's 1 st Tenth Dan is Published by Rising Sun Productions, 15805 Chase Street, North Hills, California, 91343 PH 1-818-891-1133 Fax 1-818-891-0332, E-Mail donrw@earthlink.net web <www.risingsunproductions.net.

Retail price is $99.95. 340 pages, Gold embossed, Laminated dust jacket, DVD and a CD plus a certificate of authenticity as only 1000 will be printed. It is then placed inside a slip cover box for protection over the years to come.

WING CHUN GUNG GUNG FU: FU: The Explosive Art of Close Range Combat

Five brand new Wing Chun DVDs 1 DVD: “Bot” Jom Doh Basics Complete “Bot” Jom Doh Form, 108 Motions, Historical Information about the Wing Chun Broadswords, Detailed Knife Blocking and Striking Techniques, “Bot” Jom Doh Footwork, Details of the footwork orientation of the form, One-man “Bot” Jom Doh Drills 2 DVD set: “Bot” Jom Doh, Applications, Drills, Concepts & Principles Applications of the motions from the “Bot” Jom Doh form, Knife vs. Knife, Knife vs.

Pole, Drills, Concepts and Principles, Specially created Knife drills for the Wooden Dummy, Detailed Knife Blocking and Striking, Knife techniques as compared to their empty-hand counterparts, Cutting Principles

Sifu Randy Williams’ extensive collection of books on Wing Chun in 6 volumes, the series contains the history of Wing Chun, the theory and description of all Wing Chun forms in detail, Volume 6 is focused on instructing the system and provides additional information about Wing Chun Combat Theory from A to Z! This great work, originally written in 1988 and newly revised and updated is a must for the library of any serious student of the art.

You can order the entire series as a set of 6 books, or by individual volume, and the new DVDs can also be ordered individually or in sets directly from us through our website:

1 DVD: CRCA Wing Chun “Biu Jitsu” Groundfighting Contents: The concept of “Reverse Engineering,” Chokes; Rear, Front Standing, “Guillotine,” Head-and-Arm, Side-Mount Shoulder Choke, and many other Groundfighting drills and techniques.

2 DVD set: “Look Deem Boon” Gwun Volume 1 ( 55 min. ) Content: Pole Details, Pole Drills, Pole Footwork, Form Overview, “Look Deem Boon” Gwun Form, 6 ½ Strikes of the Pole, Applications: Pole vs. Pole

www.shop.crca.de One Volume SingleWeapon DVD Biu Jitsu DVD DVD Set (all 5)

€ 49,90 € 39,90 € 25,90 € 149,90

The shipping & handling costs are not included for more information please contact us: Copyright © 1989 CRCA Enterprises Publisher CRCA-Lopez / Mario Lopez, Atroper Str. 56, 47226 Duisburg, Germany E-Mail: info@crca.de

“Look Deem Boon” Gwun Volume 2 (60 min.)

Heavybag Drills, Dummy Drills, Two Man Drills, Form overview, Pole vs. Knife

As is customary, it was held the classic annual meeting of the Valencia Hall of Fame, organized by Grand Master Santiago Sanchis. This year it released its new seat in the Hotel Sorolla of the city of Valencia, certainly a very favorable change. With his distinctive personality, the host distributed prizes and distinctions gathering around him foreign and domestic guests.

The world of Martial Arts merged with military and police groups from various countries, and the special guests from the group of "illustrious Spaniards."

Magnificent demonstration of Valencian folklore, welcome cocktail, gala dinner, awards ceremony, dancing and lots of applause. Besides these lines, some of the many memorable moments of the night.

Always with the Ochikara, "The Great Strength" (called e-bunto in the Shizen vernacular tongue) or secret wisdom of the ancient Miryoku Japanese shamans, as a backdrop, the author takes us into a world of genuine reflections that are capable to move at once both the reader's heart and head, thus placing him continuously in front of the abyss of the invisible, as the true final frontier of personal and collective consciousness.

The spiritual taken not as religion, but as the study of the invisible, was the way of the ancient Miryoku sages to approach the mystery in the framework of a culture as rich as unknown, to which the author has wholeheartedly devoted.

Alfredo Tucci, Manager Director to Budo International Publishing Co. and author in the past 30 years of a large number of titles about the Warrior's Way, offers us a set of extraordinary and profound reflections, which can be read individually in no particular order. Each one of them opens up a window to us through which we can take a look at the most varied subjects from an unexpected angle, now dotted with humor now with forcefulness and grandiosity, placing us in front of eternal matters with the view of the one who has just arrived and doesn't agree with the common places in which everyone coincides.

We can affirm with conviction that no reader will be indifferent to this book; such is the strength and intensity of its contents. Saying this is saying a lot in a world crowded with collective mangers, interested and behavioral ideologies, manipulators and, in short, spurious interests and mediocrity. It is therefore a text for big souls and intelligent people who are ready to look at life and mystery with the freedom of the most restless and scrutinizing minds, without dogmas, without transient morals, without subterfuges...