Dan Inosanto

Dan Inosanto 70 Years of Human Greatness

DAN INOSANTO SEVENTY YEARS OF

HUMAN GREATNESS

DEDICATION To all my JKD colleagues who took the time to contribute and to Dan Inosanto, the man to whom we owe it all.

Copyright Š 2006 by Dwight Woods

INTRODUCTION There were actually two major things I wanted to do for Dan Inosanto during 2006.

The first was to have the Martial Art Industry Association give him its Lifetime Achievement Award and the second was to get all his instructor-students to present him with a unique gift for this milestone.

The idea for the first occurred to me during the 2005 MAIA Super Conference when Gene LeBell received the award.

The idea for the second came when I read a book called, The e-Code: 33 Internet Superstars Reveal 43 Ways to Make Money Online Almost Instantly---Using Only Email. Marketing legends Joe Vitale & Jo Han Mok got thirty-one of their Internet buddies to email them their best ideas for marketing strategies which they put together in book form.

That sounded like a perfect way to easily produce a book that could honor Dan Inosanto on his 70th birthday.

I would just email everyone on the instructor list, they would respond and the whole project would be over in about two weeks.

Yeah, right! I certainly wasn’t prepared for the shock of using the Internet to conduct a worldwide project.

For instance, I had no idea that if I emailed more than forty addresses at the same time, AOL would shut down my email account.

After the first time it happened, I switched addresses thinking it was just a glitch.

But the same thing happened so I ended up with two inactive email accounts. Not good for business.

As the project kept going, I wondered why the response wasn’t as quick as I’d expected. Imagine my surprise on discovering that the different email systems apparently do not communicate easily with each other.

I sent the first email out in February 2006, thinking that everything would be ready by the end of March, April at the latest.

I found that many of the email addresses, websites and phone numbers available for Inosanto instructors were at the least outdated if not outright defunct.

As time passed, I kept adding more and more stories until the project really took on a life of its own. More and more instructors were coming on board and I was hearing from people I’d never met or heard about.

But I began to realise that I wouldn’t be able to include everyone either due to unavailability or unwillingness to contribute.

When desperation kicked in, I started making phone calls and that effort produced substantially more results.

It’s been unreal and a lot of work, but in the end all worth it!

I hope you enjoy

Name: Alan Baker How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

In 1994 a friend and I were running a school in Chattanooga Tennessee. I wanted to pursue a higher level of growth in the martial arts so I decided to move to Georgia and enroll in the Francis Fong Academy. It was an opportunity to train with Sigung Francis Fong as well as Guro Inosanto. There I continued to train and peruse the martial arts until Sifu Steve Grantham opened his school. At that point I started training with Sifu Steve as well. After receiving a black belt in the Kali and JKD under Sifu Steve he recommended me to Guro Dan to join the instructor program. After about another year I received my instructor certificates from Guro Dan at Mark Mills School where I was attending a seminar. It was one of the most exciting moments of my martial arts career. I feel greatly honored to be apart of such a tremendous organization.

Alan Baker, Georgia

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Guro Inosanto has been a tremendous role model in the martial arts for me. To have achieved so much and still be as humble and approachable as he is, it’s remarkable. His endless pursuit of knowledge while putting all ego aside is amazing. He has taught me to continually search and learn in the martial arts.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Alex Chan How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Guru Dan has been one of the most influential figures in my life. Much of who I am today, as an instructor, school owner and role model to my students, I owe directly to Guru Dan's teaching and example. I have never met a more dedicated martial arts nor a more knowledgeable man. His dedication to the Arts is matched only with his dedication to his students and family.

My first encounter with Guru Dan was at a New York seminar in 1992. I was a beginner student and was totally lost and Alex Chan, New York blown away by Guru Dan's talent and presence. Yet I realized something that seminar that would change my life. Guru Dan wasn't some big, muscle-bound fighter that taught by fear or intimidation. He was a respectful, soft-spoken gentleman. Yet he commanded such authority from everyone at the seminar! As I continued to follow him during seminars I began to realize why all these people held him in such high regard. For my entire life, I felt limited because I was a skinny Asian kid who wasn't big or intimidating. Guru Dan, indirectly motivated me to become the man and the martial artist I am today. His example helped me to overcome my own insecurity and excel at something that I have always loved to do but thought that I wasn't strong enough or big enough to do.

For this, I would like to thank Guru Dan from the bottom of my heart and wish him many more years to come.

Thank you Guru!!

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Allen Blois How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I started in the Martial arts in 1979. My older brother (Earl) was taking Karate at a local school. On Monday September 10, 1979 he purchased Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee and Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method by Bruce Lee and M. Uyehara (hardcover editions). I started reading them and immediately became interested in learning every thing that was in the books.

At that time in my area there was no one teaching anything like that. So my brother and I purchased a heavy bag, speed bag, and a double end bag. We set up a work out area in our parent’s basement and started training.

With the books I started learning and training. For a live instructor I tried a Kung Fu school and a Karate school but I was spoiled and found what they were teaching was so impractical.

I went back to training with my brother, a couple of friends and of course my trusty books. I trained like this for about 5 years and during this time I told any one that would listen that some day I would go to California to train with Dan Inosanto.

In the summer of 1993 I saw a poster for a Martial Arts seminar on Jun Fan Gung Fu and Filipino Martial Arts. I could not believe that Dan Inosanto was coming to Saint John. I called the number on the poster and talked to Rob Doley. I told him I would be attending the seminar. I also found out during this phone call that Rob was a certified instructor, ran a local Martial Arts school, and gave private lessons.

I started training at Rob’s school (The Doley Academy of Martial Arts) and Rob told me that Guro Inosanto would be teaching wooden dummy sets for all the instructors who attended. At that time Rob did not have a wooden dummy. I told Rob that we could go out to my parents place and make one. We built it and mounted it at Rob’s school.

I applied for the instructors program in November 1996 and then again in 1998. I received my first year apprentice instructor certificate for Jun Fan Gung Fu and Filipino Martial Arts in March 1999. I now hold associate instructor level 1 in both arts.

I did fulfill my dream of going to California to train with Guro Inosanto. In October 2000 attended the instructor’s seminar at the Inosanto Academy. It was amazing for me to be there.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The greatest influence Guro Inosanto has had on me would be to never stop learning and that everyone is important. Other influences are keeping your ego in check and that you can learn from everyone.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story The first time Guro Inosanto called me by name was November 1996. Rob Doley had booked Guro Inosanto for another seminar in Saint John.

Guro was to arrive at the Saint John airport at around 3pm in the afternoon on Friday. But he ended up in St John’s Newfoundland.

Rob called me and said that Guro would be getting late on Friday could I come to the airport to help out? When Guro got off the plane, he saw Rob and me. He immediately apologized to Rob for being late and then said, “Hello, Allen”.

Name: Amy Tucci How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I met Sifu Dan Inosanto for the very first time around 1978 - it was in the Playboy Club in Sussex, New Jersey, where there was a martial arts demonstration with some big names. I wasn't really training in martial arts, but I was there with my then-husband Rick. I met Sifu Dan, and he was very sweet and nice, and he had a presence. Who would have known I would be training with him ten years later. It was actually in 1988 that I first began my official training under Sifu Dan. We hosted a seminar with Sifu in Princeton, New Jersey, and that was the beginning of a long time of training with the great martial artist Dan Inosanto. During that time, I was running Princeton Academy of Martial Arts with Rick, and I was training regularly. I began traveling all over the US, and even Europe, to see Sifu Dan. There were the regular seminars, and then there were the week-long training camps. Then I finally became certified as an Apprentice. It was something I really cherished and was very honored to receive, although when I started my training, certification to teach was the furthest thing from my mind. From then on, the training stayed intensive, and I attended just about every instructor conference in Los Angeles, more Amy Tucci seminars, and week-long training camps. I received my New Jersey Associate, and then my Full Instructorship in 2001. It was a really incredible moment for me - I just felt so honored that Sifu Dan thought enough of me that he gave me the go-ahead to play a part in keeping alive the Jun Fan and the Filipino Martial Arts that he had spent his lifetime learning and teaching.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

There are many, many influences Sifu Dan has had on me. His kindness, his warmth, his sense of humor, his constant desire to learn, his patience, his way of caring for his students, his amazing skill and precision in the martial arts, all of these have influenced me and I admire him so much for these qualities. The fact that he can still train and teach with a very busy schedule, and do it well at age 70 is itself a huge influence for me. Plus, he's my all-time favorite Jiu Jitsu partner! I know I'm forgetting some more! As for the single greatest influence he has made on me - it's the understanding of what the martial arts really is about. This quote

by Sifu Dan is one of my favorite by him: "The goal of martial arts is not for the destruction of an opponent, but to be used as a tool for self-growth and selfperfection. The practice of a martial art should be a practice of love - the love for the preservation of life, the love for the preservation of your body, the love for the preservation of your family and friends."

Please tell your two favorite Dan Inosanto stories My favorite Sifu Dan story - there are lots of them, but one of my favorites is when I became his teacher, and the roles were reversed. He had a new computer, and it was a Macintosh, which is my forte, so I became his Mac tutor. I had so much fun teaching him - he was a dedicated student, and he was so cute and happy when he got the computer to do what he wanted. We burned CDs, made playlists, did the whole word processing thing, pictures, files, email. It was all enough to make him comfortable with the computer, but he was so happy to learn this stuff, I thought it was great. He really likes his gadgets, so this was one big gadget he went from not being able to use really at all, to being pretty proficient at. It was really fun for me to teach him, because I got to switch places, me being the teacher and him being the student, and he really progressed. We both learned a lot!

Rick and I were driving Sifu and Simo Paula at the Wisconsin camp, which is up in the north woods - very much out of the way. We were driving up there - it was nighttime and we had all flown in together to Minneapolis and driven from the airport to the location of the camp. We were all starving and didn't know what was around in the way of restaurants. Well, we drove past one lone restaurant, and since it was late and there was nothing else, we figured we'd better try it. So we went in an asked them if they were still serving. They said they had like two slices of frozen pizza left and some meatball soup (!). So, we all sat down and shared the bounty. It was quite a place, the north woods. Later in the week, Sifu and Simo wanted to rent a video, so we all went to the bait/tackle/video store - how is that for one stop shopping?

Name: Anthony Palermo How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I had a friend who had been to one of Guro Dan’s seminars in 86. He came back from the seminar and demonstrated basic 6-count Sinawali.

I was blown away. I thought, “This is the most devastating form of attack I had ever witnessed”. With some convincing, time, ice packs, patience and compassion on my friend’s part, he taught me my first Filipino drill and I was hooked.

Anthony Palermo, California

I went out and bought all the books I could find this man Inosanto had written. His writing style was straight forward and to the point, and I was aghast that instead of telling me all I should know he was asking me questions (me and a million other folks).

I started practicing from his book but that soon was not enough. I looked around the Chicago area to find there were very few places I could learn this “new” art. I went to my first seminar at Fred Degerberg’s in Chicago. The year was 1987.

I thought as I watched him move “Wow, that guy is incredible. I hope I can move ¼ as well when I get to be his age”.

At that seminar I was fortunate to meet and get to train with one of Guro’s students in the area Larry Lindenman. It was quite an experience that lasted about 18 months.

During this time I went to many more seminars and decided if I was ever going to be certified I would like it to be by Dan Inosanto. Then I was off studying with, training with and meeting anyone who did any Filipino martial arts.

In 1995 with the help of my cousin Michael and his couch, I went out to the Inosanto academy and trained for 6 weeks.

In 1997 I was able to spend another month and this time after a very stressful test, on a beautiful California day on the end of January, he said he would put me on probation. I was so very happy.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I often reflect on where I would be had I not met and been irrevocable influenced by my teacher Dan Inosanto.

I am not sure I could have become what I am today with out his help and guidance.

He is truly a light in an other wise dark landscape that is Martial arts today.

I am not sure I will ever be able to thank him enough for all that he has given me, but I will continue to try.

I am not sure he will ever call me his friend but I will always be his even if he has many friends and little need of me.

Martial Arts for me started as a very practical thing. It was a way for me to exercise my brain, and my use of language at the same time trying hard not to get my butt kicked.

Since I have met this man and began training in Filipino Martial arts that has all changed for me. I still often have a wicked sense of humor but it has not gotten me in trouble for many years. I have an inner confidence I cannot explain, but to say it has helped me often. I have struggled with my own ego and come to a realization that too much or too little will always be a problem.

All of these things this man Dan Inosanto has helped me with. Every year I continue to train as much as my body will allow. Every year I try to grow. Every year I teach I repeat something he told me Aristotle or Plato wrote,� Teaching is the highest form of learning�. I try to go into each class and teach as if it were the most important thing I can do at that moment.

I am just trying to emulate a man I admire so very much. A man who has always taken the time to answer my question how ever infantile or silly they may seem.

After 20 years of trying and training I have revised my goal to be a brief fraction as good as he is today and as goals go I feel it is better to shoot for the stars and fall short, then not try at all.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story That following year he got my name wrong every time he called on me to demonstrate but I did not care. Whatever name he called me I looked around to make sure it was me he wanted and then with unsteady, sweating hands I did my best not to embarrass myself or my instructor.

I was so proud to be asked to demo that he could continue to call me any name he wanted. I always understood that he meets, knows, thousands and thousands of people, so just that he remembered my face ...wow!

This would change the following year and he has never forgotten my name since I am also very proud of this.

Name: Arndt Mallepree How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I remember my first time seeing Guro Dan Inosanto live very fresh. It happened on a seminar in Speyer, Germany in May 1994. My brother Peter did before visit a seminar under Sifu Paul Vunak and decided to see Guro Dan in Person after it. He told me, that I needed to see the art of JKD and of Kali.

At that time, I was already training in different martial arts systems for 17 years – starting with Judo, Ju-Jutsu, Taekwondo and Muay Thai Boxing.

My active career as a full contact fighter in Taekwondo was close before its end and I was already teaching this art.

Arndt Mallepree Germany

But I searched a self-defense methode for my type of body. Most teachers told me that their art would fit me, but it never did fit my mind – so that I created an opened mind methode with my brother Peter.

When I saw Guro Dan perform and talking to all the participants, I felt like a little child again. Seeing someone and listening to his words, I was seeking to find for such a long time!

After this first seminar, I felt to be on the right way and I wanted to see and hear more. But I already recognized that there was long way in front of me. The stick work I never did before was very hard for me – but the empty hand portion of JKD and Panantukan we saw and tried to perform after watching it made me feel better.

Attending more seminars and seeing Guro Dan, leaded me to another Arnisador in Germany. Guro Alfred Plath helped me through my trouble dealing with the sticks.

My empty hand work became better and so we decided to make a journey towards Los Angeles to train at the Inosanto Academy. After 4 weeks of 8 hours training, we took the flight home with the big wish to become a certified Instructor under Guro Dan. In 2003, we were excepted from Guro Dan in his international instructors association and my wish came true. I got a letter from Simo Paula Inosanto telling me that I was accepted as an apprentice instructor and that Guro Dan waived the instructors’ candidacy in my case. I felt very honoured and started to train even harder to show Guro Dan, that he made the right decision. Today I feel that I still have so much to learn and the more I learn the more I want to see and the more I feel the need to train more.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

From my first time seeing Guro Dan I felt very special touched from his words. He showed me a path for my life and my martial art!

During my work as a cop, I already experienced a part of the truth in the oracion of the LaCoste-Inosanto Kali saying: “With my mind and my heart I cherish the knowledge my Instructor has given me, for it is my life in combat!”

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Two stories I will never forget. Once I went to a seminar of Guro Dan and in the need of a new haircut I did shave myself a baldhead. Reaching the seminar I remember Guro Dan asking my brother Peter were I was. But I was standing right next to my brother, but Guro didn’t recognize me without hair. When I told him, “Guro take a look, its me!” we all started laughing.

The second story happened during a seminar in the year 2000. When I spoke to Guro and told him, that I felt Shooto to be the JKD of the Millenium, while seeing Erik Paulson perform it. He laughed and told me to tell Sensei Erik what I just finished to tell him. Today I know better – cause I know that I was talking about Sensei Erik’s personal JKD, which he named Combat Submission Wrestling.

There are more things and stories that could be told, but these are the two of my choice to be told here. The others remain untold but not forgotten, cause they touched my heart and anybody who had such moments with Guro Dan will know what I am talking about.

Thank you Guro Dan for your divine guidance in my martial art, which guided me in my personal life as well.

Name: Arthur Ligopantis How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Guro, I remember our first meeting in 1985. You taught a seminar in Parramatta Town Hall, Sydney Australia. I was in total awe of your depth of knowledge in the martial arts.

To be in your presence, for me, was a life long dream. As a young child, I was drawn to the martial arts through the influence of Bruce Lee. As I learnt more about the martial arts, I realized that my destiny was with you.

After many years of trying to get into the instructors program, then finally being accepted, re- affirmed your belief in me.

I want to thank you for giving me an opportunity to be part of an extremely fortunate group of people who share the same vision, to grow and give back to the community unselfishly.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

When I was asked to write my piece for Guro Dan's 70th birthday I felt honored to be part of a group of individuals that share the same love for a man who has the same love and passion for his arts, but more importantly a man who gives unselfishly to whomever wants to learn the way of the martial arts.

How do I begin to say thank you to a human being who teaches the arts as a vehicle for living life, a man who in essence has given me a reason to continue developing myself and my students through his teachings?

How does one begin to say thank you to a man who tirelessly travels the world to share his knowledge, a man who has an uncanny ability to impart knowledge that has his audience captivated and in awe of his physical abilities?

In your book “The Filipino Martial Arts”, you make reference to Michael Harts’ book, “the 100 most influential people in the history of mankind”. I can say without a doubt that Guro, you certainly fit in that category. The amount of lives you have impacted upon worldwide is without a doubt one of the greatest gifts anyone could ever give.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Bob Breen How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Happy Birthday Dan Dan you are loved by people, of all races, the world over. Why? You embody the attributes that we all seek in our search for fulfilment and contentment. Whilst human in every way you have inspired my friends, students and I to strive a little harder, to share more, to be more disciplined and to keep a humble nature whilst excelling. The impact of you on my life and the lives of millions of others has been huge. One of our t-shirts for one of your seminars said ‘warriorBob Breen, United Kingdom scholar-guru’. You embody all of these.

Through the window of martial arts you have shown us the strengths and beauty of other cultures and peoples, surely a great thing in the polarized times in which we live.

You are a sharer. You’ve introduced me and countless others to other masters and methods.

Any fame I may have achieved is to a large extent the result of your help and assistance. In fact, the world of martial arts would have been radically different without the unique and lovely man you are.

Those of us close to you who have been able to share your training experience have seen the discipline and focus you have. Where possible we have copied this and passed it on to our students. None of us, though younger, have been able to stay the course on the physical level, never mind the mental engagement that you seem to have when studying.

Above all though, training with and alongside you has been fun.

I’ve trained and been a loyal student now for some 27 years. My initial relationship with you didn’t start too well as I’m sure you didn’t understand my accent and the speed at which I spoke. However, over time our communication improved immensely. Whereas initially I regarded you as a hugely influential and amazingly inspirational teacher, our relationship has evolved over time from teacher to mentor to friend. First, you became my mentor.

Putting me in touch with other masters and recommending a particular route of study or just helping me along the path when I seemed to stumble. Over time, you have become a close friend, albeit a very special friend. It is this friendship which is now most important to me. Though incredibly fond of Martial Arts, my relationship with you transcends this.

On your seventieth birthday I wish you well, God bless and all the happiness that you so richly deserve.

Much love Bob Breen

Name: Bob Carver How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

You may remember that we first met in person in February of 1985, when I brought you up to Ottawa for a seminar. A couple of telephone conversations to make sure details were ok had preceded our meeting in person, and the result was one of the great moments of my life. Thanks.

But I have a confession to make. It wasn’t the first time we met. I started training in 1973, and like many others at the time had read the articles of the day being published in Karate Illustrated, Black Belt, and Inside Kung Fu. One evening in 1975, after some thought, I decided to give you a call. A simple call to LA information was all it took, and voila, I had Dan Inosanto's phone number.

Yep, I was one of those guys… of which you probably had way too many, call and interrupt your evening. I got you at home, and you were very kind and patient, at the end of our conversation I said; “thanks, my name is Bob Carver, I hope to get to your Academy some day”. It took ten more years, but the wait was worth every minute.

Bob Carver, Canada

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

To say that you have been a big influence on my life would be a bit of an understatement. Getting to work with you over the years has always been fun and has only solidified my opinion that you are amongst the finest martial artists to have ever lived, bar none.

Meeting you enabled me to break into training the Special Forces community through the application of the techniques and concepts that you share.

As I get older, I continue to be amazed at your tireless efforts to spread the art(s), and hold true to your ideals with a level of integrity that is unsurpassed. Bruce Lee came up with the concept, but Guro you sure have run with the ball.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story The ONLY time I have ever witnessed Dan Inosanto look anything but in total control was at the 1985 Smoky Mountain Camp.

If you remember, we had an R and R afternoon, where we went rafting on the Nantahala River. I was in the raft ahead of you, and we got through the last bumpy trough of the run without mishap.

We pulled our raft around to watch the next couple of rafts come through the same spot. You were seated at the rear of the next raft and took the first dip quite well.

But the second bump proved to be your undoing. You were lifted into the air 5 or 6 feet out the backend of the raft and unceremoniously dumped into the river.

The look on your face as you popped to the surface was not quite panicky, but certainly distressed. At that point, I said to myself, ‘Well I guess he is human after all’.

Name: Bob Heinemann How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I’ve only been training for 5 ½ years and will have completed my first year as an apprentice instructor this coming May (2006), but like so many of us Guro Inosanto has had a profound effect on my life.

There aren’t many people who I can say that about.

When I first saw Guro teach a seminar I was blown away and totally unaware as to what I was seeing. What really inspired me most about Guro was his genuine humility.

While visiting the Inosanto Academy for a few weeks back in 2002 I remember being so impressed with the level of respect, admiration, and love that surrounded this humble and talented man. One could gather from the environment the greatness of this person.

Bob Heinemann Washington

That was the moment I knew this was what I wanted to be associated with. To be an instructor under Guro Inosanto is something I hold in the highest regards and is what I’m most proud of.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

As I continue to progress in the arts and as a student and an instructor I become more impressed with Guro’s dedication as a teacher and student. I see the impact he has had on the lives of my instructors, Guro Andy Wilson and Rick Faye, and now I’m lucky enough to be a part of that lineage.

My fondness and admiration for Guro Inosanto continues to grow with time and I feel it is an honor and obligation to promote and pass on, with the highest level of integrity that I can, what Guro Dan has passed on to all of us.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Here’s one of my favorite Guro Dan stories. At Thai camp, summer of 2004, as we were closing up camp my girlfriend and I happened to be in the same vicinity as Guro and a casual conversation began.

This was a unique moment in that most of the time Guro is surrounded by so many people wanting a picture, or a question answered, or just to be in his presence.

I forget how we got on the subject, but Guro said “I could write a book about all of the things that Ajarn Chai has done over the last 30 years” and he began to take us through all of these hilarious stories that involved Chai.

Then Ajarn Chai joined us and filled us in on some of these events. It was truly a special moment for me because it was so relaxed and such a small group and Guro and Chai were having fun just being old friends talking old times.

Name: Bruce Jolly How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I first met Guru Dan in Charlotte while I was training under Sifu Larry Hartsell and Guru Dick Harrell. He had been in NC giving a lecture.

At that time there were only three JKD schools in the world.

We were all very excited, it was a small group and we were honored to be meeting him. He came in and was as he remains today humble and wanting to show the arts. We all were able to approach him and interact.

It was a moment that changed my life. That was about 1981 or 82.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Bruce Jolly, Georgia

The single greatest influence Guru has had on me is his ability to remain a student and the way he is able to constantly grow.

I must add that the way he is able to handle people and his friendliness is also an attribute I greatly admire.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Once in Colorado Guru was giving a seminar. I was able to attend and demo with him. It was a particularly cold morning. It had been snowing and it was early with a wooden gym floor, no mat. We started into some warm up but it was very cold in the gym so not a lot of warming up took place.

At that time we were doing a lot of Silat. When Guru called me up I had figured we would do some positioning and work into the harder throws.

I remember being up in the air as he was saying, "Bruce, I just want you to feel this."

When I hit the floor my back landed straight and it was very hard and cold. As I lay there I was sure several minutes had gone by which in reality were only seconds.

I wasn't sure if I could get up but he had thrown me with just enough force to let me "feel it" without hurting me.

As I approach my 50th birthday Guru, I always treasure in my heart and mind the things you have taught me both on and off the floor. I appreciate you letting me be a part of your organization and your life.

Happy Birthday!

Name: Bud Thompson How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

It seems like it was only yesterday that I had the privilege of meeting you and Bruce Lee. It was early 1965, over 41 years ago. I still to this day remember that moment and I will never forget it.

I had been taking care of Dan's students, opening up, closing collecting membership fees, etc. and one day Dan decided I should be a certified instructor after teaching for him for several years.

That day was on November 9, 1982 little more than a year after the passing of the Grand Mastership from Grand Master Floro Villabrille to Tuhon Ben Largusa in Kuai, Hawaii, August 1981 which I attended as part of the Los Angeles Demonstration Team.

Dan has always called me a straight shooter, a person that shoots from the hip. If you do not want to hear the truth, DON'T ASK ME. Black is black and white is white; there is no grey area.

According to Dan Inosanto, I am the oldest instructor still teaching Kali/Jun Fan Gung Fu as was taught to me in the beginning.

In Dan's own words he refers me to as, "THE OLD MAN AND HIS OLDEST LIVING STUDENT". I really appreciate the last part of that quote.

Bud Thompson California

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

You have been one of the most influential persons in my life. The things I have learned from you are priceless: compassion, humility, respect for other martial arts and the knowledge I have today.

Dan, we have been down many paths the last four decades and I am looking forward to traveling down many more. It’s not the destination we seek but the journey.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story One day Dan asked me to teach his classes for a month as he was going to be doing seminars in Europe. That month turned into fifteen years............

Name: Burton Richardson How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I first started training in the martial arts in 1979 when I was 17 years old. My first girlfriend was training at a place called the Filipino Kali Academy. She taught me a little with the sticks, and for my 18th birthday she gave me the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, along with the Bruce Lee’s Fighting Methods books.

Later that year, in 1980, I took my first trip to the Academy, which happened to be a mile and a half from my house.

Burton Richardson, Hawaii

The brick warehouse off Normandie Avenue seemed normal enough from the outside, but when I walked in I discovered a whole new world. Sifu Dan Inosanto was playing the drums with a few others doing back-up. Guys were jumping rope, hitting the heavy bags, and shadow boxing on the concrete floor. The kicking shields came out and I really enjoyed watching that. The boxing gloves came out and a student got a bloody nose right in front of me. I thought that was amazing. But even that didn’t prepare me for what I was about to witness.

Sifu Inosanto yelled out a command and the students all grabbed weapons. There were sticks and training swords and training knives. The drums started and the students began what I now know to be Numerado. After a time, Sifu Inosanto called the round to a halt. He stepped in front of the class to demonstrate with the weapons. Now, I don’t remember what weapons he used or what he did, but one thing was evident: I was hooked. Absolutely and completely hooked.

I started at the Kali Academy a few months later when a new class opened at the beginning of summer. I went to U.S.C. after the summer, but practiced on my own. I kept training during the summers until I was finished with college. After a long, arduous university experience that left me physically ill and nearly broken psychologically, I made one of the greatest decisions of my life.

Instead of continuing on to graduate school, I found a place to live where I didn’t have to pay rent. I lived in a tiny camper trailer in the parking lot of a dog and cat hospital in one of the worst sections of downtown Los Angeles. I watched the animals at night, and lived there rent-free. That meant that I could train. I worked as a courier a few days a week and started at the Marina Del Rey school on Saturdays, then soon started in Sifu’s IMB academy daytime class. I then added the Marina Del Rey evening classes twice a week, then added Sifu’s IMB evening classes. If Sifu was teaching a class in the L.A. area, I was there.

One day, at the IMB daytime class, I was getting ready to start, as were the other students. Sifu came in through the side door, put his bags down, then called me over. He had been using me to demonstrate with for quite some time, but he had

never called me over before a class. I approached with some trepidation. He was on one knee, going through his bag when he looked up at me. He asked, “Are you going to keep on training?” I said “yes”. “Good” he replied. “I want to make you an Apprentice Instructor.” I remember my shock to this day, and I remember my exact response. “Who? Me?” With that Sifu stood up, clicked his sticks together and started class. I was an Apprentice Instructor. I think Simo Paula had a lot to do with that appointment, as she was always helping me in any way she could.

A few years later Sifu had an article in a major martial arts magazine to clear up some controversy. In that magazine he listed all of his Associate and Full instructors, as there had been some disputes about who was legitimate and who wasn’t. Simo Paula handed me the magazine and told me to look at the article. I did, and scanned all of the names. I finished scanning the article and the list, and gave it back to Simo. She had a strange look on her face. She said something like, “You didn’t see it?” “See what?” She leafed through, then noticed that there had been a misprint. There was a continuation of the instructor list on another page.

She found the page and showed it to me. There was my name. That is how I found out that I had become an Associate Instructor with Sifu Inosanto.

Five years later I accompanied Sifu and Simo on a seminar for Bob Breen in London. Simo Paula made the introductions for the large crowd. She thanked Bob Breen, introduced Sifu Inosanto, then pointed to me and said something like “Here to help is Burt Richardson. He is a Full Instructor under Sifu Inosanto.” That was news to me. The seminar started, I went up to assist Sifu as Simo walked past me.

I looked at her, my eyes saying, “Did I hear that right?” She just smiled and sailed on past.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The biggest single influence Sifu Inosanto has had on my life? That is so hard to choose, as the majority of good things that I have done and have are due to Sifu Inosanto.

If I have to choose one, I think I will relate back to the first time I met Sifu at the Kali Academy in 1980. When I saw the students move those weapons for the first time a distinct thought came to me. As enamored as I was, I thought, “I will never be able to do that”. I was a very successful athlete and student at that time. I had a lot of confidence in many areas, but something told me that I would never be able to do the things that those students did in Numerado.

That nagging voice of self-doubt that we all hear came up and spoke loudly, and I did not contest it. I relegated myself to being “less-than”. Because Sifu Inosanto is so generous and patient with his teaching, I was able to slowly learn how to use those weapons.

Through his guidance, I went from learning what an “angle one” was to being able to flow with various weapons combinations. I am sure that he was frustrated many times, but he never showed it. Eventually, I was able to perform at a level that I didn’t think I would ever be able to reach.

Sifu Inosanto never gave up on me, and proved to me that I could do it. This meant that I could learn to do just about anything. I try to pass that lesson on to my students all around the world, giving them the gift of self-confidence.

Sifu Inosanto didn’t just make me a better martial artist; he turned me into a more productive human being.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I am often asked the same question: “What is Dan Inosanto like?” This is what I tell them.

Sifu Inosanto is the most generous person I have ever met. He is generous with his time, with his knowledge, and with his advice. But he takes the concept of generosity even farther than that.

Years and years ago, an old friend of Sifu Inosanto moved to Los Angeles from North Carolina. That friend was Sifu Larry Hartsell. Moving to a new town wasn’t easy, and Sifu Hartsell wasn’t a well-known martial artist. Sifu Inosanto wanted to help his friend. Besides letting Sifu Hartsell teach at the academy, Sifu Inosanto did something that shows his true character.

Just about every year at that time, Sifu Inosanto went to Australia for a seminar tour. I believe it lasted a full month because Sifu had to travel from school to school to cover expenses as well as the seminar fee. Traveling around for a month may sound like a great deal, but it is not easy.

Sifu Inosanto wanted to help Sifu Hartsell become better known, so he arranged with the tour promoters to have Sifu Hartsell come along and also conduct seminars. Sifu Hartsell would get a great deal of exposure while making some much-needed money from the seminars. He gladly accepted the offer, and the long tour went off very well.

I doubt that Sifu Hartsell knows the details of that trip. How did Sifu Inosanto get the promoters to agree to pay for Sifu Hartsell? The truth is that Sifu Inosanto told the promoters to take his entire seminar fee and use it to pay for Sifu Hartsell’s airfare, lodging, and earnings. Sifu Inosanto left home for a month, traveled from town to town teaching day in and day out, without earning a penny. All so that he could help out his friend.

That is what Sifu Dan Inosanto is like.

Name: Calbert Strawn How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

My first experience with Guro Inosanto came when I was around 13 years old when I began training at Sifu Francis Fong’s school right outside of Atlanta.

Having just read Jeet Kune Do: Art and Philosophy of Bruce Lee, I was tremendously excited to attend my first Southeastern Martial Arts Training Conference where I would get to meet and learn from the man whom I already had a great amount of respect for, Guro Inosanto. Going to this seminar made me feel both excited and nervous. As it turns out, it was one of the best experiences of my life. Despite the fact that I had my stick in the air constantly throughout the seminar because I was a beginner, Guro Inosanto did not hesitate to make his way over to me and my partner every single time in order to further explain what he was teaching. After the seminar I shook Guro’s hand and asked him to sign my copy of his book. At that point I was so excited that I could not really say anything. That seminar was the start of my training in Jun Fan Gung Fu and the Filipino Martial Arts. Though it took me a while because of other training, I continued to train both arts until I became a certified instructor under Guro Inosanto in 2005.

Calbert Strawn Georgia

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

There are literally tons of things that I’ve learned from Guro Inosanto, but I believe the single greatest influence he has had on me has been passing on his love for the Filipino Martial Arts. The art of Kali is one of my favorite systems to study, train, teach, etc. I give all of the credit in the world to Guro Dan for sparking this interest within me and then maintaining my interest over the years with his wealth of knowledge and generosity of instruction. I probably would not have embarked upon the art of Kali if not for him, so I thank him for providing me with the tools to not only begin to understand this combat art, but also to see it as a science of movement, a physical culture, and as a way to build character and relationships.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I have not been an instructor under Guro Inosanto for nearly as long as most have, so my personal stories of him have yet to be formed. I can say, however, that my first trip to the Inosanto Academy was very memorable for me. Training in Guro Dan’s FMA class, doing carenza right in front of him, and discussing technical information with him afterwards was enough to keep me smiling for months. I look forward to many more years of training under Guro Dan and experiencing first hand what the most generous instructor that I know of has to share. Thanks for everything Guro Dan (past, present, and future), and have a very happy birthday!

Name: César Fernández De Las Peñas, Spain How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I met Guro Dan in September 1999, when he came to Valencia, Spain for a seminar. That weekend was the first time that I saw the person who will change my life and my martial art thinking. I remember when I could talk with him during the seminar; it was a magic moment to me. I was 20 years old.

At that moment, I knew that I would like to learn with Guro Dan for the rest of my life. I decided that I will travel to the Inosanto Academy every year to stay with Guro Dan on his academy.

Since 2000, each year I travel to the IAMA to stay from 15 to 30 days with Guro Dan. This moment is one of the most marvellous experiences of my life; each year is different and better than the previous one.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Today I am 26 years old, and I always consider to Guro Dan my “father” and “grand-father” in my life.

During my martial art life, I always thought in a person as Guro Dan, not only as martial artist, as person also. Guro Dan is the inspiration to each person who met him, especially to me.

You can see on his eyes, the humility, the honesty and the resolution of a great person. Each moment with Guro Dan is a magic moment; you always learn form the life with him.

It is the person that you will like to have with you on each moment. It is a friend for all your life.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story It is so difficult to decide which history of Guro Dan is my favourite. His experience is amazing, and when he starts with any history, it is a marvellous experience to me.

I love when we talk about the Spanish influence in Filipino Martial Arts, probably because I am Spanish.

I would like to thanks to Guro Dan for all the moments that I can stay with him. I always bring his thinking in my heart. Thank you very much Guro Dan for your life.

Name: Chad Silvis How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I can remember when I was a white belt all the people talking about how great Guro Inosanto is, and how smoothly he moved, and how much knowledge he contained. This was very overwhelming. How could I even comprehend one millionth of the material he presented at this level. Because of this, I waited several months before attending my first Inosanto seminar.

The first Guro Inosanto seminar I attended was in Wichita Falls, Texas back in 2001. The seminar was held in a junior high school gym. I had been training with Guro Harley Elmore for about a year at this time and felt a little more comfortable about attending this seminar. I felt I had a good grasp of techniques in all the systems that were being taught. Boy was I wrong.

When Guro Inosanto arrived he led us through several warm-ups. Pretty easy so far. Was I in for a shock! We then moved to some Kali, and I started going downhill from there. I always though Kali to be one of my strong points, but Guro made me feel about the size of a speck of dust. The material he taught, at this time seems so simple, but back then was just awe inspiring. Most of the time I could not follow the drill because I was just amazed at how Guro moved, and how "slick" he made everything seem.

By the end of the first day I could barely remember my name, but got a real glimpse at how great a martial artist Guro Dan really was. If I came away with nothing else I did retain a better appreciation of the man that influenced so many others to achieve more from martial arts then they could alone. Because of Guro Dan I want to be as good as I can as a martial artist and as a human being.

I am a full instructor now at Warriors Way and I hear students that attend Guro's seminars comment about how well he moves for his age, or how easily he moves someone for his size. Looking back at my first seminar those thoughts never crossed my mind. I just saw a great man, and I can only hope that one day I will be at least a faction for the man he is. The only way I feel I can truly repay him is to continue to teach the arts that he has given us, and strive to better everyone around me, and encourage everyone to "see for themselves" "The Man".

Thank you Guro for opening my eyes and accepting me into your family as an instructor.

Guro Chad Silvis Warriors Way Wichita Falls, Tx

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Charles Chi How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I was first introduced to Guro Dan and his amazing teaching methods in 1979 by my cousin who brought me to his school.

At that time the school was located a few blocks south of Century Blvd. in Los Angeles and the school was called the Kali academy. I must admit I had no clue what that was.

Once inside I was introduced to a whole new world of martial arts training. Everyone had heard of Bruce Lee and everybody tried to imitate him, but none of us really knew there was someone around Like Guro Dan who could actually teach his style.

Charles Chi, New York

I had never seen anything like what he was teaching at that time. His methods were totally different from all the traditional groups of that time.

I was only able to study at the school for a few short weeks as I had already decided to go to the Philippines to complete my college education. Because of my exposure to Filipino martial arts with Guro Dan I embraced the training once I arrived in the Philippines. To my amazement there were no formal Kali-EscrimaArnis schools and most of the instructor all met at Luneta Park early in the mornings and in the evening for training.

After I returned to the States, I was determined to find Guro and continue my training with him. After training with so many instructors over the years (some of them very famous) I recognized Guro Dan to have a unique personality and methodology of teaching that made him an exceptional educator. I trained with Guro through seminars from 1984 until 2001 when I finally became an instructor in his organization.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The greatest impact Guro has had on my life comes from his caring and sharing personality and open mindedness when it comes to learning and teaching. I am so thankful to him for introducing me to my Indonesian Silat instructor Pa Herman Suwanda who passed away back in March of 2000 and I thank Guro for allowing me to join his family and organization of instructors in 2001 after Pa Herman’s death.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite Guro Dan Anecdote would have to be the story that he tells of Bruce Lee’s challenge in the traditional Chinese community with regards to teaching nonChinese students. Guro usually gets pretty choked up when telling it and I know that it is something that carries a lot of personal meaning for him.

It is important to me because I am of mixed racial heritage (mestizo) and I have been denied acceptance by some instructors because of it. Guro recalls how Bruce stood up the prejudice that existed and told others that “a good student was a credit to his teacher regardless of his race.”

Nowadays that seems like a story from an age gone by but for those of us who grew up in the 1960s it has tremendous relevance.

Name: Chris Kent How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Okay here is the stuff. It is very difficult to simply write about Dan, because he means so much on so many levels.

But here goes.

I was seventeen and a half years old and had been training in martial arts since I was about thirteen, but had never really found what I was looking for. Then I read two magazine articles about JKD, one written by Bruce Lee, and the other written by Dan Inosanto ("JKD is fast, powerful and deceptive"). Something about what the articles said seemed to strike a chord with me and I decided I wanted to Chris Kent learn Jeet Kune Do. I knew the Bruce Lee was in Hong Idaho Kong, but found out Dan was living and teaching in Carson, California, which was about twenty miles from where I lived in Santa Monica. I managed to get hold of Dan's telephone number and called him.

After about two months of persistently calling, he invited me to come down to his house to talk to him on one of the nights he had his JKD class. At that time he was teaching in a gym constructed in his backyard and there were only about a dozen people training. I drove down and we talked for about two hours or so while the class was going on. And at the end of he said, "So, do want to start training?" And of course I said "Yeah, man." I still remember that day as one of the most magical and important days of my life. And several years later I was told that my name had actually been sixteenth on a list of people who wanted to train with Dan. Call it fate, destiny or whatever, I was one of the luckiest people on the planet. So I started training about June 3rd, 1973. In 1982 I was awarded my Full Instructor certification in both Jun Fan/ JKD and Filipino Kali.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

As I said, that's very difficult because he has influenced me on so many different levels. So I would have to say there are two. First, he guided me to develop my own passion for martial art training and the study of the human body. Second, I can honestly say that through my relationship with Dan, I was able to become closer to my father. There are so many others but I would say that those are the greatest influences.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Again there are so many. But probably one of my favorites is when I spent the night on the living room at Dan's house after a big barbecue with all of the JKD seniors and their wives and girlfriends. And the following morning Dan said, "Let's go..." and he took me on a drive all around Palos Verdes to the spots where he and Bruce had shot all of those early photographs training on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. It was just a really cool thing to do. Another would have to be having Dan and all of the JKD seniors as well as Ben Largusa at my twenty-first birthday celebration.

Name: Christian Malgeri How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Introduction: Meeting the Legend My introduction into the world of martial arts as taught by Dan Inosanto came at a pivotal point in my life when I was considering giving up martial arts altogether. I had attained a Black Belt in both Tang Soo Do and American Kenpo and considered myself fairly accomplished. As much as I loved martial arts, I was feeling stagnant, without a sense of purpose or growth in my own training.

On a whim I asked for, and received, Dan Inosanto’s Filipino Martial Arts video instructional series as a Christmas present. I knew that Inosanto was a student of Bruce Lee, but it was the Filipino Kali and Eskrima that rekindled my desire to train.

I attempted to train the material presented on the videos, but quickly realized that I would need an instructor trained in these arts to guide me. A phone call to the Inosanto Academy led me to the closest instructor in my area, Sifu David Hatch of Attributive Martial Arts in Canton, Michigan. Little did I know at the time that Sifu Dave would become my mentor and most ardent supporter in my martial arts career.

My first meeting with Sifu Dave and his wife Lynda reaffirmed that my decision was indeed the correct one. I was exposed to a variety of techniques and training methods that I have now come to embrace. Through Sifu Dave I learned of Savate, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, JKD, Kali, Silat and grappling.

Several months later I had the great pleasure of attending a Guro Dan seminar in Waterloo, Indiana hosted by Sifu Keith Wetoskey. To see the same material live and in person was awe-inspiring. I watched closely and trained diligently after that, hoping one day to following in my Sifu’s footsteps and become certified in the Filipino and Jun Fan Martial Arts.

My training under Sifu Dave continued and after two more years of seminars I was awarded my Apprentice Instructor certifications under Guro Dan with Sifu Dave’s recommendation.

I remember this as one of the most paradoxical days in my career thus far. While I was elated to be recognized for my efforts, never had two little pieces of paper felt so heavy in my hands. Now I had to perform well and be a credit to my teachers all the time!

I am honored to be part of the Inosanto International Martial Arts Instructors Association. It is truly a privilege to train with Guro Dan and share in the legacy of martial arts that he has created. To be in the ranks of such men as Sifu David Hatch, Sifu Rick Faye, Sifu Dwight Woods, Sifu Francis Fong, Sensei Erik Paulson, Professor Salem Assli and others adds a dimension to my life that I would not have dreamt possible.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Three Attributes I have always felt that lessons with Guro Dan transcend simple combative technique or training method and delve deeply into the heart of what it means to be a good human being. The martial arts as taught by Guro serve as a catalyst to teach us about ourselves and enrich our lives with depth and character.

Without question, the lesson I carry with me every day is simple: the three most important attributes of a martial artist are love, compassion, and humility.

In an era when attitude and ego are ever present in martial arts, such a lesson is priceless. Indeed, this lesson, like all great lessons, can be applied in a myriad of ways. I have chosen only a few that stand out to me now for sake of brevity: Love: We train martial arts to protect those we love, to defend our country and ourselves. We study the arts because we love the cultures that created them and the teachers that pass the arts to us.

Compassion: We use martial arts with compassion. Our discipline makes us compassionate to our friends and family. We are compassionate to our enemies and only us enough force to defend ourselves. Perhaps most importantly we learn to be compassionate with ourselves, not to be too hard on our bodies, too restricted with our minds or too brash in spirit.

Humility: In training we see our strengths and weaknesses laid out before us. We accept our gifts and use them to the best of our ability. We acknowledge that these gifts and this knowledge came from the Creator and no matter how good we ever become, there is always someone better at something.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story He called me “Scott” I suppose that all new students on the seminar circuit want to be recognized by Guro Dan. After all, he is the standard by which martial arts are judged and a simple, “That’s pretty good” can make your weekend. (It’s a bit different from my first Ajarn Chai experience, “Your form looks like shit, sir”.)

I attended all of my initial seminars with my mentor, Sifu David Hatch, and my training partner at the time, Scott. For several seminars Scott and traveled around to Chicago, Waterloo, Cincinnati and the like to learn all we could. At the time I thought we were just a face in the crowd.

A few months later Scott fell out of training and I continued on. Working on the JKD Kickboxing 1-2 Series with Sifu Dave I heard “Good job, Scott”. I looked over to see Guro walking past. This would continue for the better part of the year. But I was recognized, albeit as “Scott”.

But what’s in a name? It mattered not at all that he got it wrong, only that my efforts were acknowledged. Fortunately with Sifu Dave’s kind assistance we got it all worked out.

A Remarkable Life Continues Dear Guro Dan, From everyone here at my school in Clawson, Michigan I wish you all the happiness and joy that life can bring. Yours is a life inspiring others to greatness through your actions and words. It has been a privilege to know you these past 15 years and to be able to work with you for many more years to come.

For all that you have done, Maraming Salamat Po! Happy Birthday, and many happy returns.

Christian Malgeri, Victor Gojcevic, Mike Sheppard, Joe Aleman, Zeyiad Elias, Lee Bond

Name: Christopher Clarke How did you come to meet, train with Dan Inosanto?

I began my martial arts training in 1983 while still in high school. I, as many newer students do, would browse the martial arts magazines to learn more about the various styles. I saw an article about Sifu Inosanto and about the same time I came across ads for his books as well. It wasn’t long much longer until I had an opportunity to fly from Alaska to Washington to attend a seminar with Sifu Inosanto in June of 1984. I remember him entering the school gymnasium where the seminar was being held with all of his training gear in tow. At that point in time, almost no one used equipment in training and Sifu had to bring duffel bags Christopher Clarke, full of focus mitts for attendees to use in Washington class.

I remember the host wanted Sifu to teach Tayada to the group. Since maybe all of four people in the room had seen the exercise previously, it was certainly a challenge to say the least. After about three minutes I remember him saying, (and it still makes me laugh), with as much kindness as possible while still getting his point across, “why don’t we start from scratch!”

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I cannot attempt to even count the amount of times where I have been impressed, inspired and literally awed by his physical talents and mastery of the arts; his knowledge and ability to convey the philosophy, geography and history of the cultures in which the arts flourished; his genuine kindness and concern for friends and students; his sense of loyalty, duty and honor for his teachers; and most of all his commitment to making the world a better place for all who come into contact with him.

I often look back on my life and wonder about the path I chose, and I can honestly say with total conviction, the opportunity to train under Sifu Inosanto is a privilege and honor, and one I would pursue again and again.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story It is very difficult to think of a favorite story about Sifu Inosanto because choosing only one is such a daunting task. It could be his impression of Sijo, or maybe the story of Sifu punching thru a heavy-bag, not once, but twice, when demonstrating for an interviewer, or the time I was walking him and Simo to their hotel room, only to walk in on another couple who were doing a bit of celebrating themselves.

Name: Chuck Giangreco, Kara Brown How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Kara and I came from different martial arts paths.

We first went to a Guro Dan seminar in Queens, NY in 1999. Coming from traditional martial arts backgrounds we were astounded by Guro. His movements seemed almost magical. After the first seminar Kara and I were hooked. We traveled the US following Guro to his seminars.

We met wonderful people particularly at the Gibson Academy in Tulsa, Ok. We found a much-needed mentor and guide in Guro Harley Elmore in TX. Through Guro Elmore’s training and guidance we were recommended and accepted into the Inosanto Instructor Program.

Kara Brown, Chuck Giangreco New York

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Manong Dan never fails to motivate us to constantly improve our skill, to seek out new ways of expression, stay humble and strive to be a true warrior with wisdom.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story In February 2004 Guro Inosanto was doing a seminar at Guro Harley Elmore’s in Texas. He was there the weekend of Super Bowl Sunday and Guro Harley hosted a small party after the seminar. It was a nice experience to sit with Guro and see him as a regular person who spoke highly of his family, lighting up when he mentioned his daughter Danielle. We always knew Guro was a superb individual and it was a nice experience to get to know him on a more personal basis. He does encompass being a great martial artist, family man and friend.

"Guro Dan has always set the example of what a martial artist should be for Kara and me. Since our first exposure to Manong Dan in 1999, we’ve learned so much about life and the martial arts. Manong Dan never fails to motivate us to constantly improve our skill, to seek out new ways of expression, stay humble and strive to be a true warrior with wisdom. It is an honor to both train with you and represent you and your arts."

Your Students, Chuck Giangreco & Kara Brown

Name: Clay Johnson How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I met Guro Dan at my first seminar in Charlotte NC on April 1, 1989. That weekend changed my life. Guro Dan & Simo Paula were very helpful during the seminar especially sense I'm disabled and train and teach out of a wheelchair.

If I had a question or a problem doing a technique.

Guro or Simo would get a chair and do the technique sitting down and break the technique down for me. That made want to train with Guro more after that seminar. As a result, I started training with Sifu Rob Kelly in Charlotte NC once a Clay Johnson, Virginia month for 6 years. I was still going to seminars when I could it was hard though there no seminars in VA at that time where I live. I asked Simo Paula & Sifu Rob if they thought a guy in a wheelchair could become an instructor under Guro Dan they said yes but it would probably take longer then everybody else. So in 1990 I sent my request to be considered for instructorship under Guro Dan and then in August of 1995 I became the first physically disabled person to be certified under Guro Dan in both the Filipino Martial Arts and Jun Fan Gung Fu.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

He makes you believe in yourself and that what I try to give my own students.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Well I known Guro Dan for 17 years now and the memory that sticks out the most is a seminar I was at in PA. I think it was in 1999. I had no one to work with, as my regular training partner wasn't able make this seminar. So Guro worked with me one on one during the seminar. That meant a lot to me!

Name: Dan Anderson How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I met Guro Inosanto in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the early 90's through my late instructor Sifu Terry Gibson. After Sifu Gibson passed away I knew that Guro was the only person I wanted to be certified under. He was a mentor to my mentor, and to the rest of the world, he was and still is a mentor to martial arts. I began following him to every town and city I could get to. Watching his movement and listening to him speak and understanding his route of martial arts, it was soon after being in his presence that I realized why exactly it was I had to be certified under Guro Dan Inosanto. It had nothing to do with his lineage, with his experience with Bruce Lee, or even the large crowds that gathered at his seminars.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

To me Guro embodies the true martial artist, a humble and talented man with no limits. He bridges the gap between the old generations of closed off shaolin temples to the mixed martial arts culture of today. Guro certified me at one if his seminars in Indiana.

I wanted to show Guro my dedication and loyalty. There was much adversity and little support behind my goals. After Sifu Gibson passed away I felt that I had no personal belief, and was unsure of which direction to head in. It was like being on a set of paved roads with no road-signs to direct me towards my ultimate goal. It was through Simo Cathy Gibson's support and the belief of Guro Inosanto that I am where I am today, both in my martial arts and in my life. I believe that Guro was a guiding light for me through my darkest days, and the biggest influence he had upon me was the ability to guide me towards the self-belief that I was lacking. Guro would tell me that he believed that I had great potential and natural instincts like Bruce Lee and himself.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Guru Dan once told me a story about Bruce Lee, “We were all sparring at his house when the sink broke and Bruce had to fix it” he said. While fixing it Bruce neglected to turn off the faucet, so the water kept running all over him. Guru said to me, “Hears a man so gifted in Martial Arts, but he forgot to turn off the sink”.

The story struck me as one of simplicity, about attempting to stay humble with my perceptions towards Bruce Lee. Yes Bruce Lee was an amazing martial artist and an amazing person, but he was just a man. Guro used this story to impart in me the idea that we are all just human, and it is our belief in ourselves that empower us to accomplish our goals. And through Guro's guidance I realized that to be a successful martial artist and human being, I not only had to believe in myself, but it allowed me to realize that the most crucial role I would play as a teacher to my students was that of a guiding light towards their own discovery of self-belief and self-reliance.

Name: Daniel Sullivan How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I first met Guru Dan through his daughter Diana, a classmate of mine in college. I had heard of him prior from some high school buddies in Palos Verdes who had “Mr. I” as they called him as a Physical Education teacher during elementary school. It came out in conversation with Diana one day that I was going to enroll in a Taekwondo class the same day. At this time, she mentioned that her father taught Jeet Kune Do and Kali. Little did I know at the time that the teachings of Diana’s father would forever change my life.

Diana allowed me to borrow a few of the books that Guru Dan had written. I was fascinated by the whole JKD Kali thing and enrolled at the IMB Academy shortly thereafter and began training with Richard Bustillo. A few months later Guru Dan and Paula Inosanto gave me the opportunity to train at the Inosanto Academy as well. They unselfishly shared their knowledge with me and fostered my growth in the martial arts.

At the Inosanto Academy, I met people like Chris Kent, Burt Richardson, Cass Magda and Ted Lucaylucay who inspired me to strive for instructor level under Guru Dan. Eventually, after many years of hard work, I did attain instructor status in Jeet Kune Do and Kali. I kept up the training with Guru Dan all the way to Full Instructor level and obtained a lot of other certifications as well. I opened my own school in Long Beach in 1994. I moved to Orange County in 1995 then renamed the school Orange County Kickboxing & Martial Arts. Guru Dan comes to OC Kickboxing 3 times per year for seminars and I still train with him when possible.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The single greatest influence Guru Dan has had on me is my decision to go full time into the martial arts. My career and the direction of my everyday life were in many ways inspired by him. I could never thank Guru Dan enough for all he’s done for me.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I’ve heard so many captivating stories from Guru Dan over the years that it’s impossible to narrow it down to one favorite story. I love his tales about the history of the Filipino Martial Arts. I wish he would write a book about it.

Name: Dave & Lynda Hatch How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

We have always been fans of Sigung Bruce Lee. After we achieved our black belts in American Karate, we knew there had to be something else out there besides kicking, punching and a few throws.

In March of 1985, a man named Dan Timlin was hosting a seminar with Guro Dan Inosanto. At the time, we figured that Guro Dan would be the closest we will ever get to the art of Jeet Kune Do. Plus we needed more experiences in handling knives. We know absolutely nothing about Filipino Martial Arts. Upon attending this seminar, we were amazed at how much knowledge and experience Guro had acquired in his lifetime. It was more than just the flashy JKD. We were mostly amazed at the vastness of the Filipino Martial Arts.

Dave Hatch, Michigan

By 1990, Dave requested to be part of the Inosanto’s Instructor Program. It was of great excitement to be part of the large area of martial arts that most people have not heard about. In 1992, Dave was accepted as an apprentice instructor. It was unexpected surprise as it was announced at the end of a seminar in Indiana.

Lynda also applied for instructorship and then she was pleasantly surprised when she received her apprentice instructor’s certificate in August of 1996 at the Inosanto Academy. Dave’s biggest surprise came when he was awarded Full Instructor in March of 2004 at the Inosanto Academy.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The single greatest influence from Guro is his ability to Linda Hatch, Michigan take the many martial arts and tie in the cultural aspects for each art. Most people major in the combat and learn very little about its cultural background. This has helped us in attaining a deeper understanding of what we are learning in the martial arts.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Probably the most favorite story is one that took us by surprise. It was not the usual character of Guro Dan. During a seminar, Guro was explaining that some of us do not have certain attributes/talents that other do. He went on to say that you can sing an Elvis Presley song, but you would not be, or sound like, Elvis. Well, during this explanation, Guro gyrated his hips and tilted his head like we have never seen before (and maybe never again). Wow! Guro could really shake those hips!

Name: Diana Rathborne How did you come to meet, train with Dan Inosanto?

I came to meet Guro Inosanto in 1992 at the Wisconsin Camp in Janesville, Wisconsin.

I had been training in the martial arts for about 4 months at Rick Faye's Minnesota Kali Group in Minneapolis, MN. When Rick asked if I was going to go to the summer camp, I said, "No, what is it?"

He said something about the camp and Guro Dan Diana Rathborne of which I have absolutely no memory. I had no idea who Guro Dan was, what he taught, or what Minnesota JKD was but summer camp (with the crazy people I had met at the school) sounded like fun, so I said, "Sure, I'll go!"

Thank God for Vanessa Larson who was nice enough to suffer through having a beginner as a partner for a 5-day camp with Guro Inosanto.

I remember Rick Faye asking me after the first section of the first day what I thought of Guro Dan. About 15 minutes into the second class I actually watched Guro Dan move and thought, “Holy smokes, look at that guy go!�

So far, I've been to every Wisconsin Camp since and have tried to hit every possible camp I could.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The single greatest influence Guro Dan has had on me would have to be his combination of enthusiasm, optimism and persistence.

Guro goes to Master Chai's Oregon Thai Boxing camp every year: a huge 'no whining' check for me. He goes, trains, is always kind, humble, encouraging and doesn't complain.

During the year when I don't want to train, am whining about one thing or another or feel like I don't need to train.... either Rick Faye offers a gentle reminder that Guro Dan goes to Thai camp every year or I think of it myself.

Guro is an inspiration to me to maintain and improve my art to better myself and others at every opportunity. Obviously, I fall short of this goal more often than not, but Guro's example is always a great inspiration.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite Guro Dan story ... I don't think I can come up with just one.

Every time I think of Guro, I have to smile because he is such a nice man and I am grateful to have him as my instructor.

Name: Doris Biasatti How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I began training with Master Pat Burleson at the age of 30 on June 9, 1990. I was one of those typical uneducated people who only knew of the “normal” arts such as Karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do or Ju-Jitsu.

One of the other students also trained as a Kenpo practitioner and would stay for a “special” class every Thursday night. Someone else from her Kenpo school would come over and they would spend time teaching us various drills such as “Hubud”.

This caught the interest of many of us. Many of these concepts had never even entered our minds. It never occurred to me that there was so much more. Little did I know that on September 6, 1991, my eyes would be forever opened much wider than I thought possible.

It wasn’t long before they were telling us about this instructor that was coming to their school by the name of Dan Inosanto. I had never heard of this man but they insisted he was someone we must see and train with. I bit the bullet, paid the money, signed up and went to see this legendary man in Irving, Texas. He wasn’t what I had pictured. He wasn’t a large man like my many American Karate instructors but rather small in stature with a soft, easygoing demeanor. He was extremely approachable and didn’t seem to mind that some of us knew nothing.

Guru Dan Inosanto is a true teacher. I think I’ve learned more about the Spanish and Philippine War from him than any of my teachers in school.

I would attend a total of six Inosanto seminars through this Kenpo school, each time more amazing than the other. They were something I enjoyed and looked forward to every year. In October 1993 I started training WuWei and attained my Black Sash in December 1997. This training gave me a better understanding of Guru’s information.

After that school stopped hosting the seminar, I just happened to call out to the Inosanto Academy on July 24th, Guru’s birthday. Simo Paula happened to answer the phone and we had a nice conversation.

As we talked, it was decided that if we could find a place to conduct the seminar Guru would once again return to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. On August 15, 1998, Jim Buchanan and I hosted our first Dan Inosanto seminar. He has been back with us every year since.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Guru has given me more than I can imagine. Most importantly are more new friends than I can count. Through his guidance, I was able to train with Terry Gibson and Herman Suwanda which are times that will never be forgotten or placed by anyone else.

I owe Guru a great deal of thanks, for the honor of being accepted in his apprentice instructor program and most importantly one of the greatest friendships I have ever had the privilege of having.

He once said, “To all seekers of the ‘way’. Knowledge comes from your instructor.

Wisdom comes from within.” I thank him greatly for his knowledge so that I could not only find but recognize my wisdom. As I’ve told him before, I only wish I could remember 10% of what he has forgotten. I’m still working on that.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Every year it has been an incredible new experience. I’ve even seen Guru turn a cartwheel! It was a sight to see as he feet came down on the chest of an unsuspecting instructor who happened to travel with him on that day.

I’ve been lucky. I now call Guru and Simo my friends. Each year when Guru and his partner are taken to the airport, it feels like a long lost family member leaving.

I’ve seen Simo put the largest of men in their place and carry Danielle, inside and out. I’ve seen Guru answer Bruce Lee questions again and again with a smile on his face. I’ve seen his eyes water when he laughed incredibly hard and also when he has referenced his father.

The many stories over the dinner table have been priceless. I know he enjoys Mexican and Italian food. I do too, so I take advantage of this when he’s in town.

He even put up with one of my not so good meals and still cleaned his plate. He said his mom always told him to clean his plate. That day, I would have understood if he left some on the plate.

Name: Dwight Woods How did you come to meet, train under and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Like everyone else, I was a huge Bruce Lee fan during the 1970s. I started my martial art training by practising techniques my friends and I would see in the Hong Kong kung fu films of that era.

When I first saw Bruce Lee, everything changed. I started buying books and magazines so that I could continue to practise whatever Jeet Kune Dwight Woods, Florida Do material I could find. I even became the “national authority” on Bruce Lee on the island of Barbados, where I grew up.

For over 9 years, the backyard at my house was the meeting place for martial artists from the different styles practised on the island.

This gave me the opportunity to try out what I was learning from books like Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method (the single volume hardcover edition) In 1980, circumstances conspired to let me spend a couple months in Seattle where I was able to train a few times with Mike Lee’s group. I also made my first visit to Bruce Lee’s gravesite to pay my respects. In subsequent years, I continued to travel to Seattle every July 20th.

In 1983, I decided to seek out the living source of JKD which, from everything I’d read, meant I would have to meet Dan Inosanto. And so, I signed up for the California Martial arts Academy seminar to train 1 week with Dan Inosanto and 1 week with Francis Fong.

Thus began my life on the JKD seminar circuit. In 1985 at Dan Timlin’s in Lansing, Michigan, Sifu Dan allowed me to join the instructorship program.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

In spite of being a living legend, Sifu Inosanto continues to be a genuinely humble human being. To me, he is also a master of detachedness (but not detachment), which I believe is what has allowed him to thrive over all these years.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story It’s the Friday evening of a weekend seminar. Sifu Dan’s just come off the airplane.

Now we’re downstairs in the baggage claim area. The place is jam-packed with passengers and luggage.

Little 14-year old kid walks up and yells out, “Dan Inosanto. Usu!” He bows and walks off.

Sifu Dan has the look on his face like, “What the heck was that?” I say, “Well, Sifu, that’s what happens when you’re famous!”

Name: Eric Charles How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I’d just like to take this chance to thank you because you’ve been and continue to be a role model for what I want to be as a martial artist and a person. From the first time I trained with you in the Waterloo Elementary School gym, you were open and encouraging and I appreciated that. You’ve been the same ever since and you’ve opened up a lot of new possibilities in the martial arts for me. Before that seminar, my training had lost focus and I wasn’t sure what I wanted out of the martial arts. You helped reinvigorate my interest in the arts and I’m thankful because I’ve gotten so much out of training. I’d have to agree with you when you say, “a good instructor can be worth more than you can possibly pay”.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Personally, I think I’ve learned as much about how to learn, how to train, and the history of the arts as the physical techniques and that’s been valuable to me. I know you think we get bored when you lecture on the history, but my training partners and I have found it pretty interesting. Interesting enough that I started researching Filipino Martial Arts history on my own and reading some of the books you’ve recommended. So please keep lecturing and just forgive me if I space out from time to time.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story We were asked to mention a memorable experience with you and it’s kind of difficult to pick one representative event out, but for me it would have to be when you had Rob Lee and me demonstrate a Krabi-Krabong sword set we had just learned in front of the seminar, with live blades. It was a little nerve-racking, but fun to see the sparks fly and neither one of us got cut so we can’t have done it too badly. This is just one of those times that you’ve pushed me to try something different and it’s those kind of experiences that will make me a life-long student.

You’ve been a good teacher and for that I can’t thank you enough.

Name: Eric Church How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I first met Sifu Inosanto at a four-day camp in St. Louis, MO, 8 to 11 July 1999. I'd been training in Sifu Inosanto's curriculum for about three years by then, but I never would have imagined what was in store for me. My brain reached maximum capacity by the middle of the second day ...and the rest was a blur of sticks, knives, fists, and feet. Having trained in the martial arts for over ten years by then, Sifu Inosanto was the most incredible teacher that I'd ever seen, as well as one of the best people I'd ever met. I received my Apprentice Instructor certificate September 2003, and it never ceases to amaze me how little I know and how much there is to learn.

Eric Church, Maryland

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I think the greatest influence that Sifu Inosanto has on everyone who trains under him is a principle that he lives by ...never lose the "white belt" ability to learn. We should all strive to improve on our existing skills, and at the same time, venture out into other arenas that are outside of our comfort zones. By doing so, we'll always grow as martial artists, teachers, and people.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I don't know about a story, but my favorite part of every seminar or camp is listening to Sifu Inosanto talk about Southeast Asian history and culture. Sifu Inosanto's knowledge of history and martial arts background give him a unique insight. These aspects of Sifu Inosanto's teaching are just as important, if not more important than the physical skills that he imparts on us.

Name: Eric Gergen How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I met Guro Dan Inosanto in April of 2000. I was attending my first seminar with Guro Harley Elmore when he took me to Gibson’s Martial Arts in Tulsa, OK. I was completely blown away by the knowledge and skill of this master of martial arts. I was honored to be in the same room with Guro Dan and could not wait for another seminar. I then started training with Guro Harley Elmore and in November 2003 I was promoted to instructor. In February 2004, I was given the honor of being promoted to apprentice instructor in Filipino Martial Arts and Lee Gun Fan Gung Fu from Guro Dan Inosanto.

I opened Warriors Way Nebraska in 2005 Eric Gergen, Texas (an affiliate school of Warriors Way International) and started to train students in the concepts passed on to me by Guro Dan and Guro Harley. I am honored to be a part of the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts and I wish Guro Dan a very happy birthday.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The single greatest influence that Guro Dan has had on me is that no matter how many years you train in the martial arts, you are always a student thriving for more knowledge. Guro Dan has influenced me to always stay humble and to never stop searching for more knowledge and wisdom in the Martial Arts.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite Guro Dan story has to be when I was attending one of his seminars with Guro Harley. There were a group of students who had never trained in the Filipino Martial Arts before and were having trouble trying to do Punyo Sumbrada. I was walking them through it and all of a sudden there was Guro Dan. He said, “Here Eric, lets run through this drill for them and show them some options” We started doing Punyo Sumbrada. While Guro Dan was talking to the group of students I kept thinking…I am actually standing here doing a Filipino Martial Arts drill with Guro Dan!!!!!!! Afterwards, I went over to Guro Harley and told him that I could not believe what just happened. Guro Harley that he saw me and he was so glad that I didn’t hit Guro Dan on the hand ☺ I will never forget that day!

Name: Eric Jensen How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

About twenty years ago, at the age of 14, I went into Gibson's Martial Arts Academy, noticed they were an affiliate of Inosanto Academy, and said "this is where I want to be".

And have had the pleasure of training under Guro Inosanto since.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Eric Jensen (& Jassy), Oklahoma

Throughout my life, as I strive to be a better person, I keep Guro Inosanto in mind. He is humble, kind, sharing, a great teacher and just a "STUD". I can only hope that I will be thought of as half the man he is. He is an overall great influence.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Of the many great Guro Inosanto memories and stories, my favorite now has to be the April 2006 Tulsa Seminar. I had taken over ownership of the Former Gibson's MA (with my girlfriend Jassy) in March & Guro Inosanto came one month later. I thought this was a great blessing and a great way to christen my new/old school.

We will always love you, Guro.

Name: Erik Paulson How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I met Guro at the Dan Timlin Mid-Michigan Camp.

I had heard of him and read all of Bruce Lee’s books, knew of his school in LA and always wanted to train with him.

In 1996, I moved to Palm Desert, California for three reasons: one, school; two, movies; three, martial arts. I knew that I wanted to train with Guro Inosanto at the Inosanto Academy as my ultimate goal.

Erik Paulson, California I first started JKD in 1992 under Rick Faye in Minneapolis. Then met Tim Tackett in 1996 and trained in his garage with his Wednesday Nite Group in Redlands, Calif.

I started commuting to LA in 1997-98 for seminars and training and became an official member of the Inosanto Academy in 1998-99 when I moved to Manhattan Beach.

I was enrolled in his Phase I-II, Muay Thai and Kali-Silat class. After about six months, I was surprised that he knew my name when he called me out on the floor to demo.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

My single best experience with Guro Dan is every chance I get to travel with him. I am blessed to be in his presence and spend time with him as my friend, talking and sharing funny, peculiar moments of our lives. We catch up on the recent and reminisce of the past.

Guro is my teacher, father and friend. He is the true inspiration for everyone and deserves not only love but also admiration, gratitude and the utmost respect from all who he touches.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Guro was the funniest when one time we were in Virginia for Pat Tray and we were demonstrating Sumbrada drills and I was mesmerized by his movement and skill of talking while demoing.

When we were doing the gunting with double stick vs. the 1-5 angles and he suddenly had me do the Redondo 3 vs. the angle 1 &n 2 and my stick got stuck under my armpit and he said, “Redondo 3” and I rolled out a mix of double shit and pulled out to an open six Hail Mary!

I said, “How’s that?” and he just dropped both sticks and started to laugh along with the entire seminar.

He laughed so hard he started to cry and I said, “What?” and he just shook his head and continued to cry. Out of pity, of course.

This lasted about fifteen minutes and that’s when I realised that my Kali sucked and MMA was my only future… along with everyone else!!!

And here I am now, specializing in MMA and Submission Grappling.

End of Story!

Name: Eugene Amante How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

Looking back, I realize that I was just a kid when I met Guro Dan. I didn't know an angle 5 from a hole in the ground and a pak sao sounded like the sticky buns I get from Chinatown. I laugh about it now but I felt so utterly uncoordinated and humiliated at the same time because for the life of me I couldn't get why I couldn't get this thing called a six count. I just couldn't put my finger on it let alone pronounce abecedario correctly, which is completely ironic.

The thing is I come from the Midwest. Chicago to be exact, and the funny thing about Chicago Eugene Amante, Illinois is that we have the second largest Filipino population outside of California. However, I was born and raised in the States so I'm what you call a coconut, brown on the outside but white on the inside.

My cousins were the first to mention Guro Dan to me. I was pretty athletic, seventeen and just graduated high school. I’d played sports, was on the varsity football team and had taken my fair share of Karate classes.

Whenever playful slap fights with my cousins turned into mock sparring sessions, I always received what I now know to be a jeet tek.

I finally asked them where they learned all these cool moves. They told me in hushed tones with great reverence, "Guro Dan". It was the way it was said that intrigued me. First, it sounded like a secret. Second, the respect with which they mentioned his name was reserved in a Filipino family for elder grandfathers. They "You should go find him, he teaches Filipino Martial Arts". Wait a minute, you mean to tell me we Filipinos have an actual martial art? "No way."

And then the rattan came out. Bruised knuckles and all, I made it my mission in life to find this teacher. After poring through magazines, the yellow pages, other martial arts schools (there was no Internet 17 years), I finally found a flyer for a seminar featuring Guro at a Hilton hotel on Chicago’s north side.

So there I was with the silliest grin on my face just happy to start my martial arts journey learning from the one instructor who has been the greatest influence on my life. And so it went for years following him around from State to State, to California and back to Illinois.

One day he even recognized me. At the time, I was training with Sifu Ron Balicki and Guro asked him who was the kid. I didn't even have a real name for a while; I was just "the kid".

Guro at the time was newly married and his wife Simo Paula was from Chicago so I guess fate was on my side.

So one day at a seminar, Guro Dan looked across the crowd of participants and with a head nod/ chin point that is common to only Filipinos he called my instructor Sifu Ron up, and said ‘Oh, bring Gene with you”.

So there I was in shock in front of “the Man”. He knew my name. I’ll never forget that day. I still smile and giggle like a little schoolgirl just thinking about it.

Salamat Po and happy Birthday Guro Dan, Eugene Amante

Name: Ewen Campbell How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Guro Dan Inosanto It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails at least fails while daring greatly.

Guro, you have been an inspiration in my life from the first time we met and this small poem sums up better how I feel than any words I could write myself.

Thank you, Your student always Ewen Campbell

Name: Floyd Jackson How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

In 1983, I was training under Erwin Villazon who was a student under Sifu/Guro Dan at that time. My instructor Erwin told me that I needed to see Dan Inosanto if I ever wanted to understand what it takes to be a good martial artist as well as understand the difference between the different arts and develop an appreciation for each art.

So I have decided to pay Sifu/Guro Dan a visit in Charlotte, North Carolina in August of 1983. At that time, I was Floyd Jackson, California only 17 years of age. When I saw Sifu/Guro Dan at my first seminar with Larry Hartsell, I was completely in awe of him. I had already received my black belt in Shotokan Karate. So basically, everything I learned before I met Sifu/Guro Dan was out of the window.

Therefore, meeting Sifu/Guro Dan Inosanto was definitely a pivot point in my life and from that day on, I absorbed everything I could from Sifu/Guro Dan. He was what you could call my eye-opener. He led me to the light and helped me realize that the martial arts have so much more to offer than just the tip of the iceberg.

I could honestly say that other than Jesus Christ, Sifu/Guro Dan Inosanto completely changed the course of my life and made me a better person. I am forever grateful for his contributions of knowlege and wisdom as well as influence my life as a martial artist.

My greatest joy came one day at the Great Smoky Mountains Camp in 1986; Sifu/Guro Dan pulled me over and asked me if I would be interested in becoming an instructor under his program. I had only have trained with him for three years and he was ready to make me an apprentice instructor. I was extremely surprised that he would hand-pick me because as an individual, I was deaf and I had to do visualize everything he did and watch him rather than listening to him speak. I could not always get everything he said, but I was able to grasp every move he made as he demonstrated to the audience countless time at seminars.

I knew I was different from everybody else, but I did not let that stop me whatsoever, and I was able to do any technique at his request when he calls me up and ask me to demonstrate. Sifu/Guro Dan thought I had the ability to teach others and decided to appoint me as an instructor under his guidance.

Currently I am proud to say I hold 4th year Senior Associate Instructor certificate under Sifu/Guro Dan Inosanto.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I would say the SINGLE greatest influence Sifu/Guro Dan had on me that he accepted me as who I am and Sifu/Guro Dan was recognize the uniqueness of an individual, the importance of addressing the whole person, not just the disability of the person but someone with an integrated balance of intellectual, social,

emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. I am proud to say I am the only Deaf Senior Associate Instructor in his program.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story The best memories I have of Dan was at a Miami seminar with Dwight Woods in 1999 when I was in the best shape I could be as well as up to date with all of my training and I was able to do all the seminar drills with ease.

Sifu/Guro Dan must have called me up at least 5 to 7 times at that seminar and asked me to demonstrate several sets of drills and I was able to do it with no problem.

After the seminar, I was walking with Sifu/Guro Dan outside and he started signing my name in sign language. I was shocked that he would take the time to learn to do this. I had the most ultimate respect for Dan that he actually took the time to learn the sign language to spell my name as well as believe that a deaf individual had the ability to teach and demonstrate regardless of my handicap. Guro Dan treated me like I was one of his own students. From that seminar, I never again felt nervous any time Guro Dan calls me up to demonstrate a set of drills.

SIFU/GURO DAN INOSANTO: It is hard to believe you are turning 70 years of age this year and to this day, I am still amazed how much you have done over the past 30 years and continue to do so. You are forever an inspiration to your teachers, peers and students from all over the world. Most importantly, you have no idea how much you have molded my life to who I am today. Because of your knowledge, wisdom and teaching from the past 23 years, I have become a better person because of it. It is difficult to express how much I learned from you over the years; however, I am proud that I had the opportunity to train with one of the greatest martial artist that ever walk on the face of this earth.

Sifu/Guro Dan, I want to wish you many more years of success and I look forward in training and continuing to learn under you in years to come. May your life be enriched with strength, knowledge, and wisdom as you continue to devote your teachings to students all over the world. God bless you and your family 'til the end of time.

Forever your student, Floyd A. Jackson

Name: Frank Cucci How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I met Guro Dan for the first time when I went to LA to train at his school in Marina Del Rey in 1987. At the time, he was teaching out of a small warehouse with a sliding garage door.

I remember meeting him for the first time and it was surreal; like seeing a famous movie star you had admired all your life. He was sitting in his van finishing a hamburger that would hold him over for the next five hours of teaching.

I remember thinking to myself what a humble surrounding for such a famous man.

As I’ve come to learn, Guro Dan wouldn’t have it any other way.

I continued my training thru seminars and visits to the school. Years passed, and I finally built up my courage and asked to be considered for the instructorship program. I was extremely nervous, as I wasn’t really sure how the selection processes worked.

After asking for consideration, Guro Dan put me at ease when he responded with an enthusiastic “Sure…hey Paula, Frank wants to become an instructor!”

And it was a simple and uncomplicated as that. Since that day, the importance of this responsibility has helped shape the course of my life.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The greatest influence Guro Dan has had on me is the effect that his talent, passion and humility have had in my life. I aspire to be a better person because of him. In talking with others, I often compare him to a priest. Some may think this is an unusual comparison, but I can assure you the similarities are not very far off: Like a priest, Guro Dan is a person who is truly passionate about his beliefs; like a priest, he is a selfless teacher and role model to his followers; like a priest, he is kind and humble in nature, and most notably; like a priest, he is forgiving to all.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Gerald Steeley How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I grew up in Alabama, and as we all know, Alabama was not a Mecca for the martial arts. It was only by going across “the big pond” in 1971-72, while serving in the U.S. Army in Korea, that I had my first opportunity to take a martial arts class. Following my tour of duty in Korea, I returned to Alabama to continue my training in the Korean arts. At that time, the Korean arts were about the only style of karate being taught. In the early ‘80’s, however, I was able to find an aikido class at the local YMCA. My Korean instructor told me that the only reason he allowed me to take aikido and continue to study under him was because he didn’t consider aikido to be a threat.

Gerald Steeley, Then, I stepped out of my comfort zone and took my first seminar with Guro Dan in 1983 in Aspen, Colorado. Bob Alabama Duggan was having a one-week Executive Protection workshop, and Guro Dan was there for one day. Needless to say, I was hooked after my first class with Guro Dan. The following year, I traveled to St. Louis for a one-week, Californian Martial Arts Academy camp with Guro. I left St. Louis feeling somewhat frustrated at the sheer volume of material that Guro could cover in such a short period of time. My prior training, compared to Guro’s teachings, was like comparing high school to college. The bar was set much higher. But Guro would tell us that frustration is sometimes good, because it motivates you to try harder.

My next phase of training with Guro was during the Great Smoky Mountain Camp in North Carolina from 1985-90. In 1987 at the Camp, I received my beginning diploma from Master Chai and three years later, in 1990, I became an apprentice instructor in the Filipino Martial Arts under Guro Dan.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

It’s hard to explain why a person would travel from North Carolina to California and other places in between for the past 23 years just to be able to study the martial arts under one man. All I can say is that it is a testament to Guro’s leadership, his knowledge of the martial arts, and his ability to extract the best from his students.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story How about I tell some of my favourite Inosanto quotes?

99, Apr 17 – “The sign of a good kali man is one-upmanship – carry 3 daggers, throw the first. Always keep a weapon if he’s fighting empty handed.”

99, Apr 17 – “Socrates said that the highest form of learning is teaching.

You have to analysis.”

99, Apr 17 – “Anything will work when you are show casing the art, but in

reality, you have to find out what works for you.”

99, Apr 17 – “Ground fighting is a game of chess. The good fighters are always thinking 4-5 moves ahead. An average fight is 2 moves – fake a choke and go to an arm bar.”

99, Apr 17 – “Adjust the martial arts to your lifestyle. Maybe you can’t train 5 times a week. When you do

that, you make the martial arts a part of your life.”

your eye – faster visual speed than straight on.”

99, Apr 18 – “Reflex has to be trained first, before technique (knife).”

02, Aug 14 – “The mind is the first to go – (Leo Gaje, Grand Tuhon of Pekiti Tirsia Kali) is looking for signs of giving up.”

99, Apr 18 – “To be a fighter, you only need to know a few techniques. To be a teacher, you have to know it all, because what works for you, may not work for somebody else.”

99, Aug 16 – “Disarms are not to be tried when your opponent is fresh. As the battle progresses and the opponent tires and slows down, then is the time to disarm.”

02, Aug 11 – “In the traditional arts, the brown belts are the best fighters.

As you get older, you have to take time for your own training – be a little selfish.”

02, Aug 11 – “Give a diamond to a 5 year old, he will trade it for a marble; he doesn’t understand its value.

Trapping is not obsolete – catch the leg when the opponent does a roundhouse kick. There is a difference in knowledge and understanding.”

02, Aug 11 – “You can’t control warfare – there’s too many variables.

You have to be multi-dimensional.”

02, Aug 11 – “Never underestimate your opponent. Always think of him as being as good as or better than you.”

02, Aug 12 – “Hard core training is not for everybody – not every body can be Special Forces.”

02, Aug 12 – “Drills are essential.

Don’t take drills out of JKD!” 02, Aug 12 – “Longevity is what you want in a martial artist.”

02, Aug 14 – “LaCoste said to look at your opponent out of the corner of

02, Aug 15 – (Wooden Dummy sets) “You can throw this away, but you need the basics to go back to. An architect has to see what other architects have done before he can create. Train with different instructors to extract a different essence from each”.

02, Aug 15 – “Magellan thought he had superior weapons and could defeat the Filipinos, and went with only 50 against 2,000.”

03, Jul 10 – “You have to adjust your technique according to who is in front of you.”

03, Jul 10 – “Adaptability and hit the closest target.”

03, Jul 11 – “Learn the first six basic principles of Long Range before you learn blocking – the military doesn’t have time.”

03, Jul 11 – “What you want in a martial artist is longevity – competition, training, and coach.”

03, Jul 11 – “In warfare, never disarm when your opponent is fresh.”

03, Jul 12 – “Prefer students to be cross trained.”

03, Jul 12 – “Most people are gun shy.

Have to gradually hit them with more force and intensity.”

03, Jul 12 – “LaCoste said that you either land by skill or luck. Always train in 3’s.”

03, Jul 12 – “Learn the basics, then create. You are kali.”

oneself, but not the opponent and vice versa. You have to know both.”

03, Jul 12 – “In Indonesia, it is best not to grapple. It’s said to be a knife culture. If you go down, get up fast.

The Romans and Greeks used wrestling for conditioning, not warfare.

Always train in the environment that you will operate in.”

03, Oct 17 – “It depends on who is in front of you. You have to change tactics – be adaptable.”

03, Jul 12 – “Socrates said that when you teach others, you teach yourself.

It’s good to work with beginners.”

03, Jul 12 – “Play to learn, then put the game together.”

03, Jul 12 – “Kali is taught on 3 levels: military, law enforcement and civilian.”

03, Jul 12 – “You need the accumulation in the beginning to know what you can do.”

03, Jul 12 – “Once you are running on the field, your coach can’t help you.

You have to make that judgment.”

03, Jul 13 – “Not going to wrestle. If you take him down, be sure he doesn’t have a knife.”

03, Oct 16 – (Jun Fan focus mitt drills) “This is maintenance, like baseball or football. You have to do the basics everyday, especially as you get older.

You want longevity in a martial artist.”

03, Oct 16 – “D.E.P.E. (Demonstrate, Explain, Practice, Evaluate)” 03, Oct 16 – “90% physical fitness and 10% technique. Without conditioning, everything else goes out the window – timing, technique, etc.”

03, Oct 17 – “As in The Art of War, all combat is based on deception. Some people are intelligent about knowing

03, Oct 17 – “The way the Thai boxers hold their hands wide, off-sets the pak sao da. Because of this, use the split entry.”

03, Oct 17 – “You do a side kick lead to the body today, and you will get it grabbed and dumped to the ground.

Obsolete. In childhood, it worked.”

04, Apr 17 – “Modify the dagger for law enforcement and civilians by using the butt of the dagger instead of the insert.”

04, Apr 17 – “A martial artist needs heart, timing and structure.”

04, Apr 17 – “Enrage the opponent and he will open up for the ½ beat.

Spit on him is what Villabrille did.”

04, Apr 18 – “Martial artists have to do another discipline (yoga, Pilates, etc.) to counter balance the tension from a martial arts workout. By the age of 40, you should do body work once a week – take a stick and rub along your leg. Warm up to avoid injuries.”

04, Apr 18 – “To understand JKD, you have to see all possibilities. There are 3 types of cross and we need all 3.

04, Apr 18 – “Today, if you do a roundhouse kick to the leg, he will shoot in and take you down. You cannot trade kicks as in the past.”

04, Apr 18 – “Educate the eye by catching the jab using the 3 way punching drills of Panantukan is so important.”

Name: Greg Nelson How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I first met Guru Dan in 1984 when he came and did a seminar in the great Midwest. Prior to that I had only seen him in his first books, In fact, before I started officially training Kali with Sifu Rick Faye, I thought you pronounced Kali - “Kay Lie�. I was quickly corrected and glad I new the proper pronunciation before I met Guru Dan. When I first met Guru Dan I was totally psyched, "I am being taught directly under the man personally chosen by Bruce Lee to carry on the art of Jeet Kune Do." After that first seminar, I went to every seminar in the Midwest and every camp I could, including the Great Smokey Mt Camp 4 times, the Wisconsin Camp 4 times and the Michigan Camp. I have continued to train in seminars and the October Instructor Conference.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Greg Nelson, Minnesota

The number one thing I have taken from Guru Dan is his humility. He is one of the most known martial arts instructors in the world, the greatest exponent of Filipino Martial Arts, Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do and yet is as humble as the dust. In addition, Guru Dan is the ultimate student, constantly learning new things, doing privates to learn from others, etc...He is able to maintain the heart of a kindergartener when it comes to learning new techniques and training methods.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My most memorable incident with Guru Dan was in Minnesota. Guru Dan, Rick Faye, a host of other students and I were eating at Thai restaurant below the MN Kali Group.

As with anytime Guru Dan is out around students he is continually bombarded with questions, well this lunch was no different.

As we are eating one of Sifu Rick Faye's more obnoxious students approached Guru Dan, kneels down next to his chair and says, "Danny, (that's right, he said Danny) what do you think of ninjas and Ninjutsu?"

Guru Dan sat back and pondered the question, and after thinking about his answer looked straight at the guy and said, "Well, they are really sneaky."

All of us could not help but crack up. It also showed that Guru Dan tried to find something positive to say about another art, rather than take the opportunity to bring up the weaknesses. Yet another quality Guru Dan lives.

Name: Harley Elmore How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

As a young man, I would read Guro Dan’s articles in the martial arts magazines and wonder what it would be like to meet him, to train with him.

I bought all his books and studied them so much that even now, over twenty years later, I still have the pictures etched in my memory.

I met Guro through my close friend Terry Gibson. He had told me that he thought Guro was the most humble and amazing man he had ever met.

Those two qualities don’t normally go together. Over the years, I have found that to be just the case. Guro is the most loving, caring, humble, honest person I have met in the martial arts.

The great part is that he makes me feel like I can be too! He makes me want to be a better martial artist and inspires me to be a better man.

Harley Elmore, Texas

Simply put Guro Dan has forever changed the martial arts world, introducing Masters and styles that would have otherwise passed into obscurity. But more importantly, he changed a whole generation of people in doing so. Made them better, helped them become who they wanted to be, do what they wanted to do.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

As for me, when I grow up, I want to be just like Guro Dan.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Heather MonDee How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

In 1992 while already training in a traditional martial arts system (and pleasantly happy), I was informed of a martial artist who could “leap tall buildings in a single bound.” Not really-- but the impression given by the ones speaking of him and demonstrating various systems eventually lead me to an entirely new academy in a new state because of what I was exposed to. That academy? Gibson’s Martial Arts in Tulsa Oklahoma under the late Terry Gibson. It was there in April 1993 that I first met Guro and began my training under him and under many of his instructors who would be my friends.

At that first seminar, I was so excited I felt like a kid Heather MonDee, Colorado with Mickey Mouse in Disney World—someone snapped a Polaroid and that picture says it all!

Long-term consistent hard work, desire and passion under Guros Inosanto/Gibson and others are what brought my path to instructorship and eventual instructorship in his organization. This instructorship was under recommendation of Guros’ Terry and Cathy, upon receiving my Black Instructor Level I with them.

When you appreciate the deep gift given through so many people but rooted back to the contribution of one man, there is great respect and loyalty, the type I witnessed the first seminar and meeting him to now being a strong part of what I witnessed so many years ago.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Yesterday was a testing in our academy; fourteen of my students were testing. I asked and reminded them again regarding sending my instructor birthday wishes. I told them I was asked to submit a birthday wish as well, but told them only one thing of the four that I was asked to submit: “the single greatest influence he has had in my life.”

I told them openly what my answer would be. It is them my students. Watching them stand there ready to work hard, achieve their goals and be better than what they were when they walked in the door, inspires me.

The single greatest influence that Guro has had on my life is something, I don’t even know he knows I cherish from him but I believe he will now. I have students progressing through a well-rounded curriculum from level one to level six (to 10) currently and can feel the goal of Black Belt Excellence approaching. That anyone would stay with me this long, moves me but the product and service speaks for itself and it’s rooted from the one who gave it directly and indirectly through his many instructors I schooled under.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I have taken much of my space on the above part of submission but my favorite Inosanto story is: Sifu Francis Fong, Guro Dan Inosanto and Steven Segal in a car that broke down where Steven Segal wants to show Guro his “new move” and winds up “showing” it also to Sifu Fong with not the same outcome!

I would be willing to bet that Dan Inosanto is the most photographed individual next to Princess Diana... just not as highly exposed.

The math might speak for itself since 1965 to present, the travels some years 50 weekends out of the year, various camps, entertainment connections, l.e./military and general public.

He is probably the most humbly recognized legend individual to the general public we will know.

Name: In Chun Kim How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Back in 1992, I started training with Pat Finley in Columbia, MD. I heard about him from a friend of mine when I inquired about Filipino Martial Arts. Up until then I had trained in a variety of other arts (Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do, Yudo/Judo, and Kumdo/Kendo) and wanted to explore other styles. With Pat Finley I started by basics with Muay Thai, Bando, Silat, and FMA. The first time I met Guro Dan and Simo Paula occurred in February 1994 at a seminar in Columbia, MD. Of course, I had read his books and talked about him with Pat Finley many times. It was such an honor to meet him finally. He was even more amazing as a person and martial artist than I had ever imagined. Lucky for me that same In Chun Kim, year I was also able to meet and train with Ajarn Chai.

Moving Around Flash forward many years... in 1998, I met Pat Tray during an Ajarn Chai seminar, two years later in 2000, I started to train with him and teach at his school. Up until then I didn't actively seek an apprenticeship under Guro because I felt that he would let me know when I was ready.

Sifu Pat persuaded me to pursue this goal and with his help I was able to receive my apprenticeship in 2002.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The single greatest influence Guro has had on me can be summarized by one word "humility". Guro is by far the greatest martial artist I have ever known or will probably ever meet. He is humble and gracious, always generous, and ever passionate about the martial arts and its history. Notwithstanding all his experience and knowledge, Guro still does not come across as someone that is arrogant or full of himself. I have learned from him that in order to learn and advance in any art (or life for that matter) at any level, a person must maintain humility and modesty in his/her skills and actions. Through all the trials and tribulations Guro has experienced he still is able to maintain his humility and modesty although he is one of, if not THE, preeminent martial artists of our lifetime. I attempt to emulate his attitude and composure in my journey through the martial arts and life. I am not afraid to delve into new arts (started Capoeira this year) with the attitude and mindset of a beginner because when the cup is empty, one can learn.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Wow, it's hard for me to come up with one story because every time I see Guro, I am awed and inspired - not because of idol worship, but because he is an example of the good things that I want to achieve in my life. One particular instance does stand out in my mind and that is during the first time I went to Ajarn Chai's Muay Thai Northwest Training Camp in Oregon in 1996. I knew that Guro would be there but couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him sweating and training as hard as everyone else in the dirt and heat. That's when I knew that I would do everything I could to continue to see and train with Guro. He taught me much just by being there training with the rest of us... as one of us.

Name: James Stacy How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Well the first time I met Guro was when I he came to Tulsa to do a seminar. I had been training with Terry Gibson so I thought that I knew what to expect, Boy was I wrong.

Guro came in with Paula and their baby girl in tow. Guro then greeted everyone and he and Paula proceeded to blow me away. They were so fluid and showed so much that by the end of the day I felt like I had seen more in the one day than James could be contained in any complete system of Martial Arts. And that was just the first day.

Stacy, California

One time when I was traveling I had to change planes in Chicago and walking though the airport I saw Guro and Paula walking the other way. I started to say hi and talk about how great it was to see them. Where were they going? How long would they be there? And Guro smiled and answered my questions and was very nice. I don't even know if he had any chance of knowing who I was but he made me feel as if I was the friend I wanted to be.

I moved to LA and started to train at the Inosanto Academy and on the first day of Thai boxing Guro had Ron Balicki get into the ring and hold the Thai pads for everyone. Well when it got to be my turn I really laid into the pads (Ron's a great holder) and Guro said "wow, that was a hard kick!" I responded with "Yea, I'm one of Terry's students!" I still think that was one of the coolest things in my life.

When Terry Gibson was really sick Guro and Paula helped me to set up a seminar and a kickathon to raise money to help him out. I think we raised over $2000 for him. When he passed away we were all very upset.

I moved from Tulsa to LA to train with Guro and then I moved to San Diego to open my school. If I had not had those years training at his academy I feel like my school and my martial arts would not really be worth what I always wanted them to be. Through Guro I had the pleasure to meet and train with a lot of high level martial artiest, Eric Paulson, Ajarn Chai, Herman Suwanda, Marc Denny, Col Nattapong, Sifu Fong, John Jack Machado and to many to name. The point is he allowed me to see a lot of different approaches to the martial arts and most instructors won't show you anyone that is out of their system. I think they are afraid to let any one see other instructors because they don't want to lose their students, but Guro keeps to Sijo's Philosophy of looking to see what is out there and to always be the student. I thank you for that because that has allowed me to try and always be the student.

Happy Birthday From Academy of World Martial Arts, James D. Stacy

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

NAME: Jamie Simpson How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I first met Guro Dan and Simo Paula Inosanto in 1993 at a seminar in New Jersey.

The material they covered along with the stories and history they shared was fascinating.

I brought a copy of Jeet Kune Do, The Art and Philosophy authored by Guro which he graciously autographed, and later had a picture taken with him at the end of the seminar.

Inspired, I continued training and in 2001 was fortunate enough to receive an instructorship.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Jamie Simpson, Pennsylvania

We all know of the incredible skill, wealth of knowledge and outstanding teaching ability that Guro Dan possesses, but one of the things I admire most is his sincerity and genuine humility.

He continues to be a major influence, not only as a martial artist and instructor but also as a person.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Today when I say goodbye after a seminar, I watch as students ask Guro for an autograph or to get a picture taken and I think how much that meant to me.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to train with such a dedicated and gifted instructor and appreciate all that Guro Dan and Simo Paula Inosanto have done for students and instructors around the world.

Name: Jane Chan How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

love, Jane Chan

Name: Jeff Imada How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

In maybe 1973 or ’74, I was reading a magazine article about Jeet Kune Do. I was intrigued enough by what I was reading to make an effort to find Sifu Dan and go visit his school.

So a buddy of mine made a phone call and that’s how we got to first see him.

This was right around the time that the Kali Academy had first opened up in Torrance.

Fortunately for me, I had trained in other martial arts systems because at that time, they just wanted to accept people with previous martial arts experience.

So I trained for a few years, was on the demo team and then Sifu Dan started traveling to do seminars. I was perhaps one of the first students Jeff Imada to go with him in 1976 or thereabouts. I California remember we went to Chile, England, different States like New Mexico and Colorado.

The seminar traveling continued until I got too busy with stuntwork to keep doing it. I didn’t want to mess him up by not being available.

Even before my time as his seminar assistant, Sifu Jeff Imada Dan had mentioned to me about becoming an California instructor.

I was very honored that he thought so highly of my ability, but I really felt like I wasn’t ready and that there were other people he should ask. He would tell me that I was ready and we kept going back and forth about it for six, maybe eight months.

I received my Instructor’s diplomas in, I believe, 1978.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I always give him the credit for my success in the movie industry because he taught me how to apply important JKD principles in my work.

The ability to fit in, adapt and flow with any situation, whether in life or work or martial art. To be able to incorporate that into daily life has been invaluable to me.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story It’s really hard to come up with a favorite, but I remember him telling me around 1977, that I was going to have to start doing some of the demos because he was worried that he was slowing down and wasn’t really up to speed.

All I can say is it’s a good thing he wasn’t up to speed thirty years ago, because to me he looks faster than ever.

Name: Jim Buchanan How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I first met Guru Inosanto in the late 1980’s at a seminar in Dallas, Texas. I was mesmerized by what I saw. I left the first day of the seminar and people asked what I had learned. I couldn’t remember a single technique but I knew I was going back for more.

In the following years I began to understand. I was in the presence of a Master Teacher. Teaching higher level thinking skills are concepts that few people are aware of but Guru Inosanto has become skilled in this way of teaching.

The late, great Bruce Lee is smiling at his best student, the teacher, knowing that teaching is the highest form of learning.

There is an old saying that “Birds of a Feather Flock Together” and I sure hope that is true. It is a great honor for me to be one of his students.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I have been fortunate to have trained under some of the best teachers in the world, Guru Dan Inosanto, Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje, Maginoo Tim Waid, J. Pat Burleson and Guru Harley Elmore just to name a few.

All have taught me many lessons but Guru Dan is the rejuvenator. I look forward to his visits every year for not only knowledge but also the inspiration to be better than I thought I could ever be. I no longer worry about being better than someone else but try to be better than I was yesterday.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Joe Craig How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I met Guro Inosanto in St. Louis in March of 1990 where he was presenting a seminar for Guro Jim Smothers. I had been training with Mr. Smothers for a while when he invited me to the seminar. I often reflect on how this invitation has directly influenced every day of my life since that time.

I was fortunate to attend a school that featured Sifu Inosanto’s work as a regular part of its curriculum. Black Belt Self Defense hosted Sifu Inosanto three times a year. He came for weekend seminars in the spring and fall as well as a weeklong camp each summer. We traveled throughout the Midwest, training with him at every opportunity. We were fortunate during this time to meet, train with and be influenced by the late Terry Gibson. Mr. Gibson was an instrumental figure in our pursuit of training opportunities with Sifu Inosanto. He offered us not only the chance to train with Guro at his Joe Craig, Missouri school in Tulsa but he also encouraged us to seek out as many direct training hours as possible. I received my formal certification through Sifu Inosanto in 1995 after being recommended for the program by Guro Jim Smothers.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Guro Inosanto has handled the preservation and propagation of a legacy he was all too suddenly left with. To walk in the shadow of a larger than life icon is no easy feat. To emerge from that shadow and to teach countless others with passion, clarity and the desire to respect the past while moving toward the future proves that Dan Inosanto is a man of integrity, courage and great resolve. We can all learn from the example of the friendship that existed between these two men. Sifu Inosanto has shown me that to be a true friend you must first be true to your beliefs and be willing to be open and respectful to the beliefs of others.

I am also certain that just as he did for me, Guro Inosanto has brought illumination to the lives of the thousands of people that he has touched over the years. It is important to me that he know that the years of sacrifice and hardship for both himself and his family have not been in vain — You have and will continue to make a difference in this world and for that alone I know that your father and mother are smiling down upon you with great pride.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story In the summer of 1996 we were going to dinner after the seminar at a Thai restaurant located in a quirky somewhat trendy part of St. Louis known as the Loop. In an earlier incarnation the Loop was not known as a place where you would want to just stroll around for no apparent reason. A lot has been done

to clean up the place and renovate the area. After we had supper we decided to walk around a bit and do a little window-shopping. We returned to the car only to find that the car would not start. We called for a tow truck and proceeded to wait.

The tow truck shows up only to find that the car cannot be jump-started. The driver tells us that he is also going to be unable to tow the car, as it was a type of vehicle that required the use of a roll back instead of a traditional tow truck. We were unable to reach our respective spouses by phone so the decision was made to call my brother. My brother Sam agreed to come out and pick us up but it was going to take awhile as he lived pretty far away from where we were stuck. We decided to resume walking around the Loop to kill some time, as we did so we encountered a young man near the entrance to a retro music store called Vintage Vinyl. The young man walked by our group looking at us in a rather odd way, as he passed he paused and turned to look back at us. After discussing it later the group all agreed that it seemed as if the young man was up to no good and that he may have thought about robbing us, as we all appeared to be tourists just wandering around. In fact the young man did start walking back towards us but as he did so he started talking really fast about Bruce Lee, he was speaking in a very excited manner when he asked Sifu Inosanto about getting his butt kicked by Bruce Lee in the Game of death. Guro was very cordial to the man as he spoke briefly with him about the making of the film and the scenes that he shot with Sigung Lee. This guy seemed enthralled with his brush with celebrity (he was apparently a huge Bruce Lee fan) and I am certain that he is probably still retelling the story of meeting Dan Inosanto to this very day.

Name: Joe Purcell How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

May 15th, 2006 Sifu Dan Inosanto, Since meeting you in Dallas almost 23 years ago, I am continually amazed each time I see you. Your knowledge, skill, and humility constantly progress to higher levels.

Whenever I talk to someone about training, I can’t help but wonder if they have any idea of the tremendous impact you have had on the world of martial arts, as it exists today.

Whether it’s Jun Fan/JKD, Filipino, Thai, Joe Purcell, Texas Indonesian, Shoot Wrestling, BJJ, mixed martial arts, cross training, etc. I can’t think of any other individual who has made so many significant contributions, and achieved as much as you have. I doubt that there is a single isolated dojo in the most desolate region that has not been positively impacted by the teaching of Dan Inosanto.

At times, I struggle with balancing my personal training with family, job, teaching and other responsibilities. It seems that everything interferes with training time.

Then I remember that Sifu Dan has a family. Sifu Dan taught history and coached.

Sifu Dan teaches many, many students. You have been on the road almost every week since you were 45 years old, and travel around the globe carrying on the legacy of Bruce Lee. Somehow (I am still not sure how) you still manage to progress in your own personal training. About this time, I realize my daily challenges are infinitesimal compared to the responsibilities you bear. The bottom line is that in addition to being a great teacher and martial artist, you are also an immense inspiration to all of us. You should write a book on how you have managed, balanced, and adapted to achieve so much.

In closing I want to thank say you for all your contributions, sharing your experiences, and for the outstanding teaching and training you have given us over the years. I wish you the best on your 70th birthday and every other day. I wish you ongoing success and hope you will continue to teach us for many years to come.

Best Regards, Joe Purcell

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: John Bruce Daniels How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I met Sifu Dan when I was certified under Guru Ted Lucaylucay and Sifu Trigg. They told me to come and train with their teacher Sifu Dan. When I went to one of his seminars, that is where I knew I had met the best there was and knew that’s who I wanted to train under. So I started in the apprenticeship Program in 1986, and that’s where I have been ever since (Thank God).

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

John Bruce Daniels, Oregon

The greatest influence he had on me was he told me to be the best that I could be. My father used to say, if you want to become something that you dream of being, train with the best so you can be the best you can be. And don't try to be anyone but yourself.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite Inosanto Story was that he is filming a movie in Hong Kong, and some people came to his hotel room to challenge him. When I asked what happened, he said " I am still here and I know that all the training I did worked and paid off, and it will work for you too if you train hard" and it has for me too.

And I want to thank him for letting me be apart of the Inosanto Legend.

With great respect, Guru John Daniels. Honorable Student

Name: John F. “Chip� Kelley How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I had the pleasure of meeting Sifu Inosanto in Los Angles in 1987. I traveled there with Sifu Dwight Woods to attend a Seminar at the IMB Academy.

The experience was overwhelming to say the least. Since I had trained with Sifu Dwight for such a short time I was very nervous about the idea of meeting a legend. I was so very impressed with the soft spoken, polite and even shy gentleman that I met.

Chip Kelley Florida

I came to find out that his passion, knowledge, ability and wiliness to share were even greater than what was described to me. I was also introduced to Mrs. Inosanto who at that time was Paula Pedersen.

I was fortunate over the next couple of years to be able to travel to a number of seminars around the country and soak in as much as possible.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Sometimes the hidden message you get from someone far out weighs the actual lesson being taught.

Sifu Inosanto has such a way of using every day life as a way to explain his martial arts message. So often a comparison of football or baseball explains his meaning but it also goes a lot deeper and gives us lessons in life too.

JKD is different for each of us and he has shown me that it is true in life as well.

Each of us has a different path and we must follow it to the best of our abilities.

It is amazing to me how Sifu Inosanto can remember names, faces and details about so many people. He never fails to ask about people in your life and how things are going. He is always genuinely interested.

Whenever I get the opportunity to attend an Inosanto Seminar I feel really blessed.

In addition to the terrific skills he passes on, you can always pick-up insights on World History from a very special point of view.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I remember the early years when Sifu Inosanto came to Miami for our first seminar.

Sifu Inosanto was slated to do a seminar the year before but an ear infection and Doctor’s orders kept him from traveling. We were fortunate enough to have Guru Paul De Thouars and Sifu Burton Richardson come down in his place.

When Sifu Dan did arrive in Miami we were operating on a non-existing budget. We were new at hosting seminars and I remember having Sifu Dan and Simo Paula over to my house to shower and for dinner.

It was really neat to have two of the world’s greatest martial artists as guests in my own home.

What made it even so special was the fact that they were so gracious and accommodating, and typical of Sifu Dan he used this event as an opportunity to train us.

Isn’t that just like Sifu Dan?

Name: John Spezzano How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I think it was 1992 and I was working on a film in Utah with an actor named Scott Glenn. We'd gotten to be friends and were talking martial arts.

At the time I was training in Aikido at the school Steven Seagal had started. Scott had done the movie "The Challenge" in Japan years earlier and Seagal had done some of the choreography for it.

Scott told me about this art called Kali, said he'd trained in Serrada in Chicago John Spezzano, California while working on "Backdraft" there. He showed me a little of it and really intrigued me.

When I got back to LA, I made it a point to find the Inosanto Academy, which at the time was quite hard to find. Nestled away in an industrial park in Marina del Rey, the Academy was a total of about 800 sq. ft., including bathroom and office!

I came by to watch a Muay Thai class, and after that there was a Krabi Krabong class. I was excited to watch that as well, but Simo Paula politely said, "Good night" and closed the door on me! HA,HA! Needless to say, not being able to watch an advanced class REALLY made me want to get into that school and start training!

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Guro Dan's single most important influence on me has been just on my approach to life. Premier martial artist? He is that, no doubt. Incredible teacher? He is also that. But I think the thing most people miss when they train with him is his attitude. In addition to all of his accomplishments, Guro Dan is the consummate student. His desire to learn has never eroded, and if you're open to it, it is infectious.

That is by far his greatest influence on me, the fact that in martial arts, you never "arrive." Martial art training is a constant journey which has a beginning, but no end. While that might be daunting to some, the more you think about it, it is truly freeing as well.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story (I don't know if this story will be too political Dwight, if so, let me know and I'll come up with another one.) Being a former Seagal Aikido guy, I think my favorite Guro Dan story is the one where he and Sifu Francis Fong met Seagal at some Aikido camp in the mid-80s. Seagal made the mistake of telling Guro and Sifu that he had developed some new drill that he was calling sticking hands....and that he wanted to show Guro a wristlock from Aikido. Guro, being the kindest man on the planet, told Seagal what a great thing he had done. But then Seagal made the mistake of grabbing Sifu Francis's hand to show him the wristlock too. SMACK!!!

At which point Guro Dan immediately turned the other direction without a word and started walking away!

The Quintessential Martial Artist

By John Spezzano

Guro Dan sets a great example to follow for many reasons.

Aside from being extremely knowledgeable about martial arts, he is kind, giving, and patient in his sharing of those arts.

Those of us who have been with him a long time know what a great teacher he is, and those of you who are new will see that soon enough. He’s full of lessons on how to train, how to get fit, how to counter this or that, etc, etc.

But the main thing Guro Dan has offered me is his work ethic. Guro Dan is quite arguably the premier martial artist of the last century, yet he still trains every day and looks at material and techniques as though he is still a white belt.

The man is CONSTANTLY learning.

I think this is the most common thing about Guro that many of his students miss. They get to a certain level and stop training, feeling that they’ve gotten as far as they need to go. But in Guro’s own words, “You never arrive.”

This, to me, is the key to mastery. Most people will probably never master their art(s) anyway, but stopping your training is the easiest way to lose your edge.

So I thank you Guro.

Thanks for setting such a remarkable example by your own actions.

Thanks for showing us that the road never ends, unless you park yourself on the shoulder.

You are a constant inspiration of quality in a world that rewards the mediocre.

Happy Birthday!

Name: Jon D. Meyer How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I started training in martial arts when I was seventeen years old under Sifu Charles Reed in Cincinnati. It was February of 1993.

This was also my first encounter with JKD. I went to the Reed academy everyday it was open and I always heard of Guro Inosanto from Sifu Reed who is an instructor under Guro. This made me very excited to have the chance to meet him one day. About a year later in 1994 Guro had a seminar at the Reed Academy for the first time. I was amazed and overwhelmed with information. I could not believe how knowledgeable he was in martial arts. I loved listening to the stories and history of martial arts. I was astonished at how fast he was and Jon Meyer, the way he moved. It was a true inspiration for me. I became certified by Guro in 1999. This was such an honor for me to be apart of his instructor organization.

Ohio

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Guro Inosanto has influenced me in many ways. One that sticks out the most is his influence on my attitude towards life and others. I would feel his kind and humble way has made me a better person today

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story A funny story I can think of is one day at the instructors conference Guro showed up in his SUV with dried soap squirted down the passengers side from where Mrs. Inosanto (I believe this is who he said was washing the SUV) was trying to wash it.

He was in a rush to get to the academy he had to leave before she could finish. We all know how busy his schedule is!!!

Name: Jon Rister How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I was in Atlanta at the southeast conference in 2000 Sifu Dan was discussing strategy and tactics.

He used the Civil War as an example and how “we” (the North) used more modern rifles and tactics to win the war. Then he came to realize mid sentence that he was addressing a group of people in the south he smiled and said, “Oh gee, we are in the south!”

No one said anything but the silence was deafening.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Jon Rister Texas (& Finland)

In 1998, at Terry Gibson’s old school, Sifu Dan was closing the seminar and started to talk about Terry.

Suddenly a tear broke on his face. Our eyes met and the sense of his grief touched me very deeply. I had to turn around to keep from losing it. I wiped my face, turned back around, he smiled and said he missed Terry Gibson.

I really knew at that moment the depth of the man.

Truly a warrior, truly a poet, a spirit that God sent among us.

Of that I have no doubt.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Kenny Barry How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

From age seven I knew I was suppose to meet him and train under him. I met him when I was 17. Few moments stand out more in my life than the time when I met Guro Dan Inosanto.

We were in Miami, Florida at a seminar hosted by Sifu Dwight Woods. Sifu Luis Martinez and I had taken the seminar along with my younger brother Kevin.

The moment he saw me, he said, "You’re half-Filipino."

He said his son was also halfFilipino. He remembered my name after the first time he trained me.

Kenny Barry, Florida

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Since then has stuck by my side through college – a bad car accident and major surgeries - and getting married as well.

The martial arts side is only a small portion of what this man has to offer. He has a caring and loving heart that is made of gold. He is a professional in every sense of the word.

Outside of my mother and father, he has been the single biggest influence in my life. I can’t thank him enough for all that he has done for me!

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story To describe the single most memorable time with Guro Dan would be impossible.

Because THE BEST MOMENT with Guro Dan has been EVERY moment.

He is a true martial artist and leader by example. He has been a pioneer for the martial arts community worldwide. He has a presence that is so pure and full of positive energy that it can be felt by all around him.

The energy that Guro Dan transcends is like walking into a church or a place of nature where you feel strong presence.

Very difficult to describe in words however anyone that has been around him knows exactly what I am trying to explain.

Name: Kevin J. Fernandez How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

In early 1990 I had started training under Sifu Dwight Woods in JKD/Kali. Through Sifu Dwight I was exposed to Guro Daniel Inosanto. The first time I met him was at the UMAA seminar in Miami, Florida in October 1990.

I continued my training under Sifu Dwight always looking forward to Guro Dan's visit to Miami. At times Guro Dan visited Tampa, FL, and I, as well as others from Miami, made the trip to attend the seminars.

Kevin Fernandez Florida

It was during Guro's 1997 (or 1998) visit to Miami that on Sifu Dwight’s recommendation Mario Papachristou, Chip Kelley and I were awarded Apprentice Instructorships. It was a very emotional event.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Several years afterwards, I was involved in an accident which prevented me from training for three years. During this time Guro continued to visit Miami for the annual seminar. Even though I could not train I made it a point to pass by and pay respects.

In the past year I have restarted my training and have been able to attend several seminars. Each time I walk up to Guro Dan his words are "Fernandez, how are you feeling? How's your neck? Your back? Your hand?" It is amazing how he remembers. I am one of hundreds several thousand, probably, that train under his guidance, and he remembers not only my name but my injuries as well.

Personally, I believe Guro Dan is humble, caring, and genuine. Therefore, it is hard to just pick one influence. Like a father offering guidance to his children, he displays patience and knowledge.

Please tell you favorite Dan Inosanto story I believe it was during that first seminar that Guro Dan was asked about the oneinch punch and the straight blast (Jik Chun Choi).

Guro Dan did a small demonstration that to this date is embedded in my memory.

Someone was holding two thick telephone books and Guro demonstrated the oneinch punch, which caused the holder to take several steps back upon being hit.

However, it was the straight blast that really impressed me. I didn't see all the hits, because it was a blur (what speed!), but I heard it. In my mind I replayed it and counted the hits, five in the span of, maybe, two seconds. WOW!!!

I could probably go on and on with stories and so forth, as I am sure a lot of us could.

Name: Kevin Seaman How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I remember sitting in my bedroom in 1974, reading a magazine about Dan Inosanto’s unique approach to educating his students in the martial arts and thinking, “I would give almost anything to train with Dan Inosanto at the Torrance Academy.” Two years later, I had an amazing opportunity to meet you Sifu and watch your classes in 1976.

Nearly ten years later in 1984, I finally obtained my primary goal and started training with you. Soon after, a turning point in my personal development happened at the Four Seasons Campground in Murphy, Pa. It was at that point on my martial arts path that I believed I had found a place with a martial arts family that few ever had the opportunity to experience.

Sifu, you were so generous, friendly and genuinely open.

This made me feel as though I was welcome, when I asked about being your student and you said you thought I would make a very good student.

Kevin Seaman, New York

Later, the following year in Ottawa, Canada at a seminar hosted by Bob Carver, I talked with you about becoming a part of your instructor program. I remember asking you, “Sifu, do you think a person could become an instructor under you if they worked hard, but didn’t live in Los Angeles?”

Your reply was, “Yes” I then asked, “Sifu, if a person worked really hard, do you think it would be possible for them to become a Full Instructor under you, even if the lived somewhere other than Los Angeles?” You smiled with a twinkle in your eye and looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Yes, Kevin. If a person was very committed, I believe they could make it to Full Instructor, even if they lived in New York.” I felt a lump in my throat, and said, “Then that is my goal, Sifu!”

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: LaVonne Martin How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

What it all boils down to is I met Guro Inosanto because I got kicked out of the school I was training in!

Growing up in a small Mid-western town I didn’t have a lot of choices for martial arts. I had no clue about any type of differences in them.

Realizing I needed exercise and wanting to learn something at the same time, I went down to the local rec center, started Tae Kwon do and the journey began.

After a couple years, I felt there must be something else.

Lavonne Martin Sarasota,

I found a school that was mostly men, more street oriented, that didn’t like people from Tae Kwon Do and certainly didn’t like women from Tae Kwon Do. So I joined. Learned to take a few hits, be thrown on concrete and started to see many different areas.

But this school was not meant to be my home for long. A disagreement about values with my instructor led to me being asked to leave. At that time I felt it was the worst thing that could have happened to me.

Then I saw an ad in Black Belt Magazine for a weeklong seminar the summer of 1983 in St. Louis, Mo. I had no idea of what any of those arts were and didn’t know anyone there but off I went.

This weeklong seminar led me to an instructor who would open doors in many ways and where I have stayed for the last 22 years.

From that camp, I met Guro Inosanto, Dwight Woods, Sifu Francis Fong and Master Chai. Four men that have been in my life longer than my two husbands put together and I’m so very grateful.

So you might say that getting kicked out of a school for speaking my mind is the best thing that could’ve happened to me. I’m sure Guro Inosanto won’t be shocked to know that I got into trouble for opening my mouth.

I received my instructorship in the Filipino Martial Arts under Guro in August of 1988. I was so proud. Then a few years later instructorship in Jun Fan / JKD. Receiving my Full Instructorship with Guro Inosanto is something this Turtle wasn’t sure was possible, I just knew I had to stay on the path no matter what.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I think what has influenced me the most about this man is not only his skill, knowledge, expertise and PATIENCE is that he is truly a person who cares about others. I have watched him and I know he has molded us all to not only be better martial artist but a better person. When he talks about using the martial arts to

bridge the gap between cultures and people it’s not just talk. I know he has put many of us including myself in situations that were uncomfortable and trying to avoid but “through this frustration you will grow.” And so we did. I can only hope that I will be able to add to my student’s lives a portion of what he has.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I know that he misses having me travel with him to Daniel Sullivan’s for those verbal comments when getting stopped by the police. Now we all know that Guro abides by the law and not only never drinks but even if he did would never drink and drive. So the fact that an officer stopped him because he stopped short of a traffic light, and asked if he had been drinking was crazy and a little funny. I just made a comment that he always drives like that. I was trying to help but it didn’t come out that way…… At least I didn’t suggest he have Guro walk the line to prove he wasn’t drinking. It was just too funny that of all people Guro would get stopped and asked if he’d been drinking!

Then there were those long trips to train with Grandmaster Attilio. If I recall we traveled for 8 hours in the car for 2 hours of training. Leaving early in the morning and returning just in time for Guro to start teaching. Simo Paula had informed me when he starts playing the music loud he’s getting tired and if he starts singing When The Saints Go Marching In I should drive.

It was fun even though it was long and I would do it again if I could. If any of you who know me question whether I’m white or not, just ask Guro about it.

There are a many times when Guro would call me out to assist and I was only hoping my brain would kick in and do the correct drill or technique and then come those famous words,” You can do that too,” and I’d know I should shoot myself right then. But Guro being the wise person he is, when he’s called out to do a drill or Kembangan on the spur of the moment, in a room full of people just announces that LaVonne & Joel will now do sarong techniques. That was worth a few laughs on the way home from Vegas. Which is another thing about him that draws people in.

He can laugh at himself in training.

Sometimes when Guro, Joel and I would travel on the plane together there were moments when Guro didn’t claim us.

On one of the flights, we all happen walk on the plane separately, so no one knew we were together. Guro sits down; Joel walks on by and is getting settled in the aisle when I come on the plane. I look at Joel and say, “SIT DOWN, RIGHT NOW”, Joel looks at me and responds, “I’LL KNOCK YOU OUT.” I say, ”YOU’RE NOT BIG ENOUGH TO KNOCK ME OUT”.

Everyone in first class is staring except Guro Inosanto, who never looks up from his book. Joel sits down and I walk back to my seat. At that point, he didn’t know either Joel or me.

He is turning 70 and I’m sure that we’ll be working out and training for another 30 years or so. He does more than most 30 year olds. It’s an honor and a privilege to have him as an instructor but what he has added to my life in friendship, laughter and the introduction of new people and situations has enriched my life beyond what I could have ever expected.

Name: Marc “Crafty Dog” Denny How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Growing up in NYC gave me reason to think about taking up martial arts, but it was not until my last semester of school at the age of 29 that I actually started.

After a year and a half of Fu Jow Pai Kung Fu and TKD, in 1982 I arrived in Long Beach CA to do real estate with my brother.

I met a fellow on the beach doing strange martial arts movements—“modified Wing Chun” he called it and gave me the phone number and address for “The Kali Academy”.

I had never heard of Kali, Jeet Kune Do or Dan Inosanto but I went anyway.

Marc Denny

When I walked in there was some little guy with calves California the size of my thighs bending the first banana bag I had ever seen. There were people waving around sticks and knives; people kickboxing with real boxing gloves and kicks to the leg, and people training on weird looking wooden apparatuses like on Saturday morning Kung Fu Theater.

The vibes of the room were very powerful and I knew I had found what I was looking for.

My progress with Guro I. has been very slow-- it took me 8 years to become an Apprentice Instructor in FMA, and a few years after that I made Associate—but I just keep plugging along.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

To choose the “single greatest influence” of Guro I on me is hard because there are so many: •

the times we sparred (yes, he took me apart)

•

my lessons in his garage

•

the sage advice over dinner

•

watching him put on the white belt for BJJ and train his way to healing his back injury

•

watching him deal with all of us even when we let him down or who treat him poorly—

•

…and all the times he fools me even now with his sly, dumb fox shtick.

If I have to choose just one thing, I would say it is the way he allows people to be who they are even as he patiently awaits their realization that the barriers they perceive are but doors to open.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I’m going to break the rules a bit here (how rare) and instead tell a Simo Paula story. She keeps herself out of the spotlight, but without her, Guro I’s story is incomplete.

One night when I came in for training, Simo Paula told me that they had had to throw a weirdo out earlier that evening.

During training I saw a guy with no shirt or shoes (it was a 50 degree night) looking in the open side door. I alerted Simo and she confirmed it was the guy.

She picked up Danielle, (then an infant) --which surprised me-- covered her with a blanket and went outside to talk to him. I grabbed a Bahi stick and followed.

From the position that I took about ten feet behind him, I saw he had some tabak toyok (nunchucks) in his back pocket.

I’ll shorten the story a bit and get to the ending. The guy left and I walked Simo and Danielle back inside. When she took the blanket off, I saw she had a large pair of scissors in her hand. He never had a clue to how close he was…

Name: Marc McFann How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I met Guro in the early eighties through seminars he was doing in Houston and Dallas Texas. I had done some training with Sifu Larry Hartsell, Tim Tackett, Teddy Lucaylucay and of course they all said I had to go train with Sifu Dan. Guro did lots of seminars by himself but there were also lots of times when he taught jointly with Ajarn Chai or Tuhon Gaje.

Marc McFann, Arkansas

I was living in Austin, TX at the time. Ray Parra was my training partner back in those days. So I started taking every training opportunity that my pocket book would allow.

I went out to the old IMB camp and was lucky enough to get Burt Richardson as my training partner for the first couple of days. I also traveled out to the Smokey Mountain camp where I made friendships that have lasted to this day, Erik Paulson, Rick Young, Lavonne Martin, and many others.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

It’s hard to pick out just one influence from Guro but one thing I think he passed on to me, not directly but by his example, was his perpetual “white belt” quest for knowledge and his incredible training ethic.

I remember attending a Guro/Tuhon seminar many years ago. It was billed as a half day with Guro and a half day with Tuhon for two days. It turned out to be about two hours of Guro per day and more hours than I can remember with Tuhon.

But, Guro was there for every hour, stick in hand, doing his 500 redondos just like all the rest of us, except he didn’t whine about it like the rest of us did.

This quest for knowledge and his humbleness has been demonstrated to me numerous times since. Some examples from the top of my head; teaching JKD and Kali at the Smokey Mountain camp and then getting in the ring and doing his pad rounds with Ajarn ‘Chai in front of all his students and getting hit.

To this day he still does it. He never misses a Thai camp. Training with him and Carlos Machado when he was just getting into the BJJ, Pa Herman, Pendekar Paul, Erik Paulson, the list is too long.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite Guro anecdote? There are so many. Guro’s “niceness” and unwillingness to say an unkind work about anything or anyone is legendary.

Also, he was always willing to learn from his own students. At one instructor’s camp in LA, he asked Rick Young and me to help him with his grappling. We met him at like 6 a.m. before he went to BJJ, yoga, and Silat lessons and he continued a training/teaching day that ended after 10 p.m. Go to Legends Camp…he is one of the few that makes all 40 hours.

Name: Marty Zaninovich How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

My interest in studying with Guro Dan at the Inosanto Academy started in the early ‘90s, but I was not able to study any Kali until 2001.

I started my studies with my Guro John Spezzano, regular classes & private lessons.

When I did, I was in awe. At that time, I did not understand why we could not study immediately with Guro Dan. Well after my first class I realized why--I had a lot to learn!!

Two years later, I started privates with Guro Mike Wise, and in April 2005, I received my Apprentice Instructorship in the Filipino Martial Arts.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story At the 2005 Legends camp, we had just finished morning classes with Guro Dan and broke for lunch. A group of us were sitting on the mat and Guro John asked me if I was going to take the next couple of classes. I told him I didn't know. Then Guro Dan walked by and overheard us talking and said he would be my partner‌ I was terrified!! Guro John told me to tell him yes, which I nervously did.

In over 30 years of Kenpo training in which I have reached the rank of 6th Dan, competed nationally and taught numerous seminars, this was one of the most intimidating moments of my life!

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

But it was also one of the most inspirational learning opportunities I have ever been afforded. Words cannot describe what I was blessed to have experienced that day.

This was, after all, Guro Dan Inosanto, the best of the best! My appreciation goes beyond any explanation I can give. Simply said, he is, as we all know, extremely talented, caring, nurturing and so much more!!!

Name: Michele Thompson How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

In 1993, I attended my first Guro Dan seminar in Princeton NJ. I remember how excited I was to go and at the same time I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with everyone else. Guro and Simo Paula where very helpful and spent a nice amount of time helping my partner and myself with the drills. Between the help he gave, his personality and the history he taught I walked out being even MORE interested in the arts than before.

After the seminar, my instructor asked me to come over and he introduced me to Guro. He was laughing and I was really nervous and thinking “Oh my God, they are laughing at how pitiful I am at this.”

My instructor said “Michele, tell Guro how old you are.” I was thrown off by the statement but I answered, “19.” They both laughed and Guro said, “Oh.” My instructor said “Guro asked about you and mentioned that he thought you were 14 years old.”

I had to laugh. Then of course, I was thinking in my head. “Do I act 14? Do I look that young? Or does he mean I am that uncoordinated? Oh man, I need to train more.”

My instructor and I joked about that for years. And it made my first seminar even more special to me.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

It is very hard to pick one moment that Guro has touched my life. There have been so many. And I wish I could be around him more often.

I have never met anyone that humble, kind, peaceful and compassionate in my life.

When you are next to him you can just feel it, by the way he speaks to you and the way he carries himself.

These are traits that I hope to somewhat emulate one day. And every moment I am thankful to have him in my life.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Recently when faced with a very difficult situation in my life I was thankful most of all for him. Thanks to Guro I learned about preservation of myself. And through the training, his encouragement and compassion I didn’t give up. I kept going and no matter what I am still here training and living.

When I attended the Conference in Atlanta at Sifu Fong’s school a few years ago I remember being more nervous than normal. I had submitted my letter for recommendation and by the time I arrived at the school for the conference, I was a mess.

I thought about how much I didn’t know and was overwhelmed by the thought. I remember the whole time thinking, “I don’t deserve this. He isn’t going to give it to me. Let’s just go home.”

The second day he called me up to do the 5 count drill on tape, I was a mess and had come to the conclusion that he would tell me I need to train more and maybe later on I would deserve instructorship.

After I did the drill he said the nicest things about me. He told me about my progress over the years and how he has seen me grow. I was standing there thinking, “I don’t deserve this.”

And then he said he was proud of me. I never heard that before. And at that point I cried. And if I didn’t get my certification it was ok because he was proud of me.

And at that moment that meant more. I felt for once that I must have done something right.

Then he told me he was promoting me. I stood shocked for a moment and then cried more and gave him a hug.

To this day, that has been one of the best moments of my life.

Name: Mykola Machnowsky How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I was totally enamored of the crazy actors you saw flying around in movies in the 70’s and 80’s of Kung Fu Theater. It was during these times that I also discovered Bruce Lee. He seemed larger than life and the things did on the screen to me at the time seemed even more amazing than the other actors.

It was here in Bruce Lee that I really discovered a passion not for the amazing things the actors on screen did but rather the whole idea of martial arts.

Fast forward about 10 years into the late eighties. I was a young adult still in awe of Bruce Lee and his legend. I started Mykola Machnowsky working with a Tae Kwon Do instructor at my college, and Maryland though I can only say good things about this instructor and his teachings, I knew that this would not satisfy my thirst for the martial arts. So I decided to start actively looking for anyone associate to Bruce Lee’s teachings. This is when I first discovered Guro Dan, and even though I had seen Guro Dan in Bruce Lee’s various books and movies I had never known that Guro was anything other than a training partner of Bruce Lee’s. I started training at a school that was fairly new to the area and working with an instructor who himself was developing under Guro Dan. As I continued my training, I finally had the honor of meeting Guro Dan in person in NJ during the very early nineties. This was the first of many Guro Dan seminars to come. I really couldn’t believe my eyes and as I am sure everyone can attest to, his skills as well as his personality totally blew me away.

I knew right then and there that Guro Dan was not only Bruce Lee’s training partner he was also a student, professor, and again for lack of a better word Principal of the martial arts.

In the next few years after this first seminar encounter, I trained with Mike Krivka in Maryland. He reinforced my desire to train more under Guro Dan and it was a number of years later Mike spoke to Guro on my behalf and during a seminar in Princeton Guro Dan awarded me with my instructor certificate. This I have to say is one of the proudest and most significant moments of my short, especially in comparison to Guro, martial arts career.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

In the short amount of time (compared to my seniors) I have known Guro Dan, he has been a very positive influence on me. Honestly, the skills Guro has and the stellar reputation he has could easily translate into a very marketable commodity. Instead, I see Guro passing on those opportunities and instead teaching the Arts so that other generations can pass it along. This to me shows Guro’s dedication and has been one of his greatest influences. It’s the mentality to teach students and show them that the Martial Arts can be fun, educational, and spiritually enlightening. It can certainly also befit a living and most likely a very comfortable one at that but I would rather teach one person the values Guro has instilled in me than take a generic martial arts school mentality and make a lot of money.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I am going to look at a story of a Guro Dan seminar I attended with Erik Paulson as his assistant. We were well into training and we were training with weapons particularly the stick and dagger. Guro was explaining the drills and unfortunately for us I believe someone gave him coffee during lunch. This meant that Guro was going a million miles per hour!

Well Guro was explaining a stick and dagger drill but while he was explaining the drill super fast Erik was making funny faces. We were all starting to chuckle a little but Guro kept going not realizing Erik was being Erik. Well when he did realize Guro started to laugh.

This made all of us laugh and he kept trying to finish explaining the drill but Erik had him laughing so much Guro was literally speechless. I have to say it was one of the funniest and lightest moments I have had with Guro. I’ll never forget him laughing and still trying to explain the drill!!

Name: Nick Sacoulas How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I first met Guro Dan at a seminar in New York in 1988. As a new student of Jeet Kune Do I was both overwhelmed and awestruck by the knowledge and skill of this martial arts legend.

After all, he did rub elbows with Bruce Lee which left me star struck as well.

After attending the seminar and listening to his anecdotes, I found that he was a kind, down to earth and approachable person. And his humility was inescapable.

This experience led me to understand that mastery is a lifelong pursuit and one which requires humility, openness, and generosity.

Nick Sacoulas New York

With Sifu Neil Cauliffe’s tutelage, guidance and support, I was able to achieve an Apprentice instructorship under Guro Dan in 1992.

Since then, I have made it a priority to attend seminars, workshops, and camps throughout the country to continue my training under Guro Inosanto.

I’m also lucky enough to host him every year since 1997 at the school I’ve founded based on his teachings, Progressive Martial Arts Academy

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The single greatest influence that Guro Dan has had on me has been his ability to always lead by example. His way of being, his ability to communicate with others, and his constant pursuit of learning has always had a great impact on me.

Guro Dan always acts as if he knows nothing and yet he knows so much about everything. He never utters a bad word about anything or anyone and can find the beauty in everything. As a person, student and an instructor, he’s everything I strive to be.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story There are many moments that I remember about Guro Dan and too many to mention. But one that stands out especially in my mind was a time that he and Erik Paulson were down in New York for a seminar that I was hosting.

After the seminar we all stopped by the school and Erik playfully took Guro down while they were in their street attire. They continued to wrestle playfully and I watched as Guro Dan laughed and giggled the whole time. What stood out to me the most was how Guro could still be so child-like and engage in this behavior with his students.

It only further displayed to me his humility and the love he has for his students.

Until this day, I look forward to having Guro every year come down not only to hold seminars but to spend that extra quality time together.

I always hope a little of him rubs off on me.

Name: Norris Domangue How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I started formal martial arts training back in 1977 in Tae Kwon Do. I joined the Military in 1984 and continued my training while stationed in Korea.

When I came back to the US I had several degreed Black Belts in Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do and was looking for a new art to grow in. I knew that stick fighting existed but did not know what it was called.

Norris Domangue In 1988, looking in the phone book while stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin TX, I was Virginia fortunate in finding Ray Parra who was a Guro Inosanto and Tuhon Gaje instructor as well as an Ajarn Chai Thai Boxing instructor.

This was my 1st exposure to Kali, Jun Fan and other South East Asian arts.

Totally blew me away and altered my training mind set forever. I continued to train with Ray until 1992 when I got stationed with the US Coast Guard flying out of Miami on counter-narcotics missions.

In Miami I had my first exposure to Guro Inosanto when he was hosted by Dwight Woods. This experience was another turning point for me and expanded my concept of what a martial artist could be-that much knowledge combined with the humility and approachability was very foreign to me at the time.

As work and time would allow I drove a couple of hours (I lived in Ft Lauderdale) to Dwight’s school to continue training. I also would visit Ray for training and beer drinking in Austin.

While stationed in Nebraska after Florida, I would have Ray Parra in for seminars and continued my training with him. In the fall of 1997, he nominated me for instructorship directly under Guro Inosanto and I was “looked at” at Gibson’s Academy of martial arts in Tulsa.

I don’t think I have ever been so nervous-all Saturday night in our hotel room I kept asking Ray and Steve Elliot “Do you think it went all right?.. Do you think it went all right?”

In January, I was notified that I had been accepted directly as an Instructor. I can say with my whole heart, no single event in martial arts has been as meaningful to me.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Patrick Davies How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Its 1986 and a friend gives me a flyer he picked up for a martial arts seminar by some bloke who used to train with Bruce Lee. I can’t recall the motivation but we turned up somewhere in Glasgow (Scotland) in our gis and barefoot. We walked through the door where there was this guy in shorts, tank top and trainers throwing kicks (later identified as Thai kicks) right in front of the wall. It was Rick Young and he would soon become instrumental in changing my life, not that we were to know it at the time.

Patrick Davies, Scotland

Guro arrived with his assistant Cass Magda. We’d never been exposed to any of the material and were duly lost in the material with a pair of sticks we didn’t really know what to do with.

What was left, however, was the charisma of the wee man in sweats of whom many bigger men were obviously in awe!

It was announced the Rick was hosting a Wing Chun seminar soon and I went on to contact Rick about it which eventually led to me travelling twice a week every week down to Edinburgh to train with him at the BB Halls on Edinburgh’s Ferry Rd for years to come.

My journey has taken many paths since then but I recall in the return journey from that first encounter with Guro, my companion had said that he couldn’t ever devote all his life to the arts in the way Inosanto obviously had. I sat quietly in the back and rued out the window thinking that I could. That was 20 years ago and guess what I’m doing still today?

Sifu Marc McFann put me under Guro in 2003. I try to see him at every opportunity possible. I sometimes feel that I know less now than I did before. But that is what I enjoy and indulge in!

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I went running. My ribs hurt with every step, an injury that was preventing my preparation for my 1999 trip to the Inosanto Academy. I put Guro’s image in my head and I carried on, running every day through the pain barrier. I’ve used that trick whenever there has been an excuse not to train, where I’ve come close to giving up.

I have no excuses anymore. I look at Guro and I see someone at one with his life, no conflict, the embodiment of Krishnamurti’s philosophy. He can never show that technique twice in the same manner because he’s there, in the moment and forcing his will on the moment is not JKD. How can I make an excuse now?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I could mention the time in London when he was miked up to a PA system when he went to the toilet or some of the conversations I’ve been fortunate to have over a late meal after training.

The only thing that really comes to mind is when Guro walks up to you in camp and says ‘that is really good’. You know he’s giving you encouragement when you are struggling. When you do something he asks and he goes ‘You can do it that way’ – a polite way of saying that you have done it wrong! We’ve all been there!

However in March 2005, after a training session with Sifu Hartsell which took place on the Friday after the 4 hours of camp material, a group of us were hanging out about to return to the hotel when Guro appeared with Kurt.

Someone handed him a fax and he started reading it. He suddenly exclaimed that he was reading without his glasses and Kurt referred to the fact that he’d just cleared a blockage of energy in his neck. Guro started reading the certificates on the wall and people became quite excited and talked to Kurt.

We all missed Guro opening his office and pulling out some kettle bells. Suddenly he had me out on the mat showing me kettle bell routines for ½ an hour! Sneaky eh!

Note from Dwight Woods: I just had to insert this other photo of Pat because of the look on his face!

Name: Patrick Van Vlasselaer How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

It all happened back in May 1989, when I first met Guro Dan in Speyer (Germany).

On the arrival day, Saturday, I thought I knew already much about Martial Arts (I was already teaching for 5 years at the University) and was curious what else I could learn.

I saw so many students carrying sticks and was wondering what the hell are they doing with sticks? So the first day it was all about Eskrima, followed by Jun Fan gung fu and I knew zip, nada, rien, nikske, nothing...and I thought I knew something...

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

With this encounter and seeing Guro Dan flowing like water, I became humble again, and knew that knowledge is endless. But the charisma of Guro touched me so deeply that he felt like a father , a person who could guide me through life , not only as a 'Martial Arts Father', but also as a 'Spiritual Father'.

He makes me think, feel, express myself and more important... let me be who I am. ‘Til the day of today I am really grateful and honored to have the opportunity of being one of his instructors and being part of his 'family' -organisation.

Through him, I have met so many new people, fellow instructors, many of whom have become friends.

May I end with the words: 'Thank You for crossing my path of life'.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Peter Kwong How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I first met Guru Inosanto at the September 1986 seminar at the Minnesota Kali Group. It was located above the Sawadee Thai Restaurant on Washington Street in Minneapolis.

I came with my Kempo group to attend the seminar. Needless to say, I, along with everyone else, was completely overwhelmed. We were blown away by all the technical information only minutes into the seminar.

I don’t think I remember much of what Peter Kwong, Minnesota we did that weekend. But I knew at that point in time that the arts you embraced are definitely worth looking at more closely. I could only imagine how you felt when Bruce first introduced you to Jun Fan Gung Fu. I joined Rick Faye shortly after that weekend. Under his tutelage, I became one of his instructors in 1994. I was officially admitted to IIMAIA October 1996 achieving level 1 apprentice instructor in Jun Fan Gung Fu and Filipino Martial Arts. I, along with countless individuals worldwide, am grateful to have Guru Dan and Simo Paula in running this top-notch organization.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Guru Inosanto has influenced me in so many ways, it’s impossible to put on paper.

But I think your humbleness has the greatest impact on me. It is very easy to become self-absorbed and conceited with martial arts as a focal point in a person’s life. I see that in many individuals in the martial arts community. But being around people like Sifu Dan, Rick Faye, Francis Fong, Master Chai, etc., I came to realize that martial arts when taught by superior teachers can be a good vehicle to keep oneself grounded.

Another important lesson Guru Dan has taught me is the cultural awareness aspect of the martial arts. We, as a society, must begin to show respect and acceptance of others. Much of the strife and calamity in the world today, I believe, comes from the inability to accept or understand those differences. Guru Dan has taught us to appreciate all arts, no matter where they’re from.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Ray Khan How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I met Guru Dan while training with Sifu Dwight Woods in Miami. When I relocated to Colorado I was certified by Guru Dan when I attended a seminar with my students hosted by my close friend and JKD Instructor Vic Spatola.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

At the age of 70, Guru Dan moves with the speed and agility of a professional athlete. His ability to do this resides in the Ray Khan, Colorado fact that he not only cross-trains in different martial arts systems but also in different fitness systems such as Kettle Bell, Gyrotonics and Yoga.

The physical and mental appreciation that there is a life of hidden treasures within the simplest, most basic movements. Guru Dan's “existence” is his single greatest influence on me and he continues to challenge me to evolve both mentally and physically every day in a variety of ways.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story All of Guru's stories are brilliant and provocative; I love to hear them! My favorites are the ones that illustrate his early training days with Kali and the countless hours he spent stroking the angle one on the tree. I am especially moved by the memories he shares of not appreciating the hidden treasures of keen effort, strength, flexibility, and endurance it took “back in the day” to bend down in a crouched stance all day cutting rice. Movements are the gifts of life. Thank you, Guru, for teaching me that precious lesson!

Name: Ray Parra How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I started training in the martial arts in 1973.

I was going to college and working at an outdoor drive-in movie theater. During that time, what movies do you think were showing? The Bruce Lee movies. That is what sparked my interest as well as that of countless others in the martial arts during that time and still today.

In 1980, I became involved in JKD and Filipino martial arts. I was able to train with Ted Lucaylucay, Tuhon Leo Gaje Jr. and Sifu Larry Hartsell. It was in 1982 at the Big Ray Parra, Texas Springs, Texas instructor camp held by Tuhon Gaje that I met Guro. I recall introducing myself to him and sharing that I had trained under Sifu Hartsell and was an apprentice instructor under Guro Ted Lucaylucay. I remember Guro acknowledging me and commenting how great my instructors were.

The 1982 Big Springs camp was held in December. Guro Dan taught the JKD portion of the camp. I recall watching his trapping in action and noted that it was only a blur. I had no idea what he was doing because it was so fast. Of course, his demonstration in slow motion was well way beyond my full speed action.

During this camp, one of my cherished moments occurred during the beginning of the camp. All the participants were in the auditorium and being welcomed by the Mayor of Big Springs, the ambassador from the Philippines, Tuhon Leo Gaje Jr. and the Playboy centerfold of the year. It was during this time that Guro and Tuhon Gaje put on a most electrifying and memorable display of distance sparring. They were both dressed in authentic Filipino outfits and the blades were glimmering as they were propelled with such procession and amazing speeds. If anyone has not seen that video action, they should because it was truly magical.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

What is Guro’s greatest influence on me? I would think that it is in the way he perceives life. Whether he is teaching a large group or talking one on one. He is always himself and doesn’t need to put on an act to impress anyone.

He is a very humble man who loves teaching as much as he loves his fellow man.

Guro appears to be like a child in that every experience he comes into contact with seems new and exhilarating. He can find excitement and interest in even most mundane things.

As an instructor under Guro, my loyalty is unwavering and I will strive to emulate him in the way that I teach the arts and the way I deal with my fellow man. All I can say is thank you Guro.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite Guro story involves the Gibsons, Steve Elliot, Marc McFann and me.

When we would get together and train under Guro in St Louis, LA. or wherever, we found that Guro had a certain way of saying something that may or may not have a different meaning.

Because of this, we thought we needed to put together a dictionary of Guro’s comments and what we thought they actually mean. Therefore, we came up with the following Guro to English Dictionary: Guro’s Comment: 1. That’s OK too.

2. It can be 3. You can do it that way 4. That’s a good one too 5. That will work 6. Some people do it that way 7. I never saw that one before 8. It has merit 9. OK now I’m going to give you a little energy 10. You should work on your _______ 11. Let me clean that up a little bit for you 12. I did not like that video but I probably didn’t watch it right 13. I’ll let you use your own judgment 14. He’s just following a different path 15. Now I will do it again in slow motion

Real Meaning: You did it wrong but I will accept that.

Yes, it can be but it is not Yes, but that is not the way it is to be done Yeah, but not the one that I asked for But not now it won’t Still not what I want You idiot But not in this situation Watch out you are going to get blasted You really look terrible. Start working harder That looks really sloppy maybe this can help That video was terrible If you screw up it is your own doing He has no direction You still won’t be able to catch it

Name: Ray Yee How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

My name is Ray Yee, I started my martial arts training in the Spring 1980 in Honk Kong, were my uncle, Tang Po Hong (long time student to Wong Shun Leong) introduced me to the arts of Wing Chun Gung Fu and Tai Chi.. When fall came, I returned home to the US where I was then hooked to the martial arts. From 1981 to 1988 tried every type of training that was available to me, not knowing exactly what I liked, I soon knew what didn’t fit with my personality, which Ray Yee, New Mexico was the tradition Chinese and Japanese systems that I tried.

Finally, in the summer of 1988 I met my Mentor, Teacher and life long friend: Christopher Clarke, Sifu Chris knew of the Wing Chun and had showed me some of the basics of the Inosanto Method of Martial Arts, Wow! I was intrigued and wanted to train more. Soon after I attended Sifu Damon Caro’s seminar in Portland, Oregon and soon after gave up all other peruses and began my journey to learning all I could about the Inosanto Method and hope to someday meet and train under the legend. In 1994, I got my dream introduction to Guro Inosanto. I have recently this year been given the honor and privilege of become an Apprentice Instructor under Guro.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

In my time training with Guro Inosanto, the principle and analogies that have made the most difference in my life have been Guro’s examples of sports vs. life or martial arts training.

I have used Sifu's sports analogies with my life, teaching and overall becoming a better martial artist.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite story of Guro Inosanto is the story he has told regarding his first exposure to the Masters and Guros of Filipino Martial Arts. (“How can these guys be any good, they don’t have uniforms, they don’t even have belts?”) Since hearing this story, I always remember to not judge a person by what they wear or what the certificate says, but by their abilities.

Name: Raymond Crow How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I meet Guro Inosanto due to a call I had with Taky Kimura.

I wanted to train in Bruce Lee’s art. He told me he did not teach to the public, but there was a student of Sijo's that did teach his art. His name was Dan Inosanto.

So I meet Sifu Inosanto in 1979 at the Torrance school and begun my training with him. I thought I was on top of the world. I took private lessons and classes at the Torrance school off and on, traveling back and forth from Dallas, Texas.

In 1985, I got my Apprentice Instructor Certificate from Guro Inosanto.

Raymond Crow Texas

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

And the one influence I see is his humanity and I try to have that. I feel very lucky to know him and being a student of his.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story The story is of being a being a bodyguard. It was with Sifu Hartsell. He told us about when they were working for this guy from the Middle East. All at once, they got shot at and Sifu Hartsell grabbed Guro Inosanto down and kept him from getting shot. It was the way Sifu Hartsell told the story.

Name: Richard Amador How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I was training with Dwight Woods in Miami and LaVonne Martin from Sarasota hosted a seminar with Dan Inosanto in 1987. After that, starting in 1989, Dwight hosted a seminar with Dan Inosanto every year. In 1990, I asked Sifu Dan about the instructorship program and he said to keep training hard. I got my Apprentice Instructorship in 1993.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

How can anybody not want to learn as much as they can when you have somebody that wants to teach it so badly?

Richard Amador North Fort Myers, Florida

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story In one of the Miami seminars Sifu Dan comes and he had taken out his back. He was in a lot of pain. Dwight told him that he and I could demo for him. We demo'd part of the Silat portion of the seminar but, Sifu Dan still wanted to teach and demonstrate. I said "Sifu, why don't you just have a seat and tell us what you want to demo and Dwight and I will walk around while you rest your back?" To which he replied "They came to the seminar for me to teach them and I don't want them to feel like I let them down."

Name: Richard Pak Peterson How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

My name is Richard Pak Peterson. I was promoted to Associate Instructor in August of 2005. In 1995, I was fortunate to meet Sifu Inosanto at the South East Conference at Sifu Francis Fong’s School in Atlanta. I was so amazed by his skill and knowledge of Martial Arts. After the seminar I went back to my Hotel and wrote down everything I learned in order not to forget the information. I still have those notes to this day.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Richard Peterson, Washington

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story As a Seattle Police Officer, my primary job is to teach Defensive Tactics at the Washington State Police Academy. As a Captain in the Army Reserves, my responsibility is to teach Urban Combatives to soldiers deploying overseas. All of my teachings are a result of the knowledge given to me by Sifu Inosanto, which also filtrates to me through Sifu Chris Clarke. All the people I teach know that my information comes from the Inosanto Method of training.

I want to thank Sifu Inosanto on the behalf of Washington State Police Officers, Deputies and soldiers from the U.S. Army. You have made us stronger and better able to our job.

No matter what I have accomplished in my lifetime, being a representative of the Inosanto Academy has been the highlight of my Martial Arts career. I am forever thankful of Sifu’s dedication to his students and his way of life.

Happy 70th Birthday Sifu, You’re the best, Richard Peterson Seattle, WA

Name: Richard Kwon How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I do remember as a kid that I always wanted to train with Guro Dan Inosanto. I’ve known about him since I was a kid and watched him in the movie, "game of death" with Sigung Bruce lee. Also of course, I’ve read his books and articles. So as a kid, that was my dream in hopes to know him and learn from his teachings. But, it wasn't 'til later when I turned 25 years old, that I had the chance to finally meet him. But, it was not at the academy, but of all places, a shopping mall. I remember I was in the elevator with my brother, and a buddy of mine, and in came Guro Dan Inosanto. I was totally surprised to see him there. Then he walked out of the elevator. Then I realized that it was sign for me to pursue my childhood dream, and find him and train with him.

Richard Kwon California

So within the next two months or so, I managed to find the academy with a little detective work and there I was. I remember that I was so nervous, that I wasn't sure what I was doing' there. I started training with him in Kali class and I started my Jun Fan Gung Fu class with Sifu Yori. then over the next couple of years, I started training in Muay Thai, Silat, and mixed martial arts, so I can train with Guro Dan more. Then eventually I got promoted into Jun Fan Phase 3 class where from then and now, I train with him almost all of his classes. This all happened between the years 2000 to 2002. In 2003, I received my apprentice instructorship under him. Then I realized my childhood dream came true. So not only do I train with the best, but I got to know him as a person and I have admired his success and most of all, his humbleness. I strive to be able to do the same.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Sifu Dan’s greatest influence on me would have to be that anyone can do anything if they put their heart and mind to it. He made me believe that I can do martial arts even if you are smaller than most people. I'm only 4'9" tall, so he made me feel that I can also accomplish the same goals as others in the martial arts... And finally, his humility made me become a better person and never to take things personally, but rather to just let it go...and move on....

I consider him to be my second father, and I think it is safe to say, that a lot of people do. He has shown us so much and is always willing to help us to improve ourselves; it gave me tremendous inspiration to take myself beyond my limitations.

I just hope that I make him proud of me and that I will be able to continue to carry on his legacy and be able to show people that I train with a legend. He is indeed my hero, if not at least a mentor.

I will always be grateful for his belief in me and my loyalty with him is forever.....

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story then I believe my favorite Dan Inosanto story would have to be is when he asks you to demo a technique whether it's Kali, Silat or Jun Fan and you do something else besides what he really wanted to see and he ends up saying, "Yeah, you can do that". I guess that's my favorite story, it's when he says that to anyone when they do something else besides what he really wants to see.

Name: Rick Faye How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

My Name is Rick Faye and I have been asked to contribute to a group of writings for Sifu/Guro Dan Inosanto. I consider this an honor and I will do my best to express the wonderful influence he has had on my life.

I met Dan Inosanto at a seminar in Chicago. I believe the year was 1979. I had been invited to the seminar by my old training partner Scott Pomeroy. He had seen Mr. Inosanto at the Aspen Martial Arts Academy. I was immediately blown away by the speed and fluidity with which Dan showed the art. I was never a real Bruce Lee fan, but I knew I would follow Dan if I could.

Sifu Inosanto taught a vast curriculum but emphasized the principles behind the art. I was fascinated by the way it all fit together. He Rick Faye, Minnesota was able to tie martial arts together from many different cultures. As seminars became more popular, I was able to follow him all over the country.

At first, it seemed that being 2000 miles away from the Inosanto Academy (then in Torrance) was a deficit in this art. But as time went on, I began to see it could be an advantage in certain ways. We would attend seminars, learn what we could and take it home and do what Sifu told us to do, play with it - work with it - train it. Listening to the principles and applying them, we developed as a small group who enjoyed training and innovating in this art. Guro Inosanto made this art accessible to people who could only follow him in seminars.

Sifu was able to bring this Scandinavian, Midwestern, reserved, student to tears four times.

Once when he gave me permission to teach with an Apprentice instructor's certificate.

Three more times with Associate, Full and Senior Instructor Certificates. What really moved me was that each time, he teared up as well. The last time was bad enough that he could not speak (so my assistant Diana Rathborne actually promoted me to Senior Instructor).

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Guro Inosanto was always hard for me to talk to, only because I hold him in such high esteem. This fact led to a sort of unwritten rule with my group. We always stayed to the back and tried not to bother Mr. Inosanto. I could see that he was besieged with people who just wanted some of his time or to be seen with him. I somehow felt that he had a much more significant role in my life.

Dan showed us the many cultural influences behind the art. These cultures and influences all played a role in this art. I could see that if that was true in martial art it could be true in life.

Guro taught that there was a progression to every part of the art. If you get the progression right, you could develop any type of student.

Sifu, If you are reading this, I am honored beyond measure.

Sifu you have also strengthened my faith. You have shown me that spirituality can have many faces but the heart of it is still the same. The creator has very few messengers as powerful and kind as you.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Sifu was able to guide me to other instructors. He always seemed to have a good idea of what I would find and how it would effect my development.

Dan taught us to see the positive in arts and in people. He was able to take something meaningful from anywhere. In one incident at the Marina Academy (on my honeymoon after I left my bride in San Francisco) a drunken man walked in. He started to yell something about fighting. Because of my job then I went into protective mode. Sifu Inosanto on the other hand said, "Rick - look - he's talking about your base and how to be stable". Dan truly can learn from anyone!

Sifu was at my house playing with my old dog Brandy (a small apricot poodle). As they tugged on a rag and moved across the floor Sifu said "Hey, look at his legs, that's step and slide"!

At another time during a dinner in Minneapolis, a Ninja student went to Dan's place at the table and kneeled next him. As he proceeded to explain about Ninjutsu I was about to escort him out when Dan said "that's probably just what he needs right now" Still another example came when the Ninjutsu teacher in Irvine California was teaching his students to dive and roll over a mid level strike with the stick. Guro whistled his stick on that line and just said, "That would really make you fast".

Time and again, Sifu was able to find the nugget of truth in each system and the positive in each individual.

There have been many myths that have grown around Guro. In '85 or '86 we had some pictures taken at my gym. When they were developed, you clearly saw Sifu's head through the Kris that should have covered it.

There have been stories about conflicts that Guro may have been in. They all grew as they were told. Exaggerated or not, they made us all think.

I remember the day I decided to try this for a living. Guro taught this incredibly violent series of things and then stopped in the middle. He gave a long speech about Love! That this art was about love for mankind and that you need to defend others. That it was about love for country and the duty to defend it. And that it was about love for self and the life the creator gave you.

I knew with that kind of message this art could really help people. Through this art I have had many students come to me and, in private, tell me things such as, "since I started here I have not needed my antidepressants”; "I have quit smoking because of this art;” "I have lost 75 pounds since I started here”;”because of this training I had the confidence to interview for that new job”;”thank you for the opportunity to teach and train here. It's a way I can have a positive effect on people and help out in some way”; "Thank god for all the training we did or I would never have made it through this Cancer treatment.” The days when I have heard these things have been some of the best in my life.

We have all been shown there are two ways to age. You can let it go or continue to be active for most of your life. We are lucky to have been given an art that is this diverse and contains things for all stages of life. This art will keep you mentally and physically active.

Through Sifu Inosanto's example, we have seen that dedication and persistence will serve us all well.

Possibly Sifu's greatest legacy is that he encouraged each of us to choose our own path in this art. Each of us has expressed ourselves differently. In the Physical performance of the art. In the practical application of the art. In the creation of school structures and the general profession of the art. Most importantly in the way we fit it into our lives. That each of us is different is a great credit to Guro Inosanto.

As for me Sifu, you gave me an entire life style. I consider myself lucky to have lived at a time when I could study under you and live this life. Thank you and Happy Birthday I will close with my standard speech to students who have not been to an Inosanto seminar before. I tell them that no matter where you are in the building you can "feel" him enter the gym.

Name: Risto Hietala How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story CONGRATULATIONS FROM FINLAND! The very first time I saw Sifu Dan was around year 2000 and had started my training in WuHsinKuen Academy of Martial Arts in Dallas Texas under Sifu Jon Rister when he took me to my first Sifu Dan’s seminar and it didn’t take long when my eyes were wide open! All those millions of techniques passed by my small brains but it didn’t matter because what I saw was so amazing. So fluent and sophisticated still deadly if needed techniques and how they were executed and how about that information and the knowledge too! Still…so humble and nice that was what stroke me immediately and it still strikes me and I never stop admiring those qualities of Sifu Dan’s character.

Also the last seminar 2005 in Dallas where I was had a nice surprise. Sifu Dan was talking about differences with the different cultures and suddenly he asked that wasn’t this the case between Finland and Sweden too! I had got my apprentice instructor certificate just recently then which had been my dream since that first seminar. So I thought that as we all know how much Sifu Dan loves to learn that maybe he even had studied something about Finland too which shouldn’t surprise me at all??!!

I will always remember when Sifu Dan was talking about the history of different Martial Arts i.e. Kali etc. on that same seminar on year 2000 and since then I have tried to keep on my mind to explore and learn more about the histories of different Martial Arts too.

But anyway to keep it short. I want to congratulate Sifu Dan of his Birthday and wish him the very best! Thank you for everything Sifu Dan! Best Regards, Risto Hietala Finland, Oulu www.wuhsinkuen.com

Name: Rob Lock How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Way back in July 1986 I attended a seminar under Sifu Larry Hartsell at the Finsbury Leisure centre in London. The seminar was hosted by none other than Bobby Breen and there I met Rick Young and Terry Barnett who suggested I sign up for a forthcoming Guru Dan Inosanto seminar, which of course I did!

From then on, I have trained virtually each year under Guru Dan, July in Rob Lock, England London and November in Edinburgh plus twice travelling to Los Angeles to train directly under Guru Dan. When I first met Guru Dan I was blown away by his encyclopedic knowledge of a vast array of Martial Arts and not only that but he had the skills to match everything he talked about that day. But what came through that day and had done every time I train under Guru Dan is his passion for life and learning and his love of people and all cultures. I remember him commenting one day that the practice of Martial Arts should bring people and cultures together and not divide them as we know can often be the case.

Five years ago my Instructor and good friend Erik Paulson did me the great honour of nominating me as an apprentice under Guru Dan Inosanto. My dreams came true when Guru Dan accepted me and I am now going through my associate Instructor level, I try my very best each day to train in and teach the martial Arts in a way that I hope will make Guru Dan proud.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The greatest influence Guru Dan has had on me is helping me see the martial Arts, as a life long area of study that can help one become a better person and hopefully a good role model for children who make up a large percentage of my Academy.

Please tell your favourite Dan Inosanto story My favourite Guru Dan story is I think from an English student who wrote the following in a book I read some years ago. The student in question, if I remember correctly, was a t a Guru Dan seminar under Guru Dan and Larry Harsell. During the lunch break the student was walking towards Guru and caught his attention or so he thought. Guru Dan spoke up "Hi Larry, how do you feel?" The student thought wow! Guru Dan must remember me but was puzzled why Guru Dan had called him Larry!! The student then had a five minute chat with Guru and then happily went on his way.

He happened to turn around that same minute and realised that Guru Dan had been addressing Larry Hartsell and not him when asked "Larry how do you feel?"

I am sure anyone who knows Guru Dan at this point will be thinking "Yes that is Guru Dan all over, not wanting to embarrass the student he continued in the conversation until the student had left ! " This is my favourite story of Guru Dan and I think gives us a real insight into his caring nature.

Name: Ron Kosakowski How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

One day Larry Hartsell was talking about who I am certified under and he brought up Guro Dan’s name and I told him that although I had been training with him since the late 80’s, I didn’t have a certification with him.

Larry was surprised and said he will get me a referral. Simo Paula had contacted me and then sent me papers to fill out and I got my certification in Kali and in JKD with Guro Dan.

Ron (& Gina) Kosakowski Connecticut

More formally, my first experience with Guro Dan all started with seminars in New Jersey back in the late 80’s. Starting then and with every other time I saw him made it more than convincing to me that he is a real martial scientist. I have seen many people as well as myself, wondering if being a martial art extremist is a difficult path to follow. And obviously, we all benefit from his many martial art experiences.

I assume that willingness for Guro Dan to learn the various cultures, the history and the martial art styles, is the reason why the Inosanto Academy Instructors have that mutual humbleness along with the lack of ego with the eagerness to learn martial arts from whoever is around that makes good sense. That, outside of learning various martial art styles, techniques, culture and history, the open mindedness, the humbleness has been and still is a big influence on me.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Speaking of humbleness, I have a picture that I took some years ago of Guro Dan that really expresses what I am referring to. It is a picture of Guro Dan Inosanto in a Purple Belt, Sifu Francis Fong in a White Belt with their Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teacher, Jon Machado. This picture expresses what I have been talking about here. This whole package is what makes me feel very proud to be part of the Inosanto Academy Instructors.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Of course, like every other teenager back in the early 70’s, I was really into the Bruce Lee movies and reading anything on Bruce Lee and his Jeet Kune Do. Not surprisingly, many articles on Bruce Lee or Jeet Kune Do in those days had either a picture of Guro Dan with Bruce Lee and/or Guro Dan showing various possible Jeet Kune Do combinations. There is one particular combination that sticks out in my head that he did in a magazine that I used to bring into play in my point sparring days. I can’t remember which magazine it was…Self Defense or Inside Kung Fu? Anyway, this specific combination happens to be fake high, fake low, fake high with the lead hand right into a sidekick to the mid-section. There was tape on the floor in each picture so it was easy to pick up on how to coordinate the simultaneous hand placement along with the footwork together. And like I said, I had used this combination in point sparring. The first person in point sparring to get three points won the match. I remember beating people using that same combination for two and sometimes three points in a row. I would say that was my long distant first unofficial Jeet Kune Do lesson subliminally from Guro Dan Inosanto.

Name: Roy Harris How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I began my journey in 1981 in Minneapolis, Minnesota under the tutelage of Sifu Rick Faye (A Full Instructor under Sifu Inosanto). When I made my decision to move out to California in 1986, Sifu Rick Faye recommended I train at the world famous Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts.

Well, I ended up moving to San Diego, California.

And unfortunately, the Inosanto Academy was 147 miles north of where I lived. However, because there were no JKD or FMA Academies in San Diego, I chose to make the weekly trek from my home in San Ysidro, California to the Inosanto Academy in Marina del Rey, California.

After several years of training at the academy, and after spending a year training with Sifu privately, I finally became certified under Sifu.

This is one certification that I truly cherish!

Roy Harris, California

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Sifu Inosanto stands out as a humble, "always willing to learn", student of the martial arts! This one aspect of his life has made the greatest influence on my life.

I try to emulate this "willingness to learn" in my own journey. I remain open to new ideas and concepts, and, will often compare and contrast the new ideas against my former training concepts. If I happen to find a new training methods that is better suited for me, or one that is better suited for some of my students, I adopting it.

Here is an example of just that: Several years ago, I made my first trip to the Philippines. While I was there, I got the chance to study an interesting sword training method called "Kalis Ilustrisimo." At the time, I had 18 years of experience in Filipino Martial Arts and had trained with quite a few well-known instructors.

However, I was not ready for the knowledge I was about to receive.

When most of the knowledge I received went against my previous training, I chose to empty my cup and receive all that would be given to me without judging or criticizing it first. I would not have been able to have that mindset had I not been influenced by Sifu!

Sifu Inosanto is truly my inspiration! He is the best example of what it means to be a student!

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite story, one that Sifu has told me several times, is the one where he talks about the very first time he met Bruce Lee. I could listen to this story a thousand times!

Name: Rudy Rogers How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

My name is Rudy Rogers. I am 4th level Associate Instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto and a Level II instructor under my Sifu Rick Faye.

I started training in martial arts when I was 10 years old. My first martial art was Judo. Martial arts were almost a survival mechanism must in the rough inner city of Gary, Indiana where I spent part of my childhood.

My family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1985. Shortly thereafter, I stumbled upon Sifu Rick Faye’s gym The Minnesota Kali Group.

I was enthralled and thrilled to say the least, because not only after my first class did I walk away with something practical that I could use if needed, but the martial curriculum was straight from the late Bruce Lee himself via Guro Dan Inosanto!

Rudy Rogers Minnesota

I knew of Guro Inosanto through studying Bruce Lee’s fighting method and books as well as the movies he has been involved in. I never guessed that I would ever meet him or even belong to his association or even better yet to have him know me by name! I thank Sifu Faye for that.

I have been training with Rick Faye for about 20 years now. I have been an instructor under Guro Dan for about 10 years.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Guro Dan has been and continues to be a very important influence in my life. I cherish deeply the tutelage that I have acquired from one of his top students, Rick Faye. He is inspiring to me in that he has been there and done that so to speak.

I feel that if there is ever a national treasure, Guro Dan is definitely one of them.

He is a lexicon of the martial arts both past and present. We should cherish every moment we have with him and not bicker or needlessly bring up and debate or rehash trivial matters or rivalries that have been settled eons ago.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story At my first seminar in ’93 Guro was demonstrating a single-leg take down to a standing half-crab Achilles lock. When someone from the group smugly asked “Can’t you just roll out of that?” There were audible gasps across the room then silence as Guro Dan asked the poor inquisitive student up to be demoed on.

Guro performed the take down on the guy then switched to the half-crab. The student tried to roll out of it and Guro Dan locked the hold in by performing the sitting version of the half-crab and the guy immediately yelped and frantically tapped out.

Poor dude, I felt embarrassed for him, but guiltily, we all had a good laugh unfortunately at his expense and is a point of humor for those people that witnessed it even to this day. Needless to say, the guy wasn’t at the seminar for the second day.

Name: Salem Assli How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I was a 13 years old French boy and very much involved in gymnastic, when I first saw Bruce Lee. Immediately, I thought to myself, I want to learn his martial arts. I read everything I could find about Bruce Lee and his Jeet Kune Do, determined to learn how to kick like him. I was devastated to find out that he had passed away and perhaps, I will never be able to learn his techniques. One day, I heard that Chuck Norris opened a Salem Assli, California martial arts store in Lille (my hometown). My friend and I went to see what they had. I purchased a pair of focus gloves, and in the corner, there was a pile of American magazines in English. I did not understand a word of it, but could read on the cover of one of them “Dan Inosanto Jeet Kune Do part 2”. I grabbed several issues and started to translate them with the help of a dictionary. I found out that Bruce Lee had many students and even made an instructor. I returned to the stores and bought more issues. In the last issue dedicated to the art of Jeet Kune Do, I learned that Inosanto’s school was name the Kali Academy, and at the end of the magazine, there was a school directory. I immediately focused my attention on the California section and here was the address.

By then, I was a teenager ready to go to the army, which I hated. But we all had to do one year, or two as a conscientious objector. Even so I fell in this category, the idea of spending two years instead of one did not appeal to me, especially since my goal was set already, I will someday go to California to study under Bruce Lee’s number one student.

While in Germany, I looked for someone who spoke English and I asked him to translate a letter that I intended to send to Dan Inosanto. I mailed it from France during permission at the end of 1979. I almost despaired to receive an answer, when exactly a year later, a letter from California arrived at home from the Kali Academy. I jumped so high that I almost hit the ceiling of my parent’s home. Sifu Dan Inosanto is accepting me at a student at the Kali Academy. Nobody believed that I was going to leave France to go to the USA by myself at 19. I worked hard and saved my money, but when I applied for my visa (at that time French citizens had to have a visa for the States), they blindly refused, under the pretext that I did not have any attach in France and maybe I would not come back. In this aspect they were right, but I did not know that yet. I returned to the US Embassy several times but always got turned down. Finally, out of despair that they will ever let me go, I decided to be patient. I then started my own business, had an apartment in the center of Paris, was making good money. I threw away my old passport and got a brand new one with no stamps on it. Nervously I returned 3 years later to the US Embassy just to have them stamp on my passport… a permanent visa. I was ready to go, and made immediately the preparation for this trip. I wrote back to Dan Inosanto, and I even inserted a picture of myself doing a flying jumping kick… wearing the Game Of Death’s yellow track suit ☺ I was really a Bruce Lee fanatic!

I remember that I arrived in Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Day of 1983. It was pouring cats and dogs that evening, and I phone Dan, not knowing that it was a big holiday for American families. The next day, after having spend a night in a hotel in Beverly Hills, I decided to take the bus for Torrance to get as close as possible from the Kali Academy. I phone Dan again, but there was a little problem, I barely spoke any English. I tried to give him the address of the gas station where I was waiting, and he immediately went on his way to pick me up. Two or three hours later, I am still waiting. A little worry, I had the guy at the gas station giving my exact location, I forgot one number, and Dan went all the way to Downtown Los Angeles to look for me, and not finding me, went back home.

Finally, the man arrived, with a big smile and dressed up very casually. I immediately felt the connection. I felt terrible to have wasted his time, but did not know how to express it.

However, his kindness and compassion, made me comfortable. He immediately took me to visit the Kali Academy, and upon entering the school, I felt that I was in the right place. Bruce’s spirit, by this I mean his knowledge and philosophy of the martial arts transpired in this place. That evening there was a tall red hair guy who was trained in boxing by a man who was Rocky Marciano’s sparring partner.

After the tour, Dan Inosanto brought me to his apartment where I stayed with several other students, among them Cass Magda.

Often I had the privileges to have Sifu Dan Inosanto (he was now my Sifu) to pick me up to go train at the Academy. It was a wonderful time, tough, but wonderful. I was training 6 days a week, and learning English at the same time. During my free time, I was at the apartment complex club, playing pool while listening to French songs. I remember Del Pollard telling me while we were playing: “Well I don’t know yet if you will be a good JKD man, but you will definitely be a damn good pool player”.

In 1986, as I was ready to return to France for the first time, Dan and Paula came to my Savate class to wish me good luck on my trip abroad and Sifu Dan gave me my first certification in Jun Fan JKD and the Filipino Martial Arts.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I always felt close mentally to Sifu Dan Inosanto, and at the beginning, I practically only trained in his classes.

I will not speak about his incommensurable talents in the martial arts, because that will be nothing new, unless you were born yesterday.

One thing I like about some humans is their abilities to laugh at everything and particularly the ability to laugh about themselves. Dan Inosanto is one of them, and one of the best examples. He always laughs at his mistakes, and I found this so refreshing.

I feel very lucky to have made the move and quit everything in France for a life in the US near a man that taught me so much, not to say everything in the martial arts. I became a decent technician in Savate, thanks to him, and if many martial arts are on the map, it is thanks to him. Practically every martial artist should recognize his influence, whether it is for the martial art(s) they practice, the equipment they use, or the philosophy that gives them a direction.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story There are so many beautiful anecdotes during these 20 and plus years spend next to this great man, that I would not know where to start.

One day, as I was watching a movie at his house, his wife Paula kindly fixed me some drink and brought some cookies. Later on, Sifu Dan arrived and sat next to me on the sofa after grabbing some cookies he picked up from a nice and shiny package. The cookies were shaped like a bone and he told his wife that they were really tasty. She glanced at the table, grabbed the bag and told him not to eat his dog’s cookies.

Recently he asked me if I watched the movie The Pink Panther with Steve Martin, and that he saw it three times during one of his trip, and he was laughing so hard in the airplane. I told him that I saw it also and I found it very funny too. Then he said to me: “It was funny, but what makes me laugh more than anything is when he was speaking… he reminded me of you”. On my way back home I recalled the conversation and found myself laughing like crazy.

I always like his subtle sense of humor. The man is truly funny, but never too much. I remember one day we were driving in Chinatown, and he had to slow down for an old Chinese lady who was very slowly crossing the road with the help of a cane. He told me that despite the fact that she is walking slow, she was actually an expert in Kung Fu, and that she was known as a famous fighter in Chinatown. I replied that from looking at her like that, one will never guess. About five minutes and seeing my disbelief face, he burst out laughing at me for obviously being so naive.

Throughout the years, Sifu Dan gave me few compliments that I will never take for granted. There is one in particular that will stay with me forever. Sifu Dan was having a conversation with Sifu Rick Faye. I was sitting with both of them, I entered the conversation and gave my opinion which truly surprised Rick who said that he did not know that I had this type of thinking and Sifu Dan replied: “Salem has a very high level of consciousness”. To me it is the ultimate compliment, a compliment that was not given to make me feel good, but simply because he cares, he is very observant and always giving.

Today, he is celebrating his seventieth birthday, and yet, not only he doesn’t look like he is seventy, but he constantly behaves like if he was in his early twenties. He is always thirsty of knowledge, and not just the martial arts, he bites into life from every directions. His interests are broader than anyone might think. I have to say that contrarily to many people including some high-ranking JKD family members, Inosanto truly understand the meaning of Jeet Kune Do. He also understands that you only have the age that you want to give to yourself. Dan Inosanto is a teenager trapped in an adult’s body, and because all of this, I have to say: “Happy Birthday Sifu and see you for the next seventy years”.

Peace, Love Salem Assli Laguna Beach 18 July 2006

Name: Scott Anderson How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

The first time I had any contact with Guro Dan was in 1986. The mid 80"s was in the height of the "Ninja Boom" and I was training at a school associated with Stephen K Hayes. At that time I thought that I had found the only art for me.

Well our school was lucky enough to have the opportunity to bring Guro Dan in for a workshop. I had heard of Guro Dan before, so I was curious to see him.

Guro and Simo Paula came in for a three-hour workshop and by the end I felt as if I hadn't learned anything about Martial Arts. It was Awesome!!

I quickly started training with Pat Finley and Steve Braun in both JKD and Kali. I also began going to every seminar that I could afford with Guro Dan. At all the seminars I attended, Guro would show so much material, that by lunchtime on day 2, my mind would be fried.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

There are many things about Guro that I admire, but one of the things that truly amazes me is his encyclopedic knowledge of various martial arts. Before seminars, I would go through my notes to find areas that were missing or had incomplete parts to the drills. I would bring these questions to Guro. Not one time did Guro ever have to refer to any notes to answer my questions. He would not only know what drill I was talking about, he would go off and give me 8 to 10 more options. I was lucky if I could retain one or two.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story In 1995, I attended my first Pacific Northwest Muay Thai Camp. And to my amazement Guro Dan was there. Here was this world renowned Martial Art Instructor in the field pounding out rounds with everyone else. More amazing is that he has not missed an Oregon Thai Camp since. Guro Dan is truly an amazing individual.

Name: Stephen Bodnar How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I remember the first time I met Sifu Inosanto it was in 1984. I owned and operated a small school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Although I taught traditional martial arts I always included kickboxing and any other material I could fit into my style. I was a fan of Bruce Lee and wished I could have trained with him.

Knowing my interest in Bruce Lee, one of my fellow martial artists found out there was a seminar in North Carolina being given by Bruce’s number one student and I had to be there.

Stephen Bodnar, Pennsylvania

I knew little of Kali /Eskrima although I spent 1 ½ years in the P.I. and I loved weapons. Not only was Sifu Inosanto there but also Larry Hartsell and Francis Fong among others. I was blown away with the material and the time that Sifu spent with me. I continued training with Sifu and became one of the first instructors from Pennsylvania.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The single greatest influence was in Sifu’s attitude toward respect to the masters and his hunger to learn. His speeches on “martial arts is like a library” and “At the end of the day, if you haven’t picked it up, it’s still mine”, really struck home. He illustrated three important things, theory and concepts, the constant shedding and gaining of info and the practicing over and over until its second nature.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story In 1986, we hosted a seminar in Pittsburgh. Chris Kent came with Sifu Inosanto.

Somehow, Manong talked us into having one of the first full-contact stick fighting tournaments in this area. We pitted Team Pittsburgh vs. Team Baltimore and guess who had to anchor at heavyweight?

Never having fought full-contact in the five categories, single and double stick, staff, dagger and empty hand. I was a bit nervous. Manong’s words of advice and wisdom were a lifesaver. He would explain, “do like this’ or “do like that”, “hit here”, “duck there”.

Looking back on the experience it was funny but not so at the time. It went so fast, I never felt the welts until well after the bout. Needless to say we beat Baltimore.

I will always respect and admire Sifu Inosanto for his instruction and his friendship.

Name: Steve Braun How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I first met Guro Dan Inosanto in 1981 when my Sifu, Ray Mar, brought him to Bethesda, Maryland. Ray had been a student of the original Kali Academy in LA. Another person in the area brought Guro to Baltimore a year later and I was hooked. I even got to “uke” for Guro a couple of time!

I went to many east coast seminars over the next few years and asked him about the apprentice program in 1985. Pat Finely, Guro’s first apprentice in the Baltimore-DC area was always talking about moving and I didn’t want our classes to stop if he left the region.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Steve Braun Maryland

Guro has influenced my life in so many ways, but primarily he helped me find a personal path that has developed both my strengths and weaknesses. I am a fulltime high school teacher of special education and I learned more about teaching from my times with Guro than I ever learned in a college class. Guro meets the student wherever they are and builds from there, teaching them the tools they need to continue to grow and improve. The schools across the country would do a much better job if they followed Guro’s teachings.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite Guro story happened in the late 80’s in Pittsburgh. Don Garon was having a combined tournament and seminar. The tourney was on Saturday and the seminar was Sunday. A number of Guro’s apprentices, including myself, did demonstration sparring matches during a break in the tournament Saturday afternoon. As is usual when Don hosts a seminar, he invited all the seminar participants to dinner Saturday night. When we arrived that evening, we were all surprised to see Bruce Leroy there. Bruce Leroy from the “Last Dragon”. Not Taimak, but a guy who had come to Pittsburgh on the bus from New York City. He was wearing the traditional kung-fu outfit with the frog buttons and white, turned back sleeves. And the bamboo “coolie” hat. Straight out of the movie. Well, we all sat down to talk before dinner arrived and Bruce Leroy came right over and sat at the table with Guro and Don, Chris Kent, Guro’s assistant at the time, and a few apprentices. “Who would win in a fight between a ninja and Bruce Lee?”. That’s what he asked. Guro answered in a very “matter of fact” tone, “Well that would depend on the ninja.” He met the student where he was and continued on. What patience and understanding. What a teacher. My teacher.

Name: Steve Grantham How did you come to meet, train with and be certified Dan Inosanto?

I attended my first Sifu Dan seminar in Hilton Head in November of 1989 (Rick McElroy was hosting). I attended the two day seminar, and Sifu Francis Fong was also giving a small 2 hr workshop on Sunday. I couldn’t really follow any of the material at the seminar since I was a Tae Kwon Do guy, but I was completely sold on Kali, Sifu Dan, and Sifu Francis because of that seminar.

This was the seminar where Simo Paula accidentally wrenched Sifu Dan’s elbow in a takedown/disarm (didn’t know enough at the time to see what she was doing). I think he had problems with that elbow for quite a while after that.

The seminar was on a weekend, and I signed up with Sifu Francis the very next week. I trained Kali at his school full time, and visited Sifu Dan’s school at the old, old location on Glencoe several times in the early 90s to train whenever I could. I got my apprentice instructorship in FMA and JKD in 1995, and I was thrilled!

Steve Grantham, Georgia

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Single greatest influence Sifu Dan has had on me? Just the way he is so open to learning anything he can from whoever can show him something. He always trying to put himself in uncomfortable situations (training wise) so increase his learning.

One of reasons I will always be with him though, is something a little simpler. He’s just a really, really good man. In 16-17 years, I have never heard him say anything mean about anyone. Ever.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite story of Guro Dan is something I witnessed one time when Sifu Francis was having a training conference in Atlanta with Master Chai & Sifu Dan. Simo Paula was there, and Erik Paulson was there to help Sifu Dan demo.

Sifu Francis asked me to help drive them to the airport around 5:30 am on Monday, so we get to the hotel and everyone comes down and gets in the car except Erik, who apparently overslept.

Simo Paula goes to get him, and everyone is kind of sitting there yawning, except Sifu Dan, who gets out of the Van, and starts doing a Silat djuru in the hotel driveway. It cracked me up. The man can just never get enough..

Name: Steve Grody How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I was training under the traditional teacher Share K. Lew, but was taken by a senior student to watch a class of Dan's at the old Kali Academy in '79 and immediately saw that they were doing everything I was missing with the classical training, so I made plans to start as soon as I could. I believe it was in '85 that Dan told me he would like me to assist him over at his Marina Del Rey academy, and did so until '92. While at the Marina academy, he put an apprentice under me, and a few years later when there was the possibility of my teaching in Italy, he authorized me to create a ranking and certification system.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Dan's greatest influence on me is as a living example of what Bruce Lee told him: your first loyalty should always be towards your personal truth, and that truth is always evolving. Also, when assisting, to feel his energy and spontaneous moments was truly instructive.

Steve Grody California

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story It's hard to pick a favorite Inosanto story; his wicked humor towards the smallminded; his incisive analysis of various instructors and systems; his perfect analogies that helped make complex ideas clear. But one story that made us laugh was about when he was in Hong Kong and working with some of the Wing Chun group there who very much wanted Dan to understand that Bruce Lee's criticisms of Wing Chun were "wrong" by being rough with Dan in their chi sao with him. Dan being Dan let them do their thing for a while, and then when he felt he had seen what they had, started to ding them up with Kali all the while acting like he was just being clumsy.

Name: Steve Tarani How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

Having trained with Guro Ted Lucaylucay in the early 1980’s, we were in awe that our teacher (Guro Ted) got to train in “the backyard group” with Guro Dan. Great reverence and respect were my first impressions of Guru Dan before we ever met. Guro Ted then introduced me to one of Guro Dan’s instructors Grandmaster Leovigildo M. Giron (then he was known as “Master Leo”).

When I started training up in Stockton, California it was a privilege and an honor to learn Escrima from one of the very same teachers and in the very same neighborhood that Guru Dan had grown up. Grandmaster Giron would take us for walks down to visit “where Danny grew up” and show us “where Danny went to school” and told us the stories of how Guru’s mom used to train in Filipino martial arts. It was incredible to see and hear the real life stories of Guru growing up and training in Stockton.

Steve Tarani California

Then, several years into my training under Grandmaster Giron, he recommended that I “go see Danny”.

So I did. The first time I ever saw Guru was at the University of California in Irvine where it looked like he was performing a laser light show with weapons. He was unbelievable – I had never seen anything like him – he was (and still is) amazing.

After attending a few seminars with Guru in the late 1980’s and joining the academy (at Glencoe) in the early 90’s, Guru moved the Inosanto Academy over to Manchester Ave (1994) where I have been committed full time to this very day (now school moved to Beach Ave).

Because I was a graduate instructor under Master Leo, Guru allowed me into the “instructor’s class” and in those days we were required to become Muay Thai instructors as well as train under other of Guru’s teachers. Later on Guru Introduced me to both Punong Guro Edgar Sulite and Bapak Herman Suwanda – both of whom I remained a loyal and private student until their respective passing.

It was again with great honor and with respect to Guru Dan that I enjoyed the privilege of training under these teachers because if it wasn’t for his personal introduction and recommendations, the training that made possible my current employment would never have occurred.

Basically, I owe my entire lifetime career to Guru Dan. I cannot find the words that can truly and accurately express the level of respect and deep gratitude that I have for the man.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The single and greatest influence that Guru Dan has had on me was inspiration. In my opinion the greatest gift a human being can selflessly give to another human being is inspiration.

Guru Dan is a limitless fountain of inspiration. He’s a veritable walking encyclopedia of knowledge and skill which he uses as a catalyst to motivate and inspire his students.

Personally, he awoke the teacher in me as I see him do to all who come in contact with him. In my humble opinion, we are all students as we are all teachers. His real-to-life personal example of humility, personal encouragement and inspiration are truly the greatest influence that Guru has had on me.

In deep gratitude and respect to him I make every attempt to emulate Guru Dan every day of my life to keep that fire of inspiration burning and to encourage and inspire others in the same way that he continues to encourage and inspire me.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Difficult to pick one as there are many, but it was one of Guru’s seminars in Northern California in the late 1990’s. At the time Joel and LaVonne were with Guru and I was there to assist Guru if needed and attended with my Bahala Na brothers.

Guru would occasionally asked Joel and I to demo a drill. There were close to three hundred students in attendance – this was a huge gym and there was standing room only. Everything was going well, except for one disrespectful guy who kept trying to interrupt Guru while he was teaching and get his attention to watch him do something. It got to be really annoying and Joel and I had to keep shuffling this guy away.

Even at lunch this guy without an ounce of respect kept trying to bug Guru and by now the Bahala Na boys got involved in keeping this guy away from Guru.

But, Guru being Guru, said “No it’s OK, lets see what he’s got” and we all surrounded Guru like an Italian Godfather as this guy grabbed a pair of nunchaku and went out the back door to impress Guru with his moves.

So, Guru gives him the raised eyebrow as he watches the guy start twirling the chucks and suddenly at high speed and without warning the guy cracked himself in the back of his own head with his own clubs so hard that his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he began wobbling on his feet.

Guru, without skipping a beat said “Yes, you can do that…” and went back to teaching.

It was very difficult to control laughter and smiling for the remainder of the seminar.

Name: Steven Mosley How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I have been training in the martial arts since 1979, and have been teaching martial arts/police defensive tactics since 1985. In March of 1997, I attended my first Southeastern Martial Arts Conference at the Francis Fong Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.

This is where I first met the legend Guro Dan Inosanto. As is typical of probably everyone’s first seminar, I was totally overwhelmed. I can honestly say that everyone that I came into contact with during the seminar was extremely helpful, even though I had no clue what I was doing.

Due to work & life commitments, my training under Guro Inosanto was very limited until July of 2002. This was the year that I met my best friend and one of my current instructors, Don Garon. Don is the former owner of Pennsylvania Karate Academy and has been an instructor under Guro Inosanto for over two decades. What a blessing!

Steven Mosley, Georgia

Through Don Garon, I was reintroduced to Filipino Martial Arts and Guro Inosanto.

Many seminars later and with the blessing of my three current instructors, Stephen Grantham (Phoenix Martial Arts Academy), Billy Jack Rucks (One Source Progressive Fighting) and Don Garon, I was awarded my Apprentice Instructor Certificate on October 1, 2005.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

There are many ways that Guro Inosanto has influenced my life, I am sure of that.

Some I realize, others will present themselves when it is time. The single greatest influence that Guro Inosanto has had on me, teaching me to “flow’.

Let me explain, I have experience in combat. I have been a career law enforcement officer for over twenty years. The one thing about combat that is a constant is that it is fluid. When you learn to flow, you learn to transition from one technique to the next until something works.

The one of the biggest problems with most police defensive tactics systems is there is no transition from one technique to the next. When something does not work there is a hesitation. Hesitation can be deadly. Through Guro Dan’s teaching, I am doing my best to educate everyone that will listen about “flow”.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story When you experience a relationship with a living legend, there is no one favorite story. All are personal, and I will cherish all of the stories that I have heard and experienced. When my three-year-old daughter and one-year-old triplet sons get older and can appreciate the stories, I will share each and every one of them. So they too can know the man, Dan Inosanto, my teacher and my friend.

Name: Sule Welch How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

My first introduction to Guro Inosanto was through his books. I was always a Bruce Lee movie fan, until I stumbled on a book by Dan Inosanto “A Guide to Martial Arts Training with Equipment”. I was intrigued by the way Guro catalogued, explained and photographed the various training drills he and Si-Gung Bruce Lee used to train the Jun Fan Gung Fu methods. I bought more of his books and my fascination moved beyond movies to the realities of training.

As I began contemplating a move to attend college, I considered attending UCLA and trying to find a way to learn more about Jun Fan Gung Fu by training at the Inosanto Academy. Unfortunately, I discovered I had neither the time nor money to make that big of a move at that time.

As I began considering schools in the Southeast, I referred to one of Guro’s books, ‘Absorb What is Useful’ where he referenced a man named Francis Fong in Atlanta, GA for his trapping ability and Wing Chun Kung Fu – a base system for JKD. As I searched for more information about Sifu Fong I learned about a training conference taking place in Atlanta featuring Guro, Sifu Fong and Ajarn Chai.

Simply stated, the Southeast Martial Arts Conference changed my life forever.

First, it set me on my journey to study Wing Chun Kung Fu under Sifu Fong exclusively for 5 years (1989-1994).

In 1994, I had to move from Atlanta to Charlotte, NC in 1994 for a job opportunity.

From 1994-1998, I made two trips a year back to Francis Fong Academy to attend every SEMATC. In 1998, I finally found an employment opportunity in Atlanta with a new company.

I immediately re-enrolled as a regular student again at the Francis Fong Martial Arts Academy. I was happy to be home!

After continuing to study and assist at the Francis Fong Academy, I expressed interest to Sifu Fong about my desire to expand my knowledge and apply for an instructorship under Guro in Filipino Martial Art and Jung Fan Gung Fu. Sifu Fong supported my decision and immediately increased my leadership responsibilities at the academy. He also submitted a letter to Guro on my behalf and suggested I write a letter expressing my interest to Guro also.

In 2003 I was honored with my Lakan Guro – Apprentice Level 1 Instructor of Filipino Martial Arts and Apprentice Instructor Level 1 of Jun Fan Gung Fu.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite Guro story takes place in California at the Inosanto academy in March 2005. We had just finished the first half of the Instructor Camp.

During the break Guro comes out onto the mat with a ‘kettle ball.’ I had never seen this thing that looked like a cannon ball with a handle before. As someone who always has a question in his mind and on his lips, I asked him what it was.

Before I knew it, Guro had me hooked! In his natural, subtle, encouraging, and happy (like a kid with a new toy) way Guro also had me doing 100 repetitions of squats and catches with this thing!

Later my Si-Hing Steve Grantham, who was present at the conference and getting good laugh out of the grimace on my face during this impromptu kettle ball demo,

comes over and says with a big smile, “Didn’t you wonder why I slowly stepped behind the mats when he brought that thing out and didn’t say a word? I saw that look in Guro’s eye as soon as you asked him a question about it and I knew you were in for a workout!”

Although I didn’t feel it in my legs immediately for the remainder of the camp, I decided to try a Yoga class that night after the Camp. Big mistake! My legs were shaking like a leaf during the entire class, even when we were standing still.

All I could think about was that smile on Guro’s face while I was doing those 100 reps and of course Si-Hing Steve laughing in the background.

As bad as the pain was the next morning, I still felt good about having that experience with Guro. His enthusiasm for sharing something new with others, always taking an opportunity to train, and always being open to new methods, is an attitude I want to have for the rest of my life.

I truly believe these things along with his sense of playfulness, ability to motivate people and his constant quest for new things are his three greatest assets as a person and instructor. I hope I can be half the instructor he is one day and go for as long as he has with no signs of slowing down.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you That said, the single greatest influence Guro has had on me is, “He inspires me to be the best human being and teacher I can be.”

Name: Suzanne (Luna) Spezzano How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I've been a student at the Inosanto Academy since 1997. When I heard about this collection of favorite Guro Dan stories I took a long look at all my years of training and the influence Guro has had on me.

One particular moment stood out.

My most favorite Guro Dan story is not so much a story but one of those great life lessons he will nonchalantly drop on us in the middle of class.

We were talking about other systems and Guro was telling us how we could learn from everything and everyone. He then said the phrase that I have since repeated more times than I can remember:

Suzanne Spezzano California

"If you want to be the biggest tree in the forest, don't cut all the other trees down, just grow."

Simple and brilliant. That's Guro.

I still can't believe he's 70 years old. He has completely redefined that age.

Happy Birthday Guro and thank you for all that you've given us.

With love and respect, your student for life, Suzanne Spezzano

Name: Thomas Monden How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

My English language is not so good, that I can give you a long story for your gift.

My first Seminar under Guro Dan was in 1989 in Speyer, Germany. It was a great moment for me.

In the first time, I had saw the Jeet Kune Do concepts in original motions.

Since 1989, I was going to each Seminar in Germany, when possible. 5 times, I was in Los Angeles in the Academy and I had get my Apprentice Instructor certificate in October 2005.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The greatest influence from Sifu Dan is the free mind in Dan's Training.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Tim Coleman How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

My first encounter with Guro Dan Inosanto was through a seminar in Princeton, NJ in the fall of 1996. I was not only a newcomer to Jun Fan/JKD, Kali and Silat, but to all martial arts. What I experienced that day exceeded all my expectations.

I was exposed to overwhelming array of techniques and applications. I could barely jot half of them down in my notes, let alone absorb all of it. But, far more valuable than the information presented was the way in which it was conveyed to me by Guro Inosanto.

I was in awe of his incredible skill, his vast knowledge of many cultures and their history, and his ability to teach complex and foreign techniques using familiar methods and language. However, what I found most inspiring were his genuine humility, kindness, and reverence for the arts.

Since my introduction to Guro Inosanto a decade ago, I have sought to train as much as possible in the arts. In doing so, I can say confidently that my entire life has been positively and profoundly affected. I was deeply honored in being accepted for apprentice instructorship just last year. I continue to strive to exemplify the same kind of discipline, dedication, humility, and enthusiasm that Guro Inosanto continues to radiate for all his students. I am blessed to be a part of the Inosanto community, and I have Guro to thank for it.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Name: Tim Tackett How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

In 1967 I saw Bruce Lee demonstrate JKD at Ed Parker’s tournament in Long Beach, Ca and wanted to start studying with him right on the spot, but I soon realized that I would not have enough time until after I finished college. In 1968, I started a Master of Fine Arts program at UCR and no longer had time to teach martial arts full time. So I closed down my school and rented a hall in Redlands two nights a week where I taught what I called Chinese karate as hardly anyone had heard of kung fu let alone Kuo Shu.

Tim Tackett

In 1970 I received my M.F.A. and started teaching drama in high California school. Soon after this my first student, Bob Chapman, and I, on the recommendation of Dan Lee, sought out Dan Inosanto. Dan who had opened up a backyard Jeet Kune Do school after Bruce Lee had closed his L.A. Chinatown school shortly before moving to Hong Kong to star in The Big Boss.

We both felt privileged to be accepted in Dan Inosanto’s backyard class. The class consisted of about 10 students. I got to meet for the first time such JKD luminaries as; Bob Bremer, Dan Lee, Richard Bustillo, Jerry Poteet, and Pete Jacobs. Later Chris Kent, Ted Lucaylucay, and Jeff Imada joined a second class.

In 1973, Dan Inosanto honored me with the rank of Senior First and I was given permission to have a small Jeet Kune Do group. In Dan’s backyard school it was always stressed that JKD was something special. There were certain techniques that Bruce Lee did not want given out outside of what we all felt were a small and special group. Dan told us that Bruce said, “If knowledge is power then why pass it out indiscriminately”.

At the same time I was teaching the principles of JKD and using them as tools to examine the martial arts I had learned up until that time. I found that much of what I had been teaching was not very efficient. For my own personal experience I kept some hsing-I and all of my tai chi for myself, but I had no desire to teach anything but Jeet Kune Do. Since I didn’t want to teach JKD openly I closed the school and moved the senior group to my garage where we’ve been ever since.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

It was his teaching me to look at martial arts in a new way. To really get rid of the nonessential and work on daily decrease.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story One time about 1978, some guy came into the Kali Academy. Dan and I were in the office when he just walked in. He started talking about martial arts in general and how good he was as Dan was going through his file cabinet. He then said that he could probably hit Dan and Dan couldn't do anything about it. Dan still was going through the file cabinet, but the temperature in the room seemed to lower. Dan's voice got very steady and quieter. Even if you know Dan very well you would not have recognized this Dan. His whole attitude changed. Dan just looked at him in the eyes and said in a quiet voice, "Why would you want to do that?" The guy looked at Dan a moment and quickly left without saying a word.

One other time was when he hit himself on the head demonstrating nunchakus at Ed Parker's tournament.

Name: Tim Tokarz How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I began training in the Inosanto method of Jun Fan / JKD and Kali in early 1993 at the age of 23 under the instruction of then ‘Apprentice Instructor’, Ted Georgas (Skokie, Illinois). I had recently graduated college and was looking for a place to continue training, as I had been training in various martial arts for approximately 10 years. I was so excited to find a gym that offered Jeet Kune Do, Kali and Muay Thai.

My commute to the gym was a 2-hour round-trip, but I drove it with zeal. Ted Georgas was (is) an excellent representative for the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts, whose instruction and skills motivated me to eventually become an instructor under Guro Inosanto.

Throughout my youth, I had seen Guro Dan Inosanto in movies as well as in the many martial arts magazines that I had collected since I was a kid. I had always been fascinated with the martial arts, and for me, Guro held a martial art superhero status –similar in the ways that many young kids shooting hoops on playground basketball courts view Michael Jordan here in Chicago.

At one point in the seminar, Guro Dan was lecturing the group, and many of us were sitting on the floor listening and taking notes. As anyone who had ever attended one of Guro’s seminars might notice, he oftentimes focus’ his gaze on one person for a time, while talking to the group. That day, it was me. 30 – 45 seconds seemed like a month. Everything in my peripheral blurred when Guro Inosanto’s eyes locked on me. I have absolutely no idea what the hell he said. I was too busy riding the rush and didn’t hear a word. I felt like a kid, thinking ‘Wow, Dan Inosanto is talking to me!’.

All I could do was nod my head as if I understood - as to not look as dumb as I felt.

Lucky for me, Simo Paula was there and helped fill in the voids - as she always did.

Guro later called my instructors up by name, which only added to the awe of that day for me. Years later, on June 1st, 1996, he called me up by name and granted me the title of Apprentice Instructor.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Since the beginning of my training, Guro/Sifu Dan Inosanto has greatly influenced my life as a martial artist and as a person.

I admire him for his humbleness, his respect for other arts, and his willingness to start from scratch in learning other methods. He’s not afraid to tie on a white belt and jump into something new.

He’s genuine; he wears his heart on his sleeve. I appreciate his kindness and generosity, his sharing of his life’s training and research. I have grown so much as a result of his experiences and years of hard work.

As a seminar student and instructor, I unfortunately have not had the face time that many of Guro’s student-instructors have had. Often times when I see him, he is usually surrounded and has little breathing room to himself – so I try to give him his space. Today, however, seems a great day to kiss a little ass and say that I (sadly) haven’t really taken the opportunity to tell Guro how much his commitment to training and research, selfless sharing, and genuineness of character have been a role model to me – as I’m sure it has to all of his students.

Name: Thomas “Tom� Macaluso How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I started in JKD and Kali though Neil Cauliffe. I read an article that talked about JKD/Kali and showed people sparring in WEKAF gear. I met Guro Dan in his first NYC seminar and after that I was driven to learn as much as possible

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Guro Dan has influenced me by his example , by continuously training and researching constantly trying to improve himself

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Thomas Macaluso New York

My favorite Guro Dan story is after his first NYC seminar. My friend Andy who was training Shotokan karate asked him some questions about a karate Kata. I didn't really expect him to answer (not knowing Guro at the time.)

Not only did he answer, but Guro amazed us at the knowledge he had of an art that he doesn't really teach.

I was also in awe of the fact that he was so approachable and easy to talk to!

Name: Toshiro Yamada How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

My best friend from Japan told me it's very worthwhile to have instructorship under Guru Dan and which is very true.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

You know what; I just feel his peaceful energy. That's what I got influenced from him.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story In Thai camp, I had a chance to do light sparring with him. IN THAI CAMP, guess what he did to me? Biu gee, biu gee, biu gee, oou tek over and over again in front of Ajarn ‘Chai.

Name: Tracey Mannon How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

My first exposure to Guro Dan Inosanto was at Don Garon's Pennsylvania Karate Academy, where I was a student. Don Garon highly recommended that we attend the seminar.

I remember being totally amazed, astonished, and inspired by Guro's talent, but most of all was impressed by his kindness. At the time, I Tracey Mannon, was a rank beginner, and he still was nice enough to take some time to personally help my training partner and me.

Georgia

I became close friends with Lani Mustin, a student and instructor under Guro Dan. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to train and travel with Lani so that we could attend additional seminars of Guro Dan's outside of Pittsburgh.

I eventually moved to Atlanta to assist Sifu Francis Fong at his Academy. Sifu Fong recommended me to Guro Dan for instructor certification in 2004.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The SINGLE greatest influence Guro Dan has had on me: My first Thai camp was in the year 2000, and the training was very intense. Guro Dan trained right alongside us, and he was such a huge inspiration and motivation to me at the camp.

Whenever I was tired, I would watch him training and I knew that I couldn't give up and that I had to keep going. I would learn so much just by watching his form and technique.

So whenever I am tired and think about slacking in my training, I think about his dedication and discipline and it provides me with all of the inspiration I need.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story It’s not my story ‘cause I wasn’t there but I heard there was a really funny story between Salem Assli and Guro Dan about Egypt and a Jeep.

Also, there was the time at Thai camp when Michele Thompson pulled him up to dance one of the Indian dances and he pulled off the “Ram Muay 3-Step”.

I hesitate to talk about this one ‘cause I don’t want to embarrass him and you know he hates to call people by the wrong name. But he’s called me “Stacy” so many times instead of “Tracey”, that I’m thinking of changing my name!

Name: Tsuyoshi Abe How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

My training in Jeet Kune Do started in Seattle, Washington with Taky Kimura. I trained with him for over four years from 1985 to 1989. In 1988, I heard that Dan Inosanto was going to be teaching at a seminar in Grants Pass, Oregon. So my training partner and I went to see him there.

As a result of that trip, I decided that I was going to move to Los Angeles. I had already finished three years of college in Seattle and now had to finish four years of college somewhere else. New York was too far and too expensive so I would have moved to LA anyhow. Meeting Sifu Dan just helped me to decide faster.

My training at the Inosanto Academy was a twenty hours per week, five days a week love affair. Through Taky’s recommendation I was immediately able to train in Sifu Dan’s Phase 3 classes, but I also trained with Tim Cordoza in the Phase 1 and Kali classes. I had JKD experience but I didn’t know much about the Filipino martial arts.

One day, Simo Paula called me into the office and asked me if I wanted to be an instructor. I said, “Sure, someday” and she gave me a hug and said, “Welcome aboard”. But I didn’t get my certificate for maybe another 9 months. In 1993, I believe, I got my Associate Instructorship and started traveling with Sifu Dan for seminars.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Sifu’s greatest influence on me is his humility and his “always be a student” mentality. When you know something, sometimes you can become cocky. Well, he knows so much but he would never behave that way.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story There are so many stories but as I was telling Jeff (Imada), I can’t think of any one that’s my favorite.

There was the time when we took 24 hours and 6 plane rides to get to a seminar in Canada. Somehow, we ended up in Saint John’s New Brunswick instead of St. John’s, Newfoundland or was it the other way around?

There was also the time when our bags didn’t make it to the seminar city until Sunday, so Guro and I had to buy new underwear.

Or the time when we were traveling and he must have been really hungry or tired or both and I saw him eat six burgers!

Name: Vic Spatola My experiences with a legend in martial arts and one of the kindest men I know.

How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I was first introduced to Guru Dan Inosanto by my long time instructor, Lavonne Martin. We attended a Southeast Martial Arts Conference with Sifu Dan, Sifu Francis Fong and Ajarn Chai. To give some background to this story, I had been training in Okinawan Karate and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu with Sensei Martin for the last two and half years and I was now experimenting with some different martial arts. So I decided to go with my instructor to this seminar. Now this was my first experience training with Guru Dan Vic Spatola, Colorado and with Sifu Francis, (I had attended a Thai Boxing workshop with Ajarn Chai previously), so I was completely unprepared for the 2 days that came.

I started with an eager attitude and an open mind. I ended with a headache and a look that was similar to a cow staring at a passing train in amazement!

I was floored to learn there were that many ways to break an arm! I was inspired, impressed and profoundly moved by this Filipino man and what he was capable of doing physically. I began training in JKD, Kali and Silat under Guru Dan and eventually moved out to California to train with him at the Inosanto Academy.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I then learned how great this man was not only as a source of historical knowledge, but as a human being. I have seen Guru Dan give money to anyone who needed it, help people in need and sponsor people for citizenship. I think the only thing that exceeds Dan Inosanto's knowledge surrounding the martial arts is his compassion for his fellow man.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Now for the funny story! My favorite story about Guru is when he and I went to the Thai Boxing Camp in Oregon. For those of you who do not know, Guru is not exactly an outdoors type of person. He actually has allergies to wood, sunshine, clean air and trees. So there we are after a grueling day of Thai Boxing with Ajarn Chai and we're driving back to the hotel at night through the pitch-black Oregon woods. I was driving and Guru was in the passenger seat. We come around a bend and two small black bears and a bigger black bear run across the road.

Guru looks up as I hit the brakes and slow down and says "Vic, look out for the dogs!" After a small giggle I tell him what they were, to which he responds, "You're kidding me! Right? There are bears in these woods?". For the rest of that trip I kept Guru on his toes by telling him that there was a bear around every corner.

Name: Vince Perez-Mazzola How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

It was in 1987 that I first met Sifu Dan Inosanto. I had actually spent the previous summer training in Los Angles at the Marina Del Rey Academy with other legends such as Larry Hartsell, Ted Lucaylucay, and others. Sifu was busy with seminars, so I never got to see him face-to face until a year or so later. It was a cold day in a Maryland Suburb.

At the time, I was attending the George Washington University and was an active member of the campus Kali/Jun fan Club ran by Guro Stephen Braun and Pat Findlay. We were attending a Guru Dan Seminar, one of many to follow, being hosted at a local Tae Kwon Do School.

Two years after, after completing my degree, I traveled back to Los Angels, and re-entered the Inosanto Academy as a full-fledged member in 1989. I passed my Thai Boxing test in ’91, received my teaching certificates in FMA, Jun fan and the Madjapahit Arts a few years later. I even have had the privilege of becoming a Staff Instructor teaching Kali, Silat and Muay Thai at the Academy.

What is the single greatest Influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

It is difficult to choose a moment in time when Sifu Dan influenced me the most. His kindness wisdom and generosity touched so many of us. As a student of both the “old” Marina Del Rey School and the new larger facility, I was privy to many “closed door” classes in which Guro would speak about training, life, history and of his many instructors.

Though combat and combat training are physical endeavors, Sifu would constantly place emphasis on the historical and cultural aspects of the arts he was himself exploring and the concepts which he was exposing to us.

As a younger man, my adventurous side found me away from the Academy as much as in it. These absences, though personally illuminating, sometimes felt like a betrayal of sorts.

I would travel to parts unknown, train with other instructors, and just simply NOT be there at the Academy.

For years, and to this day, I sometimes feel like the “black sheep” of the family, but Guro has never treated me as such. In fact, I am proud to this day to receive jovial greetings from the man who taught me so much, and to receive praise and recommendations from the Academy for teaching in my area of the world.

Sifu Dan once pulled me aside and told me how he felt, and that my absences were a good thing and that they exposed to me more than just the Academy, but to other training, systems and cultures.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story At that Maryland seminar training commenced with basic single stick drills from the Largo Mano, Giron method. Within minutes, it was clear that even the basics were far beyond most of those in attendance. Well, all except us.

So without hesitation, Sifu broke out the focus mitts and began teaching basic boxing. With a slight smile he came over to our group as we jabbed, crossed, hooked and uppercutted.

His manner was warming and made us feel like “insiders”, which in essence we were, being that we actually know the subject matter at hand.

At one point he came up to me and complimented my boxing skills. Like a star struck kid, all I could do when he asked me where I had learned to box, was point, slack-jawed and speechless at my instructor Stephen. It is one of the few times in my life that I, “big mouth Vince” has even been struck speechless. We finished the seminar and again Sifu approached me. We talked about my having been to the Academy and my plans for after school. I asked him then and there if I could be student, directly under him.

Name: Xiang Jing Yao How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

I first read about Guro Dan Inosanto in many Bruce Lee magazines in 1970’s, and I saw Guro Dan in the movie ‘Game of Death’ when it came to Japan. I read the magazines and watched the movie again and again, but as a kid who loved Bruce Lee’s movies, Guro Dan was always a sideman of Sijo Bruce Lee. In Japan, Bruce Lee was well known as a celebrity, but not much information on JKD as martial arts was available in 1970’s and 1980’s. My parents also feared that I would get injuries, and I was not allowed to do any martial arts training. In 1995, I found a gym and finally started my training of JKD in Osaka, Japan.

Xiang Jing Yao New Jersey/Pennsylvania

In 1996, I moved from Japan to Baltimore MD and was surprised that many people were taking JKD lessons. I saw a flyer of the North-East Conference in Cortland NY in 1997, and took a 10-hr greyhound bus trip (that time I did not know how to drive). That was the first time I saw Guro Dan in person.

I was so happy and thrilled that I could see him in my life. Guro’s demo was eyeopening and marvelous; I could not believe what I was watching. During the conference, Guro did one or two drills with me, which I felt so honored. I still remember his kindness and patience in doing drills with a beginner like me.

In 2003, I was lucky to be certified as an apprentice instructor under Guro Dan. I still feel nervous every time I say hi to Guro (like a child who had a chance to talk with his/her idol or a star) or do something in front of him, but Guro has always been friendly, encouraging and understanding. I always feel I am fortunate to be able to one of Guro’s students.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The more I see Guro Dan at his seminars, my respect to Guro has grown. I have been impressed by not only his wonderful skills or vast knowledge, but his personality, humility and love towards martial arts.

I am also touched by Guro’s dedication to Sijo Bruce Lee as his friend. Now, Guro Dan means more than a sideman of Bruce Lee and means a lot in my life. Guro has been so inspiring in any respects.

I always admire Guro Dan’s humbleness. I hear many people criticize others, and it is easy to be critical to others. However, respect to others is one of the most important things and I try to be humble and open my mind.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story I was not sure what you meant by my first demo with Guro Dan. Actually my first drill with Guro Dan was not a demo. During North-East conference, the masters (Guro Dan, Ajarn Chai and Sifu Fong) were walking around during the time of drill

exercise. When I was switching a partner, he walked by and paired with me for one drill. I was surprised because I did not expect any grand master would join the group for drills. He was very friendly and nice.

Now I find him training as same as regular students in TBA Oregon camps and he practices harder than anyone in the camp. I also remember a drill of Krabi-Krabong in one TBA Oregon camp. There was a random battle simulation during the KrabiKrabong practice, and I happened to run into Guro Dan. Even though he was a Guro, he let me attack him and said “Good!� to me.

Aside from training, I remember a group dinner with Guro Dan, Ajarn Chai and Sifu Fong in a restaurant in Atlanta at the South-East conference at Sifu Fong’s school.

The three sat next to each other. They were so cute when they looked at the menu with glasses on at the same time, ordered the same menu (salmon teriyaki, I think).

And of course, the dish came at the same time, and they started to eat the same menu together at the same time. It was very nice to watch these three masters hanging out together.

Additional Well-Wishers

Name: Lexis Aragon (age 13) How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I train under my Sifu Dwight Woods and I remember he told me about his Sifu. So I was curious and asked if I could meet him one day.

He said, “Sure” and I then asked, “How?” That’s when I found out that Sigung Dan had been coming to Miami every year for a long time.

Since then I’ve been to two seminars and plan to continue going every year.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

The greatest influence Sigung Dan has had on me it that even though he is almost 70 years old he can do everything from Kali to Jun Fan to takedowns (my favorite) to grappling. And I’m only 13 and by the time I get to the takedowns, I’m ready to pass out!

But to tell you the truth, it’s just an honor being in the same room as him because that’s like as close as you can get to Bruce Lee.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story

Lexis Aragon Miami, Florida

Wow! Now that’s a hard one because I like so many. I would have to say it’s the one that Guro Dan went home from his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class and was trying to show his wife what he had learned but she wouldn’t let him and just kept poking him in the eyes and he was just like a little kid saying, “Okay, I won’t show you”, but then she told him, “Okay, okay show me!”

Name: Marivel Izquierdo How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

Never having had any martial art training I started in the UMAA Fitness kickboxing program then graduated to Muay Thai and finally, JKD. The more I was exposed to all these arts the more I wanted to learn. Then at last, June of 2000, my first seminar with Guru Inosanto! It was amazing. I thank Sifu Dwight for exposing me and all the students at UMAA to Guru Inosanto, not just a great legend but also a wonderful human being.

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Marivel Izquierdo Miami, Florida

The single greatest influence he has had on me is observing this legend who trained with Bruce Lee, who has been all over the world, been in movies, is a great instructor, etc. Guru is the most humble human being I have ever met. Every time I am in his presence, his kindness and humility remind me how it should be.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story My favorite Inosanto story is walking through Fry’s Outpost(?) in Atlanta and looking for a new briefcase. Here I was shopping with THE MAN and he was asking me for help on what to purchase.

Name: Orestes Sampson How did you come to meet and train with Dan Inosanto?

I met Guru Dan Inosanto at the annual Miami seminar in 2000, two years after I started training JKD with my instructor Sifu Dwight Woods..

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

I would say one of Daniel Inosanto’s biggest influences on me has Orestes Sampson been consistency. The Miami, Florida man has done things throughout the years that in some ways seem supernatural. At the point and time we are now in, in the martial art community, and the intense request for his knowledge and time, Guru Dan Inosanto is a great example of consistency. I have always seen him as a person who has a level of understanding and commitment to anything he decides to undergo.

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story In 2003, I went to the 13th annual Pacific Northwest Muay Thai camp in Oregon with my instructor. At the camp there was a section of training that was just shadow boxing. Sifu Dwight and I were right next to each other in a big group of students and instructors. In between rounds Sifu Troy from Orlando asked Sifu Dwight to demo a jumping, spinning, outside crescent kick. As Sifu Dwight walked over to Sifu Troy I did the kick in back of him. Sifu Troy saw the kick and told Sifu Dwight “not to worry, he just did it behind you.” We all looked at each other, laughed, and went right back into training. It was not a big deal at the time.

Later that evening, Guru Dan walked up to me and said that he saw me doing the jumping kick earlier that day, and that it looked pretty good. I said thank you and moved on to other conversation. It may not seem like much, but the way he reacted helped me along the way. You see, it was the first time Guru Dan had actually given me a thumbs up on a technique, as I hadn’t very much time under my belt with him. Him complimenting me then was even more significant as it was the first time I’d done that kick in years and it was not part of the camps activities.

Most of the techniques we were training were a little closer to the ground and I even wondered if by doing it I would get a set of push-ups.

In my first moment of messing around, Guru Dan sees me and tells me it was a pretty good-looking kick. To this day, I still think about that. I was inspired to do better and try harder due to his words and his actions. I saw him training as long as everybody else and he was always the loudest one with the most energy. When a person like this gives a word of praise, you must do nothing but accept. The rest of the camp I kicked my butt off.

Name: Peter Newton How did you come to meet, train with and be certified by Dan Inosanto?

What is the single greatest influence Dan Inosanto has had on you?

Please tell your favorite Dan Inosanto story Guru, The reason why I started training in Combative Sports is you; in 1983, you were interviewed in 2 episodes of BBC Way of the Warrior and I was a teenager with no knowledge of martial arts. JKD\Kali since that time has been my inspiration and home looking after me during the bad times and pushing me forward during the good times. I would like to say thank you for inspiring me to train then and every time I train with you since that moment.

Thank You Peter Newton