October, 2003

Hello Everyone,

October has been such an event filled month. First off, we had our trip to the East Coast Modern Farang Mu Sul® group. Everyone converged for a great time. From Long Island we had Inst. Anthony Spataro, Inst. Joseph Spataro, Inst. Robert Hudson (who is moving to Michigan in 2 weeks) and Inst. Mike Iannone. On Manhattan there is Inst. Ken Gibson (who is an original black belt of Inst. Schleeter from Hollister) and Inst. Patrick Brennan. Also, Inst. Michael Nickels from Hershey, PA. came over to join in on the activities. Last but not least, Inst. Patrick Schleeter from Hollister, CA. was on hand to teach, train and have some fun too.

We had several black belt review sessions, group classes, as well as seminars and even some sightseeing and "playtime". What a blast. On our last day we did color belt award ceremony, IDSC membership and special awards ceremonies. This was truly one of the highlights.

For the seminars, we had two training sessions. The first was Combative Knife Fighting. The students were somewhat surprised when they were all told to change out of their martial arts uniforms, and get back into "civvies". Realistic, common, street like training was the emphasis. The main aspects of knife handling were covered, as well as angles, footwork, partner drills (jab-check drills, intercept-redirect, large/small circle drills, etc), knife fighters mentality, "the 5 Golden Rules", accessing the blade (from various places and positions). A complete series of technique examples illustrating the previous concepts, and many spontaneous sessions where un-cooperation was encouraged. Training covered both fixed blades and folders. This included drawing and clearing the sheath before actual blade application. Also covered were fighting folders, using our Functional Training Folders. Real time drawing and moving into battery was quite eye opening to say the least. Especially once more pressure was put on by the "attacker". In the end, everything that could go down, ....went down. Stand up encounters, empty hand defense, falling on the ground (by accident and on purpose), and so on. What a total blast, and wonderful learning experience.

The second session was focused on Combative Grappling. Survival, NOT sport was the theme here. We dissected everything, and played devil's advocate, and did constant counters, and counter for counters for each move, starting from the first contact engagement, to the clinch, take downs, and ground work (including escapes). Then we wrapped up the seminar with our now patented "Speed Grappling" sessions. In the end, all came away with fresh ideas, and the desire to explore more. Mission Accomplished!

For more pictures of the East Coast Visit, click HERE

Also on the agenda this month was our annual visit to "The Gathering" in Sacramento, CA. For those who have been living in a cave these last few years, The Gathering is huge seminar where not only many talented and famous masters come together to teach and share their knowledge, but each and every event is a page in history. This because, the event organizer Hanshi Bruce Juchnik manages to bring together not only a spectrum of awesome masters for all styles, but he is responsible for bringing in and honoring many, many, "high masters", original founders of systems, inheritors of systems, and such. I'm talking "old school". What makes this event both awesome and to a degree sad, is that we lose maybe one or two of these masters each year. I still have VERY warm and fond memories of sharing quality time with B.F. Lau, and the following year, he was gone.
It is with great honor and pride that I support this great event every year and represent our system, Modern Farang Mu Sul®. This year was a little more fun for me, as I was not scheduled to teach on Saturday. This didn't mean that I did NOT teach, just not formally. Moreover, I got to join the black belt group as just another student, and worked with all the masters that taught that day. Too much fun. I also got to spend some quality time with two of my favorite martial artists in the world, Guru George Santana, and Shihan Pat Kelly. These are two of the most TALENTED masters you would ever meet, and yet the most humble and down to earth. We have been friends for quite some time, and the last couple of years have been too busy to have some fun training. Guru Santana finally helped me with transitioning hands on our triple trap drill, and of course double weapons (he is THE BEST with double weapons....bar none...). Shihan Kelly helped me with opponent positioning, footwork and timing. Trust me he is magic at this. Thank you so much, this is why we are brothers. I also got to play with several other "usual suspects" such as Shihan Mike Burton, Prof. Don Jordan, Soke Harris Warren, GM Sam Kuoha and another of my favorite masters in the world, Grand Master Glen Abrascy. He is just a powerhouse with both empty hand and weapons. He gave me HUGE compliments on my blade work......I'm humbled....I was quite embarrassed when I kept receiving accolades for our knife work from so many masters that I respect, especially from the Cabales and Presas escrimadors.....Wow, wow, wow....I don't know what to say, other than I'm glad that we had the chance to hang out and exchange knowledge. Trust me, I was watching them all VERY closely and got a few good tips too. But, you know what? That is what this is all about. Sharing knowledge, wisdom and true brotherhood.

For more pictures of the Gathering, click HERE

Inst. Terry King, Inst. John Stenson, as well as Thomas and Brandon (my sons) joined me on this visit. Thank you so much you guys. We also did a great demo. Surprise.....we demonstrated knife work (empty hand vs. knife, and knife vs..knife). During our Sunday teaching session we also introduced the black belts to our deadly Tiger Claw Knife material. They loved it. Too much fun. We also did a great children's class. It was fun for me because I rarely get the chance to teach kids anymore. So that was fun.
Dinner, good drinks, good cigars, good company, ...war stories...what could be better? We had a blast. I can't wait for next year, which is slated to be held in Portland, OR......We're there.

OK, that's all for now. With brotherhood,

Kuk Sa – De Alba

Modern Farang Mu Sul® World HQ – SF

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