November, 2006

With the Christmas holidays' right around the corner, we have so many plans for Modern Farang Mu Sul® that still need to be accomplished. We don't want to get too stressed, and surely not side tracked. So we'll just take them one step at a time. We have lots of FMS news from around the globe. Here are some updates:

FMS - WHQ: We were very happy to have a series of special black belt training sessions here at WHQ. Recently, Inst. Beth Matulich and Inst. Earl Boyd came up from Hollister to join Inst. Terry King, Inst. Kim Leith, Inst. Stuart McCalla and myself for some great training sessions. We focused on black belt testing requirements and worked on tons of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Dan material. We took advantage of the nice weather and decided to do some outdoor training at one of my favorite spots in Golden Gate Park. Nothing like training outdoors. What a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

We mainly worked on several weapons including knife, middle sticks, double middle sticks, sword, dan bong, staff and even got in some serious 3 section staff work as well. I shared one of my secrets for learning the very difficult to handle 3 section staff with Inst. King (who is currently learning the 3 section staff form, drills and techniques) which is: Wearing head gear and shin pads while learning the main basics. Trust me, this little tip will help identify mistakes in a much more forgiving manner and replace them with well earned and strongly engrained proper fundamentals. The mere fact that you have protection allows you to commit to your technique and not be hesitant (that's the killer!). Too much fun! Keep up the good work you guys. I had an awesome time going over lots of fundamentals, training drills, short forms, long forms and especially the self defense applications. During one of our training sessions in Golden Gate Park we discovered a "lucky dragon" looking over us in the trees above our heads. Actually it was one of the branches that was broken in a recent storm. That was so cool.

As you may know, Inst. Beth Matulich will be traveling to Puerto Rico with me for the 31st FMS black belt testing. She has missed the few tests, and is not going to let anything get in her way this time around. Well, after these latest work outs, I'm happy to say that Beth looks pretty much ready, and it will be my honor to take part in that test. I can hardly wait.

Farang!

Also, all of you FMS 3rd Dans will be happy to hear that we have finished the first supplemental training tape for 3rd Dan. This Volume number one, will focus on all of the forms for that level. It is very crucial for us at WHQ to provide as many training aids for all of our FMS students as possible. Hence our written manuals, videos and DVD's. This is very exciting indeed.

(Pics: 1- Kuk Sa Nim works with Inst. King on 3 section staff fundamentals, 2- A well protected Inst. King enjoys a light moment with Kuk Sa Nim, 3- Group shot at Golden Gate Park, 4- Our "good luck dragon" that watched over our training)

FMS Germany: Asst. Inst. Markus Höhne and the FMS group in Winterberg and Fredeburg are planning a seminar with Master Klaus Wachsmann next month. While there, they are planning on having color belt testing. Sounds like loads of fun. Good work you guys. It is all of your hard work that is now responsible for spreading Modern Farang Mu Sul® all over Germany.

FMS Puerto Rico : Well, the next trip to Puerto Rico for our annual open FMS seminar, special training and the 31st FMS black belt test is just around the corner. The test will be held at our FMS Puerto Rico main branch dojang in Arecibo. We thought that Master Dennis Vega and maybe one or two of the black belts were going to be taking the FMS re-certification test, but now it looks like there will be much more. There are approximately 6 - 8 students from Puerto Rico testing. And to make this test that much more special, Inst. Beth Matulich will be presenting her 2nd Dan test there as well. Wow, this is so exciting. I am so happy and honored to preside over this momentous occasion.

FMS Portugal: Inst. Nelson Pinto and the FMS Portugal group had a few special trainings this month. While up in the North of Portugal with Asst. Inst. Sergio Anes and the FMS Bragança crew, Inst. Pinto along with Vera and Tiago Soares did a unique Military Training workshop for several members of the Technical Police and Prison Guards of Bragança in Portugal. They did lots of CQC / CQB, special weapons and tactics. Included in the sessions were firearm retention, and firearm defense techniques. Awesome job Sir. It is very important to show why FMS is so applicable and useful for today's modern warriors.

(Pictures: 1- Inst. Pinto and Vera enjoy a dinner at the parents home of Asst. Inst. Sergio Anes, 2- Constancio works finishing moves, 3- Tiago Soares helps with control techniques, 4- Group shot: Tiago, Vera, Inst. Pinto and Sergio, 5- Inst. Pinto teaching weapon retention, 6- Inst. Pinto demonstrates hand gun disarms, 7- Group shot after seminar, 8- Celebration dinner)

FMS - Poland : Inst. Katarzyna Klepczyk and the FMS group in Poland are planning to have Master Wachsmann out for another one of his great seminars. They are also planning special training sessions for the students and black belt testing preparation. That sounds fantastic, keep up the good work everyone. I look forward to seeing you all next year in Europe.

FMS - Hollister : The 3rd Annual Faultline Warrior Classic is now in the history books, and we can mark it as a tremendous success. All of the good feelings of friendship, sportsmanship, trust, love and brotherhood that exemplify our FMS tournaments, were in abundance. There was plenty of action in so many categories.

Our empty hand forms, weapon forms, stand up sparring and grappling, breaking and sport Jujitsu provided plenty of excitement, and as usual, some of the hottest action came in the under belt divisions.

But, this year we added two new categories that generated lots of “wows” and cheering from the crowd. They were American Style Rules Full Contact Kick Boxing (No knee shots or leg kicks), and International / Muay Thai Rules Kick Boxing (With knee shots and leg kicks). Trust me, the brave fighters from Master Schleeter’s, GM Navarro’s, Sifu Reys, and Inst. Saindon’s camps were up for the challenge and provided a rock’em - sock’em time. Great job everyone.

As was to be expected, the stick fighting and knife fighting divisions were also action packed, as was the Sport Jujitsu divisions. What an awesome display of grace, skill and guts. The breaking and grappling divisions were also very cool to watch. Actually, I can’t think of any division that was not exciting. It just seemed like there was excitement everywhere you turned.

This was such a smoothly run and very pleasant tournament if I do say so myself. It seems like we are getting better and better at promoting and running them every year. Kudos to Master Schleeter and the FMS Hollister crew for excellent pre-planning, coordinating, the beautiful trophies, and especially for having the latest UFC ready for us at the after party celebration. Thank you to Inst. Earl Boyd, Inst. Beth Matulich, Inst. Larry Saindon, Inst. Nicole Miller, Inst. Matt Wagner, Inst. Dylan Hamilton, Inst. Terry King, Inst. Joseph Gumina, Inst. Jim Staley and Inst. Stuart McCalla for all of your incredible work and support. Also great big thanks to all of the FMS parents and family, for your tremendous help, support and assistance. We could not have made it without you all. Also, our endless gratitude to GM Rubi Navarro, Sifu Thomas and all the Navarro’s family for all of your support. We ARE family.

As mentioned before, we had the latest UFC waiting for us at Master Schleeter’s house, where Inst. Boyd worked his magic on the BBQ again, and Scott Miller created an amazing spaghetti dinner. YUM! It was so fun watching the great UFC action, culminating with Georges St. Piere beating Matt Huges for the UFC welterweight belt (Congrats GSP). What a completely wonderful time.

Also, as is our custom, we had our FMS black belt camp the next day, and this was also another one for the history books. What a fun time. We worked on staff, sword, knife and middle sticks, techniques and forms. Too much fun.

So, once again thank you to all our FMS family and extended family and friends for allowing us to have another excuse to share good times, train hard, bond, sweat and do what we do best: Share our special FMS brotherhood.

FARANG!!!

(Pics: 1- Faultline Warrior Classic Kick Boxers, 2- FMS Black Belts, 3- FMS Black Belt Camp - Hollister, Ca.)

For More Pictures of the Faultline Warrior Classic, Click HERE

FMS Mt. Shasta: After all the hard work and success of the Mt. Shasta film festival, Asst. Inst. Jeff Winters and his lovely wife Danielle went on a much needed vacation. Their destinations were Lisbon, Portugal and then Fez, Morocco. Wow, what an adventure. I would think after that, they are going to need a vacation from their vacation. Glad to hear that they had such a wonderful time. It was well deserved. Farang!

Other News: It looks like France will have some unexpected exposure to Modern Farang Mu Sul® as several students will be relocating there. From Portugal, Asst. Inst. Canta Dimitru and Patrick Esteves, and from Germany, Asst. Inst. Markus Höhne will be spending several months there on work related training. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity to hook up and join forces for some good training and getting the word out in France. Take advantage everyone!

Birthday News: We are happy to announce the birthdays of our FMS Black Belts from all over the world, so all of you students will know exactly when you can show your gratitude and celebrate with your teachers. FMS Black Belt Birthdays for this month:

This month of November will be: Inst. Cassie Van Doren Nov -10th, Inst. Wyatt Kern Nov -16th, Inst. Katarzyna Klepczyk Nov -17th, Master Klaus Wachsmann Nov -24th and Inst. Patrick Brennan Nov -25th.

Next month of December will be: Inst. Ken Gibson Dec -02nd, Inst. Innocencio Molina Dec -06th, Inst. Amalio Jimenez Dec -15th and Inst. Stuart McCalla Dec -17th.

Farang!!!

That's all for now. With brotherhood,

Kuk Sa – De Alba

Modern Farang Mu Sul® World HQ – SF

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