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Fortunately, for me
one of Bruce Lee's many legacies was to exposes the martial arts to
the west. As a boy I would sit in wide eyed amazement as I watched
the Saturday matinee Kung Fu Theater and Kung Fu the series. I
dreamed of one day being able to perform the incredible feats
portrayed by the martial arts actors of old. Little did I realize my
journey to become a martial artist had already begun. I was
introduced to the martial arts by my fathers Bando instructor Lazlo
Balogh. It was the 70's and everyone was Kung Fu Fighting. Including
me. Although I was far to young to accurately remember my training.
This brief introduction would form a foundation that would come to
fulfill a Childs dream. Many years later my journey through the
martial arts would come full circle. As I returned to my Bando
roots. This time I studied Bando under Istevan Balogh Lazlo's
younger brother. It was during this time I can across a joint
seminar conducted by Guro Inosanto and Dr. Gyi the Balogh's teachers
and Founder of the American Bando Association. I couldn't pass up
the opportunity to train with and meet the man I heard so much
about. Upon meeting Dr Gyi I introduced myself, I told to him I was currently training
Bando under Istavan Balogh and for the past several years, I had
been studying Filipino
Martial Arts and J.K.D under Guro Inosanto. Before I could ask for his
opinion. He looked at me and said.
“Don’t drive a Dump-Truck when you can drive a Mercedes". Shortly after
that I decided to dedicate my full attention to certifying in the
Inosanto curriculum. Life and the martial arts have may paths to
choose from. Only those who posses true integrity can lead us in the
right direction. My mother was supportive of my quest to become a
martial artist. So, in the early 80's I did what I consider the tour
spending a year here and a year there unfortunately nothing seemed
to fit.Until, the day I meet Sensei Chuck Poliacek. Sensei Poliacek
was a Chartiers Valley teacher who just happened to live close by.In
1985,he formed a small training
group consisting of myself, a couple of my friends, and his training
partner Bill Scott a Black Belt from Nam's Tang So Do. Later, Paul
Dang a Black Belt from Young Bother Tae Kwon Do joined our group.
Prior to starting the group Sensei Poliacek spent two years at Don Garons Pennsylvania Karate Academy and was currently studying at ATS
Karate, a system that focused on Shotokan Karate-Kobudo,
Self-Defense, and Sport Competition Karate. Over the next six years
Sensei encouraged us to seek and share our knowledge. In his words
"what good is knowledge if you don't pass it on" So, we would meet
and train. Sometimes Mr. Scott would work on Tang So Do other times
Mr. Dang taught Tae Kwoon Do, and from time to time Sensei would
invite other instructors over to train and share their knowledge.
Although, I have had the privilege of studying directly under some
of the worlds finest martial artist. No format for learning,
teaching, or training, can compare to the purity of martial arts
shared during those years. To my benefit, Sensei Poliacek
continued to evolve as a martial artist. He began training under Hanshi Capella, (Goshin Jutsu), Sarota Sensei (Shiezen Batto Do),
John Hamilton Sensei, and others. Gradually, our training
focused on the study of Budo, the Martial Arts of Japan, and
Bushido, the way of the Samurai. In time, Sensei Poliacek
would become the founder of The Bushi-Ryu System of Martial Arts. A
system comprised of Karate, Kenjutsu, Kobudo, and Jujutsu. Those
early years formed a foundation of martial arts knowledge I still
use today. They also exposed me some of the areas elite martial
artist. Including John Hamilton. I first meet
Hamilton Sensei at a clinic he conducted on Tanto-Jutstu. Hamilton
Sensei is the finest Traditional Martial Artist I have ever trained
under. Hamilton Sensei possesses tremendous skill, and knowledge,
with Masters Rank in both Shorin-Ryu Karate-Kobujutsu, and
Tenshin-Ryu Kenjutsu, he is the embodiment of a modern day Samurai.
For sometime I attended clinics conducted by Hamilton Sensei. Then
one day a twist of fate would bring me to study directly under him.To this day, the depth of understanding he posses about the true
essence of his arts continues to define my perception of the
validity and effectiveness of the traditional arts. He showed me the
traditional arts in a way I did not think possible. I discovered the
problem with the traditional arts is not the art, It is the
instructors truly limited understanding of how the art is used in
combat. Their lack of interactive training, focus on air drills, and
Kata without exposing the students to the application of the
techniques found within the Art. It was then I realized training in
the arts of old could mean the students life or death. This is the
traditional approach to training. As he once told me. "Practice does
not make perfect, practice makes permanent, imperfect practice makes
imperfect technique, practice perfectly." Hamilton Sensei is a true
warrior. From him I discover the "True Art" for combat or holistic
wellness. In
1991,I met Dave McDonnell Dave was a black belt in Nejad Kenpo,
currently training under Don Garon in Okinawa Kenpo, Kali Escrima,
Muay Thai, and Jeet Kune Do. For a couple of years Dave and I
exchanged knowledge. Through this exchange, I became familiar with
some basic techniques of Kali and Jun Fan. Then one day he invited
me to the Inosanto Seminar.
Sifu Inosanto
was the individual appointed by Bruce Lee to carry on his
system. For many years, Sifu Inosanto was Bruce’s student,
training partner, and friend. Today, he is recognized by many as the
worlds leading authority on JKD and the Filipino Martial Arts. There
is no denying the tremendous effect Bruce Lee had on the martial
arts, his contribution continues to stand the test of time. The art
and philosophy of Bruce Lee has affected nearly ever aspect of the
arts. From American Sport Karate, Kickboxing, to MMA all developed
because of Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee may have exposed the art to
the world to the word but Sifu Inosanto brought it to the world.
Through his seminars, he has directly affected more martial artist
than any one in history.
After, attending my first seminar I was hooked. The wealth of
knowledge Sifu Inosanto possessed was remarkable. I marveled as this
man went from one art to the next seemingly having an endless supply
of knowledge, an early training partner of mine and I
would sometimes joke saying we should go find ourselves a Mister
Miyagi. A representation of the seemingly all-knowing instructor.
That day in Sifu Inosanto I found mine. Except there was one
problem. His school was in California. So, I did the next best
thing. I began training
with one of his affiliated Instructor, Don Garon. Interestingly, Mr.
Garon was Sensei Poliacek first instructor. Amazing how life at
times leads us back to the beginning. Shortly after I started
training under Mr. Garon, I was in a car accident. During my
recovery Mr. Garon’s guidance, knowledge, and support helped me to
overcome many obstacles. Mr. Garon started, as I did, in the
traditional arts studying a couple of different styles until he
eventually acquired a high level Dan Rank in Okinawa Kenpo-Kobudo
under Master Seikichi Odo. A skilled sport karate competitor,
undefeated in 21 full-contact kickboxing bouts, Mr.Garon is an
instructor in Kali Escrima, and J.K.D under Sifu Inosanto, certified
in Muay Thai under ‘Ajarn” Chai, and an internationally recognized
police trainer, currently working for the TSA. When I joined PKA,
Mr. Garon said knowing my rather extensive background "You have a
good base".I wasn’t quite sure what he meant, but I was going to
find out. At the time, PKA had nearly 300 students in one location.
Making it the most successful professional martial arts school in
this area. This was because of Mr. Garon’s approach, of being a
martial artist that runs a business, not a businessman that runs a
martial arts school. Through PKA's seminars students and instructors
were exposed to some of the most respected and knowledgeable martial
artist in the world. Including
"Ajarn” Chai,
founder of the Thai Boxing
Association of the U.S.A. Thai Boxing is one of the most devastating and powerful arts in the
world, and "Ajarn" Chi is, in my opinion, it's finest instructor. My introduction to Muay
Thai went something like this. Remember, I already trained for quite some
time. About 15 seconds into the first round I was hit with a round kick. My leg felt like it was going to fall off. Before I even new it,
I got hit with a foot jab. With the wind knocked out of me, I flew across
the floor trying to regain my balance. I fell through Mr. Garon’s office
door and slammed into his desk finishing my journey some 15-feet from where I
started. Now on the floor, I thought to myself "only a base".
Guro Cass Magda
was another instructor. A world-renowned instructor recognized by many as one of
the top Kali-Escrima, Pentjak Silat, and JKD Instructors. Getting his
start at the Inosanto Academy. Guro Cass Magda has since gone on to
become one of, if not, the most, knowledgeable Silat instructors in
the world. In this new world he was a blast from the past. He is what I would
consider a traditionalist, believing that ones journey through the martial
arts should not be and endless quest to acquire more knowledge.
Instead, "the true
journey is in discovering the depth of ones art", so one can fully understanding the principle upon which the art is based.
Mr. Garon also
brought in
Erik Paulson
Former World Light Heavyweight Shoot Wrestling Champion. Erik Paulson is an
encyclopedia of submissions and fighting techniques. He is without question the most knowledgeable MMA instructor
in the world. Mr. Garon provided me the opportunity to train under some of
the best martial artist in the world. Including himself. Once again, it was time for my
training to take a rather interesting turn. As you may recall. Sensei Poliacek started a PKA.
During his time there, he trained with a man called “Sarge” Edwards. Sarge
also had his own small training group. One member was
Eric
Hibler.
Eric applied everything to fighting. Learn it, then apply it. Eric possesses a wealth
of knowledge in stand-up, ground, and martial conditioning. I remember one
of my first classes with Hib. We were working on kickboxing. After a
few minutes he looked at me and said, ok, you know Muay Thai but this is
how Muay Thai, "works." He then proceeded to hit me almost at will.
Everything was the ability to make it “work” in a
real fight. Eric has a very special perception of martial arts,
and a unique gift for brining out the best in the people he trains. For over
six years I was
proud to call him my instructor, training partner, and friend.
Finally, To all of my instructors then and know. Thank You! In the words of Sensei Poliacek, what good
is all this if you don’t pass it on. Thank you for passing your knowledge on to me. The martial arts is a never ending journey with many roads all leading to
the same destination, as you travel the path, there will be times you may find yourself back at the beginning you may even become lost or discouraged along the
way, when you do "Shut up and Train." Sensei Poliacek was once asked the question. "How do you get a Black Belt?" Sensei simple replied, "Show up and
Train. As a young boy I marvel at martial artist like Bruce Lee. Today I can trace my martial arts family tree directly back to Sifu Bruce and
The Tao of
Jeet Kune Do. The Tao of Jeet Kune Do is in part a means of self discovery. A tool for all those that seek the truth. Through my journey I have discovered
that as you travel the path you will learn the art, if you explore it, you may one day understand it, when you do, you will find, there is no art, there is
only the artist. Training in the martial arts is about commitment to achieving ones goals. From young to old success in life or lack of it, is most often
determined not by our talents but by our determination. Our commitment to overcome the obstacles we face and achieve the goals we have set, will determine
what and who we will become. This is the first and most important of all martial arts lesson. For when this is practiced it can make a Childs dreams become an
adults reality. Enjoy your journey
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