| I’ve Studied some of the EASTERN and WESTERN Martial Arts. I began studying in 1965, continuing to the present and what I’ve lacked in natural talent (and I don’t claim any), I’ve made up for in longevity. The Martial Arts that I’ve studied are; (WESTERN) Boxing, Wrestling, Sport Fencing (all 3 weapons), (EASTERN) Judo/Jujitsu, Karate/Tae Kwon Do, Hopkido and Arnis/Eskrima (in that order). I’ve Studied with Prof. Wally Jay (Small Circle Jujitsu) from Sept. 1974 until his retirement. I was a regular student in his classes at the home dojo (not a seminar student) and still practice SCJ. Since 2003 I’ve Studied Modern Arnis as a student attending the regular San Pablo (now Richmond), CA Sat. classes of Dr. Remy P. Presas (son of GM Remy A. Presas) (who’s innovative methods remind me of Prof. Wally Jay).  I occasionally teach Self-defense, Jujitsu, Sport Fencing, Modern Arnis and Amma Massage. My main massage instructors have been Prof. Sig Kufferath, Bernice Jay, Jack Carter and lesser known but just as good Jujitsu-Prof. Rudy Aguilar. There have been many other friends and acquaintances who have shared their knowledge and skills with me over the years. I’m a “Leo” and was born in “The Year Of The Tiger”. My Martial Arts experience began as a form of self-defense (raised in a rough neighborhood in Oakland, CA, no father at home, the older of two boys. I had no one to stick up for me, but I was expected to protect my younger brother and boxing came along “it was ideal”). Self-defense unexpectedly became a hobby (I wasn’t a winner and didn’t like being hit, so I gave up boxing in 1968 and found fencing). Fencing had romance, I’d read a lot of adventure books featuring sword-play and thrilled to the swashbuckler movies. Unfortunately I didn’t become a hero, but I stuck with fencing and got fairly good. In ’72 (while trying to be Batman without the cape and cowl) as a juvenile counselor needing to restrain kids (boys, hell-bent on taking a piece out of my or someone else’s hide), judo/jujitsu instruction was offered by a really great guy named Joe Watson Sr. who instructed me for the next two and a half years. I’ve found that over the years martial arts has taken on a life of its own (I didn’t become a Superhero, Warrior or Warrior-monk. I’ve enjoyed practicing and instructing as a hobby). Because of my involvement with the martial arts, fencing and massage, I’ve made a great many friends. Some of these friends have even adopted me into their families. Most of them are there willing to be supportive and help me when I have had need of them. As a student of Prof. Wally Jay I’ve had access to many of the popular big names in martial arts. It was a lucky break that I met Prof. Jay, I didn’t know who he was at the time I started his classes. I also didn’t realize how well known and great Prof. Sig Kufferath or Prof. Jack Carter was when I started studying with them. I didn’t have a plan I just pursued a hobby and was very lucky. And the luck continues with the likes of Prof. Rudy Aguilar and Dr. Remy Presas Jr. Ranks I hold: (1) 3rd Black Belt with Jujitsu America (2) 6th Black Belt with Small Circle Jujitsu, Prof. Wally Jay gave me one of his own black belts in 1999 (the only thing I might call a trophy in martial arts) (3) Senior Instructor-7th Lakan (Black Belt) in The Presas Family Modern Arnis from the MARPPIO organization. Instructor certificate with Jujitsu America in Jujitsu and Senior Massage Instructor. Permission to teach Jujitsu From Prof. Wally Jay, Permission to teach Modern Arnis from Dr. Remy P. Presas and a Massage Instructor certificate from Prof. Jack Carter. UNOFFICIALLY; a self-defense instructor since 1978, including teaching self-defense at a local Community College, Community groups and individuals and a sport fencing instructor since 1983. What I mean by “unofficial” is that I didn’t have any group or organization to sanction me, but I found a void that needed filling and was fortunate enough to find support and be successful filling it. |