I have studied several aspects of the martial arts for well over 15 years. For the most part, the arts I have studied have origins in Japan. These arts are divided into two distict divisions: the budo and the bujutsu. The arts of the budo (karate-do, judo, aikido, etc..) were designed as a means of spiritual and physical perfection. Budo arts require continuous training and striving to live a certain way of life. These arts stemmed from the more deadly, military arts, the bujutsu (jujutsu, aikijutsu, etc..). I found that I took to the arts of bujutsu moreso than the budo. I found them to be more practical in my own life. I am in no way trying to influence others in this direction. Each person must choose his or her own path and take responsibility for themselves.

So just what is my style? I prefer to say that I have no one style and use no one particular art. I do not believe that any one style of martial arts offers all the answers. I believe a good martial artist is an eclectic one. Artists such as Bruce Lee, Ron Van Clief, and Kim Soo, whose eclectic arts have paved the way for more hybrid arts to emerge into the mainstream of martial arts. A martial artist with a broad base, well-versed in techniques from several arts in the best.

So, again, just what is my style? I would say that my style is practical self-defense. My background is diverse and I have studied many arts. I hold a red sash in Siu Lum Kung Fu. A Cantonese style that uses numerous hand motions, usually to cover sudden, devastating kicks. This art has roots in the Chinese Shaolin Temple.

I hold a blue belt in Jujutsu (the art of suppleness) and an orange belt in Aikijutsu (art of harmony). Aikijutsu has origins in 12th Century Japan and uses coordination to blend your strategy into your opponents'. By doing this, one can gain complete and total control over a situation. This is done with joint manipulation, pressure points, and body redirection. Jujutsu grew out of Aikijutsu sometime in the late 17th Century in Japan. Jujutsu techniques include kicking, throwing, choking, joint locking and holding. The famous Gracie family of Brazil has made a name for themselves marketing their own unique form of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (different spelling). I have bought many of their instruction manuals and videos and have attended a few seminars. All I can say is WOW! These guys are the real thing. They have worked out almost every scenario and attack. They are truly master grapplers.

To round it all off, I am a freestyle wrestler as well. Since I have been without a formal instructor for some time now, I do much of my training on my own. I read a lot of instruction manuals and watch many training videos. Without being a member of a formal school, I will probably never excel in rank, yet my knowledge and experience will continue to grow. After all, the belt is not the essence of the artist. A true practitioner knows no style and cares not for ranks. The martial arts are an essence of one's inner self to be utilized for self-expression. I look forward to sharing techniques and learning from others and hope that the readers of this page will do so as well. As always, I welcome any criticism or ideas.

To learn more about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Brazil click on the link below.