Q: Can you tell us more about the Styles you have studied?

Absolutely.  Here is a brief overview of each style and a brief excerpt describing the art. It may be a bit lengthy but it will provide a some comprehensive review. Each excerpt was taken from its respective website.  I really don’t like to type.

Systema: There is a reason why Russian Martial Art is called Systema. It is a complete set of concepts and training components that enhance one’s life. In this case, acquiring the martial art skill is a way to improve the function of all seven physiological systems of the body and all three levels of human abilities the physical, the psychological and the spiritual.

The key principle of the Russian Systema is non-destruction. The goal is to make sure that your training and your attitudes do no damage to the body or the psyche of you or your partners. Systema is designed to create, build and strengthen your body, your psyche, your family and your country.

The Russian warriors acquired a style that combined strong spirit with extremely innovative and versatile tactics that were at the same time practical, deadly, and effective against any type of enemy under any circumstances. The style was natural and free while having no strict rules, rigid structure or limitations (except for moral ones). All tactics were based on instinctive reactions, individual strengths and characteristics, specifically designed for fast learning. The training covers all aspects of combat: hand-to-hand, ground fighting, defense against weapons (chain, knife, stick, gun, etc), multiple assailants, handgun tactics, anti-surveillance, fighting in water, defense and survival in and around your car and much more.  For a complete overview click here

Systema has another name “poznai sebia” or “Know Yourself”. What does it really mean to Understand Yourself? It is not just to know what your strengths and weaknesses are, that is good but fairly superficial. Training in Russian Martial Art is one of the sure ways to see the full extent of our limitations – to see how proud and weak we really are. Systema allows us to gain the true strength of spirit that comes from humility and clarity in seeing the purpose of our life.

As the roots of the Russian Systema are in the Russian Orthodox Christian faith, the belief is that everything that happens to us, good or bad, has only one ultimate purpose. That is to create the best possible conditions for each person to understand himself. Proper training in the Russian Systema carries the same objective – to put every participant into the best possible setting for him to realize as much about himself as he is able to handle at any given moment.

Nami Ryu: The Samurai of ancient Japan developed sophisticated techniques of personal combat and strategy. By adapting and applying ancient lessons we learn to find harmony in our modern lives. The ability to remain calm under pressure, to face ones fears with strength, to have clarity in the midst of confusion, and to surmount obstacles with grace; these things all add to the quality of our lives. In this art there is no differentiation between attack and defense; they are treated as opposite sides of the same coin. There is attack in every defense and defense in every attack. This frequently leads to techniques where one movement takes the place of what would be two or more movements in other arts. After learning how to fall and roll properly students progress to throwing joint locking and a variety of other unarmed techniques including ground grappling and striking with hand and foot. After demonstrating suitable proficiency, students may progress to the practice of sword arts and other weapon-based disciplines. For more information click here

Aikido: Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido is often translated as “the Way of unifying (with) life energy”or as “the Way of harmonious spirit.” Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.

Aikido is primarily a grappling art in which attacks are neutralized with various types of throws or joint locks. Aikido techniques are intended to be implemented after first blending with the motion of the attacker, so that the defender may redirect the attacker’s momentum without directly opposing it, thus using minimum effort. An easy way to view Aikido is the techniques rely on the use of body-physics to redirect an attackers aggression.  Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu and various other samurai influences. For more info click here

Krav Maga: is an Israeli military hand-to-hand combat system, which assumes no mercy and emphasizes maximum threat neutralization in a “real life” context. In some countries is often taught as a civilian self defense methodology. These “watered down classes” exclude numerous lethal or forceful techniques taught in a military or police context, due to legal ramifications. In Krav Maga, there are no rules and no distinction in training for men and women. It is not a sport, and there are no specific uniforms, attire or competitions. All the techniques focus on maximum efficiency in real-life conditions. Krav Maga generally assumes a no quarter (show mercy/ disambiguation) situation. The attacks and defenses are intended for potentially lethal threat situations, and aim to neutralize these and escape via maximum pain or damage to opponents, as rapidly and safely as possible. Crippling attacks to vulnerable body parts, including groin and eye strikes, head butts, and other efficient and potentially brutal attacks, improvised use of any objects available, and maximizing personal safety in a fight, are emphasized. Click here for more information

Judo: meaning “gentle way”, is a modern Japanese martial art and sport, originating in Japan during the late nineteenth century. Its most visible component are competitive tournaments where the object is to either throw one’s opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue an opponent with a grappling maneuver, joint lock or by applying a choke. Judo teaches the principle of flexibility in the application of technique. This flexibility really means the efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the performance of throws and other related skills. Skill, technique and timing, rather than the use of brute strength, are the essential ingredients for success in Judo.

American Kenpo: was founded by Ed Parker in the mid 1950’s. It is known as an American martial art. The art is identifiable by traditional karate techniques applied s in rapid-fire succession intended to overwhelm an opponent. American Kenpo is heavily influenced by Chinese arts and other martial arts found in the cultural melting pot of Hawaii. Other Kenpo techniques incorporate modifications to boxing and judo techniques.

Jiu-Jitsu: translated as “art or science of softness”, Jujutsu is a Japanese martial art consisting primarily of grappling techniques- although the actually term in modern Japanese is all encompassing one, meaning the true definition of Jujitsu defines all the aspects of martial arts(ground, weapons, strikes, armed and unarmed combat, etc). Most people equate it to the ground fighting aspect, which is true but not technically correct. The style evolved among the samurai of feudal Japan as a method for dispatching (killing) an armed and armored opponent in situations where the use of weapons was impractical or forbidden. Due to the difficulty of dispatching an armored opponent with striking techniques, the most efficient methods for neutralizing an enemy took the form of pins, joint locks, and throws. These techniques were developed around the principle of using an attacker’s energy against him, rather than directly opposing it, over time the style became known as Jujitsu

Advanced Handgun:  I have received training from various SWAT officers (active duty) Navy SEALs and active duty Military Personnel.  I frequent a National Guard Base to hone my skills.

Slightly Esoteric: Including all of the above I have also received training in anti-carjacking, blindfolded combat, improvised weaponry, terrorist detection, multiple attackers and wilderness survival.