The passing of knowledge from one generation to another generation has been a tried and true philosophy, especially in the martial arts.  For the record, I am not one of those people who trains under highly skilled instructors only to confiscate and repackage the knowledge they gave freely to me; for my own personal gain.  I am very grateful and forever indebted for their time, efforts and teaching they have instilled in my life.  In this article I will take the time to recognize the major influences to pay homage and respect for the gifts they have given so many people.  The instructors presented will be in chronological order and a brief description of the influence they have had on me.

	Sensei Utada (7th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido, AANA President and Chief Instructor) was my first real martial arts instructor.  I started training with him in the early 1980’s.   He was instrumental in shaping my views of the martial arts.  Being small in stature he taught me that strength is not everything and that the proper use of body physics and mechanics can being almost anyone to their knees.  After studying with him for several years I was asked to open my own dojo (much to my surprise)- a request that I was honored to receive and started me on my path of teaching other students.  I am very thankful that he saw something in me and had enough belief in a guy that did not believe in himself enough to take on such a task.  Running your own dojo and following in your instructors steps is not the easiest of things.  Thank you Sensei Utada and Osu!
	Don Angier Soke Yanagi-Ryu Aiki Bugei is one of the foremost teachers and practitioners of ancient samurai arts in the world and has become one of the greatest influences in my martial arts career.  Angier Sensei is the one that introduced me to principle based not technical based movements.  I’ve discovered that by applying principles as opposed to techniques a whole other world becomes available.  Don Angier is one of the most in demand practitioners in the world. Although Don recently entered into (semi) retirement I am still influenced by his teachings today.
	James Williams Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho.  I met James some time ago and began training with him for several reasons- the two main ones being he is one of Don Angier’s student and he has a deep and profound understand of combat in all its various forms.  If I am ever to achieve a small percentage of the knowledge he possesses I will be a very fortunate individual.  Outside of the martial arts realm James is currently very involved in training activity duty military and police forces.  Some of the people he has trained include: US Marine Force Recon, US Army Special Operations, US Navy Special Warfare, SWAT, COPEX, International Police Units and various other similar institutions.  In a nutshell, he is “red, white and blue all the way through…”  I have a very high respect for James and have the privilege of training with him several times a year.
	Vladimir Vasiliev is the Chief Instructor for all North American Systema Schools.  In recent times I have migrated from the traditional Japanese arts into studying more combat based styles.  At the suggestion of James Williams I began to study the Russian Martial Art known as Systema.  Vladimir is the top student of General Mikhail Ryabko.  Vladimir has served has a background in the Russian military and years of extensive service with the Special Operations Unit. He also served as trainer for elite units, SWAT teams, and bodyguards.  Watching Vladimir in motion is frankly awesome.  His fluidity and relaxation embodies Systema.
	Mikhail Ryabko General of Special Operations Unit with the Russian Military, Chief Instructor of Tactical  Training for the Emergency Response Team, Advisor to Minister of Justice of Russia of MVD.  Mikhail entered Spetnaz (Russian Special Forces) at the age of fifteen. He has been a tactical commander of hostage-rescue teams, counter-terrorist operations, and armed criminal neutralization. Mikhail resides in Moscow, holds the rank of Colonel and serves as a Special Advisor to the Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation. He continues to train his many students as the Master Teacher of Systema. He has authored a textbook on Tactics of Special Operations. He has been in numerous military campaigns and holds many government medals and awards.  Mikhail embodies pure power. When you watch him in action your tendency is to think what he is doing is phony- when the exact opposite is true.  Systema (like Nami Ryu) is a subtle art which means just because you don’t see something that does not mean that “it” is not there.  The power of Systema is not readily visible to the naked eye.  It is only when you feel what a skilled practitioner is capable of do you gain a high degree of respect for the art.
	Kevin Secours (on right) Modern Kempo Jujitsu and Systema.  Early in his training, he earned a 1st degree black belt in Akai RyuJujitsu and full instructorship in Five Animal Shaolin Chuanshu. His continuing studies included experimentation with the Filipino martial arts, tai chi, chi kung, silat and yoga, and eventually brought him to Modern Kempo Jujitsu in which he currently holds a 3rd degree black belt. Kevin is a senior instructor in Russian Systema under Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev and a certified instructor of defensive tactics, extendable baton and speed cuffing.  Since I met Kevin I have grown ever increasingly impresses with his deep knowledge and more important his willingness to share- expecting nothing in return.  Kevin exemplifies the true meaning of a teacher. When he speaks, he speaks from the heart and his passion shows.  I seek to emulate and integrate his style into my own presentations.  I am honored that he provides council and guidance.
	Rick Robinson of Yamabushi Ryu Jujitsu. It is due to Rick’s dedication to preserving the ancient arts that I am able to learn a very pure form of Jujitsu.  The term Jujitsu can mean many things to many people, what I am referring to hear is a very esoteric yet effective style of Jujitsu.  Yamabushi translates into “mountain warrior”.  The point here is that in order to defend themselves the residents needed to adapt to a very rough terrain.  This adaptation still has effect use in today’s modern world.  Many thanks to Rick for his hard work and dedication to the arts.
	Andre Baarsma, Systema.  Andre is my current Systema instructor and I train with him on a regular basis.  I give Andre all the credit for refining my Systema skills and taking me under his wing in order to impart all that he knows about this amazing art style.  Additionally I am thankful for him in putting up with how I self describe myself- that of a tough student.  Not like I am anybody on the grand scheme of things but I am not easily impressed. I ask the tough questions and have a high intolerance for mediocrity. Plus after being in the Martial Arts for over 15 years it gets easy to spot a phony- which Andre is not.  Andre welcomes my “challenging questions” with open arms and understand where I am coming from.
To all the others	The above list of instructors have been my primary influences throughout the years.  In addition to working extensively with the aforementioned individuals I would also like to give respect and homage to the others who have played a role in my development.  They include Mark Dorfman (Aikido and Kung Fu), Ernie Kirk (Premier Martial Arts/ Krav Maga), Tom Corizzi (Sido Ryu Aikijitsu), Sensei Saotome (Aikido), Sensei Okimora (Aikido), Sensei Henry Smith (Aikido) and Sensei LaRue (Deceased/ Aikido).