Christopher's Teachers, Training Partners and Friends
Guro Dan Inosanto-
Guro Inosanto is my Instructor in JKD, FMA, Silat, Muay Thai and Krabi Krabong. Guro Dan is one
of the most amazing martial artists of modern times. He holds high
rankings in myriad arts, and is respected the world over as an
ambassador of Martial Art, and the cultures they spring from. His skills as a Martial Artist may only be surpassed by his skills as a Teacher. I have
never heard Guro Dan ever speak poorly of another system of martial
art, or of another person. His example has been a shining one for all
of us who have been fortunate to be his students. Guro Dan's open
mindedness and desire to learn is inspiring. Though in his early 70's,
he has recently taken up the Brazilian art of Capoeira, a dynamic and acrobatic art. Without any exaggeration or hyperbole: Dan Inosanto is one of the finest human beings I have ever met. Dan Inosanto is the Founder and Head Instructor of the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts (IAMA) in Los Angeles, CA- so named to honor his father, Sebastian Inosanto
Sifu Larry Hartsell-
I was fortunate to be one of Sifu Hartsell's semi private students for
nearly three years before he passed away in 2007. Through what I see as pure luck of circumstance, I was blessed
with the chance to travel with and assist him for seminars, as well as
assist private sessions for visiting students. From Sifu Hartsell
I learned JKD, Wing Chun, Filipino Martial Arts, and the Jun Fan/JKD
Integrated Grappling Arts. Sifu Hartsell had a profound effect on my
development as a martial artist, and as a person. He was a very
soft-spoken man with a Southern charm, but he was also the premiere JKD
Fighter – Larry knew how to make it work for real. The BAKG training facility houses some of his old equipment; enhancing the "ju-ju" and hopefully transferring some of his skill and wisdom by osmosis. Sifu Hartsell taught
me much about Martial Art, but even more about loyalty, friendship and
determination. Many of his quotes serve as guiding wisdom at the
BAKG. Foremost among them, "Don't mistake kindness for weakness." I miss my friend and mentor. Larry Hartsell was Founder and Head Instructor of the Jun Fan Jeet Kun Do Grappling Association (JFJKDGA)
Ajarn Surachai "Chai" Sirisute-
Ajarn (Thai for "Head Instructor") Chai is one of the first Thai nationals to bring Muay Thai to the
United States. Founder of the Thai Boxing Association of the U.S.A. in
1968, Master Chai is one of the most sought after instructors of Muay
Thai today. He, like most who have found a home in the JKD family,
spent years traveling from camp to camp in Thailand, learning from the
best 'knee' people, the best 'elbow' people, tracking down who was reputed to have the best clinch work, and so on - integrating
everything he learned into one cohesive yet ever evolving approach to the sport. Ajarn
Chai has a deep respect for his students. For that reason, he teaches a
strong work ethic. He knows it is will, as much as any other skill,
that can make all the difference in life. Surachai Sirisute is the Founder and Head Instructor of the Thai Boxing Association of the U.S.A. (TBA)
Sifu Francis Fong-
Sifu ("Master" or "Teacher" in Chinese) Fong has over 30 years experience in Wing Chun Kung Fu and is
considered by many to be one of the finest Wing Chun instructors in the
U.S. Sifu Fong brings an infectious vitality and passion to
everything he teaches. He possesses amazing understanding of the human
body, its structure(s), and the principles governing movement, energy,
combat, etc. Combine this with an uncanny ability to communicate these
fundamental aspects of Martial Art – as well as an infectious vitality
and passion - and you get one fantastic teacher. Besides being
President of the Wing Chun Association of the U.S.A., Sifu Fong is a
Senior Instructor in Jun Fan Gung Fu (JKD Concepts) and the FMA under
Dan Inosanto, and is an Instructor in Muay Thai and Director of the
Southeastern Region for the TBA U.S.A. under Ajarn Chai. Francis Fong is the President of the Wing Chun Association of the U.S.A (WCA) and is the Founder and Head Instructor of the Francis Fong Martial Arts Academy in Norcross, GA
Sensei Jeann Jacques Machado-
Sensei ("Master" or "Teacher" in Japanese) Machado is one of the 5 famous Machado Brothers, nephews and
students of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu Founder, Carlos Gracie. Jean Jacques
began his Jiu-Jitsu training over twenty years ago. Many Brazilian, South American, North American and World titles later, Sensei Machado is
one of the most admired and respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners world wide. Sensei Machado's instructing style is very
personable and his humbleness makes him very approachable as an
instructor. He has an amazing ability to explain Brazilian Ju-Jitsu in
a way that anyone can understand, and which transcends not just his own
art, but Martial Art as a whole. Jean Jacques Machado is the Founder and Head Instructor of Jean Jeacques Machado Ju-Jitsu Academy in Torrence, CA and the Jean Jacques Machado Online Training Center
George Larsen-
George began his martial studies in the Marine Corps. Upon return to
civilian life he took up Shotokan Karate, earning his black belt.
Eventually, George went searching for something else. He wasn’t sure
exactly what, but when he walked into Rick Faye’s Minnesota Kali Group,
he knew he’d found it. Twenty years later, now an Instructor under Rick
and Dan, during a week in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, he passed
that discovery on to me. I have been hooked ever since. That was ten
years ago. Today, George continues to share his curious and playful
approach to Martial Art, along with his consistent work ethic. He's had
a strong influence on my growth as a martial artist and as a person.
Primarily, I’ve learned the benefits of sneakiness and unpredictability
in a fight, and the value of honesty and reliability in the rest of
life. I am proud to call him friend. George was the very first person
to officially promote me in any art.
Vanessa Herbst-
Vanessa may have begun her path with Martial Art due to the influence
of her husband (George Larsen), but she blazed her own trail from the
start. In the “boys club” that is so often associated with Martial Art, Vanessa commanded the respect of her training partners and
teachers, without ever needing to give up her identity as a woman or femininity.
To me, her particular gift is reading just what a student is struggling
with, and knowing exactly what buttons to press to get them through it.
As hard a worker as anyone will meet, she rarely trains without a smile
stretched from ear to ear. From Vanessa I have learned the joy in hard
work. Vanessa was my first instructor in Muay Thai, and any good habits
I have are primarily owed to her patience and instruction. She
has also been a major influence on my training with and teaching of
women.
Paul Bonner-
Paul was also an instructor during that first week in Jersey. I was
privileged to learn from him over the years at many more seminars. A Champion Professional Kickboxer, Paul is also a former Canadian
Police officer. He has had his hand in the training of many police and
security agencies throughout North America. Paul is one of the most
capable fighters I have met. Wherever he goes, those around him can
sense this easily, as well as know he would only bring his ample
skill to bear should someone need help. His example is one I endeavor
to cultivate in myself.
Atticus Todd-
Atticus spent his high school and college years in Minnesota, competing
in Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling. He went on to explore other
arts, eventually finding Rick Faye’s MKG. There he earned
Instructorship under Rick and Guro Inosanto in JFGF/JKD Concepts and
the Filipino Martial Arts, as well as his Instructor Certification in
Muay Thai under Ajarn Chai. He later moved to L.A., where he works as an Actor and Film Maker, and Instructs at the IAMA. Atticus’ teaching remains key to my
understanding of the many facets of stand-up grappling. His attention
to detail, and consistent emphasis on perfecting basics, has also been
a large factor in my advancement of knowledge and expertise in
trapping, Kali, and Muay Thai. Atticus was one of my first instructors
in the JKD Family, as George, Vanessa and Paul’s assistant at that first class in NJ, as well as a subsequent seminar. He remains
a valued teacher and I have been fortunate to count him among my
closest of friends.
Sifu Alain Rono-
Alain is a very talented martial artist and teacher. He has also become
a close friend and has always been willing to share his expertise in Martial Art, as well as his library of books and videos on the subject. Alain taught me Jun Fan Gung Fu, Filipino
Martial Arts, CSW, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and Savate. His ability to make
training fun, even when you are doing something very strenuous, makes
him a unique and sought after Instructor. Alain also possesses a great ability to bring out the aspects of the art that best suits the student. He is a humble instructor, who is always eager to learn more about Martial Art, even from his students. I always look forward to training with him in his garage whenever I visit L.A.
Trevor Kennedy-
Trevor is one of the most amazing grapplers that I have worked with. A gifted and skilled tattoo artist, he brings a much appreciated Artists Perspective into his training and teaching. I
thoroughly enjoy learning from him and training with him, not only
because of his easy going personality and skill in martial
arts, but also because of his approach to Martial Art. Trevor's Instruction and influence have been major elements in my development in the grappling range. His unique and generously shared perspective on techniques and
concepts has enlightened me often about how to apply grappling
principles to the whole of fighting, and vice versa. Training with Trevor, you can't help but relax and learn, as the ego slips away from a competitive mindset and moves toward a thirst for discovery of the new.
Guro Suzanne Spezzano-
Suzanne is one of the foremost practitioners and instructors of the
Silat systems. An Instructor at the IAMA, she is accomplished in many other arts as well. She is an amazing instructor with great positive
energy. Her attentiveness to students - helping them work through
difficulties they have with techniques, showing them how to adapt them
for their own attributes - has been a great example to me. Guro Suzanne
is one of my primary instructors in the Silat arts.
Joe Lau-
Joe's martial influence upon me began at the same week long course
where I met George, 'Ness, Paul and Atticus. However, Joe (and his
lineage) is unique as he is my only departure from the Kali/JKD
"Family" that I include here. His background is in Bujinkan (aka:
Ninjitsu). I have been fortunate to take a few seminars from Joe, and
he's taught me a great deal about Martial Art. Not only did I learn
some excellent skills for avoiding injury and applying body mechanics,
Joe illuminated the importance, and key, to training with insight. I
will forever count Joe as one of my most influential teachers, since in
many ways, he taught me how to be a student. He also gave me excellent
guidance in terms of the ethics involved with learning - and applying - martial skills. Joe Lau is the Founder of The Human Nature Institute (HNI)
Jack Hoban/Dr. Robert Humphry-
These men are Joe's primary Martial Influences and Ethical Models. I have been fortunate
enough to train with Jack on a handful of occasions. He is a former active duty US Marine Corps Captain and long time
practitioner of Martial Art.Jack Hoban assisted in the creation of the US
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) and remains a Subject Matter
Expert (SME) for the Program. He is Shidoshi Senior Instructor in the
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu system under Grand Master Masaaki Hatsumi in
Japan. He became fully qualified as a Senior Bujinkan Instructor by
passing the 5th degree black belt test in 1985. He received a 10th Dan
in May of 1996. He is also a Student of the late Robert L. Humphrey,
noted Conflict Resolution Specialist, and author of "Values For A New
Millennium." Hoban's Living Values Program is inspired in great degree
from Professor Humphrey's Life Value theory.
Many deserve credit for helping me along my path in Martial Art. None more than my regular training partner for four
years, without whom the Bay Area Kali Group would certainly not exist. As Larry often said, "Repetition Is the Mother of All Skills."
Well, I never could have gotten so many reps without this man's help.
Tim Becherer:
Tim began his training at age twelve in traditional Okinawan Karate,
under Sensei Ulysses Owens. Years later Tim began studying JKD under
Sifu Loren Bookbinder. A back injury and life’s distractions kept him
from training for a few years, but as fate would have it, he began
training again not long after I started up at the Inosanto Academy. Our
schedules were similar and we quickly became regular training partners
in classes, eventually joining Sifu Larry’s semi-private group and
instructor program. Soon we were meeting to train in a park near his
apartment two or three times a week for a few hours each time. I can
say without any doubt whatsoever, I would never have reached the skill
level I have, or learned nearly as much, had Tim not been around to
train with. He was more than just a regular body to train with and get
reps. He offered keen insight and continued curiosity to our
exploration of martial art, and his perspective remains inspirational
and invaluable. I will always feel I got the better end of the deal,
too, since he has almost 7 inches of height and 40 lbs. on me. Tim endured many an inadvertant whacked knuckle, banged shin, smacked jaw, poked eye and tweaked joint while training with me. If I hadn't been a massage therapist - able to fix whatever I had just screwed up accidentally - I don't think he would have stuck with me. I'm eternally grateful he did. Tim Becherer is the Founder and Head Instructor of the Almaty Academy of Martial Arts (AAMA), in Kazakstan
Ample
credit belongs to all my instructors at the Inosanto Academy and the
Minnesota Kali Group.
Even if I was only able to learn directly from
them on a few occasions, I was fortunate enough to be able to train
with them often. They are all high caliber instructors and people. I
name them here (in no particular order), and hope I haven’t forgotten
anyone (although I have forgotten a couple of last names):
(via
IAMA) Dino Pilla, Willie Laureano, Joel Clark, Kieth Davies, Mike Wise,
John Spezzano, Ray Rosales, Dan Lonero, Justin Williams, Travis
Downing, John Doty, Richard Kwon, Salem Asslie, Victor and Jeff(via MKG)Derek
Haglund, Diana Rathborne, Rudy
Rodgers, Chad, Mike Asher, Ty Campos, Mike Duffy, Andy Wilson, Drake Ritchie, and of course Mick, Pete, Sid and
Steve over in the UK! I also honor my Teachers of Tracking, Awareness and Understanding Human Movement; in many ways, the people who guided the building of my foundation in all my studies: Charles Worsham, Tom Brown Jr., Pichest Boonthamme, Lani Loken-Dahl, Kevin Reeve, Malcolm Ringwalt and Jon Young.
Lastly,
to all my training partners and students over the years, I thank you
for every opportunity to learn. I hope I shared with you even a
fraction of what you gave to me.
