My Martial Arts Journey
Since I was a boy I have been interested in the martial arts for fitness and self defense.
For more than 30 years I trained on and off (mostly off) in various styles including, Hapkido, Judo, various self-protection systems, and Tai Chi.
In the last few years I have begun to train more seriously and I have been fortunate to have access to some of the very best instructors in the world,
even if only for a few hours, in some cases.
Krav Maga and Premier Martial Arts.
For the last several years my primary instruction has been in Krav Maga, Kickboxing, Submission Grappling/Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, and Kali (together these form the basis of the Premier Martial Arts System) under Ernie Kirk and his senior instructors. Under these gifted martial artists, I have completed more than 1000 hours of instruction including more than 55 hours of instructor training. I currently hold a green belt in Krav Maga under Ernie Kirk. Here is a video of me partnering with WMMR's Preston Elliot as he earns his Green Belt in Krav Maga(a grueling, six-hour test). And here is a video of me at the final stages of my basic Krav instructor's test -- a 2-day 20 hour experience -- 15 hours of which was hard training, sparring, and demos
Tai Chi
I have also studied Tai Chai (Yang Style) sporadically since 1988 for relaxation, balance and flexibility, and for its martial arts applications. I previously studied under Master C. K. Chu in New York, and through CD and occasional personal instruction, with Terry Dunn in Los Angeles
Other Training
Through Ernie Kirk I have had the opportunity to train or take short courses with various world-class and celebrity instructors including John Whitman (Krav Maga), Jeff Jimmo (kickboxing and submission grappling), Vitor Shaolin Ribeiro (BJJ), Roland Osborne (host of Discovery Channel's Go Warrior), Terry Bullman (MMA fighter and creator of the History Channel's Human Weapon), and Tvi "BK" Blankchtein (lead defensive tactics instructor at the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission).