Ways Of A Bronx Warrior – My Martial Arts Journey

My Martial Arts History, Tradition, Discipline & Respect, Philosophy, and Technique.

This post attempts to compile my thoughts and perspective on martial arts based on my 47-plus years of experience in training and living as a martial artist.

My Martial Arts and My Practice

After 47 years of martial arts training, I find my martial art mindset and thus practice, is an amalgamation of the several systems that I’ve had the honor to experience over the last four decades: Judo, Hapkido, Shotokan, TaeKwonDo, Jeet Kune Do, Modern Arnis, Soo Bahk Do (Tang Soo Do) and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. All these systems have traditional roots that can be traced back several thousand years. The combination of these systems, techniques, ideas, concepts, principles and philosophies results in what has develop into “my” form of martial art mindset, self-defense concepts and mental conditioning.

History

Every aspect of my martial arts history impacts my place in martial arts history, and my training and instruction at Dinoto Karate Center as well as my understanding of my martial arts way of life. This history is at the core of my martial arts way of life because without this history I would not be who I am today and I would not be in the position that I serve in today.

To this end, as a teacher and educator at Dinoto Karate Center, it is important that I share my martial arts history with our students, instilling knowledge and understanding of a martial artist with a relatively long history training in martial arts. Through this knowledge I help create a new generation of martial artists and instructors who are informed and knowledgeable about the roots of the martial arts that we teach at Dinoto Karate Center with respect to my presence and influence at Dinoto Karate Center.

My martial arts history and how I ended up teaching at Dinoto Karate Center is an area of special interest to all students at Dinoto Karate Center. I have been training under Master Dinoto since 1999. When I came to Dinoto Karate Center I was already a black belt. Master Dinoto’s school was growing and in 2000, Master Dinoto offered me an opportunity to teach martial arts full time and the rest, as they say, is history. At least with respect to me training and teaching at Dinoto Karate Center.

But, my journey in martial arts really started 29 years ago in 1970. Here’s that history.

In 1970 I was living in the Bronx going to Catholic School (St. Jerome’s) and our gym teacher was a Judo instructor. So my first experience in martial arts was Judo until the 5th grade. I don’t remember his name nor do I remember much about the training except duck walks, push-ups, rolls and break falls.

When my family moved to another part of the Bronx, I started 6th grade in public school. During this time a new friend introduced me to a Brown belt who was training under Master Sang Soo “Tiger” Kim who had a Korean karate school in the Bronx. It was during this time that I learned how to defend myself against the street gangs and jerks of the Bronx.

To read about my first martial arts class experience, go HERE:

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to learn from several teachers that make up the martial artist I am today. Below are a couple of the martial artists over the years that took the time to share with me and the key lessons that I learned while training with them.

• Billy Beason – Mr. Beason was a 16-year-old black belt under grandmaster Tiger Kim. I met Mr. Beason when I was 12 years old. Mr Beason trained me for a short time and one of the main lessons I took from him was the exercises that helped build my stretches and the power in my kicks. To this day I use those exercises. Thank you Billy. :)
• My Shotokan instructor in Fort Pierce, Florida. (I am so sorry that I do not remember his name.): he taught me to go low in my stances. He was also the first instructor to tell me that I mattered. When he awarded me my first color belt, yellow, he said that he was proud of me and that one day I would make a difference in the world. Again, I wish I could remember his name. Thank you sir for your encouragement.
• Jimmy Lockett – Mr. Lockett impressed upon me the power and utilization of hips. Though I would not understand this for many years, I recognize Mr. Lockett as the teacher that influenced me of the importance of acquiring this understanding and utilization. Thank you sir.
• Arndt Mallepree and Peter Mallepree (Individual Fighting Concepts Mallepree, IFCM) –

  

  Arndt taught me so much about having fun with martial arts. He, along with his brother Peter, also introduced me to Kali, Jiu Jitsu, Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do. I am forever grateful to Arndt for being such a great friend during a time that was very tough for me. As a side note, when I met Arndt, I had just recovered from a 2 year battle with depression. Arndt brought me back to a disciplined state and back to training in martial arts. My passion for teaching martial arts was ignited by Arndt. I also need to thank my great friend Dwight for introducing me to Arndt. I miss you Arndt! God bless and thank you for sharing your life and your knowledge with me. (btw, I miss our 3 hour training sessions and our long lunch chats afterward! at Cafe Tchuhulsky‘s in Bochum Germany :) ! )

• Les Kiersnowsky (Sandokan) – Grandmaster Les has been a great friend and a great teacher over the last several years. He took my love for Modern Arnis to a whole new level. He was also extremely helpful in helping me doing my first short film, YES THEY BLEED. Grandmaster Les has helped me a couple of times prepare for my black belt test presentations.

(Check out the video below with Grandmaster Les and I doing a presentation in 2011 for my 5th degree black belt test)

• Tom Callos – Tom taught me to be true to my passion for martial arts and to learn how to communicate that passion through video, audio, text and images. He also reminded me of what it is to truly train, live and breathe as a black belt. Tom instilled in me the idea that a black belt test is a daily test that goes beyond the kicks, punches and blocks. That self-defense has more to do with emotional maturity, healthy living and making a difference in the world by being connected and active in your community. Thank you Tom for sharing your life and truth with me.
• Pat Vacanti – Prof Vacanti exposed me to the humbling power of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! He taught me that, as a 4th degree “master” martial artist, I have a lot to learn about self-defense. He also taught me the concept of “sharing the knowledge” and “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.” :) Thank you Prof Vacanti for sharing the knowledge. :)
• Dave Kovar – Kyoshi Kovar is the instructors instructor! He first started out as someone that I watched on video on how to teach children martial arts. I have since met and trained with Kyoshi Kovar learning more and more how to connect with my students and instructors to make a difference in their lives as a martial arts educator. Thank you Kyoshi for teaching me one of the greatest lessons I could learn as a “professional” karate teacher, and that is to be a martial artist first, a teacher second and a businessman third. Thank you sir for your dedication and commitment to the work that you do. :)
• Peter McHugh – Professor Pete teaches me what it means to be a martial artist that is humble and willing to share the knowledge. I have learned about loyalty and unity with Professor Pete and all my team mates at Mchugh Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. At 56 years old (as of May 9th, 2017), I have found a new passion for martial arts training, teaching AND competing through my relationship with Prof Pete and all my brothers and sisters at Mchugh BJJ. I look forward to my journey in bjj as I work toward my black belt in bjj. The journey continues…. Thank you Professor!I also have to give a big huge THANK YOU to Coaches Tony LasCola, Pete Lingesso and Al Robinson for their commitment to helping create an family-oriented and unified environment at McHugh BJJ.
  

  “An iron discipline, which permits no one to escape action, secures the GREATEST UNITY from top to bottom…”
  ~ Arndant Du Picq

• Michael Dinoto – and of course my great friend and current master instructor, Master Dinoto. Master Dinoto has shared so much with on what he knows about teaching, running a martial arts school and commitment and dedication. Master Dinoto gave me my opportunity to teach martial arts and support my family. I will forever be grateful to his and Mrs. Erika Dinoto’s friendship. Thank you both for all that you’ve done for me and my family. Thank you.

My Thoughts On Discipline

I believe that consistent training in martial arts will always lead to self-improvement not only in the physical realm, but also the mental and emotional. These benefits have helped me develop a sense of peace, calm and quiet confidence in life’s ups and downs.