I’ve just returned from a fantastic weekend of training with
my dedicated student Jake Burroughs and his group in Seattle. Jake is an exemplary martial artist in every
way, whose impressive personal initiative has led him to seek out and learn
from some of the BEST teachers in the Kung-Fu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and
Filipino Martial Arts world. Jake came out to see me here in Detroit earlier
this year for some 1-on-1 training, and this past weekend was the first of what
we hope will be many workshops for his students in the Pacific Northwest.
At the commencement of our first training session, as I
looked out at the eager, smiling faces of his students as they stood ready with
their sticks, I offered a caveat: “Guys, I’m telling you right now this is NOT
going to be easy…” So many people practice, teach, and generally
regard Kali as a ‘B’-art of tapping and twirling sticks to endless repeating
flow-drills. So few people have actually
been exposed to what I call the true beauty and grandeur of Filipino Martial
Arts that I myself experienced over 25 years ago when I dedicated myself to
this seldom travelled Path. I wasn’t
sure they realized what they were in for…
Well, I took these guys (and girl) in one weekend through
material that would typically take me three months to cover with beginning students
here in my own school – and they worked hard and diligently through every
minute of it! Invariably when I teach
seminars like this, I always notice the point when students ‘cash-out’ mentally
from overload. I’m quite surprised and
happy to say that these good folks worked doggedly through everything I gave
them with 100% concentration and effort at all times – and then asked for a
review on the second day! (at which point I myself was close to cashing out –
lol). Such students are the hallmark of
a good Teacher, so kudos to Jake once again.
To our new group in Seattle: thank you all for a wonderful
weekend of training and camaraderie. I hope
there will many, many more to come. Most
of all, thank you for appreciating the true depth and richness of our beloved
Art of Kali.
Mabuhay!
Guro Jeff Davidson
For anyone seeking top-notch martial arts instruction in the
Seattle area Jake has my full endorsement.
For more info go to: http://www.threeharmonies.com/
