Black Dragon Triad

I am asking prayers for Sensei Don Swann
Senses Swann is a fine man and a long time member of Black Dragon Triad. We last saw him two years ago when he was part of the panel who judged Sensei Tom Curtis for Tom's Shodan test. Again I ask for prayers that God accept this warrior,father and grandfather into heaven. And prayers for his wife,children and grandchild

I am tired of seeing videos on defensive tactics from people who have never been in a real fight for their lives or to protect others. Some of the videos of Karate tournaments are laughable. Old fat guys falling all over themselves or young acrobats throwing their weapons in the air. If acrobats are what they )Ike join a gymnastics club

I keep getting videos of martial arts techniques on my page. I admit I enjoy watching them, I can tell most of the so called Masters have never ever been in a fight for their lives. You can participate in tournaments and win hundreds of trophies, but you probably will not survive that fight outside the rules and referees when your live depends on it. You have to constantly train muscle memory so you don't have to think about what to do. Several times after serious fights I was asked by people who saw the fight, what did you do? I told them I reacted to their attack based on years of training and muscle memory. If you watch some of the Demo videos you see the attacker puts no energy into the attack and the Master easily defends himself. Some even talk as they do the technique.In real fights I never had time to talk. Enjoy the videos, but train hard. The advantage of a class is that if you get hurt we call the ambulance. ON the street no one is there to help you.Stay safe, train hard.

This is the Icon of St. George and the Dragon. Thank you Master Evamgelos.

This is the Icon of St. Micheal that Master Evangelos gave me.

This last Sunday several of my top students came to visit. Due some health problems I could not meet them at my school so they came to my home. Master Evangelos came from Greece, Hanshi McCaffery and Sensei Hammond came from Springfield, and Sensei Curtis from my school were there. Master Evangelos presented Hanshi McCaffery with a level II master's certificate, and Sensei Hammond a level one Master's certificate in Wing Chun Kung Fu. He then presented with am icon of St.. Michel and an icon of St. George and the Dragon. Exquisitely trimmed in twenty four carat gold.He brought them all the way from Greece. As a group we rededicated ourselves to goals of Black Dragon Triad. I am very proud of all of our members and their commit to each other, to truth, brotherhood and protecting the weak.

I would like to congratulate Hanshi Sean McCaffery on the article in Wing Chun Illustrated. Copies are available at Amazon if you are interested.

I also want to let our friends and followers know that on July 8th Sempai Tommy Curtis will be testing for ShoDan or first degree Black Belt.

I want to give a big congratulations to Sensei Kaleb Keeren who has just been promoted to Third Dan. I was fortunate to work with him years ago. He is a student of Shihan Ed Kuras at Western Illinois Shotokan Karate. Kaleb San has worked very hard over the years and is a great martial artist.

During our last class I went through an explanation of our system. We begin by teaching simple escapes, wrist grabs, collar grabs, bear hugs, headlock escapes, etc. Some ;are designed to simply free the person being harassed or to ad some pain compliance. At each rank the techniques have more draatic consequences. I remind all of my students that to avoid law suits or criminal charges they need to exercise caution in their response. If for example you do the throat cutting strike to your best friend, you will no longer have a best friend except maybe in prison. As a students progress hopefully they will realize there is a plan, not to teach techniques, but principles and train muscle memory. Again the system provides subtle lessons in Miai or proper distance and also timing. Eventually a person studying our system will move beyond techniques and develop body awareness and situational awareness, You almost never correctly guess the attack you will receive from an opponent unless he is trying to score points within a system that emphasizes trophies over survival. My methods are not mine, but given to me by Shihan Lonnie Riddle, Shihan RobertL Willingham, MastersRonda and Jerry Bolding, Hanshi Jim Deaver, Sifu Blaine Collins, Grandmaster William Cheung, Master Evangelos Vaselakos. Master Ed Kuras. Hanshi George Anderson G**o Steve Fristoe, It is important to be open to what the universe provides and always be willing to accept the truth. The ultimate test of the truth is always on the field of combat. Train hard and always be prepared.

Once again Facebook has fu**ed me out of my personal page. It has me locked into my Black Dragon Triad site and I cannot get back to my own site. F**k you Meta.

Joe Ciszek because Facebook has fu**ed up my account, I have to use Black Dragon's site o wish you a Happy Birhday,.