Thoughts Of A Well Balanced Martial Artist

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT Thoughts of a Well Balanced Martial Artist Calasanz Martial Arts and Philosophy Volume I August 2012 - June 2013 www.calasanz.com • www.calasanzdancearts.blogspot.com 1

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT 1 - Calasanz on the birth and development of his system............................................................. 5 2 - Today we celebrate one of our long time students, Kim Leonard........................................... 7 3 - Calasanz Is and Was.................................................................................................................... 8 4 - Calasanz the Guru and Why our System Produces Superior Results................................... 9 5 - A Quick Commentary............................................................................................................... ..10 6 - A Message to the Haters............................................................................................................ 11 7 - Wing Chun discourse on HARD and SOFT Energies............................................................. 11 8 - Physical Arts: Superior Results................................................................................................. .13 9 - The concept, design, and purpose behind Calasanz’ Interdojo and Videos...................... 14 10 - Becoming Bruce Lee and Purposeful Practice................................................................... 16 11 - Challengers Welcome - Part 1................................................................................................ 17 12 - Anecdote on Calasanz and Dennis White............................................................................. 18 13 - Challengers Welcome Part 2................................................................................................... 19 14 - Obsession................................................................................................................................. 20 15 - A Martial Artist’s Revenge : A True Story............................................................................... 23 16 - Foundation................................................................................................................................ 25 17 - From the Inside, Out................................................................................................................. 26 18 - Don’t Go to the Ground........................................................................................................... 27 19 - What is Martial Arts?................................................................................................................ 28 20 - Presentness Through Life and Kung Fu................................................................................. 29 21 - Combining the Three Aspects................................................................................................ 31 22 - What the F*&! is so Great About Calasanz?......................................................................... 32 23 - Don’t Lose It!............................................................................................................................. 33 24 - A Calasanz Short...................................................................................................................... 35 25 - 10 Respects at Calasanz Physical Arts and Dojo.................................................................. 35 25 - Flashy Wing Chun.................................................................................................................... 37 27 - In Case You Were Wondering................................................................................................. 38 28 - Expressive and Beautiful......................................................................................................... 39 29 - The Biggest Dummy : The Traditional Dummy Explained.................................................. 39 30 - Simplicity of Boxing Revealed................................................................................................. 41 31 - Remembering Our Students - A Tribute............................................................................... 42 32 - Calasanz’ School Places #1 in Martial Arts Tournament..................................................... 44 33 - Real Martial Arts for Real People........................................................................................... 45 34 - Calasanz Goes On About Jennifer Lee.................................................................................. 46 35- Coaching 3 Lady Martial Artists............................................................................................. 48 36 - Behind the Scenes - Saturday Night Fight............................................................................. 49 37 - Closing the Gap....................................................................................................................... 51 38 - Calasanz Splits in Two lifting 125lbs on Each Leg............................................................... 54 39 - Calasanz Takes a Hit : “Be Alert While Training “................................................................. 57 40 - On Being and Being Well Balanced..................................................................................... 58 3

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT Written by Calasanz and Alan Wedell, inspired by Calasanz 4

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT masterpiece. Welcome to Calasanz Physical Art. masterpiece. Welcome to Calasanz Physical Art. Over my lifetime I have spent every day dedicated Over my lifetime I have spent every day dedicated to martial arts. Somehow I knew from the time to martial arts. Somehow I knew from the time I was a child that this was my calling. The first I was a child that this was my calling. The first martial arts school I attended was a Karate School. martial arts school I attended was a Karate School. Upon visiting this school I noticed that there were a Upon visiting this school I noticed that there were a lot of punches landing between the two contenders, lot of punches landing between the two contenders, too many. For me fighting is not trading blows too many. For me fighting is not trading blows and determining the winner by he who has the and determining the winner by he who has the best physique. A real fighter will defend against best physique. A real fighter will defend against an attack and then try to connect with the target. an attack and then try to connect with the target. While the karate approach may be a good way to While the karate approach may be a good way to condition the body to take a punch, it is not real condition the body to take a punch, it is not real fighting. 1 Calasanz on the birth and development of his system Aug 24, 2012 The birth of my system I must say coincides with The birth of my system I must say coincides with T my very birth. From the day I was born I‘ve known the natural workings of the human body. How it works, how to optimize. Even when I was a child in karate class, I would hide my movements from my instructor because I didn‘t want to get in trouble. Real fighting is common-sensible. Real fighting is common-sensible. First, be aware that your body performs best when First, be aware that your body performs best when it is in perfect working order. To have a broken it is in perfect working order. To have a broken arm in a fight is a great disadvantage when fighting arm in a fight is a great disadvantage when fighting a two armed man. Protecting the physical body is a two armed man. Protecting the physical body is of primary importance in a fight. It is essential. of primary importance in a fight. It is essential. Foundational. Your body being in perfect working Foundational. Your body being in perfect working order gives you the best chance of survival. This is achieved by blocking or evading successfully. Essentially, a good defense is imperative. Throughout my years I‘ve learned to apply the Throughout my years I‘ve learned to apply the knowledge I was born with regarding the functional movements of the body to real fighting situations and have also developed it into a physical system for naturally improving the body. The system is called Physical Art. It utilizes natural holistic movements and is aimed at the long term development and maintenance of the human body over a lifetime. The next element of real fighting is to be able to disable or eliminate the threat to your physical body as quickly as possible. This is achieved through Wing Chun. Common sensibly the body that remains fully functional for longer and acts most efficiently and effectively is bound to prevail. Now we come to size. Size is something a lot of people deem to be a good judge of strength and even fighting ability. Often times people will fear an opponent due to sheer size. Let us consider now, two rifles aimed towards two watermelons. Place in front of one, 10 inches of marshmallows. Place in front of the other 1 inch of steel. Which watermelon would you stand behind if the triggers were flicked? Size doesn‘t seem to matter much now. While it should be taken into consideration, it is not always of great import, and this is no different when it comes to fighting. Similarly the size of the man matters not, but it is his mettle, his character, what he is actually capable of that holds greater bearing. This is not a “get ripped“ program. It is not a superficial body building regimen. It is Physical Art. It is making your body into a walking 5

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT It has been proven again and again in the real world, as well as in boxing, and other martial sports. Frequently a larger opponent with an incredible physique is set against a smaller man who‘s physique is comparatively lacking. While the larger man seems more formidable, this is merely in appearance. It has been seen repeatedly that a contender inferior in stature can easily be victorious with superior technique. A phenomenal physique can only give someone an advantage up to a point. If technique is lacking and a contender‘s offense is unwieldy, it is easy for a proficient fighter to penetrate and take advantage of an opponents untrained flailing, capitalize on exposed vulnerabilities, and dismantle his opponent. It is important to realize that just because you have the biggest body it does not mean that you are capable of functionally using that body to be effective in a fight. Street fighters, for example, believe they are good fighters based on the fact that they are aggressive and willing to fight. However, when a street fighter squares off with someone who is a trained and an accomplished practitioner of the art it is clear within seconds that their overly aggressive approach does not work. I experienced this first hand in the early 80‘s when street fighters would challenge me and my students constantly. No doubt in an attempt to debunk me personally and the system I have come to develop. In time I would infact, place a sign on the door welcoming challengers. I remember two gentlemen distinctly, Jay and Kenny. stay there given his disposition. Kenny, now, was known at this time as the “Terror of Norwalk“. Everybody knew him either from getting in trouble or simply knowing of his preceding reputation of beating young guys. George‘s Gym at this time had, without a doubt, some of the toughest street fighters coming through there, not to mention some volatile body builders as well. I remember telling somebody, “I need one week here before everybody is training under me.“ And it was just exactly that which ended up happening. After demonstrating to Jay my power, speed, endurance, and grounding, based purely on martial arts skill, Jay signed with me immediately for a month of private training. I remember, also, Jay being at the gym pressing 1500 to 2000 pounds with his legs using a machine. One day I put Jay to the test and him to pick up his leg and push against my stomach. Jay could not even do so much as make asked me budge, and in less than a second I was showing Jay a new way under my system. There was a difference of understanding between our two mindsets. In his mind, and in that of much of the Western world, to push iron and pack muscle onto his frame was the ideal. This is achieved through monotonous movement and mechanical repetition creating tight, inflexible muscle. In my mind natural, flexible, long muscle built through physical art is what brings the ideal into fruition. This is achieved through exercising motions that naturally accommodate the anatomy of the human body and develop real strength by engaging the entire body as a whole. Synchronizing breath and motion into pure, fluid, natural, I met these two gentlemen in Norwalk in 1987 after attending the same gym for a time called George‘s Gym. Jay, at this point, was considered the biggest body builder in CT. He also did not like me very much when I started going to that gym and everybody wondered how long I would 6

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT transformative moments of life itself. To this day he remains a faithful convert. from head kicks. The kick being the most powerful weapon an unarmed fighter possesses, you can imagine the danger in combating someone trained in this practice. My students competed with full confidence and continued to win the tournament in their respective brackets. Again, keep in mind that at this time KYOKOSHINKAI was a very popular martial art with a multitude of dedicated practitioners making it vital for a competitor to practice as more than just a hobby. In such brutal competition one must really have their wits about them else he may get knocked out, or even killed, very quickly. My students showed their talents. Both of them victorious under my coaching and Physical Arts Body Development system. 4 Kenny, on the other hand is a bit of a different story. He is 6‘ 5“ and always made his mark on his opponents. As we continued to spend time in the same building his frustration with me continued to fester and grow. He eventually took the liberty to invite every member of the gym to come and see how easily he would defeat me. The terror of Norwalk once more coming against an opponent to validate his status in front of everyone; his ego eager for all to gather and see for its own satisfaction. Only this time he did not know who he was up against, me, Calasanz. On that day, the fight was over almost as soon as it began. We touched fists, and from that moment sympathy ceased to exist. The fight, that moment sympathy ceased to exist. The fight, it had to be stopped in less than 10 seconds after a it had to be stopped in less than 10 seconds after a single blow. I had placed the heal of my foot into single blow. I had placed the heal of my foot into Kenny‘s hips, and after taking the shot Kenny‘s Kenny‘s hips, and after taking the shot Kenny‘s gait was knocked off its axis and he would not gait was knocked off its axis and he would not walk properly for a time afterwards. The kick was walk properly for a time afterwards. The kick was powerful enough to nearly dislocate Kenny‘s hips powerful enough to nearly dislocate Kenny‘s hips and caused stop to his offense immediately. I can‘t and caused stop to his offense immediately. I can‘t remember if he ever came back. remember if he ever came back. 2 Today we celebrate one of our long time students, Kim Leonard After that day I ended up training many of these After that day I ended up training many of these street fighters, and I trained them for free. Over street fighters, and I trained them for free. Over time they would go to competitions and compete time they would go to competitions and compete in my stead. Within three years the name Calasanz in my stead. Within three years the name Calasanz was recognized all over the United States and was recognized all over the United States and even internationally. Fighters under my system even internationally. Fighters under my system were making significant impressions every where were making significant impressions every where they went spreading the name, Calasanz. One they went spreading the name, Calasanz. One competition in particular stands out in my mind, competition in particular stands out in my mind, one involving KYOKUSHINKAI where two of one involving KYOKUSHINKAI where two of my students won. Each of them competing within my students won. Each of them competing within their own brackets and finishing on top. their own brackets and finishing on top. Aug 31, 2012 She came here with minimal martial arts experience and knowledge. As Calasanz says, she was like a little frog. Through her time here she progressed rapidly and very far in her martial arts career. In training she learned several katas arts career. In training she learned several katas (forms) and improved her body beyond what any gym might have done for her through Physical Art. Looking closer now at the KYOKUSHINKAI Looking closer now at the KYOKUSHINKAI practice itself, it is a brutal form of martial arts practice itself, it is a brutal form of martial arts popularized in the 1980‘s. When competing, full force kicks are thrown towards opponents‘ heads or anywhere else for that matter and no protective gear is used. Punches are allowed but are only directed towards the chest. Often times in a KYOKUSHINKAI tournament there will be a great number of knock downs and knock outs The time spent together with her was fruitful, meaningful, and very productive. In a few short months she progressed through to a green belt, as seen in this video. We show you only short 7

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT segments of her 30 minute test which was truly a challenge and would be a trying half hour for even top athletes. pete. And while it is true that he was not a competitor, it is not because he did not know how to fight. Since day one I‘ve always understood that the best, bright, smart and intelligent martial artists are not the ones in the ring. A true martial artist is too smart to be taking those sorts of punches because they understand how this will effect their brain later on. They are smart enough to put foresight to use and thinking about life in a broader sense; rec- ognizing that there is more to life than what happens between the ropes. Fighters, they don‘t think about those things, so don‘t let yourself be fooled. Those good, excellent martial artists like Bruce Lee are fully capable of fighting but are mentally cognizant of the avoidable long term effects that will be seriously crippling later in life. Notice her during the kata, stomping and grunting. This is a major expenditure of energy and she powered through the katas emphatically and energetically the whole way. WOW! Since day one my idea was to fight the competitor, the champion, that is what I have done. I don‘t go into the specifics on this topic here, but if you‘d like to hear about the champions that fell before me and the stories behind it look for “Calasanz A Lifetime of Lessons“. This will give you a deeper understanding of how I think and who I am. She got through it seemingly with ease and was still ready to train after the entire ordeal. Thanks again Kim for your time spent here, you will never be forgotten! never be forgotten! 4 4 I train to win against the competitor, anybody can I train to win against the competitor, anybody can be a fighter but not everybody can be a competitor be a fighter but not everybody can be a competitor in the ring. Many people don‘t want to be around in the ring. Many people don‘t want to be around Calasanz, especially if they are very good. Why? Calasanz, especially if they are very good. Why? Very simple, they have an ego and they believe Very simple, they have an ego and they believe that they are best, then they get close to Calasanz that they are best, then they get close to Calasanz and they feel that they have a lot of work to do, so and they feel that they have a lot of work to do, so many of those who come will stay for awhile but many of those who come will stay for awhile but will then leave because they want to be themselves, will then leave because they want to be themselves, they don‘t want the truth. For example, I gave a they don‘t want the truth. For example, I gave a lesson to a talented martial artist. He thought he lesson to a talented martial artist. He thought he was the best and he trained with the best but he was the best and he trained with the best but he forgot the philosophy and techniques of building forgot the philosophy and techniques of building a tough shin. I put him to fight with a student of a tough shin. I put him to fight with a student of mine, who was not in great shape mind you, and mine, who was not in great shape mind you, and my student brought him to his knees with just one my student brought him to his knees with just one kick. 3 Calasanz Is and Was Sept 24, 2012 Even in the early years of my life I understood who Bruce Lee was. He was a very talented martial artist who trained for the real world and at the same time he was a natural and excellent actor. He trained martial arts around his life and more; he trained martial arts as the way of life. At one point I heard people saying that he could not fight his way out of a paper bag because he would not com- Calasanz was born with a gift. Some people say Calasanz was born with a gift. Some people say he is a natural. Anybody can be a natural, but not he is a natural. Anybody can be a natural, but not anybody can have it since birth. Calasanz has it, anybody can have it since birth. Calasanz has it, he‘s always had it. 4 8

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT planet through the cosmos and appeared here in planet through the cosmos and appeared here in the United States thanks to Calasanz Martinez. He the United States thanks to Calasanz Martinez. He has spent his entire life developing and refining has spent his entire life developing and refining his personal system of human development. This his personal system of human development. This system has created some of the biggest names in system has created some of the biggest names in Martial Sports since the 1980‘s and has outlasted Martial Sports since the 1980‘s and has outlasted myriad schools and even more schools of thought myriad schools and even more schools of thought over the past decades which can be read about in over the past decades which can be read about in Calasanz: www.calasanz.com/A-Lifetime-of-Lessons.pdf 4 Calasanz the Guru and Why our System Produces Superior Results The uniqueness of the Calasanz system is un The uniqueness of the Calasanz system is un- matched and the superiority of it over all others matched and the superiority of it over all others has been clear since its origin and the reason is has been clear since its origin and the reason is simple. The Calasanz system is universal. The Ca simple. The Calasanz system is universal. The Ca- lasanz system is all encompassing. It takes every lasanz system is all encompassing. It takes everything into account, the physical body as well as thing into account, the physical body as well as the mental aspects of the human brain, and it de the mental aspects of the human brain, and it develops these different aspects slowly, and properly velops these different aspects slowly, and properly towards perfection over time. towards perfection over time. The Calasanz System incorporates strength train The Calasanz System incorporates strength training, most notably core strength, and flexibility ing, most notably core strength, and flexibility training which is stressed as a cornerstone of phys training which is stressed as a cornerstone of physical fitness and aptitude. To be able to place your ical fitness and aptitude. To be able to place your legs, arms, hands, and feet in more physical spaces *automatically* gives you and your body more capabilities and affords you more options inside the ring, and outside during anything you participate in physically. All of the movements and exercises within the system are designed to use the body correctly according to the body‘s anatomical con- struction and body mechanics. By studying and practicing this system you will greatly enhance your bodily awareness and develop body coordination to a highly advanced degree that no other system can match, and whats more, it will develop these faster than anything else. October 2, 2012 Throughout the ages certain gurus have brought Throughout the ages certain gurus have brought T wisdoms with them to this planet to share with the people for the betterment of mankind. To name a few, the famous Indian guru, Ghandi. The ancient Chinese Guru Confucius. The great guru Nanak. The Dalai Lama and many more throughout the The Dalai Lama and many more throughout the history of man. These people in their time created great shifts in thought and being with the gifts and insights they‘ve brought with them to such a magnitude that their impacts still reverberate today and con- tinue to influence the world around. People such as these crop up rarely in the human population and can come from any country or culture Calasanz is one of these people in the modern age. He has brought with him a vast knowledge of the development of the human body and created a name on this world in the realm of martial arts as a perfect venue to demonstrate the fruits of his system and through a lifetime of dedication to extensive training in a multitude of martial systems. The system he has created and revealed to mankind is dedicated to the cultivation and ideal development of the human body for growth, improvement, and progress towards perfection within a lifetime for an individual‘s health and general well-being. But this system is not just physical. Although the physical realm is one way in which the system is expressed, can be seen, and duplicated the system encourages and cultivates human spiritual and mental development throughout the process. As your body develops and improves in its abilities so too will your mind open to new levels of conscious- ness and thought. For example, as your flexibility increases you will be able to place a kick some- where that was previously not within your range The Calasanz System has made its way to this 9

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT of motion. The simple knowledge of this option will change not only your ability to take down an opponent but how your mind thinks about how to take down an opponent, and this in turn will open more and more ideas of how to deal with physical confrontation. some of our testimonials. Go to youtube, watch some of our videos. You will see for yourself the bodies that Calasanz has created and the ability he himself has achieved through his own body development system. It is this system that we now share with you and with the world. The beauty of this system is its simplicity. Often times people who are new to the system pass it off because it seems too easy. What is happening here is that subconsciously they already understand the system without realizing it. This is why many people have come and gone. They think that many people have come and gone. They think that they are not being taught anything. Usually this is they are not being taught anything. Usually this is because they are already smart enough and do not because they are already smart enough and do not need to be taught, being that the entire system is need to be taught, being that the entire system is based on common sense. It is logical. For these, it based on common sense. It is logical. For these, it is not a matter of learning, it is simply a matter of is not a matter of learning, it is simply a matter of persistence; to actually put in the necessary work persistence; to actually put in the necessary work to attain their perfect form and many do not pos to attain their perfect form and many do not pos- sess the necessary strength of will to achieve this. sess the necessary strength of will to achieve this. However, for many it is not until this is pointed out However, for many it is not until this is pointed out or transformed into language through an explana or transformed into language through an explanation that this common reaction is illuminated. tion that this common reaction is illuminated. On the other hand some people are in need of On the other hand some people are in need of extensive instruction to learn and understand the extensive instruction to learn and understand the system. Generally these people become some of system. Generally these people become some of the best students and teachers within the Calasanz the best students and teachers within the Calasanz system and family. Happy Practicing! 4 5 A Quick Commentary October 11, 2012 Here we share a comment recently received by DrRGRiveraScientist. He himself has a great channel with wonderful eye-opening, mind-opening and relevant blurbs. Most people, however, recognize the beauty and Most people, however, recognize the beauty and simplicity of the Calasanz system and become stu simplicity of the Calasanz system and become students within to see how far they can take it and dents within to see how far they can take it and just how far we can help them to progress towards just how far we can help them to progress towards their individual goals and ultimately, perfection. It their individual goals and ultimately, perfection. It should be said now that, for the average person, should be said now that, for the average person, what is attainable through our system is only as what is attainable through our system is only as limited as the student‘s desire to progress and their inner self-dedication as a practitioner towards their own personal development. We thank him for his support and compliment him for really hitting the nail on the head with this one!! Thanks Again Doc! DrRGRiveraScientist (www.youtube.com/user/DrRGRiveraScientist) posted a comment on your channel: “The Kinematics of your movements are unique because few have found them. You, however, have found the unrecognized and ignored natural levers of our design and are using them as they were designed to function. Beautiful!” 4 We are not talking about a get-ripped quick program, although by following this system you will indeed see fantastic results quickly if the proper time and effort are applied. We are talking about a system to follow for the long term that will give you a body you didn‘t think was attainable. But don‘t take our word for it. Go to our website, read 10

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r is isT time. It is his life’s dedication. He has spent his time. It is his life’s dedication. He has spent his entire life practicing, teaching, and rede entire life practicing, teaching, and redefining the world of Martial Arts. world of Martial Arts. 6 A Message to the Haters Those who badmouth or talk as if they know bet Those who badmouth or talk as if they know better have not spent the hours, days, weeks, months, ter have not spent the hours, days, weeks, months, years that Calasanz has spent honing, re years that Calasanz has spent honing, refining, and developing. Most of these people have had one developing. Most of these people have had one teacher and as such are single minded due to their teacher and as such are single minded due to their lack of experience. They have not yet opened their lack of experience. They have not yet opened their minds to the Universe that is Martial Arts and are minds to the Universe that is Martial Arts and are scared of taking in new perspectives. This is not to scared of taking in new perspectives. This is not to say that there is anything wrong, it is a simple lack say that there is anything wrong, it is a simple lack of development. of development. October 22, 2012 In this short discourse I will outline why it is that In this short discourse I will outline why it is that some people do not accept Calasanz as the most well-rounded Master of Martial Arts that he is. As Descartes said, As Descartes said, first you must admit you know nothing, only then can knowledge come forth and nothing, only then can knowledge come forth and only then can true learning begin. Instead, bring only then can true learning begin. Instead, bring now what you have in your cup and let it become now what you have in your cup and let it become more full. Close your eyes and take a fresh look at more full. Close your eyes and take a fresh look at Calasanz. 4 There is a certain mystery that surrounds Calasanz; as one of his close students I can personally attest to that. As with anything that we do not understand, there comes a natural fear of it and immediately a barrier is raised up against that which is diately a barrier is raised up against that which is diately a barrier is raised up against that which is diately a barrier is raised up against that which is misunderstood, or simply not comprehended at all. misunderstood, or simply not comprehended at all. This is not uncommon, and again it is in fact 100% This is not uncommon, and again it is in fact 100% natural. We as humans fear what we don’t under natural. We as humans fear what we don’t understand. We as humans fear what we don’t compre stand. We as humans fear what we don’t comprehend. And the logical progression from there is hend. And the logical progression from there is to attack that which we fear, to eradicate it, that to attack that which we fear, to eradicate it, that we might remain comfortable in our present real we might remain comfortable in our present reality without interference from the ground-breaking ity without interference from the ground-breaking “unknown”. A great example of this can be seen in “unknown”. A great example of this can be seen in the history of the Catholic Church’s condemnation the history of the Catholic Church’s condemnation of Copernicus and other notable Mathematicians of Copernicus and other notable Mathematicians and scientists of the same era. and scientists of the same era. 7 Wing Chun discourse on HARD and SOFT Energies November 12, 2012 People such as these were (as we say today) “ahead People such as these were (as we say today) “ahead of their time”. In reality they were right on time, of their time”. In reality they were right on time, but brought something to light that the world was but brought something to light that the world was not yet ready for. Today we will explore the concepts of being both soft and hard within martial arts. As people attack and question his background As people attack and question his background (which is extensive ex: he was taught Gojo Ryu by (which is extensive ex: he was taught Gojo Ryu by Gameyoshi Sakamoto, and Wing Chun by Moyat) Gameyoshi Sakamoto, and Wing Chun by Moyat) they seem to forget the skill and ability they are they seem to forget the skill and ability they are seeing right before their very eyes. Also take heed seeing right before their very eyes. Also take heed that Martial Arts is what he does, it is the only thing he does. For him it is not a hobby or past A great deal of people have heard of the technique of being soft and then becoming hard just at the point of impact. To be perfectly clear the technique involves being loose through most of the motion and then tensing the muscles just as contact is made, just as the punch lands. Followed there af- made, just as the punch lands. Followed there af- made, just as the punch lands. Followed there af 11

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT ter by an immediate relaxing of the tension within so as not to be ‘frozen’ by the flexing of your muscles. It is important to note, however, that it takes a dedicated amount of time and training in order to execute this technique successfully. It is an acquired technique. Acquired meaning its not something an amateur can learn in an afternoon. As Bruce Lee exploded into cinema and onto the silver screen everyone wanted to learn things like the ‘touch of death’, soft and hard applications in a real environment, among other advanced techniques. They assumed that these were things that could be transmitted to the desiring pupil in a few short minutes if the teacher was worth his weight in salt. So, many people would ask instructors, “Can you demonstrate the death touch just like Bruce Lee?” and the instructors that were real martial artists would say that they have not practiced that technique yet, or that they had not yet attained that level. Others would respond in the affirmative and attempt to demonstrate the technique even if it meant permanent embarrassment. Many amateurs would get hurt attempting to train these advanced techniques without the knowledge or experience to be aware of what they were actually doing. They would end up hurting themselves and quitting or find out just how much training is necessary to attain the skill they see in films and pulled back from accomplishing these martial arts achievements. It is often forgotten that Bruce Lee did not spend his time watching Bruce Lee movies to achieve his level of skill, he trained year, after year, after year to attain his talents and abilities. It takes time to learn the difference between soft and hard. Perhaps we can help to expedite the process through word. Soft does not mean floppy and limp; it is better described as present. Hardness is almost equivocal to tension. For example, one can have a closed hand up by the face in a ready fighting stance. The hand is in front of the face ready to strike, it is present. This is soft. Hard would mean that the hand in the same posi- 12

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT tion is gripping and clenched tightly as if life de tion is gripping and clenched tightly as if life de- pended on it. Having a hard hand here would only pended on it. Having a hard hand here would only hinder the muscles’ flexibility, as well as the mo- exibility, as well as the mobility of the muscles around it (such as the forearm, bility of the muscles around it (such as the forearm, elbow and even up to the shoulder) and limit its elbow and even up to the shoulder) and limit its reactive capabilities through the radiating nature reactive capabilities through the radiating nature of the flex. (Also, keep in mind if the hard hand ex. (Also, keep in mind if the hard hand his knocked back into you, you will essentially be his knocked back into you, you will essentially be injuring your own hand with your own head.) injuring your own hand with your own head.) 8 Physical Arts: Superior Results November 29, 2012 Sometimes it takes longer for someone even just Sometimes it takes longer for someone even just to understand how to be soft and relaxed. Many to understand how to be soft and relaxed. Many people come into a martial arts academy or school people come into a martial arts academy or school full of tension without even knowing it. Common full of tension without even knowing it. Common among newer martial arts students, it is thought among newer martial arts students, it is thought that to execute a technique with speed and pow that to execute a technique with speed and power is the measure of skill when in reality it is the er is the measure of skill when in reality it is the person who executes with greater control and pre person who executes with greater control and precision that truly knows what he is doing and why cision that truly knows what he is doing and why he is training. As you watch our Physical Arts System its logic As you watch our Physical Arts System its logic A is readily visible and is often captured, but not always consciously. Often times while watching the performed exercises or movements people are dis- tracted by the powerful breathing they hear coming from Calasanz and cannot get past it. These are simple minded people without imagination who do not recognize the simple beauty and logical ef- do not recognize the simple beauty and logical ef- do not recognize the simple beauty and logical ef fectiveness of the movements themselves. Notice the movements. Notice their fluidity. Notice their synchronicity. Notice the synchronicity. Notice the flexibility. Notice the ability. Look at the anatomical correctness and the perfect balance and control of the entire body necessary, from start to finish, to perform them correctly and perfectly. The body is completely in synch with itself throughout the exercises as should the breathing be to boot. While fast, strong movements are appealing to the While fast, strong movements are appealing to the eye , they are meaningless without true control. eye , they are meaningless without true control. Better to practice a punch perfectly 10 times and Better to practice a punch perfectly 10 times and take 1 minute for each punch than to do 10 sloppy punches in 1 second. exibility. Notice the With control comes power, with accuracy comes speed. Speed is always available to the user, but keep in mind it is to be able to utilize this speed with precision that is going to finish the fight. To be fast and erratic is one of the easiest ways to get countered and knocked the ***k out. Take a look at this video for example. The entire body goes into each movement starting from a neutral but active position. Then each movement goes into a structurally sound stance with the legs and extends the arms fully from the inside out to maximize gains and to keep the focus of the exercise centralized on the core to increase true power and results. Thinking of softness like a net, or a cloth, it is capable of reacting, catching and flowing, yet still must maintain its structure without collapsing. Hardness is like a piece of metal in its solid state. It will absorb and take damage, but is apt to dent or simply break altogether. Listen now, young grasshopper, and read as we ex- plicate why this is important and superior to traditional weights exercises and machines. This is why one is never more important than the other. It is the interplay; the ability to adapt between the two, and the wisdom of knowing what is more suitable and when that denotes a true master. 4 First and foremost, all exercises within the system the core is activated, this generates and develops true power which will radiate to the rest of your body through natural pathways. Second, by enter- 13

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT ing into a wider horse stance you are engaging the lower body into the movement to work the legs. This stance change works an individual’s coordination and gets the upper and lower body working together in-synch to generate more power and maximize energy use and effi fi maximize energy use and effi maximize energy use and ef ciency. Also, while different movements go in different directions different movements go in different directions each movement on its own requires the entire body each movement on its own requires the entire body to participate and gets everything working togeth to participate and gets everything working together to perform the movement instead of isolating a er to perform the movement instead of isolating a single muscle or muscle group to the bene single muscle or muscle group to the benefit of one small particularity. not something that comes quickly and takes time and practice to develop; but now with a bit of ex- plication the learning curve is exponentially improved if you put the information into practice and experientially witness it and develop yourself. 4 ciency. Also, while 9 The concept, design, and purpose behind Calasanz‘ Interdojo and Videos Physical Arts is what makes our system unique Physical Arts is what makes our system unique and what puts us a step up from any other workout and what puts us a step up from any other workout program out there. The martial arts background program out there. The martial arts background of the system makes sure that the movements are of the system makes sure that the movements are effi effi ef cient, effective, productive, and useful towards cient, effective, productive, and useful towards improving strength AND flexibility at the same time. The movements can even be perceived as time. The movements can even be perceived as fighting techniques with weighted resistance, so ghting techniques with weighted resistance, so even in performing the lifts and exercises you are even in performing the lifts and exercises you are not only developing strength and not only developing strength and flexibility, but also perfecting an anatomically strong and proper also perfecting an anatomically strong and proper punch or kick. exibility at the same December 7, 2012 Subliminal input softens the mind. The way ancient martial arts used transmitted was very different from how we pass along our talents, skill sets (and “secrets”) today. In the past the students were told by the grand master to follow the movements. told by the grand master to follow the movements. He would demonstrate the movement a few times and then put the students to practice it for several hours. This was not only practical seeing as in order to punch better you must practice punching, but was also a ‘test’ of each individual. As the master would walk around or watch from around the facility he would notice who was dedicated and disciplined and who was lazy or became bored and started goofing around. Within the Physical Arts system the importance Within the Physical Arts system the importance of breath synchronization along with the body of breath synchronization along with the body movements is emphasized. If you perform these movements is emphasized. If you perform these exercises and do not release the breath they are not exercises and do not release the breath they are not being performed correctly. In the realm of yoga breathing properly is more important than the asanas (poses) themselves. In fact someone simply sitting in a chair with good posture and breathing properly is practicing better than one who is going through the poses without conscious awareness and control of their breath. Breathe deeply into the lower abdomen and allow the lungs to fill from the bottom up; it will greatly increase the oxygen input to the blood stream to produce greater results and increased focus. Release the breath naturally, do not fight to hold the breath or strain by holding onto an air column. If the breath does not feel natural it is not in synch with the movement or with the body. As the students progressed (or didn’t) the master would give the students who were ready the next movements and left those who hadn’t mastered the techniques yet with only the same lesson. Today we are not holding back on anybody. Simply following the master would help the students understand the techniques better by giving The Physical Arts System is designed to get all components of the body working together. This is 14

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT and relaxing the brain to capture, memorize, learn, and understand something more deeply and in a shorter amount of time. This is the skill, idea and concept behind the Calasanz System videos. them an experienced and developed visualization of the technique. This visualization is absorbed in the student’s mind while following and is then reinforced significantly when practiced in solace or practiced at all. Following the lesson and practice the dedicated student might even be patient enough to sit, listen and receive focused instruction from the teacher afterwards. Notice also that there is almost no talking within the Calasanz videos. The intent is for the viewer to follow the movements, not listen to words. It is much harder to synthesize words into meaningful movement than it is to capture a movement visually to reproduce it. It is a much longer and more complicated process to teach someone through words as it is not only necessary to be said and heard, it must also be interpreted correctly to produce the desired results. However, a short talking lesson can greatly augment a visual one to help the student make sense of the movement and its purpose. The idea behind the Calasanz’ interdojo and DVDs is based on watching a movement or technique 3 to 10 times BEFORE being taught. You don’t have to be interested in learning the specific motion de- picted, but is watched just to see a movement to allow your brain to process and understand human movement. This softens the mind and relaxes the brain to better understand movement itself and afterwards when the master teaches you, your understanding will be enhanced and deeper in comparison. For example, when you read a book you can often reiterate the essence of the book’s meaning but recounting every specific detail is quite difficult. When it comes to physical exercise the process is much the same. The videos are designed to give the viewer an idea of the general essence of the movements so they have a grander picture of what it is they are aspiring to. After watching and gain- ing this larger perspective of what is being taught the instructor comes in to fill out the details. This way of learning develops a student’s understanding right away and helps them progress much faster than the traditional way of study which usually involves seemingly endless repetition and (until the last movements are taught) an incomplete picture. There are easily two types of intelligence. When it comes to Physical Art, the smarter you are in regards to book study the slower you will learn movements that require physical ability. This is the dichotomy between mentally gifted and physically gifted minds or people. That is not to say that a bright person cannot be taught, it just means that there is a steeper learning curve for those with mental prowess when it comes to understanding physical movement. This idea is being exposed all the time. Those who are book smart, are very capable of understanding and completing ideas, concepts and mental processes. However, it is of- Immediately an experienced instructor makes an assessment of how slow or fast you can learn. He will determine if you are ready to be taught or only ready to follow the movements. You usually see this done in the practice of Kung Fu, especially by the monks participating at Shaolin schools. But, you don’t have to be as dedicated to martial arts as they are to learn in the same way. You can still learn by watching or following. Anyone can learn in the traditional way without having to be a monk. People learn both ways, traditionally and non-traditionally and we recognize that fact and entertain both paths of learning. Imagine a master or teacher that wants to teach you the first 5 movements of a kata or form without you ever having watched it or having followed him. This might take you 2 eternities to learn without a demonstration or visual aid. Imagine now that you watch a video clip of the first 5 movements 10 times or simply follow your teacher 10 times. Now you have at least a general idea of the movements and the flow of the form. With this “leg-up” some learn the first 5 movements in as little as 10 minutes, what a time saver! The difference is what we call softening the mind 15

ThoughTs of a W ThoughTs of a W a W a a W a ell B ell B ell ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT rT r isT ten diffi ten diffi ten dif cult for them to understand or assimilate cult for them to understand or assimilate things in the same way when it comes to physical things in the same way when it comes to physical action. (The opposite holds for those who fall on (The opposite holds for those who fall on the other side of the spectrum. They may be able the other side of the spectrum. They may be able to perform physical actions easily but to perform physical actions easily but find it diffi cult to entertain the abstract.) 10 Becoming Bruce Lee and Purposeful Practice nd it diffi nd it dif - The visuals provided on www.interdojo.com and The visuals provided on www.interdojo.com and by Calasanz’ DVDs are designed to bridge the gap. by Calasanz’ DVDs are designed to bridge the gap. They are designed to soften the mind to give the They are designed to soften the mind to give the viewer full perspective of the movements and tech viewer full perspective of the movements and techniques to reduce learning time and enhance his or niques to reduce learning time and enhance his or her understanding regardless of their natural dis her understanding regardless of their natural disposition towards a more mental or a more physical position towards a more mental or a more physical prowess. December 12, 2012 Before we go on we want that you understand the beauty in martial arts. There is a certain beauty that comes with being a Bruce Lee or a Mu- hammad Ali or a dancer whose movement inspires. Calasanz believes it is in the movement of these wonders that inspires us. It all comes from knowing yourself and understanding why it is that you are being so watched by an audience. It is because movements produced with such confidence and synchronization are captivating to those observers. The sheer balance, and control of a human body demonstrates its capabilities, potential and beauty. This is something that attracts the eye and is diffi This is something that attracts the eye and is diffi This is something that attracts the eye and is dif - cult to ignore. This tells you the entire story of what Calasanz This tells you the entire story of what Calasanz brings with the interdojo. Again and again you can watch his videos, it does Again and again you can watch his videos, it does not have to be a professionally not have to be a professionally filmed video or for- mula video. It can be any video, even a home made mula video. It can be any video, even a home made video. We intentionally avoid words and verbage video. We intentionally avoid words and verbage within many of the videos to allow the viewer to fully capture the movements in focused isolation. The goal is to soften the mind first, because then it will give a better understanding of what is being taught to enhance the learning process. Calasanz’ advice is that before and even during downtime af- advice is that before and even during downtime af- advice is that before and even during downtime af ter a workout, while you are resting, watch a DVD or video, or even just have it on in the background to relax the mind and absorb. 4 Beauty in martial arts does not come from knowing thousands of techniques or their potential ef- ing thousands of techniques or their potential ef- ing thousands of techniques or their potential ef fectiveness. It arises from the controlled and proper execution of these techniques. In practice it is most helpful to observe yourself in the mirror, it allows you to see yourself and correct your movements to make them more and more beautiful. Mindless execution and repetition does not produce true development. It is the calculated, disciplined and deliberate execution of techniques and movements that allows for a real improvement in proficiency. Observing one’s movements visually gives the user something so they might critically asses and evaluate their own standing in order to make developmental corrections. 16

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT Practice your moves, but not mindlessly. Correct them with the purpose of making them prettier and prettier, striving to make them so. As you look in prettier, striving to make them so. As you look in the mirror and watch yourself, you will know how the mirror and watch yourself, you will know how they look. If the body looks contorted, writhing they look. If the body looks contorted, writhing and out of line, a correction is necessary. If the and out of line, a correction is necessary. If the body looks poised, stable, balanced and strong the body looks poised, stable, balanced and strong the movement is beautiful and correct. You will know movement is beautiful and correct. You will know this yourself. Bruce Lee, to become a Muhammed Ali. You will know yourself, you will be yourself. 4 11 Challengers Welcome - Part 1 At any moment that you let anybody control that At any moment that you let anybody control that for you, that is when the knowledge and beauty of for you, that is when the knowledge and beauty of what you are doing will be lost. When you come to what you are doing will be lost. When you come to study the Calasanz system think of learning some study the Calasanz system think of learning something that you can take home with you. It brings thing that you can take home with you. It brings you to the point of not just understanding the tech you to the point of not just understanding the techniques and exercises of any martial system, but niques and exercises of any martial system, but more importantly to the point of understanding more importantly to the point of understanding your own body. By reaching this level of under your own body. By reaching this level of understanding you can train the exercises and tech standing you can train the exercises and techniques to look good and beautiful doing them. In niques to look good and beautiful doing them. In understanding your body in this way anything you understanding your body in this way anything you participate in in daily life will be improved. participate in in daily life will be improved. January 6, 2013 Calasanz Physical Arts and Martial Arts Center in Norwalk has been teaching and training some of the best Martial Artists in the world since the 1970’s. People come to challenge the master when they cannot even defeat his students. The clock strikes high noon while the best fighters in the area walk through the door unannounced. Train to elongate your muscle. Work out with the Train to elongate your muscle. Work out with the purpose of developing a nice posture. All of these purpose of developing a nice posture. All of these things can be improved under the Calasanz sys things can be improved under the Calasanz system and training Physical Arts. The techniques are applied to more than just American Boxing, Kick- boxing, Karate, Kung Fu or other martial systems. They are applicable to universal movement, general motion, everyday action. Here is the story behind Darrel Dash and Dennis White. When you train to become a competitor things change within the mind. Your view is to train hard and hurt people. Looking at Muhammad Ali or Bruce Lee their movement looks so natural and beautiful, the harming of their opponents is almost a secondary component. The fruits of their training are apparent. In the ring they are as graceful as ballroom dancers. They are killers but still look good. Sometimes you must be born with that, but if you are not so endowed training is where you gain it. First you must gain posture, coordination, technique, rhythm, balance, and control. After acquir- ing these you can develop flexibility, strength, sen- sitivity and power at alarming rates to become a www.youtu.be/y0NfcUg6abM Daryl Dash, in the white shirt with flat-top, was the first Black Belt under Calasanz. He was known at this time for having the fastest head movement and his devastating countering ability, known as 17

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT the master of counter. Calasanz himself admits that if he was not 100% when working and moving around with Daryl he would have been in trouble. Dennis White, in the full gi and beard, had an extensive Martial Arts background fighting people in schools all around the country. For example, he had a 7th degree black belt in Judo but that is really only scratching the surface of his training. This day he came with his Master and fellow students to the Calasanz center unannounced. a small shot of footage with Dennis so it can be used in a commercial. Dennis as you can see is seemingly scared to throw a real kick and towards the end quits from being toe to toe with Calasanz, even just for show. This group, from Stamford, made their living and their name by going to other schools, challenging them and converting students after showcasing their skills. They were great fighters to be able to do that. On this day at the Calasanz center they would be disappointed after their efforts. www.youtu.be/kgDxwdrW4SA Calasanz, without fore-warning, of their arrival had only his students in attendance to enter the fray while most of his best students were not present at the time. Still, having faith in his system and his students he put them to fight. So the story goes that about 6 years before this day Dennis as an accomplished martial artist and respected fighter had come to Calasanz for a fight and stepped into the ring with Calasanz. After a short time Dennis went for a leg sweep nearly felling Calasanz. Calasanz regained his footing and lost it. He approached Dennis in passionate fury and it. He approached Dennis in passionate fury and contacted Dennis with several strikes but without contacted Dennis with several strikes but without fully connecting them through his opponent so as fully connecting them through his opponent so as not to hurt him. All Dennis could do was utter the not to hurt him. All Dennis could do was utter the words, “Please don’t kill me.” words, “Please don’t kill me.” Enjoy the fight, comment and like! 4 12 Anecdote on Calasanz and Dennis White This is why Dennis seems apprehensive when This is why Dennis seems apprehensive when working with Calasanz. working with Calasanz. 4 January 14, 2013 This footage is taken of the man Dennis White This footage is taken of the man Dennis White T and Calasanz. The footage takes place after students from Calasanz School and students from another martial arts center went head to head. Calasanz shown here with Dennis is trying to get 18

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT ple nobody wanted to ple nobody wanted to fight, like Raul Ortiz, and he won tournaments so large he would go home with won tournaments so large he would go home with trophies as tall as 6 feet. His nickname, “Flash” trophies as tall as 6 feet. His nickname, “Flash” fully characterizes the reaction people had when fully characterizes the reaction people had when watching him fight. To see him moving around in ght. To see him moving around in a fight is like watching a Bruce Lee, and every- ght is like watching a Bruce Lee, and everyone who trained with him knew that if you touched one who trained with him knew that if you touched him he would make you pay for it. He moved so him he would make you pay for it. He moved so fast people could barely see him attack. One of fast people could barely see him attack. One of Roger’s best moments was when he competed in a Roger’s best moments was when he competed in a kyokushinkai tournament and ended up taking kyokushinkai tournament and ended up taking first place, his fellow student is in the background here place, his fellow student is in the background here and took 2nd place. and took 2nd place. 13 Challengers Welcome - Part 2 January 14, 2013 Calasanz was and continues to be the biggest name in martial arts in the surrounding area of Norwalk Connecticut, not to mention his name’s international renown. People after seeing his skill would often talk, “Wow, he’s even better than Bruce Lee!” With a reputation such as that it was repeatedly required of Calasanz to uphold such a high acclaim. In fact, until recently there was always a sign on the door welcoming challengers to walk in. In these videos Roger “Flash” Mayers In these videos Roger “Flash” Mayers fights Den- nis White. Roger v. Dennis White: Roger v. Dennis White: Often times the meanest, ‘baddest’ punks in town would walk in with inflated egos and idealistic conceptions of themselves and of how their one punch would end the fight in seconds, only to find themselves realistically confined to roles reversed. Oth- er times more skilled and practiced martial artists with a bone to pick would enter through the doors with their inflated egos and idealistic conceptions of themselves and of how their superior technique would end the fight in seconds, again, only to find themselves realistically confined to roles reversed. We are reminded especially of the story depicting Calasanz’ fight against Kenny at George’s Gym. www.youtu.be/ic2nX5tk5Eg As you watch the fights you will notice Roger landing many kicks to the hips of his opponents. After the rounds of fighting and sparring the schools meant to go out to lunch but the opponents were having trouble walking from taking these blows to the hips and unfortunately could not join us for the meal. But after all was said and done their aim of usurping Calasanz position and proving him a fraud was once again denied despite their best ef- fraud was once again denied despite their best ef- fraud was once again denied despite their best ef forts. Today however we have unearthed, from the piles and piles of tapes, a video never seen before of footage taken when an entire school came to make good on the sign’s promise. We look now at Roger Mayers, one of Calasanz most honest, loyal and recognized students. In his time he was one of the best and fastest point fighters. Roger is a guy with great defense, great reflexes, and a great heart. He went up against peo- 19

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT Roger v. Michael - Round 1: All the STRIKES! www.youtu.be/STQS0X8vFVs www.youtu.be/lDbkNyeUCiY Roger v. Michael - Round 2: The sign has since weathered and was taken down after the school remained unopposed for such an extended spell. But the stories of those who came to challenge still remain within our walls and are testament to the resilience and truth about Cala- sanz and his system. 4 14 Obsession www.youtu.be/UhjqQo2ff54 Roger v. Michael - Round 3: Roger v. Michael - Round 3: January 27, 2013 Obsession is something that affects everyone in its own way. Some people become obsessed with gambling, others with sports, others with “what- have-you”. Calasanz’ obsession is Martial Art. His obsession began when he was still a boy on a farm in the Dominican Republic. His father took him to see the wildly famous Bruce Lee film, “En- ter the Dragon”. From that moment on he knew his life’s purpose and he began dreaming of going to America to become a Bruce Lee, to become the world’s most well balanced martial artist. www.youtu.be/sJtmvz0Eue8 20

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT His dream would begin to actualize in the early 1980’s when he finally made it to this country, the United States of America. Now he had some work to do. While he will tell you that he was born with the gift of knowing martial art and especially understanding Wing Chun he also knew that in order to become well balanced he would have to learn a variety of styles and given its ‘pot-luck’ nature there was no better place to do that than in Amer- ica. He took a very logical approach. He would pick some novel systems to learn to achieve his ends, study them and practice them down to their root. He began his training in the Dominican Republic at a myriad of schools training disciplines including Karate and Taekwondo. The first school he attended within the U.S., however, was under Moyat in New York City to improve and perfect his Wing Chun. After one year with Moyat in Chinatown he moved on. Years later Moyat would come to Calasanz’ dojo for a seminar to promote Calasanz and instruct some of his more advanced students. On his endeavor to become the most well balanced martial artist in the world he undertook the study of Cheng Chuang (translates to “Long Fist”). He studied this system with Angel Rodriguez under a Chinese master with only one English name, Hen- ry, in New York City for 6 years, all the while improving his Wing Chun and developing aspects of body control through dance classes and gymnastics. Cheng Chuang remains a large influence on his art and teaching style emphasizing extension and flexibility for greater range and a more capable body. While we examine and get into his course of study its important to know that his study of each particular style is not cut and dry. Language will, unfortunately, limit the way in which I can convey, and the ways in which you can comprehend his progression of training but it is important to remember he as a living human was and is doing so much more than what can be exposed here through prose. That is to say that as the topic changes schools or instructors, remember that his study and practice of previous styles or systems did not end. In fact even today he continues to develop his skill of styles previously studied while adding the knowledge and training of newly learned systems, never throwing away what was obtained in years passed. Still to this day he continues to develop, involve and evolve aspects of each of the styles he has trained within his system because as any real martial artist will tell you, you are never done developing. Each day he trained and learned he became aware that he could not satisfy his obsession. He grew hungrier and hungrier. His appetite for martial arts would grow faster than he could take it in. As he kept learning, practicing, and developing he would augment his previous Hapkido and Tae- kwondo training in the Dominican Republic with 21

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT lessons under Master Lee in Darien, Connecticut. He would also attend Gleason’s Gym in New York City regularly to soak in what he could of boxing. I say soak in because at Gleason’s Gym he could not step into the ring. He was already making videos and doing the incredible and those who attended Gleason’s thought he was crazy. They would not even put him to spar. Russian instructor in Westport at the time. Darko is noted as being baffled at Calasanz’ ability and workout routines. As time passed he integrated all of these styles, taking Bruce Lee’s ancient aphorism to heart, to take what is useful and disregard what is useless. And like Bruce Lee, Calasanz understood the importance of dance. He took up dance classes in several different styles including ballet, jazz, tap, modeling jazz and modeling ballet. And, while dancing is not necessarily martial art, martial art is most definitely dancing. Dancing, as another practice of bodily control and presentation, gave Calasanz another perspective and allowed him to grow as a martial artist in ways strictly martial systems had not. This opened the mind and gave him another leg to stand on so to speak to be more well-balanced and more well-rounded as a martial artist. The people surrounding and training Calasanz were more often than not confused by him. They could not comprehend what he was doing, and more, how he was doing it. His obsession drove him to extremes so far from so-called “normal” that many, including those at Gleason’s Gym, dis- missed him as crazy. But this is exactly what happens to someone with an obsession so advanced and a desire so deep. In anything he trained he would always want to know the meaning of the technique or movement. He wouldn’t stop. For those on the outside looking in it is difficult to understand a person obsessed and their actions because they simply do not share the same motiva- tions and desires. Simply, they do not have the same obsession. Surrendering to an obsession and to then pursue it with such vigor and passion does not come without a price. As Calasanz trained doing rigorous activity for unhealthy and extended periods of time, his body paid a price. He had successfully destroyed the joints in his body through over-training. His obsession had become a destructive force and over time a lesson would be learned. Even with the world’s best body development system in his hands, the pitfall of excess showed its face. His obsession had led him deep within the martial arts world and even outside of it altogether. He would learn a lot by taking a step outside that realm and looking in through a different lens. As he continued training his learned martial systems he would again branch out, this time into the world of gymnastics. He would train under Darko, a He would be the first to learn the perils of pushing 22

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT one’s self within his system while in the end it is better that it happened this way; that the creator should carry the burden of pushing his system too far. It is, however, exactly that, his obsession, and his relentless feeding of that obsession which spring-boarded Calasanz as a martial artist above and beyond all those around him including his instructors. His inability to be satisfied, his unre- lenting hunger to be the best, most well balanced martial artist in the world, and his determination and strength of will to do what was necessary to achieve that goal has led him in this lifetime to the fulfillment of that self same goal. This is Calasanz, the Most Well Balanced Martial Artist in the World www.youtu.be/1wW9yzgNhDs4 15 A Martial Artist‘s Re- venge : A True Story February 4, 2013 Revenge is an emotional reaction that is hard Revenge is an emotional reaction that is hard R for the offended to resist feeling. At times leading to extreme and unnatural action. We have all felt wronged and wished for righteous retribution and know that something burns within until it is quelled with appropriate recompense. Calasanz recounts one of his experiences with revenge and how it changed him as a person and as a martial artist. artist. By the time I decided to return to learning Hap- kido and Taekwondo I was a very powerful guy, very strong. But even with all my power I was still This story taken from an audio recording with Ca- lasanz talking about his experience: 23

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT not the fastest guy. After a few lessons with Mas- ter Lee in Darien I ended up sparring with fellow student Gary. As we moved around no one in the building could have predicted the sort of kick that he was going to put on me. He delivered a hook kick with everything he had, to this day, still one of the strongest kicks I’ve encountered, and he got me. I mean he really got me. After that kick had been delivered I was ready to fight. Especially as a younger man with little patience. When I was an adolescent in the Domin- ican Republic I was known for two things. They would say, “Don’t hit him if you want to win. Don’t sweep him if you want to win.” I was ready to fight, but immediately after it landed Master Lee came from the office and stopped us. He must have heard the kick land on me all the way in the back. I was furious. After my encounter, with Gary, class ended and I left. It was a Saturday on a holiday weekend, with plenty of time on my hands I would spend the next 3 days training intensely. I started kicking and I didn’t stop. Saturday and Sunday, all day kicking. Sunday night, all night kicking. Monday, all day kicking, I didn’t stop until Tuesday morning at 5 o’clock in the morning when I had to go to work. In those three days I had trained my kick to be as fast as anyone’s. I kicked over 10,000 times with 2 1/2 pound ankle weights on both of my legs. My kick after those three days became lightning fast and brutally strong. I wanted to be ready for Gary. Months later chiropractors would tell me my joints had all been destroyed and I’m certain that this was a contributing factor to that, accord- ingly I wouldn’t recommend this intense training to any of my students now, but I was crazy and I was angry. The next 4 weekends I spent going to the Tae- kwondo school just to go, just to have a chance to get even. Saturday at 1 o’clock I would go. Later in class the students would be sparring but as soon as it came to be my turn the instructor would end it saying, “Okay, class is over, everybody bow.” Next week I would go, Saturday at 1 o’clock and the same thing. For 4 weeks in a row I would go for a chance to face Gary once more to get my revenge. Never would I get the chance. But I had proven a point. I was so out of control and so focused that Gary did not want to fight with me, and even the instructors were reluctant to pit us against one another. Gary and I never squared off again, and never did that fight happen. Every time I went to my Taekwondo school after taking that kick I went to make sure that I could get even, but instead a respect between us grew. I was like a monster, a behemoth. My body and my ability were so beyond that we couldn’t fight. We had to become good friends. Gary would actually be the one to give me the name “super power” while I would end up being the one to inspire him to take ballet. We remain on good terms to this day. 4 24

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT Learning the basics well will open everything else up more readily and will create a solid foundation from which a student can develop any other technique. A new student learning boxing, for example, is taught a good jab, then right combo (while being told to keep his hands up 1000 times). By learning to execute this combination well the student will have spent time practicing and will physically and experientially learn much about his body mechanics and punch mechanics through his practice to deliver a more powerful, stronger and practice to deliver a more powerful, stronger and more precise punch. As the student develops these more precise punch. As the student develops these skills through practice it becomes easier and easier skills through practice it becomes easier and easier for them to learn new punches, such as an uppercut for them to learn new punches, such as an uppercut or a hook to the body. or a hook to the body. 16 Foundation February 10, 2013 The concept behind the training program at Ca The concept behind the training program at Ca T lasanz Physical Art is to build from the bottom up. - Our system is unique. It is designed to first train the body to protect with a solid defense and then to perform the 4 most basic striking techniques within any martial system with better coordination and with more power than any other martial system, (right and left punch, right and left kick). We train these techniques to the highest degree through Physical Art exercises. If we took the same student, for example, and If we took the same student, for example, and taught him 30 different punches on the taught him 30 different punches on the first day there would be no growth, no development, and there would be no growth, no development, and no technique. Everything would look like a mess. no technique. Everything would look like a mess. The student would not be able to perform any one of the punches with any competence, but might get a big head. So we stress the basics. We make sure the student is ready for more before he is taught the next technique, movement or exercise. As the body becomes more in-tune and self aware through martial practice one’s techniques begin to look more beautiful, land with more power, and place with greater precision. The brain too will begin to understand 25

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT the essence of what the body is doing and they will become harmonious, working together with rhythm in perfect time. It’s like that great philos- opher always said, you must first learn the notes before you can play a symphony. http://youtu.be/XSxXGBJqWE4 for beginners, is to train the body to throw an elbow to the bag by shifting the feet and rotating the hips and torso. (The arm should remain relaxed through the twist and the elbow should land at ap- proximately shoulder height.) By learning to do this well you will better understand the power mechanics of the body and how to produce a powerful strike from the torso rather than a ful strike from the torso rather than a flailing one from the elbow or shoulder. After mastering this from the elbow or shoulder. After mastering this the student will further their sphere of in the student will further their sphere of influence outward training the farther reaching strike, the outward training the farther reaching strike, the punch. All-the-while in keeping with the power punch. All-the-while in keeping with the power body mechanic learned through practicing the el body mechanic learned through practicing the elbow strike technique. bow strike technique. Build the foundation before the obelisk. 4 17 From the Inside, Out Realize now, by training from the inside out you Realize now, by training from the inside out you and your body will better understand where the and your body will better understand where the long strikes come from, how they develop through long strikes come from, how they develop through the entire technique motion, and how to produce a the entire technique motion, and how to produce a more anatomically correct and structurally sound more anatomically correct and structurally sound long-strike. February 15, 2013 A good strike is generated from the core, and A good strike is generated from the core, and A radiates outward to and through the extremities. While the limbs are the delivery mechanisms and structures making physical contact, it is within the core and torso that the energy going into a strike originates. We emphasize the core in all of our exercises because we know this to be true. Take another look at our Physical Arts exercises. It Take another look at our Physical Arts exercises. It is clear that the motions involved are going from is clear that the motions involved are going from close proximity to full extension. This makes close proximity to full extension. This makes sense so as to ‘grease the groove’ and implant into sense so as to ‘grease the groove’ and implant into a student’s muscle memory the full range of mo a student’s muscle memory the full range of motion of a strike. Within each movement is a strike tion of a strike. Within each movement is a strike at all ranges along the spectrum from immediately at all ranges along the spectrum from immediately One of Bruce Lee’s training techniques, especially 26

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT close to completely extended. This not only trains the anatomy to be aware of its own presence naturally, but with added weight resistance it strength- ens the muscle along the entire trajectory of the strike while increasing flexibility and most importantly activating the core. 4 controlling the first perpetrator there are fewer and fewer resources to deal with a possible second or third aggressor. Second, should the fight go to the ground mobility is reduced almost to nil. While standing you still have two legs to run on if the situation calls for have two legs to run on if the situation calls for flight. If you are occupied on the ground, on the ight. If you are occupied on the ground, on the other hand, it exponentially increases the dif other hand, it exponentially increases the diffi other hand, it exponentially increases the diffi other hand, it exponentially increases the dif culty of escaping a low percentage survival situation. of escaping a low percentage survival situation. 18 Don‘t Go to the Ground February 20, 2013 A lot of systems like to take advantage of A lot of systems like to take advantage of A ing on the ground these days, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA for example. While it is important for competitors to have a significant ground game, on the street it is the last thing you want to do for several reasons. fight- Here at Calasanz Physical Art we Here at Calasanz Physical Art we find that learning to fight well standing, one transitions to ght well standing, one transitions to fighting on the ground easily. Even without the fancy tech on the ground easily. Even without the fancy techniques a good standing niques a good standing fighter can be very effective on the ground. If you can throw a good punch tive on the ground. If you can throw a good punch standing you can throw it better on the ground and standing you can throw it better on the ground and the reasoning is simple, there are fewer variables the reasoning is simple, there are fewer variables to go into your punch on the ground. Your balance to go into your punch on the ground. Your balance is taken care of automatically, you do not have to worry about footwork, and your opponent is going to be within striking distance with little to no eva- sion options. “Don’t go to the ground, if you go to the ground you are going to fight.” - Calasanz As a trained standing fighter you know how to fight, if you are on the ground you still know how to fight, its simply a different venue. Natural- ly, you will perform better in a particular a venue with specialized training but even without specialized ground training you can still perform on the ground. Your natural instincts and training will co- agulate symbiotically and spontaneously when the First, you will only be able to engage a single opponent with most of these techniques. If it is a one on one fight in a cage, this is incredibly useful and effective, however, when the possibility of any number of people in a crowd joining the scuffl scuffl scuf e looms, it suddenly loses much of its val- ue. As your legs and body are tied up pinning and 27

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT venue changes. Learn to fight standing first. The rest will come naturally. 4 The Physical aspect of Martial Arts demands much respect as it is the realm in which bodies interact and the realm in which bodily injury occurs. We and the realm in which bodily injury occurs. We look now at fighters. Fighters are people without ghters. Fighters are people without fear of physical harm or even those who harbor a fear of physical harm or even those who harbor a 19 What is Martial Arts? February 28, 2013 So.. What is it? Let us explore the topic in more detail so our readers [thanks guys :D ] might get a deeper understanding of what we are discussing here. Martial Art is not something that can be defined with any absolute certainty, but here we will attempt such an impossible feat. Martial Art. It is an art form that is never stagnant, always moving and as long as one lives one is always a participant within it. A musician, for example, plays a piece from beginning to end. A painter applies pigment to canvas to create a painting to a conclusion. A writer thoughtfully scribes a story from beginning, to middle, from middle, to end. Martial Art, in contrast, is in constant practice. Even if one is not training traditionally or even “training” at all, one is constantly in the act of producing their Martial Masterpiece simply by their propagation of life. Every act we engage ourselves in is a stroke of the brush, a crescendo, a poem. Understand, this is not said to downplay artists of other mediums, but to point out that musicians, painters, writers, artists of all kinds, and all people in general are intrin- sically practitioners of Martial Art. In a sentence, Martial Art is Life. Now, something interesting happens when we open the topic to the three aspects. We speak of the Mental, Spiritual, and Physical (Mind, Spirit and Body respectively). Let us discuss each indi- vidually. love of it. Fighters are dedicated to the mastery of the physical domain and set out to build their bodies to compete. They train to take punishment and to unleash it upon their opponents. It is the most visible and easily altered realm. Also, realize now 28

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT that the physical realm is controlled through the that the physical realm is controlled through the mental and spiritual aspects of the user as each of mental and spiritual aspects of the user as each of these three aspects are interconnected and act on these three aspects are interconnected and act on one another through symbiotic relationships. (A one another through symbiotic relationships. (A topic that deserves much further discussion, but is topic that deserves much further discussion, but is best reserved for a composition where it can be the best reserved for a composition where it can be the center of focus). 20 What Presentness Through Life and Kung Fu The Mental aspect is the side of analyzing a The Mental aspect is the side of analyzing a movement or a technique. It is the quiet ponder movement or a technique. It is the quiet ponder- ing and conscious deliberation over the physical ing and conscious deliberation over the physical movements. The samurai, for example, before movements. The samurai, for example, before they would practice would go through a they would practice would go through a fight se- quence or exercise, sitting quietly, executing it quence or exercise, sitting quietly, executing it purely mentally first before even picking up the rst before even picking up the sword. This is as important as physical practice sword. This is as important as physical practice as it allows the user to critically and creatively ex as it allows the user to critically and creatively ex- periment with the technique or exercise prior to its periment with the technique or exercise prior to its execution, the fudging of which may end up being execution, the fudging of which may end up being physically harmful if not performed well. Don’t be physically harmful if not performed well. Don’t be fooled though, physical practice and mental anal fooled though, physical practice and mental analysis can occur simultaneously and in fact should ysis can occur simultaneously and in fact should be exercised both in tandem and independently. be exercised both in tandem and independently. This sort of ‘cross-training’ is critical to becoming This sort of ‘cross-training’ is critical to becoming well-rounded. March 9, 2013 When it comes to training the body for the long When it comes to training the body for the long W term, for the dedication to a prolonged life and for real longevity we are, in the end, talking about Kung Fu proper. As a term that is thrown around in Western culture, often mentioned only in passing and almost never actually discussed or explored in any real depth, as if a joke or a farce, “Kung Fu” is very depth, as if a joke or a farce, “Kung Fu” is very much a part of every day life and is an important practice for those living in those areas where Kung Fu was birthed and developed. As life continues so too Kung Fu continues to develop along with it, independent of geographical location. Do note, however, that the expression of Kung Fu in different geographical locations differs vastly from one place to the next and does not necessarily involve the complicated forms or movement sequences often brought to mind upon the utterance of the words “Kung Fu” (note: the existence and practice of said forms classically denotes a highly developed but still changing expression of Kung Fu). For example, eating is Kung Fu, training is Kung Fu, sleeping is Kung Fu. If you are breathing, if you are living you are in fact doing Kung Fu. The Spiritual aspect is the understanding of purpose. Mindless training without understanding will no doubt produce a physical result, but in the end is properly brutish and nonsensicle as it is not conducive to wholesome constructive development, but instead actuates ignorant stasis. This understanding is not easily attained however. The user will naturally have some sense of purpose to begin with and his understanding will deepen ever deeper through continued physical practice, mental analysis and meditation, unending. Martial Arts is the dedication to these three aspects and most importantly the wisdom to balance them harmoniously. 4 So, if we can agree that Kung Fu is synonymous with life it is also understood that any action taken which delays the Reaper’s inevitable scythe is good Kung Fu, and any action which quickens the dark and final blow is directly at odds with the natural inertia of existence. The good practitioner has a harmonious aptitude and a complete understand- 29

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT ing, even without the understanding of every particular. The good practitioner visualizes his life’s path knowing that his present action affects his course directly. It is difficult to consistently keep this vision front and center in sight and in mind, especially with the ever multiplying measure of external stimuli in today’s world. before the entrance of any empirical information) can properly be modeled by the mathematicians bell curve. As we are great effectors of our own circumstance we must remain focused and reso- lute to ensure that as long as we are in control we do not breach over into an extreme displacement unless absolutely necessary. But, if a breach of extreme does occur either by “accident” or through willful, deliberate action we must do our best to maintain control using our wisdom and intuition to characteristically proceed with magnanimity and honest virtue to reestablish equilibrium. So we bring it back now to the topic at hand which is longevity. Physical development is something that is also perpetual throughout a lifetime until death, so it is important that one understands how to develop safely and without injury as injury is properly a physical regression, which is the opposite of the desired outcome of development, progression. So please! Don’t get hurt! Our Phys- ical Arts Exercises with the anatomical logicality of its holistic movements all centered on the core are the most simple and most effective exercises to promote longevity and real, internal power. These exercises, when performed correctly and safely (meaning not with excessive weight) promote coordination, dexterity, power, proficiency and skill simply through their execution. With this system the physical realm can be mastered in record time leaving the mental and spiritual realms ready to be conquered. The good practitioner can develop and hone his ability to keep this vision at the forefront through meditation and more specifically control of the breath. It’s amazing that even the most minuscule lapse of judgment; the most concise, fleeting moment can cause a resounding deviation from the envisioned path. Situations where this is the case might be called “accidents”. A mental consistency of awareness and a grounded recognition of reality must be maintained to a certain degree at all times to curb the likelihood of “accidents”actualiz- ing themselves. Reducing their possibility is best done by avoidance of the prerequisite conditions necessary for the accident to occur and using foresight to recognize those conditions. As we live there is a perpetual culmination of circumstances occurring at every moment in a constant fleeting genesis and it is here, within the moment, where lies the potential for all that is present to affect (for better or worse) the immediate circumstances towards a future reality. Again, the potential there lies, in the moment, for us to bend our reality to a new extreme, or more like- ly to a new moderate circumstance as time passes. Whether an extreme will actualize itself or not is uncertain, and the likelihood of a situation’s development into an extreme reality a priori (meaning A Master of Kung Fu lives longer through dedicated physical training, spiritual serenity, and mental patience all contributing to a stressless life and ever-present mind. 4 30

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT used to affect spiritual change within; all the while used to affect spiritual change within; all the while this comprehension is only achievable with the as this comprehension is only achievable with the as- sistance of the physical events of eye-movement, sistance of the physical events of eye-movement, sensory input, and brain synapse activity. These sensory input, and brain synapse activity. These physical happenings are combining with the men physical happenings are combining with the mental capacity to understand in order to produce an tal capacity to understand in order to produce an amalgamation ending in a signi amalgamation ending in a significant and inner spiritually altering experience. spiritually altering experience. 21 Combining the Three Aspects March 15, 2013 This “three way amalgamation” is at all times oc This “three way amalgamation” is at all times occurring to create the present experience in which curring to create the present experience in which genesis and conclusion are in exact equilibrium genesis and conclusion are in exact equilibrium through what is properly called time. through what is properly called time. First is breathing. Next comes awareness of the First is breathing. Next comes awareness of the F breath. Then comes control of the breath. After that, forgetting of the breath. Followed by remembrance of the breath. And finally a return to just breathing. The concept of Nirvana within the Indian Tradition The concept of Nirvana within the Indian Tradition is described as a state of pure bliss or “ultimate is described as a state of pure bliss or “ultimate reality”. It’s opposite being “samsara” or a state reality”. It’s opposite being “samsara” or a state of “non-nirvana”. Yogis and gurus have discov- of “non-nirvana”. Yogis and gurus have discov- ered certain methods of achieving this state of “ul ered certain methods of achieving this state of “ultimate reality” (most are based on awareness and timate reality” (most are based on awareness and control of the breath) and here I will let the prover control of the breath) and here I will let the prover- bial cat out of the bag and let you all in on the big bial cat out of the bag and let you all in on the big secret. Nirvana, again might be described in this secret. Nirvana, again might be described in this discourse as an instantaneous and simultaneous realization of the association of the three aspects: physical mental and spiritual. Nirvana, however, cannot be experienced through solely a spiritual, mental, or physical means by itself. One reaches Nirvana through a combination of mental and physical stimuli affecting the entity in the present to induce a spiritual realization and mental state. It can occur at any moment, either through extended practice or even by surprise for no explicit reason, or anywhere there inbetween. The moment of realization culminates into what has been referred to by Alan Watts as the “cosmo- logical experience”. and this experience is embod- ied by two different extremes at opposite ends of a spectrum. One may feel as if he is the Omnip- otent himself, a feeling that one is simultaneously producing and maintaining the entirety of reality (sometimes leading to delusions of grandeur among the unpracticed) or as if he is completely subordinate to reality under complete control of his surroundings / environment. (sometimes leading to a more nihilistic outlook or a feeling of ultimate surrender). The three aspects of martial arts are the Physical, Mental and Spiritual. Discussed in an earlier entry rudimentarily we will now delve deeper into these different facets and discuss the interplay between them for a deeper understanding and more open discourse about them. At all times these three realities are present and are constantly being expressed, independent of the user’s being aware of it or not. In fact, it is not possible to consciously express all of them at once, for the simple reason that as soon as conscious- ness gets involved the moment becomes primarily mental. For example, at this moment the processes leading to comprehension of these words puts the mental understanding of their meaning at the fore-front of the current experience which is being 31

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT This state, however, is as temporary as anything else and does not usually last very long. Under- stand that as one approaches an extreme, eventually there will only be one way to go. As a great teacher once told me, “Something that turns so far into itself will begin to turn into its opposite.” This reversal can happen both spontaneously, or over a duration of time, just the same as the achievement of Nirvana. However, the effect of the user achieving this state or having this realization is ever-lasting and never forgotten. So how can I explain this interplay to you? It is perhaps diffi perhaps diffi perhaps dif cult to explicitly lay it out. We are, after all, talking about the interaction between physical reality and abstract realms which is an incredibly complicated topic and one that is excep- tionally challenging to understand intellectually. (Good on you if you are following this!) This interplay might be described as a trinity of ever-present realms unified in concept; in which each aspect separately retains its certain individual properties while constantly adapting in accordance with the others and concurrently influencing them outward- ly. This interaction implicitly results in life and in harmony. A harmony who’s ‘tune’ and beauty originates from the balance between the three. The first time Nirvana is achieved the experience is baffl is baffl is baf ing, after which the user is often confused, amazed, unsettled and shocked all at the same time. However, through practice and repeated achievement he will come to a realization which is what all religious traditions in the world today are paraphrasing in their own ways. It is that Nirvana and Samsara are identical. That they are, in the end, a simple pair of symbiotic opposites used to symbolize and conceptualize the contrasting perspectives of reality we experience. First is breathing. Next comes awareness of the breath. Then comes control of the breath. Then comes forgetting of the breath. Remembrance of the breath follows. And finally a return to just breathing. Thanks for Reading and Share it if this helped you or spoke to you in any way! 4 In the Christian Tradition these are named “Heaven” and “Hell”. Here we refer to “heaven” and “hell” in the sense that they are not ethereal, postmortem in the sense that they are not ethereal, postmortem destinations, but are instead the perceived, readily destinations, but are instead the perceived, readily tangible and (fortunately) malleable expressions of tangible and (fortunately) malleable expressions of reality here within. For example, someone who is reality here within. For example, someone who is suffering is, at that time, in hell and someone who suffering is, at that time, in hell and someone who is experiencing joy is, at that time, in heaven. The is experiencing joy is, at that time, in heaven. The defiant, wayward rebellion of Adam and Eve with- ant, wayward rebellion of Adam and Eve within the Christian tradition being representative of in the Christian tradition being representative of our capacity to change and shape our own reality our capacity to change and shape our own reality for better or worse towards heaven, or hell. for better or worse towards heaven, or hell. 22 What the F*&#! is so Great About Cala- sanz? March 18, 2013 Here is Calasanz showing one of his best exercises based on Physical Arts under his self-titled ‘Calasanz System’. Physical Arts is Martial Arts, but Martial meaning in a general balanced term. 32

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT The Calasanz System - What is it? Calasanz has spent a lifetime studying various martial arts and fitness trends. Over the years, he has dissected the best parts of each and combined them into what has become known as THE CALA- SANZ SYSTEM – a unique and effective style that has wide range appeal. THE CALASANZ SYS- TEM includes a physical conditioning program that improves your overall strength, that improves your overall strength, fl flexibility and endurance. This conditioning program builds a endurance. This conditioning program builds a more functionally fit body than traditional weight t body than traditional weight lifting programs or other fitness routines. exibility and tness routines. 23 Calasanz has spent the last 30 years here in the Calasanz has spent the last 30 years here in the U.S. developing and perfecting his system of mar U.S. developing and perfecting his system of martial arts and fitness training. His unique teaching tness training. His unique teaching methods have helped countless men, women and methods have helped countless men, women and children of all shapes, sizes and children of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels enjoy the martial arts while getting the martial arts while getting fit. His professional expertise and unique approach are why people like expertise and unique approach are why people like you have made Calasanz their number one desti you have made Calasanz their number one desti- nation for superior martial arts and nation for superior martial arts and nation for superior martial arts and nation for superior martial arts and fi fitness training. Don‘t Lose It! Calasanz on Forgiveness and Redemption: March 30, 2013 tness training. I hate to give up on anyone in this world. I believe that if somebody does something wrong and tries to make it up, that is enough to be forgiven. There are cases that make it impossible for 99% of the population to forgive, but when confront- ed with a person who repeatedly acts against their nature, who has time and time again acted impul nature, who has time and time again acted impul- sively, seemingly unawares that their acting out is transgression in its basest form, then there is more to think about. We’re Unique, - What Makes Us Different? We’re Unique, - What Makes Us Different? We’re Unique, - What Makes Us Different? Many martial arts clubs have a one-size- Many martial arts clubs have a one-size- Many martial arts clubs have a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching. Calasanz tailors an individu approach to teaching. Calasanz tailors an individu approach to teaching. Calasanz tailors an individual program specifically for each single person that cally for each single person that cally for each single person that walks through the door. Whether you’re a sea walks through the door. Whether you’re a sea walks through the door. Whether you’re a sea- soned martial artist looking to improve your skills soned martial artist looking to improve your skills soned martial artist looking to improve your skills or a beginner looking for a great way to get or a beginner looking for a great way to get fit, Ca- lasanz and his team will work with you in creat lasanz and his team will work with you in creating a program that meets your ing a program that meets your fitness and Martial Art goals. In this system a natural athlete can be Art goals. In this system a natural athlete can be passed on to more challenging feats while extra passed on to more challenging feats while extra attention can be spent on developing the abilities attention can be spent on developing the abilities that will help advance those at the dawn of their that will help advance those at the dawn of their athletic experience. Our One-on-One training is athletic experience. Our One-on-One training is the most superior method of enhancing your body the most superior method of enhancing your body and your skills. 4 It is like depression, you cannot blame a person that is depressed for anything they do, why? De- pression is the worst illness on the face of earth, but because mostly the entire world is ill people don’t take it seriously; the public, their Doctors and even their families. 33

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT happen. I personally do not belong with those who believe in the worst. Those pessimistic attitudes, negativity, anger and hate. The worst is when you “lose it”, when you lose your patience and are gen- uinely unruly. Later on, once those moments have passed, and as you reflect on those times, you remember what occurred and you begin to question your mental attitude and your intelligence. “How could I have done that?” “What was I thinking?” In my life there was a problem which, without a fraction of doubt was the most devastating problem to myself and my business, ever. Let me tell you the truth, the only reason I remain in business today is because those around me know me very well, plus, there is one thing I do right, and that is that, the more pressure and adversity I face, the more I focus on staying healthy. You might ask yourself these questions but there are no answers; for it was not really you who did it, and there was no conscious thought in the moment. Passion and emotion had taken complete control. You find people that try so very hard not to do something that they just wait and wait to see if something will change. This is not far from the Zen Buddhist concept of action through inaction. In the world you will encounter people that do not listen to anybody, and despite their unwillingness to concentrate and consider perspectives to achieve a broader sense of things they insist that their knowledge is already complete and perfect. And through their subjectively complete and perfect knowledge they insist that still, they can help best. (Logical- ly one with a broader more informed knowledge base would be able to make a more helpful deci- sion than a more narrowly informed individual.) Allowing anger, or any emotion for that matter, to arise to such a degree that you are no longer present in the world, no longer aware of your actions despite how radical they may be, is a quick way towards a self-guilt laden future of continued masochistic introspection and a yearning desire to “undo” those actions as they are remembered and come to mind again and again. Today I ask myself many questions. Calasanz with student John Recor Are we doing the right thing? Or rather, are we being too patient or passive? Are we just waiting for the worst? And we have indeed waited, in the past and into the present, meaning I was wrong to let all of this This is why patience is king. To be able to consistently remain calm, to learn to suppress the seeds 34

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT of rage before they blossom fully so as to remain conscious, aware, functional, and deliberate. To remain focused enough to have the foresight necessary to avoid taking unnecessary radical action. To maintain composure even in the face of adversity and opposition. Remember, the view to the bottom of the pond is clearest when it is devoid of agitation. (again I also remind you that breath control and awareness of breath are the proper tools of this suppression, discipline and control of self) Patience Will Win the World, That is the Fact of Life. 4 25 24 10 Respects at Calasanz Physical Arts and Dojo A Calasanz Short April 2, 2013 April 2, 2013 All on Calasanz is: At the beginning of this ll on Calasanz is: At the beginning of this All on Calasanz is: At the beginning of this A video you will see Calasanz with 50 pounds tool video you will see Calasanz with 50 pounds tool posing on one of his main exercises for Grounding posing on one of his main exercises for Grounding (Don’t go to the ground but if I do I will (Don’t go to the ground but if I do I will fight better than standing). April 3, 2013 April 3, 2013 1 Proper Attitude - A DOJO is NOT a gym, nor are Proper Attitude - A DOJO is NOT a gym, nor are the Martial Arts simply exercise. Without “Proper the Martial Arts simply exercise. Without “Proper Attitude” study of the Martial Arts can be poten Attitude” study of the Martial Arts can be poten- tially very dangerous, the least of which is serious tially very dangerous, the least of which is serious injury to yourself and others. injury to yourself and others. Why Is That Calasanz? Okay, because of the fact of creating one of the Okay, because of the fact of creating one of the strongest Grounded horse stances ever, you can strongest Grounded horse stances ever, you can call it a horse stance or Call it a supper strong nat call it a horse stance or Call it a supper strong natural, relaxed squat, which just by creating a super strong general over all powerful stance or squat, you can over power any opponent, all done by Ca- lasanz Martinez on Calasanz is: 2 Respect - Respect those things that we respect Respect - Respect those things that we respect and treat them with great care and do not take and treat them with great care and do not take them for granted. Respect for teachers, the school, them for granted. Respect for teachers, the school, its equipment and other students should be self evident. 3 Bow • when entering or leaving the school • when approached by more advanced belts • when beginning or ending an exercise with another student • when Calasanz or other senior instructor approaches or departs during training www.calasanz.com www.westportboxing.com www.interdojo.com www.the-perfectfit.com www.norwalkboxing.com 4 35

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT 4 Display your PATCH on your SHIRT or PANTS while you are in the school. When testing under traditional karate or kung-fu a proper uniform is required 5 Recognize and respect the space of those who are engaged in a class or workout and do not inter- fere or interrupt. 6 Competition, Performance, and Sparring are not mandatory here at Calasanz Physical Art, but we encourage those who are interested in these pur- suits to participate and inquire within. 7 In order to work out with ANKLE WEIGHTS you must first receive instruction on how to use them. Wearing them too often is not advisable and may lead to injury. 8 Belts must be worn at all times with a GI or when participating in formal group classes. 9 Testing - Tests are carried out every SIX MONTHS, we let students know 2 months in advance in order to start training for a test which will be video taped. 10 Hours - The CALASANZ School is open from 4am to 11pm. Depending on the program you sign up for you will know the hours available and not available to you. Bonus: Other Schools The 5 Cards Program will allow you into any other school open under the CALASANZ System. 4 36

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT is better than knowing 1000 techniques. (thanks is better than knowing 1000 techniques. (thanks Charlie Wildish, GREAT Vid.) Here at Calasanz Charlie Wildish, GREAT Vid.) Here at Calasanz our videos are not so well liked or understood. We our videos are not so well liked or understood. We want to show everything. So we make sure to take want to show everything. So we make sure to take our time because as teachers who want to teach it our time because as teachers who want to teach it right we want you to take your time watching it right we want you to take your time watching it to capture and understand completely. If you are to capture and understand completely. If you are watching our videos and getting bored, its okay, watching our videos and getting bored, its okay, you are out for entertainment, our purpose is ed you are out for entertainment, our purpose is education so we do our best to make sure you can ucation so we do our best to make sure you can learn something from watching any of our videos. learn something from watching any of our videos. 26 Flashy Wing Chun April 4, 2013 This post is going to get a little personal. I’ll be This post is going to get a little personal. I’ll be T using ‘I’ a lot, I hope that doesn’t bother you, if it does please write me about it or comment. These days I see a lot of Wing Chun videos online, many show the techniques being performed very quickly. Immediately one thinks, “Wow, they are so good, look at how fast they are.” But in my experience as I watch guys go through the dummy or go through a form, I’m not impressed by their speed in the same way I’m not impressed by videos of a quick handed “Master” dominating a willing / obedient actor or student with a flurry of blows. While I respect those quick-handed Masters I find that many of them subconsciously perform the techniques very quickly in order to hide their im- perfection, to prevent observers to see how sloppy their technique really is. It is the guy who is going through very slowly with synchronization, focus, control and precision that I want to learn from. This is the guy who is getting down to the nitty gritty, the real stuff. He is practicing the micro to a ‘T’ to develop the macro into perfection. He’s really getting down to into it and not just trying to look cool, besides, its the precision and definition that makes it look cool anyways. The simplicity of Wing Chun means that it doesn’t have to be made complicated. Regardless of ve- locity the motion should in essence come out and develop identically when practiced slow or fast, and logically, naturally, it is easier to capture a necessary correction or focus on precision when performing the techniques slowly with purpose, focus and conscious awareness of the entirety of the motion. When performed fast you obviously have a smaller time window to feel or see a flaw to be corrected not to mention those watching cannot capture the technique properly. And as we said, we understand that and we acknowledge OTHER’S understanding of that and APPLAUD those who also strive to teach it well and teach it right. We Those videos of Wing Chun guys throwing chain punches and everything is very flashy and fun. Very appealing to the eye. But, when we get down to it Wing Chun is about finishing quickly, as quickly as possible in fact. That’s part of what makes the Art so dangerous, it is SHARP and DIRECT. I think this guy hits it on the head in this short explanation especially emphasizing that every fight is different and that being versitile and situationally aware 37

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT can agree that it’s hard to get beginners to understand this concept, often they want to run before they can even stand. Remember to take it slow and get it right, then pursue rythm and speed. 4 Our programs are unique for every individual based on ability and personal interest but maintain a strong common thread in Physical Art and Mar- tial Art. The best way to learn at Calasanz is to come for a stint of time, be that an intensive week come for a stint of time, be that an intensive week long program, a slower 3-month approach or sim- long program, a slower 3-month approach or simply a few lessons. After each and every collabo ply a few lessons. After each and every collabo- ration you will always leave with something new ration you will always leave with something new be that a new exercise, more movements in a form, be that a new exercise, more movements in a form, corrections, or a new perspective. corrections, or a new perspective. 27 In Case You Were Wondering People come here to take something home with People come here to take something home with them, and that is our promise and our duty to our them, and that is our promise and our duty to our respected students. respected students. At the Martial Monasteries in China individual in At the Martial Monasteries in China individual instruction is minimal. The monks are given an ex struction is minimal. The monks are given an exercise or something to practice and after the lesson ercise or something to practice and after the lesson are expected to practice it and perfect it on their are expected to practice it and perfect it on their own. Upon the approval of their teachers and mas own. Upon the approval of their teachers and masters they are given the next lesson. ters they are given the next lesson. April 10, 2013 When people come in to Calasanz Physical Arts When people come in to Calasanz Physical Arts W for the first time they are never sure what to expect after stepping through the door. We are not your normal every-day run-o-the-mill exercise facility like planet fitness or L.A. Boxing. This is not far from how we operate here. You will This is not far from how we operate here. You will learn progressively as you prove yourself a ready learn progressively as you prove yourself a ready and apt student as well as at the pace your ability and apt student as well as at the pace your ability and learning capabilities allow. We do not sugar and learning capabilities allow. We do not sugar coat. The purpose is to make sure of a few things, coat. The purpose is to make sure of a few things, one that we avoid injury of our treasured students. one that we avoid injury of our treasured students. And two, because we want to teach it right. And two, because we want to teach it right. While we may offend the egos of those with one’s inflated, believe, it is for the best. For example, even the most eager infant must first learn how to balance standing before he can learn to walk. Come to Calasanz, Take Something Home With You. 4 We are not here to count your reps as you do them or yell at you to “push it” if you are not actually working out. We do things a bit differently here and many people are shocked or unprepared for our approach to training. Here we teach you how to learn, how to think for yourself. It is relatable to that old saying that ‘You can lead a horse to water...’ 38

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT 28 Expressive and Beautiful April 15, 2013 Karate, Kung Fu, Mauy Thai Boxing, Recre Karate, Kung Fu, Mauy Thai Boxing, Recre K ational Boxing, Chinese Boxing, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Cheng Chuang Long Fist, Ninjutsu, Jujitsu, Fitness, Yoga, Tai Chi et cetera et cetera et cetera... - All of these Martial Arts are expressive and beautiful. They can be competitive. They can be non-competitive. They can be practical in both style and reality. All are viable and all have their own applications, advantages and pitfalls. So many students and so many regular people believe that the purpose of the Martial Arts is based lieve that the purpose of the Martial Arts is based lieve that the purpose of the Martial Arts is based lieve that the purpose of the Martial Arts is based on defending yourself against someone trying to on defending yourself against someone trying to harm you. Yes, that is the purpose at the root of it, harm you. Yes, that is the purpose at the root of it, but there is much more than just that taking hold, but there is much more than just that taking hold, breaking ground, budding and growing into some breaking ground, budding and growing into something much more massive. It is about being suc thing much more massive. It is about being suc- cessful. It is about improving your personality and cessful. It is about improving your personality and learning to walk with pride and con learning to walk with pride and confidence. The beauty of Kung Fu and the meaning of it is much beauty of Kung Fu and the meaning of it is much more than simple fighting techniques. It is about ghting techniques. It is about building Martial Arts around your life, or more ac building Martial Arts around your life, or more ac- curately, your life around Martial Arts. curately, your life around Martial Arts. 29 The Biggest Dum- my : The Traditional Dummy Explained April 17, 2013 The techniques you learn and training you do at The techniques you learn and training you do at your place of practice is only the tip of the iceberg. your place of practice is only the tip of the iceberg. The techniques and the time spent are meant to The techniques and the time spent are meant to train you to protect yourself, yes, but as you learn, train you to protect yourself, yes, but as you learn, that which you learn becomes a part of you that that which you learn becomes a part of you that you will carry with you wherever you may go for you will carry with you wherever you may go for the rest of your life. You are given great boons to the rest of your life. You are given great boons to utilize as you see fit in any situation, to build your- t in any situation, to build yourself, to be yourself, to become who you are and to self, to be yourself, to become who you are and to help others along the way. And so now we come onto the topic of the wood And so now we come onto the topic of the wood A en dummy. When it comes to this we are obliged to discuss first the elements. Here in the West we conjure up usually 4 (or 5 for you Captain Planet fans out there) elements. - Happy Practice! 4 39

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT Earth [tǔ] Water [shuǐ] Wind [Fū or kaze or “air”, in the Japanese Tradition] Fire [huǒ] and of course.. (Heart - for you Captain Planet fans out there) .... Try it, you might like it! .... Many have also heard of the Stoic Greek addition of what is properly called by Plato and Aristotle: Aether (or / sky / void / in the Japanese Tradition) This also happens to be the secret of the true Thai Boxers. If you ask a guy where he studied Thai boxing. He says, “America” then he goes to Thai- land and loses in seconds. Why? Because he takes a kick from a guy who has been conditioning his shin since he was 16. The shin is so well developed through repeated impact over time and use of special topical medicines and oils they rub on the leg that it’s not even a competition! One of the most famous Australian kickboxers got taught this lesson, losing handily upon his going to Thai- land. We have similar stories here even at Cala- sanz Physical Art in Norwalk involving one of our students who was also a soccer player. (What do you think the leg chi sau is for?) [Warning: DO NOT go start wailing on your dummy with your shin!] Fewer yet in the West have heard of the further Eastern notions of Wood [mù] and Metal [jīn]. And now we can get back on topic. The wooden dummy is a phenomenal tool. The repeated striking of the Wooden Dummy or Mook Yan Chong readies the body for impact, building the bone through repetition over time. Hint: Turn the arm such that contact is made with either the inside or outside narrow blade-y part of the forearm (as opposed to the flat, broad, softer part) and never with the “knuckle” of the wrist. We give up these secrets in the spirit of not holding back. We don’t intend on taking anything to the grave because there is no time but the present. That those who are real and intend to delve this deep also intend to practice critically and with an open mind. Hint: Begin with rubbing and repeated light tap- ping. If you do Taekwondo, a wonderful MA, you will develop really wonderful and good kicks, but you have not truely trained your leg for impact striking. (We’ve all seen those clips. [Warning: Graphic and Cannot Be Unseen!!!]) That being said, remember to be conscious fully as you go through your repetitions, remember to be present. The Zen Master would say the only way to do that is to not be conscious at all, in other words “Just do it”. This is why it is important to be making contact with the Wood [mù] itself and not padding which is (after pushing the analogy to the extreme) hit- 40

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT ting a pillow. It’s too soft. In the long run it will definitely give you something, but think about that guy versus a guy who has been hitting Wood [mù] for 30+ years, if it is indeed Kung Fu (or ‘the long run’) we are talking about. Travis Simms Boxing is more simple that what people think. If you are training to make boxing as a career, yes we understand you have to throw punches, you have to jump rope, you have to hit the speed bag and train the way a boxer trains. But really, boxing is not overly complicated. Body development is a life-long every day happening whether you want it to or not. It never stops. What will you become? Will you waste away in atrophy or will you rise above? What will you be capable of down the line? One of the ways I created such a big name in the past and over many many years is that people would hesitate and then they were done in seconds of being close to me or stepping into the ring with me. Why? Because it is not that complicated. Create good hips, use your pelvis properly. Good Create good hips, use your pelvis properly. Good head movement. Happy Practice! 4 30 Getting into it, if you are a boxer, and you are get Getting into it, if you are a boxer, and you are getting ready to do a ting ready to do a fight in the top 10. That doesn’t mean that you can go for 10 rounds all the time. mean that you can go for 10 rounds all the time. While you are in the camp you are good. You can While you are in the camp you are good. You can go for 10 rounds. And then you can go for 10 rounds. And then you can fight because you never get tired. What about when you are not you never get tired. What about when you are not fighting? Simplicity of Boxing Revealed May 2, 2013 When it comes to boxing there are different lev When it comes to boxing there are different lev W els of participants. There are those who compete at high levels of competition and those who like to hit the bag for exercise or just to punch something. But boxing is not as complicated as many people think. - Boxing is a well suited activity for those that don’t want to be competitors. To be good at boxing a participant only needs a few basic things. They need to be strong, grounded and be able to deliver basic punches effectively and develop great head movement. In Boxing what one needs to be able to defend against and the ways in which one is legally allowed to strike is very limited. You don’t need a good ground game like someone in the UFC and you don’t need good high-kicks like a Tae-kwon-do guy. You need four great punches and a solid defense. That same championship That same championship fighter becomes identical to another guy who can box and is not a compet to another guy who can box and is not a competitor but trains regularly, which brings the point as to why so many of my guys would hurt so many people. Lou Petrillo for example. Travis Simms (see above) is another one. Lou Petrillo was training here recreationally with me, with Calasnaz, he would end up stepping into the ring several times for me. But one particular time he stepped up to box with a guy training to go pro. 10 seconds into the fight the guy gets hurt. Lou Petrillo brought him down. How? Because he was doing recre- 41

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT ational boxing and creating power. I told my guys this, my boxers. “If you don’t expect to step in the ring, this is how you box.” I would give them about 15 simple techniques to practice and some exercises to make them 20 -30 - 40% more powerful than the opponent. You would be surprised the damage that they could do. Taking a punch from one of my guys is not the same as from someone else. Okay, people say, “I want to learn all these techniques, how to move the head, all these punches, how to slip punches.” all of that, and whatever else. Look, to learn how to slip punches and move away, that takes time and training to master. To do rec- reational, to cover up, to look good, make sure you are very loose, and to deliver the finishing blow, the one technique that when you hit someone, they will go down. That is not too complicated, that is simple. Keep in mind. When I was younger I was 139. I would step into the ring with a guy 180 pounds. But because of my system and my training I was But because of my system and my training I was capable of generating incredible amounts of power capable of generating incredible amounts of power on my smaller frame many times over that of my on my smaller frame many times over that of my opponents. People used to ask me, “What happens opponents. People used to ask me, “What happens if you and Mike Tyson square off in the ring?” if you and Mike Tyson square off in the ring?” That is Boxing here with Calasanz. That is the Ca- lasanz System. lasanz System. 4 4 31 Mike Tyson was a boxer. I was not a boxer, still I Mike Tyson was a boxer. I was not a boxer, still I am not. I was one of the first guys to teach MMA. It is easier to win. To win a fight in a sport, is not the same thing as winning a fight on the street. That is the lesson that a lot of people, a lot of boxers got is the lesson that a lot of people, a lot of boxers got after the UFC came along. To see a guy training after the UFC came along. To see a guy training for the UFC attack you, this is not today what used for the UFC attack you, this is not today what used to be kyokoshinkai. Kyokoshinkai was a brutal to be kyokoshinkai. Kyokoshinkai was a brutal karate that just got so incredible, it was so beyond karate that just got so incredible, it was so beyond and very far, far out there. The training was prob and very far, far out there. The training was probably harder and more intense than training for the ably harder and more intense than training for the UFC today. They would take kicks, take punches, UFC today. They would take kicks, take punches, I mean they would and could really take hits. But I mean they would and could really take hits. But those people couldn’t survive today because they those people couldn’t survive today because they don’t protect the head. When it comes to the UFC don’t protect the head. When it comes to the UFC we are now talking about something else, we are we are now talking about something else, we are talking about a real gladiator coming at you. This talking about a real gladiator coming at you. This is no longer a game. Remembering Our Students - A Tribute rst guys to teach MMA. ght in a sport, is not ght on the street. That Rachel Sanfillipo May 4, 2013 Transcribed from an audio recording of Master Calasanz: As a trainer I have trained many many girls, As a trainer I have trained many many girls, A many men, many children, many young athletes, older people. I have never trained someone even close to the skill that Rachel Sanfilippo demonstrates. I was the guy who used to say, “I don’t care, I believe that I can survive against anyone.” For many years I would say it. But today I hesitate on saying that. What about the guy who is ready to step into the octagon? That is a guy with incredible physique and practiced technique and everything. That changes the point. Now, the same guy not training again changes the point. But that’s what I wanted to explain about boxing. That boxing is not as complicated as people believe. Yet with her skill there are minuses and pluses as with anyone else. The minus was the focus. When I was training her and before I trained her I was made to understand that she was a good, a very good, and excellent gymnast. Given that, and that she got burnt out it was understandable how it was hard for her to focus 100% on other sports. Espe- cially kick boxing like she was doing. 42

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT I would do anything to have the chance to make her one of the best kick boxers. She is so naturally beautiful, and so powerful. She has everything. She has it all over there. I wouldn’t have her fight if she didn’t want to. I would have loved to take her to the top even if she didn’t compete. Rachel, being a Junior Olympian, breaking records all over the place... She could do anything when she puts her mind to it. She would come over here at all hours. She would come over here sometimes 11 o’clock, 12 o’clock. I mean she could just train at any time. Early morning, very late, 2 hours, 3 hours. She could go for 3 hours kicking, she could kick for 3 hours. In the video we show, the axe kick, that day she was doing it at about 20% of the ability she is capable of. When she throws a round kick at full speed it is just incredible. High. Strong. Its just the most perfect kick you can see. When she does an inside out or outside in axe kick. She makes the perfect motion, going straight into the skull of the person, or to the ground. Just perfect. But again, we get back to her lack of consistency. The times when we needed her to do the kick, she couldn’t perform or wouldn’t perform. At that point she hadn’t reg- istered in her mind that she wanted to be a world class martial artist and that she could be so good at it. I would have loved to get more footage of her so she could do something with it, to see and to become the amazing person that she is. She was great, and she is great. http://youtu.be/OubK0hB1Apw She would do things that I never saw girls capable of before. I would put her to do some of our exercises, just to see her doing them it was amazing. Just to see her doing some of the exercises that we do, one that we call super split. The minute I start putting more than 20 pounds on my legs when I do this exercise I support myself and go slowly to make sure I don’t get hurt. She would take 20 or 30 pounds, strap it on her legs, open the legs, close, open the legs... like it was nothing. Amazing. I really do not know what she is doing today, if she continued with kick boxing but really she is just incredible. But then understand, being incredible when you are a gymnast from childhood is not that hard. They already have so much flexibility and are very strong from their gymnastics training. I know gymnasts and they are some of the most fit and most coordinated people that I’ve ever trained. They have it all. This lady was so strong, so muscular it was unbelievable. She had good muscle all in the right place but unfortunately I can’t say that I ever had her going 100%. She would be ready one day with a lot of energy, ready to do the incredible but the next day she would be at her worst. There was no consistency at all. That is sometimes frustrating for her, and at the same time frustrating for me, I wanted to do so much. I just believe that I could have put her to do some of the best exciting movements and exercises so beautifully and perfectly to bring her to another level, but I never had that op- portunity to really really see in her that consistency of really getting there and doing it. The thing is I learned so much from Rachel San- filippo that it is even hard to believe what this girl is capable of doing. I know 100% that she is a great student and a great person. When she makes a mistake she knows it and corrects it. She is great. She is a very logical person and she is going to go far, I have no doubt about that. But I would have loved that I would have gotten more out of her when it comes to kickboxing and boxing. She is not a person I would suggest to anyone to make her angry. She can get a temper and she has all the tools to be a deadly and fierce fighter, besides she is very, very smart. She can kick! 43

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT Unfortunately she got burnt out as a gymnast, trav Unfortunately she got burnt out as a gymnast, trav- eling, and enduring a lot of pressure. eling, and enduring a lot of pressure. 32 Calasanz‘ School Places #1 in Martial Arts Tournament Rachel had support.. tremendous support from her Rachel had support.. tremendous support from her family and her father. But when you start to do family and her father. But when you start to do gymnastics with the purpose of going to the Olym gymnastics with the purpose of going to the Olym- pics that is a lot of pressure on her and her parents. pics that is a lot of pressure on her and her parents. No matter who you are, there is going to be a lot No matter who you are, there is going to be a lot of pressure, especially if you are training to be an of pressure, especially if you are training to be an Olympian, especially in gymnastics. Olympian, especially in gymnastics. May 10, 2013 Calasanz Recounts a Tournament his School At- tended in New Canaan circa 1986: The local YMCA was hosting a childrens’ mar The local YMCA was hosting a childrens’ mar T tial arts tournament in New Canaan. There were schools coming from all over with instructors orig- inating from various locations spreading the globe including Japan, Korea, China. At that time I was very young, and I looked even younger. You can see pictures of me back then, I looked very young, around 17 or 18 years old... maybe younger. I remember when it came time for all the instructors to give their rank or whatever and I was very em- barrassed. They were much older, 70 years old, 80 years old... Grand Masters from Japan or Korea giving their rank, “Grand Master. Black Belt 7th Degree.” “Grand Master Black Belt 10th Degree.” And there was I, “Black Belt.” It was very intim- idating. - She would call me, “I am not coming.” But then She would call me, “I am not coming.” But then she would call back at 11 o’clock at night and ask “Calasanz, will you teach me now.” But the thing that impressed me the most was the ankle weights, oh my god. She would take the ankle weights, up and down back and forth like there was no weight. She just has muscle that flows well. Her muscle was so unique, she was a gymnast, everything flowed, everything was soft, I have never seen someone with muscle so unique. Someone like her you can not miss her when you see her. What a great person with such a wonderful character. She would bring bags and bags for me to send to the Dominican for the charity my sister runs down there, in fact I think I still owe her a small debt! You see, since day one in our system we can get anyone to attain the ability of an average black belt very fast. Besides, anyone especially in the U.S. can get an 8th degree black belt, but it doesn’t always really have the weight behind it that the name seemingly implies. In our system our belts don’t have ranks. That’s not what we want to make the Martial Arts look like, like some sort of ladder or pyramid. We first get someone to the level of “black belt” and after that we get them certifica- tions or diplomas towards the different skill sets or styles. Our black belt students can go on to earn 20, 30, 40 diplomas in their desired directions of She loved kick boxing and she could be the best. 4 44

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT study. So imagine me there looking 18 years old standing next to these stoic instructors over half a century older than me, “Grandmaster ‘so and so’ 10th degree black belt.” I was up there and feeling so out of place, so uncomfortable, hearing all these ‘black belts’ and being so young. with such power. She went down almost crying. I thought they were going to disqualify Edger for the kick he put on her. Instead they gave Edgar 1st place over 2 other black belts his age. That was a great day, all of our students won. Now, picture the overwhelming surprise taken over me and the rest in attendance when at the end of the tournament my name would be repeated again and again for #1 in every event. Points, coaching, everything came to Calasanz. Even at my young everything came to Calasanz. Even at my young age those older instructors were calling me master. age those older instructors were calling me master. The people there gave me so much respect even at The people there gave me so much respect even at my young age, but not because of me, it was be my young age, but not because of me, it was because of my student’s behavior over the other kids. cause of my student’s behavior over the other kids. Most notably, Edger Velez. We were competing there, but we were not point- ing fingers, we were real fighters. That is just one of the many stories about how we made the name, who we are and what we do. 4 33 Real Martial Arts for Real People May 11, 2013 The Beauty of our system is that it is so simple The Beauty of our system is that it is so simple T even children can understand it and put it to good use. Our training exercises and programs are re- markably similar with only minor adjustments necessary to compensate for age and ability. At the end of this event mostly my students ended At the end of this event mostly my students ended up fighting one another, except for this girl from ghting one another, except for this girl from Puerto Rico. She was maybe 14 years old to Ed Puerto Rico. She was maybe 14 years old to Ed- gar’s 11 or 12 years of age and she was much fur gar’s 11 or 12 years of age and she was much further developed to maybe even twice his weight. ther developed to maybe even twice his weight. Edger looked like a baby compared to her. When Edger looked like a baby compared to her. When it came to the final fight for 1st place Edgar had to fight her. She would come after him and jump at him and he would, in order not to hit her, step out of the circle.. he was losing points. I remember he looked at me and we locked eyes. I blinked and said “Go for it.” After that moment something happened that anyone who was there watching and saw it will remember it for the rest of their life. The girl jumped at him to take the next point, Edg- er picked up his leg and went with the system side kick straight to her core. Edgar put that side kick into her stomach so well placed, so deliberate and We take a look now at some archived footage of two young students (one is 3 and 1/2 the other 4 years old) sparring at one of those Calasanz Satur- day Night Fight nights that used to be hosted here day Night Fight nights that used to be hosted here at Calasanz Physical Art, 507 Westport Avenue in Norwalk. These two babies, they are incredible. Even at their young age they are attacking, punching, kicking, blocking. They have so much energy. They could fight forever. All they were doing was im- plementing the basic concepts of the system, cover the head, move the head, close the gap. It is incredible to see them do it so well and speaks to Calasanz’ ability as a coach and a trainer that even kids so young can be so well balanced, grounded 45

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT and proficient with their bodies. The balance they present, their fists clenched well for the punch. This is how they can break a board at such a young age, with simple techniques and a no-nonsense attitude towards training, stressing responsibility and accountability even with people so young. she would jump up and throw the perfect traditional punch within 1/4 inch of another baby. You don’t see that other places, that is how we built such a strong name. Keep in mind, there were people who used to come to the school, Calasanz Physical Art, from all over with a lunch bag just to sit and watch Calasanz train. Although those days are gone now, that is a fact of life. Over the years Calasanz has taught and trained many many children. These people today as they grow up and as they are growing up are not regular kids. They are super babies, super young athletes. We have over 1000 of these kids walking around today, probably more. Years later these children today, probably more. Years later these children come back and say “Calasanz, do you remember come back and say “Calasanz, do you remember me? I am ‘so and so’.” And of course they are me? I am ‘so and so’.” And of course they are remembered. Nathan Paige for example had come remembered. Nathan Paige for example had come back in his late teens after having been trained back in his late teens after having been trained here between the ages of 5 and 8. And literally here between the ages of 5 and 8. And literally just yesterday (5/10/2013) one of our brightest stu just yesterday (5/10/2013) one of our brightest students Spencer, now in law school, dropped in to dents Spencer, now in law school, dropped in to say hello. Our young students and athletes do not become normal people, they become super people and we are proud of them! 4 34 Calasanz Goes On About Jenifer Lee In the case of these children, to teach them how In the case of these children, to teach them how they can grow up with this sort of balance, ground they can grow up with this sort of balance, grounding and confidence. It’s just unbelievable. Still up dence. It’s just unbelievable. Still up to today, teaching since 1986, our young students to today, teaching since 1986, our young students they never get in trouble, they don’t go out hurting they never get in trouble, they don’t go out hurting people. In fact, in the past when police of people. In fact, in the past when police offi people. In fact, in the past when police offi people. In fact, in the past when police of cers have noticed a child getting into a lot of trouble or have noticed a child getting into a lot of trouble or getting beat up they would tell them, “Hey, go to getting beat up they would tell them, “Hey, go to Calasanz for a month or two.” That is the beauty of Calasanz for a month or two.” That is the beauty of it. To teach a kid to breathe, to take a deep breath. it. To teach a kid to breathe, to take a deep breath. Teaching them to concentrate on the right things, Teaching them to concentrate on the right things, how to throw a punch, close the gap and cover up. how to throw a punch, close the gap and cover up. Besides, we are famous for the best defense. Besides, we are famous for the best defense. May 13, 2013 A true life story - taken from an nterview with Ca- lasanz: Jenifer is a lady, an amazing lady, I mean just spectacular. I could write 20 books about this lady, spectacular. I could write 20 books about this lady, talk about her non-stop for 2 years. She is just incredible. I met her when she was hired to be J J One of our students (the one in all white) seen here One of our students (the one in all white) seen here breaking a board in this video (also shown below) came in one afternoon to tell Calasanz that he had been involved in a fight. Calasanz got angry immediately but then fell out in laughter after hearing that the aggressor had hurt his hand just from punching our student who had raised his hands and leg to block the strike in classic Calasanz fashion. Perfect. We also remember Gina, a young girl not more than 4 years old, when putting an attacker at her 46

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT later on she would add movements herself and ad- just others so well, and so perfectly to make it better and better. featured with me on a magazine after winning a beauty pageant. She was 17 years old at the time of that I knew, when I was born with this gift, to understand beauty, what is reality, what is a picture and what should be a martial arts picture. I was born with it. I didn’t have to work for it. Now, I can say over and over that in the 90’s the mid 90’s if you think you would find another body, another person that was more of a complete package than Jenifer you have got to be out of your mind. She was a person that if she was around you HAD to look at her. photo and me, I looked even younger because I did not develop like most people. This lady, she had the complete package. She can flow, she is strong, flexible, she had it all, everything just so precise and perfect. Just to see her deliver a kick. You can see on that side kick when she goes with full extension putting her leg all the way out. It does not look real. It looks fake. It is uncanny and just unbelievable. I know that, and I can describe it. I know what is real, I know what is “looking good” but to look excellent, to look superb, that was Jenifer Lee. You see I grew up on the farm working all hours. I just had so much energy as a kid. I would work with a machete for 8 hours, put 200 pounds of wood on my head to carry to the house 3 or 4 miles. All sorts of chores and different types of work. Nor- mally if you have a baby like me you send them to the hospital because the baby has some problem, mental or something. A baby with 24 hours energy? That is not normal, they could not control it. They could not control me. But instead I was on the farm so they just let me work. It ended up being for the best even though it effected my development. They really let me have it on the farm when I was already 20 and completely clean all over without body hair. I remember being em- barassed by that, but really it is no big deal. Unfortunately, she was so good and so talented that I probably went out of control because I just wanted to teach her so much. This came to a head leading to a time that it was more or less better for her to move on. But if you look again at those movements you can see what is reality, what is the meaning of “fit”, of “fitness”. You know, anyone can do beautiful movements in fitness. Anyone can make a beautiful movement. But to be a lady that is 19 years old capable of stepping into a ring with a man 6 ‘ 4 “ and from nowhere delivering a perfect hook kick or roundhouse kick that if she really let it go and did not hold back that a man at 225 lbs. or whatever would be hurt, seriously hurt. That is real Martial Art. That was, or is, Jenifer Lee. Now, getting back to the story of Jenifer Lee. If you look at the footage, the beginning, the beauty, what is there. Take a look at those movements, the poise, the posture. Its just beautiful. I choreo- graphed those movements with her, together we made it superb. Earlier on I was choreographing it but she became so sophisticated and so good that Power, Beauty, Balance 4 47

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT ing to me, and am I just to trying to imagine what ing to me, and am I just to trying to imagine what they are really capable of if pushed too far.. I don’t they are really capable of if pushed too far.. I don’t even want to think about. Anyone getting hit by even want to think about. Anyone getting hit by those strikes is in serious trouble. those strikes is in serious trouble. 35 Coaching 3 Lady Martial Artists May 15, 2013 Remember head movement is 98 percent of the Remember head movement is 98 percent of the R battle of you not getting hurt. That is head movement. That is why no one who trains within our system gets hurt. Its because of head movement. Closing the gap, the best defense, the best grounding, the best balance, that is the Calasanz Sys- tem. To see them doing a Thai boxer’s block so well. The balance they could present. To see them clenching a fist or doing a side kick or breaking a board, they were and they are excellent. Just describing and following and watching what Just describing and following and watching what these ladies are doing in that video, during that these ladies are doing in that video, during that show during one of those Saturday Night Fights show during one of those Saturday Night Fights that we used to have. That alone makes any in that we used to have. That alone makes any instructor or anyone, any audience member to get structor or anyone, any audience member to get excited, to get inspired. Incredible. And that is what we did and what we had back then. Because we were at that time when we did those shows, we were beyond, and we did not understand, we did not care, leaving everything other than the reality of what is beautiful, the reality of Martial Arts. 4 But then as you watch these 3 girls, Jenifer Lee, Lisa C., and Amanda P. .. to see these people getting coached, Lisa, with beautiful front kicks and round kicks. That is martial art. There is a kick over there delivered by Amanda, it even nearly got me. I mean, she is a lady that can fight that the kick was so hard, so well delivered that anyone who gets hit by it.. oh my! Her leg is so powerful and the kick is delivered so well according to body anatomy, it is passing through someone, it is not just making contact. I mean, just.. Wow. And that is done by Amanda P. The same thing with Jenifer and Lisa. Some of those attacks they were deliver 48

ThoughTs of a W a W a ell B ell B ell alanced M alanced M alanced arT arT ar ialarT rT r isT art. Now before you go calling ‘blasphemy’ un art. Now before you go calling ‘blasphemy’ understand, we are not talking about movies, we are derstand, we are not talking about movies, we are not talking about as an actor. Bruce Lee was a not talking about as an actor. Bruce Lee was a tremendous actor. But to see that happen, to have tremendous actor. But to see that happen, to have that happen to me in real life, to experience a rival that happen to me in real life, to experience a rival instructor scheduling his instructor scheduling his fighter to take 5 classes of private training with me before private training with me before fighting one of my guys, its just incredible, even crazy. guys, its just incredible, even crazy. 36 Behind the Scenes - Saturday Night Fight May 22, 2013 Peter is a great instructor, a Greek guy, and a real guy who taught good martial art. Prior this night in 1992 Peter had such respect for me that he told John to come and take 5 classes privately with me before stepping into the ring with any of my guys and he even paid for it himself. For him to do that and tell that to a guy so young, so fit and so experienced was just unbelievable. Just imagine the respect he had, and the lack of ego required for him to go and pay $100 an hour for his student to him to go and pay $100 an hour for his student to come take private training with me before taking the fight with my guy. I still cannot even believe it, Peter is just incredible. Again the same thing happened with another fighter Michael Blazzie. If I remember correctly I think his instructor at the time was Tiger Schulmann. Unfortunately Michael ended up in Norwalk Hos- pital for 10 hours in a coma when his bout came to an abrupt halt. But moving on.. For me to experience those guys, to be training those guys and hearing them talk so much at the same time that I am training them to fight my guys... John in particular would talk to me, “Oh my goodness Calasanz, I’m going to knock this guy out, I’m going to knock him down in seconds this is my fight. It will be over so fast.” I mean, its just crazy, that I’m training him to fight one of my guys who has trained under me and here he is talking talking talking. “Okay Calasanz, you are going to help me but I don’t even know if I need that help.” Because, if I would be a guy to be seen, I know that Bruce Lee was considered a Grand Master since day one. But the beauty of it is that the people that knew him, of the people that knew Bruce Lee, they even knew that I was stronger and my martial art was superb in comparison with his martial 49

ThoughTsofa Well Balanced MarTial arTisT getting knocked down, getting up, then knocked down again, up and down, up and down. But, there was nothing I could do, I mean Peter respected me a lot and all I can say is sorry to Peter. I mean, you were so respectful sending your guy to me like that.. but in the end his loss was not your fault or mine. I know you are a great instructor, a great teacher. It’s just that John did not listen at all. His focus was always towards fantasizing about how he was going to hurt our guy instead of focusing on learning or training. But again, in the end reality had a nasty way of sobering him up. Then to see later what happened in the ring... its almost ludicrous. Luca Capozza prior to this fight had been trained only minimally in French kickboxing. He trained with me for about 1 month then went off back to Paris. He came back to me a while later and out of nowhere told me, “I want to fight.” So I told him, “Okay, you are going to fight Peter Mottaza’s guy John. He’s not a regular guy though. Really, you are not at his level. He’s a guy who has many fights and trains in Brooklyn and the Bronx. He’s a good fighter. But Luca, I tell you, if you train with me for 8 hours just on counter attack, you can fight this guy, you can fight John and defend yourself.” I told him this and he agreed even after being told about John’s superior skill; and he trusted me. All this was done based on the Calasanz system. The fact is that Luca’s success during that fight was because of only 8 hours training with me, Cala- sanz, because of training the best defense, because of training the counter attack. Incredible. So I trained Luca for just 8 hours on counter attack. It’s amazing what we did. Luca, a guy who was just the equivalent of a casual yellow belt stepping into the ring against a guy who had participat- ed in more than 70 fights. Against a guy with a black belt, a guy with such precise and such strong punches. Against a guy with the ability to throw a kick strong enough to knock down anyone it lands on. Luca was just amazing, his performance was just amazing. He was ducking punches or blocking almost everything and countering beautifully. He ducked a lot of punches. He ended up only taking a handful of solid blows while the rest ended up being blocked off or glancing at best. What an incredible fight that was. What a performance. ... So, that is the story of all these things going on during Saturday Night Fight. 4 I can only imagine to be Peter, watching his guy 50

Thoughts Of A Well Balanced Martial Artist

Thoughts Of A Well Balanced Martial Artist

Presentation Transcript

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A BALANCED APPROACH

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Weight Management: Burn Fat by Residing a Well-balanced Way Of Living