To Become a Master – Part 2

To Become a Master,

My Journey So Far……………..…continued……………

I was now looking to further my knowledge alongside my regular training and teachings. I had progressed to having three locations where I was teaching as well as fitting some time in to visit Master Murphy, sometimes with him and myself training until nearly midnight (actually I think we did pass this on occasions) after his regular class times. These are great memories and I can’t thank him enough for his time and effort with me.

I had been looking through the magazines as I had all that were available ordered monthly for anything of interest and saw that a seminar had been organised not too far away that I really thought sounded good to take part in. So, I contacted Grand Master Leon Jay, son of Professor Wally Jay of Small Circle Jujitsu to inquire about this upcoming event that he was hosting and bringing Grand Master George Dillman – Ryukyu Kempo Karate over from the USA. Both are now Professor of their arts and this is where I get to mention the great Bruce Lee again as both knew him and spent time with him including Leon sharing a memory of sitting with him as a child whilst Bruce was visiting his father and family.

This seminar event was 20 years ago and I still remember it so well and the enthusiasm it gave me to further my knowledge more as this was combining technique with Pressure Points, Kyusho Jitsu (nerve strikes) and Tuite. In the changing room, were other long served instructors that were commenting how much they had learn’t about their own art that day.

It was great learning from GM George Dillman and this showed me where I needed to be looking forward. I had gone along on my own not knowing too much at that time although I had tried to find out what I could previous to the event and just trained with whoever I could on the day.

It was an eye opener as I could see so much more from my own already learn’t techniques than had previously not been understood or taught to me in that way. I went back to my own classes and bless my students, while I tried to remember and practice some of which had been taught. I was still training with Master Murphy and the other students as well as teaching my own and would talk about what I was now investigating and learning and couldn’t wait until I had another opportunity.

This came again and now with a little more understanding I could take more in. Professor Dillman showed and explained so much that I just had to pursue this course of training. It also gave me a better chance to study and watch some of the other instructors that I recognised from the last time but hadn’t known at the time. I had the chance now to see the master of disaster, Grand Master Paul Bowman in action. And what action he did display, very exciting.

Also I had the pleasure to train at this time with Professor Remy Presas of Modern Arnis so combining Ryukyu Kempo Karate, Small Circle Ju Jitsu and Arnis together. What a guy he was with the stick or empty hand.

So much talent and knowledge was being shared with me and others from these Masters. Sadly, Professor Presas passed away a couple of years later.

Up until this time I had been like so many instructors, renting school and village halls or space within sports centres. I wanted to offer my students better facilities and a more flexible time table apart from the fact that something had to give so I decided to take the plunge, ease up on the day job, sign a lease, and pray!!!!!!!!!!

So I had now opened my first full time Martial Art School in Maidstone.

This was the end of 2001 and was a whole new ball game to me now. Running even more classes, dealing with a different side of business, determined to survive but still wanting to learn more.

The birth of Family Martial Arts as a school name came about as Master Murphy, our wives and myself sat in my lounge to discuss a forward allegiance as I was using my name although under the banner of

‘Frank Murphy’s Black Belt Schools’ at the time, so we were discussing a suitable name and I asked, as making a point, “who and what are we aiming at to teach and reach out to?” and after a few words I mentioned that we want to be thought of for any one as well as families so I suggested, why not, just Family Martial Arts and that was agreed for the new logo name with Mr and Mrs Murphy,s silhouette of kicks as the center piece. Latter to change and become as it is now.

I decided that to further myself still, I had to associate more often and more seriously (if that was possible) with the likes of all these people. After another couple of years attending seminars etc, I decided to approach Grand Master Paul Bowman about joining his association, Zendoryu Karate, and lucky for me that he was so humble, respectful and trustworthy of me not to abuse a chance to join him, my further education continued.

Training when I could under GM Bowman whose main style is Shotokan Karate, led me to more journeys including visiting Professor Dillman who owned the Muhammad Ali training camp in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania.  I traveled with GM Bowman and a contingent of students from the UK including at that time Master Keith Gray who’s main art is Muay Thai although was training this along side the Kyusho and Karate with and supporting Grand Master Bowman.

At the camp, so many instructors and so open minded every body was being, discussing and sharing experience and ideas. This was such a great place to attend and train, meet others and learn. I went on to attend almost every year for over 10 years and indeed had the pleasure to be invited to teach by Professor Dillman several times at the camps.

Professor Dillman has met and been friends with so many people over the years and always has some amusing and sometimes hilarious tales to share. One year he took us to visit, meet and spend time with Larry (the Easton assassin) Holmes, former heavy weight boxing champion. This was fun and I don’t know why it happened to me, but I got to be the one to sing along with him standing side by side singing a song he had recorded. I managed to get the chorus but I don’t think I got to sing in tune !!!!!

Other numerous journeys’ I made with GM Bowman included parts of Germany, Hungary, Italy, France as well as places throughout the UK so helping me to gain experience and indeed confidence in my ability whilst teaching in so many places.

Whilst being involved with the different countries you get to meet the heads of their own associations and one such man was Zsolt Szenasi who invited myself and now a good friend of mine, Grand Master Keith Gray of Krusader Kickboxing, to attend a camp in Hungary to teach for a week which was an honor and a great time. Whilst training in France I met and instantly liked a gentleman by the name of Gebhard Lammle from Germany. I became his punch dummy for his teaching session so a bond was struck. He became a friend to our UK group and invited Grand Master Bowman over to his fabulous region, Todtnau in the Black Forrest to teach a seminar which I was lucky to be part of then and again later. His whole family showed us such hospitality and still do to this day although unfortunately Gebhard has since untimely passed away. His family carry on his association and his friendship also introduced us to others in Germany that also became friends and great hosts.

During this time, I had also joined groups that would help me from the business side of things. An old friend of mine, Richard Olpin of Ilyokwan Black Belt Academy was very much a great motivator to me. Also Leigh Childs who had been in one of my old associations was very much at the front of running Martial Arts schools for an occupation and organising business seminars. This and other groups led me to meet and share time with other martial celebrities and great ambassadors such as

Ernie Reyes Sr of West Coast World Martial Arts, USA.  Also Michael Chaturantabut who starred in the Power Rangers and formed XMA Martial Arts. I attended life coaching events including Tony Robbins and his Unleash the power within seminar, all to help me reach my potential.

I was being very busy from all angles but still wanted more…………….

Stay tuned for the next part of the journey bringing it up to date

By Grand Master David Martin

Family Martial Arts – Maidstone & Gravesend