"Just because they're not on your path, does not mean they are lost"
I really like this quote as it is very meaningful.
This is similar to an individual following their own martial arts journey. I earned my Blackbelt in Kung Fu officially in January 2012 and since then have left the former school to change the direction of my journey. This decision led me to the Hayabusa Training Centre where I have been extremely happy with the new direction. I have been introduced to and train with many "true" martial artists with acclaimed backgrounds in many disciplines of martial arts. Some with many years of experience in competitive environments, and some who simply train for the love of the art. This school has the most professional and humble group of instructors that I have had the pleasure to train with. They all train without ego because each of them prove their skill on the mat every class. They all have the same characteristic of training hard and talking less. The synergy and atmosphere is positive and encouraging. Since I have joined many of my friends and former students have joined Hayabusa as well. My wife and daughter also have joined. My entire family enjoys supporting our team mates in Judo, and Jiu Jitsu competitions, as well as amateur and professional MMA events, some at the highest UFC level. Being part of the process from the beginning of a training camp through to fight night is exhilarating!
I had the opportunity to start my own qualified Kung Fu class at the Hayabusa Training Centre and have developed a curriculum with the focus on having a well rounded practical self defense system for everyone. I have consulted and worked with the school experts in the areas of Judo and Jiu Jitsu to encompass throws and ground defense. I have also consulted with military weapons experts in the development of defense against armed opponents. I fully encourage all of my students to cross train and try classes in all of the martial arts disciplines at the Hayabusa Training Centre. I have made introductory Jiu Jitsu a requirement for students preparing for the Blackbelt grading. I understand the benefits of this type of training first hand and recognize the effectiveness it has in a self defense situation. For the acceptance of cross training I believe the instructor must release their ego and open their mind. They must look outside of their own area of expertise and recognize the benefits this will have for their students. As hard as I have tried there will always be an instructor who will be unable to release their ego and fail to encourage this. This may be a control issue or a fear of losing students to another martial art, or school. Whatever the case, it is embarrassing in this martial arts era and community to have an instructor who discourages this, especially at the Blackbelt level.
I always attempt to take the positive from all situations and thank all of the people that cross my path, whether they are students or instructors that I have learned from in the past, and can take the positive learning experience from all of them. I have learned so much in the past two years and am excited for the future. The way I see it is all schools should encourage each other as the more people studying martial arts, the better our communities will be. I don't consider my school or experience to be any better than any other school available. I believe in leading by example and will spar and grapple with all of my students or other instructors every class to learn and continue to evolve as a martial artist. I believe in encouraging and positively reinforcing each students progress and understand that martial arts training for most of us represents one part of each student's life. I consider family first, then school, career, and then martial arts training fits within this scope. Our student numbers are continually rising and each class I am thankful for everyone who attends and I hope that I have influenced them a little bit each class.
I would like to invite all to come and try a class! There is a class for everyone in the family.
Sifu Allan Gamble
Kung Fu Instructor - Blackbelt
Hayabusa Training Centre
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