Roy Harris 'My Journey'

[LWPD]

I came across this on my hard drive the other day as something I had saved from a few years back. I thought some here may enjoy reading it and would be unlikely to find it elsewhere. Today Roy Harris is widely considered one of the most respected teachers of the grappling arts in the world...but it didn't happen over night. Not only does he have a very broad depth of knowledge...but he's gifted in the sense of being able to relay even the most complicated of techniques in ways that are easy to learn and understand.

Over the next few day I'm going to post select entries from a series of commentaries he initiated entitled 'My Journey'. In it he explains his personal growth and development process in learning the martial arts...along with some of the scams, schemes and dirty politics he encountered along the way. His insights make for an excellent read.

Roy Harris 'My Journey'

"Twenty years ago, I began my journey into the realm of martial arts. It all started in 1981 when I purchased a book entitled, "Bruce Lee's Fighting Methods: Basic Training." I read the book from cover to cover in one evening. Even though I could not perform the techniques I read about in that book, it gave me inspiration. Later, a friend of mine told me about a "Wing Chun" class that was being held in the back of a restaurant. I just had to see this class! besides, Bruce Lee trained in Wing Chun, so I had to go!

On my first night of class, we practiced "Sil Lum Tao" the entire night (two hours worth). Sil Lum Tao means, "diminished or small imagination of the mind." Sil Lum Tao is the first form taught in Wing Chun, and the foundation upon which they build their system.

Because of the instructor's heavy emphasis on "forms", I grew weary of the pre-arranged movements. I kept asking the instructor, "when are we ever going to learn self-defense?" I was told that self-defense came from learning this form and developing a foundation to build off of. To this I argued, "Yeah, but I don't even know how to get out of a head lock or what to do if someone were to punch me square in the face!" I was informed to, "Keep practicing the form and self-defense would come due in time."

Well, I couldn't wait any longer. I had already been training for a month and needed to feel like I could defend myself. And since I didn't feel that way, I became disinterested in Wing Chun. One year later, I moved to another city (St. Paul, MN) and something happened that changed the course of my life! I met Sifu Rick Faye of the Minnesota Kali Group."
______________________________________________________________

One day, while walking to work, I saw a martial arts supply store. I had a bit of time on my hands so I walked in and started looking around. I saw the same Bruce Lee book I had purchased a year ago. However, I saw many more. Then, the store clerk came up to me and asked me a question that changed the course of my life.

She asked, "Can I help you find something?" I said, "Yes, is there anyone in town who teaches Wing Chun?" (The reason I asked this simple question was this: Wing Chun was all I knew about martial arts back then. I could not tell you the difference between Jeet Kune Do and Taekwon Do. The only true martial art was Wing Chun!

Does any of this sound familiar? Have any of you had the same experience? Don't lie now. Be honest!) Her answer to that simple question changed my life!

This woman responded by saying, "No. However, the Minnesota Kali Group teaches a portion of Wing Chun in their curriculum." To this I responded, "Minnesota what group?" She said, "The Minnesota Kali Group teaches Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, Muay Thai kick boxing, Wing Chun and various other arts." Now she had me going! All I knew about was Wing Chun, and she said some other funny names............things I had never heard of before. So, I had to go and check it out.

The very next day, I dropped by the Minnesota Kali Group and checked out a class. When I arrived, Sifu Rick Faye was sparring with his brother. I spoke with Sifu Rick about training with him. I told him that I was interested in learning Wing Chun. He said he taught a variety of other martial arts as well. Of course, I was only interested in Wing Chun because that's all I knew. As we continued talking, he walked over to a 150 lbs. thai bag and began beating it with a stick. I had never seen anyone move a stick so fast in all my life. Plus, the sound was almost deafening! I couldn't believe how fast he was moving that stick.

I asked him what that was and he said, 'Filipino Kali."OK! Now he had my full attention! Wing Chun was out, Kali was in!) I could not see the benefit of practicing "Sil Lum Tao." However, I could definitely see the benefit of swinging a stick that fast at someone! (Any of you have similar experiences?)

A couple of days later, I had my first class in JKD. I was excited but nervous. I didn't know what to expect. The class began by first warming up with shadow boxing and then firing off three rounds of jump rope. Then , we jumped into some thai pads, some serious focus pad work and then finished with some Jun Fan trapping drills.

I was paired up with this cute gal. I thought I would have a lot of fun working with her. However, I was in for a big shock. This
woman.............well, I'll save it for part two.

To be continued.......

Roy Harris

(In the next segment, I will talk about my beginning days in JKD. I will also discuss how I ended up in California and began training at the world famous Inosanto Academy, IMB and the Gracie Academy in Torrance. In future segments I will talk about my interesting experiences in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other arts!)

"I know many of us are afraid of new things, especially things we don't like or understand. However, new things invigorate our minds. They challenge us in new ways we never thought possible."

-Roy Harris

[LWPD]

My Journey Part Two

So here I am paired up with this cute gal. I am thinking to myself, "Boy, this training session is going to be great! I get to learn some great stuff, plus I get have a little eye candy on the side.

Well, no sooner had we started and BAAM, this gal (or should I say "wonder woman") threw her first thai kick into the thai pad I was holding and moved me backwards about three feet. She kicked so hard I could feel the power of her kick through the thai pad. Suddenly, training HURT!

Well, then we moved on to focus pads and this "wonder woman" practically ripped my arms out my socket with her punches. When we finished up with a few Jun Fan trapping drills, I thought "OK, now I can show her my strength." Well, her first pak sao (slapping hand) hit my forearm so hard I almost screamed! Each time she slapped my forearm I cringed in pain. Of course, I did not want to show any signs of pain so I sucked it up until class was over. (NOTE: my right forearm was black and blue after that first training session. Talk about a blow to my ego!)

As we were wrapping things up, I asked her, "so, how long have you been training with Sifu Rick Faye?" To this she replied, "Oh, about two and a half years." That made me feel a little bit better. However, I still could not get over the fact that this 5'6", 130 lbs. wonder woman could kick harder and punch harder than me. Oh well, I got over it.

I trained at the Minnesota Kali Group 'til around 1985. It was in early 1986 that I moved to California. Before I moved, I asked Sifu Rick where he thought I should continue my training and he suggested I give Sifu Inosanto and Guru Paul Vunak a try.

Continued........

[Darth Turkish]

Yes, I must admit that beng schooled by a woman (one much smaller than you, no less!) is a very humbling, yet ultimately very rewarding experience. Helps you get rid of unrealistic expectations, and lets you work on what you can do now, as opposed to what you feel you should be able to do.

[LWPD]

My Journey Continued

In February of 1986, I moved out to San Diego, California with $170 in my pocket. That's right, only $170 and no job! I had been laid off of my last two job in Minnesota and had decided that it was time for a change. Believe it or not, I made that $170 last for an entire month! Granted, I didn't live like a King, but hey, I made due. (It was a heck of a lot better than living on the street like I did for a short time in St. Paul!)

So, here I am in San Diego with a $170 worth of one dollar bills in my pocket, ready to take on all the challenges life has to offer! Within a few hours, I land my first job. Within a few months, I am back on my feet and training at the Inosanto Academy in Marina del Rey, California. I was driving two hours and forty minutes one way just to train at the Academy. Plus, my 1964 Dodge Polara was running smooth and clean!

After spending a year at the Inosanto Academy, and training under the tutelage of Dan Inosanto, Cass Magda, Salem Assli, Paul and Victor DeThoures, I grew weary of the long commute. I began looking a places closer to San Diego.

I stopped by the IMB Academy in Torrance and trained there for a few months. Then, a friend of mine who was training at the Inosanto Academy told me about these Brazilian guys who were awesome on the ground. Up until that point in time, I only had a minimal interest in ground fighting. However, my friend showed me what it was all about. We sparred in the parking lot outside of the Academy. He took me to the pavement and choked me in about ten seconds flat. Now, keep in mind my friend weighed 50 lbs less than I did. Needless to say, I was impressed. No one had ever done that to me before, so I knew he was onto something. So, I went driving through Torrance in search of the new Gracie Academy.

When I arrived, I was met by Professor Rorion Gracie. He showed me around his facility and introduced me to everyone. It was a very nice experience. I purchased my first kimono and began my private training with Royler Gracie. This was sometime around December of 1990 or January of 1991. It was the beginning of my addiction to Jiu Jitsu! Don't get me wrong. I still loved JKD, and still do to this day (I am a JKD practitioner first). However, I never knew that practicing an art could be so fun!

Well, as soon as I began training at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, funny things began to happen. More on this in the next segment, part three.............

[LWPD]

Roy Harris 'My Journey' Continued

When I began my training at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, Royler Gracie was my first instructor. He first taught me the basic Gracie Jiu Jitsu method of self-defense. Then, we moved on into the ground techniques and tactics that we all know so well.

Well, not only was I taking private lessons with Royler, I was also attending the group classes which were being taught by Rickson, Royler and Royce Gracie. This was quite the treat! I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, these Gracie guys are awesome!" That Rickson guy sure is talented. I remember watching him roll with all 24 of us in class and hardly breaking a sweat. I remember Royce doing the same thing.

After my 13th private lesson, Royler Gracie said I could wear the blue belt! I thought to myself, "No way! I get to wear the blue belt? Whoa........" Well, I felt proud the first time I put it on. I also felt a bit scared because now I would have to perform like the other blue belts in class.

Well, I headed off to a group class with Royce, and as soon as I walked into the main training room, Royce said to me, "Who gave you the blue belt?" I said, "Royler." Royce had a funny look on his face when I said it. He turned and walked away from me, and my stomach turned. I thought to myself, "the least he could do was congratulate me!" Oh well, I thought. Maybe Royce was in a bad mood again.

Anyway, I had a ton of fun training at the Gracie Academy. Even though I had to drive two hours and forty minutes one way to get to the academy, and even though I had to fight through the congested LA traffic on my way home, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there! I especially looked forward to training with Royler because he seemed to teach from his heart!

Well, one day I was watching a video in the reception area and Craig Kukuk walked in. He asked, "Who said you could watch that video?" I told him, "Rorion said I could." He asked, "Where did you get the video?" I said, "From Rorion's office? Rorion told me I could go into his office and get a video to watch while I was waiting." Craig snatched the video out of the VCR and told me to never go into Rorion's office again. He said, "Rorion would not want you to watch this video." I asked "Why?" He said, "Because of what is on the tape. You can watch 'Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Action Part One', but that's it. All the other tapes are off limits to you!"

I thought that was kind of funny, but who was I to argue with Mr. Kukuk? He was a brown belt and I was a lowly blue belt. So, I chalked it up to experience and kept training. I never went into Rorion's office again and never watched a video on my own.

To Be Continued.........

[LWPD]

Roy Harris 'My Journey'

Later in my training, I found out that Royler was headed back to Brazil and that Rickson would be leaving the Academy soon. So, I was told to train with Rorion for awhile for my private lessons. I didn't have much choice, but hey, it's all Jiu Jitsu.

When I started my private lessons with Rorion, I knew something was different about him. This man knew how to teach and how to make people feel good about themselves. I had a great time learning from Rorion. He taught me a lot about Jiu Jitsu. The pace was a bit slow for me, but still I learned an awful lot from him about Jiu Jitsu!

Next, I was told to continue my private training with Royce. However, I ended up taking just group classes instead, and I learned a ton of stuff from Royce. He was a good teacher. However, I noticed certain things about the way he taught.

For example, every now and then he would close the door to the training room, look out the window down the hall towards Rorion's office and say: "Don't tell Rorion I showed this to you, and don't do this when Rorion is around. Royce would then proceed to show us some really interesting stuff." I thought his actions were a bit peculiar, but none the less, I kept on enjoying Jiu Jitsu!

Several months into my Jiu Jitsu training, a Russian Sambo player (named "Nikolay Baturin") stopped by my self-defense class at the University (of California) and asked to roll with me. I said sure. What happened next was mind blowing! I began to tap the mat like an experienced conga player. I had never felt such pain and pressure on my ankles, knees and hips before. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "Sambo." I asked him if he would mind showing me some of that stuff and he agreed.

I trained off and on with him for about the next year. During that time, my familiarity and confidence with leg locks grew and began to manifest itself. I began to tap some of the senior blue belts and newer purple belt at the academy. However, my glory ended abruptly when Rorion called me into the office one day and politely asked me to stop doing leg locks. He said they were causing hard feelings amongst the students, and, he would prefer that I not do them any more. I agreed and kept on training.

Well, one day, my friend/Sambo instuctor accompanied me to a training session at the Gracie Academy. Boy was that a memorable experience. I will never forget that day. All classes ceased as Royce and Nikolay engaged in a friendly (and lengthy) grappling match, with all of the Gracie students (and Rorion) watching from the sidelines.

What happened during the match was amazing!!

To be continued.............

[LWPD]

Roy Harris 'My Journey' Part Four:

When I first brought Nikolay Baturin to the Gracie Academy, he was relaxed. However, things got a little tense there in the beginning.

First, Nick began by stretching out in one of the private rooms at the Academy. He was not interested in going into teh big training room. Suddenly, Royce walked in, introduced himself and asked Nick if he wanted to roll "right now." Nick replied, "give me about 15 minutes to warm up and then we'll grapple. Fifteen minutes came and went. Nick went into the big training room and was greeted by a ton of faces, all waiting to see him and Royce do battle.

Then, the moment we had all been waiting for, Nick and Royce started grappling from a standing position. This is where things became tense. I knew Nick was an awesome Judoka because I had done some training with him myself. Plus, I had seen Nick throw a lot of the Judo black belts in San Diego, with ease and finesse. So, to see him start standing with Royce made my heart go pitter patter!)

Anyway, within a few seconds Nick throws Royce to the ground. Not a hard throw, but a throw none the less. Royce and Nick engage in a bit of ground work and then I see Nick go for Royce's foot, really hard. He had it on real tight too. I saw Royce grimace and move faster than I had ever seen him move before. About twenty seconds later, Royce had escapes Nick's foot lock and was beginning to apply a foot lock of his own (on Nick). Now mind you, Nick does not feel any pain when the foot lock or heel hook is applied. He leg is like a frickin' titanium rod. Nick will even let you lock his leg and relax his foot. Still, he feels no pain. And that's what happened when Royce took his foot. Nick relaxed and let Royce take his foot. Finally, Royce gave up and moved on to something else.

There was a number of positional exchanges between Royce and Nick. Neither person was dominating. But then about 10 minutes into the match, Royce got a collar choke on Nick. Nick squirmed and finally tapped.

Royce and Nick went again. However, this time Royce knew where Nick was weak: collar chokes. So, Royce went after Nick's neck again and again. Royce repeatedly tapped Nick, again and again. Finally, the match ended.

Rorion was sitting nearby and commented on Nick's performance. Rorion said, "Nick, for someone who's never trained in Jiu Jitsu, you have really good technique. I am impressed with your skills."

Continued...........

[LWPD]

Roy Harris 'My Journey'

The group class training began and Nick participated. When it came time for mat time (randori), Nick put on a spectacular display of Judo! Nick threw everyone around like barbie dolls. He even did randori with just one hand. Nick was awesome. Royce was awesome! I will never forget that night. I can still see that one purple belt being thrown so high his feet nearly hit the ceiling.

Rorion told Nick that if he ever wanted to train again, he was welcome at the Gracie Academy. We all shook hands after class and called it a night. (Note: I remember training with Royce the next day in class. I also remember looking down at his left foot and seeing the top of it was all black and blue. I did not say anything though cause I knew where it had come from. I too had been put in a foot lock by Nick and did not tap in time, and remember my instep being black and blue!)

ANOTHER NOTE : Nick made a major contribution to my grappling game! Without him, I would not have the leg locking skills I have. Nick, if you're reading this, I want you to know that I truly appreciate the skills you gave me regarding leg locks, especially the straight foot lock!!!!

My training at the Gracie Academy continued until August of 1992. At that time, an article had been written about me in the San Diego Union and Tribune newspaper. This article caused Rorion to re-evaluate my training there. Rorion told me that it was not fair that I make money off of him by teaching Jiu Jitsu. He said I would now have to pay him $100 per class if I was going to continue training at the Academy. I told Rorion the following:

"I told you (Rorion) about the self-defense class I taught at the University on several occasions. I even asked you if it was all right if I taught the students a few Gracie Jiu Jitsu techniques. You said it was OK as long as I didn't wear a Gracie Jiu Jitsu shirt while teaching."

"I also told you (Rorion) that I make $60 a month teaching my self-defense, and that I would give you $30 of it because you were my instructor."

I also said, "Rorion, I am paying $240 a month to train with you and your brothers (not to mention the driving time, the gas and the headache of dealing with LA traffic). I have done all of this for almost two years now. Doesn't that show you the kind of loyalty I have for you and your brothers?"

To this Rorion replied, "I am sorry my friend. But this is my final offer." I said, "Rorion, paying $100 per class would mean I would be paying $1400 a month to continue my training with you. I don't have that kind of money." He said, "I am sorry."

So, I shook his hand and left the Academy for the last time. That was a very sad day in my martial arts training experience! I was heart broken after that incident. I had dumped my soul into that Academy (not to mention my loyalty to Rorion and Royce) and now I was being treated like a number.

However, the story doesn't end there. What I was about to experience next really caught me off guard!

More on that later..............

P.S. Rorion, if you are reading this, I hope you know you hurt me a lot on that day. I had put a lot of trust into you, your brothers and your academy, and because you allowed money to come between us, I felt like my loyalty to you meant nothing, and that really hurt! I thought I was your friend because you called me your friend.

P.S.S. Royce, if you area reading this I want you to know that I truly respected you as my teacher and thoroughly enjoyed learning from you. I sent you several e-mails telling you this. However, you never responded to me.

Rorion and Royce, I wish things would have turned out different. I wish we could have remained friends over the years. However, both of you made choices (and said things) that severely impacted my life, and because of it I am now training with Professor Moreira, and my loyalty lies with him. He has my greatest respect and loyalty, something you both had, but discarded. Maybe you can learn something from my pain. If not, that's OK.

I wish both of you continued success in all your endeavors!

Continued...

[LWPD]

Roy Harris 'My Journey'

Over the next year, I trained with the likes of Rickson Gracie, the Machado brothers and Nelson Monteiro. It was interesting to train with each of them. They each had their own way of doing things.

However, as I trained with each of the above mention instructor, certain issues came up and I was politely told that I was not welcome to train with them any more. That's when I found Joe Moreira.

Later on in my training, I began to hear rumors. Rumors that I was doing drugs. Rumors that I was a greedy person who was only in it for the money. Rumors that I was not a good student because I did not pay attention in class. Rumors that I didn't pay my dues. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. I found out about many of these rumors through prospective students, friends and seminar hosts.

I remember teaching a seminar in Washington, D.C. several years ago and a person walked up to me and introduced himself (Let's call him "Alex"). To make a long story short, Alex told me that he had been called by this certain Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor. This certain BJJ instructor told him that I was not qualified to teach what I was teaching. This same BJJ instructor said he wanted Alex to spy on me and listen to anything I said that might be falsified, exaggerated or untrue, and report back to him.

I asked Alex, "Do you know, or have you ever met this certain BJJ instructor?" Alex said, "No, I don't know him. I've heard of him before, but I've never met nor spoken with him in person or by e-mail. Can you believe that?

Here's another one for you: I remember a certain seminar host asking me if I did drugs. I told him that I do not do drugs and have never done them. To this he replied, "Well, I've heard different." You should have seen the look on my face. A part of me was really hurt. Another part of me was very mad. I couldn't believe what was being said about me behind my back.

Continued.........

[LWPD]

Roy Harris 'My Journey'

You ask, "Why and what happened to the Machado's and Rickson?"

Well, I was told that I was not welcome to train with them any more!

With Rickson, it was a matter of respect.

One day, Rickson and I were talking in his office. I told him I was taking private lessons with Nelson Monteiro. Right in the middle of my sentence, he got up out of his chair and walked out of his office. He never spoke to me again.

I kept calling him to set up a private lesson but he never returned my calls any more.

When I showed up at his school, Luis Heredia (sp?) told me that I had disrespected Rickson by telling him that I was taking private lessons from someone else.

I told Luis, "I have to travel 90 minutes to train with Rickson and pay $140 an hour. Nelson Monteiro lives five minutes from my house and only charges $40 an hour. It's quite simple. I can only afford to train with Rickson once a month because of time and money. I meant no disrespect to him, I was just being honest with him."

To this Luis replied, "I know. However, Rickson does not want to train you any more. I am sorry my friend."

(By the way, I told Nelson Monteiro that I was taking private lesson with Rickson and he told me that he did not mind.)

I was asked to leave the Machado's because John Machado accused me of being a traitor.

You see, the Machado's had lost to my Russian friend Nikolay Baturin in a Sambo match, and they blamed me for their loss.

After the tournament, I called the Machado school on several occasions to set up my next private lesson with Rigan. However, no one returned my call. I even drove up to the school to talk to them in person. When I did, John Machado met me at the door and said, "What are your doing here?" I told him that I wanted to set up my next private lesson.

John told me to come back next Saturday because he and his brothers wanted to talk with me about something very important.

So, the next Saturday, I drove all the way up to Redondo Beach from San Diego (two hours and twenty five minutes) to speak with the Machado brothers. When I arrived, John Machado was locking up the school. I walked up to him and said, "Hey John."

Again, John asked me what I was doing there at their school and I reminded him of our appointment.

John Machado then told me the following:

"My brothers and I have decided that you are no longer welcome to train at our school. We have decided this because you are waiving two flags. You trained your friend Nick with the Jiu Jitsu we taught you, and now you want to continue your training with us. Well, in Brazil we call it waiving two flags: a traitor! You are not welcome to train here any longer."

I told John, "I had not trained Nick because I had not seen him in about a year. And besides, Nick could make me tap left and right. I had nothing to teach him."

To this, John replied, "The only way Nick could have beaten us was because you taught him Jiu Jitsu."

Now, I knew who was teaching Nick Jiu Jitsu. It was one of their own purple belts. However, it was not my place to jeopardize this guys training to get myself out of a sticky situation. And besides, if the Machado's did not believe me, I did not want to train with them anyway. I believe loyalty goes two ways: student to instructor AND instructor to student. I believe what they say, and they should believe what I say! Period!!!!

I asked John if there was anything I could do or say to change his mind or his brothers and he said, "No. We've already made up our minds."

So, I walked away and never returned.

To be continued...

[LWPD]

Roy Harris 'My Journey'

I remember talking to a seminar host about the lack of attendance at his seminar. He told me that he had heard through the grapevine that people did not want to attend my seminar because:

A. They trained only "pure Helio Gracie Jiu Jitsu."
B. Many had heard that I was not that good of an instructor.
C. I should not be teaching a seminar in this part of the country because only instructor "so and so" teaches here.

After a year of this, I grew weary of the politics of Jiu Jitsu. However, I was fortunate to find Professor Joe Moreira in Newport Beach in the spring of 1993. He ran me through the hoops because he too had heard bad things about me. As a matter of fact, he called me in to his office to talk to me about what happened between the Gracie's, the Machado's, Nelson Monteiro and I.

He told me what the Gracie's, the Machado's and Nelson Monteiro had told him, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I asked him if I could continue training with him and he said "yes." A month later, he called me into his office again to chat with me about my problems with the other guys. We talked about everything. I laid my heart out on the table. I figured, "if this guy kicks me out, I'm through with Jiu Jitsu. I don't care how effective it is." Fortunately for me, Joe was very understanding and helpful. He told me that I was now a member of his team and what had happened in the past was water under the bridge.

After that meeting, Joe and I developed a great student/instructor relationship, as well as a great friendship!

Over the next eight years, Joe and I would train together and have so much fun doing so! He even asked me to help him prepare for his UFC fights. Unfortunately, he got hurt before his fight with Varelans. I told him he shouldn't fight because of his injury. However, he still chose to fight, and as a result, could not give his best performance against the 380 pounder.

On one hand, I am glad things turned out the way they did. On the other, I feel bad that things turned out the way they did with the other instructors. All of them were talented grapplers who could teach up a storm when they wanted to. Somehow, a part of me wishes I could mend those relationships, but I know it's not possible. However, I am glad I finally found an instructor who has taught me from his heart!

Professor Moreira promoted me to purple belt in 1994, brown belt in 1996, first degree black belt in 1998 and second degree black belt in 2001. I look forward to my continued training with Professor Moreira!

In 1998, I started teaching seminars on a full time basis. Up until that point in time, I had only done a few here and there. Now, three years later, I am in full swing! I travel to Europe about five times a year and have a lot of fun teaching over there! The seminar hosts in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Poland, Slovakia and the UK (England) have treated me like a king. Plus, the scenery there is so different than the US.

Who would have thought that I would be doing this for a living?

Plus, now I am headed off to Shanghai, China at the end of this month, and possibly Beijing, China next year! Who would have thought I would be teaching a seminar in China? Plus, there's talk of a seminar next year in Australia, as well as my home town of Duluth, Minnesota! Whoo-hoo!!! I'm living a dream!

In my next segment, I will discuss my Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts training, and their influence on my BJJ training! I will also share with you a few interesting stories from my travels abroad!)

Stay tuned......................

[LWPD]

Roy Harris 'My Journey'

During my twenty years of the study of martial arts, I've been privileged to study a ton of different styles. Each style had a unique way of doing things. I purposely studied different arts because I wanted to see how each art addressed fighting. For example, Jiu Jitsu was great on the ground. Judo was an awesome throwing art. Boxing was great with the hands. Savate was unbelievable with the feet. Kali taught me weapon and weaponless defenses for the blade. Chin Na taught me the finer points of manipulating joints. Silat taught me how to effectively enter and
sweep with authority!

What I found in my study of these arts was that:

1. Each style had strengths and weaknesses.

2. Each style had the potential to be effective in a self-defense situation.

3. The effectiveness of each style was dependent upon two factors:

a. the quality of the instruction received from the master.
b. the personal discipline of the individual practitioner.

During my journey, I've seen the benefits of all styles of martial art and have observed five (5) broad categories of styles:

1. Traditional.
2. Eclectic.
3. Sportive.
4. Holistic.
5. Combative.

Traditional styles focus on developing personal discipline in their students. To them, self-defense is not a matter of physical technique. Rather, it is a method of controlling one's mind, mouth, actions and emotions.

Eclectic styles are usually headed by charismatic individuals, who have studied a variety of different styles of martial arts and have come up with their own way of doing things. The eclectic styles are more self-defense and physical fitness oriented.

Sportive styles place a heavy emphasis on competition and preparing for competition.

Holistic styles work on the development of the inner person, similar to the traditional styles. However, their emphasis is on stress reduction, relaxation, nutrition, physical conditioning, meditation and philosophy.

Combative styles emphasize combat. What is combat? Well, my Kali instructor in the Philippines said it this way: "Combat is simple - it's either your life or mine!" And because combat is different than sport and entertainment, the focus of training is different.

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Roy Harris 'My Journey'

Here's an example: When I trained with my Kali instructor in the Philippines, he only allowed me to wear protective gear during my first lesson. After that, I had to perform the drills, as well as spar with him without any protection! Keep in mind that we trained with a heavy blade with rounded edges. My instructor told me, "this was the only way you would know if you could protect your hand and your body when a blade was being swung at it."

When I would make a simple mistake, my instructor made sure I understood that my hand was unprotected for a short period of time by either tapping my hand or forearm with his blade, or by placing his blade very close to my face!!! (In the art of Kali, if you can't protect your hand against the blade, you can't protect the rest of your body)

The training methods I was exposed to in the Philippines blew my mine! I got a first hand look at (as well as a ton of first hand experience of) how someone would prepared for combat. It totally revolutionized the way I look at martial arts training!

Of all the styles I've been involved in, Kali is my favorite! Why? Because I can adapt Kali to any situation. I can kick box with a blade. I can box with a blade. I can trap with a blade. I can grapple with a blade. I can throw with a blade. I can perform single or double leg take downs with a blade. I can ground fight with a blade. I can use a stick or other blunt weapon with a blade. I can use a firearm with a blade. I can adapt the blade to any situation and make it work. This is why I love the blade so much!

Now, of course I love Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! It comes in as a close second. However, I love BJJ because it is something I do for enjoyment. It's something I can continue to do for the next 40 years or so. Of course, I can do the same with a blade. However, the blade puts me into combat mode! I feel different with a blade in my hand. Jiu Jitsu makes me feels like a kid. I can do Jiu Jitsu all day long and talk trash, crack jokes and make a fool of myself. Jiu Jitsu makes me feel jovial and playful!) Whereas the blade makes me feel serious, determined and focused.

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Roy Harris 'My Journey'

Now, my involvement with Jeet Kune Do has been very fascinating. I first started with Sifu Rick Faye in Minnesota. Then, I trained with Sifu Inosanto and Guru Cass Magda at the Inosanto Academy. While I was at the Inosanto Academy, I also had a chance to train with Sifu Larry Hartsell. I thoroughly enjoyed my training time there. I just wish it hadn't been so far away. Five to six hours on the road for each training session became a chore after 12 months. As much as I enjoyed training there, I had to find something closer. That's when I found Sifu Paul Vunak in Long Beach, California in 1988.

I remember my first training session with Sifu Paul. There were a bunch of guys training in the back of the apartment complex he lived in. I came in and was welcomed with open arms. However, I soon found of that some of his boys did not like "new guys." I soon became fresh meat for a couple of them. I remember this one guy (I believe his name was Mark Bailuff) kicking my butt during our first sparring session and Sifu stepping in to calm him down. Every time I went with that guy, he always went full-bore on me! Finally it got to a point where I did not want to spar with this guy because I would end up bruised and very sore after every training session. I can still picture those black and blue marks on my legs! Still, it was an eye opening experience.

I feel fortunate to have spent a ton of private lessons with Sifu Paul Vunak in his garage back in the late 80's and early 90's. Things were so different back then. I remember when Sifu Paul introduced me to the various concepts of Jeet Kune Do and I would have one of those "Ah-ha" experiences. I specifically remember a training session where Sifu Paul showed me how the centerline concept of Wing Chun could help me with my stick training. During that same session, he showed me how the hard core training methods of Muay Thai could be implemented in my Wing Chun training, as well as how the destruction training method of Kali could be implemented in my close-quarter boxing methods. These simple concepts radically changed the way I train. I found myself applying many of these concepts and training methods to the other styles I had studied.

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Roy Harris 'My Journey'

In my travels to seek out new instructors and new styles, I found a gung fu specialist who was teaching classes out of a small building in downtown San Diego. This chap was quite interesting. What happened during my visit with him was something I will never forget!

I walked into his studio on a cold San Diego day (meaning it was 67° degrees outside). I watched a couple of his classes and chatted with him about martial arts. I found this chap was really into the esoteric styles of martial arts.

When I asked him about "functionality and practicality", he told me that he was no longer interested in them. He said, "Arts like Jeet Kune Do, Kali and Muay Thai are too simple. They no longer offer me anything of real value. When I asked why, he said, "Throw a punch at me." I said, "Uh, that's OK, I just wanted to know more about your system and why you teach the way you do." He continued, "Throw a punch at me." So, I did. And what happened next blew my mind.

I decided to throw a punch at him, however, I did not want to disrespect him in his own studio, in front of his own students. So, I chose to throw a slow haymaker punch at him and just watch what he did. To my surprise, he did something no one else has ever done before (or since). Are you ready for this:

In the blink of an eye, this gentleman ducked underneath the punch, drilled his head into the center of my chest and began running forward as fast as he could, forcing me to run backwards. While he was running forward, both of his hands were snatching at (and grasping for....yep, you guessed it) my balls! Of course, I had to defend myself but what could I do. I was running backwards with a wall fast approaching. I kept trying to deflect his snatches but my hands weren't quite fast enough. By the time we hit the wall, he had a hand full of my nuts and I was screaming for him to let go! (I guess in gung fu, that's what they call "Monkey snatches the fruit!)

Anyway, he told me that he had practiced a martial art style in Hawaii called "Lua." He said he had spent two years on the beach (in the sand) doing a simple drill like the one he had just done on me. He said, "practitioners would practice evading a punch or kick and then run at the assailant, full force until a testicle was snatched!" He ended by saying, "What more do I need to self-defense? You see and feel how practical it is."

To this, I replied (in my soprano voice), "Uh, I don't know."

He told me, "That's why I study the esoteric martial arts. They invigorate my mind! The simple arts do nothing for my mind."

And so with that, I shook his hand (read "guarded my groin with the other hand"), thanked him for his time and walked out the door.

That, was quite the experience! I thought you might enjoy hearing this story!)

I will write more later...

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Roy Harris 'My Journey'

A couple of years ago, I had the unique opportunity to go to the Philippines and train in Filipino Martial Arts over there. My experience was intriguing to say the least.

For starters, a gentleman by the name of Myles Vives invited me over there to teach a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seminar. In exchange for my services, he offered to introduce me to a variety of different Filipino Kali, Eskrima and Arnis masters. I agreed and was on my way to Manila.

Once there, Myles first introduced me to a gentleman named Romy Macapagal. Mr. Macapagal is a senior student in Kali Ilustrisimo. What this gentleman introduced me to, as far as blade training was concerned, totally caught me off guard! I was not prepared for what I was about to receive.

During my first private lesson, Mr. Macapagal told me move around and shadow box. So, I got a stick and began shadow boxing. As soon as I began moving, he asked me, "Why do you put your hand there? Why do you do that?" Of course, I didn't know what to say other than "I had been taught to move the stick that way and to place my hands in those positions."

What happened next blew my mind. Mr. Macapagal told me he was going to spar with me, lightly. He handed me a padded stick and gave me a protective glove. He asked me to hit his hand and told me that he would try to hit my hand. I thought to myself, sounds fair enough to me. So, we began to spar. Mr. Macapagal hit my hands about a fifty times in three or four minutes (and he barely moved his feet). I did not hit his hand, nor could I hit any part of his body. Plus, he held a conversation with someone while he was sparring with me.

Now, I know you might not think too much of that. However, in the middle of our sparring session, for about 30 seconds or so, he held a conversation with someone else! He looked at them and occasionally glanced at my hand! Then, to my amazement, he disarmed me! LIVE! Boy, talk about a wake up call! (I have been training in Filipino Martial Art since 1981, so I wasn't a beginner. And, to have someone do that to you after training so long was quite the wake up call!)

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Roy Harris 'My Journey'

Over the past 20 years, I've had the privilege to train with a variety of different instructors. There a couple of incidents that stand out in my mind, and I'd like to share them with you.

Several years ago, I had the chance to train with Sensei Darrell Bullock and Professor Robert Crosson in "Sugar ryu Ju Jitsu." Both of these gentlemen came from New York and had that "New York mentality (attitude)!"

I remember training finger locks with both of these gentlemen and I can't tell you of a more painful day of training. All the kick boxing, stick fighting and Judo throws do not compare with someone grabbing your fingers (repeatedly) and throwing your body around like a rag doll! A two hour training session with these guys left my fingers (wrist and shoulders) very sore!

One day in particular, I remember going over a finger lock resistance flow drill and being locked, thrown and countered so much that I wanted to give up. My fingers were killing me. After class, Sensei bullock told us that we were going to give a martial arts demonstration down at Sea Port Village (which is a tourist area down by the bay in San Diego) that weekend and he wanted volunteers. Well, I thought this would be a great opportunity for the general public to see Sugar ryu Ju Jitsu so I volunteered to go. Well, what I didn't know was we were going to do this demonstration on concrete.

Well, I ended up taking throw after throw after throw after throw! Now keep in mind, some of these throws were hard to break fall out of because of the intense amount of pressure that was being applied to one or two of your fingers just before (and during) the throw. However, when the Judo type throws were executed, I welcomed them with open arms because they gave my fingers a break! (no pun intended!)

Yes, that concrete was hard. Yes, the roll outs over cars, bicycles, benches and trash cans was hard on the body. Yes, the Judo throws hurt a bit. But none of them compared with being throw while someone had a hold firm grip on your fingers!!!

Anyways, the demonstration was a success. We put on a fantastic demo for about an hour! The only draw back was MY soreness the following day!) Even still, I had a lot of fun. AND, I never knew I could take such punishment and live to tell about it! (Let me tell you, if you've never been thrown, repeatedly, on concrete, you don't know what you're missing!)

I really enjoyed training with Sensei Bullock. He taught me a lot. Unfortunately, he decided to move his family back to New York, and so our training ceased. This was 1988.

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Roy Harris 'My Journey'

After that brief introduction, he began to teach me the long and short blade of Kali Ilustrisimo. What I was about to experience totally revolutionized the way I now look at blade training. For starters, after that one session, he no longer allowed me to wear protective gear when sparring. He told me that protective gear develops bad habits. Mr. Macapagal said, "If you can not protect your hand (which holds the weapon), you can not protect the rest of your body. The only way you will know for sure that you can protect your hand is to spar and perform the drills without any protection!" He also said, "Combat is simple: it's your life or his. In combat, there is no time for fancy or complicated moves. Your techniques must be simple, direct, economical and powerful!"

So, for the next 20+ hours, I trained and sparred with Mr. Macapagal, using no protective gear. Now, obviously, he didn't destroy me. However, when I did not protect my hand as he had taught me, he let me know! Keep in mind that we trained with heavy steel blades that had rounded edges on them. Even though they had rounded edges on them, a person could still get cut with the edge. As a matter of fact, I saw Mr. Macapagal spar with his son (full bore) with these blades. (You should have heard the sound of those blades making contact with each other when they sparred. No, you should have heard the sound of Mr. Macapagal's blade making contact with his son's forearm, and the sound that came out of his mouth!)

During one of their close quarter engagements, I saw a blade go twirling through the air and hit Mr. Macapagal in the face. He was bleeding from the cheek. He picked up the blade and continued sparring with his son. I told him he was bleeding and he said, "It's only blood!"

On one particular day, I was fortunate enough to spend the entire day training with Mr. Macapagal! We trained from 8:00am until around 11:00pm at night. What a day that was!! Mr. Macapagal told me that's how he and others trained in the old days with "Tatang." He said, "In Kali Ilustrisimo, 70% of your time is spent sparring without protective gear, and the other 30% of your time is spent perfecting your technique through repetition and drills.

The drills and techniques he had shown me were simple and direct. The method of sparring he introduced to me transformed my timing and distancing! I feel fortunate that I had the chance to train with him, and, I look forward to continuing my training with him next year!

Before I left Manila, he told me that "I am one of five people he has accepted as a student." He asked that I not commercialize the art. Rather, he asked that "I hold it dear to my heart!"

Well, Romy, if you ever read this, I want you to know that I truly appreciate what you have given to me. It has changed my life for the better! I will always hold your teachings very close to my heart! I am proud to call you my teacher, and am even more proud to call you my friend. You have my loyalty and my respect! I look forward to reuniting with you in the near future!

My first time experience in the Philippines was very positive. I was fortunate to have Myles Vives as a seminar host and tour guide. Myles introduced me to Mr. Macapagal, and well, the rest is history! I am a changed man!!! Myles, thanks for introducing me to Mr. Macapagal.