I began fully training in martial arts in 1999.  As many martial artists can tell you, there is no straight line to personal evolution and growth.  A person might practice a particular technique a million times without improving, and then realize the essence of that technique in his sleep.

That being said, this section contains basic information about the various types of training I’ve had the honor of participating in over the years.

In 2007 I began an exchange with a friend who had trained in Escrima-based knife fighting.  We focused on combinations, basic movements, and pattern drills such as “defanging the snake.” I have found that escrima knife and short-stick techniques nicely compliment my original Togokure Ryu training, and lead to fluid grappling techniques and takedowns.

I had the honor to find a small college-based capoeira group while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design.  This group, an offshoot of what is now  Grupo Bantu Beira Mar of Jacksonville, Florida, welcomed me with open arms.  Capoeira is the philosophical opposite of my first art, Ninjutsu, in that it favors maximum energy output for acrobatic and expressive movements.  Capoeiristas tend to favor flying kicks and flips, although the masters of this art employ subtle and sneaky movements that have more pragmatic goals in mind than sheer flamboyance.

In 1999 I began my study of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu. For those unfamiliar with the Bujinkan, it is an association run by Masaaki Hatsumi for the preservation of traditional ninja martial arts.  The system includes a variety of categories of study, including traditional striking techniques, grappling, various weapons, and other more esoteric skill sets.  The “look” or “feel” of traditional Ninjutsu is intentionally difficult to describe.  At times it mimics the movement styles of traditional Samurai arts, occasionally it looks similar to Okinawan karate forms, and from time to time it bears a strong resemblance to movements found in traditional kung-fu styles.  More often than not, Ninjutsu is meant to be use as part of an economy of energy, which means that adherents use minimal movement combined with physics for maximum effect.