MARTIAL ARTS TEACHER SPOTLIGHT

Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita

Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita has dedicated over 40years of his life to the practice Okinawan Karatedo and Kobudo. A highly respected man in all circles of the martial arts, Yamashita-Sensei is sought after for karatedo and kobudo seminars from all over the world. He currently retains the rank of ninth degree black belt in both karatedo and kobudo. Sensei is also the President and Director of U.S. Shorin-Ryu Karate Association, and U.S.A. President of the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Association.

Yamashita-sensei has traveled as far as South America and regularly visits Greece. Sensei also keeps a close connection with his birthplace of Japan and Okinawa. Not only is Yamashita-Sensei recognized as a leading aurthority in the martial arts, but his accomplishments also include his study with several notable high ranking masters. These masters include the late Chibana Chosin of Shorin Ryu, and Shuguro Nakazato founder of the Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan. As well as trained directly under the late Shinpo Matayoshi, founder of the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Renmei.

Well known for his explosive open hand techniques, Sensei combines many progressive fighting tactics with traditional aspects of karatedo, thus resulting in a devastating fighting system. Sensei's dynamic fighting system known as "Suikendo," translates to, "fist flowing like water." This non stopping flowing system of fighting, allows the karateka to simultaneously block and strike his opponent with blinding speed and accuracy.

Yamashita-Sensei is also a world renowned weapons master. During the 1973 Pro-Am Karate Tournament, Sensei brought over 7,000 spectators to their feet in a standing ovation after demonstrating his mastery and skill of ancient kobudo weaponry.

-Hanshi's film credits include but are limited to the following-

AMERICAN MOVIE CREDITS = The Octagon, American Ninja, American Ninja 5, Rising Sun, Gymkata, Capital Punishment, Bronson Lee Champion, The Shinobi Ninja, Enter the Dragon, Judge Dee, Golden Needles, the Seven, the Magnificent Three, and Lethal Weapon 4.

TELEVISION APPEARANCES = Kung Fu, A Man Called Sloan, Knight Rider, Thrillseekers, ESPN Karate Demonstrations, and several Pay Per View Events.

FOREIGN MOVIE TITLES = The Karate, The Blind Karate Man, and Karate II.

www.yamashitakarate.com

Guru Cass Magda

Cass Magda is no ordinary martial arts guy. Growing up in a small mining town in Ontario, Canada during the 60s, Cass, like many young men of his generation, searched for answers in the world of martial arts. By the time Cass was 14, he was implementing Bruce Lee's celebrated article, Liberate Yourself From Classical Karate into his everyday life.

There had been misconceptions in the field of martial arts. People confuse it with the tricks and gimmicks they'd seen on TV and in the movies.

"What Bruce Lee did for me was inspire me to liberate myself from that kind of attitude and start to discover what real fighting was all about." Cass explains.

"I unearthed this philosophy at an age when you start asking all those big questions. I was really fascinated because he talked about self-realization and how martial arts could be a tool for self expression in truly achieving one's higher self." says Magda.

By 19, he was a Black Belt well on his way in the field of martial arts. After graduating from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, with a BA in Economics, he decided to take his chances in Los Angeles. Here he found Dan Inosanto, Lee's protege of Jeet Kune-Do. Dan worked closely with Bruce Lee in the development of his art, JKD, and was the original chief instructor of Lee's Los Angeles school.

Cass studied with Dan for 10 solid years. The work and studies were intense; most days included 10 hours of practice. It wasn't long before Cass was traveling with Inosanto assisting him with his classes and lectures around the world. At this time he also discovered his intense passion for Filipino and Indonesian style martial arts, which includes the fierce art of stick fighting. By 1983 Cass had become a champion full-contact stick fighter by winning four first place titles and two second place titles.

Cass will soon celebrate the 10th anniversary of his school, The Magda Institute, in Reseda, California. As an instructor, Cass has received much attention and notoriety world-wide. With students around the globe, he is an attentive teacher who helps build character in everyone who trains with him. Most new students who walk through the doors of the Magda Institute immediately understand that this training will prepare them for myriad parallels in their own lives, not just the art of fighting.

"I find that in the arts that I do there is a connection within the martial arts philosophy which is manifested physically and the physical experience is the part that leads people to develop truth and flow in their lives."

With this new celebrity-like following, Cass found himself being called to train the likes of Blake Edwards and Julie Andrews, The Dallas Cowboys, and rockers Nikki Sixx, Ricki Rockett of Poison, as well as the infamous Ozzy Ozbourne. Stunt work and film projects were next on the horizon for Cass. As stunt coordinator for Roger Corman, Cass has worked on many films and appreciates the hard work that goes along with Corman's guerrilla style mentality. The martial arts films came easily for Cass with bit parts in small films, and it wasn't long before he was starring in a film of his own. With the release of "Hawk's Vengeance" in 1997 by Dimension Films, Cass was catapulted into low budget star status.

Cass is also featured as the hero of a European comic book, The Kali Warrior. He collaborates with the artist of Kali, to help bring to life the mysterious and intriguing landscape of martial arts. Check out the adventures of Kali Warrior on Cass Magda's website, www.cassmagda.com. Here you can see our hero travel around the world in search of his family sword.

Forever drawn to his first love, Cass still travels all over the world to teach seminars and lend a hand to fellow martial arts lovers. As a Guru (teacher) and artist, Cass Magda continues to make a profound impact not only in the world of martial arts, but much like his own hero, Bruce Lee, in the lives of every student and observer that he touches.

MORE INFO ON GURU MAGDA

Master Jose Santamaria III

Started at the age of 3. With over 20 years of experience, he is one of the best children's instructor in the world today. Watching him teach and interact with the children will amaze anyone at his special talent. Not only is he a great role model, but a special human being. Rated number 1 in the state the last few years, he offers many talents to his students. Master Santamaria is also the instructor for our Japanese Swordsmanship class. This class is referred to as "Chanbara", full contact padded weapons class.

Master Santamaria is a full-time martial arts instructor and part owner of the Santamaria's Karate School. He is our choice for February 2004

Info on Santamaria's Karate School:

Santamaria's Jhoon Rhee System Karate was inaugurated in 1966. Since then, it has earned a community-wide reputation for outstanding martial arts self-defense training. The institute inspires its members to enrich and enhance their personal lives through the art of self-defense. Students are encouraged to use their increased sense of confidence and strengthened will power to attain their personal goals and to be a positive force in their community.

Santamaria's Karate are dedicated and committed to our students and the community. Throughout its history; Santamaria's Karate has trained over 9,000 students. In a profession where only the best survive, Santamaria's Karate is the undisputed leader

www.santamariaskarate.com

MORE INFO ON MASTER SANTAMARIA

Congratulations goes out to Sifu Paul Vizzio for being chosen as the Teacher to be spotlighted for for January 2004

The chief instructor of Vizzio's Kung-Fu Wai Mo Kwoon and Vizzio's Ringside Fitness, Sifu Vizzio has had a long and eventful career in martial arts. As an amateur boxer, he had 140 fights under the sponsorship of such organizations as the PAL and Boy's Club. In the 1960's, his interest in Kung-Fu led him to study Fu-Jow Pai with Grandmaster Wai Hong under whose banner he again fought from 1971-1976. These bouts were full contact Kung-Fu, sponsored by Wai Hong and D. Chin. Kicking, punching, elbows and knees were all permitted. Little or no padding of any kind was used and no weight divisions were enforced.

Opponents came from Boston, Washington D.C., California, Canada and overseas. In these extremely dangerous events, Sifu Vizzio amassed a record of 55 wins and no losses.

In 1976, Sifu wished to retire from fighting to concentrate more on his teaching, but this was not to be. A fighter from Taiwan arrived in New York with great fanfare named Lee Man Chin, a grandmaster of the Seven Animals system. In order to make a name for himself and thereby gain a following, he issued challenges to various martial arts notables and even challenged Muhammad Ali. No one would accept his challenge until Grandmaster Wai Hong publicly did so, designating Sifu Vizzio, the Grand Champion of Fu-Jow Pai as the fighter. The fight was over in 5.8 SECONDS. Vizzio humiliated lee Man Chin by knocking him unconscious for 40 minutes with a devastating right hand to the face.

His background includes the following:

Style: Fu-Jow Pai Kung-Fu
Founded Wai Mo Kwoon Kung-Fu Center in New Jersey in 1974
Teaching Kung-Fu at Columbia University since 1971
Training with Sensei Miyazaki since the 1960's

His fight record stands as follows, 17 Title Defenses, 47-1 with 33 KO's

His accreditation stands as follows, 55-0, 54 KO record in 400 lbs-and-under Death Matches
1980 Fighter of the Year, Trained 1988 Olympian Kevin Padilla, Trained 1992 Olympic Gold Medallist Herbert Perez,
Starred in a movie documentary on Martial Arts in 1973,Has been on covers of major Martial Arts magazines,Trained actress/movie star Morgan Fairchild, Trained news correspondent Carol Martin.

He is a multi time world champion, he has held world championship title in divisions ranging from Welterweight to Featherweight to super featherweight. He is our choice for January 2004.

MORE INFO ON SIFU PAUL VIZZIO