Shaw Martial Arts

So, I just watched a video by Suro Jason Inay from the Bay Area School of Escrima demonstrating head lock escapes and counter moves. Two were from a jujitsu perspective one leaning towards BJJ, the other more a Japanese approach. Then he demonstrated the method he preferred as an FMA practitioner. I appreciate his general knowledge but what I most appreciated is that he suggested he would much prefer to stay on his feet than go to ground. Each of the methods he used finished with him still on his feet.
Especially now as a senior, I do not want to go the ground. Sensei Roy said he always preferred stand up grappling when necessary and to avoid the ground - now Sensei Roy certainly had and showed us how to best defend while on the ground, which we did practice, however he definitely preferred not to go down especially if in and among a group of people.
Thus, I was very pleased to hear Suro Inay suggest a similar philosophy and it made his video a must watch and most informative. Sorry, I cannot connect the video as it is not mine to share. However, if you come across videos from Suro Jason Inay, give them a watch. You may find something that suits you.
In the Spirit of Sensei Roy,
Sensei DM

People have asked - would you want a school again? - of course I would! The community that grows out of a school, the active training that happens - yes I would need some younger instructors to help demo moves that I am less able to do - but that’s okay. Other black belts or those involved in unranked combative arts would be brought in to share some of their specialty with us - the community would be become an open discussion and experimentation forum yet still based in the Shaw style. Ongoing learning and development within the style would be key.
I would spend the better part of my days there - reading, training, watching video, exercise - everything would be right there.
In reality, there is a building just down the block, an old church, one story maybe with a basement. If it had a basement weights and exercise gear could go down there - the school with hanging bags and space to move would be upstairs - it could be perfect. Alas - it will mot be.
So, while I would love a space, I am not financially positioned to fund opening a space. What I’m not well positioned for is in seeking out supporters, investors who would want to help fund a space. Fees could cover some of the cost but especially starting out again, fees would not be enough. It is not my forte to fund raise and life is too short to jeopardize my current finances - it’s just bad timing. Doesn’t mean I don’t dream of the active training and the sharing of ideas that could occur within a community of like minded individuals. Still, currently the only space that exists is in my mind - and it’s beautiful - reality, now that’s a problem.
Sensei D

Long talk today - but I believe it to be important.
I have been training mentally and physically in the Martial Arts since I began Judo at 13. In these arts including some Wrestling, Judo, Taekwondo,
Isshin-Ryu (Okinawan karate), Boxing, Kickboxing, Kung Fu including some Choy Lay Fut and FMA Filipino Martial Arts - some more than others in the case of Goju and Shotokan - very little - but being martial arts there is usually a combative aspect - fighting in tournaments or matches, at an event, on a card or an inter-club fight or perhaps just sparring within a club. Now, while all this can help you better understand contact - getting thrown or hit in the face - it is all controlled with a set beginning and end so it leaves you somewhat lacking in being ready for the street. Now a training student in combative arts has perhaps a better chance than a non-trainer yet it is still just a chance - to get through a street confrontation with minimal damage. Surprisingly, it may even be a disadvantage if your training causes you to expect a graceful, somewhat controlled entanglement between two people of like mind. No - the street is crazy, definitely not pretty and nothing can fully prepare you for the quickness and ensuing chaos that can develop - no pretty techniques - just survival. Granted not all street-fights are like this but many are and there are no controls, rules or limits - survive less injured than the other or others involved wins the day - legal ramifications can be considered before or after but you had better not during. Focus and adaptability to whatever comes is key - awareness!!
In the boxing ring, I once let myself be distracted by a voice in the audience - why? The fist coming toward my head brought me back but it certainly was not a time for distractions - could have been worse but it was like I forgot where I was!! That can’t happen in the street - you cannot have a lapse of concentration - too much chance of getting seriously hurt! Or worse - dead! WTF!!
Now I am not Sensei Roy so I have not had numerous street encounters - hundreds including his days bouncing I believe is what he told me - for me, probably a handful or so. One - all it took was one stomp kick to put the man down. He was drunk, wouldn’t leave my parents front yard and seemed determined to do me harm - I guess - didn’t last long and didn’t go well - for him. During another I was working a plan in my head but it devolved quickly into a standing free-for-all where I tried multiple techniques that failed and it finally boiled down to me muscling him into something - wall, fence - don’t remember- and taking control from there. Others were similarly chaotic and you are never really ready so quick adaptability is essential.
Now, I don’t go looking for trouble and I do practice avoidance of potential trouble spots as I have suggested many times to students - there is too great a chance that someone will get hurt and that someone might be you.
Thus, street-fighting isn’t pretty and can potentially be lethal. Still, one must be prepared as best one can - even if you are a senior.
So train but don’t expect movie fight choreography and graceful perfection - expect grab, bite, gouge, fingers in eyes, nose, ripping, tearing applying pressure, chaotic, ugly, mayhem. If you fare better than this - great - if you expect & prepare for the worst - hopefully, you will never need it.
In the Spirit of our Master - Sensei Roy,
Sensei Dennis Matheson

The MASTER . . . the apprentice.

Been trying to study Triangle chokes today - hard to do solo - good thing is - I’m not accidentally choking myself out🤔🫢😳😁🤣

I spent years preaching this - still do to those that might listen. Most people dismiss me as paranoid - nothing will happen, I’m exaggerating- maybe I do at times yet it never hurts to “be prepared” - the old Scout motto I believe. Be ready - can’t hurt and it certainly can help you from being hurt by being caught unaware - or when you are exhibiting an aware attitude, it might prevent an assailant from targeting you - so - Be AWARE!
In the spirit of Sensei Roy
Specific statement pictured is from “Self Defense For Seniors” by Ken Boire

And what philosophy is that some may ask - simply as the title states - “Fight Back” - passive acceptance is not the answer and could lead to worse. Not necessarily during a robbery depending on the circumstances - money and goods can be replaced - But for an attack on the person - one needs to be prepared to fight for their own body- temple!

It isn’t often within the first pages of a book I find philosophies that mesh with mine. This passage pictured is from the intro - by the author of “The Gift of Fear” - another good read. Just from this intro I look forward to delving into this book more deeply. I have said it before - I should have engaged female students in more discussion to see where our classes could have adapted to better suit their needs. Alas - hindsight.

Be water - for water can flow or it can crash - my favourite idea gained from following Bruce Lee - I remember it being said by Bruce Lee to James Franciscus character in the tv series “Longstreet “ - it has moved on from there. I wear the quote on a leather wristband almost daily. My next thoughts from years back followed the idea of a type of flow.

I was told when I was at my training peak that I could have gone and trained in a school in Texas - this suggested to me by a Choy Lay Fut sifu - another martial artist said to me go to L.A., you train as hard, if not harder than many others he had seen there.
Could I have been a Pro fighter in the USA training with martial arts greats of the time like Benny"the Jet" Urquidez, Joe Lewis or possibly Dan Inosanto - who knows ?!? - the day was never seized. Flow for me means move forward - let what’s past go - it just wasn't meant to be - maybe - no, definitely because action was not taken - let it go.
So flow forward but do act when opportunities arise thereby minimizing, possibly eliminating regrets allowing for better forward momentum.

Thoughts from my inner vault.
Sensei Dennis M.

I wrote some thoughts down from 2016/17 forward to probably 2022/23 - decided not to post because they were my thoughts about me - nothing to do with style - just personal philosophy. I found them in my notebook recently and decided to post - just proof I have no new material!😄

For my own peace of mind I feel I need to share this. I left my workplace in a cloud, at least that's how I felt, shrouded by the uncertainty of injury. First, I had a shoulder repaired and found the other one was also torn. Found that out when I re-injured my shoulder at work and went back to rehab. Then, in 2017, end of September, I started having trouble walking any distance. Again, I was told my structure had failed and my lumbar vertebrae were pinching nerves in my back. Surgery would be required - uhhhh, NO - no one gets near my back with a knife until I can no longer defend myself. So, I looked for alternatives- stem cells, laser surgery - both too expensive About $20,000.00 for either. Stem Cell's - no certainty of any result, laser therapy - still intrusive. So, I left it and did my best to continue on while still looking. Multiple stretches found, exercise somewhat curtailed - legs suffered most. 2025 I had right shoulder surgery - oops! Couldn’t repair biceps long head or fully stitch up my supraspinatus. I lost a year of training from surgery and rehab - a mistake I regret as inactivity has spawned lack of creativity compounded by further lethargy. I continue searching for a shoulder work around and a stretch that I can actually do without imitating a pretzel, to improve my lower back. Yet, the direction must be forward - the path, mine!