Happy Birthday Guro/Sifu Dan Inosanto  70 years in 2006~ and strong!

From Heather MonDee

 

How I met Guro, began my training and eventual instructorship under him.

 In 1992 while already training in a traditional martial arts system (and pleasantly happy), I was informed of a martial artist who could "leap tall buildings in a single bound."  Not really-- but the impression given by the ones speaking of him and demonstrating various systems eventually lead me to an entirely new academy in a new state because of the teaching methods and techniques I was exposed to.  That academy; Gibson's Martial Arts in Tulsa Oklahoma under Guro's Terry (the late) and Cathy Gibson was where, there in April '93 I first met Guro and began my training under him and under many of his instructors who would be my friends, teach me of cultures, systems, physical and mental attributes I never thought possible. This academy would give relationships where we would believe in each other to do all that we wanted and encourage each other to do even more.  Before my first seminar at our academy I was pretty sure there in 93 I was meeting the most amazing martial artist ever.  I can tell you 14 years later that in my naivety then but now in my experience how true that is.  I will never forget my "in person" first impression.  It is still my view of him, and as consistent as I tell my new students he is still consistent in this impression to this day.  The humility and servitude demonstrated with knowledge and application (practical/technical & power) of that knowledge was/is overwhelming. This humility along with looking across the see of participants including my instructors and others who give loyalty and respect so easily to him from decades of training or to me the immediate newbie was the combination of what was put in my head of how I want to train and be around these type of people for a long time.

At that first seminar I was so excited I felt like a kid with Mickey Mouse in Disney World, someone snapped a Polaroid and that picture says it all!

Long term consistent hard work, desire and passion under Guro Inosanto/Gibson Guros and others are what brought my path to instructorship and eventual instructorship in his organization.  This instructorship was under recommendation of Guro's Terry and Cathy, upon receiving my Black Instructor Level I with them. 

Much has changed since my first apprentice year.  So many things, but with the challenges along the way and now having students of my own I continue down that long-term goal of maintaining my instructorship with him and his organization. Teaching began out of my apartment here in Denver in 2002 and has since expanded into a full academy.   Part of that includes passing what is written here along to my students for however long they are or have be with me. 

I tell them boldly and often, “If it were not for Guro Dan Inosanto, I would not be standing here.. I would have never met Guros from the Gibson group.  That strong group that I cherish.  It is because of him, directly and indirectly that I even AM who I am.  I would not be the person I am apart from this direct and indirect influence.  It blows my mind.  Also, they know that he holds the highest esteem because he holds the roles of instructor, mentor, role model to me.  Though I have and have had many instructors, Guro Inosanto is the only one who I see with these three qualities; others don't compare or have stepped out of boundaries of this high tier.  One demonstration of this is also why I am quite fierce about in the martial arts environment that he receives the respect of his titles at all times and now consider myself of level to enforce it.  It also makes me appreciate Simo because of her high level of respect demonstrated year after year in ways like this as well.

When you appreciate the deep gift given through so many people but rooted back to the contribution of one man, there is great respect and loyalty, the type I witnessed the first seminar and meeting him to now being a strong part of what I witnessed so many years ago.

 Yesterday was a testing in our academy; fourteen of my students were testing.  I asked and reminded them again regarding sending my instructor birthday wishes.  I told them I was asked to submit a birthday wish as well,  but told them only one thing of the four that I was asked to submit:  "the single greatest influence he has had in my life."

I told them openly what my answer would be.  It is them my students.  Watching them stand there ready to work hard, achieve their goals and be better than what they were when they walked in the door, inspires me. 

The joy I receive from them is even greater than the gifts poured on me from my many instructors and even Guro himself---and they are quite great!  I do not however mistake where the gift comes from: him, as an instructor.  I look at my students, burst through physical, emotional, barriers.  Watch them develop friendships and team building skills.  Watch them teach me as I teach them and embody my constant mantras of "we all make each other better".  I watch it come alive I watch it in motion- the evolution of the martial arts right here in my academy. 

The single greatest influence that Guro has had on my life is something, I don’t even know he knows I cherish from him but I believe he will now.  I have students progressing through a well rounded curriculum from level one to level six (to 10) currently and can feel the goal of Black Belt Excellence approaching.  That anyone would stay with me this long, moves me but the product and service speaks for itself and it’s rooted from the one who gave it directly and indirectly through his many instructors I schooled under.  It has allowed my gift of teaching to unfold, as well as develop others who have the desire to teach; some of my many goals for me and our academy.

 I have taken much of my space on the above part of submission but my favorite Inosanto story is:  Sifu Francis Fong, Guro Dan Inosanto and Steven Segal in a car that broke down where Steven Segal wants to show Guro his "new move" and winds up showing it also to Sifu Fong with not the same outcome!

 Happy Birthday Guro~most love and best wishes to you and yours.  We want to be like you.. and try really hard to imitate you as we grow in ourselves. 

Always be proud of what you have done and who you are despite the sacrifices which I am sure where/are great.  But I hope you have a sense that all is worth all you do.  I am always grateful to represent you, it is my most cherished presentation of who I am as your instructor.

Love always Heather MonDee