Recently I, along with 10 others from our PK community, flew across the country to attend The Gathering, a seminar designed for martial arts students of all ranks. Those who attend share a deep desire to learn new concepts and techniques. The Gathering is not your typical seminar where you follow along with an instructor and memorize a set of moves, this event is much more.
It’s a history lesson, covering a no holds barred approach to how these treasured family secrets expanded, from small Chinese communities, to pacific islands, to Hawaii and finally our own schools.
It’s a lesson in movement, with emphasis on both your movement and understanding how your attacker moves.
It’s an opportunity to watch master instructors from different backgrounds come together and teach small groups while riffing off of each other; the best part? Listening to these old school Sensei’s tell it like it is.
I was once told, that the best way to know that the session, class, or seminar you are attending, both answers questions and creates new ones for you to ponder. We are all students, If you are not currently practicing in the martial arts, I highly recommend that you seek out a school.
The event’s Banquet included awesome conversations with instructors who are very approachable, Chinese Lions entertained us after a fabulous pig roast. The Folsom Community is a perfect venue, with break out rooms, sunlight, and even wood beam ceilings. Plus the weather at Sacramento was wonderful.
I was so excited the first thing I did after my red eye flight home, was to go to the dojo and attend a morning session.
Here is a breakdown of the events:
Day 1
Kickboxing
Bill Wallace
Steve Babcock
Andre Sims
Capoeira
Bill Owens
Mary Owens
Chi Lin
Ron Wilkerson
Charles Brown
Russell Hughart
Mike Snyder
Diverse Weaponry
Ron Saturno
Tim Hartman
Phil Gonsalves
Charles Garrett
Kosho
Tony Disarro
Jeff Driscoll
Greg Ford
Kirk Van Sickle
Steve Bonk
Kinesiology
Brian Garrett
Grappling Judo
Denise Gonzales
Ryan Chamberland
Bob Hodge
Dave Kovar
Interpretation of Forms
Skip Hancock
Charles Garrett
Dian Tanaka
Kristi Reeves
Arnis Escrima
Mike McKenzie
Carlito Bonjoc
Harry Greene
Tony Disarro
Guy Kinanahan
Iaido
Jeff Driscoll
Jon Moore
History of the Martial Arts
Greglon Lee
Hans Ingebretsen
Bruce Juchnik
Jerry Piddington
Richard Bunch
Street Defense
Mikeeal Smith
Doc
Jason Inay
Denise Gonzales
Chinese Arts
Russell Hughart
Ron Wilkerson
Jim Charley
Greglon Lee
Karate Forms
Charles Garrett
Kristi Reeves
Richard Bunch
DJ Rapozo
Closed Combat Blade
Carlito Bonjoc
Nick Moreno
Ron Saturno
June Gotico
Kickboxing
Bill Wallace
Steve Babcock
Andre Sims
Business in the Martial Arts
Dave Kovar
Brent Crisci
Locks and Throws
Norm Johnson
Hans Ingebretsen
Richard Bunch
Hand Combinations
Skip Hancock
Ryan Chamberland
David Henderson
Ephriam Cheever
Preportary Art
Kurt Van Sickle
Jon Ludwwig
Jeff Driscoll
Steve Bonk
DJ Rapozo
Talking Sticks
Bill Owens
Mary Owens
Tai Chi Push Hands
Mike Snyder
Dian Tanaka
Day 2
Living Legends
Hanshi Bruce Juchnik
Bill Owens Mary Owens
Gary Curtis
Wayne Gordon
Ron Marchini
Bill Wallace
Mike Dean
Greglon Yimm Lee
Jerry Piddington
Chi Lin Group Teach
Ron Wilkerson
Charles Brown
Jim Charley
Wayne Gordon
Russell Hughart
Mike Snider
Karate Kajukenbo Kempo
Dian Tanake
Steve Babcock
David Bossinotte
Ephraim Cheever
Dominic Cirincione
Charles Garrett
Skip Hancock
Tyler Hanemura
David Henderson
Hans Ingebretsen
Andre Sims
Healing Arts
Brian Garrett
Al Ikemoto
Bob Hodge
Denise Gonzales
Kosho Group Teach
Claremont Poulin
Jeff Driscoll
Jon Ludwig
Toni Disarro
Rylan Chamberlan
Brent Crisci
Kurt Van Sickle
Trenton Ingles
Greg Ford
Mike Blackwell
Steve Bonk
DJ Rapozo
Erik Plate
Arnis Escrima
Charlito Bonjoc
Tim Hartman
Phil Gonsalves
June Gotico
Harry Greene
Jason Inay
Guy Kinanahan
Mike McKenzie
Ron Saturno
I’m looking forward to next year’s Gathering and hope to attend many more, I’m also inviting you. Comment below, let me know you can make it.
Thanks so much for sharing. Looks like this was an awesome experience. 👊🏾