Located in Almaty, Kazakhstan, we are the first martial arts academy in this area to offer instruction in Jeet Kune Do Concepts and Jun Fan Gung Fu from a 3rd generation instructor (a student of Bruce Lee's students). We are also the first academy in this area to offer training in Filipino, Indonesian, and Malaysian martial arts. We are proud to offer something unique to this area that is interesting, practical, and fun.

Tim Becherer-founder/head instructor

Certified by the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association as a Full Instructor awarded by Larry Hartsell (student of Bruce Lee), I have studied martial arts since the age of 12. Martial Arts of study include: Jeet Kune Do Concepts/Jun Fan Gung Fu, Filipino Martial Arts (Kali, Escrima, Arnis, Panantukan, Sikaran, Dumog), Muay Thai, Indonesian and Malaysian Silat Systems, Wing Chun Gung Fu, Savate, Boxing, Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Shooto, Combat Submission Wrestling, other wrestling styles (Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Catch-as-Catch Can, Hook),  and Shorin-Ryu Karate.

System, Philosophy, Method,  and History

With each individual having different needs and attributes, The Almaty Academy leaves it to the individual student to develop a "style" or personal system. We call our system Kamot Lihok which translates as hand/body movement. After all, that is what we are doing when it comes to fighting.

The Almaty Academy's Philosophy:

"Do not mistake kindness for weakness."- Sifu Larry Hartsell

The goal of the Almaty Academy is to train students in various martial arts systems with the intent of preparing physically and mentally for realistic self defense situations. Most of all, the training is fun.  We develop useful skills for self defense, get in great shape, and enjoy ourselves in the process. We train martial arts primarily to learn about ourselves. We are exploring our limitations to discover whether they are physical or mental.  Then we tear down the walls of limitation and achieve enlightenment in the process. At the Academy, students learn respect for themselves and others through the example of the instructors and fellow students. We do not train on each other, we train with each other. The Academy fosters a nurturing atmosphere, not a competitive one. Students will learn confidence, patience, humility, and self discipline.  At this Academy, we do not speak poorly of other martial arts or practitioners of martial arts.  This is an example set by Guru Inosanto and my first Sensei, U.C. Owens. The time  you waste saying bad things about other systems and people could be put to much better use by training a few more repetitions.

"If you want to be the tallest tree in the forest, you don't do it by cutting other trees down, you just grow."-Guru Dan Inosanto

In our classes we train with realism in mind. A very short time is spent with learning a new technique in the air. We quickly move to interactive drills with a partner and hitting pads.  It has been said that you fight how you train so we train to be realistic.  This just so happens to be a fantastic way to get one of the best workouts in the world.

Our “method”

JEET KUNE DO : Jeet Kune Do is usually mistaken as a martial arts “style.” JKD is a process and training methodology rather than a system that has particular movements. The late Bruce Lee created Jeet Kune Do in the mid 1960’s.  We refer to Bruce Lee as Si Gung , a Cantonese term meaning “father” of the  art.  Si Gung Bruce had called his system Jun Fan Gung Fu previous to the Jeet Kune Do name.  Jun Fan is his Cantonese name.  Jun Fan Gung Fu is more of what one would think of as a martial arts system. It has particular movements and techniques.  Si Gung Bruce taught his students Jun Fan Gung Fu as the base system of Jeet Kune Do.  What Si Gung Bruce realized after a fight with another Gung Fu (also known as Kung Fu) fighter in Oakland California, was that making a person fit a particular style of martial arts, whether it be Gung Fu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Boxing, etc, was not the most practical or efficient way to fight or defend one’s self.  In this match, he was superior to his opponent but he tried to stay within the structure of the Wing Chun system. Because he limited himself, it took him several minutes to beat his opponent. Si Gung Bruce felt that the fight had lasted much too long. He came to realize that because each individual is unique, that he/she will have different attributes than their training partners and their opponents. He researched many martial arts and encouraged his students to do so as well.  His goal was to free himself and his students from the constraints of the “classical mess” of traditional martial arts thinking. Each individual, through the exploration of many arts, practical training drills, and individual self-examination would “absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, and ad what is uniquely his/her own.” Since JKD in this form is a method or concept, we refer to it as Jeet Kune Do Concepts. It is the Jeet Kune Do Concepts that we employ while researching the different arts taught at the Almaty Academy.  Each student will find what is uniquely best for their own attributes, keeping what is useful to them, while rejecting what is not. This self-discovery will evolve over time with continued practice as our attributes change over time. 

Instructor Lineage:

1. Bruce Lee: Si Gung (founder of Jeet Kune Do) . Bruce was considered by many as a true pioneer in martial arts and a master who was way ahead of his time. Bruce’s training methods attracted the champions of the day who sought him out to train them and make them the most elite of the martial arts champions of the day. Though many only know of Bruce Lee through his movies, he had been an accomplished martial artist well before he made martial arts films. His methods of training martial arts are seen in most modern day martial arts schools. Si Gung Bruce was the teacher of my teachers.

2. Dan Inosanto: Guru (Filipino term for “teacher” or “master”) Inosanto was Bruce Lee’s training partner and the head instructor at the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in Los Angeles from the mid 1960’s until Bruce Lee’s death in 1973. Since Bruce’s death, Guru Dan has been considered the world’s leading authority in Jeet Kune Do. He is the only person that was ever certified by Bruce Lee to teach JKD.  Guru Dan is also one of the main people responsible for cultivating the Filipino Martial Arts and bringing them into the  main stream of martial arts. He has also been instrumental in bringing Thai Boxing to the United States and introducing Ajarn Chai Sirisute (the first Thai boxing instructor in the US) to the American Martial Arts scene. It is Guru Dan who also helped to give the Indonesian and Malaysian Silat arts their exposure outside of their native lands.

3. Larry Hartsell: One of Bruce Lee’s original students in Los Angeles. Sifu Larry had been studying Kenpo Karate with Dan Inosanto under Master Ed Parker. When Guru Dan met Bruce Lee, Sifu Larry also saw the value in training with such a pioneer. Sifu Larry began his training with Si Gung Bruce, only to have it interrupted for a few years while serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. After leaving the Army, Sifu Larry resumed his training with Si Gung Bruce and helped to develop the grappling areas of JKD. Though Sifu Larry is most well known for his trapping and grappling (having written two best selling books on this subject), he was also an incredibly skilled in boxing and the Filipino Martial Arts.

Martial Arts Taught: Students learn from these martial arts to make their own personal system.

Jun Fan Gung Fu: The base system that Bruce Lee began to develop upon his arrival in the United States in the early 1960’s.  Bruce had primarily studied a system called Wing Chun Gung Fu. Jun Fan Gung Fu was Bruce’s interpretation and modification of Wing Chun.  He added elements of Western Fencing, Western Boxing, Western Wrestling, Judo, Ju Jitsu, Muay Thai, Savate, and several Northern and Southern Chinese Gung Fu systems.


Filipino Martial Arts: The martial arts of the Philippines are numerous and rich in their culture and depth.  Volumes of books could be written about these arts so only a brief description can be placed here.  The Filipino martial arts include training in weapons as well as empty hands. Weapons include stick, staff, cane and bladed weapons such as swords and knives. The weapon systems are collectively known by three different names (because of the many dialects of the Philippines): Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis. The empty handed arts (of which Western Boxing is a derivative) are known as Panantukan, Pananjakman, Sikaran, Dumog, and many more. The principle form of Filipino Martial Arts taught at the Almaty Academy is the Inosanto/LaCoste System of Kali.  This system is named after Guru Dan Inosanto and his primary instructor, Master John LaCoste.  Master LaCoste was one of the few Filipino Martial Arts masters to have been able to study Southern, Central, and Northern Filipino Combat systems. 

We also have a strong background in the Lameco Eskrima System.  Sifu Hartsell was a close student of Punong Guru Edgar Sulite, founder of the Lameco System.  Because of Guru Dan’s close study with over two dozen Filipino Masters, the Almaty Academy also has strong influence from the Ilustrisimo, Pikita Tirsia, Sayoc, and Villabrabrille systems of the Filipino Martial Arts.

Indonesian/Malaysian Martial Arts: At the Almaty Academy we practice a mixed blend of the arts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Southern Philippines collectively known as Silat.

Majapahit Silat:  Created by Guru Dan Inosanto and named after the once vast Majapahit Empire that covered most of Southeast Asia, Majapahit Silat is a blend of the empty handed and flexible weapon (scarf, sarong, malong, belts, etc) arts from this area.

Mande Muda Pencak Silat: A Silat system brought to prominence by the late Pendekar (Indonesian term for teacher or master) Herman Suwanda, this versatile Indonesian system is best known for its brutal strikes as well as its many techniques to knock your opponent off balance. It also has a very practical system of fighting from the ground. Silat arts make use of articles of clothing for weapons, turning the every day sarong or malong (or scarves and belts in our society) into lethal weapons.

Penjak Silat Serak: Similar to the Mande Muda system, Serak shares many of the same characteristics of Mande Muda Silat.  This system is headed by Pak (also an Indonesian/Malaysian term for teacher or master) Victor DeThouars.

Maylasian Bersilat: Similar to the Indonesian Systems, the Malaysian Bersilat focuses on brutal strikes and placing your opponent off-balance making it easier to knock him to the ground.

Western Boxing: Modern day Western Boxing evolved from the hand-to-hand sport of the British and Filipino boxing known as Panantukan.  Bruce Lee realized that boxers have one of the most effective punching methods and some of the best and most realistic training methods. Western Boxing heavily influences Jun Fan Gung Fu. All students are taught the fundamentals of boxing so they learn how to strike properly and as hard and fast as they can for their size.

Muay Thai Kickboxing: Muay Thai or “Thai” boxing is the national sport of Thailand. Though a sport, it is very close to reality since it does not have many restrictions. Fighters are allowed to punch, kick, knee, and elbow to all parts of the body. Only strikes to the groin, direct kicks to the knee, and head butts are considered fouls. In addition to boxing training, Academy students learn skills in this amazingly effective martial art. Thai boxers posses some of the toughest mentalities in all martial arts. No martial artist kicks harder than a Thai boxer. Thai boxing will teach you how to kick, knee, and elbow as fast and as hard as you can for your size, which is a great addition to the punching skills you learn from boxing.  Muay Thai also teaches skills that are very useful in the closer “trapping” range and standing grappling range of fighting. The sources of our Muay Thai are Ajarn Chai Sirisute (the first to bring Thai Boxing to the USA and widely considered the leading authority in the USA on Thai Boxing) and Ajarn Vut Kamnark.

Wing Chun Gung Fu: Wing Chun is the first system that Bruce Lee studied.  Though Bruce retained many aspects of the Wing Chun System, Guro Inosanto and Sifu Hartsell have felt that Wing Chun is an art for further research and development as it is one of the most effective arts for close range or trapping range combat. It compliments grappling skills by giving you a bigger arsenal to use in the closer ranges. Our sources of Wing Chun are Guro Inosanto, Sifu Hartsell, and Sifu Francis Fong.

French Savate: Savate is the art of French Kickboxing. Bruce Lee admired the effectiveness and agility of the kicking of this martial art that he incorporated it into Jun Fan Gung Fu.  Kicking in Savate emphasizes the use of the hard parts of a shoe/boot (called a Savate). One can easily see that an art that makes use of kicking with a shoe on would be very practical to every day self defense considering we wear shoes in our daily lives.

Krabi Krabong: The predecessor to Muay Thai. This was the Thai art of war that included stick and sword fighting. Very much a power based art, Krabi Krabong is an excellent addition to the Filipino, Indonesian, and Malaysian weapon based systems that have been incorporated into our research and development.

Jun Fan/JKD Integrated Grappling Arts: a blend of martial arts to deal with the standing grappling range and ground fighting range of combat. This was the blend that was originally researched by Si Gung Bruce Lee and Sifu Larry Hartsell. After Bruce’s death, Sifu Hartsell continued research and development in this area and became the leading Jeet Kune Do authority on the grappling range.  Grappling arts drawn from include: Western wrestling (Freestyle and Greco Roman), Ju-Jitsu, Catch Wrestling, Hook Wrestling, Judo, and Sambo. Sifu Hartsell included techniques and methods from Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and Shoot Wrestling.
   
Brazilian Ju Jitsu: a form of the Japanese Art developed in Brazil. The Brazilian Gracie family and their cousins the Machado family pioneered the highly effective ground fighting aspects of the traditional Ju-Jitsu art.  Its emphasis on groundwork, joint locks, and chokeholds make it a must have in any library of martial arts and self-defense.

Combat Submission Wrestling: Erik Paulson who is considered by many to be the premiere genius of grappling created this system. Erik is a protégé’  of JKD/Kali greats Rick Fey, Greg Nelson, Larry Hartsell, and Dan Inosanto. CSW is like the JKD of the grappling world. Erik has studied every grappling system he came in contact with. He was also one of the first Americans to compete in the sport of Shoot
Wrestling in Japan. After a very successful career as a champion in mixed martial arts competitions, Erik is now one of the most sought after mixed martial arts trainers. One of his students, Brock Lesner, is currently the champion of the UFC.  CSW blends many different grappling systems and makes use of Larry Hartsell’s concept of flow drills that train you how to flow from one lock to the next, one technique to the next effortlessly. 

Shoot Wrestling: Shoot Wrestling or Shooto is a sport in Japan. It is one of the original Mixed Martial Arts competitions that allowed striking, takedowns, and submission locks.  Erik Paulson trained in this sport and his instructor Yori Nakamura brought Shoot Wrestling to the United States and teaches it at the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts where he is also one of the top instructors of Jun Fan Gung Fu.  Shoot Wrestling is considered to be a blend of Muay Thai kickboxing and many grappling arts such as Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Catch-as-Catch-can Wrestling, Sambo, and Freestyle Wrestling.

What We Offer:

Group Classes: This is our standard way of teaching.  Students are taught in a regular class with other students. Students are paired with other students of the same skill level and approximately the size in the beginning. Throughout the class, students rotate and work with other partners so they can gain more experience, working with various body types and skill levels. 

Private Lessons/Semi Private Lessons: For students looking for individual training, the academy offers one on one training with Sifu Tim Becherer. Lessons may also be semi-private or small group for two to four people looking for regular training that is more personalized.

Seminars: Sifu Tim offers seminars to specialized groups. Some sample seminars:
-any club, organization, or employer that would like their members/employees to receive a one or two day training course in self-defense
-any law enforcement or security organization that needs or desires special training in baton (stick or club) and surviving edged weapons (one or two day seminar)
-any martial arts school looking to ad special training methods from Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino Martial Arts to their curriculum or just looking to expose their students to these rare and facinating martial arts (one or two day seminar)
 
I would like to acknowledge and thank the following list of instructors for their great part in my development as a martial artist and a person.

Guru Dan Inosanto- Guru Inosanto is my instructor in JKD, The Filipino, Indonesian, Malaysian martial arts, Muay Thai, and Krabi Krabong.  Guru Dan is one of the most amazing martial artists in the world.  His skills as a martial artist may only be surpassed by his skills as a teacher.  I have never heard Guru Dan ever speak poorly of another system of martial arts or of another person. His example has been a shining one for all of us who have been so fortunate as to be his students.  Guru Dan’s open mindedness and desire to learn is inspiring. Though in his early 70’s, he has recently taken up the Brazilian art of Copeoria. 

Sifu Larry Hartsell- I had the great opportunity to be one of Sifu Hartsell’s semi private students for a couple of years before he passed away in 2007.  I think that Sifu Hartsell was one of the most amazing martial artists that I have ever worked with. He was a walking encyclopedia of martial arts. From Sifu Hartsell I learned Jeet Kune Do/Jun Fan Gung Fu, Wing Chun, Filipino Martial Arts, and the Jun Fan/JKD Integrated Grappling Arts. Sifu Hartsell had a profound effect on my development as a martial artist. Sifu Hartsell was a very soft-spoken man with a southern (US) charm but he was also the premiere JKD Fighter according to Guru Dan. Sifu Larry’s friendship with Guru Dan was also very admirable. Some of my most cherished moments was being able to sit and listen to some of their stories.  Sifu Larry created one of my favorite quotes: “do not mistake kindness for weakness.” There is not a day that goes by that I do not profoundly miss Sifu Larry.

Ajarn Chai Sirisute- Ajarn Chai is one of the first Thai nationals to bring Muay Thai to the United States. Master Chai is one of the most sought after instructors of Muay Thai today. He is my current instructor in Muay Thai. Master Chai has an amazing aura of confidence surrounding him. All who train with him find him to be an amazing martial artist. When he shows you a method or technique and says it will work, you believe him. 

Ajarn Vut Kamnark- Kru Vut was the first Thai Boxing instructor that I studied with. I am still very influenced by his style of Thai Boxing.  Ajarn Vut taught through the use of amusing anecdotes.  To this day, I find myself passing these anecdotes along to my students.

Sifu Francis Fong- Sifu Fong is probably one of the most energetic personalities I have ever met. He is my teacher and source for Wing Chun Gung Fu.  After training with Sifu Fong, you always have this amazing energy and outlook on the martial arts. Sifu Fong is another very influential instructor in my development.

Sensei Jean Jacques Machado- Sensei Machado is one of my instructors in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. Sensei Machado’s instructing style is very personable and his humbleness makes him very approachable as an instructor.  His amazing ability to explain Brazilian Ju-Jitsu in a way that anyone can understand has furthered my understanding of this incredible art.

Sifu Loren Bookbinder- Loren was my first instructor in the arts of JKD Concepts. His study with Guru Inosanto started in 1979 so he has an interesting perspective from the time that JKD concepts were first starting to gain popularity around the world. Sifu Loren’s continued friendship with me has been one of my most treasured. It is his attention to detail in the basics that have given me a great foundation in the arts in which to build on. Loren is one the handful of instructors that I have learned from who has also influenced my philosophically.  When I am teaching the self-defense parts of the curriculum, I can see his influences throughout my lectures.

Sifu Atticus Todd- Like Loren, Atticus is not only an instructor but a close friend and a philosophical influence.  With his background in Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling, he has been a key to my understanding of the clinch, center of gravity, hip movement, and takedowns in the grappling range of combat. His attention to detail has also been a large factor in my advancement of knowledge in these areas as well as my trapping, Kali, and Muay Thai.  Atticus is always one to have words of wisdom or kindness to help put things in perspective.  Every day I feel his philosophical influences in my life.

Sifu Alain Rono- Alain is a very talented martial artist and teacher. He has also become a close friend and has always been willing to share his expertise in the martial arts. From Alain I studied Jun Fan Gung Fu, Filipino Martial Arts, CSW, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and Savate. His ability to make training fun, even when you are doing something very strenuous, makes him a very unique and sought after instructor.

Sifu Justin Williams- Sifu Justin is another instructor who has become a good friend. I was fortunate enough to be able to learn from him one to one in many situations. With is physical attributes being similar to mine, he is able to give me much insight into what to “absorb” and what to “reject” for my own personal attributes. From Justin I studied Muay Thai, Savate, and Brazilian Ju Jitsu.

Guru Keith Davis- Keith has been a very influential teacher to me in Kickboxing and the Filipino Martial Arts. Guro Keith emphasized the training of footwork, angling, distance and timing.  His outlook on the martial arts has given me a new perspective in which to look at our catalog of systems.

Guru Daniel Lonero-Guru Linaro was the primary substitute instructor when Guru Inosanto was out of town teaching seminars. His teaching style is that of a kind and friendly instructor who will give you a new look at older material. Guro Lonero would also assist in Guru Inosanto’s class.  Dan Lonero has great patience and would always take time to answer questions or demonstrate the material to inquisitive students.

Sifu Nino Pilla- Sifu Nino is one of the top instructors of JKD concepts in Australia and owns schools in Italy. He frequently spends time in the Los Angeles area working as a stuntman in the motion picture industry. Because of his time spent in the Los Angeles area, I have been most fortunate to be instructed by this dynamic instructor.  As with many of my JKD instructors, Nino always has a unique way of looking at the martial arts and has a way of personalizing his instruction to fit the student. From Nino, I have learned the integrity and work ethic that it takes to be an excellent martial artist.

Guru John Spezzano: From Guro John I learned the Filipino Martial Arts, Wing Chun, Savate, and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. Guro John’s positive outlook and respect for his instructors and students is an attribute that I emulate.

Guru Suzanne Spezzano: Guru Suzanne is one of the foremost practitioners and instructors of the Silat systems.  She is an amazing instructor with great positive energy. Her attentiveness to students and helping them work through difficulties they have with techniques by showing them how to adapt them for their own attributes has been a great example to me.

Guru Mike Wise: Guru Wise lives up to his namesake. I consider him to be a very wise instructor. A man who has great confidence, skill, and knowledge, but is still very humble and soft spoken. Guru Mike has that ability to show you that little detail that makes all the difference in your understanding of what he is showing you. I like to think of him as an expert switch turner. He knows how to turn that light bulb in your head on.

Guru Joel Clark: Guru Joel is one of the most amazing martial arts personalities. He has been the demonstration partner of Guru Inosanto for many years. He has had the unique perspective of being able to see the martial arts we practice by having them put on him on a regular basis. Guru Joel has been one of my biggest teachers when it comes to seminars. He would walk around when we were given new material to work on and was always  willing to take a few moments to help me correct a technique that I was trying to learn. Guru Joel is probably one of the three people most responsible for me learning a great deal from seminars.

Sensei Sean Choi: Sensei Choi worked with me one on one in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu. It is Sean who taught me a great fundamental base in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and the concepts of how the system works. From his lessons, I have been able to build a larger foundation of knowledge in the grappling arts.

Guro Willie Laureano: Guro Willie’s approach to the Filipino Martial arts is that of a field research scientist. When training with Guro Willie, it is hard not to take on his enthusiasm and love of the arts. Guro Willie taught me an amazing approach to timing and where to ad timings, rythyms, and strikes where I had never considered it. Guro Willie is one of the handful of amazing martial artists who has really opened my eyes to the limitlessness of Panantukan.

Sifu Tim Tackett: Sifu Tackett was one of the Chinatown Group (the members of Bruce Lee’s Los Angeles School). Though I studied with Sifu Tackett for one four-hour seminar, he had a great influence on me.  I especially liked his attention to refining technique and movement.  His no-nonsense approach to technique is a great influence.

Sensei Ulysses Owens: Sensei Owens was my first martial arts teacher. At the age of 12 I began my martial arts studies under Sensei Owens’ instruction. I learned kickboxing and traditional Okinawan Karate. Sensei Owens also taught me patience and humility. It was from Sensei Owens that I learned that a true martial arts master is kind and gentle, not because of any weakness but because of strength. I believe that Sensei Owens taught me the core philosophy of what I think a martial artist should be.

In training, one quickly learns how important a training partner is. Your training partner can be as important and significant as your instructor because it is your partner who is directly responsible for your practice and improvement during every minute of each training session. For this reason I must thank several of my training partners for their time, patience, and help in my martial arts development.

Chris Harley- Chris was my main training partner with Sifu Hartsell. Our training would consist of Sifu Hartsell coaching Chris and I for a few hours three days per week. Chris  and I would also train together in Guro Inosanto’s classes and in semi private lessons with Sifu Todd and Sifu Rono.  Chris and I would also train together without instructors several days per week, offering each other guidance and corrections. I think Chris has probably been the biggest reason for my improvement in martial arts over the last several years.  As with Loren and Atticus, Chris is another one of my philosophical influences.  Long conversations with him and Atticus were great learning sessions for me and my perspectives on life and martial arts have changed for the better because of these relationships. Chris is also a highly skilled tracker and physical therapist. He taught me about body movement for health as well. Chris is currently the founder and head instructor at the Bay Area Kali Group.

John Doty- John was also a student who worked with Sifu Larry at the same time as Chris and I. John also partnered with me during several classes with Guru Dan. We also trained together outside of class and offered each other corrections and insights. John’s background in martial arts is impressive, having studied with Kenpo Karate legend Ed Parker.  John’s advice and training has been an invaluable resource to me. John is the founder and head instructor of Paradox Martial Arts.

Trevor Kennedy- Trev is one of the most amazing grapplers that I have worked with. I thoroughly enjoy working with him not only because of his easy going personality, his incredible skill in martial arts, but also because he is one of the few martial artists that I have worked with who is taller than I.  Trev has been a major element in my development in the grappling range of martial arts.  Trev has a unique perspective on techniques and concepts. He is the one who can figure out how to use a technique in ways that connect it to the whole of fighting. Trev is one of the most forward thinkers I have met in the martial arts.

Peter Newton- Peter has been a most incredible and patient training partner of mine during the "Training with the Legends" seminars. I have to admire his conviction to travel the distance from London or Hong Kong to Los Angeles and then train for many hours per day over a week or two weeks time. Peter worked with me for 40 hours over 4 days (each year) during these seminars. He has also been a great pleasure to train with during his numerous visits to Los Angeles to train with Sifu Hartsell and Guru Inosanto.  Peter is a remarkable martial artist whose love for training and positive attitude is infectious to anyone who trains with him.

Steve Wright- Like Peter, Steve is another one of the talented martial artists from the Bob Breen Academy in London. Steve is a man with wicked sense of humor and a hard core dedication to training and conditioning.  I throughly enjoyed when Steve would come to Los Angeles to train with Sifu Hartsell and Guru Inosanto. He and I would be able to train together for hours and also have long discussions on philosophy and techinque.
 
Ted Watkins- Ted is one of my best friends from childhood. It is he who first convinced me to join a martial arts class. Throughout our childhoods, we were absolute training partners. Ted influenced my work ethic in martial arts training. As young teenagers, we decided that it would be as much fun to train until all hours of the night as it would be to run around causing trouble. He also introduced me to the movies of Bruce Lee. So it is Ted that I can thank not only for introducing me to the martial arts but for my eventual seeking out of Jeet Kune Do instructors. Ted is also a big philosophical influence on me as well as one of the living examples of following your heart, not what others label you as.  He speaks fluent Japanese and Hogan (native Okinawan dialect). He takes pride in his language skills considering he was told by a Junior High English teacher school that he would never amount to anything.  After learning those languages, getting a degree in Japanese, and having an outstanding career in the U.S. Marines including several decorations and awards (Ranger of the year being one of them), I think he can confidently say that his teacher was wrong.

Physical Movement Teachers: from these individuals I have learned about the human body and self healing. Their contributions to my martial arts is invaluable.

Darcia Dexter: Darcia is one of the three main Feldenkrais therapists who has helped to open my eyes to the Feldenkrais method. After suffering a non-martial arts related back injury, Darcia was one of an excellent team of therapists who had me back to my regular physical activity in a short period of time.  Darcia is an original thinker, always looking for ways to help people improve their health through improving their movement.

Edward Yu: Edward is another one of the Feldenkrais therapists who have not only brought me back from injury, but enriched my abilities as an athelete. Edward has a martial arts background and was able to personalize many sessions and exercises for me which have made me able to move better than before I had the injury. 

Marc Pierre: Marc is a physical therapist with an amazing insight into the whole picture of phyiscal health. Marc has great intuition and always seemed to know exactly what I needed out of a physical therapy session. Most of all, his positive attitude and sense of humor created a healing atmosphere that always made me feel 100% better after every session.

Pat Barragan: Pat was the first Feldenkrais therapist to work with me. She gave me my initial education in what Feldenkrais can do. She set the tone for my further research into this amazing method of healing and physical movement.

Dr. Michele Bosten: Dr. Bosten is one of the most amazing chiropractors I have ever met. She has the most unique and special way of dealing with patients. She always has time for her patients and this amazing abililty to remember everything about them. She always had a suggestion of exercises to do to strengthen weak and painful areas of the body. It is Dr. Bosten who started me with ice therapy which I feel is one of the most important things a person can do to stay pain free.

Dr. Todd Gewant: Dr. Gewant was the first doctor to work on me after a long flight in a small seat put me in alot of pain.  He has a fantastic reassuring manner and has a great knowledge and appreciation of martial artists. I am very fortunate to have had such a great chiropractor.

Contact the Almaty Academy:

+7 727 329 0669
info@almatyacademy.com

Member of The Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association