We know that a lot of you are not exactly in driving distance but we thought we would keep you informed on our seminars in Santa Cruz, anyway. After all, you are family.

Unlocking a form's possibilities

John Ottenberg, chief instructor of Streetwise Protection, offers an OPEN SEMINAR unlike any done in this area.  Mr. O. will teach the primary form he learned directly from the creator of the Limalama style, Mr. Tino Tuiolosega. John’s relation with “Pop” was unique, rarely given to most martial artists. He was an “in-door” house student, spending up to eight hours a day directly under Pop’s watchful eyes. Slowly he learned and perfected movements.

John learned from Pop that forms were a code, not to fool or confuse people but for reasons reflecting the nature of true martial training. He discovered that this code could be read and, just knowing the function of the movements, was a crucial step in the direction of real knowledge.

John Ottenberg, 5th degree black from Limalama

How do you fight a form? What is the point of this series of moves, and why that transition next? How do you transform natural movement into explosive power?  These questions will be the focus of John’s workshop, where he will use the powerful “Soft One” to reveal deeper usage.

And bring your own! John will conduct an open session at the end where participants will get the opportunity to decode the forms they practice daily.

Our seminar is of course aimed at promoting more interest, enthusiasm and appreciation of formal martial sets. John Ottenberg is particularly adept at demonstrating the more sophisticated meanings hidden in our forms.

Workshop: How To Fight a Form, John Ottenberg
When: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Time: 1:30-4:00
Place: The Academy of Martial and Internal Arts, 1570 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz 475-1429
Price: $45.00 (Special price for any Plum customer (past or present): $35.00

Our next three seminars, set through July, will offer three famous forms of Qigong: Blossoms in the Spring, Taoist Qigong and the Five Animals. Later scheduled seminars include The Bagua Animals and the Shaolin Bandit Knife.