Shen Chuan Review - The Official Newsletter of Lansdale's Self-Defense Systems

Camp Lansdale #11 continued the tradition of kick-butt training and was a weekend packed full of informative learning experience. And when we say packed, we mean PACKED.

One look at the schedule revealed that we were all to get our money's worth in the amount of hours alone. But the icing on the cake was getting more than our money's worth of quality, hands on instruction from some of the most qualified self defense Martial Artists' around.

Sensei Adam Coats and Shihan Richard Hartstein kicked off the weekend with the first session Friday evening. Many elements of the Shen Chuan StreetBoxing Division were brought to bear, explained and shown with devastating effect. Sensei Adam Coats has been assigned the development of this division as it goes through a transition from a more traditional Taekwondo / Kickboxing style to a more eclectic street combat, with elements of Judo , groundfighting and a little MMA thrown into the mixture of the kicking art it started out as.

Shihan Bob Lacher took the reigns of the next session with a little bit of Shen Chuan Aikijujitsu flavor. Shihan Bob, who holds a 3rd Dan ranking in the Shen Chuan Aikijujitsu division and received his training directly from Professor Harry who heads that division is no stranger to the fluid, yet brutal aspects of Aiki when taken to the "next level". If you've never been locked by Shihan Bob, you're missing a real treat. Well, maybe treat is not the word as you're picking yourself up off the ground and muttering a few choice words. But you get the idea.

Shihan Bob is now cross ranked and currently training in Shen Chuan and has attained the rank of 2nd Dan in our core system. And it shows. His instructional session was informative, concise and at one point, brutal during the locking phase. Just the way we like it!

Shihan Bob ended up teaching his session before Shihan Paul Britt, contrary to the printed schedule, because Shihan Paul was goofing off somewhere between Rockwall and Nacogdoches.

Seriously, the job demands of a police officer proved to be a little more demanding that day and threw Paul's schedule off. We flipped the session's and Shihan Paul came in just in time to start an 8 o' clock session. With that said, let the beatings begin.

Shihan Paul's no-nonsense style of Shen Chuan has helped him escape real-world experiences as a cop that could have turned out crippling or even deadly. They have helped him "go home alive" as his logo so aptly puts it, on numerous occasions. The mindset of a cop shows in his style and his teachings. It's all or nothing folks. You live, or you die. And we learned it pretty quickly when Paul took the floor. Check out his article later on in this newsletter. It'll offer you a glimpse into that mindset.

Professor Lansdale kicked Saturday off with some advanced striking, locking and throwing concepts. His session departed from the usual "ABC" techniques and delved into the advance aspects of each of these. It was like leaving high-school and entering college. The movements were old hat, but the application was unlike anything many students had ever seen.

Headlining guest, Guru Mike Casto took the reigns at midmorning, and showed us why he epitomizes Professor Lansdale's idea of a great student. As most know, Mike came from Ohio to actually live in Nacogdoches and study Shen Chuan in order to obtain ranking and his instructorship in our system. Now that's dedication. But the real "student" aspect is actually applying what is learned and blending it with the core art, in Mike's case, Sikal, without it looking like it was "added". It becomes a functional aspect of the overall art. And Mike has achieved that, in spades.

But not to brag on only what we have given him, Mike also demonstrated what he gave to Shen Chuan, via the system of Sikal. Y'all know we'll mooch and apply anything that has merit. Mike demonstrated those aspects as well.

Sifu Brandon Jones was our special guest this year. Brandon demonstrated the self-defense aspects of the Seven Star Praying Mantis System, with devastating effect. Those that have never witnessed a true Gung Fu practitioner, who knows what they are doing and how to correctly apply it were in for a real treat. We have Praying Mantis elements within our system. But to see the actual system, applied with true self-defense elements was truly beautiful. And Brandon has put in the time and dedication needed to truly become a master of it. His application was awesome to say the least.

Other sessions were held by Professor's Billy Jack Worsham, Coy Harry and Eugene Frizzell with assistance from Sensei Kelly Owens.

It was a great time and a great learning experience. We can't stress enough that if you're a student of Shen Chuan (or any other martial art for that matter), you really need to attend these camps. Professor Lansdale has brought in some great Martial Artists' over the years. It's been an opportunity to learn from some of the greats, and some of the up and coming greats. And always at a price far less than those usually charged for such names and for full weekends!

	CAMP LANSDALE #11 WAS GREAT! Camp Lansdale #11 continued the tradition of kick-butt training and was a weekend packed full of informative learning experience. And when we say packed, we mean PACKED. One look at the schedule revealed that we were all to get our money's worth in the amount of hours alone. But the icing on the cake was getting more than our money's worth of quality, hands on instruction from some of the most qualified self defense Martial Artists' around. Sensei Adam Coats and Shihan Richard Hartstein kicked off the weekend with the first session Friday evening. Many elements of the Shen Chuan StreetBoxing Division were brought to bear, explained and shown with devastating effect. Sensei Adam Coats has been assigned the development of this division as it goes through a transition from a more traditional Taekwondo / Kickboxing style to a more eclectic street combat, with elements of Judo , groundfighting and a little MMA thrown into the mixture of the kicking art it started out as. Shihan Bob Lacher took the reigns of the next session with a little bit of Shen Chuan Aikijujitsu flavor. Shihan Bob, who holds a 3rd Dan ranking in the Shen Chuan Aikijujitsu division and received his training directly from Professor Harry who heads that division is no stranger to the fluid, yet brutal aspects of Aiki when taken to the "next level". If you've never been locked by Shihan Bob, you're missing a real treat. Well, maybe treat is not the word as you're picking yourself up off the ground and muttering a few choice words. But you get the idea. Shihan Bob is now cross ranked and currently training in Shen Chuan and has attained the rank of 2nd Dan in our core system. And it shows. His instructional session was informative, concise and at one point, brutal during the locking phase. Just the way we like it! Shihan Bob ended up teaching his session before Shihan Paul Britt, contrary to the printed schedule, because Shihan Paul was goofing off somewhere between Rockwall and Nacogdoches. Seriously, the job demands of a police officer proved to be a little more demanding that day and threw Paul's schedule off. We flipped the session's and Shihan Paul came in just in time to start an 8 o' clock session. With that said, let the beatings begin. Shihan Paul's no-nonsense style of Shen Chuan has helped him escape real-world experiences as a cop that could have turned out crippling or even deadly. They have helped him "go home alive" as his logo so aptly puts it, on numerous occasions. The mindset of a cop shows in his style and his teachings. It's all or nothing folks. You live, or you die. And we learned it pretty quickly when Paul took the floor. Check out his article later on in this newsletter. It'll offer you a glimpse into that mindset. Professor Lansdale kicked Saturday off with some advanced striking, locking and throwing concepts. His session departed from the usual "ABC" techniques and delved into the advance aspects of each of these. It was like leaving high-school and entering college. The movements were old hat, but the application was unlike anything many students had ever seen. Headlining guest, Guru Mike Casto took the reigns at midmorning, and showed us why he epitomizes Professor Lansdale's idea of a great student. As most know, Mike came from Ohio to actually live in Nacogdoches and study Shen Chuan in order to obtain ranking and his instructorship in our system. Now that's dedication. But the real "student" aspect is actually applying what is learned and blending it with the core art, in Mike's case, Sikal, without it looking like it was "added". It becomes a functional aspect of the overall art. And Mike has achieved that, in spades. But not to brag on only what we have given him, Mike also demonstrated what he gave to Shen Chuan, via the system of Sikal. Y'all know we'll mooch and apply anything that has merit. Mike demonstrated those aspects as well. Sifu Brandon Jones was our special guest this year. Brandon demonstrated the self-defense aspects of the Seven Star Praying Mantis System, with devastating effect. Those that have never witnessed a true Gung Fu practitioner, who knows what they are doing and how to correctly apply it were in for a real treat. We have Praying Mantis elements within our system. But to see the actual system, applied with true self-defense elements was truly beautiful. And Brandon has put in the time and dedication needed to truly become a master of it. His application was awesome to say the least. Other sessions were held by Professor's Billy Jack Worsham, Coy Harry and Eugene Frizzell with assistance from Sensei Kelly Owens. It was a great time and a great learning experience. We can't stress enough that if you're a student of Shen Chuan (or any other martial art for that matter), you really need to attend these camps. Professor Lansdale has brought in some great Martial Artists' over the years. It's been an opportunity to learn from some of the greats, and some of the up and coming greats. And always at a price far less than those usually charged for such names and for full weekends!