American Martial Arts Institute Seminar Day Saturday October 7, 2000 The American Martial Arts Institute had another incredible Seminar Day on Saturday, October 7, 2000 at the Central New York Mohawk YMCA. This year's seminar lectures included speaker Shihan Todd Lanman, MD, assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Neurological Surgery, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. He also has had his own practice for over 10 years with his private office at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Shihan Lanman has studied Dux Ryu under Grand Master Frank Dux for 10 years and prior to that trained for three years in a traditional Japanese style. During the day seminar he discussed the damage that could occur from martial arts strikes to the eight areas of the cranial structure and the result of impacts to the fourteen facial bones. This was combined with the injuries that could occur to the cervical, thoracic and lumbar areas of the back as well as some detail regarding the epiglottis, larynx and trachea areas. There is little doubt that after the day presentation students and parents in attendace understood better the dangers of misusing martial arts techniques and at the same time the benefits of self-defense if the techniques did need to be used. The second lecture period was used to teach katas of the American Eagle Style, Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu (sword)and Tai Chi Chuan forms. With over forty certified instructors available, each student had the opportunity to get real individual attention. Many students had a one on one instructor for this lecture and learned not only their new form, but had a chance to go over past forms. Superkick students doing kata. Traditional Iaido (sword)*** and*** Tai Chi Chuan forms. The third lecture was taught by Sensei Larry Eklund who is a Law Enforcement Tactics Instructor of 13 years with the Oxnard Police Department, Southern California. He has had five years of training in a Japanese style and has been training for the past three years under Grand Master Frank Dux in the Dux Ryu system. Sensei Eklund discussed the distances used in fighting such as kicking, punching, close quarter and grappling/ground fighting. His main area was level three street conflict and the methods that can be used to prevent oncoming physical conflict and the action that can be taken if there is no other choice but to use physical force. Most defensive attacks discussed here dovetailed in with Shihan Lanman's lecture dealing with head and neck techniques. Grand Master Dux showing were the spear finger technique is intended to go with Sensei Eklund as his partner. Grand Master Dux also spent time teaching and demonstrating during the seminar and at the close of the last lecture of the afternoon demonstrated one of his unique breaks:A successful spear finger strike through two boards. Using the tip of the second finger of his right hand he speared through two one-inch pine boards being held by Shihan Lanman. Group picture of the American Martial Arts staff black belts with thier guests from California during Seminar Day 2000. The evening seminar was designed for black belts and brown belts over the age of 18. Here the Dux Ryu style was combined with the knowledge of the day lectures on anatomy and street defense to create an unlimited self-defense style. The students at this lecture were able to practice the strikes and moves to the head and throat with their partner. The enthusiasm rose as the black belts and brown belts in this lecture realized how effective the moves were and how many times an attacker could be impacted before they hit the ground. With Grand Master Dux and Grand Master Crandall both assisting in the explanation and details of how the moves should be done, the 52 participants all had their questions answered and many received first hand demonstrations of the techniques. Grand Master Dux shows the intensity of the move on Master Allen Hillicoss and the result. Now Grand Master Dux works with Master Jill Crandall to achieve the same results on Master Allen Hillicoss. As Mrs. Jessee executes the technique on Mr. Merrell, the only phrase that comes to mined is "It hurts so good." Shihan Lanman demonstrates with Sensei Eklund that once the attack has been blocked and you have pushed the head to the side, you can now grab the trachea and twist it the other way from the head. Black Belt student Judy Merren moves in and blocks the technique leaving the trachea exposed and vulnerable. Miss Keep prepares for the throat grip of Shihan Lanman as she learns firsthand what it can feel like while in another part of the gym Mr. Santiago prepares for the throat grip of Sensei Eklund. Good friends and new information. Concepts not thought of before in use. This will truly be a day the participants will always remember.