MARTIALFORCE.COM
INTERVIEW WITH
DR. ALONZO JONES
AUG / 2010
In April of 2010, U.S. Senator Harry Reid asked Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske, Director White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to meet with various community leaders in drug prevention. One of those members was Dr. Alonzo M. Jones. Jones met with Director Kerlikowske a year prior and reported on the status of prevention in Nevada. Many of the programs developed by Dr. Alonzo M. Jones through the Goshen Community Development Coalition have had a 95 percent participation rate, 82% graduation rate and as much as 144% increase in GPA. One of the programs he conducted in Nevada was Project Safe Neighborhoods, which had 282 felons with a 5% recidivism rate.
My name is Eddie Morales and welcomed to Martialforce.com Online Martial arts Magazine. I want to introduce our readers to Dr Alonzo Jones. He has a genuine passion for teaching and helping our youth excel in every facet of life. Through his programs he teaches the kids to focus and believe in themselves while helping them build their social skills. His programs in the state of Nevada have a high rate of success because he stands behind his words and actions. Dr.Jones is a leader with the knowledge and experience to back it up. The following is our interview in which he gives a thorough explanations and history of his method as well as the art and science that he practices. We here at Martialforce.com feel fortunate and moreover proud to have been able to make this interview happen.
Martialforce.com: Where are you originally from?
DR. ALONZO JONES: Originally I am from the 504-aka New Orleans. However I also lived in South Central Los Angeles as a youth. Both as you know are “kick or get kicked” cities. Kicked or get kicked means you either kick butt or get your butt kicked. I know people say we should engage in conflict resolution, which I truly believe in, but on the streets of New Orleans or Los Angeles, negotiations did not typically work until you established yourself as a formidable exponent of unarmed combat. I say this because on many occasions my martial arts cause me to develop the reputation that gangs respected.
At this period of the evolution of gangs in the inner cities, there were a lot of physical confrontations. This was the Bruce Lee era in which everyone wanted to fight. A Government Police Officer at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Officer Worthen, told me that some of the OG’s (Original Gangsters) still remember me as “Karate Man.” It also caused me to organize a group of my peers that became a deterrent from gangs inflecting terror on us.
In 2009 Dr. Alonzo M. Jones gave a commencement speech at the Thomas and Mac to Las Vegas Education service division. Some of the youth graduating were a part of his program. There were five thousand people on hand for his commencement address.
I trained in the Mantis System under one of my friends Master Julio Garcia. Master Garcia was trained by a secular disciple of the Shaolin Temple. Master Garcia was the bodyguard to Fidel Castro. As a man close to 50 I have to find ways to continue to up my training.
Martialforce.com: You have the title of Doctor, when and where did you get your degree?
DR. ALONZO JONES: Well actually, I have a double doctorate Degree, I have a D.Min. that relates to Pastoral Psychology from Eternal Word Graduate School (1994). My Ph.D. majoring in Systematic Theology in Biblical History was earned from Friends International Christian University in 1995. My postdoctoral research was supervised by Dr. Franklin Voltaire Sellers former doctoral graduate of Hartwell College, University of Pacific And Claremont School of Theology.
I went into these fields because it was my hope to one day teach and perhaps pastor at Greater Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans Louisiana where my grandfather was the senior pastor, community leader and officer of the National Baptist Convention. In addition, in order to inherit the leadership of the Martial art system that my grandfather trained me in, I had to engage in a rigorous doctoral program relating to theology that centered in community and human development.
(Above) A young Dr. Alonzo M. Jones-- third to the right-- after earning his D.Min. Degree at Eternal World Graduate School (1994). In addition Dr. Jones earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology Studies in Biblical History. Until 2002 Dr. Jones served as Professor of Theology at Eternal World Graduate School.
As far as I can remember, my grandfather always believed that I would take his place as the sole heir of our traditional theological and Abyssinian warlike system. But if I am honest, I must admit that as a youth, I did not want to enter the ministry in any form. However, while attending UCLA in 1992, I was inspired by my literature professor, Dr. Bill Creasy. I know you are wondering how a scholarly literature course relates to theological education. Dr. Creasy taught a course called the “Bible as Literature.” He introduced literature as a way of teaching Christian Apologetics, hermeneutics, Koine Greek, biblical history and the psychological impact of spirit, science and action on a person and their community. As I recall, his literary views on the bible were shunned because they were nontraditional. I thought his views were phenomenal because of their potential to strengthen American communities regardless of what religion you happen to belong. I sought further study in a nontraditional higher academia that would give me the didactics and practicum necessary to change and transform the impoverished communities near Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans Louisiana.
However, after my postdoctoral research I went through a divorce and based on my hermeneutical approach to biblical interpretation, I decided to move away from the ministry. So it seemed as if my doctoral studies and research would be for naught. But as providence would have it, my training had some unintended consequences, which contributed greatly to my success over the years in community and youth development.
As the above letter documents, until 2002 Dr. Jones served as the professor of theological studies at Internal Word Graduate School. After leaving the seminary, his doctoral research was used to formulate his approach to the Leadership and Resiliency Program. The Leadership and Resiliency Program has been designated as a Best Practice/Evidence Based Intervention Modality under the SAMHSA/CSAP model Programs and is currently operating throughout Southern Nevada, California, Arizona, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia. His homiletical skills were honed in his doctoral studies and were recognized by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations and Air Force Inspector General for his “remarkable teaching and motivational skills resulted in two years of consistent six-month success rates, far exceeding national standards and soaring as high as 100 percent.”
One of the unintended consequences or blessings of my doctoral studies was a children’s story I wrote called the Golden Empire. The story is a fantasy adventure based on a true story. I compiled the story from research I did while working on my D.Min. Dissertation and the field work of my postdoctoral research. The dissertation was entitled “Christianity from Ancient Africa to the New World.” While doing this research I discovered something that caused me tears of joy. Based on a collaboration of the evidence both in cultures and religions that lead up to the formation of Christianity, I concluded that intelligence is not based on heredity but an enriched environment. I looked at Religions and Cultures all around the world and found that all humans have an amazing gift. The ancients developed systems to develop our gift into an instrument of greatness. Surprisingly all religions from Hinduism to Christianity agree on how to develop the gift. What is the gift? The ancients called the gift the mind. Dr. Daniel G. Amen, M.D. clinical neuroscientist, child and adolescent psychiatrist, and medical director of the Amen Clinic for Behavioral medicine in Fairfield, California would call the gift the brain.
True brain development results in people that can blend their academic, emotional, social and self-control traits while mastering the developmental task necessary to enjoy a satisfying and productive life. This is behind every successful program I’ve accomplished for the last 15 years and is now supported by a large body of Neuroscience Research. The basic premise of this approach —in large—is based on the science of cortical re-mapping. While this is a new discipline for Neuroscience, I’ve suggested that religious leaders have been aware of this for time immemorial.
In 1998 I wrote a script called the Golden Empire which I hoped would provide a media campaign to help disenfranchised communities connect with the blessings of democracy. The Golden Empire is a fun way of understanding the simplicity of Neuroplasticity or cortical re-mapping. Neuroplasticity or cortical re-mapping refers to the ability of the brain to transform as a result of positive exposure, practical thinking and positive actions. The terms suggest that the brain is 'plastic' and 'malleable'. Again, I would like to point out that this knowledge about the brain is a recent discovery. Scientist once believed that the brain was fixed and could not change after early child hood development. Neruoplasticity supports the view that ancient religions had about the ability of the mind to progress and excel at any age once placed in a system of positive exposure, practical thinking and positive actions.
(Above) The Golden Empire was completed in 1998 and is currently housed in the Library of Congress (TXu871-288). It was based on Dr. Jones research which suggested the psychological development of many religions points to the potential of the gift that exists in all of us. In this fantasy adventure he argues that there is a window to achieve our greatest potential, but that the power of our purpose can be developed at any age with the help of an enriched environment. He credits this holistic approach to his theological training. His approaches to youth development have caused him to receive awards from the Clark County School District, Foundation for an Independent tomorrow and contributed to Las Vegas receiving an “Outstanding Achievement Award” in Local Government Innovation.
Martialforce.com: What is your occupation?
DR. ALONZO JONES: I am the Chief Operations Officer of the Richard Steele Health and Wellness Community Center. I serve as the Lead Instructor of the Science Based Prevention program referred to as the Leadership and Resiliency program. We began our program through the Nevada Division of Mental Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency supported by the Goshen Community Development Coalition. Three years ago we were assisted by Goshen Community Development Coalition through S.A.P.T.A. to provide prevention services. I am the Co-Chair of the Southern Nevada Community Gang Task Force. In addition I am a Chaplain with the Messages of Faith Chaplaincy Division. My occupation is a Prevention Curriculum developer and youth programmer.
Dr. Alonzo M. Jones teaches a class for the Las Vegas Police Athletic League that helps youth develops their brain and increases their thinking capacity by exposing them to an enriched environment. This program is based on the martial art Idea of Shu Ha Rhi, i.e. most things can be learned through Basics, Application and Creativity. When you put this with Positive Exposure, Practical Thinking and Positive Actions, an instructor has developed a powerfully empowered adult. Above youth engaged in mock interviewing.
Youth preparing for their mentoring license through the Leadership and Resiliency program. The youth are seen in a debate about how to develop their brains.
Martialforce.com: When did you begin your Martial Arts training and with whom?
DR. ALONZO JONES: In answering this question I would like to make a distinction. Because the word martial arts are taken from Mars, the Roman god of war, thus martial translates warlike. If by Martial art you are asking, “When did you begin your warlike training” I would have to say that began under my grandfather. The system was called Geziret el Malik. The origins of the name Geziret el Malik is not certain; however to Arabic speaking Nubians, the word translates “Island of the King.” It is thought that after the Christian era, Muslims gave it that name to describe how difficult it was to penetrate the fighting forms defense. I began martial art training under my grandfather, Dr. Rev. S.A. Jones.
He was the senior pastor of Greater Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans Louisiana. My grandfather was an African American and one may ask, how could a 70-year-old black man have known war like skills. Oral History purports that an Abyssinian religious Royal Order, The Knights of Saint Anthony and their families escaped to America in 1855 during the Ethiopian Dynastic wars known as the Zamana Masafent. My grandfather believed the Knights combative system had descended from the Ancient Medjay who are the ancestors of the Beja tribes which historians report have lived in the Sudan for 6,000 years. By the way the Knights of Saint Anthony are said to be the oldest chivalric Order in the World. Oral history claimed that they took up residence in a multiethnic maroon in Jones County. The Legend of the Knights in this area of Mississippi is also connected to the popular lore of The Free State of Jones. In the Piney Woods of Jones County, Oral History has it that they were frequently called to use their military skills (during the antebellum period) against slave raiders, confederate soldiers (and later Klu Klux Klan). It is known that these Maroons would take a crack force of former slaves, freeman, white abolitionist, Indians and Latinos to liberate slaves from plantation during antebellum period. They also protected vulnerable communities during the reconstruction era. An ancestor of mine was liberated from one of these plantations and was taken to the free state of Jones. His son married one of the Daughters of one of the Ethiopian Royal Orders’ Grand Masters daughter. They bore a son Alfred Jones and he was the father of my Grandfather S.A. Jones. The late Dr. Rev. S. A. Jones (1898-1995) former pastor of “Greater Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church” in New Orleans, LA, reported the wrestling form of Geziret el Malik had become a popular community sport in the Mississippi Hills until approximately 1917. Geziret el malik also included a type of boxing that my grandfather referred to as sword and shield fighting boxing. Comba-Tai evolved from Geziret el Malik. I started learning the art form, philosophy and healing techniques under my grandfather, Dr. Rev. S.A. Jones who was a native of Laurel Mississippi. Geziret el Malik is said to be similar in movement and practice to Nuba forms of striking, stick fighting and wrestling. Some of these forms of fighting are seen in ancient reliefs.
Geziret el Malik first phase of eclectic development occurred during street confrontations in New Orleans and South Central Los Angles and exposure to Boxing, Kempo, arnis de mano and Capoeira as well as various forms of Kick Boxing. During military travels in 1981, Geziret el Malik continued to evolve as it was exposed to other forms of martial arts. In addition military medical training in anatomy and physiology at the School of Health Care Sciences at Wichita Fall Texas and Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio Texas, greatly influenced Geziret el Malik’s striking, strangulation, nerve attack and joint manipulation strategies as recorded in the unpublished work called the Majesty of Comba-Tai (copyright-1987). In 1987 Comba-Tai became the official name of the military art form that had completely developed into an eclectic system.
Dr. Jones and many community leaders where a part of the largest DUI initiative in American History over the Labor Day Holiday. This initiative was organized and funded through the Goshen Community Development Coalition. At a press conference Dr. Jones said it was not the intent of Law Enforcement to arrest people, but create the perception of Risk and Harm . http://www.8newsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=12557105
Comba-Tai is taken from the French word combattere, which means, “to fight, contend, struggle, oppose or resist.” Combat-Tai is considered to be more of a mental process than a physical one. Comba-Tai's view of Combat is holistic in nature. See Ephesians 6:12.
Explanation of Comba-Tai which is an American Martial art believed to be descended of the Ancient Nubian Medjay. But, if by martial arts you mean Budo. My first taste of Budo was one summer when I went to Los Angeles where I trained with an 8 year old kid, David Ohyama. I recall as an 8-year-old kid I thought I was really tuff, but because judo was a wrestling sport, when we went to the ground he was able to over take me. He never was able to put me into a submission; probably because of the wrestling training I had under my grandfather. But he was able to maneuver in a way that I could do little else. His father would sit in front of us teaching us the skills of Judo. They were practitioners of a style of Judo I have never seen. In addition when I was 12 I begin my Budo training under Randy Banks who was a Marine and Benny Durante who was from Brazil and was a practitioner of Capoera and other forms of combat from Brazil. Randy Banks was a practitioner of boxing and kickboxing, which probably came from his JKD training. I believe the Kali Academy was located in Torrance California at the time. Grandmaster Banks also taught me how to utilize the arnis de mano (stick in hand). In addition I begin training at the same time with VSK, Vernon Street Karate School which was the sister school to the Black Karate Federation. Many old school martial artists will remember VSK by the name Green Machine. I utilized my skills to train other youth in the community in south central Los Angeles so that we could create a force that gangs would not intimidate with.
Dr. Jones works with the Clark County School District to motivate young people to graduate high school. He does this by volunteering his time to teach prevention under the umbrella of independent studies. He suggests that teaching children discipline from the martial art method of instructors developing instructors is a powerful way of transforming the lives of youth
.
Later after my brother was killed I decided to join the United States Air Force. After joining the military I joined the Air Force boxing team and was Captain of the Lackland Air Force Base Karate team. While on the Boxing team I won ABF titles and we took the team championships as well. Later in boxing I was Mississippi Golden Glove Champion, Silver gloves Champion and while stationed in the Republic of the Philippines I was Pacific Boxing Champion and Philippine American Boxing Champion. I became Asian World Full Contact Martial art Champion when I was scheduled to fight the undefeated “Boy” Garcia of the Yaw Yan (Dance of Death) at the Philippine University. Garcia had an injury and could not fight me, so I had to fight “Boy” Diablo. I knocked Boy Diablo out in the third round. I guess you could say I have had a well-rounded experience in the martial arts.
Dr. Jones works at the Richard Steele Boxing Gymnasium with a large number of his students. They all scream out a code of honor that he borrowed from the Air Force, Integrity, Service Before Self and Excellence In all we Do.
Two of my greatest Budo instructors were Grand Master Leamon Tillmon in Kuk Sul Won and Kajukembo and O’Sensei Jesus Sanchez, he is a practitioner of Goju Sabudo-Kai Karate-Do. I am really indebted to Grand Master Tillmon and O’Sensei Jesus Sanchez for their friendship and instruction. I was a 5th degree when I met O’Sensei Sanchez but it was he who help me to understand that understanding the mastery of using Kata’s to fight is extraordinary.
Dr. Jones says, according to the Social Development Strategy we must involved families and peers of youth in prevention training to decrease risk factors. Here Dr. Jones and Richard Steele have brought the kids together for Family Night during Halloween to show case those youth who have decided to become leaders in their community. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydPceE2uTiU
Martialforce.com: What system do you currently teach and practice and what motivates you to do so?
DR. ALONZO JONES: Well that is somewhat of a complicated question as well. I am certified with USA Boxing and I work with Richard Steele the Boxing Hall of Fame Referee. I have worked with him with our amateur program and have brought several amateurs to national championships. In addition I am his mixed martial art instructor, but the system I teach is called Comba-Tai. As I mentioned earlier in this interview, it was a composite of many systems I practiced in the military to include the African weapons (knife and stick), wrestling, striking and judo.
Martialforce.com: How has Martial Arts training helped you in your daily life?
DR. ALONZO JONES: My martial art training African and Budo has given me a respect for strategy and imagination. When I was the manager of the Health and Wellness Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Space and Missiles System, I was often asked by physicians to come up with something that might assist patience when pharmacological and surgical means were not working. I can tell you I do not know of a time that I was not able help people or did not have an answer for an epidemiological problem that they had.
The second phase of this answer is that martial art reinforces the current science on youth development. That is martial arts teach us that protective factors and risk factors are the result of environmental learning. Every martial art instructor knows that bad habits/unhealthy behaviors/bad behaviors can be learned, but just as they can be learned they can be unlearned. Based on this premise, young people who are at risk for juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, school dropout, teenage pregnancy, violence, or depression and anxiety are more likely to be at risk in other ways as well. Furthermore, all of these teen problems share many common risk factors.
The primary focus of our program is substance abuse prevention; however, since problem behaviors—including substance abuse, violence, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, school dropout, and depression and anxiety—share many common risk factors, reducing common risk factors is likely to reduce multiple problem behaviors.
Prevention according to the risk factors/protective factor approach is based on a simple premise: To prevent a problem, we need to identify the factors that increase the risk that the problem wills develop and then find ways to reduce the risk. At the same time, we must identify those protective factors that buffer individuals from risk factors in their environments and then find ways to increase protection.
Our approach to decreasing risk factors by increasing protective factor is based on a public health model. This model is called the Social Development Strategy. S.D.S. is a synthesis of their existing theories of criminology (control, social learning, and differential association). It incorporates the results of research on risk and protective factors for problem behaviors and a developmental perspective of age, specific problem, and pro-social behaviors. It is based on the assumption that children learn behaviors.
This model uses a theoretical framework of risk reduction and protection enhancement. Developments in prevention and intervention science have shown that characteristics of individuals, their families, and their environment (i.e., community neighborhoods, schools) affect the likelihood that individuals will engage in substance abuse, delinquency, violence, and school dropout. Other characteristics serve to protect or provide a buffer to moderate the influence of the negative characteristic. These characteristics are identified as risk factors and protective factors (Arhur, Hawkins, et al., 1994; Hawkins, Catalano, Miller, 1992). This approach is well understood by martial art instructors.
Note* Risk- and protective-factor-focused perception is based on the work of J. David Hawkins, PH.D. Richard F. Catalano, PH.D. and a team of researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle. In the early 1980”s, they conducted a review of 30 years of youth substance abuse and delinquency research and identified risk factors for adolescent drug abuse and delinquency. They have continually updated this review. Other researchers—including Joy Dryfoos, Robert Slavin, and Richard Jessor--have reviewed the literature on behavior problems, such as school dropout, teen pregnancy, and violence, and the identified risk factors of these problems. Recently, risk factors have been identified for a sixth adolescent problem behavior, depression and anxiety.
Dr. Jones and his student the Nevada State Golden Glove Champion, Lanell Bellows square of in an Ancient Nubian sword and shield boxing stance. The rear hand is the sword and the lead hand is used as shield. The objective in this art form is to destroy vision, respiration and mobility. To this end every part of the body is used as a weapon to include the head.
Martialforce.com: Who in your life influenced you the most regarding Martial Arts and or life in general?
DR. ALONZO JONES: I must say my grandfather, Dr. S.A. Jones. He taught me that we all have a responsibility to help each other through the skills God has given us. He also taught me that development of the mind was the most important thing in life and combat.
Martialforce.com: Do you practice or believe in Kata (Pre arranged movements) and if so, why?
DR. ALONZO JONES: I practice and I believe in Kata. I believe in its capacity to assist with developing neural pathways. Many Neuroscientists refer to as Brain Plasticity or neural mapping. I think Kata may also assist us in decreasing risk factors in an at risk environment.
I teach martial arts, drug prevention and a behavior modification class at the Richard Steele Health and Wellness Center. One of my students, Destiny Diaz, had severe problems with reading, spelling and math. Her father informed me that her teachers suggested that he place her on ADHD medication.
He said he would never place his daughter on that type of medication, “After all,” he continued, “How could a teacher diagnose my child.” He asked if there was anything I could do to help. I informed him that his daughter could be suffering from learning disabilities called dyslexia and dyscalculia. Among English-Speaking children, I said, an estimated 2 to 15 percent have trouble reading or spelling, problems broadly classified as dyslexia. From 1 to 7 percent struggle to do math, a disability known as dyscalculia. I informed him that such “Learning Disabilities” could be confused with ADHD.
This is a picture of one of Dr. Alonzo M. Jones Students, Destiny Diaz, known as the Little Cobra.
Note*ADHD is typically identified in children between the ages of five and 11 years. The condition is more common in boys than girls and is conservatively estimated to occur in two to three percent of the school population. Symptoms persist into adolescence in as many as 80 percent of the children diagnosed with over 30 percent still suffering significant symptoms into adulthood.
There are three different subtypes of ADHD including the Primarily Inattentive Type, the Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive Type, and the Combined Type. Symptoms in the Inattentive Type include failure to give close attention to details with frequent careless mistakes, problems following through on instructions and susceptibility to distraction by extraneous events. Examples of overactive and impulsive behaviors include excessive talking, difficulty taking turns and being over energized.
Dr. Jones has his students practicing on the wrestling mats at the Richard Steele Health and Wellness Community Center.
Like some youth in America, I thought she might not be experiencing ADHD, but rather SID (Sensory Integration Dysfunction). After 15 years of research, investigators now believe these conditions frequently involve so-called partial functional problems with the senses: in affected children, the eyes and ears accurately register sights and sounds, letters, numbers spoken syllables—but that information is misinterpreted as it is processed in the brain. Dyslexic individuals are more likely to make mistakes in a task that involves regulating small eye movements, which suggests that a lack of control over visual attention may contribute to some cases of dyslexia according to Dr. Burkhart Fischer. (Dr. Fischer is emeritus professor of neurophysiological biophysics and founder of the Optomotor Laboratory at the University of Freiburg in Germany.)
Recently Dr. Jones inducted Master Nick Blomgren into the Masters Hall of Fame. Master Blomgren is a phenomenal trainer. He has trained Dewey “Black Cobra” Cooper and Chuck Lindel, just to name a few.
Robert Parham, Eddie Morales, Alonzo Jones and Robert Posslenzny at the
2007 MASTERS HALL OF FAME AWARDS
I recommended that if he was opposed to drug use, we should try targeted sports training to improve sensory processing. I said that the research suggested this approach may have a positive effect on helping his daughter to control her visual attention which could be the culprit behind problems with reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. I could see that he was willing to try anything because his daughter was consistently failing in school. He wanted her to succeed in school and life without drugs. He informed me that some of his friends started on ADHD as children, after they achieved adulthood, many began to self medicate on Alcohol, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, etc.
Southeast Career Technical Academy Commencement Ceremony June 9, 2010 – 6:00 P.M. Orleans Arena. To the left of Dr. Jones is one of his students Eddie Lopez who just graduated with top honors. Eddie’s parents credits martial art training for his success in academics.
Our behavior modification sessions started out with Destiny learning to focus on her stance and basic movements of a kata we call Asha 1. As she advanced, I began teaching her how to hit the focus mitts, as well as sending her through focusing exercises such as meditation and she began to learn how to polish her kata. As it relates to the Transtheoretical Model of Evaluation, after two years, she is in the “Maintenance stage of her development.” She is currently on the honor role and has received several awards for academics and behavior. Moreover her family has noticed a substantial change in her behavior and her ability to comprehend. This should not be viewed as a case instance as I have seen such drastic changes in behavior and academic developments occur when a child is assisted with their sensory processing. It must be noted that most martial arts programs are a conduit for youth diagnosed with ADHD.
Many of my martial arts colleagues can attest to similar positive outcomes that I witnessed with Destiny in their program. This might suggest that in many cases ADHD may be a more correctable dysfunction of the senses than can be corrected through training and Kata being one of them.
Note* It is noteworthy that for all the behavioral changes typically brought about by medicines, there are proven psychological techniques which can have the same effect. There are a wide variety of mental training methods designed to increase concentration, manage emotional intensity, improve decision-making under stress and optimize performance under adverse conditions. These methods have been proven effective in the performance environment; however, there is virtually no research on the use of these interventions with the ADHD athlete.
Martialforce.com: Do you believe that Martial Arts is good training for children and why or why not?
DR. ALONZO JONES: I believe there is a large body of evidence that suggests martial art youth are developed in an enriched environment. You see brain plasticity occurs when we stimulate the brain in something I call the three P’s. Positive Exposure, Positive Thinking and Positive Actions. Positive Exposure: Who Do We congregate with, What do we Read, The Music we Listen To, The Television Programs we Watch; Positive Thinking: Avoid Negative Self Talk, Don’t Play the blame Game, See the Good in A Bad Situation, Move From the Problem to the Solution. Many years ago I wrote in the unpublished work of Comba-Tai that our primary purpose was to develop the mind. I teach educators that we should see ourselves as brain developers.
Dr. Jones stands with Commissioner Lawrence Weekly left, and Senator Harry Reid Right. Dr. Jones was one of the Honoree’s at the 28th Annual martial Luther King banquet. He was honored as a community leader.
Martialforce.com: Do you believe it is beneficial to study with different instructors or systems and if so, why?
DR. ALONZO JONES: First of all it is good because it changes up your work out and keeps you excited. Especially old dogs like me who have been doing this since there were chariot races (smiles). The other reason is that all instructors should be lifelong students and there is always something to learn which increases brain capacity. A few years ago I started training with a mantis instructor, Julio Garcia, he was the bodyguard to Fidel Castro. In addition to being a former sniper he was trained by a secular disciple of the Shaolin Temple. I have seldom seen a martial artist as gifted or as phenomenal with street fighting skills in using the classical system. It is interesting how much sense his philosophy makes and how affective his system is.
Fitness is important to Dr. Jones because he says that maintain a sound mind in a strong body through training is necessary to that we can be the best in working to better our country
Martialforce.com: Do you study any form of Kobudo (weaponry)?
DR. ALONZO JONES: Yes I study a form of Iaido taught to me by an instructor who owned a martial art store in Los Angeles. His store burned down during the L.A. Riots and I have not seen him again. I have also studied and competed in the Philippines with Arnis De mono and knife fighting.
Dr. Jones stands with Jeff Mayweather at the Richard Steele Health and Wellness Community Center, Boxing and Mixed Martial art Club.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on cross training regarding weights, running etc?
DR. ALONZO JONES: I believe it is important to change up your training regiment because injuries result when you continue to work the same joints over and over again.
Dr.Jones Stands with Rodger Mayweather the traininer of Floyd Mayweather.
Martialforce.com: Our research shows that you were a consistent winner in tournament competition. What would you say was your winning formula?
DR. ALONZO JONES: Well my tournament wins were modest in that I was the Asian World Full Contact Champion, I was the interservice pacific Wide Champion and I won various tournaments in the U.S. to include the Mississippi State karate Championship and the Texas State Championships. I won the Mississippi State Golden Gloves, Silver Gloves and I was Pacific Boxing Champion.
My winning formula was mastering my basics, which will take years. As long as you have the patience to master your basics you will probably beat 70% of competitors because most people are unwilling to put that much time and effort into anything.
http://www.ihfaz.com/ This school in Arizona is headed by Grand Master Jason Laidlaw and Grand Master Tracy Laidlaw. Their 4 children are also practitioners of the system of Comba-Tai.
Martialforce.com: Do you believe that tournament competition is good for your students and if yes or no, why?
DR. ALONZO JONES: I believe tournament fighting is good for the students because it teaches them sportsman like conduct and martial art etiquette, it also allows for interpersonal relationship skills. I do not believe that tournaments teach you battle field techniques that would always be effective on the streets. The only thing that is consistent affective on the street is mastering destroying vision, respiration and mobility (eyes, throat and groin—basically) … in addition it is always good to have a weapon in battle field situations, preferably a gun, bladed weapon or stick (in that order.)
Dr. Jones visiting one of his schools at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on the difference if any between tournaments today as opposed to twenty years ago?
DR. ALONZO JONES: Not much, tournaments 20 years ago I think have the same value they did back then. I don’t even think the competitors are flashier. Do you remember, Keith Vitally, Steve Nasty Anderson, Ray McCallum, Zip White, Robert Parham, George Chung, John Chung, Demetrius the Greek Havanas, Arnold Zip White etc. Now when you go back to 35 to 40 years well you had fighters that were testing their street fighting skills in and out of the ring. That is not good, but they just did
.
Dr. Jones Left-- sitting with Richard Steele and his wife and daughter. Richard Steele is the Boxing Hall of Fame Referee.
Martialforce.com: What would you say is your greatest achievement to date?
DR. ALONZO JONES: My greatest achievement is creating a martial art system that helps academic and youth development organizations to help kids progress and excel. My greatest achievement would then be my students and the wonderful work they have engaged in to help the world.
One of the Comba-Tai Schools in Biloxi Mississippi. 2009 USK world champions.
Martialforce.com: What are your long and short-term goals regarding Karate practice and teaching?
DR. ALONZO JONES: My long-term goal is to get Martial art strategic thinking and character development in every school in the nation and perhaps the world. My short-term goal is to get it into every county in Nevada.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on teenagers with high ranks such as 5th and 6th degree?
DR. ALONZO JONES: Well it is reported that Myamoto Musashi killed his first Samurai when he was 15. So I think that fighting skill can be there. The question should be for instructors, is the Academic, Social, Emotional and Self Control development there. If Jigaro Kano intended for our rank system to mirror the Academia it might be said that such promotions should be limited. After all, how many teenagers do you know working on their master’s degree at a college? I am not saying that it is impossible, but I think martial arts are more than kinesthetic ability. I am probably the wrong person to ask, because I had a problem with one of our world champions being promoted to San Dan when he was 16.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on tradition vs. Mixed Martial arts in regards to training and what is gained from either one?
DR. ALONZO JONES: Well since the early days of the UFC I have never made a distinction between traditional martial arts and Mixed Martial Arts. When I was a little boy I know that many martial artist practiced Judo, Kickboxing, Wrestling and Boxing and used them on the streets. There are even traditional art forms in America that engage in this system. Many of the art forms developed in the Bruce Lee era were eclectic systems. But as far back as the 1950’s Mas Oyama engaged in no holds bars matches and challenged everyone and was never beat. He was a striker by the way who was also a black belt in Judo. His best friend was Kimura. Kimura sounds familiar because it is the technique used in MMA today, which is really a Judo technique. The things that MMA guys have on their side is they have the chance to fight and fight hard in their schools.
Bruce Lee said, “The best exercise for fighting was fighting.” But after the late 50’s and Early 80’s, martial art instructors were confined by the high costs of insurance. Thus when the UFC era came in the 90’s, most instructors were afraid of lawsuits. MMA forced everyone to go back to the foundation.
One of the Comba-Tai Schools in Los Angeles Lead By Master Terry Langlois.
Martialforce.com: Can you choose one thought that defines the belief and commitment that you have in training our youth in Martial Arts?
DR. ALONZO JONES: Development.
Martialforce.com: You have developed different youth programs; can you tell our readers about the motivation behind them?
DR. ALONZO JONES: The motivation behind all the youth programs I have developed is Shu Ha Rhi. You may recall Shu Ha Rhi is a philosophy of pedagogy in the martial arts.
Also the other motivation is my Christian Martial art training under my grandfather that is we must renew our minds. During his 50th anniversary I requested that he give me the birthright in that I would be his heir that would carry on the system. He agreed and that night he prayed all night until daybreak. He then laid his hands on me and prayed the birthright on me as he kneeled with me. He was 98. Thus as the heir of a tradition I feel it is my responsibility to give others the knowledge.
Martialforce.com: Thank you for this interview Dr. Jones, it has been very motivating. We here at Martialforce.com wish you continued success in your programs and life.
DR. ALONZO JONES: Thank you for allowing me to express my thoughts.
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