MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
MASTER GLENN PERRY
AUG / 2010
“Training should be customized for the
Individual talent and abilities.”
Interview by Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial arts magazine. I want to introduce our readers to Master Glenn Perry. He and I have known each other since 1983. We met at a place called “The Oriental Sports Center,” which was a Dojo (School) that was operated by a mutual friend by the name of Shihan Freddy Lopez. The school was located on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and many Martial Artist of different styles would go there to exchange ideas and test each others fighting ability. His tenacity when practicing was intense and he had an uncanny ability to quickly adapt to any fighting situation. In my opinion he is technically brilliant and has a true sense of what is needed for defense when dealing with violent attacks on the streets. It is our hope that this interview will shed some light on him as well as his art.
Martialforce.com: What is your occupation?
GLENN PERRY: I've been studying and teaching the martial arts for many years as well as running a family franchise business.
Martialforce.com: When did you begin your Martial Arts training and with whom?
GLENN PERRY: I was lucky to start my training early with my Father Clement Perry. In 1967 my Father trained in Ju Jitsu in Brooklyn, NY.
Martialforce.com: How has Martial Arts training helped you in your daily life?
GLENN PERRY: Martial Arts in general have given me a healthy level of self-confidence, good coordination and a sense of well being.
Martialforce.com: Who in your life influenced you the most regarding Martial Arts and or life in general?
GLENN PERRY: Wow, that's a good question. Believe it or not most of the people I admire in the arts are people that I have actually trained with or have seen on the mat! I'm fortunate to say that I've met many of my idols. Just to mention a few; Grandmasters Moses Powell, Peter Urban, Pierre Rene, Ron Van Clief, Ronald Duncan, John Davis, and many more.
Martialforce.com: Do you practice or believe in Kata (Pre arranged movements) and if so, why or why not?
GLENN PERRY: Kata is, with out a doubt, one of the most important elements of my training. Kata is the encyclopedia of the system, and contains most of the techniques or kihon (Basics) of the given style. Kata means different things to different people. The same kata does not have to carry the same beat and look or feel the same. Each practitioner has particular inner elements that influence the movements. Kata allows us to practice our art anywhere in the universe and stay connected to the senseis before us. Martial Arts evolve with the practitioner, as we grow in our arts we learn to control our technique, energy. A student at 30 years old will not perform technique and kata the same way at 75. Change is constant!
Martialforce.com: Do you believe that Martial Arts is good training for children and why or why not?
GLENN PERRY: I believe that Martial Arts is good for children as long as the instructor or teacher is truly qualified. I personally don't believe that all children fit into one mold; training should be customized for the individual talent and abilities. The same goes for adults.
Martialforce.com: Do you believe its beneficial to study with different instructors or systems and if so, why?
GLENN PERRY: Yes, once a good foundation is reached, along with a good understanding of the basic principals of martial arts. In general cross training is very beneficial for long-term students and instructors.
Martialforce.com: Do you study any form of weaponry?
GLENN PERRY: I have studied several traditional Okinawan and Japanese weapons. Tonfa, nunchaku, sai, hanbo, walking stick, yawara, tekko (Japanese brass knuckles) etc. Today I focus on short, easy to conceal, hand held weapons.
Martialforce.com: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment in martial arts or life in general?
GLENN PERRY: I don't believe that I have achieved anything out of the ordinary yet. Staying healthy with very few injuries would be high on my list. It does make me smile knowing that I have done my small part by training many students to the black belt level, feels good!
Martialforce.com: Can you tell our readers what are your long-term goals in regards to teaching and practice of martial arts?
GLENN PERRY: My most immediate goals include the continued formation of an Association of Black Belt teachers and dojo leaders interested in the fellowship and sharing training tools for the betterment of its members. Each member in this Association would commit to visit dojos within the membership and teach classes, give seminars and help promote each other’s martial arts related promotions and events.
Martialforce.com: You developed a system after many years of study. Can you tell our readers about its development and your motivation to do so?
GLENN PERRY: First let me apologize for not being able to answer this question in depth. I won’t ignore the question, but there is not enough space to share the mindset that comes to play. It was a very long and hard decision. You were a part of the process. I kept you informed while the transition was taking place.
Martialforce.com: Yes I recall when you were in the process of development and presentation.
GLENN PERRY: Continues: I have been studying martial arts since I was a kid, and have continued for many years, different styles under very well known sensei and Grandmasters. During my training I have been very fortunate to visit other schools, share dojos with other sensei from different styles. My main focus has been Karate and Jujutsu. As I have matured in life as well as in the arts, I have come to believe that martial arts continue to evolve as the individual grows. Boxing, Karate, Ju Jutsu, Kung Fu, Jail House, etc, today, everybody knows something. It not like it was in the 1950s, 60s or 70s. The first thing that comes to mind is the legal responsibility involved in the justifification of force when defending yourself from an attacker.
Today if all you know how to do is block, kick, punch, brake bones and bust teeth, and that’s all you are taught, what’s the message? I just don’t see the point! Most of the instructors, teachers and sensei that you have interviewed have been training and teaching for twenty-five years or more.
How much time do we need to learn how to defend ourselves, how long does it take for a student to become proficient enough to feel confident, with enough techniques and people skills to defend themselves or, better yet, avoid confrontation altogether?
I teach Goshin Ryu, a self-defense art that takes place “before”, during and after a confrontation. It is very hard to enjoy a meal at a restaurant with your family after defending yourself if your pants are torn, blood on shirt. Even if you and your family are other wise unhurt, and make it back home. Nothing is the same.
Glen Perry and Grand Master Chaka Zulu
Martialforce.com: Do you believe that tournament competition is good for students and if so, why or why not?
GLENN PERRY: I believe that competition in moderation is very good for the average student or practitioner. I personally prefer that the student be well rounded and participate in both kata and sparring when entering tournaments. Weapons can be optional.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on cross training in weights, running etc?
GLENN PERRY: Training smart, in moderation, changing the tempo a bit definitely should involve cross training. I love the idea of cross training. Training with weights, swimming, gymnastics, etc. Just like cross training in different martial arts from time to time. I like that too…
Martialforce.com: Can you tell our readers a little about each of the instructors you mentioned and what you gained from their teachings?
GLENN PERRY: I consider myself to be very lucky. I have so many seniors and peers in the martial arts most of them are leaders and founders of their own martial arts systems. William Oliver, Anthony Mohammad, Steve Malonoski, Ric Pesetta, Tony Morrison, Robert Crosson, Ernest Hyman, Eddie Banks aka Sharrieff Nashid, Freddie Lopez, yourself Eddie Morales, Taimak, Tony “Simion”, Derrick Williams, Irma Guerrero, Gloria Du Bisset, Harry Morton, Sup Kim, and many others.
Al Govine, Sensei: A soft-spoken, gentle Ju Jutsu teacher and educator. Today he is called “Coach”. He still teaches in an environment not focused on rank but on education and the building of character.
Photograph of Professor Pierre Rene
Pierre Rene, Professor: I began training with him as a child and the year was approximately 1971. I have been with him since those early days of training and I continue with him today. He believed in cross training in systems in regards to shotokan and the Chinese arts. He is a man of many talents, a nothing is impossible attitude! Professor Rene was always in school studying during the day and teaching Karate at night. Not many people knew that he was into books and kicking butt at the same time. Professor Rene has students that have been with him for over 30 years. Some of them have their own dojo but remain with him, under his banner today. Teacher, diplomat and educator all in one, the Professor!
Moses Powell, Professor/Doc: Scary, very serious, incredible repertoire of techniques. When you saw him execute a technique you saw genius in motion. He said to me one day, “you are welcome to get on the mat, but this is not make believe!”
Ron Van Clief, Grandmaster: I am a direct disciple of Grand Master Ron Van Clief for a little over 35 years. Grand Master Van Clief is a Perfectionist, hard core Marine style training. His Black belt training prepares his students for life! He lives, eats and breaths Chinese Goju! Really believes that there is nothing else in life. Whenever you spar with Grandmaster Van Clief in the dojo it’s a lesson. Doesn’t matter what level you are…His dedication to the art and teaching will always be inspirational.
Peter Urban, Sensei: Pioneer, everything he did was related to Martial Arts Training. There was no conversation or hobby that wasn’t related to training. Some of his best lessons took place over a chess game. My teacher used to take me to black belt classes on 17th Street on Thursday nights. When Sensei Urban closed the doors and windows you knew what time it was! I was not allowed to talk!
Grand Master Ron Van Clief and Glen Perry
Martialforce.com: Do you have any plans to write a book or film any videos in regards to your art?
GLENN PERRY: Yes, this is definitely in the works. The book will be in a hardcopy format as well as Internet downloads e-book and the videos will be available soon. Both will cover technique and application to various defense tactics scenarios.
Martialforce.com: Fantastic, well thank you for this interview and we here at Martialforce.com wish you all the success in the world.
GLENN PERRY: Thank you for this opportunity.
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