MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
An Interview With
J. M. GALLEGO HANSHI
SEPT / 2012
Changing the World, One Individual at a Time
Interview by William Rivera Kyoshi
Edited by Lydia Alicea
Platitude, a word that is synonymous with boredom, dullness, banality, can describe just about anything or anyone. It is a bad word, truly the kiss of death.
Well, this interview is anything, but that. Surely, the opening questions of many interviews can appear to have a common thread, a familiar basis; that is fine, but, as a writer, you must give your subject matter a format that commands insightfulness and interest. Otherwise, why bother reading it?
Our interview of J. M. Gallego shows that passion, makes for very interesting reading. Gallego exemplifies what makes the martial arts interesting. He is the Artist within the Martial Artist.
The best of interviews should be more than just a “resume,” it must meet two important criteria: it must inspire and educate. As you read our interview of J.M. Gallego, you will read about a path taken, and a journey that has not ended.
Please, read our interview of an Educator, a Martial Artist, and, a Gentleman, Dr. Jose Miguel Gallego.
Martialforce.com: Please, tell us where were you born and raised?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I was born in Santa Clara, Las Villas, Cuba in 1961. After leaving Cuba for good in 1965, we first moved to Miami, Florida. We lived in Miami for a few months, and finally settled in Union City, New Jersey in early 1966. I lived in Union City from 1966 to 1977.”
Martialforce.com: At what age did you tap into an interest in the martial arts, and what drew you?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Honestly, I had absolutely no interest in the martial arts. Since I was among the first wave of Cuban immigrants to Northern New Jersey, I was picked on a lot, and physically beaten by the neighborhood boys. It was the height of the Vietnam War, and I certainly did not fit in. In addition, I was an only child, and out of necessity, I was forced to rely on myself to survive.”
Martialforce.com: “When did you begin studying the martial arts in a traditional setting?
J. M. GALLEGO: “After being physically beaten for years, and disguising my wounds, my dad got fed up, and he enrolled me with Orlando Mesa Sensei (deceased) in the late 1960’s. Mesa-Sensei was an old school Sensei, trained by the Father of Cuban Judo, Andrei Kolychkine.
Mesa Sensei opened a Judo and Ju-Jitsu school on 35th St. off Bergenline Avenue in Union City, New Jersey. I hated it, cried daily, and begged my dad to take me out of the dojo. Mesa Sensei had excellent technique, and was extremely adept at Atemi techniques. It was there that I was introduced to three very influential individuals in my development: Jorge Gallo Sensei, Larry Labrador Sensei, and Claudio Gonzalez Sensei. Mesa, Gallo, and Labrador influenced my Judo and Ju-Jitsu, and Gonzalez Sensei sparked my interest in Karate.”
Martialforce.com: Why did you decide to study/train the martial arts? Was there a time or transitional moment when the art became more than just an exercise?
J. M. GALLEGO: “My dad made the decision for me. I was very sick as a child, suffering from bouts of anemia, and because there were no medicines in Cuba, my grandmother opened my appetite by preparing - Malta with Sweet Condensed Milk shakes. I packed on pounds very rapidly, and was obese by the time I began training. The crucial point for me was placing second in my first tournament in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After that point, I began to take my training more seriously, and I dropped a lot of weight. I started lifting weights, and running long distances as part of my training. I learned how to self-train and how to maintain training routines.”
Martialforce.com: Who were your early influences?
J. M. GALLEGO: “As previously mentioned, my earliest influences were Orlando Mesa Sensei (my first teacher), Jorge Gallo Sensei, Larry Labrador Sensei, and Claudio Gonzalez Sensei.
Afterward, Jorge Gonzalez Sensei, Yoshisada Yonezuka Sensei (whom I consider my primary teacher), Bill Camal Sensei, Antonio Pereira Sensei, Philip Porter Sensei, and Peter G. Urban-Sensei (my Karate Father) had a tremendous influence on me.
I would also like to mention Manny A. Saavedra Sensei here also. Manny is a mentor, and most importantly, a great friend. Although I knew of Manny during my youth, I gradually came to know him, while still a teenager in Miami, Florida. Now, after thirty years, he is part of my extended family. Everything I know about running my organization, I learned from him.”
Martialforce.com: What martial arts have you studied?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I have studied Judo, Ju-Jitsu, and Karate-Do.”
Martialforce.com: Please tell us a little bit about each of your instructors, and their influence on your martial arts?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Orlando Mesa Sensei was a classical, no-nonsense Sensei a tremendous technician, incredibly stern but compassionate; Jorge Gallo Sensei was a stickler for details, and instilled that obsessive trait into my being; Larry Labrador Sensei was focused on self - improvement, and upgraded his skills constantly. He is still part of my life today; Jorge Gonzalez Sensei was a fierce competitor, and instilled in me the desire to win; Yoshisada Yonezuka Sensei is the one I consider my Sensei 9th Dan Judo and Karate-Do (Cranford JKC).
Yonezuka Sensei showed me how to refine my skills and how to manage fighting teams; Bill Camal Sensei was a classical sensei who taught me how to train hard. His classes were always very tough; Antonio Pereira Sensei, headmaster of the East-Tremont School of Self-defense in the Bronx, New York was a gifted technician who influenced me tremendously. Although I was not his direct student, I trained at his dojo on numerous occasions, and competed in his tournaments.
Pereira Sensei produced some of my fiercest rivals, and they were tough as nails. He was strict, but loveable, and extremely respected in New York; Philip Porter Sensei (Father of American Judo) was a great mentor and an excellent instructor. I was part of his Yudanshakai until his recent death; Claudio Gonzalez Sensei was a tough individual who loved to spar and had beautiful, fluid technique. Gonzalez Sensei instilled in me a love for Goju-Ryu Karate-Do.
Peter G. Urban Sensei was a legend, erudite and down-to-earth. I loved speaking to him and playing chess with him. I joined him in 1982, and stayed with him until 2001. Urban Sensei encouraged me to pursue my Ph.D., which I completed in 1996. Although I left him in 2001, I still spoke to him weekly until his death. In Karate-do, he gave me everything I have.
Lastly, Manny A. Saavedra Sensei is a mentor, friend, family member, and a gifted Martial Artist. He gave me a love for Kata, and forced me to upgrade my skills constantly. Saavedra Sensei also allowed me to see into the inner workings of his large organization. Everything I know today about running our organization, I learned from him.”
Martialforce.com: Why Judo as your first art, was Goju your next art?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Yes, Judo and Ju-Jitsu were my first martial arts. In Judo, I personally trained countless national champions, but when Judo changed, I was unwilling to change with it. The Judo I learned and taught was classical, and when Judo became more like freestyle wrestling with a gi, I totally became disenchanted with it. I am blessed to have trained many Karate champions and run a large Karate-Do organization, but Judo is my first love to this day.”
Martialforce.com: Please tell us about your classes, what were your thoughts that first week, month, what were the classes like?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Classes back then were extremely tough, borderline child abuse by today’s standards, but if you could make it, changes would be lifelong and visceral. It was not uncommon for young teenagers to spar with adults, and beatings were regular. I am not saying that they were right or wrong, but common for the time. It did not matter what discipline one trained, training was difficult and often brutal. You had to suck it up and move forward.”
Martialforce.com: Did you participate in other sports in school? (If so did your training in martial arts enhance your participation in other arts, and how?)
J. M. GALLEGO: “I always say to people that Jesus saved my soul, but that martial arts saved my life. It gave me everything I have today. I would have never finished school or held employment without the virtues of hard work, perseverance, discipline, and beauty (Budo). I played baseball, basketball, and football also. I was really good in baseball, winning a couple of MVP awards, but I decided to focus more on the martial arts.”
Martialforce.com: What was the grading like back then?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Back then, grading was difficult; one could expect a lengthy stay in between belt changes, particularly for juniors. High ranks were virtually unknown.”
Martialforce.com: Please describe your shodan grading.
J. M. GALLEGO: “Grading, in general, required sparring with multiple opponents and performing kata and bunkai, and blatant torture. Judo grading was a bit different. One accumulated points from competing in tournaments or could advance through a batsugun tournament. This entailed defeating a certain number of opponents of equal rank.”
Martialforce.com: Are you a traditionalist, why do you think it is so important to practice and teach traditionally?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Initially, I was not. In Judo and Ju-Jitsu, I would say so, no question about it. However, like many other things, these disciplines have morphed into something altogether different. When I teach it today, I still teach it the way it was taught to me. Karate-Do is completely different. For many years, I learned, trained, and taught U.S.A. Goju-Ryu. In the late 1990’s, I had a dilemma; as I began adding foreign branches that trained and taught traditional Goju-Ryu, I found the need to learn traditional Goju-Ryu, and most importantly, learn the terminology and traditions. Gradually, over time, I transitioned from a Japanese Goju-Ryu curriculum to an Okinawan-based Goju-Ryu curriculum. Presently, all of my foreign branches adhere to our Honbu (headquarters) Dojo curriculum.”
Martialforce.com: Have you competed in tournaments?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I competed for many years, almost exclusively in Judo because I had Olympic aspirations. However, injuries to my back and knees ended all of that. Judo takes a huge toll on the body, particularly on the major joints of the body. Today, I have severe arthritis in many areas of my body, and migraine headaches as a result.”
Martialforce.com: Would you recommend cross training in another form of Budo?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I absolutely recommend training in other disciplines, but perfecting one system at a time. I think a Judo and Karate base makes for an exceptional martial artist.
Martialforce.com: Would the different principles of the different arts promote confusion or conflict in the student?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I really don’t think that principles vary all that much. A tsuki, geri, or nage-waza technique is virtually the same across martial disciplines. What may differ are emphasis, philosophy, and certainly kata. The only confusion that may exist is on the nature of the art.
For example, I am opposed to Karate-Do in the Olympics because, once an art form is accepted into the Olympics, it becomes, by definition, a sport. The Kodokan Judo taught prior to 1921 by Dr. Jigoro Kano Sensei was a complete self-defense; Judo, today, is a sport. Many of its most effective techniques have been lost because they cause severe injury to an opponent. I knew little of this until I read, “Mi Metodo De Judo,” written by Mikonosuke Kawaishi Sensei as a teenager.
This book contains sections detailing very dangerous joint manipulations and locks. Early Judokas such as Mitsuyo Maeda Sensei and Masahiko Kimura-Sensei obviously practiced a different type of Judo; they were MMA guys before there was an MMA. Certainly, all of the atemi techniques were also taken out. Kyuzo Mifune has a lot to do with this. For all inherent purposes, 1921-1964 is referred to as the age of Mifune. He was a small man who had incredible technique. Mifune encouraged Kano to make Judo into an Olympic sport. After Kano-sensei’s death, Mifune was the face of Kodokan Judo and realized his dream in 1964, when Judo became an Olympic sport.”
Martialforce.com: What has been the most difficult part of your training?
J. M. GALLEGO: “The most difficult part of training was focusing on kata. I love to spar, but injuries, and migraine headaches have curtailed this somewhat. As I got older, I learned to appreciate kata and bunkai, but it was not easy.”
Martialforce.com: What is the purpose of kata, and is it applicable to current times?
J. M. GALLEGO: “There are many instructors who de-emphasize the practicality of kata. As one studies the intricacies of the human body, one can see the value of practicing kata and bunkai. Although there is no single technique that will work for everyone, having a diversified knowledge base regarding bunkai mitigates this significantly. As one ages, and reflexes begin to diminish, kata is the only thing that will keep one sharp. Ultimately, kata is self-defense.”
Martialforce.com: How many kata are there in your school, please name them and list the order in which you teach them?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Fukyu Dai Ichi, Fukyu Dai Ni, Fukyu Dai San, Sanchin, Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni, Tensho, Saifa, Seiyunchin, Sanseru, Shisochin, Sepai, Sesan, Kururunfa, Suparinpei.”
Martialforce.com: At what stage do you teach students bunkai?
J. M. GALLEGO: “In our curriculum, we begin teaching bunkai right away as the student is learning the kata. As jiyu-kumite skills are honed, the self-defense aspect begins straightaway.
Bunkai is taught to children and adults, but the strike points vary, to avoid a child seriously hurting another child. Adults receive the finer points of where to strike another individual. I will not teach a person who exhibits anti-social or tangential behavior.”
Martialforce.com: How important do you feel knowledge of bunkai is?
J. M. GALLEGO: “To me, kata is the foundation of all martial arts. If the origins of traditional martial arts are correct, then the natural progression of knowledge is kata/bunkai, then jiyu-kumite. Bunkai is the foundation of self-defense. As individuals age, bunkai becomes that much more. In addition, understanding where to strike has to be studied and understood correctly to avoid seriously hurting another individual. Strikes to the throat and the back of the neck are very dangerous to teach to children.”
Martialforce.com: Is it important as a teacher to study another style of Martial Art or to concentrate on their chosen style?
J. M. GALLEGO: “If one can be proficient in multiple martial arts, then it is not a problem. However, most people cannot, and should not cross train unless they are somewhat proficient in a base style. Eiichi Miyazato Sensei, head of the Jundokan was a Judan in Karate-Do, and posthumously promoted to Hachidan by the Kodokan, so it is very possible to study multiple disciplines and be very good at them. However, getting back to the original question, I do not believe it is necessary or particularly important for a teacher to study multiple styles. There is always so much to learn in any particular system.”
Martialforce.com: How does your Goju differ from other styles of Goju?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Goju is Goju. I, myself, made a concerted decision to go back to the roots of our Ryuha. Even when I was a member of U.S.A. Goju, the system differed greatly from instructor to instructor; Maestro Urban always encouraged us to experiment but, for me, it was necessary to align ourselves with traditional Goju-Ryu in order to expand our foreign branches that compete in WKF events all over the world. Unlike some people who speak badly about individuals in U.S.A. Goju-Ryu, I do not. I came from U.S.A. Goju-Ryu, and from Maestro Urban, and everything I have accomplished in Karate-Do directly emanates from him. People often overlook his importance and contribution to the development of Karate in America. Chuck Merriman Sensei was once in U.S.A. Goju-Ryu before he accomplished great things under Eiichi Miyazato in the Jundokan.”
Martialforce.com: How did you feel when you received your 10th Dan, and what did it signify to you?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I felt humbled and believed I really did not deserve it. Maestro Urban told me that rank is subjective, and that rank in and of itself is meaningless, unless the individual has the knowledge base to back up the rank. At first, I turned away from it, but he told me that I had to do my own thing. As I got older, I worked hard to upgrade my own skills and that of my students. I learned from a lot of different people and friends who had made the transition years earlier. It was not easy to abandon something that I had done for a long time, but I do not regret ever doing it.
I am now in my 50’s, and I am constantly learning, upgrading, and adjusting my techniques and movements to improve. Many individuals received rank from him and did nothing; whereas, some did great things. Attaining a Judan requires an individual to propagate, teach, develop, and expand.”
Martialforce.com: In 1987 you founded Neko-Do Goju-Ryu, Was it an expression of your cumulative studies to that point: Why change the name later on?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Neko-Do Goju-Ryu was the name I chose while still under Maestro Urban’s U.S.A.G.A. The name primarily was to give homage to Edward Verycken Sensei, founder of Neko-Ashi Goju-Ryu. He was an original student of Maestro Urban, who was there when Maestro was transitioning from the Gojukai to U.S.A. Goju. As we began the transition to traditional Goju-Ryu, I found it prudent to begin a new, fresh, and with a curriculum that could be propagated in other parts of the world; hence, the reason for the name change. I decided upon, Sekai Seito Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai (World Orthodox Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Organization). I added addendum sets of techniques incorporating the three disciplines I learned to the curriculum. More of a street based concept, contrasting traditional bunkai.”
Martialforce.com: With so many styles being created, do you feel Goju Ryu is an incomplete style or is it the particular instructor’s knowledge, or lack of knowledge?
J. M. GALLEGO: “This is a difficult question to answer. I do not feel that any system inherently is incomplete, but ego and differences in philosophy precipitate styles being created. After all, is not that why there are so many Ryuha and Kaiha presently in Japan and Okinawa? It happened before, it continues to happen, and it will happen in the future. Ego and the illusion of power are very difficult to keep in check. It is very easy to believe what others say about you.”
Martialforce.com: Does your style include grappling, restraining, and throwing techniques?
J. M. GALLEGO: “First, in and of itself, it is not a style as such. I teach traditional bunkai techniques to students, but I also have street-based sets incorporating the Judo, Ju-Jitsu, and Karate-Do that I learned as addendum techniques. So, in essence, it is not a new style, but rather street self-defense added to the existing traditional curriculum.”
Martialforce.com: Does your school include weapons training (kobudo) and if so, what is the source?
J. M. GALLEGO: “The source of kobudo, and my personal preference, is the Matayoshi Kobudo curriculum. The point of emphasis is the Bo, because of its practicality. Other weapons are beautiful to learn and should be learned, but are impractical in the real world; however, one can find a stick just about anywhere.”
Martialforce.com: Should there be different standards for women than men?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Absolutely not! The standard should always be the same for men and women. Now, how someone chooses to implement the standard may differ from instructor to instructor. For instance, I personally do not stress Makiwara training for women, preferring to strengthen other parts of the hand that will still get the same results, but without disfiguring their hands. Likewise, pertaining to Hojo Undo, the standards are equal, but the repetitions are not. However, the exercises from kata, bunkai, and kumite are always the same.”
Martialforce.com: Was there anything in particular that converted you to various styles?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I really never converted to anything. I love Judo passionately, and it is my first love;I also love Ju-Jitsu and Karate-Do, so it really was not a chore at all. As I got heavily involved in these disciplines, I understood the value of each. I am truly blessed.
The concept of "Focus" in the martial arts, or Kime, to a large extent, has been lost in dojo practice. It is something that should be stressed continually throughout practice sessions. It is incumbent on the instructor to be vigilant during practice sessions; it is easy for people to lose focus. Focus creates breakthroughs.”
Martialforce.com: What motivates you to be in Martial Arts all these years?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I am motivated by progress. When I teach an individual and I see progress, I get more motivated to continue. Moreover, I thoroughly enjoy learning more things. Accolades or fame can never do this for me; it is the quest to improve that motivates me.”
Martialforce.com: Have you ever wanted to give up Karate?
J. M. GALLEGO: “A couple of times in the past, I was tempted to take a long sabbatical, but ultimately, I yearned teaching it again, and did not stop. Only a Sensei that has dedicated a lifetime of work and study can truly understand. One sacrifices a lot to do their life’s passion; few individuals really understand this concept. A true instructor is a teacher, psychologist, mentor, priest, and parent. It is a difficult existence.”
Martialforce.com: What is the worst thing about karate today in your opinion?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I believe the worst aspects of Karate today are the politics, and the total lack of respect that exists, particularly with the younger practitioners. Let me be clear, politics are always going to exist, whether we are talking about sport Karate or traditional Karate-Do. This is an inevitable part of the martial arts. The lack of respect, however, can be mitigated. Sensei must teach their students to respect themselves, and others. I believe that we must set the example by respecting each other. We must model this behavior. The older masters must always be respected.”
Martialforce.com: In your opinion, what is the best thing about karate today?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I believe that Karate today is fast, and powerful. There are some quality competitors in the WKF (World Karate Federation) and the variety of techniques and sets continue to improve. This is extremely encouraging.”
Martialforce.com: If you could change anything in Karate, what would it be?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Honestly, I would get rid of the rank system as we know it. Dr. Jigoro Kano Sensei, founder of Judo, introduced the modern rank system in the 1880’s. In fact, he promoted some of his prominent Yudansha to Judan while still alive. He gave the martial arts a structure and hierarchy but, in doing so, he inadvertently created ego and an over-emphasis on competition and tournaments. Although Gichin Funakoshi Sensei, while teaching in Japan adopted the rank system of Kano Sensei, there was no evidence of Funakoshi ever having rank per se. That changed when the Butokukai began bestowing rank and titles to Funakoshi Renshi, and Miyagi Kyoshi. Rank creates the very thing that we must avoid—ego. Before rank became an issue, everyone kind of knew and understood who the master was. Today, it is much less clear, and definitely a problem.”
Martialforce.com: What future would you like to see for your school?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I cannot discuss the future without discussing the past. In 1978, I was hired by the City of Sweetwater, Florida, to begin a martial arts program. From scratch, I built a national power in junior Judo throughout the 1980’s, and a Karate-Do program, whose participants have won at the largest events in the United States—U.S.K.A. Internationals, U.S. Open, Pan-American Nationals, and other events. My home base has been and will always be the City of Sweetwater. Our world headquarters is located at the Jorge Mas Canosa Youth Center at Ronselli Park in the City of Sweetwater. Our organization, Sekai Seito Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai, has grown from one school to schools in Russia, India, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and thousands of black belts. We continue to grow as we speak. This would not have been possible without my beloved City of Sweetwater.”
Martialforce.com: How do you plan to achieve it?
J. M. GALLEGO: “The easiest and most prudent way to achieve our mission is one step at a time, through word of mouth. Our motto: Changing the world, one individual at a time.”
Martialforce.com: Is there anything you would do differently if you were starting Martial Arts today?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Not a thing, I do not regret any of the problems or obstacles I have encountered in my martial arts journey. It made me the man I am today.”
Martialforce.com: Tell us about your work and education.
J. M. GALLEGO: “I have a severely disabled angel named Brittany. She is my life and inspiration. For the past 21 years, I have worked as a special educator for the Miami-Dade County Public School system in Miami, Florida. For 20 of those years, I have worked teaching Social Studies to learning disabled, and emotionally disturbed students. Teaching is what I was meant to do.
Professionally, I have written four published books, and I have five earned university degrees: A.A., B.A., M.A., Ed.S, and Ph.D, respectively, and three honorary degrees. I am also an ordained, licensed minister, notary public of the Great State of Florida, and a former private investigator under Carbana, Inc.-Caesar D. Carbana Sensei (deceased).”
Martialforce.com: Many MMA athletes use karate or judo as a base: Examples are, George St. Pierre, Anderson Silva, and in Judo, Rhonda Rousey (World and, Olympic Judo medalist). Why do you feel karate and judo gives you a base for MMA?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I really believe that Judo or Wrestling would serve as an excellent base for Karate-Do or MMA. It is not uncommon for Karate masters to also have rank in Kodokan Judo, such as, Miyazato Sensei and Yonezuka Sensei. George St. Pierre’s base style is Kyokushin Karate, and Lyoto Machida has a Shotokan base. Rhonda Rousey, in particular, is a terrific Judo player, but she also has great martial arts genes; her mother, Dr. Ann Maria DeMars, is a former gold medal winner at the 1984 World Judo Championships. The point is that all of these great athletes had a strong base, and subsequently expanded on this base.”
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on MMA?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I love to watch MMA, and a couple of my black belts are now involved in professional bouts. I am a purist in the sense that, to me, martial arts is a science and should be viewed as such. I am not condescending on MMA at all, but rather love to teach martial arts tenets, philosophy, and techniques as they were taught to me. These modern MMA fighters are tremendously conditioned athletes, and have evolved this sport into something very exciting. There is a place in MMA for Karate-Do, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Wrestling, and even Boxing. I am also an avid boxing fan, but I am dismayed at the current state of boxing. When I was a child, there was only one champion in each weight class; today, there is an alphabet soup of champions. Sadly, if boxing does not clean up its act, MMA will make it extinct in the future. The only thing I really do not like about MMA is the lack of respect exhibited by some fighters. There is no need to demean an opponent. All opponents, regardless of ability, are worthy of respect. I admire champions such as Randy Couture, Fedor Emilianenko, and George St. Pierre. They never talk trash, and go about their business in the cage.”
Martialforce.com: Why did you choose to concentrate on the martial arts over other sports?
J. M. GALLEGO: “To be honest, martial arts encompass so many things that interest me. There is philosophy, movement, application, loyalty, history and aesthetics. Modern Karate-Do has at least three hundred years of history; Judo has 130 years of history, and Ju-Jitsu, over a thousand years of history. Then, we can trace it back to China, India, and even ancient Greece, and one can see there is a lot to assimilate and learn. The academic, cerebral side of the martial arts has kept me attached.”
Martialforce.com: Discuss your writings, your three published books.
J. M. GALLEGO: ““Hard and Gentle Insights to Experience Personal Growth”. I co-wrote this book, based on an idea from Manny Saavedra. Maestro Urban had 105 or so catch phrases that were uniquely his. I selected what I believe were his 38 most important catch phrases, and then explained them in detail. Topics cover money management, interpersonal relationships, and self-discovery. The second published work is titled, “Life Lessons of the Dojo: Martial Virtues Explained.” This work is an expanded version of the Dojo Kun—the virtues of the dojo. This book is an addendum to my earlier work. My latest work is titled, “Why Education has Failed: A Teacher’s Catharsis.” This book took approximately four years to write. Although I did not want to offend anyone, some of the topics discussed are controversial. I had to rewrite portions of it at least four times. I am a career educator, and the future of America’s children is under attack. It was painful to write.”
Martialforce.com: Changing direction now, what are some of the challenges you have encountered teaching?
J. M. GALLEGO: “There are definitely challenges. The United States has no sports ministry as such, and that is good thing. It is open to everyone. This is not the case in other parts of the world. First, in foreign countries, it is often difficult to expand one’s organization. Many of these nations have sport ministries and, are often controlled by the WKF or the JKF (Japanese Karate Federation). In addition, if one is not oriental by birth, then the odds become exponentially mitigated. It is very difficult as a westerner to grow an organization abroad. It is painstaking and tedious, requiring many connections and trustworthy affiliates who possess one’s own vision of Goju-Ryu Karate-Do.”
Martialforce.com: Challenges such as cultural differences between students overseas, versus your stateside students?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Cultural differences are pronounced. This is the greatest country on earth, and in spite of its flaws, it continues to be a bastion of freedom and opportunity. In a way, we have become complacent and it has permeated the American martial arts mentality. Let me be clear: many individuals here train very hard, but overall, I believe the masses of martial artists have become a reflection of our collective excesses.
Many years ago, I witnessed an event here in Miami, where the promoter’s trophy supplier made an error by instead of awarding six-foot trophies they awarded four-foot trophies. What was the outcome? More than half of the participants walked out of the event. Some of my foreign branches have little money, and when they throw events, they often collect bottle caps, hammer them out, and paint them gold, silver, and bronze. In India, for instance, some of their events have over 10,000 participants fighting over a painted, bottle cap.
Here in the United States, there are schools promising individuals a black belt in two years. How can we, in good conscience, promise something like this? Now, a black belt has different meanings in different places. Not all black belts are created the same. Our organization does not promote children to the black belt level. In fact, in some foreign branches, they will not promote anyone under 20 years of age. I do not criticize, nor patronize what anyone else does, but I rather adhere to some of the old traditions instead.”
Martialforce.com: Working with disabled, and at risk populations presents tremendous challenges. Can you describe how the curriculum is broken down, how are goals determined, and how do you reinforce what is learned, and how it is carried over?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Every summer, for nine weeks, I teach Karate-Do to emotionally disturbed and at-risk children using the Peaceful Champions Program through Smith Community Mental Health in Broward County, Florida. It is a one-of-a-kind program nationally. Manny A. Saavedra and I teach Karate-Do exercises and kata to these children to elicit permanent behavior change. The program uses a Goju-Ryu Karate-Do curriculum designed by Manny A. Saavedra. It is a rich and rewarding experience.”
Martialforce.com: Peaceful champions Program- Describe the curriculum. What are its elements that make it unique?
J. M. GALLEGO: “The Peaceful Champions curriculum integrates therapeutic services, a structured behavior component, and a Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Curriculum. Every child is required to earn their points on a daily basis, in addition to respecting adult figures and peers, and learning Karate-Do Kata. What Manny and I do at each site carries over throughout the school year in their after-school, therapeutic program.
The Peaceful Champions Program uses behavior modification techniques and documentation, therapeutic counseling, and Karate-Do to elicit permanent behavior change. For the most part, the program is highly successful. Students are monitored and remained involved for many years. Its success lies with the therapeutic component, in addition to the Karate-Do curriculum, and the long-term monitoring of students. Although there is no religious component to the program, the practice of kata and movement can be metaphysical in nature. In a sense, it is a holistic-type model.
The program also encompasses parental involvement and community outreach. Parents usually attend belt ceremonies and other Smith Community Mental Health-related functions. All of the activities are offered at little or no cost to the parent. Smith Community defrays the cost of its program through federal grants.”
Martialforce.com: What are some of its challenges?
J. M. GALLEGO: “The primary challenge is to prevent external forces from permeating the change that has taken place over a long period of time.”
Martialforce.com: Does it work with partnerships, such as national organizations for the disabled?
J. M. GALLEGO: “Specific to Smith, they do accept children who have a variety of exceptionalities. And some receive outside therapeutic services while at Smith Community Mental Health.”
Martialforce.com: Is there a word, quote or saying that you would use to describe you?
J. M. GALLEGO: “I enjoy reading philosophy, psychology, and certain novels. For example, I enjoyed reading Albert Camus, Fedor Dostoyevsky, and Viktor Frankl. To understand oneself, one must understand others. Many times, we believe that doubt, fear, ego, shame, and guilt are external but, in reality, they are internal. We are exposed to these things, and over time, they become who we are. Then, as we age, we bury them in the suitcases of our psyche, instead of purging our being of them. Heidegger described this as Dasein—the being for whom being is a question. Who are we? This is the most difficult question to answer. To self-actualize, we must rid ourselves of these destructive, learned patterns of behavior. In the martial arts, it is difficult to do. Why, because rank gives us a sense of accomplishment, worth, and importance. Everyone innately craves respect and importance, but discovering self is what this journey is really about. Ergo, the greater one becomes, the less one desires to become. Ultimately, what does the martial life entail? Serving others, and facilitating in others their own journey of self-discovery. Bruce Lee said it best: ‘The key to immortality is living a life worth remembering.’”
Martiaforce.com: Thank You Dr. Jose Miguel Gallego. From William and Lydia; Thank You SENSEI.
For more information on Sekai Seito Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai, or Dr. J. M. Gallego, please go to www.nekodokarate.com