THE GATHERINGS
The Gathering started as a way for Sijo Antwione Alferos to share what he had grown up with in the Martial Arts. Tradition, respect, honor and a sense of family. At a time when the arts seemed to have spread to every corner of the world, what had been lost was the true essence of their teachings. He, along with a handful of his peers got together to share and connect with one another as well as give the younger students a chance to live what they live, see what they see and feel what they feel.
After the first Gathering there was an overwhelming sense that it was important and necessary to continue.
Four times a year, every year, we gather as a family to share and learn from one another without the burden of ego, politics or any of the other issues that plague our community. To quote our Mission Statement, we “embrace our martial arts brethren and endeavor to seek out similarities while learning to respect the differences in our arts.” Each Gathering is unique unto themselves and explore different aspects of our training.
The Spring Gathering (Water) is always focused on healing. Rejuvenation and rebirth are taught through various methods of healing; physical, mental and emotional. Qigong, Yoga, Shiatsu and various other methods have been taught at our previous Spring Gatherings. This Gathering does not have reference to, or application of the fighting arts, in order to truly embrace the healing mentality and benefits. This helps everyone see how important it is to practice good health; even when has nothing to do with inflicting pain on someone else or upon themselves.
The Summer Gathering (Fire) is centered on our Martial skill. This is the time of year where we develop our combative instincts. Some of the systems previously taught include, Mok Gar, Corto Mano and other Filipino Arts, Iron Palm, Capoeira and others. This Gathering exists to reflect the true nature and simplicity of our studies. This is the time to show the essence of our arts. This is our reminder to stay true to the culture and heritage we are representing by teaching honest and functional material.
The Fall Gathering (Earth) is a reminder for us to stay grounded in our roots. This Gathering is a chance for everyone to work on the true essence of life; basics. There are so many arts and all of them have unique and useful ways of developing the attributes needed to master them. In this Gathering, we take those basics and find how they work for us. Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Western among other methods have been taught at these Gatherings. Nothing fancy or complicated, just good, sounds basics and mechanics.
The Winter Gathering (Wind) is our largest of the year. Masters and students from all over world meet to once again draw from the well in a 3-day event. The first day is always focused on healing, followed by the next day’s combative study and concluded with the third day, centered on basics as taught by our Grandmasters.
Everyone who has attended the Winter Gathering has experienced something very difficult to put in to words. They have found something they may not have realized they were searching for and been a part of something they may not have known existed.
They have seen true examples of
“Put “We” before, “I.”
“Do more for others than you do for yourself.”
“Serving those who have served others.”
On a personal note, after my first Winter Gathering, the only way I was able to describe the Association was, “It’s what I always thought Martial Arts was supposed to be.” I have forever been affected by its benefits and remain humbled by my experiences.
These lessons are truly the most important, yet are the most overlooked. They apply to all aspects of our lives, not merely our lives in the Martial Arts.
Past attending dignitaries and instructors include; Great Grandmaster Ming Lum, Grandmaster Ted Tabura, Senior Grandmaster Ralph Castro, Grandmaster Tai Lee, Sijo Steve Muhammad, Master James Ibrao, Sijo Bill Owens, Guru Cliff Stuart, Grandmaster Douglas Wong, Grandmaster Carrie Wong, Grandmaster Carl Totton, Guru Zach Whitson, Professor Dian Tanaka, Tuhon Ray Dionaldo, Master Bob Liles, Grandmaster Steve Herring, Sifu Scott Gordon, Sifu Daryl Jones, Sifu Joe Jackson, Mr. Bob White and many more. These incredible men and women have come to share and represent such arts as; Wu Shur Shin Chuan Fa, White Lotus Kung Fu, Filipino Combat Systems, Core System, American Kenpo, Chinese Kempo, Pencak Silat, W.A.R., Okinawa Te, Lima Lama, Hawaiian Lua, Pikiti Tirsa, Counterpoint Tactical System, Eskrido, Tai Chi, Yoga, Qi Gong, Nai Gong, Fitness through Massage, Eskrima, Kali, Arnis, Cacoy Doce Pares, Capoeira, Blossom Fist, Liles Method, Georgian Method and more.
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Inner Circle System Family Sessions
UPCOMING GATHERING
2012 Southwest Spring Gathering
2012 Northern Spring Gathering
More information coming soon!