Sensei Max !

Name: Dirk Mclean       

Rank: 2nd Dan          Age: 31

I began my martial arts journey at age 17, and have trained in various styles both traditional and freestyle.  Although I enjoyed this training, it was still not what I was looking for and I would train in a particular style for a year or so and then look for something else.  When I was about 27 I was introduced to Ashihara by my brother-in-law, who at that time was involved in various forms of martial arts. After my first training session I realised what I had been missing and what I was looking for.

The unique positioning, footwork and circular movement of the style is what makes it so street effective. Sensei Chris took this one step further and after much research, training in Aikido (which I was fortunate enough to be a part of) and incorporating various weapons, developed Kyoshin Sabaki.  I've nicknamed this "Real World Training" as its designed to get the confrontation over within 3 to 5 seconds maximum! Kyoshin Sabaki gives a person excellent defensive skills, enabling you to either walk away, takedown your opponent to a submission, or launch an explosive counterattack, depending on the situation (still within the 3 - 5 second time frame.

It gives YOU the choice, not your opponent.  It is also suited to multiple attack scenarios where time, distance and your relative position to that of the opponents is of great importance.

My training was and still is conducted in a friendly environment where emphasis is on real life scenarios.  Emphasis is also placed not only on your fighting ability but also your teaching ability i.e. you are taught to teach.

After obtaining my brown belt, black tip (1st Kyu) I obtained my black belt in May of 1996 after training 4 - 5 nights a week over 6 months and a 4 hour grading, finishing off with a board break.  It was one of my greatest achievements, but came to realise that there is always more to learn and I still have a long way to go. I recently obtained my 2nd Dan where the emphasis more so again was placed upon my teaching ability.

In my area of employment as a Security Officer in a high risk area, I have found that many of the things that I have learned through Kyoshin Sabaki have been beneficial in keeping control of violent confrontations.  I have also incorporated many of Kyoshin Sabaki's teachings and techniques within a Defensive Tactics Course I run for a Security Training organization.

I still visit and observe other martial arts, as I believe all martial artists should do, and believe Kyoshin Sabaki is the most adaptable for people of all sizes, whether male or female, young or old, weak or strong.

For those wishing to Contact Sensei Max directly: e-mail:  kyoshinsabaki01@hotmail.com