The Machado encounter- Hollywood

Via: Email

Who: Robert Arevalo

What: Actor, Filmmaker

Where: Using his laptop inside the Coffee Bean on Sunset Blvd. A wi-fi hotspot.

When: While working at a bar in Beverly Hills with the hopes of being discovered, Arevalo recieved advice from film star Sylvester Stallone, "Create your own opportunities". That priceless advice

transformed Arevalo's career approach and thus began his journey as a writer and director. While

working as a producer's assistant on the 20th Century Fox lot, Arevalo met with director Robert Rodriguez

(Machete, El Mariachi) who he struck up a friendship with. Arevalo was then offered the unforgettable

role of the "Opponent"--the guy with the broken legin the 1995 blockbuser Desperado. While on the set

during production of Desperado, Robert Rodriguez imparted some of his directing style and techniques

to Arevalo knowing Arevalo expressed interest in becoming a filmmaker.

Hi Robert, How did you meet the Machados?

I had been training at IMB Academy and Dan Inosanto's Academy in 95" and my friend Dustin Nguyen(21 Jump street) had mentioned Brazilian Jiujitsu because Yori Nakamura had begun teaching Shoot Wrestling at the Academy. I was living in the valley at the taime and looked in the yellow pages and saw RCJ Machado jiujitsu. I first met Jean Jacques and Renato Magno. Eventually I met John, Rigan then Carlos and Roger. For the last few years I've been training with John.

How has jiujitsu improved your life?

It's given me an outlet to stay in shape, blow off steam, which in turn has made me more focused in my line

of work. I am much more confident. I have to say that I am grateful to be a part of the Machado jiujitsu

family. I have met lifelong friends among the amazing group of people I train with here in Los Angeles,

whether it's been with John, Rigan or Jean Jacques.

What advice would you give someone who is interested in training jiujitsu?

Once you start and hit the mats you won't regret it! There are so many things you learn evertime

you show up to class. Just know that every single person from blue belt to Black belt has experienced

everything you are about to experience on the mat. Never give up!!

Tell us about your projects?

I recently shot a spanish Martial arts pilot which was created by John Machado, which profiled our friend and Mexican novela star Eduardo Yañez. John was preparing Eduardo for his next novela Corazon Salvage.

My last project Mexican Bloodbath was released in Feb 09 via Blockbuster in the US and Mexico. After working with Rodriguez and being lucky enough for him to impart some of his knowledge was able to make

my 35mm microbudget action flick Mexican Bloobath which I wrote, produced and directed. It was an adventure!! haha!!

www.Vimeo.com/2190478 (Mexican Bloodbath trailer)

What's next for you?

I want to finish the Machado Brothers documentary. Both Rigan and John have shown me tons and

tons of incredible footage, pictures, and interviews from before they moved to the US. Their history

and stories are amazing and I believe their legacy must be shared.

www.vimeo.com/10887391 (Machado Brothers teaser)

Thanks Robert! Keep training and we'll speak to you soon!!

Thank you guys and Viva Los Machados!!!!

AVI NARDIA-Machado Black Belt and Kapap Grandmaster

"It is better to be a student of reality than a master of illusion"
Avi Nardia


PROFESSOR NARDIA CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU BEGAN TRAINING WITH JOHN MACHADO?

I arrived in the US already an experienced teacher. I was a CQB and SWAT teacher and had always been interested in BJJ.
In the past, I had visited a few schools but did not find what I was looking for. One day I was picking my kid up from school on Wiltshire and I saw Professor John Machado’s Academy.

Professor John Machado invited me to watch a class and I knew immediately that I had found was exactly what I had been searching for. The same day I registered and began training and have been with him ever since.
I have followed Professor John Machado from Wiltshire, to Market Place then Culver City and lastly to Torrance.
Even when I lived in LA, I wasn’t looking for the school closest to my home, but the school closest to my heart. With the kind of teacher who shared my attitude and thought process and the way relating to martial art.
As a teacher with many years of experience, it is very hard to find someone to be my teacher because I am looking to just to find any instructor, but to find a real teacher who understands and is of quality.
Even though there were BJJ schools only a mile away from me, I prefer to travel any distance to study with John Machado because he is this kind of person.

The Japanese say it may take over 15 years to find your teacher. In my case it took close to twice that - almost 30.
I began Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at age almost 40 years old. I had problems with my back and neck - three broken vertebrae and many other physical limitations.

My first week was a nightmare. After every night thought I could not move and I thought my body would never survive it.
By the second week I was already addicted to BJJ. Even though it was a long journey - and not without some pain and suffering - it was always fun and filled with family and friendship.

As a new immigrant with no family around me, Machado BJJ became my family in the US. I always felt I had support and John always had an outstretched hand and an open heart. He was willing to help and back me up whenever I needed him.
Training with Professor John Machado is one of the things I am most happy that I have done in my life. I view my training as one of my biggest achievements and more than anything – this achievement allows me to teach and pass on what I have gained by BJJ with the same attitude as John Machado. With no ego, in a selfless manner governed by friendship and sharing. This art is not a “bully style” of martial art.

I see it as something different and through teaching this, promoting to not bully others but to strengthen others, to promote and build them.
I am proud and honored to be part of the Machado family.

WHAT MAKES KAPAP UNIQUE?

KAPAP is not a conventional system. It is a bridge between systems - a philosophy and a concept. KAPAP was not designed as a belt ranking system, or to create new Masters and Grandmasters. There are more than enough systems that do this. As a bridge, KAKAP’s goal is to unite Martial Artists from different disciplines so that they will be able to communicate and share knowledge as brothers in arms. We wish to do this without conflict, ego or politics based on the common Martial Art principles.

For example; martial arts are commonly designed to be used with one’s understanding of human biomechanics, such as, learning how to harness universal self defense principles of push and pull, balance and balance displacement, economy of motion, chain of attack, action/reaction, use of at least two points of contact, tools and angles of attack and so on.

HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM JEET KUNE DO?

I never studied Jeet Kune Do. Worldwide, people who experienced different movements of martial arts (MMA) will arrive at somewhat the same conclusion regarding human movement in martial arts, and find themselves practicing an eclectic system. I chose to associate with the term ‘eclectic system’ rather than MMA because MMA today is more concerned with training for competition in a ring. For example, MMA practitioners do not deal with weapons and self defense against street style attacks.
IN KAPAP sport training is still one facet, but it is not the central agenda as in the current practice of MMA. We focus on Self Defense – involving both empty hand, and use of weapons.

IS KAPAP THE SAME AS KRAV MAGA?

KAPAP and Krav Maga are generic terms used to describe hand to hand combat in Israel. Neither is one system, or founded by one organization or leader. Each teacher instructs based on his own experience and knowledge.
Neither is more “legitimate” or “the real deal” than others. Just like Karate schools, each teacher has their own ideas and how they want to run their organization.
The KAPAP I teach is based on my knowledge and experience. The federation/organization I am a part of is under Lt. Colonel Chiam Pe’er of Israel.

My school’s World Wide Mat exists entirely under my supervision and my name. This is why it is called Avi Nardia KAPAP Combatives and I use my own Logo KAPAP Combatives.

Today the KAPAP I teach is an International system based on my travel around the world and experience living in the United States for over 10 years. My students and friends hail from every race and religion without any political bias or prejudice.

I don’t represent Israel any more than I represent the USA. I am a private civilian who teaches based on my life experience in training, combat, fitness and health. I have the honor of enjoying the friendship of students from all over the world - from Japan, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Europe, USA, Israel, Australia and Lebanon. Most important, my students train as a family of kapap practitioners with no conflicts over politics or race.

Rigan Machado Jiu Jitsu Academy

NYBJJ - Rigan Machado Seminar

Enson Inoue and The Samurai Spirit

Yamato-damashii (大和魂^?, or "Japanese spirit", "Japanese soul", "Yamato spirit", and "The soul of Old Japan".) is a historically and culturally loaded word in the Japanese language. The phrase was apparently coined in the Heian period to describe the indigenous Japanese 'spirit'. During the Edo period writers and Samurai used it to gloss the Bushido concept of valor, honor, discipline, and respect. The term was later given to Enson Inoue by the media and press and became what is now known as the"Samurai spirit". He lives it.

For those of you who don’t follow Mixed Martial Arts, Enson Inoue is an American born Japanese jiu jitsu blackbelt and former Shooto Japan Champ known for never tapping and never quitting in the ring. During his career he’s never turned down a fight taking on top notch killers like Igor Vovchanchyn, Frank Shamrock, Mark Kerr, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Randy Couture.

The purpose of my visit with Enson was not to inquire about his training routine nor was I there to ask him what he eats for breakfast everyday (although I’m quite curious to know how he stays so big and strong). I wanted to meet Enson to talk with him about him. It’s “Yamato Damashii” or the “Samurai spirit” that intrigues me and I think a lot of people would appreciate a guy like Enson who has always been true to himself and the people around him.

Enson was at his gym lastnight to meet some fighters who, according to them, had ‘lost their spirit’. They asked Enson to help them ‘get their spirit back’ before their upcoming competition. Enson was happy to help them with that.

He said, “99% of the time people quit, not because their body breaks. They quit because their mind quits on their body. In order for these guys to get their spirit back, I’m going to break them. Once they see that they can live through the pain and the fear…they will get their spirit back.”

I sat and watched as they were indeed physically and mentally worn down, beaten and finally broken. I’m sure glad it wasn’t me who had a lost spirit! The two fighters managed to walk out of the gym on their own and alive. They were very thankful that Enson took the time to help them understand a little bit about “Yamato Damashii”. Although they might be sore today, I’m certain that they’re in high spirits knowing that they survived through the pain and fear and that they weren’t broken after all. -Tune-in-Tokyo.com

Dan Inosanto and Ajarn Chai Sirisute Muay Thai basics

Here is a great video series hosted and narrated by Dan Inosanto and good friend and Muay Thai Master "Chai" or Ajarn Chai Sirisute.

Developed in Thailand the devastating art of Muay Thai – Thai Boxing is gaining popularity and recognition in the US thanks to the dedication and perseverance of Ajarn Surachai “Chai” Sirisute, President and founder of the Thai Boxing Association of the USA. Thai Boxing utilizes the practitioner’s natural weapons, knees, elbows, kicks and punches. Care is taken to teach students proper form and body mechanics to eliminate injuries while training and gain maximum effectiveness.

The Art of Perseverance- Machado Jiujitsu

Every person's problems are different, so I can only say "analyze your opportunities and conditions and study your natural abilities." Form plans for improvement and then put them into operation. Now don't just say, "I am going to do so and so," but carry your plan into execution. Don't make an indefinite plan, but a definite one, and then don't give up until your object has been accomplished. Put these suggestions into practice

with true earnestness, and you will soon note astonishing results, and your whole life will be completely changed. An excellent motto for one of pure motives is: Through my will power I dare do what I want to. You will find this affirmation has a very strengthening effect.

The Spirit of Perseverance The spirit of "sticktoitiveness" is the one that wins. Many go just so far and then give up, whereas, if they had persevered a little longer, they would have won out. Many have much initiative, but instead of concentrating it into one channel, they diffuse it through several, thereby dissipating it to such an extent that its effect is lost.

Develop more determination, which is only the Will To Do, and when you start out to do something stick to it until you get results. Of course, before starting anything you must look ahead and see what the "finish leads to." You must select a road that will lead to "somewhere," rather than "nowhere." The journey must be productive of some kind of substantial results. The trouble with so many young men is that they launch enterprises without any end in sight. It is not so much the start as the finish of a journey that counts. Each little move should bring you nearer the goal which you planned to reach before the enterprise began.

Lack of Perseverance is nothing but the lack of the Will To Do. It takes the same energy to say, "I will continue," as to say, "I give up." Just the moment you say the latter you shut off your dynamo, and your determination is gone. Every time you allow your determination to be broken you weaken it. Don't forget this. Just the instant you notice your determination beginning to weaken, concentrate on it and by sheer Will Power make it continue on the "job."

Never try to make a decision when you are not in a calm state of mind. If in a "quick temper," you are likely to say things you afterwards regret. In anger, you follow impulse rather than reason. No one can expect to achieve success if he makes decisions when not in full control of his mental forces.

The Mental Demand seems an unreal power because it is intangible; but it is the mightiest power in the world. It is a power that is free for you to use. No one can use it for you. The Mental Demand is not a visionary one. It is a potent force, which you can use freely without cost. When you are in doubt it will counsel you. It will guide you when you are uncertain. When you are in fear it will give you courage. It is the motive power which supplies the energies necessary to the achievement of the purpose. You have a large storehouse of possibilities. The Mental Demand makes possibilities realities. It supplies everything necessary for the accomplishment, It selects the tools and instructs how to use them. It makes you understand the situation. Every time you make a Mental Demand you strengthen the brain centers by drawing to you external forces.

If you want a great deal you must demand a great deal. Once you make your demand, anticipate its fulfillment.