Dr. Jerry WineBrenner - Soke
Co-Founder
Tai Ki BuDo Kai Martial Arts Federation 1983
The martial arts can be one of the most important training's you will ever undertake.
When I was just a 14 year old I was riding my bicycle down the street from the first McDonald's restaurant we had in town. Hamburgers were 15 cents. Seems so long ago! Almost 50 years as of this writing in the fall of 2011.
I witnessed something crazy. This big kid was throwing himself around on the sidewalk in front of a judo school. My twin brother was with me. We stopped to see what was going on. The kid, Garrett, was demonstrating how to do some rolling and falling techniques they use in his judo and jujutsu classes.
After watching and asking tons of questions he gave us a business card that we could use to get a free lesson if we had permission from our parents to do so. Of course we rode home as fast as we could and asked for permission and then sped back to the school to have our first lesson in judo.
Being a geeky little kid with two left feet and four thumbs on each hand I was excited to be learning how to do some sport the other kids, in our neighborhood, didn't know. I was never any good at baseball or football and played basketball like a girl, so my older brother said. But this judo thing was different. I liked it because it made me feel like I was in control of my success and accomplishments. All I needed was lots of practice and determination. Well it took all of that and lots more but I never quit learning. Even today I still learn something from every class I teach or attend.
It took me around 7 years to reach a black belt level in both judo and jujutsu. I learned other styles as well over the first 20 years or so.
Then in 1983 I was granted permission to build my own styles. Opportunity was knocking and I opened the door and let it in. Soon after receiving my sokeship recognition my twin brother and I founded the TKBK martial arts federation. My twin brother was my appointed successor until he also received a sokeship recognition for his aikido style. He resigned from the successor appointment as soon as I found a replacement. What was interesting about us both being soke's is that we are the only identical twins, in the history of the arts, that ever received such recognition. It was written about in several publications of the different arts in many different countries. I only wish I had copies of the articles I was told about by martial arts friends. Soke-NiDai Johnson did tell of one such story about a martial arts successor from Okinawa who had talked about the twin sokes. He was excited to meet Soke Johnson as he, Soke Johnson, was the successor to one of the "twin sokes". Soke Johnson spoke the Okinawan language which allowed them to have a good conversation. It pleased Soke Johnson that this Soke-dai from Okinawa had known who his instructor was.
Many years of study and great people have been a big part of this journey. I continue to learn, teach and share the martial arts principles that all martial arts are built upon. Every move whether it be defense or offense has to be done with the correct principles to be effective. If you do not have a solid foundation in your stance you will not have power in your technique. If you are easily distracted physically or mentally you will not be effective in protecting yourself or your family.
The principles needed in effective martial arts are the same tools you need to be successful in any venture of your life. Learn to keep your focus on the things that carry your forward towards your goals. Learn to move properly to keep your body in balance. Learn to see the good in others and yourself and be thankful for them. Live in Gratitude not anger or jealously. Become the person you have always wanted to be! Of course there is allot more to it then that but you get the picture.
I witnessed something crazy. This big kid was throwing himself around on the sidewalk in front of a judo school. My twin brother was with me. We stopped to see what was going on. The kid, Garrett, was demonstrating how to do some rolling and falling techniques they use in his judo and jujutsu classes.
After watching and asking tons of questions he gave us a business card that we could use to get a free lesson if we had permission from our parents to do so. Of course we rode home as fast as we could and asked for permission and then sped back to the school to have our first lesson in judo.
Being a geeky little kid with two left feet and four thumbs on each hand I was excited to be learning how to do some sport the other kids, in our neighborhood, didn't know. I was never any good at baseball or football and played basketball like a girl, so my older brother said. But this judo thing was different. I liked it because it made me feel like I was in control of my success and accomplishments. All I needed was lots of practice and determination. Well it took all of that and lots more but I never quit learning. Even today I still learn something from every class I teach or attend.
It took me around 7 years to reach a black belt level in both judo and jujutsu. I learned other styles as well over the first 20 years or so.
Then in 1983 I was granted permission to build my own styles. Opportunity was knocking and I opened the door and let it in. Soon after receiving my sokeship recognition my twin brother and I founded the TKBK martial arts federation. My twin brother was my appointed successor until he also received a sokeship recognition for his aikido style. He resigned from the successor appointment as soon as I found a replacement. What was interesting about us both being soke's is that we are the only identical twins, in the history of the arts, that ever received such recognition. It was written about in several publications of the different arts in many different countries. I only wish I had copies of the articles I was told about by martial arts friends. Soke-NiDai Johnson did tell of one such story about a martial arts successor from Okinawa who had talked about the twin sokes. He was excited to meet Soke Johnson as he, Soke Johnson, was the successor to one of the "twin sokes". Soke Johnson spoke the Okinawan language which allowed them to have a good conversation. It pleased Soke Johnson that this Soke-dai from Okinawa had known who his instructor was.
Many years of study and great people have been a big part of this journey. I continue to learn, teach and share the martial arts principles that all martial arts are built upon. Every move whether it be defense or offense has to be done with the correct principles to be effective. If you do not have a solid foundation in your stance you will not have power in your technique. If you are easily distracted physically or mentally you will not be effective in protecting yourself or your family.
The principles needed in effective martial arts are the same tools you need to be successful in any venture of your life. Learn to keep your focus on the things that carry your forward towards your goals. Learn to move properly to keep your body in balance. Learn to see the good in others and yourself and be thankful for them. Live in Gratitude not anger or jealously. Become the person you have always wanted to be! Of course there is allot more to it then that but you get the picture.
Dr. Jerry WineBrenner N.D., D. N. H.
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