User:SokeCalkins

Shodai Soke Bruce D. Calkins has been in the Martial Arts for over 40 years. Soke began his training in 1968 with Sifu Lei Tai Soong of the Toledo Kung-Fu Academy in Toledo, Ohio. Due to the extensive traveling of his family Soke studied in several styles over the years. Soke Calkins's Step Father Played Professional Baseball and this moved him around a lot. Soke stayed with Sifu Soong until 1970 and reached the rank of Red Sash in Shaolin Kung-Fu and the 5 animal styles. Soke's favorites were the Crane, Snake, Monkey, Mantis and Monkey. This training was full time and even at the young age, Soke was dedicated to his training. With the support of his parents, Soke trained sometimes 5-6 days a week with Sifu Soong.

Later Soke did other training in Kung-Fu adding to this training In his early teens he began training in Qi-Gong. With Soke's feelings about hurting people he began training in Iron Shirt Qi-Gung. A mystical style that leaves the body able to receive the hardest blows with little or no effect. This way Soke could take the hits and not get angry from Pain. It kept his Mind clear to talk his way out instead of having to hurt someone. This style of defense was important to Soke. With Iron shirt he could get hit and not have to hit back. Later he learned other ways of doing the same thing.

In 1976 Soke was in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. and trained under Master instructor Tamio Kimura at the "Way of Life" Dojo. This Dojo Trained in Aikido. A new way to not hurt. Soke was impressed by the use of the others movements to defend instead of hard contact defense. Soke Trained here until 1978 when he was awarded his 1st degree black in this style.

In November of 1978 Soke found himself in Garland Tx. Here he met Master David Frost of the Black Star Ninjitsu Academy. This was a live in academy and Soke lived and trained at the academy for until August of 1979. Soke's Mother was taken from this world when he was very young. Soke was raised by his grandmother who also supported his training and helped him live and reach for his dream.

Soke Calkins trained on his own for a few years passing on his training to all who were interested. In 1980 Soke formed the style of Golden Dragon Karate. A Blend of his training over the years.

In the fall of 1980 Soke Calkins joined the few and the proud with the United States Marine Corp. Soke Calkins trained in Parris Island then in Quanico Va. Training as 8541 a Scout Sniper. Soke then returned to Parris Island to finish out his tour in 1984.

In 84-85 Soke taught with several other schools Learning their styles and systems and adding this training to his own.

In 1994 Soke Calkins met Sensei David Mason in a style called Yami-Umi-Do. Yami-Umi-Do was formed by Shihan Mark Wagner of Rochester, Ny. Sensei mason was one of his students & instructors. Soke was impressed with Sensei Mason's teaching style and ideals. Sensei Mason invited Then "Sensei" Calkins to teach with him in N. Chili, Ny. Sensei Mason also held a Black Belt in Isshin-Ryu Karate under the training of Master Joe Jennings. Working with one of the instructors of Yami-Umi-Do Soke also trained in the style of Ryu-Kai a blended style called "Style of Styles." Soke achieved a 2nd Degree Black Belt in this system.

In 1995 Soke met and taught with Sensei Robert Koch & Sensei Mark Acquard of Warrior Self-Defense. Warrior Self-Defense was a blend of Kenpo Karate & Bruce Lee's Jeet-Kune-Do. Sensei Koch & Sensei Acquard were impressed with Soke's ability to work with people specially children. Soke trained and assisted in the Corfu School and then when Sensei Koch opened his Alden, NY school, Soke became Sensei Koch's Head Youth Instructor and helped open and manage Sensei Koch’s new school. In all of my years of training I would have to say that... "My time spent with Sensei Robert Koch & Sensei Mark Acquard was the best Martial Arts Experience of my life." "Sensei Koch & Sensei Acquard are two of the best trained Martial Artists I have ever had the honor of training with and I feel their training increased my ability and speed 100%."

In the spring of 2001 Soke had a slip and fall that broke his back at L5-S1. This put Soke out of training for a short while. Soke tried to get back to training in the spring of 2003. During this time he studied the manuals of all the other systems he had trained in working on creating his own system. Blending all of his training and ideas Soke finally found what he was looking for.

In the summer of 2004 Soke after all of the years found the name for what he was going to teach and formed. "Fusho-Satori-Ryu" "The Art Of Unborn Enlightenment". Looking back on the teachings of Master Bankei (a Zen Monk). Showing the "Action without Action" ideals. Soke has been teaching the ways of Mushin (no Thought) for over 25 years and this is just what he had been talking about. On August 18th 2004 master Instructor Bruce D. Calkins was honored by the Sokeship council of the "Eagle Federation" as "Shodai Soke" Founder of Fusho-Satori-Ryu.

Soke Calkins has continued his training to include rankings in Takada Jikoboei Do Kempo from Renshi Paul Corrigan of the UK, Okinawan Kuma-Ryu Karate Jutsu With Renshi Robert Sterling of St. Petersburg, Fl. USA, Street Fucus ( Full Contact Unarmed System ) / LAKAN/MuaySagravvate, a Filipino innovated, simplified practical martial arts from the Asian Brotherhood of Lethal Defense Intl under the direction of Renshi Nelson Vargas of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, and Combat Kenpo from Renshi Joel White, of Manchester, CT. More about these affiliates can be found on our instructor’s page found on our Web Site.

Soke Calkins has been published several times in the Magazine “Martial Arts Professional and Martial Arts Success” With the latest released in July’s 2004 issue. For over 40 years Soke Bruce Calkins has worked to bring the best of the Martial Arts World to you. And He Will Never Stop ! !

On July 19th 2008 Shodai Soke Calkins was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award by the "United Martial Arts Alliance" The Award was given to Soke Calkins by Professor / Renshi Robert Koch of The International Black Belt Academy in Alden, NY along with a Personal Phone Call from Kyoshi Robert Austin, The President of UMAA.

On this day Soke also celebrated his 40th Year Anniversary in the Martial Arts.

Soke Calkins and The Golden Dragon Dojo were named "School of the Year" 2008 by The Deversified League of Martial Artist. http://dlma.iwarp.com/index.html