Social Science

Part one of a two part interview-  Conversation will be concluded in part two

Dr. Kevin Keough, clinical psychologist and host of North Star Guardians and Warrior Traditions, interviews Kyoshi Gary Moro of Yachigusa-Ryu Aiki-Bugei Dojo in San Francisco, CA.

Gary Moro started his martial arts training with Hiroshi Yachigusa in 1975. His studies began with the art of Aikijutsu, based on the system developed by Yachigusa Sensei's family which had been influenced by Jukishin-Ryu, Shinkage-Ryu and various other Japanese sword and spear arts.

 

In traditional Japanese Ryu there are no belts to represent promotions, and Hiroshi Yachigusa did not believe in awarding certificates to denote achievement. Though not his custom, in 1989 he granted Gary Moro to the rank of Kyoshi (instructor).

During his martial arts career, Kyoshi Moro has also studied various other martial arts, including Karate, Judo, Kenpo, Arnis, and two forms of Kung Fu. Though he has over 30 years of training in the martial arts, he still considers himself a student of them. Always interested in learning new information, Gary Moro continues to attend numerous martial arts seminars each year, exposing himself to different arts, philosophies, and martial technique.

Some of the instructors he has trained with formally are: Neil Laughin (Judo), Joseph Wong (Long Fist Kung Fu), Michael Daivs (Serrada Eskrima), Ralph Castro (Kenpo), Joseph Halbuna (Kajukenbo), Kenneth Leung (Kung Fu) Tobias Johnston (Karate/Kobudo), Joseph McCullan (Western Boxing) and Kyong Lee (Kuk Soo Won). 

Visit Kyoshi Moro's website and blog.

Dr. Kevin Keough, clinical psychologist and host of North Star Guardians and Warrior Traditions  interviews Mr. Marc "Animal" MacYoung about martial arts, self defense, and warrior training.

Marc MacYoung has been called a Renaissance man in the study and management of violence. He has more then 35 years of training in 8 different martial arts systems including wing chun and Tai Chi. Perhaps, more importantly he has 47 years of experience in training in city jungles. Mr. MacYoung is the author of 15 books and 7 DVD's covering a broad range of topics in self-defense. He provides training to military personnel, police officers, bodyguards, and the general public.  His website, No Nonsense Self Defense is the largest and most visited web site on self-defense in the world.