Grandmaster Sky Benson
I Teach a specialized skill set of Science and the relation of movement within certain angles of attack and evasion as well as Body Bio-Mechanics and Dynamic Footwork.
I do not teach a specific Martial Art, I teach how to become a Martial Artist as everyone moves differently under Duress and to be able to "create" you bypass the long learning curve of traditional Martial Art Forms even though they are what is needed for a strong foundation. We refer to this Science as an Application Technology, with these skill sets any untrained individual can grasp the concepts of combat and feel "empowered" but to truly understand the science of fighting and combat you need to seek Trained and Forged Instructors and train hard yourself.
I say this because without the proper foundation and understanding much will be lost in the perceived translation of the Science.
One must train for years to "master" your own body and to have it act to a perceived threat instantly, understanding the concepts is the first level but without the "proper continued training" the mindset and reaction time will be lost.
I began my martial art training well over 40 years ago at the age of 9 in 5 Animal Shaolin Kung Fu as well as a few basic Karate classes and within 5 years by the age of 15 I was a respected point competition champion in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas. I made a practice out of visiting other schools to check out any potential competition and entered into many freestyle open sparring night competitions.
By age 20, I was an accomplished Martial Artist and had learned valuable lessons I continue to teach today, such as, the lesson "don't rely only on your eyes to see or your ears to hear to guide you.”
The study of "death touch”, "dim mak" or kinetic energy transfer changed the way I see fighting and after seeing this with my own eyes I had to do this also so it put me on a path to learn the principles and breathing exercises of Chi Gung and Iron Palm also known as Poison Hand which after years of practice and studying I can now perform a lot of the same breaking feats with Bricks and Stones.
Notwithstanding, I was taught how to breath correctly and use Chi and the physics of leverage which opened my eyes to the basis of oriental medicine and other scientific principles of how the body functions. Encouraging me to be unconventional but an intelligent fighter, first and foremost.
To this day I have earned the Rank of 9th Dan and have been given the distinction of Grandmaster as well as being on the council of the International Fighting Arts Association Black Dragon Fighting Society and the Traditional World Karate Association.
I have also trained and earned my blackbelt in the Israeli Martial Arts of KRAV MAGA and KAPAP within the IKA under Jacov Bresler and Have earned a Black belt in the Street Smart Survival System he created.
I have since Created my own style and teachings of Martial Science and Close Quarter Combat authorized to me by the the National Karate & Jiu-Jitsu Federation
I have been lucky thru my training and to continue training to this day 47 years later, I have been involved with the Navy, Army ROTC programs and LAPD, I have trained and have trained with Navy Seals, Green Berets, and other Special forces personnel as well as the US Secret Service. I have fought in the streets and In the ring, I have used my skills in bars and clubs as either a bouncer or Security.
To teach so many great Martial Artists and to train with many Masters and Grandmasters Worldwide, I have learned a lot, but most importantly, I understand the different aspects of fighting, the differences in Combat, Sport and Self Defense and know the limitations and/or strengths of each.
to that end I would like to share my outlook on the way we need to train for Combat.
When it comes to Combat or to be StreetWise we have to understand that there is no place for Sport as we see in many Karate and MMA Schools or Arrest and Control as in Police or the Security field, as it is our Life that is on the line. We must be aware of our surroundings at all times, understand where we are and the items or things around us that can be used as an obstacle or weapon if need be.
Not to say that we must be on alert at all times but just by being aware we can see a problem before it starts and find a way to
de-escalate the situation or attack or defend if need be.
In martial arts we as human beings tend to find empowerment in the training we receive in class but the truth is the art form you are studying is just that “an Art Form” its a way to understand correct movements and posture but is not necessarily meant for combat as combat is always changing depending on the surroundings or environment. Each person thinks and trains in a way to make the individual stronger and mentally capable of differences in threat levels.
Being able to Create or in other words, use your Art Form to create the movements that make you an individual with freedom of expression and movement makes you an artist, Who you are made from, what you have learned. The essence of being a warrior is putting it all together to make oneself the master of himself not a copy of the instructor or students but becoming one with himself to know your limits and weaknesses and to know how to empower yourself to work within your own personal limitations, know your strengths and weaknesses and have the correct mindset to put yourself into action if need be or to help your family or loved ones when in trouble.
Looking pretty or being fancy is great for a competition but the reality is, Street Fighting or Combat is never pretty and there will always be the unguarded moment to take into account.
We must use feints, broken rhythm and timing or Syncopation of movements, Dynamic footwork and understanding of Body Bio Mechanics to fully gain the knowledge necessary to put any art form into action or reality.
Full Contact or Full Speed training is necessary in any combatives course as this helps to understand distancing and timing but without proper conditioning or Trauma Training we leave our bodies vulnerable.
Trauma training is one of the most important aspects of combat training as we need to train our mind and bodies to what Pain really is because if the brain has never felt or experienced something it will need to shut down in order for it to make the adjustment necessary to continue without further harm to it, so, we must endure the pain in training hard so our brains understand what pain is, our brains need to know how the body should respond under a difficult or painful experience or we will shut down curl up in fetal position and wait till the beating has stopped, this is the meaning of “the way is in the training”. not in learning new techniques but perfecting ones own natural weapons.
Remember to always be prepared and always be aware of your surroundings first and then understand the Dynamics of conflict and conflict resolution before jumping to action.
Qualifications
Weapons:
Knife, Gun, Sword, Sticks, Bo Staff, Kamas, Sai, Nunchucks, ASP, Kuboton
Specialities:
CQC, Body Bio Dynamics, Dynamic Footwork, Knife and Gun Retention and Disarm, Urban and Military Combat, Iron Palm
Some of my accomplishments:
1975 - 1977 - Started Martial Arts in the YMCA and learned the basics of Karate
1977 - 1981 - (Red Sash, Teenager Sifu) Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu Sifu Chu YMCA
1980 - 1983 - (Black Belt Teenager) Grand Champion Points Competitor
1981 - 1984 - (2nd Degree Black Belt) Goju Ryu, Jiu Jitsu with Master Charles Fisher
1984 - 1986 - (2nd Degree Black Belt) Tae Kwon Do, Yong Do Won, Tang Soo Do with Master Robert James LAPD
1986 - 2024 - (Grandmaster) Dux Ryu Martial Sciences / Dux FASST (No Longer Affiliated)
1991 - Correspondence Online University
2000 - 2009 - Competed in many tournaments won some lost some but learned what works and what doesn't
2005 - Received Phd in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis in Chiropractic
2009 - Inducted USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame
2009 - Inducted US Martial Arts Hall of Fame and Brought into the Black Dragon Fighting Society
2009 - First authorized FASST Dux Ryu Master Instructor (No Longer Affiliated)
2010 - Inducted USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Hall of Heroes
2010 - (Level A Instructor) KAPAP by Jacov Bressler and Moshe Galisko
2011 - (Master) Iron Palm/Poison Hand by Grandmaster Lawerence Day BDFS
2012 - Appointed to GrandMasters Council in the Official Black Dragon Fighting Society
2012 - Citation of Valor from House of Representatives
2012 - Awarded Rank of Kentucky Colonel Lexington Kentucky
2013 - Promoted to Grandmaster in Dux Ryu under Hanshi Frank Dux (No Longer Affiliated)
2014 - (Level B Instructor) KAPAP by Jacov Bressler and Moshe Galisko
2015 - Appointed Soke Dai Dux Ryu Martial Sciences (successor) (No Longer Affiliated)
2016 - Traveled the World doing Martial Science Seminars
2017 - Promoted to 9th Dan in the Traditional Karate Association under Victor Moore
2020 - Promoted to Black Belt in The Street Smart Survival System under Jacov Bressler
2021 - 2023 Traveled and taught over 25 Combat related seminars around the Globe Including, Police, Military and Secret Service
2024 - Inducted into FIMA Federation of Israeli Martial Arts for Excellence in Teaching
2024 - Created the System - American Martial Science - Authorized by: the National Karate & Jiu-Jitsu Federation
2024 to - Present - Continued Training and Doing Martial Science Seminars World Wide
