Tavo C. Crutchfield, Sensei
I was probably like any other child of the late 70's and early 80's that was raised by a single parent. Meaning I needed to grow up fairly quickly and be somewhat responsible for myself. I was a latchkey kid. Television was my main source entertainment as a child, in the morning before school and in the evening before bed, after I had completed my chores and homework of course.
One day, while I was being the remote for my father we stumbled across a T.V. series that would change my life forever. The show was Kung Fu with the late, great David Carradine. He portrayed a shaolin monk that had come from his native China to America to conquer bad guys with his powerful Kung Fu. From that first episode I was hooked. Martial arts were going to be BIG in my life.
I vividly recall being awed by the moves and techniques that he had performed in the show every single week. If you happen to be younger than about 40, you might not remember this awesome show - I highly recommend checking it out. It was pivotal for martial arts in America.
My childhood obsession grew - I wanted to be a Shaolin monk. My father, an accomplished martial artist, had neither the time nor the patience to train a young child. After converting several of his gardening tools into kung fu weapons and bringing justice to the yard by severely wounding several fruit trees it was clear that I needed an outlet for my energy. Given the option between sports or karate I didn’t even blink.
My father found a competent teacher that had the skills to train a precocious, young martial artist who couldn’t tell you the difference between kenpo or kung fu but had a passion to learn. That man was Terry Hall, AKA Mano (Which means shark in Hawaiian). Grandmaster Hall trained directly under the late, legendary Professa William K. S. Chow. My father was a remarkable instructor in his own right and I clearly recall him being taken aback by the skill of Grandmaster Hall. And so my training began with the Grandmaster, under the leadership of Shihan Harris (A phenomenal Kepoist with hands of stone, also in Professa Chows lineage.)
I had the privilege of training under Shihan Harris and Grandmaster Hall from 1981 to 1993, two remarkable men who laid the foundation of my life in Kenpo. I trained using the old methods and hardened my body in ways that very few do anymore. I learned methods that stayed with me and have influenced my training and my teaching, even today.
This brings me back full circle to my father, who had neither the time nor the patience for passing childhood fads. I’ve learned since then that he wanted to allow me the freedom to choose my own path. After 12 years of training with distinguished martial artists my choice regarding my path was clear, and my father asked if I was ready to begin my training with him. I said “of course” and began to tell him of all the things I had mastered. His reply was “Yes, you have developed your body, conditioned your shins and your arms, and learned very effective self defense techniques. However,” he said “you’re still wasting valuable energy in sparring and when doing techniques.” I was puzzled to say the least as I had received top honors in my early training and was doted on by both the Grandmaster and the Shihan for out performing my peers in almost every area of practice. My ego was bruised. My father knew I had potential and said as much. I was certain that I had it all figured out - I was a Nidan at the time with 12 solid years of experience. I even had the blessing of Professa Chow on my shodan. What was it exactly that I didn’t understand?
Chuckling at my naivety, he put his closed hand gently against my chest and opened his fingers. I was knocked clear off my foundation with such incredible force that I could see my own knees and feet as I flew through the air landing flat on my back like I had been kicked by a mule - just by opening his hand!
This simple gesture changed my life forever, where before I had a passion, I now had an obsession. I had been learning a martial art but was about to embark on a journey through a MARTIAL SCIENCE. I trained with my father from 1993 to this passing in 2004 and will always owe him a debt of gratitude. I sometimes wonder what my relationship with the martial arts would be if not for my father, I don’t even want to imagine it. I miss you dad!
Tavo C. Crutchfield, Sensei
6th Dan Kenpo
C.M.S.T. Shiatsu Therapist
One day, while I was being the remote for my father we stumbled across a T.V. series that would change my life forever. The show was Kung Fu with the late, great David Carradine. He portrayed a shaolin monk that had come from his native China to America to conquer bad guys with his powerful Kung Fu. From that first episode I was hooked. Martial arts were going to be BIG in my life.
I vividly recall being awed by the moves and techniques that he had performed in the show every single week. If you happen to be younger than about 40, you might not remember this awesome show - I highly recommend checking it out. It was pivotal for martial arts in America.
My childhood obsession grew - I wanted to be a Shaolin monk. My father, an accomplished martial artist, had neither the time nor the patience to train a young child. After converting several of his gardening tools into kung fu weapons and bringing justice to the yard by severely wounding several fruit trees it was clear that I needed an outlet for my energy. Given the option between sports or karate I didn’t even blink.
My father found a competent teacher that had the skills to train a precocious, young martial artist who couldn’t tell you the difference between kenpo or kung fu but had a passion to learn. That man was Terry Hall, AKA Mano (Which means shark in Hawaiian). Grandmaster Hall trained directly under the late, legendary Professa William K. S. Chow. My father was a remarkable instructor in his own right and I clearly recall him being taken aback by the skill of Grandmaster Hall. And so my training began with the Grandmaster, under the leadership of Shihan Harris (A phenomenal Kepoist with hands of stone, also in Professa Chows lineage.)
I had the privilege of training under Shihan Harris and Grandmaster Hall from 1981 to 1993, two remarkable men who laid the foundation of my life in Kenpo. I trained using the old methods and hardened my body in ways that very few do anymore. I learned methods that stayed with me and have influenced my training and my teaching, even today.
This brings me back full circle to my father, who had neither the time nor the patience for passing childhood fads. I’ve learned since then that he wanted to allow me the freedom to choose my own path. After 12 years of training with distinguished martial artists my choice regarding my path was clear, and my father asked if I was ready to begin my training with him. I said “of course” and began to tell him of all the things I had mastered. His reply was “Yes, you have developed your body, conditioned your shins and your arms, and learned very effective self defense techniques. However,” he said “you’re still wasting valuable energy in sparring and when doing techniques.” I was puzzled to say the least as I had received top honors in my early training and was doted on by both the Grandmaster and the Shihan for out performing my peers in almost every area of practice. My ego was bruised. My father knew I had potential and said as much. I was certain that I had it all figured out - I was a Nidan at the time with 12 solid years of experience. I even had the blessing of Professa Chow on my shodan. What was it exactly that I didn’t understand?
Chuckling at my naivety, he put his closed hand gently against my chest and opened his fingers. I was knocked clear off my foundation with such incredible force that I could see my own knees and feet as I flew through the air landing flat on my back like I had been kicked by a mule - just by opening his hand!
This simple gesture changed my life forever, where before I had a passion, I now had an obsession. I had been learning a martial art but was about to embark on a journey through a MARTIAL SCIENCE. I trained with my father from 1993 to this passing in 2004 and will always owe him a debt of gratitude. I sometimes wonder what my relationship with the martial arts would be if not for my father, I don’t even want to imagine it. I miss you dad!
Tavo C. Crutchfield, Sensei
6th Dan Kenpo
C.M.S.T. Shiatsu Therapist