Teachers and Mentors
OF JOHN DE ANZO
"There are many different paths of evolution and enlightenment. This particular path has brought me to study with different masters, and their generosity, compassion, knowledge and experience has been shared with me. Many of these masters felt that I may do something with these teachings and training. My wish is to share what they have taught me with others so that they may find similar joy and riches while embarking on this path. Though for most, it may not seem an easy path, when done properly, it will enable the journeyer to fully experience and learn about themselves and about others and to be able to unlock many skills and gifts that they were unaware of, enriching their lives and the lives of others as it has my own." - John De Anzo
Japanese Martial Arts Teachers
John started his training in Martial Arts at the early age of nine, learning Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Karate from the Zen Bei Butoku Kai in Marina, California, run by Professor John Chowhoon. He later went on to study and teach several different forms of Japanese Martial Arts: Kodokan Judo, Kodenkan and Danzan Ryu Jujutsu, Shorinjiryu Karate, Shotokan Karate, and Weaponry. John continued his training in Martial Arts, intensively studying Daito Ryu Aikido and Hakurou Aikijutsu.
Professor John Chowhoon
John began his practice of martial arts studying with the famous martial artist, Professor John Chowhoon, from Hawaii. For the next ten years, John also practiced other forms of Japanese Martial Arts with Professor Chowhoon including Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and traditional Japanese weaponry. Professor Chowhoon would be the first of many extraordinary teachers and mentors that John would have in his life.
Sensei Melton Andrew Alvi
After stepping away from training for a few years after high school, John revisited his martial art training, meeting one of John Chowhoon's assistant instructors and successors, Sensei Melton Andrew Alvi. Sensei Mel was the owner of the Black Dragon Martial Arts Store and Monterey Police Supply. He would soon have John teaching Jut-Jitsu and mixed martial arts at Instructor Alvi's facility. They quickly became close friends and colleagues. During the time spent with Sensei Alvi, John was introduced to the art of Hakurou Aiki-Jujutsu.
While John was training with Sensei Mel he introduced him to Police Sergeant John Sammis and Police Chief Ron Langford. Through this association, John went on to teach defensive tactics at the local Police Academy along with these three instructors, teaching at Sammis Defense Systems, founded by Soke John Sammis.
Sensei Danielle Evans
Sensei Danielle Evans (aka. Sensei Danielle Moles Smith) is a 7th degree Aikido Practitioner. John was introduced to her through Sensei Mel and studied for a couple of years at her facility Aikido of Monterey. It was while training at her facility that John met Sifu Robert Blasedale who was a second degree Aikido practitioner there. Sifu Blasedale was one of Dr. Johnson's senior students at the time, training in the arts of Baguazhang and Chen Style Tijiquan. This would begin John's journey into Chinese Martial Arts.
Filipino Martial Arts Teachers
While John was working as a Martial Arts Instructor, leading trainings and demonstrations at a police academy and martial arts supply center, he met Amelia Davis Brown, an American Karate practitioner and Filipino Eskrimadora. Due to her association in Filipino arts, she later introduced John to her teachers and mentors. John had the pleasure of meeting and attending seminars with these masters. While living in Hawaii, John and Amelia founded the Bahala-Na Hawaii Chapter on the Big Island.
Guro Amelia Davis
Guro Amelia Davis was John's principal teacher in the Filipino Martial Arts. She was the first female certified to teach in the Bahala-Na system under Grandmaster Leo Giron. Amelia introduced John to the Filipino art of stick fighting and Korean Karate, and he would continue his studies with her for many years to come.
Guro David Hines
Guro David Hines leads the Bahala-Na Club in Monterey Bay, California. He was Guro Amelia Davis' principal teacher.
Grandmaster Tony Somera
Grandmaster Tony Somera was the lead instructor for the Bahalana Association, under Grandmaster Leo Giron.
Grandmaster Leo Giron
Grandmaster Leo Giron was the founder of Giron-Arnis Eskrima and the Bahala-Na systems (Bahala-Na meaning "come what may").
Pak Herman & Dan Inosanto
Pak Herman was the founder of Padepokan Pencak Silat Suwanda Academy in Indonesia. While living in Hawaii, John had the pleasure and honor of meeting and attending a seminar with Pak Herman and his wife, Shannon.
John also had the pleasure of attending week-long seminars in Los Angeles at the Dan Inosanto Acacemy, with his Eskrima Instructor Amelia Davis. Dan Inosanto was one of Bruce Lee's close friends and colleagues. Pak Herman and Dan Inosanto were associates of one another.
Michael Del Mar
While living on the Big Island of Hawaii, John had the honor and pleasure of meeting Grand Master Michael Del Mar and his wife, Master Eskrimadora Joey Del Mar and attending his seminars in Hawaii.
Grand Master Del Mar was the founder of Del Mar School of Filipino Martial Arts on the island of Oahu.
Chinese Martial Arts Teachers
John has intensively studyed Baguazhang, Chen Family Taijiquan, and Chinese Spear and Staff Fighting. He has studied the Wu Dang System of Chinese Martial Arts, focusing on Yang Style Taiji and Baguazhang.
Sifu Robert Blasedale
While studying at the Monterey Bay Aikido Studio, John met Sifu Robert Blasedale who introduced him to Chinese Martial Arts, including Baguazhang (Eight Trigram Palm), Chen family Taijiquan (Supreme Ultimate Boxing), and Chinese spear and staff fighting.
Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson
www.daoistmagic.com
Sifu Blasedale introduced John to his teacher, Sifu Johnson beginning John's studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In addition to continuing to learn various Chinese Martial Arts techinques from Dr. Johnson, John was also taught fire cupping, bone setting, and bone manipulation. Sifu Johnson went on to become a close teacher, mentor and friend to John, bringing him further into the world of energetic medicine and spiritual transformation. See more information about Sifu Johnson below...
Dr. William Welch
www.3celestialfires.com/home.html
Dr. William Welch is John's Daoist brother and Kung Fu training parter. John and Dr. Welch have trained together in the arts of Baguazhang and Tajiquan.
Energetic Medicine & Spiritual Transformation Teachers
Studies in Energetic Medicine, Spiritual Transformation, and Esoteric Mystical Practices from the traditions of Daoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism
Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson
www.daoistmagic.com
In addition to John's studies in Martial Arts with Sifu Johnson, he has also studied Medical Qigong and Spiritual Transformation. Under Sifu Johnson's tutelage John received his doctorate in Chinese Medicine and Chinese Energetic Medicine as well as his first and second level ordination as a Daoist priest.
John and Sifu Johnson became close friends over the years and continue their friendship to this day.
Lama Lar
larcshort.com
While studying with Sifu Johnson, John was introduced to Lama Lar, studying the Nyingma, Bon magical tradition and its spiritual healing practices. When John first met Lama Lar and his wife Paige they were at the wedding rehearsal for Dr. Jerry and Erika Johnson. Lama Lar asked John how old he was, to which John replied, "I am 54." Lama Lar looked at his wife and said, "How 'bout them 54 year olds." He then turned to John and lovingly said, "More like 500 years old." John responded to this saying, "I am wondering what went wrong!" This sparked John's interest and began his studies and brief association with Lama Lar and his teachings. John continues to share these teachings, stories, philosophies, and spiritual healing techniques with others today.
Pratap Lama
Pratap Lama is a well known Nepalese artist and Hindu-Buddhist practitioner. John met him at his art gallery in Pacific Grove, CA. During their first introduction Pratap came up to John and said, "My brother, I haven't seen you in forever." to which John replied, "You must be thinking of someone else.I am actually a Daoist Priest and I came to visit your store." Pratap looked at John, laughed and said, "You are not Daoist, you are Buddhist. You must have forgotten." With that Pratap took out his daily prayer book and said, "Perhaps this will remind you of who you were," and went over the prayer book with him. Pratap then invited John to continue to come whenever possible to remind him of the healing traditions that were taught. Pratap was always very kind to John, sharing his spiritual healing practices, along with the teachings and his artwork.