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zenyogi,<br><br>What a great opportunity to have

studied with Benny the Jet. I believe he retired

undefeated. Correct? I studied in Chicago for some time at

the Degerberg Academy of MArtial Arts. It was

basically Jeet Kune Do although it was referred to as the

Degerberg Blend. While there as well as the regular "blend"

classes which borrowed from many different martial arts

including Kali, Muay Thai, Kenpo, Boxing, Judo, Jui-Jitsu,

Savate, Wing Chun,<br>Kickboxing, grappling I also took

classes specifically in Penchak Silat (again Spelling?)

which is an indonisian martial art, Savate and Muay

Thai. I also studied Jeet Kune Do in Las Vegas with a

student of Richard Bastillo. I also boxed while living in

Houston.<br><br>Although I loved the martail arts and my friends at the

various schools, the moving from city to city and

instructor to instructor eventually brought frustration. I

felt that I was on the path with one instructor and

then business would take me elsewhere and I'd have to

spend time seeking out another qualified instructor. Of

course, there's that problem with astanga as well, but we

always have our personal practice to get us through. I

will say though that moving around keeps one humbel.

Because at one school you may be near black belt or

actually a black belt, but once you move to a new school

your smack dab all the way down at white belt again.

Talk about beginners mind. But then again, a belt

really shows nothing. Its what one has learned and can

apply.<br><br>Also, I suffered a few injuries (knees mostly but the

occasional broken rib, toe etc.) and yoga helped me recover

from them. After a while I decided rather than beating

up my body through combat I'd rather heal it and

treat it with respect. Thus, I walked away from the

martail arts world. I have the utmost respect for it and

those who practice them, but I've never regretted my

decision once.<br><br>Back to your statement about the Jet

Center. I bet it was great to witness the people that

came through those

doors.<br><br>respectfully,<br><br>ishogun