Published: June 12, 2008 03:30 pm            

Two friends, Hall of Famers teaching all the right moves

By KANDACE MCCOY

For The Times Leader

McLEANSBORO — Two fast friends recently inducted to the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame have been combining their talents and knowledge to help area residents and students of Hamilton County.

For the past five years, Brian Sanders, owner of Hamilton County Martial Arts, and John Maurer have been teaching students in the martial arts.

And while both instructors believe there are misconceptions about martial arts because of television and video games, both say you will spend more time disciplining yourself for your environment and your body.

“All of [martial arts] is defense, but every bit of it is for self-preservation,” Maurer said.

Maurer is described as being “adamant about teaching self-defense, whether it be women’s self-defense, child predator awareness or having enough control to walk away” and when young students come into Hamilton County Martial Arts, he has specific goals for each.

“It’s not about whether they can come in here and fight, it’s about whether they can be a leader in this community,” Maurer explained.

Students learn through leadership: Loyalty of God, country, family and self; Enthusiasm (“You’re happy to be here); A positive attitude — in every aspect; Discipline, having the ability to act favorably without guidance; Ethically correct, knowing what to do and ding what is right; Respect —respectful of others and yourself; Self-defense, making a door in which to escape; Honor, acting favorably so others will see it; Integrity, honesty even when it’s not comfortable; and Perseverance, a “can do” attitude.

“These children are the leaders of tomorrow and we aim to give them the advantage through the courage, confidence, competence and candor as they advance through the ranks and become instructors themselves,” Maurer said.

Sanders, 28, has been studying martial arts since he was about 5 years old.

“It’s probably because of the 'Karate Kid.' To me, it’s the best martial arts story out there,” he remarked.

Sanders became a second degree Shotokan master in 1993, and holds a first degree in Ju jitsu, a second degree in Hapkido, a fourth degree in American Freestyle Karate, a seventh degree Hybrid-mixed Martial Arts, and a 10th degree in Kimedo, a technique he founded.

For Maurer, his interest spans back to the early 1970s and Bruce Lee movies. He joined the International Tae Kwon Do through Grandmaster Young Chul Rho of Decatur in 1978 at the age of 12.

Maurer is the founder of Kwan Ho Shin, a mixed martial art compiling 30 years of experience and comprised of 10 different martial arts styles, seven of which he holds black belts in. He also is co-founder of the World Combative Arts Association and is a lifetime member of the Alliance.

They spend numerous hours a month working on techniques.

“Our style is different because it is not about point sparring, or all about forms. We teach stand up and ground self-defense techniques,” Maurer said. “All my students know that the best self-defense is practiced by leaving the situation of possible. ...Martial arts is not about fighting; it is about yourself and learning to help others. Our classes include first-aid, map reading and gun safety.”

Maurer and Sanders have also trained Jody Benbrook, a Cairo police officer. What Benbrook learned, Maurer explained, saved his life. “We taught him how to disarm someone with a gun.” However, he said students have to use caution and judgment when faced with a situation like that and should not “be a Superman. It’s dangerous.”

The average time span for students to achieve a black belt is four years, Maurer added.

In addition to being inducted to the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame, both Sanders and Maurer are professors accredited through the University of Asian Martial Arts Studies. Maurer’s recent thesis, which compiled over 30 years of experience, research and college courses over the years was accepted by the Examining Committee of the Board of Directors of the University, earning him a Doctorate of Martial Arts Philosophy.

In 2009, Maurer is expected to be promoted to 10th degree Soke, in the American Martial Arts Association, when his style is due for approval for certification. He has also started a video series and a book, which is nearing completion.

• Classes at Hamilton County Martial Arts meet on Tuesday and Thursday, with mixed martial arts meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Traditional martial arts class meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There is a fee of $25 per month. Family rates are available. For more information, you may call Sanders at 201-9281 or Maurer at 736-2906.

        

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