About Master Rossi

After World War II, Master Joe Rossi brought an ancient warrior system of martial arts back to the United States of America. During the war he had many years of first hand knowledge as to what works in a life and death situation. After years of teaching local and state law enforcement agencies, he started his first school (in Bristol Connecticut) in 1968.

Mr. Rossi's methods were brutal. It was difficult to keep students. The ones that stayed however were extremely dedicated and committed to learning the fascinating art of Filipino Kun Tao. In the first two years, 176 students came and went - only 10 of us stayed!

But his school did grow. Much of this growth was due to the tremendous respect he received at tournaments and demonstrations throughout New England. The street effectiveness of Kun Tao was immediately recognized, by experienced and novice alike. Through inter-club tournaments and workshops The Rossi Academy hosted, other schools received "first hand" knowledge just how effective this art really is! Many instructors and their students walked (and sometimes limped) away with a newfound respect as to what Mr. Rossi called "DIRTY DIRTY".

About Kun Tao

Kun Tao is a southern Filipino martial art. It is an eclectic blend of multiple arts. Incorporated into this art are various throws, takedowns, eye gouging, in-fighting (head butts, elbows, knees) joint dislocations and joint destructions as well as gun and knife disarms, knife fighting, excrima, and other Kali based systems. We also possess the ability to apply tactical finger and joint locks as well as controlling techniques or "time holds". These techniques are easy to apply and will render your opponent helpless without actually injuring him.

For many years the American concept of martial arts was that the student should try to copy or look like the instructor - move like him, even try to be like him! In Filipino Kun Tao however, the concepts are exactly the opposite. Remember, blending arts is a "feeling" and not a remembered drill. By copying someone else's movements you are, in essence, not being yourself. By not being yourself, you must think of the next technique rather than feel it!

Kun Tao is an instinctive martial art - one which actually trains your body to "think". Regimented moves during a street encounter will virtually guarantee your own defeat! One can only survive a real street situation if they react, not think. The true Kun Tao master is one who is instinctive in nature and explosive in energy. This art is learned over many years of dedication. The master relies on his internal strength first, rather than copied movements, to overcome his adversaries. Kun Tao, from the very first lesson, leads the practitioner to formulate his own opinions and, more importantly, seek "self discovery". From this self discovery comes the most important key - "self knowledge". Knowledge is never a burden to carry.

Key Aspects of Kun Tao

Many keys to successful self-defense can be easy to overlook. Foot position, body mechanics and balance are all imperative in a life-threatening situation. These key elements, along with countless others, will become part of your natural feeling and reflexive response.

But more important during street encounters is a realization of your opponent's state of mind, an understanding of his thought processes and the ways he plans to attain his violent goal.

Your purpose in any form of self-defense is to restrict your opponent's motions and angle his attack so you can attain your goal of protecting yourself and your loved ones. Kun Tao's approach takes it a step further. The "SELF DEFENSE SKILLS FOR STREET SURVIVAL" attitude of all true Kun Taoists allows you to restrict your opponent's motions, to angle your opponent with swiftness, and all while minimizing your exposure time to a dangerous and violent attack.

The blending of five arts, Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Savate and Aikido gives you, the practitioner, the ability to adapt to your opponents. You will quickly be able to read your opponent's intentions by the approach they have while providing no such advantage to your opponent.

By blending so many disciplines the practitioner of Kun Tao becomes impossible to predict - one technique may have all five arts in combination or maybe infighting (elbows, knees, head butts), then Savate, finishing with Judo. The variations are endless. Some accomplished Kun Taoists have personally added American Boxing, Muay Tai and other techniques to their repertoire, to further enhance Kun Tao's close range effectiveness.

Off balancing is easy to accomplish when pitting two opponents in the same art. It is much more difficult to achieve when your attacker is using an unorthodox approach, or totally catches you by surprise. Off balancing can be accomplished by being deceptive. Deceptiveness does not come easy. It is an accomplished art in itself! Both hard and soft evasive tactics, including trapping, are major ingredients of opponent deception and control.

Timing and blending with your opponent adds to the effectiveness of any attack. You will need a keen sense of distance and timing. You must stay in a zone and be convincing in offering an opening. Your deception lies in not being so convincing however that your attacker actually hits you with his intended technique! You must not retract your target too quickly or abruptly or you won't accomplish your goal of fooling your attacker into following your intentional opening!

Benefits

Your personal dedication to learning the art of Kun Tao will improve your coordination and motor skills. Your timing will improve immensely. Your movements will take on a smooth rhythm. With dedication and practice you will find it easier to compliment the rhythm of your opponent. You will move with less effort, and your ability to out-guess (without anticipating) your opponent will greatly increase.

As you advance and the intensity of your workouts in Kun Tao increases, you will find yourself taking the initiative and in some instances forcing the reactions of your opponent. By approaching any fighting situation in a relaxed state of mind you will increase your ability to glide in and out of your opponent's distance with a minimum amount of effort and a maximum amount of deception!

As in most, if not all, "combat" arts, there is a "Threshold of Pain". - Only years of practice makes you realize your threshold of pain. The main obstacle with most martial arts is the "Fear of Getting Hit". In Kun Tao workouts, we always tell our students "If you are afraid of getting bruised or getting hit, you can do one of two things:


1) Choose not to train in Kun Tao.
2) Learn to overcome your fear through training.

Fear can be a powerful tool if learned to be kept under control. The first step in controlling fear is recognizing what effect adrenaline has on your current situation and turning that adrenaline toward a heightened sense of awareness. Physical conditioning is important, but don't ignore one of the most important factors in a street fight: mental strength and toughness. Entering into your workouts with "Total Awareness" and, eventually, learned self-control is exactly what you need to improve your fighting skills.

Commitment is a line you cross - - - it is the difference between wishing and doing!

The closer your training is to the visualized application, the more efficient and realistic it becomes. This realization develops a strong mind. You will (with practice) develop an ability to control your adrenaline so that it does not control you! This mental development will guide you through a real and violent street encounter and gives you the ability to advance to levels you never knew existed.

After over three decades of dedication I believe a blend of arts is best, and that is why I chose Kun Tao. You feel great about every workout and look forward to your next.

Welcome to the "blended" addiction of Filipino Kun Tao.

- Master Mel HeBert
Realistic Training Concepts
Grass Valley, CA