Phil Perez - Sensei

Dave McKnight - Sempai

Sensei Phil Perez - Renshi, Rokudan

Formal Martial Arts Experience:

Sensei Perez started his martial arts training in 1966. He has achieved a Shodan (1st degree black belt) or better in Shotokan Karate-do, Gojuryu Karate-do, Kenpo Jujitsu and Yang Style Taijiquan* (T'ai-Chi Ch'uan).

In 1984, he started studying Kenshin Kan Shorinryu (Shaolin) Karate-do (Empty Hand) and Kobu-do (Classical Okinawan Weaponry) headed by Fusei Kise, Hanshi. He achieved the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt) under Sensei Kise, Hanshi. Sensei Perez has been issued the rank of Rokudan (6th degree black belt) as well as the Title of Renshi (Full Proficiency Teacher's License) under Sensei Chandler, Kioshi and Sensei Takaya Yabiku, Hanshi: Okinawa Konanryu Kohokan Karate Kobudo Hakutsuru Kiokai.

Both of these organizations teach the old Matsumura Shorinryu Hakutsuru (Shaolin White Crane) system handed down from Bushi Matsumura (the undisputed founder of modern or post 17th century Karatejutsu and therefore Karate-do) through Hohan Soken.

Sensei Perez started teaching martial arts in the Spring of 1986 when he founded the Kittery Kenshin Kan Karate Dojo at the Kittery Community Center. He gave this dojo (school) to his Sempai (assistant instructor) Bob Modee to run for the Kenshin Kan organization.

Sensei Perez proceeded then to establish Old Falls Martial Arts Association in 1990 in Sanford at the Fitness Forum Health Club with a satellite dojo in Ogunquit through the recreation department. In 2000 Sensei Perez resigned from the Ken Shin Kan organization.

In 1996 Sensei's school moved again and consolidated all of its offerings of martial and healing arts into its current location in Arundel and changed names twice, first to Old Falls Martial Arts & Massage finally to its current name: Northern Crane Martial & Natural Healing Arts Center. This name better reflects the philosophy and the arts taught and practiced there.

Sensei Perez has trained extensively in several other martial and related arts such as Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan)*  (see above), Baguaquan (Pa-Qua Chuan)* and Qinjiquan (Ching-Ji Chuan)* under the late Master Zhan, Luping. Also Bajiquan (Pa-Chi Chuan)* under Master Kai Yu, Escrima (Arnis) (Filipino blade and stick martial art) and Seifukujitsu (Samurai Healing Arts).

Sensei Perez has trained and certified the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Staff of Southern Maine Medical Center in Qi-gung.

*Traditional Chinese Systems have no formal belt ranking system.

Massage Experience:

Phil Perez has been practicing Seifukujitsu or Samurai Healing Art since 1988 and has been professionally practicing Seifukujitsu Shiatsu Anmo (Massage) Therapy since 1990. Seifukujitsu Anmo is a dynamic acupressure Shiatsu known in this country as Okazaki Longlife Restoration Therapy. It is named after its developer Seichiro Okazaki and taught in the continental U.S. by the late Professor Sig Kufferath, Okazaki's senior student.

Sensei Perez was fortunate enough to have participated in the only training video tape ever made by Professor Kufferath on Seifukujitsu. Sensei Perez added Swedish Therapeutic Massage to his repertoire in 1995 and is licensed to practice therapeutic massage and shiatsu in the state of Maine.

Personal:

Sensei Perez holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY.

Before dedicating himself fulltime to teaching martial arts and practicing healing hand arts here in Maine, he was employed first as a commercial artist/designer, a commercial illustrator and finally as an art director at various advertising agencies in New York City. One of the most visible account he worked on was the National Broadcast Company (NBC-TV) and its flagship station WNBC-TV, NY.

One of the only illustration work done by Phil Perez that is still easily available in print is the book "Official Little League Baseball Rules In Pictures" originally published by Grosset & Dunlap, NY.

Mr. Perez is the author and producer of the popular hour long training video "Learning Tai Chi Chuan" produced in 1994. He  is also holds a U.S. Patent (U.S. Patent # 6,109,698) as well as an International Patent on the same device.

A feature article authored by Mr. Perez was  published in Tai Chi Magazine: (Vol. 31. No. 1) Feb./Mar. 2007. This is the world's #1 leading publication dedicated to the Tai Chi community.

Chief among his other varied interests are Freemasonry, Ancient Roman military re-enacting, fencing, archery, marksmanship, visual and fine arts, meditation, camping, canoeing and creative writing. You can read one of his short stories by clicking here.

Sempai Dave McKnight - Shodan

Formal Martial Arts Experience:

Sempai David McKnight has been a student of Sensei Phil Perez since 1998 and has achieved the rank of Shodan in Okinawan Matsumura Shorinryu Karatejutsu & Kobujutsu.

Personal:

David McKnight holds an Associates degree in electronics from Southern Maine Community College. Some of his interests include Astronomy, Geology, Physics, Mechanics, maps and hiking. He lives with his wife and son in York County, Maine.

Sempai Caleb Stearns -Shodan:

Formal Martial Arts Experience:

Personal:

Caleb Stearns is an enlisted serviceman in the United States Army Reserve. Professionally he is a Surgical Technician at Maine Medical Center and is currently still working towards his Bachelor's Degree. He resides in York County.

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