Staff
Peter Hobart, Esq., 6th Dan, Master Instructor
1. Time training/rank/style:
- Okinawan Karate (Ryukyu Kempo, Shotokan)--Fifth Dan (sixteen years)
- Filipino Stick Fighting (Modern Arnis)--Lakan Isa/Advanced Instructor (fifteen years)
- Japanese Aikijutsu (Yamate Ryu, Kishido-Ryu)--Shodan (ten years)
- Japanese Kenjutsu (Tenshin Ryu, Niten Ichi Ryu)--Instructor (ten years)
- Chinese Kung Fu (Northern Shaolin, Five Animal)--Black Sash, Second Degree (five years)
2. Favorite thing about MKA karate:
The system incorporates many styles (Okinawan Karate, Filipino Stick Fighting, Japanese Jujutsu, Chinese Kung Fu) and the Chief Instructor always welcomes influences and instructors from other styles. Chapter 11 of the book Kishido is dedicated to this principle. Also, since the Chief Instructor is a Medical Doctor (as well as an extremely experienced and talended martial artist), all techniques taught have been subjected to rigorous scientific evaluation.
3. Martial Arts Interests:
Having moved around a great deal, it was very difficult to focus exclusively on a single system of martial arts. I have therefore tried to learn from good teachers--martial and otherwise-- everywhere that my travels have taken me, and to incorporate each new lesson into an integrated approach to the arts as a whole. I also believe that in addition to attaining proficiency in the physical aspects of the arts, it is important to develop an interest in the mental, spiritual and philosophical aspects as well.
4. Martial Arts/Teaching Experience:
Instructor, MKA Karate, Drexel Hill.
Instructor, University of Pennsylvania Ryukyu Kempo Club.
Instructor, Cambridge University Kenjutsu-kai.
Guest Instructor at various schools, private students.
Use of Force Instructor for various state and local agencies.
5. Other Career/Education:
1999-2001: Governor's Office of General Counsel
2001-present: Chester County District Attorney's Office.
University of Pennsylvania (B.A.)
Cambridge University (M.Phil.)
Villanova Law School (J.D.)
Chinese Cultural Center Oriental Sports Therapy Degree (O.S.T.)
6. Other Hobbies:
Writing, Calligraphy (Shodan in shodo).
7. Goals:
Every time I teach a class, I learn something new, not just from the other instructors, but also from the students. As life gets busier and busier, the martial arts provide a sanctuary of sorts, whether in the class setting or practicing alone. It is my goal to continue making gradual progress along the way and chronicling the lessons learned in case they may be of interest to any who may be following this same path.
8. Personal/Family:
My entire family is British, but my mother and father moved to Canada shortly after they were married. As a child, my father was the Heavyweight Golden Gloves Champion of the province and my mother was a Yoga teacher who was skilled in making herbal remedies--talk about yin and yang! The family moved to Arabia when I was a little older, and, while there, my father studied acupuncture with some of the World's leading practitioners. In addition to teaching me how to harm when necessary, my father also taught me how to heal. My mother taught me, among other things, how to make home remedies for almost any kind of ailment and how to ride a horse. I have tried to integrate lessons learned from both of them into my art and my life.
9. Publications:
- Kishido--the Way of the Western Warrior, Hohm Press (2003).
- Black Belt Magazine, A Duty to Retreat (February, 2004 Issue).
- Inside Kung Fu Magazine, The Tie that Binds (April, 2004 Issue).
- Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Interviews With the Grandmasters (pending).
