For a little over 9 years I met Thong Nguyen on Facebook, via a martial arts site and mutual friends. We had private conversations by email, Instant Messenger and over Skype.
We learned there were many similarities between our arts and many things were nearly identical. We started getting more specific topics since Thong was experienced with coaching online from his dojo. I shared about my handicap and abilities and my years of training in the martial arts, light weightlifting , bicycling, Qi Gong , and aerobics all from a wheelchair.
I missed my younger years of doing Kung Fu, since I love Kung Fu movies, and especially Shaolin animal hands. Thong said he might be able to help. By combining my love for Kung Fu and other arts, he began showing me exercises which resembled Qi Gong, gymnastic, with both physical and mental visualization.
Thong was amazingly quick in adapting all the exercises for me in my wheelchair. One day, Thong said: I will teach you a Kung Fu form which he had personally modified for me… a very long form. I am still not great it, but every time I thing I’m done, Thong takes me to the next level.
All his exercises and moves fit perfectly into my daily life. I am now in much better shape, far stronger, with greater balance and coordination. Thong said I was using subtle movements from my high level in Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu, and felt it would very beneficial for me to revisit basics and to train larger movements to increase my range of motion and step out of my comfort zone.
Since training this way, my blood flow is much better, my doctor says there is no need for my next surgery, and it seems that my old wounds can now heal naturally by themselves. This has led to more improved balance, better blood flow, more strength, more confidence, and some of my fears have diminished or nearly gone, thanks to some of the mental work Thong is sharing with me.
I am looking forward to continuing my training with Thong in continual growth and friendship with the KaizenTao family. I still have many more years to train/practice with Thong, and it improves my life and everything I do in martial arts and much more. I will practice with Thong until I die and it would be a pleasure for me.”
~ Ole Kingston Sensei has trained in Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Roppokai over 29 years. He is the most senior non-Tokyo member of the Roppokai in the world, as well as the highest ranking non-Japanese member. He was promoted to the rank of 4th Dan and awarded the Jun-Dairi-Kyoju (sub-teaching license) by Soshi Seigo Okamoto October 10, 2002. He is the founder of Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Enryukai in Copenhagen Denmark.