Student spotlights!

Mr. Joe Bolding

Interviewed by Lori Stinson

Joe Bolding works as a Surgical Tech in Labor and Delivery at Desert Samaritan Hospital.  He finds his work very satisfying in that he is able to help people every day and gets paid to do so.  Joe feels that it’s very rewarding to affect people in such a positive way.  He has adapted everything that he has learned in class to every aspect of daily life.

 Prior to studying To-Shin Do, Joe spent time studying Judo, Brazilian Jujutsu, Karate and Jeet Kune Do.  He now holds a blue belt in To-Shin Do and has been at the Phoenix Quest Center for almost a year.  Joe is very enthusiastic about training, and comes to classes as often as his schedule allows – usually three times per week.

L: How did you become interested in Stephen Hayes and To-Shin Do?

J: I used to watch the old ninja movies as I was growing up.  In 1982-83 I read an article about Stephen Hayes and became fascinated with the mystique of the ninja.  These people appeared creative – they seemed to use the mind more than the body to prevail.  They took over their opponent’s way of thinking.  Almost like magicians they could make a weapon out of anything.  Ninjutsu appeared to combine all other styles in that it uses striking, grappling, groundwork, weapons, etc.  It seemed to me that the ninja could be adaptable and fight someone from any other art.

L: Now that you are actually training in To-Shin Do, is it anything like you expected?

J: This art is more than what I expected.  I prefer reality-based martial arts as opposed to learning through katas and forms.  My favorite part of To-Shin Do is the free response that we do.  I consider it a true test of a person’s skills and ability to react in a real situation.  I also like that in To-Shin Do there is no wrong answer – just movements that are more or less effective.  I am able to combine skills that I have learned elsewhere with my taijutsu.

L: Are there any areas of the art that you would like to study more in-depth?

J: I would like to pursue further study in the area of close quarter weapons like kusari fundo and hanbo.  These weapons are practical because they can be realistically used in today’s world.

L: If you could talk with anyone in the art, living or dead, and ask them a question, who would you talk to and what would you ask?

J: I would want to talk with Takamatsu Sensei, Hatsumi Sensei and Hayes Sensei.  I would ask them what difficulties they had on their martial paths.  I would be interested in what sacrifices they made in order to be loyal, dedicated lifelong martial arts practitioners.

L: What are your goals regarding your study of To-Shin Do?

J: My short-term goal is to become a Trainer and then Instructor.  I would like to earn my Sandan in To-Shin Do.  My long-term goal is to become a Master Instructor…passing along the information to a new generation of martial artists and taking the art to a new level.

L: Do you have any words of advice for students just beginning on their ‘Quest?’

J: Train honestly.  Be a fair training partner…try to give a realistic attack and a realistic response.  Try to push yourself to the limit of your potential.  Learn from everyone you train with, no matter what the rank or experience level.  Also, be enthusiastic about your training.  I always try to be the first one in and the last one out.  I practice different techniques with other students before and after class.  I’m always asking questions to make my movements more effective.

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