www.lifedancestudio.info
Chief Instructor Grand Master Gerald Chavez: founder of Life Dance Martial Arts Studio Gerald Chavez 9th degree Grand Master - in Kajukembo 6th degree black belt - in Tum Pai Kajukenbo Gerald  began training in Kajukenbo with Mr. Sam Allred in 1962.  He received his first degree black belt from Mr. Allred in 1972.   Gerald also studied Wing Chun under Chris Chen Class: Gung Fu conditioning class Time: Tuesday and Thursday  - 5:30pm to 7:00pm Class: Kajukenbo Time: Saturday morning - 8:00am to 9:00am Class: Sparing Time: Saturday morning - 9:00am to 10:00am Class: Children's class Time: Saturday morning - 10:00am to 11:00am. GERALD CHAVEZ MARTIAL ARTS HISTORY Gerald Chavez bio information from Mr. Sam Allred's Kajukenbo site: www.kajukenbo.info Gerald A. Chavez (pictured in early foto on the left), began his training with Sigung Sam Allred at West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, NM in 1967. He was Allred's first student to achieve the rank of black belt in the art of Kajukenbo Kempo Karate. Chavez also earned from Sigung Allred his brown belt 2 kyu in Kodokan Judo. He was head instructor of Allred's Karate College of the Southwest, originally headquartered at the University of Albuquerque, and assisted with the organization of Thunderbird Kajukenbo Activities, inc. These activities included the "National Karate Black Belt Championships", the "Central North American Karate Championships," the "Southwest Open Karate Championships," the "National Karate Blackbelt Grand Championships," and many other demonstrations and presentations in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Sigung Chavez went on to open his own Kajukembo school, Life-Dance Martial Arts, which continues to function to in Albuquerque, NM. He became a volunteer at the Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center, where he taught self-defense to survivors. While doing his work at the Albuquerque Rape Crisis center, he was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Governor of the State of New Mexico, Bruce King. He also did work for the "Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence" in Albuquerque, NM. In 1980 Chavez wrote his first book on self-defense, Karate Callejero (in Spanish) for Edamex Publishing Company in Mexico City. Shortly thereafter, he wrote his second book, "Que Hacer Ante una Agresión Sexual." One of his achievements he is most proud of is his collaboration with Sigung Sam Allred on the book "Autodefensa Callejera," which was published in 1995. In 1984, Chavez pioneered a self-defense program at Memorial Psychiatric Hospital with Dr. Tom Carey. Gerald taught karate to patients to address issues of self-esteem, depression, substance abuse, and anxiety. Gerald, along with other members of Thunderbird Kajukembo, sponsored a variety of workshops and seminars featuring many of the pivotal figures in Kajukembo. These included Sigung Al Decascos, Sigung Jon Loren, Sigung Tony Ramos (deceased), Sifu Bill Owens, Sifu Eric Lee, and Alii Don Nahoolewa (picture on left, Allred, Nahoolewa, and Chavez, during AKA National Board meeting, 2001). . Chavez played an important role in the reformation of the International Kajukembo Association. He was regional director for the State of New Mexico, was elected to the position of secretary-treasurer and later served as the AKA's President until he stepped down to finish prior academic commitments. He had made frequent visits to Mexico to train with Sigung Sam Allred and to work with his students. During his latest visit, he had the opportunity to give a workshop for 35 black belts at the training center of Maestro Mac Cimas, which is located on the campus of the huge Universitario Politecnico in Mexico City. Gerald is past President of the American Kajukembo Association, which is Chaired by Alli Don Nahoolewa, who is Sigung Allred's instructor. Gerald continues to teach at Life-Dance Martial Arts three days a week while completing his PhD in Clinical Psychology. He has promoted only 9 students to the rank of black belt. They are pictured below, right to left: Gerald Chavez, Michael Gallegos, Hannah Mayne, Barb Singer, Glenn Hensen, and David Theis. Not pictured are Sam Adamo, Yvonne Abeyta, Don Slack, and Lucas Nihlen. email: ChavezGA@cs.com