MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
CHIEF MASTER LARRY WHITE
JAN / 2011
“Once you know the right thing to do,
it's difficult not to do it”
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine. I want to introduce our readers to Chief Master Larry White. White is a (tell it like it is) type of person with the history and background to back up his words. While interviewing him we spent many hours on the phone speaking on the subjects of technique, history and the current state of Martial Arts in the Untied states. He comes from a strong lineage of hard-core training and continues to pass on his knowledge as it was taught to him. I enjoyed speaking to White because his knowledge is vast and he speaks with a passionate authority on the art he loves and practices. We here at Martialforce.com are very fortunate to get this interview and it is our hope that you enjoy it.
Interview By Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
Martialforce.com: Where were you born and raised?
LARRY WHITE: I was born in Fredericksburg, VA. I was raised there and Washington DC. I enlisted in the Air Force and it took me overseas to England. I became the European Champion in May 3, 1976 to May 3,1979 (undefeated) and was subsequently stationed at Travis Air Force Base. I later retired here and opened a martial arts studio.
Martialforce.com: Who has been your greatest influence throughout your life in regards to Martial arts or life in general?
LARRY WHITE: Bruce Lee! He was a good fighter and believed in training hard to be a good fighter. At that time I was against classical forms. I was training in Hapkido at the time. When Bruce said, "Classical forms are a waste of time", it struck a cord with me. I could relate to what he was saying.
BREAKING DEMONSTRATION
Martialforce.com: Can you give our readers an example of what the training was like back when you began?
LARRY WHITE: Class time was 6pm 8pm Mon thru Fri and 11am to 12pm on sat. My teacher said no pain no gain! We trained hard and we had to fight every class without safety gear. I suffered broken nose, fingers, toes...many sprains...cracked ribs. We trained for REAL!
Martialforce.com: Is it true that you were at bodyguard for the temptations?
LARRY WHITE: Yes I was, from December 1996 until February 2006, I worked ten years as their personal bodyguard traveling with them on the road. The best thing about being a bodyguard with them was watching them rehearse. They would sing all the songs acapella (without musical instruments), to perfect there sound. There were a lot of times when I had too escort people off the stage so you had to be fully aware of your surroundings. After three years of being with the temptations I was called to Los Angeles to meet them at a recording studio. I had no idea that the purpose of going to the studio was that I was being physically tested. When I arrive I was told to go out to the vehicle and get a brief case. This one guy about 240 pounds and 6-4 in height walked up to me and said, “So you’re the bodyguard, so what would you do if I did this, while he was stepping toward me.” I hit him with a palm heal in the jaw that knocked him to his knees.
I told him not to get back up or he would fall back to the ground. Then members of the temptation ran out to see what the commotion was and they said: That’s why we hired him! That why we hired him! The reason he tested me was because he wanted to work for them as a bodyguard and apparently someone told him if he could drop me then he would be the bodyguard. After the incident I spoke to the person that caused the fight and advised, if a big bodyguard is what you want then hire one but don’t put me in that situation again because it would be me getting in legal trouble. Nothing like that ever happened again and I appreciate the time I spent with the Temptations, they are all great individuals.
Martialforce.com: It sounds like you had an interesting time as a bodyguard. When and where did you begin your Martial Arts training?
LARRY WHITE: I started in1972 Osan Air Force Base, Korea. I trained under Chong So Yu Hapkido trained under Young Sul Choi Founder of Hapkido.
MASTER WHITE’S FIRST INSTRUCTOR
IN KUK SOOL GRAND MASTER MOO YANG KIM
Martialforce.com: Growing up, did you participate in any other sports?
LARRY WHITE: Football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball. Even though I was very good at those sports, they did not give me what the martial arts has given me.
Martialforce.com: Would you recommend cross training in other forms of Martial Arts?
LARRY WHITE: Yes ! As I said, I started with Hapkido and trained in nine different styles including Kuk Sool, Tang So Doo, Tae Kwon Do, Issin Ryu, Goju Ryu, Wado Ryu, Shotokan, Jeet Kune Do and Aikido. The truth of the martial arts lies in acquiring knowledge of all fighting styles.
Martialforce.com: What in your experience defines a good Karate practitioner?
LARRY WHITE: A good martial artist is a warm, kind, gentle, humble person. He protects the weak and is very protective of senior citizens, women and children, and treats people the way he wishes to be treated. He trains daily to keep the body strong. He watches what he eats and drinks. He doesn't do drugs, smoke, or drink liquor. He is a positive role model in his community.
Martialforce.com: In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a good instructor?
LARRY WHITE: He has the eye of a Eagle. The teacher motivates the student to practice as much as possible so that he /she can benefit from the lessons. The teacher is understanding, patient, and a very good motivator.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on teenagers having 5th, 6th and 7th degrees in ranking?
LARRY WHITE: I disagree ! No way ! First of all, they aren't mature enough to understand the knowledge that it takes to become a qualified Master. They haven't paid any dues. They haven't had experiences that we have. How could a fifteen year old fight against a grown adult who can really thump? How can you be a teenager as a master anyway. It's impossible! It takes time in rank to make Master.
Martialforce.com: Is your teaching method based in sport or street survival?
LARRY WHITE: Street survival. Martial arts is not a sport. It's a way of life. In your journeys if you are approached by an opponent, you must defend yourself by any means necessary. There are no rules. The law of the jungle is survival. If you are good in sport, that's one thing. When it comes to defending yourself, this is real! This is not play! I was a competitor in sport so I understand the difference. Like Bruce Lee said "it's child's play".
MASTER WHITE STRUCK HIS OPPONENT ON THE HEAD WITH A JUMP SPINNING HOOK KICK
THIS KICK LANDED AND CAUSED SEVERE INJURY TO MASTER WHITES OPPONENT.
THIS LED TO MASTER WHITE FEELING BAD ABOUT THE OUTCOME AND DECIDING
NOT TO COMPETE ANY LONGER AND HE LEFT UNDEFEATED AFTER
THREE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS COMPETITION.
MASTER WHITE WITH REFEREE RAISING HIS HAND AFTER
WINNING THE UK KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
Martialforce.com: Do you encourage your students to compete in tournament?
LARRY WHITE: NO! The politics...too much favoritism which is unfair to the competitor, I have lost students in the past to unfair judging. I've seen judges chit chat with each other while judging a form or a match. Also, there's unsportsman like conduct between grown instructors arguing in front of parents and kids. The students ultimately suffer. It is very unfair for a student competing in the weapons division being judged by someone who does not train in weapons. It's unfair for a hard style judge to judge a soft style competitor. It is unfair to have a judge inb the sparring ring and not calling a score when it is legitimately scored. That's how people get hurt. Therefore, I will not expose my students to this unfair sport.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on the practice of Kata (Pre-arranged Movements)?
LARRY WHITE: I love the Kata. Kata is another form of total fitness. You have kicking, punching, yoga like exercises, pudshups, situps, weapons and kata. This is a part of total fitness. Good forms have hidden secrets which will allow you to be able to draw from to enhance your fighting.
Martialforce.com: Do you practice or teach any weapons system?
LARRY WHITE: Yes...I teach short stick, the cane, the staff (from the Budhist Temple) and the sword, the spear, the fans, short sword, nunchuckas, the moon knife, the broad axe, knife throwing, bow and arrow all from the Korean Royal Palace.
Martialforce.com: In your experience in the Martial Arts have you witnessed any changes either positive or negative that you can tell our readers about?
LARRY WHITE: Yes. The martial arts went from traditional to commercialism. It's sad that Americans have messed up a good thing with flashy uniforms, doing katas with music, super modified sport forms, cage fighting....this is not martial arts. This is commercialism, just things to get your money!
In regards to personal change, Martial Arts created a calm in my soul. If you knew my life history, you would understand what I am saying. I never turned down a challenge...I was cocky, hardheaded, stubborn...if you stood before me, you had to go down by any means necessary. But now, I am non violent with those who are non violent with me. One cannot be taught the path, one must seek the path and the path will find you, and once the path finds you, you will know the right thing to do. It's difficult to know the right thing to do, but once you know the right thing to do, it's difficult not to do it.
Martialforce.com: What would you say to someone who wants to learn Martial Arts but for whatever reason never takes the step?
LARRY WHITE: Follow your dreams and never let anything or anyone stop you.
Martialforce.com: Thank you for allowing us to conduct this interview and we here at Martialforce.com wish you continued success.
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