Interview by Eddie Morales

Martialforce.com

Online Magazine

My name is Eddie Morales and welcomed to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine. I want to introduce our readers to Master Paul Mormando. Mormando has been studying the Martial Arts for most of his life and teaches in New York City. His accomplishments have been many as he is also editor as well as creator of Martial Arts World News, which we will talk about in this interview. Mormando is in the process of directing a feature film and has many other projects in the works. I met Master Mormando a few years ago and we have been friends since. From knowing him I can say with sincerity that his dedication to his art, students and family is second to none. There are many that talk the talk and few that walk the walk. We here at Martialforce.com hope you enjoy this interview with one of the few.

Martialforce.com: At what age did you get involved in Martial Arts and who was your instructor?

PAUL MORMANDO: I started to show Interest in the martial arts at a young age of 7-9, however I didn’t formally start until I think about 13 years old. I started with Hungar Kung Fu; there was a young martial artist on our block that showed me a few moves, so that I wouldn’t get my ass kicked. I later joined a formal school. Unfortunately, because of the way that Instructor treated me, I no longer acknowledge him or his organization. I consider Great Grandmaster Aaron Banks as one of my instructors, & master Sal Giglio as my Tae Kwon Do Instructor.

Martialforce.com: Do you practice a traditional or eclectic method of Martial Arts?

PAUL MORMANDO: I currently practice an eclectic style that I created called Cha Ki Do. However I have studied Tae Kwon Do, Shotokan, Goju, Brazilian jiu jitsu, Western Boxing, Kickboxing Muay Thai. I have not mastered all these styles as that would be impossible, but like my mentor Bruce Lee, I have taken the Attributes of these great styles and incorporated them into the Cha Ki Do System. “Absorb What Is Useful Reject what is not”

Martialforce.com: Do you cross train regarding different arts, weights or running and if so what are the benefits if any?

PAUL MORMANDO: I was an avid weightlifter when I was younger; so that strength helped me in my martial arts training, especially do to the fact that I was a small individual. I cross train in a variety of arts as Bruce said “never be bound by a style” I think all of the arts have something great to offer it depends on the individual and what they are trying to accomplish. The benefits of cross training for me was to become adaptable to fight in all ranges of combat punching range –kicking range---trapping range---grappling range. You can never tell where the fight will end up and at what range you need to fight at, so the fighter needs to adapt to the environment of the battle.

Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on tournament competition and its benefits if any?

PAUL MORMANDO: I have in my day competed in a few tournaments, however I didn’t have the mental ability of that drive to become number one, so to me competing wasn’t that important, I compete with myself, and I push myself to be the best I can. As far as the benefits for others there are lot of great benefits, they allow you to see if your techniques work against other styles, such as in kumite or sparring. They inspire you to train hard so that you can win. They also give you an opportunity to spar against different schools in a different environment so that, you can experience different techniques.

Martialforce.com: Do you feel that there is still a place for traditional martial arts and if yes or no can you explain?

PAUL MORMANDO: I love traditional martial artists!!! Now that may seem to be a contradiction of what I stand for or practice, but as far as the art side of the martial arts, it is important for the persons growth, both spiritually as emotionally. When one does a kata for example Sanchin (my favorite Kata) it is so deep within the martial artist that it takes you to a different world, and the breath control is amazing.

Without kata you have a street fighter a barbaric gladiator with no philosophy. How ever, to grow as a martial artist you must experience different styles and deviate from your own, that is where it gets hairy, because a traditionalist doesn’t believe in deviating from his/her own style out of respect for its creator. So in essence the loyalty will hold back the growth of the individual.

Martialforce.com: Do you practice any grappling technique and if so do you feel that it’s a good addition or not?

PAUL MORMANDO: Grappling has become my favorite area of practice; it helps with endurance and stamina as well as with your overall body strength. Grappling when done correctly is a game of physical chess. I have studied Brazilian jiu jitsu for a while; I love Catch as Catch can wrestling as well as Sambo. I train as much as I can in the grappling arts, I love to roll with my students, and work on my ground game a few times a week or more when possible.

Martialforce.com: In your opinion, is martial arts practice good for children and if yes or no, why?

PAUL MORMANDO: Definitely, I am a prime example of that!!! It has helped me overcome all obstacles in life. It has taught me self-confidence, self-discipline, self-control, and indomitable spirit. I advocate all children learning the martial arts, not because of the fighting aspects and self-defense, but for the spiritual and mental benefits it transcends to the practioner.

Martialforce.com: Who are/were some of your influences when you began training?

PAUL MORMANDO: Bruce Lee was my inspiration hands down as a martial artist. In the beginning as an actor he can kick ass, but as I grew older and realized he was a real martial artist and the caliber of martial artist he was, made it even more inspirational to watch him. His theories were decades away from him he was so ahead of everyone it was scary. In his films you can see a little of early MMA. I also loved Jean Claude Van Dam; his kicks were beautiful and inspired me to be as flexible as him.

Martialforce.com: You have written articles for various magazines, can you tell our readers how you got started in that endeavor?

PAUL MORMANDO: I just love to teach and share my knowledge with those who respect it. I always dreamed of being in the martial arts magazines as a kid, so that was one of my goals, so as I got better and became more popular they would reach out to me to do a story on me, and than I made the contacts with the editors, and would approach them with ideas on how to ‘s etc.

Martialforce.com: You are currently the publisher of a martial arts magazine; can you tell our readers how that project got started?

PAUL MORMANDO: Many years ago I had the idea of starting a magazine, at the time a friend of mine said that it was a great idea, so we enlisted the help of my photographer at the time and we sat down and decided to go forward with it.

So a week or so later my photographer and the person I presented the idea to moved forward with the idea without me. I still had the passion and I thought lets do a Newspaper, the only one for martial artists. Our goal is to give all martial artists a place where they can freely express themselves. That is how Martial Arts World News came about.

Martialforce.com: What would be your recommendation for someone interested in learning Martial Arts that doesn’t have knowledge of styles or schools?

PAUL MORMANDO: Unlike when i started martial arts, back when there was no other choice, but go to the one or two local dojos, people now have options. The industry has grown so much that there are so many schools, so variety is out there you just have to go and do some research. Research is the key, you can use the internet to find out about the many different styles, and even the legitimacy of the instructor. Choosing a martial arts style is also a matter of personality, some style are soft and less aggressive ( Tai Chi - Aikido) others are more dominant like ( Shotokan, goju even MMA) it is a matter of preference, but one must put in the work, to find the style that best suits he/she.

Martialforce.com: Where do you see yourself in five years regarding Martial Arts or life in general?

PAUL MORMANDO: I would like to be doing more seminars, and leave the day-to-day teaching at my dojo to me senior students. I am also planning a few Film & tv projects, some in the form of documentaries and some feature films. I would love to get back into the film business, and make the next "Enter the Dragon" Hopefully with the help and talent of my friend Hanshi Eddie Morales, we can make this happen. Only time will tell.

Martialforce.com: Thank you for accepting this interview and we here at Martialforce.com wish you the best in all your future endeavors.

PAUL MORMANDO: Thank you Martial Force for interviewing me, osss!

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