Instructor
Master Rich Parsons
Rich teaches Balintawak in Grand Blanc, Privates out of his Home and at various seminars around the country (* USA *) and in Ontario, Canada. The proper way to learn Balintwak is by private of semi private lessons working directly with the instructor. All seminars taught by Master Rich Parsons are introductions to the system which allows a perspective student to see a few techniques and learn a few single moves. It does not address the proper timing as Rich is not able to work with all the students at a seminar until they get the technique down.
Balintawak
Rich began his Balintawak training in April of 1998. He trained with Manong (GM) Ted Buot of Southfield Michigan, one or more classes a week as well as with the other students of Balintawak in the Flint Club/Group. Rich also worked with other students in Michigan, Buffalo, and anywhere else he could to better improve his understanding of this art. He would play with people of other systems to try to understand the differences between them and Balintawak as well as the Modern Arnis he already knew.
Rich currently works out with and teaches the Flint Group in Balintawak and also teaches privates to a couple of Manong Ted’s students who are looking to continue their education in the system.
Rich is working to preserve this art and system, now that Manong Ted is no longer able to teach due to a series of strokes that left his left side paralyzed.
Rich has taught Modern Arnis and Balintawak at numerous events in Michigan, Buffalo, New York, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as well as in Ontario Canada.
Modern Arnis
Rich began his official martial arts training in August of 1986. Before this time frame and during the early part of his training, he bounced and was involved in other altercations. One of his main reasons for learning a martial art was to learn how not to break/hurt his opponents. The disarms and weapons techniques combined with the judo and jujitsu like moves gave him options in dealing with people other than pure strength. Rich obtained his basic instructors certificate in July of 1987, and has been teaching Modern Arnis in some fashion since. One of the best options for learning, is to teach, Rich has done well in this environment.
Rich and others from the Flint group did attend camps and seminars to see GM Remy Presas. They also had private and semi-private seminars where GM Remy Presas would come in and teach just the club. This allowed for fewer students and more contact time with GM Presas, with only a slight increase to cost. Rich had the privilege to test in front of GM Remy Presas in the Flint club.
Rich only mentions the Modern Arnis here to let people know he keeps the two systems separate.
Lineage:
GM Anciong Bacon – Balintawak Presas Family Style
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GM Ted Buot GM Remy Presas – Modern Arnis
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Balintawak – Rich Parsons – Modern Arnis
This explains the Logo, with the Buot “B” for Balintawak inside the Modern Arnis Star. Both systems are taught separetly, by a single person and a single logo to represent them.
Contact info is:
Rich Parsons
P.O. Box 1003
Grand Blanc Mi, 48480
Phone: 248-467-9454
e-mail: RichParsonsJr@Yahoo.com