Ajahn Anthony B. James Martial Arts Bio

March 4, 2023December 26, 2019 by Thai1on

Krabi Krabong, Buddhai Sawan School, Anthony B. James Waterfall

Ajahn, Anthony B. James Martial Arts Bio

(Ajahn, Khruu, Guro, Sensei, Sifu…)

Founder and Chief Instructor: Buddhai Sawan Sangha (BSKK Brooksville) • Buddhai Sawan Kabri Kabrong, Kali-Arnis-Escrima-Pekiti Tersia Kali USA • 1981 to Present… The photo above was taken at my school in Charlottesville, VA, in 1982… Notice in the front row: Guro Danny Inosanto, Sifu Francis Fong (Francis Fong Wing Chun Gung Fu), Khruu Alfonso Tamez, Sifu Larry Hartsell, and the second row behind Khruu Alfonso Tamez are Guro Lastra Mahlika Jeorge Lastra, Sifu Lun Sin among others besides myself!

Instructor/ Teacher/ Gold Sash • Buddhai Swan Institute, Thailand • Traditional Krabi Krabong– Muay Boran (Also spelled Kabri Kabrong/ Thai Sword Fencing and Traditional Thai Boxing) • Grand Master Phaa Khruu Samaii Mesamarn • Nongkam, Thailand • 1983 • Certified Buddhai Sawan in 1986. Current Member: Ajahn- Gold Sash: Buddhai Sawan USA( BSANA). Author best-selling book “Krabi Krabong, The Tiger Sword of Thailand” available on BeardedMedia.com and Amazon.

Click Here for Buddhai Sawan & Krabi Krabong Photo Gallery!

Anthony B. James with Shidioshi GM Steven Hayes and Bud Maelstrom

Honorary Black Belt • Burmese Bando • Delivered at the 1986 Bando Nationals, Port of Prussia, PA • Grand Master U Myung Gyi, Master’s Erol Younger, Joe Manley, and Lloyd Davis • 1986

Guro/Instructor • Pekiti Tersia/ SinaTirsiaWali Kali, Mas Guru Greg Alland System, New York- Atlanta Georgia 1982- 1984

Guro/Instructor ” Rank of Guro Unang Tagpagturo” • Arnis de Mano • Guro Jorge Lastra, Lastra Brotherhood of Arnis Style • Virginia Beach, VA/ Visyan, Philippines • 1982

Guro/Instructor • Kali / Arnis de Mano • Maphilindo/ Maphilindo Silat • Dan Inosanto, Kali Academy/ Inosanto Academy, Big Springs, Texas and Culver City-Los Angeles California • 1981 • SiJo Bruce Lee tradition.

Instructor • Pekiti Tersia Arnis de Mano • Maphilindo/ Maphilindo Silat • Guro Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr. • Big Springs, Texas 1981

Instructor • Pangian Lanka Empat Silat- Penjak Silat • Maphilindo/ Maphilindo Silat • Pendakar Suyadi “Eddie Jaffri” Jaffri • Big Springs, Texas 1981- 1982

1st Degree Black Belt • Go Budo Jiu-Jitsu, Sei Shin Kai/ American Karate & Jiu-Jitsu Union • Atlanta, GA, Sensei Soke Richard P. Baillargeon, Sensei Jim Wallace, Master Daeshik Kim Style (Korean)

1st Degree Black Belt • American Karate • Sensei’s: Lloyd Garrard, Joe Corley, Sam Chapman, Bill Wallace, Larry Hartsell • Atlanta, GA • 1975. I supervised and built/ set up the Pro-boxing ring used by my Teachers, Joe Corley and Bill Wallace. The first professional complete contact Kickboxing Fight “The Battle of Atlanta!” and the championship was held at the Georgia Tech Coliseum. Bill Wallace won and became the first PKA World Middle Weight Champion. I worked nights as an American Karate Instructor at the Buckhead Joe Corley American Karate school then.

2nd. Degree Black Belt • Tang Soo Do Mu Duk Kwan, Sensei Lloyd Garrard, Sensei Chuck Norris (Korean) 1976

2nd Degree Black Belt • American Karate, Lloyd Garrard, Joe Corely, Bill Wallace 1976

2nd Degree Black Belt • American Karate, Joe Lewis Style, AIKIA, WKA Certified Instructor

Instructor • Tai Chi Chuan • Chang Man Ching Style, Sifu Refugio ( Fugi) Escobedo • Atlanta, GA 1987

Wing Chun Kung Fu • Atlanta • 1975 to 1988 • Sifu Francis Fong

I will attempt to add and update more about other excellent teachers and programs I have been privileged to work with over the past 54 years!

Until then, all respect to all my teachers, whether listed here or not.

May 1986: Soldier of Fortune Magazine: Fight Back Special Edition: Two articles… 1: How To Take A Punch (P.36-38) and 2: Environmental Weapons (P. 26-29)…(Click Here for SOF PDF) SOF Fight Back Magazine May 1986

Grand Master Phaa Khruu Samaii Mesamarn, Buddhai Sawan Sword Fighting Institute and Dr. Anthony B. James

February 14, 2023December 18, 2019 by Thai1on

Grand Master Phaa Khruu Samaii Mesamarn, Buddhai Sawan Kabri Kabrong Sword Fighting Institute and Dr. Anthony B. James

Wai Khruu and Respect to our Grandmaster of Buddhai Sawan Tradition

History of Buddhai Sawan Tradition in America

In 1986 Dr. Anthony B. James received the prestigious “Ajahn Khruu” Award, Blessing, and Certification from the Grand Master of the Buddhai Sawan Sword Fighting Institute of Kabri Kabrong. Thai Traditional “Krabi Kabrong” , Nongkam, Thailand. Kabri-Kabrong is the Traditional Martial Arts system of Thailand and one of the great martial arts traditions of the world.

In addition to the Buddhai Sawan Kabri Kabrong Sword Fighting and Muay Boran systems (Fan Dap & Lerd Rit), Grand Master Phaa Khruu Samaii introduced Dr. James to the spiritual, meditative (Vipassana) and Traditional Thai Ayurveda and Nuad Phaen Boran Thai adjunct to the Buddhai Sawan fighting tradition.

December 7, 1957, GM Phaa Kru Samaii Mesamarn was awarded the official flag of the Phutthaisawan Cultural Center and Krabi Krabong School. From His Majesty King Rama 9 to organize a fencing show at Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium in collaboration with the Sri Trirat Sword School and Ban Chang Lo Sword School. (Photo courtesy of Jira Mesamarn: Buddhai Sawan Thailand)

Phaa Khruu Samaii introduced Dr. James to Phaa Khruu Uppakort of Ayurved Vidyalai and Aacharn Moh Boonsorn Kitnyam of the Traditional College of Medicine. Buddhai Sawan Teachers, Masters, and Grandmasters have always practiced traditional medicine to address the many injuries that typically occur during intensive training. The conventional medicine practices of the Buddhai Sawan tradition are based on the Ayurveda of Thailand (See History of Ayurveda of Thailand) (Thai Traditional Medicine and Thai Traditional Physical Therapy).

Dr. James lived at the school and trained as a traditional Apprentice at Buddhai Sawan under 36th-generation Grand Master Phaa Khru Samaii Mesamarn.

Anthony James receives teacher/ Khruu documents from Phaa Khruu Samaii Mesamarn. Buddhai Sawan. Dr. J is the second “Non-thai” ever to receive Buddhai Sawan teaching credentials. 1986

Click here for more history, philosophy, and the Thai Martial Arts Techniques of Krabi Krabong, Muay Boran, and Muay Chiaya of the Buddhai Sawan Cultural and Sword Fighting Institute. “Krabi Krabong, The Tiger Sword of Thailand“

Click Here for Buddhai Sawan & Kabri Kabrong Photo Gallery!

Dr. James is also recognized as a Gold Sash Ajahn (Aacharn) and Khruu of Buddhai Sawan Lineage of Krabi Kabrong in the US.

Click Here for additional Martial Arts bibliography and teaching recognitions for Dr. Anthony B. James.

November 2019 SomaVeda Thai Yoga Practitioner Certification Program

February 14, 2020December 15, 2019 by Thai1on

November 164hr Thai Yoga Practitioner Certification 2019:

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Certified Practitioner Program:CTP (164 hour residential intensive). This 17 day, ( November 8th. to November 24th. 2019) program covered all four levels of the Basic Professional Thai Yoga Certificate Program plus 20 additional breakout and/or supplemental courses. The CTP1 course is an intensive training based on Traditional Thai Massage, Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy, Indigenous, Traditional, Natural and Native American Medicine.

1) November 2019 SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Practitioner Cert. Program Photo Gallery

The November 2019: 164hr. Thai Yoga Practitioner Certificate Course qualifies towards all advanced certificate (Accredited, State of Florida Compliant, AAPNA, NCBTMB) and SCNM College Degree programs in Indigenous, Traditional, Natural Medicine, Ayurveda, Ayurveda Life Style Consultant, Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist and SomaVeda® Thai yoga Therapy practitioner. Graduates are qualified to practice and to provide health and wellness services for Spirit, Mind and Body for a variety of health related concerns and issues in all 50 states and Canada!

Yoga Teacher already? Bring a comprehensive Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy practice to your school or program in only 17 days! This amazing Ayurveda, Yoga and Yoga Therapy retreat at the beautiful 5 acre Native American Indigenous Church Sanctuary offers a healing atmosphere unique to central Florida. Learn, Restore and Grow!

Unique to our program! Daily Reishi Yoga also known as “Reusi Dot Ton”. Bring a new and exciting Yoga practice to your home life and Shala/ Studio!

Massage Therapist? Bring the exciting therapies of Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy to your practice. Save your Hands! Our unique “Hands Free! Thai Yoga” variations have not only enlivened careers but have saved many Massage Therapist from debilitating occupational disabilities such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! NCBTMB and FSMTB CE hrs. Approved. Learn how to double your existing practice and income!

Allied or Medical Health Practitioner: Doctor, Nurse, Chiropractor, Acupuncture, Nutrition, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist? Looking to expand your practice offering with CAM procedures and practices proven effective? It is well known that Indigenous Traditional Medical Systems are the basis of CAM procedures. Learn from the source!

The 164 hr. CTP1 qualifies as the pre-requisite course requirement for all SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine Degrees. The SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Practitioner Certificate course additional qualifies graduates for all Intermediate, Advanced and Teacher Certification programs in SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Therapy .

What is Somaveda Integrated Traditional Therapies® Thai Yoga?

For full description, curriculum and registration details CLICK HERE

For NAIC/ SCNM Thai Yoga Center Tuition Grants and Scholarships CLICK HERE

Can’t make it to a live class? Join our LearnThaiYoga “Jump Start Your Healing Practice” Home Study/ Distance Learning Platform! Over 30 different on-line, self paced courses to give you access to some of the same high quality instruction you would receive in a LIVE SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Practitioner Certification Program. Although, there is no substitute for LIVE training under a Thai Ajahn such as Dr. Anthony B. James, Ajahn Dr. James has personally crafted these On-line programs to give you access to authenticity.

Can’t afford to join a LIVE class … even with a tuition scholarship? LearnThaiYoga On-line is only $12.00 per month!

Already have a practice, but it’s not working? Your not making money? Your not having a successful life experience as a Thai Yoga and or healing arts professional? In the Learn Thai Yoga On-line platform you will find details healing arts business development and marketing plans based on 38 years of professional experience in this industry. Join us at Learn Thai Yoga!

UNESCO heritage: Traditional Thai massage added to ‘cultural heritage’ list

December 21, 2022December 13, 2019 by Thai1on

Wat Po, Thai Traditional Massage, Thai Yoga Center USA

The Amazing and beneficial traditional Thai massage (Thai Yoga Therapy- Thai Traditional Medicine Ayurveda) has been added to a prestigious UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE list.

After bringing the Traditional Thai Healing Arts to the US in 1984 and then writing and publishing the first textbook in English on Nuad Thai, Traditional Thai Medicine Massage also in 1984, I feel this is one more vindication of just how important and significant Thai Traditional Healing arts are for the modern world.

NUAD THAI: The Thai Yoga Center’s SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Practitioner Certification program is the oldest continuous Traditional Thai Massage program in the US!

According to the BBC Post December 13th. 2019

“Nuad Thai” is now part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which features traditions and practices passed across the generations.

By being part of the list, Thai massage has been officially recognized as something to be preserved for future generations.

UNESCO is the United Nations’ agency for education, culture, and science.

The intangible cultural heritage list is separate from the world heritage list, which recognizes buildings and sites of prominence.

There are 550 items on the cultural heritage list – split into three categories – from 127 countries.

Items are added every year, with this year’s committee meeting in Bogota, Colombia.

Unlike conventional massages, Thai Traditional massage is actually a spiritually based science of traditional medicine based on classical Buddhist Ayurveda. It focuses on the practical expression of loving kindness as the root of healing all diseases. As a form of traditional Yoga Therapy is incorporates sequences of You Asana or therapeutic postures to bring energy, attention, consciousness, breath and pressure to the client. Adjunct practices incorporate Diet, Vedic Nutrition, Lifestyle and teachings for emotional and mental health.

Description according to UNESCO:

“Nuad Thai, traditional Thai massage is regarded as part of the art, science and culture of traditional Thai healthcare. As a non-medicinal remedy and manual therapy, it involves bodily manipulation in which the practitioner helps rebalance the patient’s body, energy and structure to treat illnesses believed to be caused by the obstruction of energy flow along ‘sen’, lines understood to crisscross the human body. This manipulation is intended to normalize the four body elements: earth, water, wind and fire. To open up blocked routes, Nuad Thai therapists perform a combination of manipulations using their hands, elbows, knees and feet, together with herbal hot compresses to reduce inflammation. Presently, Nuad Thai is classified into two main types: Nuad Thai therapy and Nuad Thai for health promotion.”

Dive DEEPER into “What is Thai Traditional Massage”?

Therapists use not only their hands but sometimes their forearms and knees to apply pressure.

According to Unesco, the practice has its “roots in self-care in Thai peasant society of the past, [where] every village had massage healers whom villagers would turn to when they had muscle aches from working the field”. However, UNESCO in this brief summary does not address the ancient roots of Ayurveda Medicine which the “Thai Peasants” knew and practiced for millennium.

According to Unesco, the intangible culture heritage list seeks to recognize things that are “important to preserve for future generations… [like] songs sung and stories told”.

It adds that these things “form part of a heritage and this requires active effort to safeguard it”.

NAIC is a UN WHO, DESA Registered IPO and supports the recognition’s of indigenous traditional peoples medicine and culture!