Gokor Chivichyan at Fang Shen Do's 2012 Fight Camp in Ottawa, Ontario

Students from our 25 locations snatched up the 70 spots to meet and train with Gokor.

Gokor Chivichyan was our guest once again at this year's Fight Camp held at my father's Ottawa, Ontario location.

Students were shown how easy it is to throw your opponent off balance as well as land a submission when you have proper technique.

"If you use your muscles to throw your opponent, you're doing something wrong" ~ Gokor

Sifu Patrick, Gokor Chivichyan and Sibok Martin Patenaude

At 50 yrs of age, Gokor is moving just as fast and smoothly as some of the younger participants.

Here's a quick video I created to see some of what was covered during the camp.

Gokor Chivichyan Teaser Video Fang Shen Do Fight Camp

If you haven't purchased our Grappling DVD featuring Gokor, I must say, it's worth every penny. The wealth of information and techniques covered will blow you away. Everything has been captured on 2 full length discs.

You can grab a copy of Fang Shen Do Grappling Series with special guest Gokor Chivichyan here.

Next time make sure to register early so you don't miss out.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

Grappling Legend is coming to Ottawa

Looking to improve your ground game?

How about learning it from a World Judo and Sambo Champion?

He's also renowned as being Gene LeBell's top student and having brought 27 fighters to the UFC, Pride and other international fight circuits.

We're talking about the one and only, Gokor Chivichyan.

Gokor "The Armenian Assassin" Chivichyan

It's your chance to catch the action at our annual Fight Camp, this Sunday (June 10th) at 10 am at our Ottawa Headquarter location (270 Catherine St.).

Gokor is best known for his expertise in leg lock attacks and un-orthodox throws but his skill goes way beyond that. From manipulating the joints of the body, leveraging, choking to sweeping and using your weight effectively on your opponent. It's going to be a great day of training, that's for sure!

Admission is 99$ (plus taxes) for our students and 149$ at the door.

Speak to your instructor for details if you're a student of ours or call our toll free number (1-877-568-0545) to reserve your spot if you're a non FSD member wanting to participate in this seminar.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

2 Major Events this Weekend

Every year I host a Focus on Results Seminar with Sijo, our founder, in Montreal.

This seminar is taking place tomorrow at 3:00 pm at 6968 St-Denis (corner of Bélanger, Jean-Talon Metro)

Why should you attend?

In life there are obstacles, will you stay strong and push through them?

It's the one seminar that makes you take action and gets you off your butt to decide and follow through on the goals and dreams you have in your life.

You truly can accomplish anything you desire and this empowering seminar will make you get it way faster.

Arrow Breaking is done to strengthen your decision and to make sure you follow through on it.

It's a rare chance to meet Sijo and to benefit from his years of wisdom done in a very intimate setting.

Then after the event we're off to Ryan and Sebastien's school (Owners of the Downtown Montreal location) for an entertaining night of amateur fights. The fights start at 7 pm and I'm told there are only a couple seats left.

It's going to be a very enlightening and fun weekend. See your instructor to be part of it.

Here's a link to a video I did on the Focus on Results Seminar from 2 years ago. It will give you a glimpse at what you'll be doing tomorrow.

Focus on Results Video

As always,

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

3 Wins for Patenaude Fight Team at Hybrid Fight Promotions

“Why don’t you guys compete?"

“Why don’t you guys compete?”

“Why don’t you guys compete?”

This was a question that came up alot during the past couple of years and it’s a legitimate question.

Judging how well we’ve done in various competitions during the past couple of years even I ask myself: “Why didn’t we start competing sooner?”

There’s an old saying my father (Sijo) has been repeating to us since we were kids:

“A winner is fast to make a decision but slow to change it, conversely, a Loser is slow to make a decision but quick to change it”

Back in the 70’s my father made a decision that the purpose of his martial art school was to teach everyday people effective street self-defense one could learn quickly and effectively without taking years to master.

Following the habits of successful people outlined in the old saying, changing your approach haphazardly and not having singleness of purpose in your life or in your business almost always leaves you with either a feeling of overwhelm or an eventual closure of said business.

“Slow to change it” doesn’t mean: “No change”

It means well thought out adaptations to ensure future growth.

One of the secrets to our success in the martial arts has been the ability to make the right decisions precisely at the right time when they needed to be made.

I’m sure you can benefit a great deal by applying this principle in your life as well as in your training.

On a closing note I’d like to share something with you.

We’ve made a decision a couple of years ago just like the one my dad made when he first got started in 1975.

Patenaude fighters fighting in the UFC.

You’ll be seeing a lot more of us in competitions showcasing our training methodologies and principles just like our 3 fighters did last week at Hybrid Fight Promotions.

If you would like to compete and be part of a winning team, I recommend you try out our MMA program located here.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

Weapons can help with what?!

When mixing the arts, it's important to broaden your range of arts you delve into.

Remember, MMA isn't just Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

At least not in our book.

One area that needs attention is Weapon Training.

The benefits that derive from Weapon Training, in this case, Stick Work,  are vast.

Some quick points would be hand - eye coordination, balance, agility, reflexes (a stick moves way faster than a punch), and timing.

All qualities that are a must in your MMA game.

And qualities you can use in any other area of your martial art development.

I just finished a quick video where I do a free-style flow incorporating whatever felt right.

In the end, whether you're doing weapon work, grappling, kung-fu striking, Chi Sao (Sticking hands) or whatever, there has to be a certain harmony, a flow if you will, to your movement.

This is just one way to do that.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

P.S. If you're thinking of attending our May 12th, Fang Shen Do Training Day, this is just one of the things we'll be focusing on throughout the day. If you're a member, speak to your instructor on how you can attend this sold out event before it's too late.

Local Fight Circuit a Success

I just finished uploading a new Fight Night Video from our last event in February.

Watch as "first timers" show off their skills and gain the experience they will need to step it up into amateur and pro circuits.

This really is our breeding ground for our up and coming fighters.

Judging the success of our fighters during the past year in various circuits, SFL and Hybrid, notably, our winning formula of starting them out with full protection and 12 oz gloves to an open face and 10 oz gloves is a great way to protect our fighters when climbing the ranks and getting them ready for the Instinct Pro Circuit in Montreal.

Cedric Mongeon leads the way with his pro fight debut in June and quick to follow suit, a stable of a dozen fighters are ready to make the leap later this summer.

"It's very exciting" says Sifu Patrick Marcil, "It's always been our dream to bring a fighter up to the UFC and now judging how it's going, it won't be just one, and our dream is closer than we thought, all this in record time".

Watch the video and let me know what you think, you think some of these guys are going to make it?

Only time will tell.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

Cedric Mongeon: Hybrid Super Light Weight Champion

It was a time for celebration last weekend when our very own, Cedric Mongeon won the Super Light Weight title at Hydrid 12 to a crowd of about 1200 fans.

Cedric has been eyeing the belt ever since he started competing in the Hybrid semi-pro circuit back in 2009.

2011 was also a great year for Cedric who also won the Intermediate Division in the Submission Fight
League in Gatineau with its main focus being strictly Grappling.

With the help of his main instructor, Sifu Patrick Marcil, Cedric will continue to sharpen his skills and successfully defend his title in the upcoming Hybrid Promotions.

The Hybrid Circuit is the Farm League for recruiting up and coming talent for the Pro Circuit in Montreal and obviously, turning "Pro" is one of Cedric's goals.

Cedric is only but one of many exciting fighters that will make their appearance on the Hybrid Fight Stage and in various circuits representing the Fang Shen Do System.

We never cared much about competitions over the years, our focus was always on real life-street application but the more we attend these events and meet lots of professional, down to earth people within the Hybrid Organization, the fighters, and the fans, we can't help but continue to push our students to showcase their skills and prove that they belong right up there with the best fighters in the region.

As you'll see in the coming months, there's alot of talent coming out of the Patenaude Fight Team.

Stay tuned for a possible FSD Champ in each division?

We'll see!

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

2012: Year of the Dragon

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon.

Although I'm not too caught up in mysticism I find it interesting to read up on the Dragon and what it represents.

Ultimately, whether you have a good or bad year falls upon your own shoulders, and really when you think of it, there isn't such a thing as a good or bad year.

Every year you simply LEARN.

You take the feedback you've been given and make adjustments.

If you look at your year from a standpoint of having won or lost you'll just beat yourself up.

You can't possibly win in all areas of your life.

I sure didn't win in all areas of my life last year.

But that's the point.

Living and learning is a journey not a destination.

Will you continue to make the same mistakes or bad choices you made last year, this year?

What happens when you paddle the row boat with the same hand?

You go in circles right?

Your growth depends on your ability to turn weaknesses into strengths.

And nobody ever said you had to be perfect either.

Just identify one thing you would like to do better this year.

No pressure, no stress.

You have 365 days (actually a bit less than that) to make that one thing better.

Once you make that one change, your new enthusiasm will drift to another area you need work on, and the momentum will grow.

Every year is a success.

Real success is what you've done compared to what you could have done.

Could you have done more or less?

I'll let YOU think about that.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

New Website is launched!

You've certainly noticed a recent update to our website.

Newest technology, faster loading, high quality pictures, easier navigation, and an easier check out process when buying DVDs or merchandise.

You'll see many upgrades and features during the coming months on the site.

Lots more videos.

Cool pictures of the whole team in action.

Online instructor certifications for our friends abroad and around the world.

We have big plans.

Hope you enjoy the upgrade and stay tuned for updates and new products being launched shortly (Sanshou Kickboxing Level 1, Karambit Mastery, Neigong Vol. 2) and over 70 other new titles to take your martial art training to the next level!

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

Mathieu Lemay: Un bon samaritain au secours d'un voisin

That is the headline on the front page of the "Le Droit" Newspaper yesterday.

On Friday night, one of our students from our Gatineau school was forced to defend a man who was attacked by 3 men armed with baseball bats.

Mathieu who has been training with Sifu Patrick for close to 2 years now was able to rely on the self-defense skills he learned at the school to successfully, knock out and disarm 3 assailants during an altercation that could of turned out for the worse.

Considering the odds, a 3 on 1, Mathieu took excellent care of the situation by putting a stop to their rampage using simple concepts and techniques you learn on your very first class.

Training in a realistic martial art is crucial. Can you imagine what would have been the outcome if Mathieu had no training whatsoever?

Many people have the mentality: "I'll never be attacked"

Do you have that mentality?

It's always a smart thing to prepare yourself for any kind of situation that could put your life or someone's else in danger and have the proper training that will allow you to respond to it successfully. No one is guaranteed a safe passage in this life, always be ready!

Mathieu has a couple of TV interviews today and during the week on TVA and other stations. Will do my best to post more info here on the blog.

Until then here's a link to the story printed online for Le Droit:

Un bon samaritain au secours d'un voisin

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin