Soke Calkins has been in the Martial Arts for over 42 years. Soke began his training in 1968 with Sifu Lei Tai Soong of the Toledo Kung-Fu Academy in Toledo, Ohio. Due to the extensive traveling of his family Soke studied in several styles over the years. Soke Calkins's Step Father Played Professional Baseball and this moved him around a lot. Soke stayed with Sifu Soong until 1970 and reached the rank of Red Sash in Shaolin Kung-Fu and the 5 animal styles. Soke's favorites were the Crane, Snake, Monkey, Mantis and Toad (Iron Shirt). This training was full time and even at the young age, Soke was dedicated to his training. With the support of his parents, Soke trained sometimes 5-6 days a week with Sifu Soong.
Later Soke did other training in Kung-Fu adding to this training in his early teens he began training in Qi-Gung. With Soke's feelings about hurting people he began training in Iron Shirt Qi-Gung. A mystical style that leaves the body able to receive the hardest blows with little or no effect. This way Soke could take the hits and not get angry from Pain. It kept his Mind clear to talk his way out instead of having to hurt someone. This style of defense was important to Soke. With Iron shirt he could get hit and not have to hit back. Later he learned other ways of doing the same thing.
In 1976 Soke was in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. and trained under Master Instructor Tamia Kimura at the "Way of Life" Dojo. This Dojo Trained in Aikido. A new way to not hurt. Soke was impressed by the use of the others movements to defend instead of hard contact defense. Soke Trained here until 1978 when he was awarded his 1st degree black in this style.
In November of 1978 Soke found himself in Garland Tx. Here he met Master David Frost of the Black Star Ninjutsu Academy. This was a live in academy and Soke lived and trained at the academy for until August of 1979. Soke's Mother was taken from this world when he was very young. Soke was raised by his grandmother who also supported his training and helped him live and reach for his dream.
Soke Calkins trained on his own for a few years passing on his training to all who were interested. In 1980 Soke formed the style of Golden Dragon Karate. A Blend of his training over the years.
In 84-85 Soke taught with several other schools Learning their styles and systems and adding this training to his own.
In 1994 Soke Calkins met Sensei David Mason in a style called Yami-Umi-Do. Yami-Umi-Do was formed by Shihan Mark Wagner of Rochester, Ny. Sensei mason was one of his students & instructors. Soke was impressed with Sensei Mason's teaching style and ideals. Sensei Mason invited Then "Sensei" Calkins to teach with him in N. Chili, Ny. Sensei Mason also held a Black Belt in Isshin-Ryu Karate under the training of Master Joe Jennings. Working with one of the instructors of Yami-Umi-Do Soke also trained in the style of Ryu-Kai a blended style called "Style of Styles." Soke achieved a 2nd Degree Black Belt in this system.
In 1995 Soke met and taught with Sensei Robert Koch & Sensei Mark Acquard of Warrior Self-Defense. Warrior Self-Defense was a blend of Kenpo Karate & Bruce Lee's Jeet-Kune-Do. Sensei Koch & Sensei Acquard were impressed with Soke's ability to work with people specially children. Soke trained and assisted in the Corfu School and then when Sensei Koch opened his Alden, NY school, Soke became Sensei Koch's Head Youth Instructor and helped open and manage Sensei Koch’s new school. In all of my years of training I would have to say that... "My time spent with Sensei Robert Koch & Sensei Mark Acquard was the best Martial Arts Experience of my life." "Sensei Koch & Sensei Acquard are two of the best trained Martial Artists I have ever had the honor of training with and I feel their training increased my ability and speed 100%."
In the spring of 2001 Soke had a slip and fall that broke his back at L5-S1. This put Soke out of training for a short while. Soke tried to get back to training in the spring of 2003. During this time he studied the manuals of all the other systems he had trained in working on creating his own system. Blending all of his training and ideas Soke finally found what he was looking for.
In the summer of 2004 Soke after all of the years found the name for what he was going to teach and formed. "Fusho-Satori-Ryu" "The Art of Unborn Enlightenment". Looking back on the teachings of Master Bankei (a Zen Monk). Showing the "Action without Action" ideals. Soke has been teaching the ways of Mushin (no Thought) for over 25 years and this is just what he had been talking about. On August 18th 2004 master Instructor Bruce D. Calkins was honored by the Sokeship council of the "Eagle Federation" as "Shodai Soke" Founder of Fusho-Satori-Ryu.
In 2007 Soke Calkins was happy to meet Gregory Fraser. A Martial Arts Father to a wonderful Tae-Kwon-Do practitioner... (His Daughter).. And A Black Belt in Art himself. Soke was proud to be able to add to Now Renshi Fraser’s training and even happier when Renshi Fraser Joined him on the front line as an instructor at the dojo. Renshi Fraser is now a 5th Degree in Fusho-Satori-Ryu and Soke’s right hand on the front line.
Soke Calkins has continued his training to include rankings in Takada Jikoboei Do Kempo from Renshi Paul Corrigan of the UK, Okinawan Kuma-Ryu Karate Jutsu With Renshi Robert Sterling of St. Petersburg , Fl. USA, Street Fucus ( Full Contact Unarmed System ) / LAKAN/MuaySagravvate, a Filipino innovated, simplified practical martial arts from the Asian Brotherhood of Lethal Defense Intl under the direction of Renshi Nelson Vargas of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, and Combat Kenpo from Renshi Joel White, of Manchester, CT. Hizoku-Kai Karate-Do & Hizoku Kenpo Karate with Master Pete Solomon of Cadillac, MI and most recently Makoto Kinjo Ryu With Master Robert Robinson of Pontiac MI. More about these affiliates can be found on our instructor’s page found on our Web Site.
Soke Calkins has been published several times in the Magazine “Martial Arts Professional and Martial Arts Success” With the latest released in July’s 2004 issue. In 2010 Soke Calkins released his first book. “The Essence of Martial Arts” “A Way Of Life”. This can be found through his website and online.
In 2003 Soke was honored by the World Combat Martial Artist Association as Grandmaster of the Year.
On July 19th 2008 Shodai Soke Calkins was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award by the "United Martial Arts Alliance" The Award was given to Soke Calkins by Professor / Renshi Robert Koch of The International Black Belt Academy in Alden, NY along with a Personal Phone Call from Kyoshi Robert Austin, The President of UMAA. On this day Soke also celebrated his 40th Year Anniversary in the Martial Arts. Also in 2008 Soke Calkins received both Instructor of the Year & Dojo of the Year Award for The Golden Dragon Dojo from The Diversified League of Martial Artist.
In 2009 Soke was an Inductee of the NFUSAMAC Hall of Fame by Buffalo / Niagara Falls USA, Karate/Tae-Kwon-Do/Kung-Fu Championships and the East Coast Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
2010 brought the introduction of Soke’s first book. (Spoke of above.) Also Soke Calkins received the “Martial Arts Humanitarian Award” From Shinja Martial Arts University and his “Doctorate in Martial Arts Science” from Masters College of Martial Arts. Offering him title as Dr. Bruce D. Calkins Ph.D
Soke was also awarded his 8th degree Black Belt through the Original European Jujitsu / Jujutsu Union. This is recognized by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
In January 2011 Shodai Soke Calkins was recognized by the International All Arts Budo Federation. Fusho-Satori-Ryu was also recognized. Soke Calkins earned The Title of Hanshi from this organization and was welcomed in to the Masters Council. Soke Calkins is the United States Representative for the I.A.S.B.F.
January 20th 2011 Soke Calkins received certification as a Practitioner of Alternative Healing Arts. This was due to the extensive study of Acupressure and Shiatsu Massage. Soke Calkins is a practitioner of Shiatsu Hot Hands Massage, Reflexology Massage Therapy, Reiki Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Touch Chi Massage
For over 42 years Soke Bruce Calkins has worked to bring the best of the Martial Arts World to you. And He Will Never Stop ! !
