Russ L. Smith | Martial Arts Traditions, Principles, and Teachings Explotations | Ep. 7

Transformations with Mark V. Wiley

Russ Smith is a stable in martial arts instruction. He expressed an interest in martial arts as a young teenager and began learning Karate basics with a family friend. It wasn’t until Russ was on extended vacation in the Philippines 35 years ago that he began his formal training in Japanese Goju-Ryu. Upon his return to the United States, Russ’s interest in the origins of Goju-Ryu were piqued, which led to him seeking out instruction in Okinawan Goju-Ryu. Russ’s desire to continue research on the origins and influences on Goju-Ryu has led him to study Fujian and Hakka arts such as Five Ancestor (Ngo Cho Kun), White Eyebrow (Pak Mei), and White Crane Boxing styles. Russ is the head instructor at the Burinkan Dojo and makes periodic trips overseas to train Goju-Ryu and Kobudo in Okinawa, and Kung-fu in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and across the USA. His books include co-translation of the Ngo Cho "Bible", and manuals on Fujian Five Ancestor Boxing and Taizuquan.

In our discussion, Russ and I covered a lot of ground from early days collecting martial arts magazines and book, his early training in the Philippines in Karate and Arnis at age 13, his deep dive in Goju-ryu and Matayoshi Kobudo and love of Five Ancestor Fist and Integrated Eskrima. His ideas on tradition vs. progressive teaching and focus on principle driven training lies at the heart of his martial journey and transformation.