Okmulke, Okla. – Internationally known United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame 5th Grand Master Dr. Chevon Marks (Mvskoke) spoke about his experiences training in martial arts, which he has studied, taught and passed on to his students in many different styles. Marks holds two doctorates in martial arts science and philosophy.
Marks spent years studying and training to reach his current level of proficiency in martial arts. Marks has never been interested in the belt ranking system, but he still wears a belt because it's the right way to do it. “My teacher used to say it's not the belt around your waist that matters, it's the belt in your head that matters. And he said that anyone can tighten a belt, that's what makes them a true martial artist,” Marks said.
Marks says he uses martial arts principles in his daily life, from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to sleep. It requires rigorous physical, mental and spiritual discipline every day. These principles help Marks decide which direction to take when faced with a challenge in life.
Marks began studying three Korean styles, including Buteokkan, and soft and hard styles of Taekwondo. His grandmaster then taught him the Okinawa style and his family's style. Marks studied under the grandmaster for 44 years. “I consider my martial arts skills a blessing from God,” Marks said.
Marks' favorite technique is the small circle jiu-jitsu, which doesn't require strength or power, just the fingers. The pressure points it targets are enough to knock anyone down. “If you know where to touch, you don't have to punch or kick,” Marks says.
Additionally, Marks also teaches karate and weapons handling. He is well versed in a variety of styles, including Chinese, Filipino, Okinawan, Korean, and Japanese. Marks also teaches these different skills to his family. He began teaching his son when he was four years old. By the time Marks' son was six, he had mastered the use of five weapons.
Martial Arts Seminar
Marks said he is interested in hosting seminars with the people of Muskoke in mind. His last seminar taught about self-defense and weapons. “Weapons instruction isn't about learning how to hurt someone with a weapon. It's about learning how to not get hurt with a weapon – self-defense,” Marks said.
Marks also participated in a martial arts seminar in March with Grandmaster Dr. Akita Roberts. The seminar took place at the Sapulpa Creek Indian Community Center. The two-day event was free and open to the public, of all ages. Marks and Roberts demonstrated techniques and counter-attacks.
Marks was in the third grade at Seneca Indian Boarding School, where he watched a martial artist demonstrate karate on television, though he knew nothing about it at the time.
“I watched them completely clueless and it was like ballet movements. The way their hands were moving and what he was doing, it was like he was dancing and I thought it was so beautiful. They were demonstrating self-defense but I saw it as graceful movements and beautiful, really beautiful art. That's what got me involved. But I went to an Indian boarding school, grew up with two foster parents and was passed around from family to family. I couldn't afford it,” Marks said.
When Marks finally began his martial arts training at the academy as an adult, he was not allowed to wear a gi (dogi or “training suit”); he had to wear everyday clothes for four months. According to Marks, he had to wait until he tested for the white belt rank; students were not allowed to touch weapons until they had achieved the black belt rank.
“I went to my old dojo and we didn't do that back then and you weren't allowed to touch weapons until you were a black belt. You could look at the weapons but the instructor would say, 'You shouldn't pick them up,'” Marks said.
Marks' ultimate goal was to earn his black belt and return to Oklahoma to teach his fellow Native Americans the martial art for self-defense.
“The Native American Center was looking for a certified, identified martial artist, so I applied, got the job, and was able to teach Native American students for free, but I was also getting paid by the program. So I was happy because I was fulfilling a dream that seemed impossible. I felt like I was blessed again,” Marks said.
Communicate what you've learned
So far, Marks has taught at two schools in Oklahoma. Marks enjoys watching his students grow and become disciplined through martial arts. Marks carries on the teachings passed down from his masters and does not encourage his students to use martial arts outside of the dojo. Marks does not charge for classes, but he does charge for seminars and demonstrations. Marks does not charge for classes in order to give back to Native American students who are less fortunate and do not have access to martial arts education.
These classes also teach the benefits of learning discipline and control. “There are five rules of self-defense: rule number one is it's better to flee than to confront; rule number two is it's better to confront than to hurt; rule number three is it's better to hurt than to be maimed or maim; rule number four is it's better to be maimed than to kill; and rule number five is if all else fails, go back to rule number one,” Marks said.
“I strongly believe that masks should not be used unless it's to protect yourself and your family, and even then there's only so much you can do to protect yourself. Don't overdo it, but when it comes to your family, there's an exception,” Marks said.
Additionally, young women in Marks' classes confessed that their boyfriends had been physically violent towards them. Marks believes martial arts should be taught and studied by everyone, regardless of gender or size.
“When I teach, I teach in pairs. I call the smallest person over and say, 'Walk over to the biggest person here. Your partner for tonight is this person, not two girls or two boys,'” Marks said. “If you want to learn this, learn it right, because if someone is going to get hurt, they don't care if you're male or female, big or small. If they're going to hurt you, they're going to try any means possible. Usually, people who are looking for trouble are going to go after the weakest person.”
Marks ensured that every student who took his class left with a sense of confidence that they didn't have when they went in.
“I don't want students to leave my class with arrogance. Arrogance is wanting to prove something to somebody, not to yourself. I want students to leave my class with confidence. If you're confident in yourself, you don't have to prove anything to anybody. That's the difference,” Marks said.
If you would like to learn more about martial arts, please contact Marks. His phone number is 405-212-6422, but due to scheduling conflicts, he asks that you call after 3 p.m.
