Professor Christopher N. Geary                       (Page 3)

"Egotism and self obsession can be very dangerous. In the end, they can beat and overcome your true 'self', as though it were your worst enemy. But to be totally lacking in ego and self interest can be equally destructive. To simply "go with the flow" and constantly defer to the political correctness of the status quo represses your confidence and character.

All the education in the world cannot replace simple common sense, which can be a powerful thing when it is applied. Be willing to adapt, let go and express yourself, ignore this and life will simply stagnate. I try to make the accomplishments and dedications of my life breathtaking and create an essence, an aura that is purely me. So live, love and conquer, but always be prepared."

On October 18, 2004, Professor Geary received a teaching certificate from Sijo Victor "Sonny" Gascon allowing him to teach the art of Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu (Hawaiian and Shaolin Kempo). Professor Geary became the first instructor to receive this prestigious teaching certificate in the state of Nebraska and in the entire Midwestern United States since the creation of the style five decades ago. These certificates are only issued to black belt instructors and individuals that Sijo Gascon has issued rank to. More info.

On the teaching certificate, Geary was recognized and addressed with the title of Sigung. The title of Sigung is the Chinese (Cantonese) version of the Japanese title Shihan (Master, Teacher of Teachers). The title Sigung refer's to anyone who heads a Chinese martial arts system and or a head instructor who holds a masters rank of 6th or 7th degree black belt.

David M. Wallace:

...."Geary carries this sense of contradiction through into his relationships with his students. To the casual observer, he may seem aloof and stern, but to the one who spends time with him, the subtle signs of a deeply caring person soon emerge; A half smile from a shared joke with a student; Pushing when a student wants to slack off and taking the student to a new level of realization - not because he can force someone beyond their limits, but because he cares about the student seeing that they can excel; Putting the needs of the student over and above his own needs. Christopher N. Geary is all these things and more."....

On December 11, 2004, Professor Geary presented the inaugural "Steiner Award", named in honor of its initial recipient, Shihan Shawn M. Steiner. This award was created by Geary to recognize the dedication and determination displayed by Shihan Steiner and his commitment to the Founder and Christopher N. Geary's Shaolin Kempo Karate.

The first recipients of the award, presented at a ceremony to close out the tenth anniversary year, were; Shihan Shawn M. Steiner, Connor P. Crowley, Melvin C. Muhammad, David C. Carnley and Karen J. Abrahams. These individuals received this award for being the last remaining students from the Founder's original school, located at 3035 Harney Street in downtown Omaha, that has since been closed. They, and any future recipients of the award, can be assured that this prestigous accolade is not given lightly, but is a heartfelt acknowledgment by the Founder of their commitment to excellence.

On April 14, 2005, Professor Geary gave his first college seminar at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, as part of the college's 2005 Annual Cultural Fair. Geary was the only martial artist from Omaha to be invited as a presenter. He was accompanied by Shihan Shawn Steiner, Melvin Muhammad, and Kevin O'Neill.

Seminar participants gained confidence by learning simple, effective techniques to protect themselves from date rape, mugging, and other types of assault. Geary stressed the importance of being aware of one's surroundings in order to react quickly and effectively in threatening situations.

On June 29, 2005, 21 days after his 34th birthday and on the 11th anniversary of the founding of his schools, Geary was promoted to the rank of 7th Dan (Shichidan) in his art of Christopher N. Geary's Shaolin Ch'uan Fa by Hanshi Lou Angel. This was Geary's fourth promotion from Hanshi Angel in his art. For further information on ranking and titles, click here for an extract from "The Karate Dojo: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art" by Peter Urban (Hanshi Angel's teacher.)

In July 2005, Christopher N. Geary traveled to Hawai. Thanks to the achievements of James Mitose, William K .S. Chow, Thomas S. H. Young, Edmund Parker and other farsighted masters from the 1930s onwards, Hawaii is recognized as the birthplace of Kempo/Kenpo in the United States. For Geary, one of the highlights of the trip was having an opportunity to view the "Hawaii Karate Roots" exhibition at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. Photographs of historical Kempo/Kenpo images (which included these Hawaiian masters) from this exhibition can be found at The Geary Privilege™ (Professor Geary's private membership site).

The historical significance of this setting gave added meaning to the martial arts "School of the Year"award for 2004 presented to Geary on the island of Oahu by the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society  (upon the recommendation of the Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Black Belt Society). The award was given in recognition of Geary's accomplishments in the martial arts. Much to his surprise, Geary also received a very unexpected diploma honoring him with the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt with the title of Professor. (As of this date, fewer than 10 people in the history of the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society have received this rank/title.)

Professor Jaime Abregana, Jr., Founder of the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society, explained that the Society had done a background check on Professor Geary. Based on his outstanding accomplishments, credibility, commitment, and development of Kempo/Kenpo, Professor Geary was awarded this prestigious title that is usually given at the rank of 8th Degree. The diploma was presented to him personally at the Palama settlement (1896), a site of historical importance to the early martial arts development of Kempo/Kenpo in Hawaii, by Professor Jaime Abregana, Jr., and Professor John Pagdilao, the Society's Co-Founder/President.

Professor Jaime Abregana, Jr., is a well respected martial artist who has been featured in television commercials and films produced in Mexico and the United States, including "Transformed" (Paramount Pictures) and "Showdown." In the summer of 2005 he was producing an A & E documentary, "The Gateway," about the history of the martial arts in Hawaii. Professor Abregana has worked with movie producer/actor Juan Hernandez as well as Ken Moreno ("The One," "Collateral Damage"), Jackie Chan, Antonio Banderas, Robert Chapin, Jennifer Lopez, Chow Yun, Jet Li and others.

On August 2, 2005, Professor Christopher N. Geary was again awarded the title of Professor from Hanshi Lou Angel. Hanshi Angel had awarded this title to only one other person prior to Professor Geary.

On September 22, 2005, Professor Christopher N. Geary was presented a proclamation by Governor Dave Heineman honoring October 15, 2005 as National Martial Arts Day in Nebraska. The award was presented at a ceremony in the Warner Chamber of the Nebraska State Capitol Building in Lincoln. Professor Geary was accompanied by Shihan Shawn M. Steiner and David Carnley (Photos).

On October 14, 2005, Professor Geary demonstrated his martial arts technique for Ron Chapél, Ph. D., the nation’s foremost authority on Sublevel-4 Kenpo™ Concepts. To view Dr. Chapél’s written summary of Professor Geary’s proficiency level in the martial arts, click here. Dr. Chapél had flown in from southern California with one of his students, Ryan Angell, to give a seminar in Omaha October 15-16 on Sublevel-4 Kenpo Concepts. Dr. Chapél’s background includes more than fifty years in the martial arts and more than thirty years in the field of law enforcement. He has presented martial arts training sessions in police academies throughout the United States. Dr. Chapél is the Senior Master Professor of the University of Martial Science, which is the only American Kenpo school certified by the World Federation of Karate-Do. The University of Martial Science emphasizes the educational aspects of Kenpo, requiring its teachers to hold certifications in addition to belt rankings.

On March 6, 2006, Professor Geary received Honorary Certification (Seventh-Degree Black Belt) in Kempo Karate from Dr. Thomas H. Burdine/Soke, Head of Family Kokon Ryu Bujutsu Renmei International. This was Geary's first promotion from a Soke, and it was the first time Burdine had presented this honor to anyone.

In 1989 Dr. Burdine, representing the World Soke Council, awarded Professor Nick Cerio (who promoted Geary to first-degree black belt) the title of Professor and Kaichi Yudansha Shihan.

On September 1, 2006, Professor Geary was promoted to Tenth-Degree Black Belt (the highest level of Black Belt) by Dr. Keith Nesbitt of the International Martial Arts Masters Federation. The Black Belt Certificate from Dr. Nesbitt says that Professor Geary has been promoted to "Judan 10th Dan" rank and "found to be of good character, sound morals, and a leader among martial artists everywhere." Dr. Nesbitt also sent a certificate acknowledging that Professor Geary is the Founder of his system, Christopher N. Geary's Shaolin Ch'uan Fa, and that he is "hereby registered with The International Martial Arts Masters Federation as Soke/Head of Family with all rights and privileges hereto appertaining." (To view both certificates and the accompanying letter from Dr. Nesbitt, click here.)

Being promoted to Tenth Dan by Dr. Nesbitt made Professor Geary the second youngest Judan (tenth-degree black belt) Grandmaster in the world at age 35, and the youngest person in the United States ever to have achieved this rank through legitimate means. Grandmaster Eizo Shimabukuro of Okinawa, Japan, received his tenth-degree certification from Kanken Toyama in 1959 at 34 years of age. On September 1, 2006, a reporter from KPTM Fox TV visited the Corporate Headquarters to interview Professor Geary about his promotion to Tenth Dan. Click here to view the interview.

On Saturday, June 23, 2007, Professor Geary was inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame. He was honored as "Founder and Grandmaster of the Year" for 2006, the same year that he attained the rank of tenth-degree black belt. This was Professor Geary's third Hall of Fame award. Read more.

Please visit www.christophergeary.com.