In 1963 Professor Bill Mcloud's martial arts training started when he began boxing at the "Police Athletic League" (PAL). He boxed in various PAL's learning the fundamentals of the art of boxing, but one of the places he enjoyed going to box was at St. John's recreation center in Brooklyn.
During the time he was boxing from 1963-1967, he was hearing a lot about "Karate". So in 1967, he started studying ShotoKan Karate with Sensei Ken Morgan. He continued to study with Sensei Morgan until one day in 1967, when we were training in the gym at the Old St. George Hotel, and when he me a gentleman named Rolle "Lamumba" Hernandez. "Lamumba" whom he had known from years earlier and introduced me to this other art form that I had heard of, but had not seen. The martial art was called Ju-Jitsu.
"Lamumba" was a black belt in the Sanuces-Ryu System of Ju-Jitsu, under the legendary Master Moses Powell. After watching the flowing movements of this art, which seemed to combine all of the things that he studied before, he was ready to change systems. It wasn't that Shotokan wasn't good an effective combative art form, it was just that Ju-Jitsu reflected the direction of where he wanted to continue his martial arts training. Thus began his study in this modern form of Ju-Jitsu.
Mr. Hernandez was a black belt in Vee-Jitsu te/Vee-Jitsu Ryu Systems under Grand Professor Florendo "Mr. Vee" Visitacion. Mr. Vee was the teacher of Dr. Moses Powell. His introduction into Ju-Jitsu began with the Vee Jitsu te/Vee Jitsu Ryu Systems. Vee Jitsu was recognized as and called the "System of Systems" at the time.
Therefore he began his love and study of both these systems under very well renowned instructors. He had the privilege to study under and with Author Hudson, Carl Davis, Ken Brown, Rollie Hernandez, Soke "LiL" John Davis, Prof. Vee himself and the world-renowned Dr. Moses Powell. He now holds Master and Professor ranks in Sanuces-Ryu (10th degree), Kumite-Ryu Ju-Jitsu (7th degree), Vee-Jitsu Ryu/Vee Jitsu Te systems (4th degree) and Shodan rank in Aikido.
The other arts that he has studied are Seven Star Mantis, Southern Mantis, as well as some other styles of Kung-Fu under Sijo Mutakkabir.
Katie Moore has been practicing Hatha Yoga since 2002, initially drawn to the practice as an escape from her stressful job. As time went on and her study became more serious, she decided to leave that job altogether, and in 2005, set off to India in the hopes of finding a teacher.
After a few months of travel, she found that teacher in Santosh Karunakaran, and completed her first teacher training course with him in Varkala, India, in 2006. Later in 2006, she studied with Yogi Shivam of Dharamsala, India, and returned to him for an advanced teacher training course in 2008. Yogi Shivam is a student of the revered Dooninath Babaji of Palampur, India.
Katie's classes are true to the teachings of her instructors and their lineages, and focus on using asana (poses) and pranayama (breathwork) as the foundation for dharana and dhyana (concentration and meditation). All are welcome in her classes, from first-time beginners to more experienced students.