Dan Anderson (sifu)
Encyclopedia
Sifu/Guro Dan Anderson is the founder / director and head instructor of Andersons Martial Arts Academy. Sifu Anderson was born in 1975, in Arkansas
. He began studying martial arts
from a very young age. After fighting in Muay Thai
for several years, Sifu began to focus on the practice of the Filipino
Martial Arts, Jeet Kune Do
and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
. At the age of 19 Sifu Anderson moved to New York City
and opened his first martial arts school.
Terry Gibson, his wife Simo Cathy Gibson and top student Darian Whittaker, being awarded Level 3 Instructorship status in the Gibsons Martial Arts curriculum. From there, Mr Anderson began to train extensively with Guro Dan Inosanto
(Bruce Lee
's Protige), who is one of only three individuals certified by the late Bruce Lee to teach his art of Jeet Kune Do, and the only person to ever receive instructor certificates in the three arts Sigung Lee taught during his lifetime. Sifu Anderson is certified Associate Instructor under the legendary Guro Dan Inosanto in the arts of Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do Concepts and the Filipino Martial Arts Inosanto Lacoste Method.
Sifu Anderson sought out the best the world had to offer in the realm of street fighting
instruction. This quest led him to Sifu Paul Vunak of the world renowned Progressive Fighting Systems. Sifu Anderson quickly excelled and attained the prestigious Senior Full Instructor status under him and is currently the regional director for PFS East Coast. Sifu Anderson also trained extensively under Paul Vunaks most senior student (and PFS co founder) Thomas C Cruse and became the first ever full instructor within his organization.
, his Purple Belt from Sensei Rodolfo Amarno and his Brown and Black Belt from World Champion Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro.
, Russian Sambo
, Penjak Silat, Western Boxing
and many Kali systems. Some of the most notable instructors he has trained with include the late Pendekar Herman Suwanda (Head of Mande Muda Penjak Silat), the late Edgar Sulite
founder of Lameco Eskrima
, Cikgu Sulaiman Sharif in Silat Seni Gayong. Pentjak Silat Bukti Negara under Pendekar Paul de Thouars.
Sifu Anderson has over 20 years experience in the realm of martial arts instruction and in this time has trained people from all walks of life. He has worked with members of several elite military units. His expertise has also been sought out by personnel from the upper echelons of law enforcement
including members of the FBI, DEA
, Secret Service
and the CIA. As well as having an impressive Pro/Am record in Muay Thai boxing he has also coached athletes to victory in Muay Thai, Submission Wrestling
, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts
.
Sifu Dan Anderson and his Anderson Martial Arts Stunt Team have done fight choreography and stunt coordination
for a number of film
and television
projects. Dan Anderson has been sought after for many projects because he brings a creative vision and a sense of realism to the finished work.
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. He began studying martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
from a very young age. After fighting in Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
for several years, Sifu began to focus on the practice of the Filipino
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
Martial Arts, Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial arts system and life philosophy founded by martial artist Bruce Lee with direct, non classical and straightforward movements. Due to the way his style works they believe in minimal movement with maximum effect and extreme speed. The system works on the use of...
and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
. At the age of 19 Sifu Anderson moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and opened his first martial arts school.
Teaching
For the past 17 years, Sifu Anderson has been teaching individuals from all walks of life. Sifu specializes in Jeet Kune Do Concepts and Filipino Kali, Muay Thai and Brazilian JiuJitsu. He has almost 2 decades of experience, both training and teaching. He has trained law enforcement professionals from the United States federal government as well as the New York City Police (NYPD)and including members of the New York State Courts Judicial protection. His expertise in American Law enforcement use of force continuum has made him a favorite in New York City and the New York State law enforcement communities.JKD/ Kali
Sifu Anderson began his Jeet Kune Do/Filipino Martial Arts training under the late SifuSifu
Shifu is the identical pronunciation of two Chinese terms for a master. The character 師 means “teacher”. The meaning of 傅 is “tutor”, and of 父, “father”. Both characters are read fu with the same tones in Cantonese and Mandarin, creating some ambiguity...
Terry Gibson, his wife Simo Cathy Gibson and top student Darian Whittaker, being awarded Level 3 Instructorship status in the Gibsons Martial Arts curriculum. From there, Mr Anderson began to train extensively with Guro Dan Inosanto
Dan Inosanto
Daniel Arca Inosanto is a Filipino-American martial arts instructor from California who is best known as a student of the late Bruce Lee and authority on Jeet Kune Do Concepts.-Martial arts:...
(Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
's Protige), who is one of only three individuals certified by the late Bruce Lee to teach his art of Jeet Kune Do, and the only person to ever receive instructor certificates in the three arts Sigung Lee taught during his lifetime. Sifu Anderson is certified Associate Instructor under the legendary Guro Dan Inosanto in the arts of Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do Concepts and the Filipino Martial Arts Inosanto Lacoste Method.
Sifu Anderson sought out the best the world had to offer in the realm of street fighting
Street fighting
Street fighting is a colloquial term used to denote unsanctioned, illegal in some countries, hand-to-hand fighting in public places, between individuals or groups of people....
instruction. This quest led him to Sifu Paul Vunak of the world renowned Progressive Fighting Systems. Sifu Anderson quickly excelled and attained the prestigious Senior Full Instructor status under him and is currently the regional director for PFS East Coast. Sifu Anderson also trained extensively under Paul Vunaks most senior student (and PFS co founder) Thomas C Cruse and became the first ever full instructor within his organization.
Muay Thai
In addition to his obviously extensive background in JKD and Kali Sifu Anderson has dedicated over a decade to Muay Thai, he has trained with Ajarn Chai Sirisute (President of the Muay Thai Association USA). He is also an instructor under International Muay Thai Champion, El Khattab Abdel Krim.Brazilian JiuJitsu
Sifu Anderson has trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with numerous world famous instructors, he received his Blue Belt under Rickson GracieRickson Gracie
Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian 8th degree black and red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie.-Biography:Rickson...
, his Purple Belt from Sensei Rodolfo Amarno and his Brown and Black Belt from World Champion Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro.
- Sifu Anderson is now the first ever American to receive his Black Belt under Vitor Shaolin Ribiero, and the second person in the world.
Other Experience
Sifu Anderson has trained with many notable instructors in a variety of arts ranging from SavateSavate
Savate , also known as boxe française, French boxing, French kickboxing or French footfighting, is a French martial art which uses the hands and feet as weapons combining elements of western boxing with graceful kicking techniques. Only foot kicks are allowed unlike some systems such as Muay...
, Russian Sambo
Sambo (martial art)
Sambo is a Russian martial art and combat sport. The word "SAMBO" is an acronym for SAMooborona Bez Oruzhiya, which literally translates as "self-defense without weapons". Sambo is relatively modern since its development began in the early 1920s by the Soviet Red Army to improve their hand to hand...
, Penjak Silat, Western Boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and many Kali systems. Some of the most notable instructors he has trained with include the late Pendekar Herman Suwanda (Head of Mande Muda Penjak Silat), the late Edgar Sulite
Edgar Sulite
Edgar Sulite was a teacher of Filipino martial arts. He was the creator of Lameco Eskrima and trained such notables as: Dan Inosanto, Ron Balicki, Larry Hartsell, Fred Degerberg and Diana Lee Inosanto....
founder of Lameco Eskrima
Lameco Eskrima
Lameco Eskrima is the system of Filipino martial arts founded by the late Edgar Sulite based on his training and experience with various Philippine Martial Arts masters, with heavy influence from Jose Caballero and Antonio Ilustrisimo....
, Cikgu Sulaiman Sharif in Silat Seni Gayong. Pentjak Silat Bukti Negara under Pendekar Paul de Thouars.
Sifu Anderson has over 20 years experience in the realm of martial arts instruction and in this time has trained people from all walks of life. He has worked with members of several elite military units. His expertise has also been sought out by personnel from the upper echelons of law enforcement
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
including members of the FBI, DEA
DEA
DEA is the commonly used acronym for the Drug Enforcement Administration, a United States law enforcement agency.DEA or Dea may also refer to:- Organizations :* DEA , UK development education charity...
, Secret Service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
and the CIA. As well as having an impressive Pro/Am record in Muay Thai boxing he has also coached athletes to victory in Muay Thai, Submission Wrestling
Submission wrestling
Submission wrestling or Combat wrestling in Japan, is a formula of competition and a general term describing the aspect of martial arts and combat sports that focus on clinch and ground fighting with the aim of obtaining a submission using submission holds...
, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
.
FILM/MEDIA work
Film Choreography:Sifu Dan Anderson and his Anderson Martial Arts Stunt Team have done fight choreography and stunt coordination
Stunt coordinator
A stunt coordinator, usually an experienced stunt performer, is hired by a TV, film or theatre director or production company to arrange the casting and performance of stunts for a film, television programme or a live audience...
for a number of film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
projects. Dan Anderson has been sought after for many projects because he brings a creative vision and a sense of realism to the finished work.
Television Appearances / Expert Commentary
Sifu Dan Anderson has been used for his expertise, his ability to demonstrate and relate the arts to everyday individuals and his extensive and diversity in both the sport, combat and choreography of Martial arts.Dan Anderson’s credits include
- Good Morning America (2010)
- Anderson’s martial arts was voted as the top form of Fitness in NYC by Thrillist and GMA. Sifu Anderson was invited to the show to demonstrate first hand the versatility and benefits of training MMA.
- FightBox TV Documentary on Sifu Anderson and the sport of MMA
- CNBC Asia & Europe as Mixed Martial Arts in 2010 interview with Sifu Anderson
- Discovery Pilot as Worst case scenario expert and tactic instructor (2009)
- History Channel – “Human Weapon” Trailer as Choreographer, Stunt CoordinatorStunt coordinatorA stunt coordinator, usually an experienced stunt performer, is hired by a TV, film or theatre director or production company to arrange the casting and performance of stunts for a film, television programme or a live audience...
, Stunt Team Casting / Training and Wardrobe Consultant (2007) - NBC – “What the Fight” as Choreographer, Stunt Coordinator, & Stunt Team Casting & Training (2006)
- Kung Fu Channel ID Segments as Choreographer (2005)
Notable students
- Milla JovovichMilla JovovichMilla Jovovich December 17, 1975)is an American model, actress, musician, and fashion designer. Over her career, she has appeared in a number of science fiction and action-themed films, for which music channel VH1 has referred to her as the "reigning queen of kick-butt".Milla Jovovich began...
- Actress - Djinji Brown - Musician
- Maria Arce - Actress/Model
- Antonio Arecibo - Author/Filmmaker
External links
- http://www.ny1.com/content/features/nyer_of_the_week/
- ABC News
- blog
- Press releases
- Fighting
- What the Fight
- Martial Arts in Manhattan
- Marial Arts Info
- Anderson Smart Alerts
- http://www.blackbeltmag.com/smart-nutrition-martial-arts-training/archives/876
- http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/kung_fu_backup_f0ftvPMM1CoRBtZ4EmGZdP