An Interview with the Cane Master, Mark Shuey Sr.

An Interview with the Cane Master, Mark Shuey Sr.

By Stephen F. Baker

In ancient Egypt, everyone from royalty to the common laborer had one. In fact, one Pharaoh was buried with 132 of them! In the 16th century, if the Czar of Russia saw you brandishing one, it was grounds for an instant beheading. Early in the 1700's, London gentlemen were required to procure a permit for the privilege of carrying one. And in the late 19th century, the finest design houses of Europe and the United States, such as Faberge and Tiffany, offered exquisitely crafted ones for men and women. What, you ask, could have such great appeal through the ages? The Cane!

With such an august history, it is no wonder that the cane has been "re-discovered" as a self-defense tool for the new millennium. And on the forefront of this "awakening" is Grand Master Mark Shuey Sr., owner of Cane Masters.

Shuey, who holds black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido and Tang Soo Do, began using the cane in earnest ten years ago. Although he's trained in all of the major martial arts weapons, he's completely sold on the merits of the cane. "It's the most practical weapon a martial artist, or anyone for that matter, can learn," says Shuey. "What other self-defense tool can you carry on a plane or in a casino? Try getting nunchuka past airport security! And if you think about it, what good is it learning a weapon if you can't take it anywhere?"

GM Shuey has become well known on the major tournament circuits as the "cane man", where he has been able to accumulate 18 world and national titles in the Masters Weapons divisions using the cane, while at the same time showing how devastating and practical this simple yet legal self-defense tool can be. As a result, GM Shuey is being sought to teach seminars across the country as well as in Europe and Canada. His efficient system of instruction has taken such a strong foothold in the martial arts community that he has formed the Cane Masters International Association in order to facilitate the training of students of the cane.

The following is an interview with GM shuey held at his manufacturing facility in Incline Village, Nevada:

How did you first get involved in martial arts?

I always wanted to become a martial artist, but thought I wasn't flexible enough. I was, however, a wrestler and body builder. One day I was in the gym, and saw a bunch of the "big guys" flexing in front of a mirror, and right then, I decided what they were into was not for me! I went around to 5 or 6 different martial arts schools, and picked one in the Chuck Norris system. After a few classes, I realized that I was just as flexible as the rest of the beginners. By the way, this was back in the late 1960's, when I was just a pup.

So your instructor was actually Chuck Norris?

Actually, my main instructor was one of Chuck Norris's black belts, Harold Gross, who owned the Sherman Oaks and Tarzana studios. I was fortunate to meet Master Norris a few times when he visited the school. In fact, just last month I was at an event we both were attending, and he told me he had one of my canes hanging in his workout room!

Who was your most influential instructor?

Master Neil Citron, also an instructor in the Chuck Norris System, probably had the biggest influence on me in traditional martial arts. After teaching at the school for a while, he decided to enhance his training by learning some of the other martial arts. When he came back to the dojo, I wanted to study with him because of the variety of styles he taught. In fact, when I moved up to Lake Tahoe in 1976, I continued to commute to LA for his instruction, and as a result, received my 1st Dan in April of 1978.

My school, North Lake Tahoe Tae Kwon Do, is based on the principles of focusing on one style, but exposing the student to different martial arts.

When were you first introduced to the cane?

In 1983, in order to prepare for my 3rd Dan test in Hapkido, I had to learn some cane techniques. The cane I used was purchased from a drugstore and I really didn't like the feeling of it, so after completing my studies and passing my grading, I put it down. Maybe it was also because I didn't feel "macho" enough with it.

What made you decide to pickup the cane again? Were you injured?

No, actually, my son was doing a tournament, and ran into fellow martial artist who was doing a weapons kata with a cane. He was using what's called a "stockyard cane", which has a wider opening at the crook, and is made out of hard wood. Well, I got my hands on one, and immediately loved the feel of it.

What made you decide to start manufacturing your own canes?

Well, as you can imagine, my original cane was not a thing of beauty! So, I started tweaking it to make it look better and more effective by adding carvings to the shaft and changing the shape of the horn. Looking in martial arts magazines, I noticed nobody was making canes for supply to the MA market. Being a unique and practical weapon, I wanted to offer a high quality self-defense tool to MA.

How about the Cane Masters System of cane instruction?

First, why should we as martial artists be so concerned with learning a weapon that can't be used legally on the street? You can't take nunchukas, bos, or swords on the street, or even a knife. Why not teach something practical first, and then get into the more traditional weapons? It's practical because it is legal to carry as well as extremely effective. Not only that, but consider the fact that when you carry a cane, you have it in a constant "ready" position. No need to pull the cane out of a scabbard, or take it out of your pocket. Imagine the difference that can make in a defensive situation! One just has to get over the mental aspect of being considered handicapped because of carrying the cane.

Do you compete in tournaments with the cane?

Yes. I stopped competing back in 1982, but when I re-discovered the cane, I decide to compete in order to show people that the cane should be considered a weapon, not just a crutch. In the beginning, I was amazed at how many folks thought I was entered in the handicappable divisions in the tournaments, just because I carried a cane. As I continued to participate, more and more people came to realize the cane as a potent weapon. I captured the Overall World and National Masters Weapons title for NASKA, and IMAC for 1999 and 2000 as well as winning the KRANE title, and again defending my NASKA titles for 2001 and 2002 all using the cane! In fact, I'm proud to say that I was asked to represent the United States in the European World Martial Arts Games held in Ireland last year.

Aside from the tournament circuit, how else are you promoting the cane?

In January of 2000, I formed the Cane Masters International Association. So many people I've talked to wanted to learn more about the cane and get together with others, I had to! These folks are scattered across the country, in fact we have CMIA students as far away as Germany and Australia! Right now we have over 1200 students worldwide, in addition to a "who's who" list of regional directors. I was also delighted to learn that the Cane Master's System has been recognized by such prestigious organizations as USMA and USMAF, as a complete martial arts entity. One of my biggest thrills was being recognized by Grand Master John Pellegrini, Founder of the International Combat Hapkido Federation, for my work with and dedication to the cane, and being asked to incorporate my style into the ICHF as the official curriculum for the cane. If you're readers are interested in more details about the CMIA, all they need to do is get on my web-site www.canemasters.com. I might also mention that law enforcement organizations from a wide cross section of the country have taken an interest in the cane, as well as another "tool" I have designed, the mini-cane, which is a 24-inch version of our standard product. In fact, I just finished teaching a series of classes at the Western Nevada Law Enforcement Academy.

What are your plans for the future?

My major goal is to keep spreading the word about the cane to as many people as I can. With that thought in mind, I am contacting senior citizen groups and organizations that deal with the physically challenged around the world about the power of the cane. In fact, my instructional videos are being dubbed in French, German, and Spanish for distribution in Europe. Why should people who need to use a cane in their everyday lives feel like a target? Why not empower them with the knowledge of how to use a cane for self-defense and exercise? As I give seminars around the world, I am constantly reminded of how many people still think of the cane as a crutch for the infirm. They couldn't be further from the truth!

Note: In 2003 Mark was injured in a car accident and no longer is able to compete on the tournament circuit. However, he still makes appearances and teaches seminars at many of the more noted tournaments and hall of fame gatherings around the world.

MARK R. SHUEY SR.

PERSONAL RESUME

Originally from the San Fernando Valley, Southern California, Mark moved to Lake Tahoe in 1976 where he still resides. In high school and college, his primary focus was bodybuilding, wrestling, and swimming. Starting Martial Arts in 1970 in the Chuck Norris System of Tang Soo Do, he received his 1st degree Black Belt in 1978 under Master Harold Gross and Master Neil Citron, and started teaching the martial arts in 1979. In September of 1999 he was promoted to 7th degree by the USMA.

Mark has degrees in Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, and Hapkido. He has a Master's Certification with USNKA (United States National Karate Assoc.), ATAMA (American Teacher's Assoc. of the Martial Arts), USMA (United States Martial Arts Association), as well as the Independent Karate School Association. Mark is also the Head of Cane Instruction and Nevada State Director for the International Combat Hapkido Federation.

Shuey is a top competitor in Martial Art Tournaments. He was rated competitor of the year in 1994 with the National Coalition of Martial Artists. In 1997, he was rated number 2 in overall points in the Pacific Rim Tour Tournament circuit. Also in the same year, he was rated number one in weapons and katas in M.A.R.R.S for his age division and number two in overall points. On November 14th, 1998 he attended the Unified World Martial Arts Federation year end banquet, and walked away with 1st place winnings in each of 4 categories: Forms Katas, Weapons, Kumite (sparring), and won overall Grand Champion in both weapons and forms. Within that same year, Mark also took the Grand Champion in Kata's at the finals held in Lake Tahoe for the Golden State Karate Assoc. (GSKA) as well as taking first place in the senior weapons and traditional open. After taking the National title in senior weapons in IMAC, Shuey was also awarded Competitor of the Year by IKSA. In 1999, Mark reached his goal of taking NASKA'S World and National, Masters Weapons Title, and IMAC'S National title. For 2000 he defended his World Champion title for NASKA and won top honors in the World for the KRANE Ratings.

In 1998, he was inducted into the Martial Arts Masters, Pioneers, and Legends Hall of Fame as a "Master Instructor", as well as 1999. The year 2000 saw Shuey inducted into the USMA hall of Fame, as well as the prestigious World Head of Family Sokeship Hall of Fame, and for 2001 the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame. IN 2003 BLACK BELT MAGAZINE HONORED GM SHUEY WITH WEAPONS INSTUCTOR OF THE YEAR.

Mark has been promoting tournaments in the martial arts since 1980, and has hosted over 16 tournaments of his own. Because of his love for the Cane, his weapon of choice, he was one of the founders and now sole owner of "Cane Masters". This company has introduced the Cane to a greater audience in the martial arts community, as well as senior citizens and the physically challenged. Furthermore, Mark travels throughout the world giving seminars on using the cane for self-defense as well as exercise. At the start of 2000, Shuey formed the Cane Masters International Association for students of the cane and to certify instructors for his system.

Mark started practicing Yoga in 1985, and incorporated it into his martial arts to develop more flexibility, mind control, chi flow, breathing, visualization, and health. He believes through Martial Arts and Yoga, one can learn discipline, self-confidence, strength, flexibility, and total body balance. As a result, he has formed a new company, YogaPlay, which produces instructional videos for yoga practitioners of all backgrounds