What is the difference between Cane-Do Kai U.S. A. and American Cane Self Defense?
Cane-Do Kai U.S.A. is also referred to as The American Cane Self Defense System (ACSD).
ACSD is the method taught to civilians, non- martial artists. Cane-Do Kai is the American Cane Self Defense system developed by Senior CaneMaster Joe Robaina. It is more inclusive than the material presented in ACSD.
What are the American Cane Martial Arts?
Martial arts developed in the United States where the Cane is the focal aspect of the art. In the U.S. there are three main branches of American Cane Martial Arts: Dave Mcneil’s Goju Shorei, Mark Shuey Sr.’s American Cane Systems (Cane Masters), and Joe Robaina’s Cane-Do Kai U.S.A.
What is the difference between the American Cane Martial Arts and the cane as taught in martial arts such as Hapkido and the Filipino Martial Arts?
American Cane Martial Arts have been influenced by oriental, Filipino, and other martial methods, however, it contains characteristics which are purely American. For starters, the American canes are designed with self defense in mind. They are made of hardwoods and/or other materials to withstand hard impact. They feature deep grooves for gouging, raking, etc. for close range defense. The self defense applications reflect these details.
Beyond cane design, the combative philosophy and applications differ.
The Cane-Do Kai U.S.A. method for instance, features a simple Power Shot strategy which takes into consideration the length and hard impact aspect of the cane to aggressively deter assailants. The Juggernaut technique developed by SCM Robaina is used to literally blow right through an opponent making him turn his back and run away or stand and deal with the rapid fire power shots coming with tremendous power from every angle.
The American method is very simple and straight forward and void of fancy applications. It was developed to deal with common street attacks Americans are most likely to be faced with. Most of these attacks may be against weapons including knives, lead pipes, sticks, and baseball bats. Defense strategies against firearms are also covered.
Also unique to American Cane Martial Arts are the respective katas or forms of each system.
Personal fitness, conditioning, and recuperative methods with the use of the cane are also exclusive to the American schools.
Cane-Do Kai U.S.A. is known as being a cane art. What about empty hand skills?
Most people are under the erroneous idea that the Cane-Do Kai is a cane only martial art. This may be true of other cane systems, however, CDK USA teaches empty hand translations of the cane self defense applications simultaneously. The Cane-Do Kai is 50% cane, 50% empty hand. From the onset, Robaina was aware of the need for cane practitioners to be skilled in empty hand applications for times when they were not carrying their canes. Since the Cane-Do Kai covers every range of combat, the practitioner learns empty hand defenses from stand-up to ground defenses. The empty hand method is kept SIMPLE which makes it ultra effective for the street and easy to learn.
Do CDK USA or ACSD practitioners wear traditional martial arts uniform?
CDK USA students do wear an all white martial arts uniform. Dan ranks may opt to wear black. An interesting point is that only the Gi top and belt are required. Students may wear Gi pants or regular street wear pants. This is a long standing tradition with SCM Robaina stemming from the years he taught in the community grade schools. Coming from a busy therapy practice, SCM Robaina often ran late with patients. He would often just throw on the Gi top and belt. Likewise, students worked late and often travelled great distances to train with SCM. Robaina .The changing rooms were on the other side of the school dojo. To prevent further delay he allowed students to wear their Gi top and belt.
ACSD practitioners are not required to wear martial arts uniforms. Regular street wear is acceptable and many just wear the black CDK USA training shirts.
Is there a belt ranking system in CDK USA or American Cane Self Defense?
CDK USA does use a colored belt ranking system similar to that found in other martial arts. Beyond the student grade levels there are no Dan ranks. Instead, there are three levels of instructor (Apprentice-Black/White Belt, Full-Black Belt, Senior-Black w/red tip Belt) and three levels of mastership (Master-Red/White Belt, Senior-Red Belt, and Grand-Red/Black Belt). The highest rank in CDK USA is the Grand CaneMaster. The civilian ACSD uses a three level system (without belts) leading to the ACSD Certified Instructor certification.
What Is Founder Joe Robaina’s Rank and Martial Arts Backgorund?
Robaina’s involvement in the martial arts spans three decades. During this time he’s earned Master ranks in Jujutsu, Aikijujutsu, Aikido, and Hapkido. He holds black belts in Judo, Taekwondo, and Isshinryu Karate. He was also named head of the chinese based street fighting system Tada-Ken Do by founder Tony Deleon.
Before establishing the CDK U.S.A. system, Robaina was only the 10th CaneMaster certifed under GrandMaster Mark Shuey’s Cane Masters International Association. Eight years later he became Shuey’s first Senior CaneMaster.
As the founder of the CDK USA system Robaina is technically the “GrandMaster” of the system. He has chosen not to self promote and does not use that title. Rather, he has placed himself outside the ranking system and oversees the system as its’ now and forever Pinnacle CaneMaster.
There are no CDK USA instructors in my area, how can I learn the art?
Currently, you would either visit our Headquarters to train directly under SCM Robaina and his assistants and/or via home study through our DVDs and related media. You may also enroll in the live broadcast program which allows you to access Robaina’s classes from your computer anywhere in the world. Please contact headquarters for more information 786-346-9150.
I’d like to start an ACSD program in my community how do I become certified to teach?
The CDK USA headquarters holds one day, 6 hour private seminars to pass on the ACSD Level1 material to participants. The DVD of the seminar is included so participants have access to the information and use it as a reference to teach others. A home study version of the course is also available. To become a certified instructor for each level, participants must demonstrate the ability to teach the material either in person with SCM Robaina or via video. Call 786-346-9150 for more information.
Do I need to become a member of CDK USA to become certified in your programs?
All CDK USA students are register with the CDK USA as members. There are different types of memberships including Personal Students HDQ., Individual Members, Instructor Members, Charter Members etc. ACSD students are not required to become members, however all Instructors (including ACSD) must be CDK USA members. The annual fee is $50.00.
What Is The Difference Between ACSD and The American Cane System?
The American Cane System is GCM Shuey’s umbrella organization for all related cane arts including self defense, cane fu, and theraputic exercise. ACSD is a specific American Cane Self Defense course developed and taught by GCM Robaina.
What is the relationship between CDK USA and Mark Shuey’s Cane Masters?
Robaina and Shuey have both a professional relationship and a personal friendship that spans over a decade. Robaina supports Shuey’s Cane Masters International Association and often collaborates on projects to further the art of the cane and educate the public on the versatility of the cane as an exercise system, self defense tool, and therapeutic device. CDK USA recognizes all CMIA courses and is proud to be affilated with GCM Mark Shuey Sr. Cane Masters is also the official supplier of the Robaina Heavy and Robaina Tripple Gripper canes.
If you have further questions beyond those provided in this FAQ or want to learn more about additional training opportunities with SCM Robaina, please contact us at 786-346-9150 or email:medicineman@mbfitness.com.