About the Instructor - Guru Mike Casto
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Guru Mike started training in martial arts in 1978 and trained in Tae Kwon Do as a child then in Okinawan Goju-Ryu. Since February 1995 Guru Mike has been focused on close range combatives, especially Indonesian and Filipino martial arts. He trained extensively with Guru Ken Pannell in Sikal and has a deep understanding of the realities of weapon usage and defense and he specializes in joint locks and balance disruption and has used his training in the "real world" to protect himself and others both as a "good samaritan" and while working as a security professional. |
Martial Arts Ranks/Achievements
- Sikal — 2nd Level Instructor (Guru Dua / Lakan Dalawa)
- Shen Chuan — 2nd Degree Black Belt and Certified Instructor
- Cacoy Doce Pares — 7th Degree Black Belt (Master)
- Doce Pares Hall of Fame - "Exemplary Dedication to Doce Pares" - 2008
- Doce Pares Hall of Fame - "Outstanding Law Enforcement Instructor" - 2010
- Anjing Gembala Pencak Silat — Developer/Founder
- Author of "A Pondering of Principles"
Guru Mike has taught seminars, classes and private lessons in Denmark, UK, China, Philippines, Canada and all over the United States.
Testimonials/Endorsements
Professor Joe R. Lansdale (Founder of Shen Chuan Martial Science)
Mike Casto is one of a handful of students I've trained who I believe is in it for the long haul, and will make true and impressive contributions to the study and art of self-defense.
Sensei Eddie Wells (Taiho Ryu, Shoto Kan, Goju Ryu, Kuntao Silat, Sayoc Kali, Sikal)
I met Guru Mike at the '98 Kuntao Silat de Thouars Family Gathering. I started training with him about a year later. For a while we trained in class at least 20 hours a week. Mike is an incredible Silat practitioner and a better teacher. Guru Mike is one of the best teachers I have seen in over 35 years of martial arts training.