1 The American Bando Association Crossed Swords Spring 2017 ABA Chief Instructor Mahasayaji Dr. M. Gyi In this Issue President Sayamaji Debby Kirkman [Northern Virginia] Acting Vice President ....................... Saya Trent Stevens [OH] Treasurer ........................................ Sayaji Trent Stevens [OH] ABA Hosts National Bando Demonstration Day ...........................page 3 ABA Membership Secretary ................... Tristan Kirkman [VA]] ABA Delegation Performance at Myanmar ABA Webmaster .............................Saya Brian Kelly [Panama] Independence Day event in Washington, DC By Deborah Kirkman ...........................page 5 ABA Veterans Liaison ...................... Saya Russell Wood [DC] Demonstration Day Photos ABA Crossed Swords ..................... Sayama Mary Burton [MD] By Michael Garcia ......................... page 6-13 ABA Monthly Newsletter ............... Sayama Kat Jennings [ON] Bando Kukri Camp in Asia Hosted by Chris Bates .......................page 14 BANDO SYSTEM DIRECTORS Chief Instructor ......................... Mahasayaji Dr. Maung Gyi Expressions of Bando By Michael Martin .............................page 16 Director of Weapons Camp ............. Sayaji Trent Stevens [OH] Supporting Oversees Troops Director of Kick-Boxing System ................ Sayaji Ken Corl [PA] By Deborah Kirkman .........................page 17 Director of Naban System ............... Sayaji "Buzz" Evans [WV] Bando Under-belt Forms Camp Hosted by Frank Benasutti ................page 20 Director of Free-Fighting System ...... Sayaji Randy Webb [TN] Dr. Gyi Who’s Who ...........................page 23 Director of Animal Systems .............. Sayaji Rick Suskind [MD] Bando Yoga Clinic Director of Monk System ...... Sayaji Dr. Duvon Winborne [MD] Hosted by Cheryl Cesta .....................page 24 Director of Yoga System .................... Sayaji Gary Layton [GA] Bando Weapons Camps ...................page 19 Director of Weapons System ....... Sayaji Dr.Geoff Willcher [FL] France International Open Thaing Bando ....................................page 26 National Coordinator of Wizard Wand & Wizard Dha Systems Hanthawaddy Yoga Camp ...........................................................Sayaji Dr. Karl Duff [GA] Hosted by David Martin ....................page 28 ABA Sanctioned Events 2017 ........... page 29 Dues Renewal ...................................page 30 Crossed Swords 2 ABA Hosts National Bando Demonstration Day The American Bando Association (ABA) hosted the Kumuda, a monk from the Light of Dharma National Bando Demonstration Day last November Monastery in Maryland, sang a special blessing for 12, 2016, in honor of his Excellency, U Aung Lynn, everyone. the Ambassador to the United States from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. This event, The Bando demonstrations started with Bando directed by Grandmaster Dr. U Maung Gyi, included Basics, as taught by Dr. Gyi. The performance space many performances by members of the American was filled with Bando black belts performing, in Bando Association residing in the U.S.A, and from unison, blocks, punches, stepping, and elbow strikes. people representing France, Pakistan, Mexico, the Following this, the team from St Martin, dressed in United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel, St. Martin, fatigues, performed advance kukri drills in honor of Panama, and Canada. Those who attended the event, the service and sacrifices of those who fought in the held at the Manassas Park Community Center in Burma Campaign. Several of the Animal Systems Virginia, were able to see the very best of Bando. were demonstrated next by individuals or teams across the US: Boar, Viper, Bull, and Tiger. Bando ABA has a mission of serving and honoring our weapons came next, with performances of long staff, Veterans in addition to promoting the growth of our kukri, walking cane, and the dha. members through the study of Bando. This event, held during the Veterans Day weekend, included The middle portion of the program highlighted the recognition of veterans and those in active duty. The breadth of fitness and conditioning systems that event was not only an opportunity for the greater facilitate the needed strength and suppleness to Bando family to connect – it was also a celebration execute Bando techniques and principles. Longyi for the local Burmese community who came to watch Yoga Dhanda Yoga movements improve flexibility the demonstration and to meet the new Ambassador. and balance; and stick exercises were shown that build strength and reinforce proper technique. A The afternoon event opened with the national hanging target received quite a bit of abuse at the anthems of both Myanmar and the United States, demonstration day, as performers showed how it can recognizing the long friendship between the two be used to assist with stick strikes and empty-hand. countries. ABA patron and Grandmaster Doug Soe And at the very end, the audience was impressed with Lin introduced the Ambassador, who spoke coconut breaking; showing the impressive strength graciously about the cultural exchange between the and force that can be developed with proper two countries and of the achievements of Dr. Gyi. conditioning. And before the performances started, Sayadaw U Crossed Swords 3 The third portion of the demonstrations celebrated next page), ABA thanks the international team the expansion of Bando into many other countries. sponsors (Tim Fleming, Alain-Andre Feshet, Zulfi France was represented by two teams demonstrating Ahmed, Dale Minor, Duvon Winborne, Mark fighting techniques and the Bando Panther form. Sollinger, Brian Kelly, and Tim Dobson), the event Kickboxing drills were shown by the Canada team, benefactors who donated significant funds to make and several aspects of Bando were performed by the this event possible (Doug Soe Lin, John Sestina, Tim team representing Pakistan. The Mexican Jaguar Fleming, Deborah Kirkman, and Dave Keeney), form, rarely seen in the US, was shared, and the Myadali Soe Lin (for organizing the after-event Panama performance highlighted the the Eagle form. reception), Piedmont Bando of Northern Virginia The team representing the UAE demonstrated the (who hosted the event) and the many volunteers who Scorpion system. helped organize and run the event,. To close the performances, the complicated Wizard Dha form was shown, and finally Bando fighting drills were performed by the group at large, ending with a resounding “Wa!” with the final strike. To end the day’s performances, Dr. Gyi led the group in the “Myama” chant. Every performer and member of the audience was invited to join. The word “Myama” traditionally means the people of Myanmar, but it also has different interpretations according to the varying dialects and accents. Together, these interpretations symbolize the spirits and the powers of earth, air, and water. It was such a moving event that even the Ambassador stood up and chanted, with the entire group, “Myama!”. Ambassador Lynn stayed for quite a while after the demonstration at a small reception held for him, with authentic Burmese food provided from a local restaurant. That evening, the ABA family celebrated at the headquarters hotel with a banquet in honor of all who performed, who helped plan and run the event, and those who came to support and observe. Dr. Gyi announced several promotions of the international team members who traveled to support this event. Most notably, he promoted Alain Feshet, of France, to Grandmaster with 9th level of achievement. ABA is grateful for the many people who made this historic event possible. In addition to the teams and individuals who performed at the event (see roster, Crossed Swords 4 ABA delegation to the Myanmar Embassy celebration. Front row (left to right): Doug Soe Lin, Debby Kirkman, Aung Lynn, Gary Layton, Tristan Kirkman. Back row (left to right): Stephen Knoyer, Ian Kelley, John Kelley, Levron Shuchalter, Rick Suskind, Eugene Johnson ABA Delegation Performs at Myanmar Independence Day event in Washington, DC At the November 2016 National Bando as a celebration of the friendship between the United Demonstration Day, ABA delegations representing States and Myanmar. Myanmar Independence Day countries around the world were able to perform and is January 4th, and this year the Embassy hosted the highlight a wide range of Bando techniques and skills annual celebration on January 18th, taking advantage in honor of the Ambassador from Myanmar, U Aung of the broadened base of dignitaries that would be in Lynn. Ambassador Lynn was so impressed with this Washington, DC, for the presidential inauguration performance that he requested that Dr. Gyi send a later in the week. There were more than a hundred delegation to an event at his private residence in people present at the celebration, including members January, 2017. of the Burmese community (many wearing traditional attire) and representatives of the State The event was a celebration of Myanmar’s Department. independence from British rule (since 1948) as well Crossed Swords 5 The ABA delegation performed Basic Drills, Long more, with others attending the celebration, about the Dhot, and the Wizard Dha, with enthusiastic American Bando association’s mission of supporting appreciation from the audience. It was an Veterans and how Bando is practiced and taught in opportunity to express, on behalf of the American the United States. Bando Association, the continued friendship with ABA thanks Sayaji Doug Soe Lin, who was Myanmar and to highlight the exchange