On Saturday, July 11th, 2009, the American Martial Arts Institute hosted two cane seminars taught by Mr. Eric Stalloch and overseen by Grandmaster Mark R. Shuey, Sr. The American Martial Arts Institute is under the direction of its founder, Grandmaster Clifford C. Crandall, Jr., and this institute is home to three separate and distinct martial arts styles. The primary style offered is American Eagle Style, a traditional empty-hand style formulated and documented by Grandmaster Crandall. Grandmaster Crandall is also headmaster of the 300-year old iaido style, Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall, passed to him by his late headmaster, Tsuneyoshi Matsuno. The third style offered is the American Cane System, founded by Grandmaster Mark R. Shuey, Sr., recognized internationally as "The Cane Master." These three styles are taught in their pure forms, and are offered separately. Two American Eagle Style instructors, Mr. Eric Stalloch and Mrs. Lynn Jessee, are also certified Cane Masters in the American Cane System. Mr. Stalloch teaches the American Cane System classes offered at the New Hartford location of the American Martial Arts Institute, and the program is supervised by Grandmaster Crandall.

The cane seminars were presented by Mr. Stalloch, who arranged for Grandmaster Shuey to oversee the event. The first seminar was open to the community, while the second seminar was only available to American Martial Arts Institute students.

The first seminar began with a short introduction to the exercise system, presented by Grandmaster Shuey. The cane is not a crutch. It is a medical device that can be used for a variety of purposes. In addition to improving stablity. It can be can be carried for walks or while traveling. The cane is effective for self-defense, should the need arise, but it is also an excellent tool for strength training or physical therapy. It can be used for stretching and isometric exercised. Combined with reistance bands, the cane may be used to exercise every major muscle group in a systematic and enjoyable program that can be done from a standing position, seated position, or while laying on the floor.

After this brief introduction, Mr. Stalloch taught cane-self defense techniques. Both seminars featured a variety of self-defense techniques, many of which were created by Mr. Stalloch and Mrs. Jessee during their Cane Master certification exams. Some of these techniques included defenses against double lapel grabs, bear hugs, double wrist grabs, the cane being grabbed, punches, restrained on the floor, and more.

The seminars were held at the Harts Hill Inn in Whitesboro, New York. American Cane System classes and seminars are available by contacting the American Martial Arts Institute main office.

Particpants of the first seminar, open to the community.


Participants of the second seminar.

Grandmaster Shuey is also the founder of Cane-Fu, a cane self-defense program designed specifically to meet the needs of senior citizens. This program helps senior citizen become more confident and feel safer in the world through the use of the cane. For more information, please contact the American Martial Arts Institute.