BUSINESS studies lecturer at the Heart of Worcestershire College Peter Lewis is the epitome of calmness, warmth and gentle humour. Laid back would be a good description.
But it wasn’t always so. Peter was born with club feet and he admits that as a youngster this made him a bit insecure but it came out through his temper.
But he began learning martial arts and this changed his approach to life and led him into a hobby which has become his passion.
Peter, now 56, explained: “A friend of mine had a similar attitude and started to calm down. I said ‘What happened to you?’ and he said ‘Judo’.” The friend invited Peter to go along.
“It was fantastic. The physical activity was a release. I could not do sports that involved running because of my feet but I could do judo and it gave me a focus. It is a discipline.
“Everyone in college says I am very easy going and relaxed and I think it comes from that same thing of discipline and focus. It gives me an inner confidence.”
Peter, a former engineering production manager, expanded his interest in martial arts to include karate and rose up the rankings to become a third dan black belt but his teacher decided to stop and Peter wanted to pursue his interest in martial arts.
“My wife is from the Philippines and suggested I could try Arnis – a martial art from the Philippines. Within a week I found an instructor in Norwich. It was four hours travelling to get there, four hours training and then four hours back. If you want to learn it, it is worth investing that time.
“Although I was very experienced at karate, I did not understand how to defend myself against weapons and the Filipino martial arts teaches how to defend against them.
“We started with learning how to defend against weapons so it is very practical. Other martial arts do that later,” he said. This system of martial arts is particularly relevant for Peter, who would find it difficult to run away if facing an attacker with a weapon.
“One of the key things that comes out of training against weapons is the progression in the martial art is faster. You develop speed and mobility faster because the training methods are different.”
Since getting involved with martial arts in 1973, Peter’s journey has taken him from judo and karate, through Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Jiu Jitsu and Iaido, to finding a spiritual home in the Filipino martial arts in 1994. It is his passion.
He has climbed up the ranks and has a string of accolades including becoming a fifth degree black belt instructor for Filipino martial arts; he was the first ever non-Filipino authorised to teach by Grandmaster Epifanio ‘Yuli’ Romo; and is head instructor for the Bakbakan Kali (the particular system he teaches) International UK Chapter.
Over the years Peter has taught Women’s Awareness and Self Protection System Classes in Worcester as well as teaching Bakbakan Kali at various venues. He has also supported nurses, police and prison officers as well as members of the general public interested in living safely and without fear.
“Self-defence is 90 per cent awareness. If you see a group of people who are getting aggressive then leave.
“Teaching martial arts is very much a hobby,” said Peter, who has suffered from arthritis for more than 20 years. Some of his students now help him teach his classes. “I like developing people and helping them to realise their potential. Seeing the students learn the moves keeps me going. It is very rewarding.”
And Peter, who has been to the Philippines a number of times to train in martial arts, has now used his knowledge, skills and experience to produce a book called Filipino Martial Arts: Exploring the Depths. It was published at the end of May.
The opportunity to write the book came out of the blue when one of Peter’s former students, who is a promotions manager for the publisher contacted him and said they were looking for someone to write a book.
“I had contributed to a couple of books but not tackled one on my own. I loved writing the book. I am in education and I like education. I took my first degree in my 40s and I love learning and writing and this was a massive learning curve.
“I really enjoyed doing it. It has been quite stimulating, challenging and frustrating at times as well,” said Peter. “The book provides a way of analysing techniques which is useful for an instructor.”
However he added that the book would help anyone – from beginners to those experienced in martial arts.
He said during his life in engineering, lecturing in Worcester and practising and teaching Filipino martial arts, he had discovered he could convey information simply and easily for people to understand.
“I am able to break things down very easily and put it across in a way that people can grasp quite quickly – making the complex simple.”
For more information about Bakbakan Kali visit www.bakbakan.co.uk. Peter’s book in now available to buy on Amazon.
