INTERVIEW WITH THE SENSEI

What does Sensei mean?

It means teacher in Japanese. Most of us martial artists here in North America Americanised it by placing the title in front of our names. I never ask people to address me as such. I just use it in my communications so people know whom they are speaking with at a first meeting or email. After that it's "please call me Rick".

What motivated you to write about Anger Management?

There are very few people with my background. I'm a state dual certified teacher with a teaching certificate for Physical Education and Physical Education for Special Education. I worked for what was called back then, Coles County Association for the Retarded, where positive reinforcement along with other behavior modification techniques became second nature and reinforced the training I'd received in college. Eventually I became an in-home tutor and full-time self-defense instructor - utilizing over 30 years of martial arts training.

I specialized in tutoring students with behavioral problems.

I utilized my knowledge of positive reinforcement and martial arts for my more violent tutoring students, thus increasing their self-confidence and also giving them a release for their immediate stress.

My Methods of Teaching Physical Education classes and Kinesiology classes gave me the opportunity to look at my martial arts training from a very unique perspective. Combined with my slight case of ADHD - making me ask “Why?” to everything - I did a lot of research and testing.

Because of this background I wanted to share as much of my knowledge and theories as I possibly could with the world. I even wanted it around long after I no longer was. Writing would give me a chance to do this and feed my wonderful (I am very lucky to have) family even after I'm gone.

What do your readers most appreciate from your Anger Management advice?

Although I always tell people to see a counselor for the deep seated problems, they seem to appreciate the fact that they get noticeable, viable results. Again, I recommend not the suppression of their anger, but a release. And I give techniques to build confidence and ways to look at problems from a different perspective.

Other than your case studies, do you have any positive Anger Management examples you can share with us?

Sure. WITH EVERYONE I WORK WITH, TALK TO, AND BUMP INTO. These techniques are not just for anger management. They are to improve your relationships.