Shiai Magazine:Welcome Sha Poe Ryu Elam to Shiai Magazine,

what brought you in the practices of martial arts in your life?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: When I was a young boy, my family moved around a lot and due to starting in a

new school, sometimes two or three times in a school year, I met up with a lot of bullies. Then due to

being born in California and moving back there while Sigung Bruce Lee was there and the TV Shows

he was in at the time influenced me greatly as did the show Kung Fu with David Caridean as they did

All young boys my age at the time.

Shiai Magazine: Are you aware of African fighting system?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: Some what, however, as to the traditional African systems I have seen little, other

then documentaries and so forth and as for true practitioners of traditional African arts here in the

states, no.

Shiai Magazine: Tell us about your martial arts system you founded?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: I founded Sha Soo Doo Jitsu Ryu in 1982 and due to keeping an open mind, it

continually evolves. I learned a long time ago to never become satisfied with my creation, I have

founded it in the heat of true combat and baptized it in blood. In 1982, I won third place in full contact

and was the only competitor to be disqualified for being to aggressive due to knocking the

Middle Weight Champ at the time Horizontal in the air twice, funny thing was he never touched me

during the fight, which I fought him twice. I received third place and took the trophy and refused to fight

in any more so called tournaments, primarily due to being cheated. I began fighting bare knuckle fights

with other martial artist back then from other states, we fought in back yards, allies, parking lots and

old buildings with few to no rules. From 1982 to around 1990 I went undefeated in my matches and

made a lot of friends at the time who shared their styles with me, due to that my style continued to

evolve and flourish. Further, due to my traditional training as the foundation of my style, it allowed me

to continually seek information concerning various subjects I was interested in. Our foundation is

based on principles of combat as relates to combat and not to sport, I try to stay away from naming

the names of my previous masters due to politics which I do not like, I will say this however, our

foundation began with Karate back in 1971 or 1972 in my home town of Orange County California

Under Hector Hernandez, since that time I have trained and studied in various styles of martial arts

such as Shaolin under Sensei Bobby Scott Wierman 5th Degree and under Grand Master Sin The 10th

Degree, Wing Chun and Pakua under Grand Master John10th Degree, Tea Kwon Do under

Ji Young Song 7th Degree, Tang Soo Do under Master Spinkman 4th Dan and 2nd Degree Praying Mantis,

Ninjitsu under Sensei Mike and many other styles and masters including Grand Earth, Aiki, Judo, Aikido,

Boxing and many others over my 39-years in the martial way. Sha Soo Doo Jitsu Ryu is a vast martial

art that is composed of many facets of study including acupressure, reflexology, the 7-systems of the

human anatomy, herbs and other sciences like gungie and modern day warfare and weapons both

ancient and modern. Sha Soo Doo Jitsu Ryu is noted for a few things and for a few techniques such as

what we refer to as the Magic Hand, this is a technique that allows a student to strike an attacker

3-times with the same hand within 2 seconds or less before their hand returns to them and SHA-G,

this is a technique that allows a student to strike an attacker 10-times within 3 seconds or less due to

the circular systems concept and working with G's and centrifugal force and The Twisting Cup. We

Have special training we do to prefect these techniques and others as well and due to obtaining

100 acres of property to build our Temple and other facilities on, we will be offering live in facilities for

those who would like to engage in our Temple Training as well as seminars with various masters.

ATTU has many exciting things happening and the future looks very exciting for martial artist due to

ATTU'S vision for our Temple property. I am sorry for skipping around “but” our organization and style

has a lot within them and much to offer.

Shiai Magazine: Have you been to Africa?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: No, I have never been outside the USA, maybe some day.

Shiai Magazine: What push you to create American Temple Training Union?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: The primary reason was to give my students a solid foundation and better

opportunities than I ever had, while reaching out into the martial arts community with a helping hand

to other martial artist and fighting against substance abuse. Our organization is founded upon two

Specific scriptures in the Bible and they are; NUMBERS 21:8 and REVELATION 19:11 – 16, however

we do not force our belife upon anyone, however, if I am asked a question pertaining to the spiritual

aspect of our style or organization, I refer to the King James Bible for the answer. Currently I have

read the Bible 7 times from cover to cover and each time I find something new that excites me as

well as strengthens me within my personal walk.

Shiai Magazine: Mention names of famous black martial artists you have worked or trained with?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: I consider everyone equal, I can't recall everyone's name I have trained with over

the years, currently I am working with Robert Zellner who is our ATTU Regional Director for Region 2,

he has a vast record and is the RBF Man Of The Year, his martial history is outstanding and his talent

is great, he holds many Black Belts in various styles of martial arts and is a man of honor and integrity.

Further, we have various members who are directly connected to Ron Van Clief “THE BLACK DRAGON”

and have others connected to other supper stars as well.

Shiai Magazine: Give us more highlights of your martial arts magazine?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: ATTU'S “Bringing The Arts Together” Magazine is not your regular magazine, we

not only focus on fellow martial artist “but” ATTU Members and being a true help. Our magazine has

programs and opportunities within it and is always willing to lend a helping hand to others through

our tools and opportunities. ATTU is a for profit organization and is taking an aggressive stance here

in the USA and has real opportunities for those who become our members. Our magazine has more to

offer than most understand. Further, our magazine will be going to hard copy this summer and due to

ATTU'S Vice President, “Nikko” Gutierrez, Founder and Grand Master of NIKKO SUNG JITSU RYU

various commercial avenues are being sought out for our magazine to be sold on News Stands and

over the counter, therefore any body that understands the value of promotion and advertising can see

another opportunity within ATTU.

Shiai Magazine: What is the difference between sport martial arts and self defense reality martial arts

not forgetting martial arts in the movies?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: Simple, sport martial arts has rules, where as Reality Based Fighting has none !

movie martial arts is just that, movie, some techniques are so far fetched its funny, while others are

more believable “but” regardless movies can never take the place of real training.

Shiai Magazine: Is it possible to believe in God and be a true martial artist in life?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: YES, this question is asked a lot and the answer is yes, further, as a martial

artist, husband and father, “if” someone broke into my home, I have the right to protect that which is

mine even to the taking of life ! If a man or woman is called for duty they have the right to defend

even to the taking of life. A police officer also has the right to protect his self and others even to the

taking of life. If you are attacked on the street you have the right to protect yourself and in a life

threatening situation even to the taking of life. The Bible says “before a man can spoil a house, he

must first bind the strong man of that house. Therefore if he can not bind the strong man of that house

he may lose his life and the strong man is justified in the taking of his life !

Shiai Magazine: Many people, race and culture are now promoting their own martial arts heritage,

what do you think of the African movement in promoting their own fighting systems?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: I see nothing wrong with it at all, martial arts dose not belong to any one group or

person, it is a way of life and an art of war and no one has any right to tell anyone they can or can not

have their own fighting system !

Shiai Magazine: Are you aware of the upcoming African martial arts movies like

Lost Brother "Waka-waka man" and Live or die In Africa?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: Yes and I look forward to seeing them not only at the movies “but” on TV !

Shiai Magazine: As a father, martial artist and believer in God what advice shall you give to African

child who wants to succeed in life although things are not always easy for him?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: Never give up, never stop dreaming, never allow others to tell you that

you can't do something, because you can do anything if you are willing to commit yourself to it and

never stop believing in God !

Shiai Magazine: What do you think of this African online martial arts magazine?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: I think it is a great tool of communication.

Shiai Magazine: Do you have any project in relationship to Africa and black community concerning

martial arts?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: ATTU Programs are designed and developed for everyone at various levels of

membership from free to paid, some programs are strictly designed and developed to help those

who are willing to help themselves as well as work the programs outline and/or concept.

Shiai Magazine: Any last words for our readers across the world?

Sha Poe Ryu Elam: Let your word mean something, walk in honor and integrity and remember, anyone

can hurt someone “but” it takes true skill to help others !

Shiai Magazine: Thank you Sha Poe Ryu Elam for accepting our interview, I hope you shall visit us

in Cameroon "Africa in miniature"

God bless you and your entire family