The Deadly Art of Survival magazine hosted their sixth Martial Arts Convention on Sunday on Grand Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. At the event, martial arts schools and practitioners from around the country came together as a community in celebration of martial arts through various demonstrations and seminars.
Participants at the convention talked about the physical and mental health benefits that martial arts bring. It was an all-day affair, filled with high flying kicks, advanced weaponry, and fists of fury.
Some demonstrations were group activities, where the floor was filled with dozens of people — all practicing close combat fighting techniques. There were also seminars where masters or experts in their respective arts shared their knowledge to those in attendance. All ages participated and were showcased at the convention. From young girls to older men, everyone held their own.
The DOAS Magazine is focused on showcasing martial artists who have been overlooked most of their career. The goal is to bring further awareness to under-appreciated teachers and students within the martial arts community.
Nathan Ingram, founder of the magazine and high-ranking jiu jitsu and karate practitioner, spoke about bringing light to those in the martial arts community who deserve their flowers. “This is to bring unity into the martial arts world starting out with respect, honor, and dignity. And this is what we represent in our magazine.” said Ingram.
“We give martial artists that are not legends like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, we give the legends that are in the community, that are working in the community. The unsung heroes, we give them the limelight.”
Ingram pointed out that many of the people at the event were legends in martial arts, but because of their underrepresentation in martial arts media, they are not as well known as they should be.
Brooklyn native Soke Haisan Kaleak, who is a black belt hall famer, was the master of ceremonies for the convention. Kaleak has been a pillar within the New York City martial arts community and is also the New York representative for the DAOS Magazine.
“The magazine is up to its 24th edition,”said Kaleak. “It’s growing bigger domestically as well.”
On the martial arts showcased at the convention, he said it’s a mixture of different arts. Kaleak and other participants at the event appreciate the many benefits martial arts bring to Black people specifically.
“It’s mentorship. I myself grew up without a father and I now teach a lot of after school kids. So the martial arts school acts as sort of a colony so to speak. Or a place where others can gather to get information and feel protected.”
Professor Zahalea Anderson graced the cover of their magazine and held a seminar at the convention. Anderson from Long Beach, California was in attendance representing Raw Life Defense and Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu.
“For me, it’s spirit, mind and body. Can’t have one without the other, keeps me grounded. It’s my therapy, it’s my release, it’s my love,”said Anderson.
“Me being a widow for three years, that has truly helped me survive everything that I need to still take care of my two teenagers and myself.”
“Why would we come home with bruises and bumps and cuts and things? And we go back the next day. You know because we love it. We have a passion for it. And we’re here to stick it out until the end.”