Sensei Xanthi Gerasimo Talks About Her Dojo
They often say that the younger you learn something the easier it is to remember it long-term. If you think back to what you were doing as a child did you ever think you would be doing that very same thing today? Most of us will probably pause for a moment, think, and recognize that thought never crossed our young minds; and even now, some of us may not live our lives with the commitment or persistence needed in martial arts because life can, and will, happen.
In this article, we’ll get a glimpse into the life of Sensei Xanthi Gerasimo. Below you will find out just how driven she is and how sometimes starting things at an early age can bring about a multitude of positive behaviors throughout every aspect of your (or your child’s) life.
Can you introduce yourself to the readers?
My name is Sensei Xanthi Gerasimo, I live in Menomonie, WI – a small town about an hour east of Minneapolis/Saint Paul. It’s also where I grew up, on a family farm – where I still live. I work for the University of Wisconsin-Stout as an Academic Advisor in the Honors College. It’s a great job that lets me help students of diverse backgrounds navigate their college experience and is flexible enough to let me pursue my other passions.
I started playing rugby in college and was hooked. I’ve always done non-competitive martial arts, and never craved competition within them, but found my competitive physical outlet on the rugby field. It turns out having so much experience with physical contact helped me rise through the player ranks quite quickly. Now I play for the Twin Cities Amazons in the Women’s Premier League (the top women’s league in the US) and coach the women’s team on campus. When I’m not teaching, playing, coaching or working I love spending time outdoors in the quiet, wild places of the world.
How long have you been practicing karate? And why did you choose karate over other martial arts?
I’ve been training in martial arts for 23 years and I started when I was 4 years old. My grandpa and my mom had both done various martial arts, but it was my grandma who met my instructor (Sensei Kent Bergstrom) and convinced my mom to take me to my first class. My instructor didn’t usually take kids that young but agreed to let me try a class, and after that class, he told my mom that he would accept me as a student. The interesting thing about starting that young is that I don’t really have many memories of life before martial arts. It’s been a part of my identity for a very large percentage of my life. I also got extremely lucky that the first instructor I ever had is likely the only one I’ll ever have. I keep striving to catch up to him but I just keep falling farther behind – he keeps learning and growing at a pace that’s hard to match.
In your opinion, how is karate different than other martial arts?
I think Karate is different from a lot of arts in that it is designed for civilian self-defense. It’s not a supplement to a weapons system, not intended to be done with armor, not intended to work in a ring against another practitioner; it’s designed to be an effective means of protecting yourself and those around you. I’ve trained for about 15 years in Ninjutsu as well and that’s another style that lends itself to self-defense, but in a much different way. Ninjutsu is really an art of escape and that appeals to me because there is no winning, just escaping. However, Ninjutsu also has a very different history – one which makes some of its techniques impractical for modern self-protection, as is the case with most arts, in my experience. Kata Bunkai (form application) is the other thing that sets karate apart from many arts. It has a built-in way of remembering and practicing your techniques – obviously, you also must practice with a partner, practice against resistance, etc, but it has a blueprint that makes it easier to remember and efficient to practice.
Can you provide some background on the Sensei’s you’ve trained under?
I was unbelievably lucky to have started training under Sensei Kent Bergstrom when I was 4 years old and continued to train under him today. He had just moved here from New York when I started training with him. His own training moved from Tai Kwon Do (in 1971) to American Combat Karate (under Richie Barathy) before he joined the Army, where he trained in Hapkido while stationed in Korea. Upon returning to the states he began training in Matsubayashi Ryu (more correctly, USA Shorin Ryu) under several of Ansai Ushiro’s students. He also studied Tai Chi under Dr. Robert Sohn. After moving to Wisconsin, Sensei Bergstrom spent some time in the Juko Kai, where we picked up our Seidokan Katas, and Sensei Bergstrom was awarded his Sokeship of Yamamizu Ryu (something that, in his own words “doesn’t mean anything until the style keeps going” after he is gone). He then began training in the Bujinkan where he was eventually awarded his 10th-degree black belt by Soke Hatsumi.
Do you hold any ranks in other martial arts, aside from karate?
As far as rank goes, I hold a first-degree black belt in Ninjutsu from the Bujinkan, and I hold a 5th-degree black belt in Yamamizu Ryu (Karate, Tai Chi, Ninjutsu, and Kobudo) which is the rank I generally refer to. I am also the named inheritor of Yamamizu Ryu at a rank of 8th Dan. Because the inheritance process is less understood, I usually don’t even mention it – it only means anything if I successfully carry the system on after my teacher has passed. I think all too often, we ask what rank someone is instead of asking how long they’ve trained or who they’ve trained with. Rank doesn’t mean much without a lot of context.
How long have you had your own Dojo? Did you find it difficult to find a location or start the process of establishing your own Dojo?
Bubbling Springs Martial Arts just celebrated our tenth anniversary! I started the school before I turned 18, so I was very lucky that I knew the people who operate the Family Learning Center, a local Non- Profit, and I’m still teaching in that same building today. The building had (and has) a lot of other activities including a homeschool group, lots of yoga, and dance classes –that was helpful to me when I was starting to teach. Finding a place that already has a great community reputation is extremely helpful when starting out.
Karate is known to have numerous styles; can you tell us what karate style is practiced at your Dojo?
This could be summed up as two-thirds Matsubayashi Ryu and one-third Seidokan Karate.
Do you think your position as a university staff member allows you the additional benefit of attracting many students to your Dojo?
Unfortunately, because our school is a few miles from campus we don’t see a lot of college students. We’ve always been a very open and accepting Dojo and we have students from all background and walks of life. I’m currently working on curriculum for various self-defense classes that I hope we can offer to LGBTQ and other at-risk students on campus.
How do you find the time to manage your schedule when it includes your staff responsibilities, your position as a rugby coach, and a karate Sensei?
Time management is something that I certainly have had to get good at. When Rugby is in-season, there are months where I only get to eat at home one night a week. I coach 2-3 times a week, practice twice a week, teach martial arts 3 times a week, and work; not to mention playing rugby, for me, means flights to the east coast every-other weekend. I’m an introvert, so it takes some work to stay sane during those insane stretches. I do my best to plan ahead, to schedule myself well, to meal prep, and say no to anything that isn’t vital. Ultimately, it comes down to a mindset. I remind myself that everything I do is because I want to be doing it (even when it doesn’t feel like it on a given day), and I embrace the grind. I always attempt to impart on my students that responsibility and commitment don’t just end when you don’t feel like it. That’s when responsibility and commitment start – so I embrace being able to model that during those times. I have also been blessed with awesome Assistant Instructors who cover for me when I hit major scheduling conflicts.
What do you personally think are the benefits of practicing karate? And what would you want someone to know, in terms of benefits, that you could provide to them if they were interested in karate?
I think the coolest thing about martial arts practice is that the benefits are outwardly different for every student. The shy student is going to look more confident as time goes on. The boastful student will look more humble. I think ultimately martial arts give you a deep confidence, the kind you feel in your core – which lets you live with peace. The physical benefits of martial arts are well documented, but seeing people become happier will always be what keeps me teaching.
Do you find, as a woman, that you’ve come across more difficulty within the karate world versus your male counterparts? Also, how do you feel as a female Sensei in a seemingly male-dominated art?
When I was younger I experienced a lot more difficulty, usually when teaching older men. Teaching in my instructor’s Dojo, and then on my own, there were plenty of people who I had to work extra hard to earn their respect. I’m thankful for this because it pushed me in a way I don’t think I could have ever pushed myself. I’m incredibly fortunate to have a Sensei who never allowed sexism in the Dojo, and who made it safe for me to learn how to assert myself and prove myself. I learned quickly that if my older male counterparts would get respect at one level, I had to get two levels higher to receive the same respect. That sucked at the time, but got me to where I am today. Now, I think I have enough confidence that I haven’t experienced any of that in years. My students are all awesome, and I’ve mostly had incredibly positive experiences with the larger martial arts community. On a whole, I think this community is a very open and accepting place where people just want to learn.
If anyone reading this article is interested in karate (both locally and globally), what would be the best way to contact you?
I’m always available via e-mail Xanthi.gerasimo@gmail.com and you can find us on Instagram @BSMA_Dojo, or at https://www.facebook.com/BubblingSpringsMartialArts
- Martial Journal Spotlight: Bubbling Springs Martial Arts - July 18, 2018
- Martial Journal Spotlight: Progressive Martial Arts - June 22, 2018
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