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Crazy Monkey Defense,
changing the way modern martial arts is coached, viewed and experienced!
The Crazy Monkey Defense is a 'transformative' martial art program that focuses on life coaching through martial arts practice.
When you join a CMD® class you will be given our comprehensive CMD® Personal Focus Profile. This will give me, your coach, a clear picture of your goals and reasons for wanting to train. Then based on what type of program you decide to take, we will work together with you to achieve all of your goals.
We really care about our clients achieving their goals, we have group classes, small highly exclusive classes and CMD personal training - so we can really take the time to focus on each one of our clients. As the class becomes connected and learns to work together in helping each other achieve their goals, we then allow each person in the class to co-create and design that environment. Unlike most martial art disciplines where the "masters" word is law - our clients get to choose what is coached to them. They design the training relationship and content.
You will learn 4 basic components of the Crazy Monkey Defense Program® at KDT Academy
Crazy Monkey Defense Program® Evolutionary Defense System focusing on Western Boxing skills.
Monkey Jits This is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program - CMD approach under BJJ Black Belts Rodney King and Rigan Machado)
MMA Matrix The MMA Matrix is a guide to combining the Crazy Monkey Stand-Up game with a solid wrestling and grappling game.
Combat Intelligent Athlete CMD approach to personal safety without the paranoia
The Crazy Monkey Defense Program is also different in that each individual client is assessed on his or her specific needs and based on the goals that they define during the focus sessions with the coach. Learning is done at an individual pace within the Crazy Monkey Defense Program and we prefer quality over quantity. The old "cookie-cutter" method of teaching is ineffective and as a result the Crazy Monkey Defense Program provides individualised training for each person. We treat you like a person and not a belt colour or rank!
We have made our Crazy Monkey Defense Program classes short but highly focused and performance based. You don’t have to give away your life in order to train with us. In just two sessions a week you will see massive improvement both in your fitness, the management of your stress levels and of course your ability to apply your new martial art skills. There are no forms, patterns or kata to learn. No rituals or bowing required. There are no "grading" tests or other outdated teaching methods. Most importantly, there is no "master" and "student" hierarchy. We are all equal and the Crazy Monkey Defense Program respects you as an individual by providing a fun, functional and intense training environment that reflects the needs and goals you design in an non-judgemental learning environment.
If this is not enough for you additional classes are always available and as one of our clients you will gain access to our virtual online pro-membership program so you can literally take your training with you anywhere!
There is no need to look any further. Contact us today and we'll be happy to show you how you can be part of this team
Admission sessions every year takes place during February and September
We do not accept new applications to the beginner's group class outside of those admission times unless via Personal Training.
During the admission months, beginners are NOT required to take Personal Training Sessions.
We accept membership applications and conduct year-round interviews. Admission to the program is at the beginning of February and September every year. We do not provide drop-in, "come and watch" prospects or provide ad hoc trial classes for this program. We do however provide free mini-Personal Traning sessions. Please contact us to find out how.
Applicants wanting to join outside February and September have the option of training on a Personal Training basis until the next admission cycle.
Members from affiliate gyms already in a CMD program (Studio 23 & CMD International) enjoy one week's free training and can join in the classes at any time. Please make an appointment for this.
CMD Sponsor
If you know someone already in the CMD program please ask them to be your sponsor and recommend your application. Thank you.
Membership Application:
Every February and September you can apply to join the CMD program. We will NOT accept beginner students in the group classes until these months every year.
I will send you a Personal Focus Profile via email
Please print out the form and bring it with you AFTER we have scheduled a quick 5-10 minute chat
Please follow the directions on the email.
KDT Academy reserves the right to approve or reject membership applications without disclosure of the reasons.
CMD Founder
"I have worked with Vince for the past few years, both in personally coaching him as well as been hosted by him to conduct seminars for his clients. Vince is the consummate professional. This is represented by how professionally run his business is and his excellent relationship with his clients. In one word Vince 'cares'.
I would recommend anyone looking to get in shape and fit, who would like to learn a modern martial art program, that transcends the physical into an expression of mind, body and spirit- to train with Vince.
I am proud to have Vince as part of my International Team of Martial Art Life Performance Coaches! "
(Oct 09)
Rodney King,
Creative Monkey
What our athletes say
"Trepidation. That's what I felt a few hours before. As a CM beginner, there's much I do not know and was clueless on what to expect. I was worried about how much I would have to remember and how much I can actually remember. Being the sole female participant didn't help. But as the seminar went into full throttle, trepidation was replaced by pure adrenaline and analytical interest as Rodney explained and demonstrated the techniques.
The seminar was conducted in a systematic escalation of learning. My fear of falling behind was unfounded as Rodney relayed a clear trail of bite-size information and seamless flow of movements and options.
I joined CMD, seeking practical martial arts. So I found it particularly comforting when Rodney shared a parallel take about his programme. The seminar covered a good balance of 'real-world self-defence techniques vs. the sporting aspects', including a healthy discourse on the many states of martial arts today. Plus, it was good to watch and partner with CMD practitioners/trainers from the region, and of course, the ever-obliging training partners from KDTA.
After 3 days and 8 hours: physically-spent, mentally-sated. Or as my instructor/KDTA's pro-trainer/owner/comic, Vince, described CMD in his website - functional training." (August 09)
Ms. Sherry Koh
CMD Malaysia Team Member
Crazy Monkey Defense: My Experience Thus Far
"I have always been an enthusiast of mixed martial arts. Even though I started getting really serious about following the sport in 2006, but I’ve always found something uniquely intriguing about two fighters going into a ring or a cage and doing what they do best: Putting on a great fight and entertaining the fans that throng arenas and stadiums around the world for MMA events.
Coming from a journalism background, I also love writing my opinions in regards to the state of MMA today and the fighters that live and breathe this beautiful sport. However, I realize that there is more to MMA than two men slugging out in the ring, throwing punches, kicks, knees and submissions on the ground. There’s a whole lot of processes involved in just winning a fight and that’s the beauty of it. Every fight begins standing up and this is where the fighter starts thinking, “What do I do? Pull out my kickboxing skills? My karate strikes? Work my boxing on this guy?” Then when he starts clinching, the fighter will start thinking again, “Okay. I’m in a clinch. Should I try to work a Muay Thai clinch? How about if I use my wrestling background to take him down?” Then when the fight goes to the ground, the fighter asks himself, “Okay. We’re on the ground now. Let me see if my wrestling could work on this guy. Or how about my judo skills? Better yet, I did some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and this would work wonders. What if I put those skills to good use then?” Of course watching the fights maybe exciting, but what about going through these ordeals? That was when I realized that I had to start training in MMA. Before you ask, no, I don’t intend on becoming a pro fighter. I wanna get the feel of MMA fighting and go through what every fighter goes through when they spar or compete in a match.
Having done a little bit of shootfighting over at The Academy of Mixed Martial Arts Western Australia, my thirst for MMA training kept on coming and back then while I was studying in Perth, I didn’t have a car and getting to Mirrabooka from my university located in Murdoch is not an enjoyable thing considering how far away the gym was. So I started looking for MMA gyms in Malaysia and by typing out “MMA”, “mixed martial arts” and “Malaysia” on Google, I stumbled upon a humble gym located in the Bangsar Puteri condominium near Bangsar Shopping Center.
The gym was called KDT Academy and it featured FizFit, Kettlebell and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes. More importantly, it also featured Crazy Monkey Defense, which until then was something I’ve never heard of. Having viewed videos of the classes on YouTube, I soon realized that this was what I wanted to do. So I saved up money and finally, about a few weeks before my birthday, I headed to KDT and signed up for their Crazy Monkey Defense Programme. I had a light chat with the owner of the gym, Vince Choo, who is a BJJ purple belt and the CMD pro trainer and from that chat, somehow we immediately clicked and I told myself, “I definitely came to the right place cause this is probably the one guy I’d definitely love to train under.”
I signed up for the programme’s beginners classes and there were a lot of people also taking it up, aside from some of the more advanced students who also joined in on the beginners sessions. During the first few months of doing CMD, we did a lot of boxing and of course, my level of cardio has never been up to par, so I constantly gassed out everytime we work the gloves. In recent times however, I haven’t been able to gas out as much as I used to in the past and that made things look up for me. I guess all the boxing really did wonders to my cardio level.
What I also learned from this is that CMD is more than just a form of MMA. In fact, it’s a martial art of its own. There were so many technical aspects of it with terms that sounded Greek to me when I first started (the Fight Compass and MMA Matrix to name a few) and techniques which made CMD what it is. In fact, this isn’t just any martial art. It is very modern and it does keep up with the times, especially when mixed martial arts has become the fastest rising sport in today’s world.
While majority of the stuff I learned during my time was boxing, there were also times when we did Monkey Jits, which is BJJ incorporated into CMD to turn us CM Monkeys into well-rounded fighters. There have also been kicks and clinches taught to us by Vince himself and recently, he started teaching us the ground game aspects of the programme. As I continued learning, I realize just how hard it is to fight on the ground. Professional MMA fighters make it look like a piece of cake, but it really is that tough. I’m so used to fighting on my feet that it became a whole new ordeal fighting on the ground. Learning how to make transitions, apply submissions and defending in guards are strenuous and took a lot of my energy away, but it was great fun and a great learning process.
>Which also brings me to something which I find almost after every CMD class I intend. Perhaps it’s due to the stressful and hectic nature of my work, but I always have this sense of satisfaction and absolute bliss after each and every CMD class. Those on my Facebook and those who follow me on Twitter would realize that I would update my status by saying something really positive about the night’s class, whether it was something new I learned or the fun atmosphere on a whole of the class. And that of course brings me to my fellow CM Monkeys who are an awesome bunch to train with. These guys are very helpful and they would always look out for each other, helping everyone out by polishing techniques and strikes and generally making the classes (and also open mats sessions every Saturday afternoon) a fun experience. They’re also people I’m very proud to consider not just sparring and training partners, but friends as well.
Last weekend, the man who started CMD, Rodney King, came over to the gym for a three-day seminar consisting of Monkey Jits, CIA (Combat Intelligent Athlete) techniques and of course, a full-on MMA seminar at the end. Rodney taught us a lot about CMD, especially to newbies like myself. His techniques were fun to learn and he was very helpful as well. Most inspiring were the talks he gave during the seminars where he told us about his life as a martial artist, his times spent as a bouncer back in his hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa and many more. Those three days spent at the seminar was one of the most fondest times I’ve ever gone through in my life and if anything, it was something I’d love to go through all over again. Of course I’ll have to wait till next year when Rodney comes down to KL again for another action-packed seminar.
It’s been about four months or so since I took up CMD as a hobby and since then, I never look back. Aside from performing on stage whether as a singer, actor or even a dancer, practicing a modern form of martial art like Crazy Monkey Defense has been a healthy addiction for me and a fun one as well at that. It shed me a lot of light as to how hard and intense it is just to practice MMA and it made me strongly believe that yes, like a friend of mine said, mixed martial arts is a beautiful game." (August 09)
Johan Yusof
CMD Malaysia Team Member
I just want to share here my positive experiences with the CMD Programme.
We all have our different motivations and reasons for starting with
the CM Programme. Some want to lose weight, some want to have a fun
activity... Mine was to learn a real, functional martial arts which
would work for me, if the situation called for it. Learning a
functional martial art in today's society is no longer a luxury
(IMHO), it is a necessity. After hearing and seeing all the violent
crime happening to friends and loved ones (and sometimes, almost
happened to me), I decided that I could no longer afford to take not
learning martial arts lightly. If pushed to a corner, I needed to know
for myself I could do something.
So where do you begin? And how much time would you have to invest and
in how long a period would you be able to learn to defend yourself?
Fortunately for me, I was already acquainted with Vince and the CM
Programme when I was doing the Fizfit Programme. Here was a world
class functional (and fun-tional!) programme right at my doorstep (of
the gym) and with an excellent and dedicated instructor that I told
myself, I would be stupid and doing myself a great disservice for not
doing it.
And so I made it my 2009 resolution to do.. and stick with the CM
Programme. Time is a big factor and consideration for me because of my
work and family commitments. However, here in the CM Programme was
something I could commit myself too. Make it at least 2 days a week
for it. Very workable for me for reaping tremendous benefits and
getting what I wanted (in terms of functional martial arts).
CM is great for me because it works for me, because it works for
really talented martial artists like Vince, Mike and Charles (who have
all nearly spent a lifetime pursuing and honing their martial arts
skills). And now here is a programme which is so well structured and
designed for the everyday joe (with little time, busy work, wife and
kids) with zero martial arts knowledge like me.
I have been to other traditional boxing gyms with scary sounding names
and regretted it. It's hard to learn anything of real, and lasting
benefit without getting your head taken off in such gyms. Once was
more than enought to convince me I didn't need such kind of alpha-male
aggression which was not conducive to learning martial arts. With CM,
I could learn at my own (slow) pace without getting my head blown off
and going to work the next day without any broken teeth, nose or
headache... and still really learn something.
At the same time, it is not watered down with just mere drills with no
real application because it has the element of sparring, which is
essential to hone your timing, distance, balance and judgement.
Sparring here is different from other martial arts centres because it
too is structured, balanced and grows progressively with your own
growth in the programme. Having the element of sparring is good for
me, because it gives me a feel of what might happen in a real life
situation. Remember that Rodney King developed this programme with his
input as a boxer, bouncer and martial artist.
Having a good lecture/teaching material is only as good as the person
presenting it. All I can say here is, there is no one teacher who is
more dedicated to our martial arts education and journey than Vince,
who has put in more hours, dedication and heart into his craft and
passion... and we're all reaping the benefits. I would like to say a
big thank you to Vince for all your dedication to your work and to us,
week after week, month after month, year after year.
I am more convinced that I am right after reading all the positive
emails and seeing the enthusiasm on everyone's faces as they come for
the CM classes every week.
Did I also mention the great sparring partners we have? There is no
ego or danger of escalating egos in the CM Classes (unless you want to
go toe-to-toe with Vince!) and all your sparring partners are
intuitive and respond appropriately to your level of boxing. While
they may be better than you, they don't need to prove it to you,
although they can.. and that's where we all learn to improve, safely.
Your Journeymen mentors are all dedicated to the programme and
experienced. Learn from them and tap into their knowledge of which
they're all to willing to share.
Hence to me, anything you guys want to work on is all fine by me
because it is all good.
Congratulations on your choice. Your search stops here. CMDP @ KDTA.
Safe training,
W.H. Thong
"Before I joined CMD or KDT, I came from a traditional martial arts background which emphasis more on katas, dummy sparring (opponent has a set of predetermined moves which they will perform and attacker will execute a set of predetermined moves) and 'mock' sparring where areas of contacts are limited and techniques are control to a bare minimum, no pushing, shoving, grabbing, takedowns, hooks, low kicks etc which makes the simulation very unrealistic.
After a long many years, I stopped my traditional martial arts training as I feel that I was not progressing and I seriously doubted the practicality of my training. Nonetheless, I was still interested in martial arts, and since I had lost faith in practical martial arts, I ventured into the other side of martial arts and dedicated a few more years learning the performance/artsy fartsy stuff which has no practical use whatsoever except it looks good. (eg. capoeira, aerial cartwheels, flips, butterfly kicks etc)
Anyway, to cut a long story short I then started actively looking for a form of martial arts that can actually work in the gym and on the streets. this actually led me to a few schools, and amature/hobbyist fight clubs. I participated in a couple of fights, and the fights I won I realised I won because of my attributes only, I was stronger, faster, or I hit harder. and the fights I lost or gave up were because of... well, I just lost I suppose... but all I can conclude from the fights that I lost was it was chaotic, messy and had no direction/game plan.
I stumbled across CMD and KDT from a website and was doubtful at first but did a trail period to 'check it out'. To be honest, after the first month I went back to one of the amature/hobbyist fight club to put what I learned to good use. Frankly, I did win some, and I lost some too.... however that was besides the point, most importantly, by employing the CMD techniques I felt more safe and secure and most people found it hard to get through to my defense.
With that thought, I continued my training in CMD and KDT. with more training, I gained more self confidence and faith in my own fighting abilities. the CMD course is very well organised and the course materials are suitable for fighters be it beginners or veterans. the classes have a good mix of theory and practical which eases the learning curve a lot, as you are able to understand via listening, seeing, note taking, drilling, practicing and sparring. the CMD program encourages an open forum where participants are able to question or pose any fight scenarios which all will be addressed openly without any secrets.
Since, joining the CMD program, not only have I brought my skills and game to a higher level, I have learned to put myself beyond my own comfort zone, push myself harder and humble myself and finally, I must say Vince is a coach that is actually not afraid of his students learning too much or even surpassing him in terms of knowledge or skill. not that there is anyone at that level at the moment, but if it happens one day, I am 100% sure Vince would say 'Yes, you are now better than me and I am happy for you.'"
Adrian Tan, April 08
"As a regular competitor in Thai Boxing I cannot begin to express the gratitude I owe to Crazy Monkey! I have gained so much in both my competitive life and life in general. It is refreshing to train in an environment with like-minded people that will push you, guide you, help you and be there for you no matter what. This is what the Crazy Monkey program is like at KDTA, you don’t have to worry about anyone ‘taking your head off’ here! I have also found that the goals you set for yourself in the gym can also extend beyond the gym. One can learn a lot about themselves when (gently) pushed just beyond their comfort zone!
I recommend the Crazy Monkey program to anyone. From the professional athlete to the budding MA enthusiast, to the person that wants to arm themselves with greater knowledge on self defense – the Crazy Monkey program fits your needs and your desires and will inspire greater confidence and self reflexivity. Crazy Monkey is not just a ‘style’. It is a way of life.
"
Jemima Wright Kayoom, April 08
Read Jem's Blog >> click here
I've done CM for the past 3 months. The thing I like most about it is the relaxed atmosphere. I honestly find this programme fun, interactive, enlighting and cooperative!
I've been practicing BJJ for almost 3 years now and I can see the distinct in this program. In CM, there is no fear of losing out to someone. I also like the supportive environment that encourages my personal growth.
In a nustshell, I would describe CM as a holistic martial art programme..
Thank You for your support and encouragement thru out my martial journey.
I will be happy to make an appointment with you for a quick 5 to 10 minute chat and proceed from there. Please schedule an appointment at your convenience. Unfortunately, we do not have trial classes, drop-in or for people to "watch" a training practice. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
CMD ranks at KDT Academy
+ Vince Choo
Kuching: Studio 23 + Albert Lim
CM Blue 1 Stripe:
+ Will require Goals Setting Form submission CM Blue:
+ Patrick Pincon
+ Adrian Tan
+ Mike Gong
+ Charles Wong (J)
CM White 2 Stripes:
+ Will require Goals Setting Form submission
CM White 1 Stripe:
+ Yap Wee Li
+ Rick Ali
+ Sherry Koh
+ Yeap Hock Kar
CM White:
+ NH Mak
+ Jerome Robertson
+ Erin Croyle
+ Lucius Choo
+ Johan Yusof
+ Ju-lian Teh
+ Raymond Goh
+ Tom ter Horst
+ Afif Termizi
+ Shirley Thien
+ Alvin Looi
+ Sameer Saigal
+ Olivier Fichot
+ Taufiq Tajuddin
+ Shawn Ting
+ Terry Chen
+ Bruce Lim
+ SY Chen
Monkey Jits ranks at KDT Academy
Black Belt Rodney King
Brown Belt
Purple Belt Vince Choo
Blue Belt
White Belt
+ Rick Ali
+ NH Mak
+ Jerome Robertson
+ Sherry Koh
+ Johan Yusof
+ Erin Croyle
+ Lucius Choo
+ Ju-lian Teh
+ Raymond Goh
+ Tom ter Horst
+ Afif Termizi
+ Shirley Thien
+ Alvin Looi
+ Sameer Saigal
+ Olivier Fichot
+ Taufiq Tajuddin
+ Shawn Ting
+ Terry Chen
+ Bruce Lim
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