Ms. Joy Geary-Kyoshi Professor--Shihan Shichidan - 7th Degree Black Belt -Hikari Ryuza Ryu®-Danzan Ryu Jujutsu- Sensei -- Hikari Ryuza Ryu Do Kan® Council Member Hikari Ryuza Ryu Yudansha Kai®
Professor Geary B.Sc. As a young girl I was always knew there was more to life than running from place to place on a socially accepted path, as if on autopilot. I wondered at how everyone seemed to be content to go to school, go to work, go to retirement, go to death without some deeper revelation of why! This mundane, complacent existence was unacceptable in my mind. There had to be an underlying super conscious current that put all the pieces together showing the true purpose, at least my true purpose. As I sought this knowledge and understanding I found time and again that the road I was on was more of a roundabout, taking me back to where I started. Naturally there were glimmers of truth I gathered along the way, which matured me - but something was always missing. Then one day I realized the missing link was a teacher!!! I needed a guide that had already been where I wanted to go and could show me how to get there. Obviously, I would have to travel to India or somewhere the likes of to find a true master to study under, and I suppose that was all the more appealing during that time because of the difficulties I was enduring and so the desire to move away where all my problems would be solved just by starting anew. While meditating on this, a thought occurred - 'no matter where I go in the world, I will still bring myself with me!' It may seem like starting all over, but eventually the distractions wear off and there I'll be confronting myself once again. I must have emptied my cup at this point because shortly after this resolution my life changed completely and forever. And in hindsight I see how that moment I had come to in my young life (thank heavens!), that moment of utter discontent at the prospect of repeating the same ole, same ole pattern was really a pivotal point that caused me to break that chain. "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." I met Grandmaster Crimi and fell in love with Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu®. To my utter amazement that true master I sought was indeed not in India, he was 20 miles away from where I grew up! Right under my nose! How fortunate was I! Now that I had my teacher I began to grow very rapidly, though it was extremely challenging both mentally and physically. As a budding martial artist I was constantly being pushed out of my comfort zone, and while I feared it, I hungered for it. Through Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu® and Grandmaster Crimi's vision I was finally experiencing life in an empowering way and finding my own answers. Never before had I met anyone that lived their life so passionately, truthfully, and so unwavering in their convictions. I was becoming strong and living my life with spirit! And this was just the beginning… Once I got my Black Belt, which is a whole other
story in itself, a vast new world with endless possibilities stretched out before
me. Training with Grandmaster Crimi, especially as his Yudansha is like traveling
on a starship at the speed of light. You don't even realize you are moving that
fast, for the sheer fact that speed is relative, but if you were to step off the
starship you would likely never be able to build enough momentum to get back on.
No matter how tough my training got, or life got, I never stepped off. My name is Joy "Shizumi" Geary. For over 15 years I have been a devoted student of Grandmaster Crimi's. I am the Sensei of the beautiful Hikari Ryuza Ryu Do Kan, nestled in Penn Valley, CA. I hold the internationally recognized rank and title of Shichidan (7th degree Black Belt)-Kyoshi and the title of Professor. My training in the arts includes: Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu® and Danzan Ryu Jujutsu, American Kenpo, Senkotiros and is worked at diligently every day of the week. I was born in Grass Valley, CA in the mid-70's, the oldest of 9 children. I've spent most of my life in Nevada County, though I did move away for short periods of time, living in Monterey, CA, Clayton, NY, and Maui, HI. I do believe this made me realize how truly wonderful this area is, wanting to live the rest of my days here, despite my prior belief that Nevada County was the most boring place on the planet! You know how it goes when you're a kid! Where's the rush man? I have always had an affinity for "The Arts", and most specifically performing arts. Though never formally trained, dancing was a favorite past-time of mine, and helped lead me on my quest to Jujutsu. For the most part I enjoyed school and getting good grades. I graduated a semester early from High School. My Great Aunt was quite an influential person in my youth. She grew up on a farm in South Dakota and was one of the hardest working, most "love thy neighbor" people I ever knew and had the privilege to love and be loved by. Because of the respect I had for her and her tough love, she helped me develop the work ethics I carry to this day. Being the oldest
child, I must admit did cause me to mature with a heightened level of responsibility
and an inclination towards caring for others, both young and old. Through years
of studying Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu® with Grandmaster Crimi, I began learning
ancient healing techniques passed down through our lineage that helped further
mold these aspects of myself, and showed me how to really help others. " Hikari Ryuza Ryu Basic Massage
& Acupressure® program Additionally, through Grandmaster Crimi's POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified defensive tactics courses, I have been afforded the privilege of DT (Defensive Tactics) instructor for Nevada County Law Enforcement and the SWAT/SED teams, and have been for the past 12 years. My certifications in regards to defensive tactics are: " Hikari Ryuza
Ryu Do Kan DT Course® In addition to the defensive tactics courses that Grandmaster Crimi teaches gratis, he also runs a weekly volunteer class for all of Nevada County's volunteer deputies and retirees in law enforcement. Like his teacher - Professor "Bud" Estes, Grandmaster Crimi is very emphatic about community service. Hence, as part of the requirements for a member of the Hikari Ryuza Ryu Yudansha Kai®, the Black Belt must donate time to community service, and I do so gleefully! In the area of women's self defense I am certified in 1000 hours of Hikari Ryuza Ryu Fujin Goshin No Maki® (scroll of Women's Self Defense). Over the last 33 years over 1000 women have gone through this course. The UWMAF (Unified World Martial Arts Federation) awarded me outstanding Sensei in 2001. I am proud of this award because I take my job as a Sensei very seriously, and it is a credit to the kind of Sensei my Grandmaster is. In conclusion I would like to say thank you to my teacher! Words could never express not only the Giri, but the gratitude that I feel for you! My life has rewards beyond any comparison. My Hikari Ryuza Ryu family is full of some of the best folks on the planet. People that go out of their way to help one another, people of integrity, people I'm proud to know and love. We all have high standards and strive to be better human beings because of the example you have set for us! The way that I get to personally grow and help people through my art is challenging, fulfilling and exciting. Some
of my most rewarding moments: © 2002-2010 Dr. Crimi |
