ROSHI MARK LAWRENCE
O-Shihan Mark Lawrence was recently elected as the head of the Hoshinroshiryu Jutaijutsu Association by the leaders of this newly formed organization. He has been the head instructor at Kawartha Hoshin Training Centre for the past 10 years, and was a personal student of Hoshinjutsu founder, Dr. Glenn J. Morris. Mark has studied various aspects of both the internal and external martial arts for more than 19 years. He has trained in various forms of healing work such as Therapeutic Touch, massage and acupressure. Mark had been practicing different forms of meditation for many years before he started training in external martial arts, and was eventually led to Dr. Morris' series of books on martial arts and the esoteric. After reading these books, Mark travelled from Canada to the USA (Indiana) to meet and train with Dr. Morris. This was the beginning of a long and wonderful friendship with a man that would be Mark's mentor, friend and teacher for years to come.
Within the first year of training with Doc Morris, Mark achieved the rising of the Kundalini. This was another re-birthing of sorts for Mark, and he was very lucky to have his mentor around to help him through this process. On one of Dr. Morris' extended trips to KHTC in 2005, Mark was honored to be able to assist Dr. Morris in recreating the Hoshinjutsu training syllabus. It was at this time that the first instructional Hoshin DVD's were created. Unfortunately, Soke Morris would never see the finished product as he passed away suddenly in April 2006.
After the death of Dr. Morris, Mark and the other leaders of the original organization did everything possible to keep Hoshin from fading away. Mark and his very supportive wife Tina, put in extensive hours striving to drive Hoshinjutsu and the new leadership forward. In recognition for this work Mark was named the Man of the Year for Excellence in Communications when he was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
At the Memorial Kaizen in 2006, Mark was drawn to one of Glenn's old friends, students, and mentors: Shihan Kevin Millis (15th Dan, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu). Mark and Shihan Millis quickly began creating a friendship that has now lead into a teacher - student relationship. Mark received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu in April of 2008 under the guidance of Shihan Millis, who now continues to mentor Mark.
Over the years since the death of Soke Glenn Morris, several things changed within the original Roshi Ryu organization, and its leadership. After much soul searching, Mark and several of the leaders decided to leave the original organization to form this new one.
"My only two desires in this organization is to continue the legacy of my teacher, mentor, and friend, Dr. Glenn J. Morris-soke, and to assist people that are on their path".
~Shihan Mark Lawrence
HOSHIN IKKAN!