Michael Cerpok Sensei

Mr. Cerpok was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1961. In 1978, he left Chicago to explore creative pursuits of music and writing in California. It was also at that time that he began a study of World Religion and Philosophy. This led to his introduction to the practice of Zazen seated meditation, a practice that would continue to this day. 

In 1980, he became involved with martial arts and after thousands of hours of study in several martial disciplines he founded the system of Byakko Ryu Jujutsu some time around 1992. As the system of Byakko Ryu Jujutsu evolved, so did Mr. Cerpok's personal philosophy of living. This philosophy has been formalized as The Study of True Understanding.

In 1989, while developing his first martial arts training hall, Mr. Cerpok introduced the Common Sense Self Defense Abduction Prevention Program to public schools in Washington State. The program was wildly successful, and Mr. Cerpok found himself presenting the program to schools across the United States. After several appearances on television and radio, the CSSD Abduction Prevention program was released on video, and received excellent reviews.

After the success of the CSSD program, Mr. Cerpok began developing and implementing myriad public school programs. Classes in Conflict Resolution, Dealing with Prejudice, Social Skills Building, and Self Defense were all presented in the energetic, humorous, and motivating style that made him a highly sought-after speaker. Addressing students from Kindergarten through College, government agencies, and business organizations, Mr. Cerpok has always been humbled by the enthusiastic response to his teachings.

His first major publication, The Gentle Ravings of an Egomaniacal Master, was released in July, 2006. This book explains, in some detail, the philosophy of The Study of True Understanding, and is intended as a guide towards a more simplified and satisfying way of living.

Mr. Cerpok's second book was released in 2008. The Mobile Monk; A Zen Tale follows the adventures of Sute Inu, a wandering monk who inspires others through stories. This unique book introduces complex concepts of philosophy to the adult reader, while offering to children a simplified version of the same concepts through four illustrated short stories.

Mr. Cerpok currently facilitates programs and classes through Mobile Monk, a Community outreach program of Personal Development Center Inc., an Arizona 501c3 non-profit organization. Mobile Monk provides both the internal and external training necessary to ensure that individuals are able to meet each moment of every day with physical and mental balance, strength, and focus, while at the same time enjoying an immediate reduction in stress and mental fatigue. The techniques utilized are the result of Mr. Cerpok's thirty years of study in Eastern and Western philosophy combined with more than thirty years in the practice of the martial arts.

*In the fall of 2008, Mr. Cerpok developed the exciting new sport of Sabakiball. Sabakiball has been played by more than 14,000 children and adults since its introduction to the public and has been embraced by school districts and  physical education programs across Arizona. Poised to go nation-wide in late 2010, Sabakiball is one of the fastest growing new sports in the country.