Advanced Belt Tests

On December 19, 2009 THE TRAINING MAT welcomed two new members of the student body into the upper ranks. 
To read more click here.

Assistant Instructors

THE TRAINING MAT is proud to announce the induction of 5 new Assistant Instructors.  To learn more click here.

Mark Houston and Mark O’Dell recently returned from a visit with Grandmaster Richard Lee at his East West school in Alamo, Ca.  To read more click here.

In the photo from left to right; Mark O'Dell, Grandmaster Richard Lee, Mark Houston and 9th Degree Kenpo Master Ted Sumner

Josh Barnett Seminar

On December 6, 2009 THE TRAINING MAT, with the assistance of U.S.K.O. of Chino, was given the unique opportunity to host a seminar with Josh Barnett. Students and friends of THE TRAINING MAT spent the enitre day training with Mr. Barnett and were taught a level of Catch Wrestling he rarely shares with the public. We are fortunate to be associate with a Martial Artist of his caliber and proud to be the "Inland Empire Toe Hold Club". Check back soon for more photos and details.

End of the Year Seminars

THE TRAINING MAT and USKO of Chino recently joined forces to offer our students several exciting end of the year seminars.  To read more click here.

Dog Brothers Open Gathering 2009

THE DOG BROTHERS recently posted a video compilation of the 2009 stick fighting event called THE GATHERING OF THE PACK.  Mark Houston and Mark O’Dell participated at this event and portions of their fights can be seen at different points during the video.  To read more and see the video click here.

24 Hour Fitness Seminar

THE TRAINING MAT recently participated in a SELF DEFENSE / PHYSICAL FITNESS Seminar at 24HR FITNESS in Moreno Valley. To read more click here.

Conditioning Class ending for the Year

The Fall Conditioning Class of 2009 is winding down. Check back soon to see highlights of those who braved Mr. Houston's 8 week course.

Tennessee Boot Camp

Mr. Marez recently returned from Tennessee were he attended the latest camp with Mark Hatmaker. It was two days of MMA drilling, unbelievable conditioning and MMA application.  There were Pentagon Training Officials, State Troopers, Grappling Champions, Advanced Naga Champions and MMA Fighters.  It was an incredible pace in which Mark Hatmaker broke everyone down, pushed them past their physical limits then even further still. Coach Marez hopes to bring the experience, drilling and intensity back to THE TRAINING MAT. Mark Hatmaker watched over 640 Pro MMA fights to create a curriculum of techniques that had the most success in the cage and ring.  This years boot camp combined all aspects of striking, wrestling and submission work into a free flowing chain structure that made learning fun and a great workout. To see the photos click here.

Long Beach Grappling X Tournament

On October 25th a select group of students from THE TRAINING MAT competed in the Grappling X Long Beach Tournament. To learn more click here.

Fall of 2009
Advanced Conditioning Class

This year’s new crop of hopefuls has just set out on an 8 week course that is sure to test their hearts, minds and resolve. Due to the popularity of our Advanced Conditioning Classes Mr. Houston has divided the class into two groups to keep class sizes small as well as make additional training schedules available.  As part of our effort to provide the best instruction possible Mr. Houston now has two assistants helping to conduct the classes.  Check back soon to see how our new group of hopefuls handle what Mr. Houston has in store for them.

Sparring, Fall of 2009

Sparring for the fall of 2009 has produced some of the best results yet.  To see the photos and to learn more click here.

Marc Denny and Kali Tudo at THE TRAINING MAT

Marc Denny, the co-founder and “guiding force” of the organization called THE DOG BROTHERS, recently traveled to Moreno Valley to teach students of THE TRAINING MAT the progressive training methods of Kali Tudo.  To learn more click here. To see the photos click here.

Congratulations to Mike Parr and Jamie Sheldon

On Saturday October 3rd Mike Parr and Jamie Sheldon competed at the California State qualifiers for the 155lbs. weight class.  To see the photos and read more click here.

The Fall "Gathering of the Pack"

On Sunday September 20th 2009, Mark Houston and Mark O’Dell, instructors and co-founders of THE TRAINING MAT, participated in full contact stick-fighting matches at an event called “The Gathering of the Pack”.  To learn more click here.

Welcome Joe Sarkissian

We would like to publicly welcome "Smokin" Joe Sarkissian to THE TRAINING MAT instructor staff. His wealth of knowledge combined with his intense and thorough teaching style will be a great addition and asset to our school. His fighting experience spans over 13 years of competitive Kickboxing along with playing an instrumental role in the development of countless champions. With the addition of Mr. Sarkissian, THE TRAINING MAT continues along its path of developing and refining a complete martial art. To see Mr. Sarkissian's profile Click Here.

THE TRAINING MAT’S
ANNUAL AWARD CEREMONY AND DEMONSTRATION
To learn more click here.

GRAPPLING & PANKRATION RESULTS

The Training Mat competed in grappling and Pankration matches at the National Guard Armory. To see the results click here.

Video Games and Martial Arts

Long time friend and former instructor Matt Fast was recently featured in an article by the Press Enterprise. Mr. Fast is using his masters degree in Computer Science and years of experience to develop a Simulation and Gaming program for RCC. The support and encouragement Mr. Fast has shown us over the years and in particular with the development and maintenance of this web site has been invaluable. To read the whole article click here.

The Training Mat in Soft Ball

Recently Brittany Minder was interviewed by the Stanford newspaper and was asked how a college soft ball catcher is known for her boxing. To read the whole article click here.