About Us
(775) 772-9471

What Makes TACS different

About Grand Master Mark Shuey

The American Cane System was developed for seniors by 8 time World Champion - Grand Cane Master Mark Shuey Sr. GM Shuey created a system for people over 40 to help individuals in all physical conditions find a method of exercise and self-defense.

From Grand Master Mark Shuey Sr.:

One morning I could not get out of bed, my back was in such pain. After four weeks and two doctors telling me I needed to have surgery, I went to Hawaii and began my serious study of Yoga. For over four months I studied under a Yoga master. Afterward, I was healed with greater strength and flexibility than I had had in years.  I was able to achieve over 10 world titles in martial arts as a 7th degree black belt. 22 years ago I was promoted to 10th degree black belt as the Grand Master that created the Cane defense system now known as The American Cane System.  Yoga changed my life then, and at 75 years young, it continues to do so today.  I think it can changer your life too.

I hope you will join me at our Yoga and Self Defense Cane System classes. We have several Yoga Play and American Cane System classes that we live stream.  If you prefer to follow on your own time, we also have several training videos available.

Whether you're interested in Yoga Play for beginners, or advanced level, or want to enter into "The American Cane System", we have products that can help.  Find instructional training videos from "Cane Fu", "Cane Ja", "Cane Chi", or "Cane Self Defense the UK Way" on our products page or click the button below to learn more about our class systems. Each training system is designed to cover specific needs.

Credentials And Achievements

Training in the Chuck Morris System of Tang Sao Do, Mark received his 1st degree Black Belt in 1978 under Master Harold Gross, Master Dennis ltchakawa, and Master Neil Citron.  He then began teaching martial arts in 1979. In September of 1999 he was promoted to 7th degree by the USMA and ICHF.

Mark Earned Degrees In Tang Sao Do, Tai Kwon Do, And Hapkido.

Mark has a Master's Certification with USNKA (United States National Karate Assoc.), ATAMA (American Teacher's Assoc. of the Martial Arts), and USMA (United States Martial Arts Association).  He has numerous other positions and accomplishments such as being on the Board of Directors for the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, the Independent Karate School Association, and the International Martial Arts Association. In March of 2002, Mark was promoted to 10th Degree Black Belt for Cane Master by the International Martial Arts Council of America (Head founders/Grandmasters Association). Mark is also the Head of Cane Instruction and Nevada State Director for the International Combat Hapkido Federation, and is certified by World Black Belt as a Certified Instructor for their "America in Defense" program.

Shuey Is A Top Competitor In Martial Arts Tournaments.

For years Mark Shuey Sr. has been a top competitor in the National Coalition of Martial Artists and was rated number one in weapons and katas in M.A.R.R.S. for his age division and number two in overall points.

 

Mark Shuey Kept Winning Competitions for Years

Since 1998, at the Unified World Martial Arts Federation year end banquet, Grandmaster Mark SHuey has earned multiple awards, such as overall Grand Champion in both weapons and forms,1st place winnings in 4 categories: Forms Katas, Weapons, and Kumite (Sparring). He's also earned Grand Champion in Katas for the Golden State Karate Assoc. (GSKA) and the national title in senior weapons in IMAC. Shuey has been awarded Competitor of the Year by IKSA. and he was inducted into the Martial Arts Masters, Pioneers, and Legends Hall of Fame as a "Master Instructor".

 

Grandmaster Mark Shuey went on competing and winning more NASKA National and Masters Weapons Titles.

He has won top honors in the world for the KRANE ratings and was inducted into the USMA Hall of Fame, as well as the prestigious World Head of Family Sokeship Hall of Fame.  He was also inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame, International Association of Karate, Kobudo, Puerto Rico Hall of Fame and USMA, and was named "Martial Arts Pioneer".  Grandmaster Shuey is in the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Master of the Year/Weapons, and Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame as Weapons Instructor of the Year, too. The World Martial Arts League in Germany honored him as Grandmaster of the Year/Weapons/Cane.

Grandmaster Shuey has continued to compete, and recently participated in the KATA WARS in Las Vegas, a prestigious event only open to those with over 100 wins under their “belt”.

Grandmaster Shuey Continues to Promote Tournaments, Wellness, and Self-Defense

Mark has been promoting tournaments in the martial arts since the 1980s, and has hosted many tournaments of his own. Because of his love for the Cane, his weapon of choice, he was one of the founders of "Cane Masters” and “The American Cane System”.

Although Grand Master Shuey is trained in all of the major martial arts weapons, he's completely sold on the merits of the cane. "It's the most practical weapon a martial artist, or anyone for that matter, can learn," says Shuey. "What other weapon can you carry on a plane or in a casino? Try getting nunchaku past airport security! After all, what good is learning a weapon that you can't take anywhere?"

New Year, new self defense skills, new confidence

New Year; New Self-Defense Skills; New Confidence

By The American Cane System | January 29, 2024 |

The new year is unfolding and people who made better self-improvement fitness resolutions may be getting frustrated with their choices. One often overlooked but incredibly beneficial resolution is to learn self-defense, the training could also boost fitness. For many, traditional self-defense classes seem intimidating or physically demanding. Cane Fu self-defense training is different. It offers a…

Cane Fu training yields physical strength, endurance and flexibiliity...and fun.

The American Cane System: Empowering Endurance and Fitness

By The American Cane System | November 3, 2023 |

Cane Fu offers a unique and engaging form of exercise that not only improves physical strength, endurance and flexibility; but also promotes mental focus and emotional well-being.

Cane Fu-self defense that changes lives

Cane Fu – Self-Defense That Changes Lives

By Jo Gardner | October 11, 2023 |

Cane Fu Answers Threats from Surprising Directions

realtor self defense month

September is Realtor National Self Defense Month

By Jo Gardner | September 18, 2023 |

Real Estate is a popular second career for seniors and retirees. Careers in real estate is a career that not only fosters new social connections but builds on existing ones. With that said, September is a special month for Realtors. It is self defense month, something that reminds all of us about the risks of…

embrace exercise over 50 for health

Embrace Exercise Over 50: Embrace Health

By Jo Gardner | August 4, 2023 |

Aging is an inevitable part of life, and as we enter our golden years, maintaining good health becomes even more crucial. Regular workouts play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens. It offers numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits that contribute to overall well-being. In this blog, we will explore…

empowered seniors wearing capes know self defense

Empowering Seniors: The Importance of Self-Defense

By Jo Gardner | July 17, 2023 |

As we age, our physical capabilities may decline, making us vulnerable to various forms of danger. However, senior citizen isn’t synonymous with defenseless. In fact, it is crucial for older individuals to learn techniques to protect themselves and maintain their independence. When we talk about defense, we have to include Cane-Fu in the discussion. In…

self defense by acting as own first responders

Self Defense by Acting as Own First Responders

By Jo Gardner | June 30, 2023 |

The pocket of seniors who suffer more hate attacks than other seniors is AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander ).  AAPI Hate reported 11,500 hate incidents in the two years between March 2020 and March 2022. We can’t wave a wand and stop hate, so seniors must learn to become their own first responders.  At The…

Martial arts for seniors

Martial Arts for Seniors-Fighting Elder Abuse

By Jo Gardner | June 14, 2023 |

Though Nevada state law NRS§200.5099 prohibits abuse of seniors, desire for self-reliance has many turning to martial arts for seniors. While I don’t think of myself as an “elder”, it’s easy to appreciate the intent of Nevada legislators. Requirements of NRS§200.5099 The Nevada Elder abuse law may be a deterrent to senior abuse, but it…

Cane-Chi - a great rehab and fitness system

Cane-Chi – A Fitness and Rehab System

By Jo Gardner | May 25, 2023 |

Eight time world champion and Grand Master Mark Shuey, with the help of Dr. John Ruberto, Bruce Vinciguerra and Timothy House Introduced Cane Chi. It was a whole new cane-based exercise program with an emphasis on wellness. Cane Chi isn’t martial arts. Instead, it combines resistance bands as well as a cane into a great…

How Cane self-defense leads to fitness

How Cane Self-Defense Leads to Fitness Too

By Jo Gardner | March 30, 2023 |

If you were the victim of a violent attack, would you know what to do to defend yourself? Would it be second nature for you to spring into self-defense? Would you have the strength and flexibility to protect yourself and/or others with you? Would you turn your cane into a self-defense mechanism? Training in cane…

Favorite Classes

Cane-Fu

Cane-Ja

Cane-Chi

Yoga Play

Untitled