Less well known in the world today is a unique style of self-defense and overall self-improvement developed in the ancient kingdom of Siam—or Thailand, as it is known today.  This unique martial art is known as “LOTUS.”  Mr. Precha Mahachanavong is the man responsible for the development of one of the finest forms of training in the martial arts to be found anywhere in the world.  Ajarn (The Thai word for “teacher”) Mahachanavong fought professionally as a Muay Thai fighter and also earned a black belt in Kenpo from Master Tony Lasit.  Ajarn Mahachanavong combined his Muay Thai with Aikido, Judo, and Kenpo to form a very versatile and devastating martial art and method of self-defense.  His belief was that what was already excellent, could be made even better by combining the best physical skills of various forms of martial arts.

Mack Petry joined the United States Air Force in 1970.  When he was stationed in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, he began his martial arts training in February of 1973 by studying LOTUS Self-Defense under Ajarn Precha Mahachanavong, at the Mahachanavong School of LOTUS Self-Defense in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.

Ajarn Mahachanavong taught separate classes to the Americans and to the Thai nationals.  By attending both the American and Thai classes, Mack learned quickly and earned his black belt on November 2, 1973.  He earned his third degree black belt in 1976.

In addition to holding a third degree black belt in Lotus, Mack also holds a first degree black belt in Hapkido, which he studied when he was stationed in Osan, South Korea.

After an honorable discharge of 24 years from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant, Mack returned to his hometown, Abbeville, Louisiana, in 1994.  He opened Petry’s LOTUS Self-Defense school there.  He also started teaching in the nearby town of Lafayette, Louisiana in March of 1995.

Since 1973, Mack has taught LOTUS to thousands of students in Germany, the Philippines, Hawaii, Maryland, Texas, and Louisiana.

• Increase your respect for yourself and others

• Build and strengthen your body, mind, and spirit

• Teach you intensive self-defense skills, enabling you to better protect yourself

• Build strong, realistic, and honest mental attitudes.  Strong minds in strong bodies leads to great self-defense and serenity, and this combination will lead to a richer, fuller, and better quality of life.