Note: In the course of a month I get literally thousands of e-mail. I don't normally place correspondence in the "Mailbag" that are either labeled "personal" or contain information of a personal nature. As I read and answer mail, if I find a letter that I find interesting, amusing, topical or educational, it gets filed in my "mailbag" for future use in this feature. I try to edit out any personal information like addresses or telephone numbers, unless the writer specifically requests that I publish it.

I welcome all e-mail and will answer everyone in as timely a manner as possible. Don't be surprised if you find (or don't find) your message in this section. However, if you are concerned about your letter finding its way into the "Mailbag", simply include in the header or at the beginning of message "personal" and I will honor your request. GEM

Dojo Updates and other nice news!

Hello Mr. Mattson,

this is Patty Young, the new owner of the Kentville Karate Academy. As of last June I have been running the Academy. I have been training in Uechi-Ryu for 8 years and have a great club. I received your message for Bub Pelham and I thought I would let you know that he is no longer at the academy. He is residing in Halifax and working for a different part of the RCMP. I do not know his ph #. Although I have never met you personally I was quite excited to hear your voice on my answereing machine.

Anytime you are down this way, please call for there are many people who would be thrilled to meet you!!!!!!!!!

Thank you
Patty

Thanks for the "update" Patty. Good luck with the dojo and please stay in touch. GEM

Searching for a Dojo or Person

Mr. Mattson,

While in the Air Force I studied Uechi-Ryu from Jonathan Hawkins. We have been in contact several times, but I have since lost track of him and his where abouts. His picture is on your website so I'm sure he is still involved with your organization. If you could pass my e-mail address along to him I would appreciate it.

Thank You
Don Abbott
(email available from gem)

Good day Sensei Mattson,

I studied Uechi Ryu for 6 years under Sensei Louis Hopper, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, however it has been about 8 years since I was last in a Dojo. I am having a hard time finding where the Uechi Schools are located in Halifax / Dartmouth. Would you be able to forward that information to me, or tell me where I can find the information.

Thank you.

Jason Taylor

Hi Jason: Lots of dojo in Halifax. I'll put you in touch with our associates there and I'm sure they will welcome you to their clubs. GEM

Sensei Mattson,

My son, a student of John Spenser, and a recent black belt, is now attending
Berkley Music College in Boston. Is there a dojo near him that you could
recommend?

Thanks for your help.

Mark Kirk

PS. I'd also like to join him once a month for a workout. Is there a black
belt workout, say on a Friday evening or a Saturday morning, that we could
attend?

I can highly recommend both you and your son attending my Saturday morning classes at the "Hut" in Newton, MA. Go to the url below for details.

http://uechi-ryu.com/oldsite/shubukan.htm

While at the Hut you will meet teachers from all over New England who train with me.

Best,

George E. Mattson
http://uechi-ryu.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Keisuke Fujimoto <okikukai@rouge.plala.or.jp>
To: Mr.Georege Mattson gmattson <gmattson@uechi-ryu.com>
Sent: Sun, 20 Jun 2004 02:37:45 +0900
Subject: Hello from Okikukai Tokyo, Japan

Hello George sensei,
I hope this e-mail will find you & your family are in best health & sprits.
My student who came from U.S will be back to New York in this August,
and she hopes to continue Karate practice there.
Would you please inform me some Uechi-Ryu Karate Dojo in New York.

Best Regards

Keisuke Fujimoto
Okikukai Tokyo Japan.

Greeting Fujimoto, Sensei:

Thanks you for contacting me and requesting information about an excellent dojo in New York. Please have her contact

David Finkelstein: New York NY: 212-867-2896

David is an excellent instructor who knows all the good teachers in the area.

I conduct our annual SummerFest July 30 - Aug 1 at the Mass. Maritime Academy in Cape Cod Massachusetts. If your student returns early enough, perhaps she would enjoy attending the camp.

Naturally, you are invited to attend as well. :)

Please give me very best regards to your family and students.

Sincerely,

George E. Mattson
http://uechi-ryu.com

SummerFest News!

Hi George,

Paul Haydu recently added his name/address/ph# to your website. Could you please add my email address and ph# (858) 336-3789 back in? Thanks so much.

I really enjoyed the camp this year. Joe Lewis was a great addition to the agenda. I also appreciate you letting me test for 6thDan. I should have listened to you years ago.

I understand Alan Dollar is no longer teaching. What happened?

Jerry McDonald

Hi Jerry:

Congratulations again on your much deserved promotion to Rokudan/Renshi. Alan Dollar has retired from teaching full time and now spends his time with his family, doing other things that he enjoys. I'm sure he will stay active in Uechi and will stay in touch with his many students. GEM

PS. Here is a letter from the new owners of Alan's dojo. A real nice couple who are fantastic martial artist. If you live in the area, do yourself a favor and join their club. GEM

Hi George,

Your Summer Fest looks fantastic. I wish I could attend but cannot this year. I am trying to get Doug to fly back East and make some connections. Tom Schreck is a student at our dojo and spent several years on the East Coast and he's helping me to convince Doug to fly out there for a week sometime.

Thanks for your input on the website. I like yours too by the way. I read every one I get.

Robin
sensei@1shoken.com

Hi George,

just wanted to say thanks for holding a great summer camp. I don't know if you want feedback on the changse or not but if you do, here's my take on it.

I liked the fact that there were seminars to go to and interesting discussions under the tent if you wan't to take a break from the sun. I also liked that the big guests this year taught seminars. It's nice to have venerable masters, but it's great when they take an active part in seminars. The things I didn't really like as much was the shortage of options during each sessions.
I like the idea of having different themes during each session, but I would personally rather have a wider arrange of choices as there have been in previous years. It also makes the seminars smaller when there are fewer of them, and that allows the instructor to help people out who are having problems more easily.

Also, your idea of going to the seminars warning us what was going on did a great job of moving things along smoothly, but there's also something to be said for the community and comraderie that can be seen when everyone goes up to the bell together and listens to the announcements of upcoming seminars. I like the joking and jovial atmosphere it creates.

But overall I had a great time at camp (as I always do), and the things I liked about the changes maybe someone else wouldn't and vice versa. I realize how hard it is to please a large group of people. So thank you very much for all the effort you put into hosting this opportunity.

-Justin Powell

Good points Justin. So far most of the "feedback" has favored the new format. However, I believe that next year we will have a morning and afternoon session at the Bell, where presenters are introduced to the participants. GEM

Disturbing News from our Friends

Dear George:

Yes, I did read a lot from the forums. I just returned home today. There was an incident in "little ol' Plainfield" that isn't so little anymore.
About 4 weeks ago, There was a drive-by shooting on Dow Rd, in Plainfield. It was a drug deal gone bad. The unfortunate part was there were 3 shots at a "middle man" or the guy who collects the money and it happened right in front of Mom's front yard. Next door to my mother on the same land is a home where my sister Lynn lives. That way, they take pretty good care of Mom.

The victim was shot in the back, the bullet went through the lung and partially exited in the front of him but the bullet didn't fully go through. The guy banged on my sister's door asking for help at about 2 am and my sister looked around until the shooter took off and she brought the guy in. The bullet must of hit an artery or something because blood was coming up like a water bubbler. My sister put pressure on the wound and did everything she could possibly do to keep him alive. Her other hand was dialing the phone for the police and ambulance. Her husband wasn't there because he works 3rd shift at Foxwoods.

Little by little, he began to get pretty tired from the loss of blood but stayed awake long enough to tell her who shot him and where the guy lived. Lynn saved his life, a helicopter flew him to Providence where they're better at gun shot wounds.

The issue that scared Mom and Lynn was the people in the car of the shooter vowed to come back and get Lynn or my mother for helping the wounded guy.

Connecticut State and Local police were there all night, german shepherds found the bullet casings and everything. Them dam dogs are something else. Well when the reporters left and police, my sister was left kind of numb. After not sleeping for a few nights, Mom and Lynn called me and I've been staying there for 3 weeks, waiting and waiting for them to come back. Whoever comes after my family will have to walk over my dead body first. So, while they finally slept after a week, I stayed awake and slept during the day. They found the shooter and he's put away in prison but some are left still walking the streets.

I just got home yesterday....rested a little and caught up on your web site for a while.

Lynn handled the thing pretty good...After all, she was in the air-force for 6 years and is a better shot with dad's ol M-1 garande than her husband. Me, I depended on my rusty ol self defense and a holster like John Wayne, full of baseballs....LOL

I will look for that article I wrote on the issue of parents and baseball, George.

I wrote it in 1989 and is on display at the Howard Lamade stadium complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It could be at dawn's apartment and I'll look.

"Kids go through the motions of playing ball, but the fun is gone because the competition lies between the parents." I'd say with experience with the parents, 70% of their children, when they grow older, dislike the parents for the pressure they put on them." [Note: this is in reference to a "WhatsNew" editorial I wrote last month. GEM]

If you think about it, Little League ball is the first time a child is alone and has to face the world on his own. I remember standing alone on that mound and the pressure was unbelievable...But my parents stayed quiet and enjoyed the game regardless if we won or lost. I was very lucky to have parents who let me enjoy the game. It made me want to go on in baseball.

Well, it's almost 5 am and I have to get my system use to sleeping again from midnight on.....I've been too busy watching out a window every night for Lynn and Mom's safety.

Take care George....I'll look for the article.

George-San....Good pictures of ya on the karate web site. You look.......not old but sophisticated. hahahahaha and classy!
Lenny

Thanks for the information Lenny. In case some of your fans don't recognize you from your first name, they surely will when I tell them you are a Former Professional Baseball Pitcher for the N.Y."Mets" and often-time active Uechi-ryu student. Good luck to Lynn. She is a very brave woman who is a hero. I wish the rest of our society had her spunk, strength and honor. Please give her our very best wishes. GEM

Received earlier from Lenny:

Hi George and Sue:
I opened a new account with AOL and my new email is . . . . .
I noticed your article about parents and Little League baseball...I wrote an article on that and they passed it on to Williamsport because it made a lot of sense.

I worked hard on that article. Parents are basically using their children as extensions of their own ego because they never competed to a degree of success.

I've met personally with hundreds of parents about this. It's very sad, and the children pay the price and in the long run will forever hold a degree of regret toward their parents.

Hope all is well Sensei,
Lenny

Tournament News and Comments!

George,

Just a late note to say I enjoyed the Uechi Championships again this year as a spectator. I wanted to say hello to you but you looked very busy and I did not want to bother you. I did say hello to Fedele. I wish I lived closer to Boston where I could continue my Uechi with Fedele and you. By the way do you know anyone in the Bristol/Tiverton/Portsmouth (Rhode island) area who I could work out with?

My plan is to attend Saturday day and night at your Summerfest Camp but there is still one family commitment that could interfere. Hoe to see you then.

Regards,
Norm

Thanks Norm. Raf Derderian can help you find all the good dojo in your area. GEM

Here are some pictures from the tournament on Sunday. Hope you enjoy them!

Michelle

George, here is a picture of our team that came to Plymouth ..missing a couple (Steve Banchick... Stoughton, MA)

Point - Counter Point!

Hi George

You get so many Email I needed an eye opener...hope you didn`t panic.
Been following the membership decline thread and I want to add my 2 cents but each time I try to post, it comes out too ridiculous sounding. However, in email it seems to be better suited.

George, I have heard the same in the Scouting movement as well as Uechi, at times when attending meetings I`m not sure which uniform I`m wearing. Scouting is declining at an alarming rate and measures such as eliminating the mandatory use of the uniform and going coed proved fruitless. Also, introduction of computor badges etc...and other changes of traditional image simply failed to produce any effect. Training for leadership in PR and running programs are IMHO "icing on a missing cake."
I was asked how I had 24 scouts (with waiting list) when normally a healthy Troop is 12 for the last 3 years. (In our area we used to have 6 Troops now there is only 2 operating). Two of my scouts are also my Uechi students, one of which is a Shodan, Honour student in grade 12 and competing on Fencing team not to mention a part time job year round at a Pharmacy. Why the success in keeping them? They are given a goal and I focus on revealing all the individual strenghts and encourage sheilding the "weaknesses" amoung themselves. They often mentor and care for each other like a large family. Most importantly however, the leaders must have fun. Watch the sparkle in the teens eyes when the adults are having fun. I quote the founder of the scouting movement.. "If a man can`t get his point across to a child in ten minuits, he should be shot!" Baden Powell

Now my point. Are instructors coming to class free of the days baggage? Do you recognize there times it not be best to let a senoir student lead the class and the instructor line up and learn how to be in the moment? Do instructors take the time once in a while and "sit around the campfire" to listen and not judge? Can you relate to their accomplishments and set backs? When things are not going to expectations, will you look in the mirror first?
Can some of us allow ourselves to be "shot?".

PS Jimmy always got his point across well within 10 minutes. When he blesses our dojo that quote always comes to mind.

Best regards,
Leo

IUKF "Happenings"!

Dear members,

Please read the following summary of our work on the new standards. If you would like to be on the permanent test board please contact me. If you have any questions or if you think I missed something, please call me ASAP. Also, if there is someone else that I missed who you think should get this letter, feel free to send it along.

Thanks for all the help and patience. This has been a long time coming and I only see good things out of it if we stick to our collective guns.

Mike Murphy

Greetings friends, dojo owners, instructors, and fellow IUKF members:

Over the past five or six years many of us have gathered together to discuss IUKF standards and what they mean to us, our dojo, and the future of Uechi-ryu and the IUKF. Many good things have come out of these meetings that we who attended wanted to see come to fruition; however, for whatever the reasons, they never did. But this did not change the attitude of many of us who wanted to see the standards change to match our growing idea of what an IUKF black belt should be. Therefore, after another regional test in which we, as an organization, failed to be clear in our objectives, many of us decided to take up the mantle again and solidify once and for all the new testing standards of the IUKF Northeast Region.

Several months ago, I called and/or sent a letter to instructors in the NE and invited them to my dojo for a meeting and some Chinese food. Both were great! Much was decided as we not only tackled the NE Region, but looked to improve the IUKF as an organization. Our results were sent to Sensei George E. Mattson, founder and president of the IUKF, and he put into action many of the suggestions. For example, the leadership structure of the IUKF had been changed to:
President – George E. Mattson
Board of Directors: Bill Glasheen
Darren Yee
Paul Haydu
David Berndt
David Mott
These five men will work on topics such as membership, insurance, international affairs of the IUKF, Publicity just to mention a few. Sensei Mattson will be in an advisory position only for the IUKF as he finally, and most deservedly, works his way into semi-retirement.

The important item to us was that we were given the power to decide what we wanted to see as test standards in the NE Region. Therefore, after Summer Camp, another meeting was called in which we went over all the new standards again and worked out something that we all feel will benefit the IUKF for a long time to come. Does this mean that we cannot do any more tweaking? Not at all! We will strive to make this the best organization we can, and this is simply the first step toward doing that.

Please read over the new Test Standards and do not hesitate to give me a call if you have any questions or concerns. Remember, Sensei Mattson has given us his blessing, but was in no way part of the decision-making process.

Mike

IUKF Test Standards for NE Region

Definitions:
IUKF – International Uechi-ryu Karate Federation
New England Region – The area including, but not limited to, the six states of the Northeast region of the United States. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Test Board Administrator – Person in charge of organizing the regional tests.

Permanent Test Board Member – People who have agreed to be test board judges for the IUKF. Responsibilities will be defined below.

Test Administrator – Person in charge of creating and sending out written exams to all candidate instructors.

I. Test Board Administrator
a. Sensei Mattson chose Mike Murphy to be Test Board Administrator
b. Term will be for two years
c. Also part of the Permanent Test Board
d. Responsibilities include:
i. Organize test
ii. Arrange venue
iii. Collect applications
iv. Check time-in-grade
v. Check written exam
vi. Check pre-test sign off
vii. Give results of test to David Kahn & BB Registry
II. Permanent Test Board Members (volunteered)
a. Mike Murphy, Raffi Dederian, Jay Salhanick, Gary Santinello, Fedele Cacia, Vinnie Christiano
b. No set number to Board
c. No set term
d. Test Board members must be:
i. 4th Dan or above
ii. Have sat on 3 or more tests
iii. Voted on by the Board
e. Must wear clean white gi to sit on board
i. Gi-top must include the “IUKF Test Board” and “Uechi” crest on left chest
f. Test Board members will break after Designated Kata and before Freestyle Sparring to discuss candidates’ progress
i. If Board determines that any candidate has not passed any part of the test up to that point, then the candidate’s test will be terminated. The candidate’s instructor will be called to speak with the Board, and will be given the reasons why the candidate has failed.
g. Only Test Board Members will be allowed in the decision process room. This includes President, Advisors, Board of Directors, and other agents of the IUKF, as well as any of the candidates’ instructors unless otherwise on the Board.
III. Applications
a. All candidates for testing must use official IUKF Dan Test Application Form that can be found on the web.
b. Information must be truthful
c. Must be submitted 30 days prior to test
d. All test fees must accompany the application
e. All information will be checked by the administrator
f. Must be signed off by candidate’s instructor
g. Any intentional violation of the application will disqualify the candidate from testing
IV. Written Test
a. All Shodan candidates are required to take and pass an objective test
b. Test must be completed and graded with a passing score of 85% or higher
c. The test may be administered in any form the candidate’s instructor wishes
d. Must be passed in with application 30 days prior to the test
e. Jay Salhanick was appointed as Test Administrator
f. Instructors must contact Jay for the test. The test will be sent via email to the instructor. The instructor will issue the test and send the completed form back.
V. Standard Time-in-Grade Requirement
a. 1st Dan – Minimum three years training
i. Minimum 16 years old
b. 2nd Dan – Two years in grade as Shodan
c. 3rd Dan – Three years in grade as Nidan
d. 4th Dan – Four years in grade as Sandan
e. 5th Dan – Five years in grade as Yondan
i. Minimum age requirement is 30 yrs old
f. 6th Dan – Six years in grade as Godan
i. Minimum age requirement is 36 yrs old
g. 7th Dan – Seven years in grade as Rokkudan
i. Minimum age requirement is 43 yrs old
h. 8th Dan – Eight years in grade as Nanadan
i. Minimum age requirement is 51 yrs old
i. 9th Dan – Nine years in grade as a Hachidan
i. Minimum age requirement is 60 yrs
VI. Rank Testing
a. Ranks of 1st through 5th Dan must be tested regionally
b. Ranks of 6th through 9th Dan must be tested at Summer Camp
c. Special Test at Summer Camp for members out of region testing for 1st through 5th Dan
VII. Testing Venue
a. Test Administrator will decide where to hold test
b. It is hoped that in the future, we will be able to hold a test at a hall, where we can hold more people and do a proper job in advertising Uechi-ryu to the general public, but this is still undecided upon.
VIII. Test Requirements
a. Shodan
i. Sanchin
1. Candidate will be tested by instructor or otherwise designated member of the Board if instructor is not present
ii. Seisan
iii. Kotekitae
iv. Ashikitae
v. Seisan Bunkai
1. Formal and no derivation
vi. Dan Kumite
1. Must face off to the Board after each point
2. Formal and no derivation
vii. Freestyle Sparring
1. Candidates will be required to fight two, two minute rounds against two different opponents
2. Offensive & defensive techniques will be judged, as well as control of techniques, target, balance, and spirit
3. Candidates who are 50 yrs old or older have the choice to opt out of freestyle sparring, but they must perform a prepared series of self-defense techniques showing the same judged factors of freestyle sparring.
viii. Written Exam
ix. Pre-Test
x. Budo Passport
1. Two activities or events outside candidates’ own dojo (to be instituted for the Spring 2005 Test)
b. Nidan – Godan
i. Sanchin (same as above)
ii. Designated Kata
iii. Kotekitae
iv. Ashikitae
v. Bunkai
1. Candidate has a choice of what bunkai he/she wishes to perform
2. Candidate has the freedom to design his/her own bunkai or add to an existing
vi. Pre-arranged Kumite
1. Any design kumite may be performed including a modified Dan Kumite
vii. Creative Element
1. Candidate must show something from either cross-training element (i.e. kobudo, jujitsu, judo, etc.) or a creative Uechi element that demonstrates thought and imagination. (to be instituted for the Fall 2005 Test)
viii. Written Section
1. Candidate will be given an essay question via his instructor
2. Question will be given to instructor by Test Administrator
3. Question will be corrected on content, NOT grammar
4. Instructor will determine whether or not candidate has passed
5. Candidate will be given 5 questions to choose from.
IX. Budo Passport
a. Candidates must present their passports prior to testing
b. Nidan candidates must show 2 events outside own dojo per year
c. Sandan candidates must show 3 events outside own dojo per year
d. Yondan candidates must show 4 events outside own dojo per year
i. Verification of some cross-training inside or outside the dojo by Instructor needed
e. Godan candidates must show 5 events outside own dojo per year
i. Cross-training demonstration must be given
f. Events can, but are not limited to, summer camps, regional workouts, visits to other dojo, seminars, etc.
i. Must be signed off by instructor
X. Rank Certificates
a. Three types of certification will be issued to NE IUKF Candidates
i. Certificate of Rank
1. Full ranking and status of the stated rank and title
ii. Certificate of Achievement
1. Honorary
2. Special recognition award given to candidate who has overcome tremendous physical obstacles in their life to get where they are today
3. Certificate will NOT say honorary
4. Certificate will state the number of years training
5. Candidate can only receive once
6. Carries no official rank, title, or status
7. Cannot be given for titles such as Renshi, Kyoshi, Hanshi, Hanshi-sei, or Shihan
8. Candidate can be recommended for Shihan or Specialist
iii. Certificate of Recognition
1. Given to those people outside of the IUKF who have helped or aided the IUKF in some notable way
2. To be voted on by the Board of Directors
3. To be nominated by the President
XI. Shihan
a. 4th Degree of higher
b. Actively teaching
i. Must be verified
c. Instructor or Assistant Instructor
d. Written recommendation by teacher
i. Must include candidates’ history in the arts
ii. Must include teaching schedule (how and when do they teach)
iii. Must include teachers’ reasons as to why he/she considers the candidate to be considered for a master teacher (Shihan)
iv. Consideration by the Test Board given twice per year
1. Regional Tests
e. An administrative cost of $25.00 for Shihan certificates will be paid to the IUKF.
XII. Testing Dates
a. Regional
i. 3rd Sunday in October….Fall Test
ii. 3rd Sunday in March….Spring Test
iii. Summer Camp (Friday)
iv. Summer Camp Ceremony (Saturday)
XIII. Maximum Candidates at Test
a. Depends on venue
XIV. Minimum Age
a. 16 years of age
b. No grandfather clauses regarding testing and age requirements

General Questions!

Patch request

My name is Tomasz Iljin, I am a Security Agent ?A-D? in Kwidzyn ( Poland ).

I would like to request a shoulder patch from your Federation Martial Arts to add to my collection. I have been collecting patches for a long time and would like to add your patch to my collection of over 728.

I would appreciate your help. Thank you for your help.

In closing, I remain

Tomasz ILJIN
ul. Staszica 58/6
82-500 Kwidzyn
woj. pomorskie
Poland

Good Day, Mr. Mattson;

My son, Matthew Lewis is working on his black belt 2nd degree ranking in his current martial art style and one of the requirements is an essay. His prior essays have been about Uechi Ryu as that was his first style - working back from current to its origins. He has researched various web sites and used your book as reference. He would like to go farther but can't locate any more information. His ranking testing is mid-July so he is concerned what else he can obtain.

Could you recommend web sites, books or other sources he could work with to gain more knowledge of Uechi Ryu history?

Thank you,

Beth Lewis

I can highly recommend Alan Dollar and Al Moulton's books. GEM

Sensei Mattson:

It was nice meeting you on Saturday at the competition. As you requested, attached are photos of the three charts that Sawyer prepared as part of his 5th Grade Individual Learning Project ("ILP").

He received an A+ and the class voted his presentation as the Class favorite. The presentation included a verbal section on the history of Uechi-Ryu, a demonstration of Kata, and an interview with his Sensei Fred Channell. It was capped by a sampling of sushi for the class.

Also attached is a photo of Sawyer and his Junior Division Grand Championship trophies in both Kumite and Point Fighting and his Gold medal in Point Fighting and a Silver medal in Kumite.

Mitch Paine

Responses from Previous MailBag Entries

Dear George, Thank You!!
Nice service you offer!.
My daughter really seems to be enjoying her Dojo time in Rick Martin,s school.
Very much appreciate your imput on that.
Take care,
Bruce Emerson

Balazs Newsletter Tips!

Boxing Drill #10: Jump Rope: Improving Technique
Boxers jump rope to improve their cardiovascular fitness, develop endurance, and improve agility, balance, and timing.
The Three Step Breakdown

The Three Step Breakdown is a systematic training method that starts with the footwork being practiced without the rope. The Three step breakdown divides up more complicated moves into more manageable moves that can easily be practiced and learned.

Step One: Practice without the rope. Keeping the elbows in, neck and shoulders relaxed and rotate the wrists and forearms as though you're holding a rope. Push off with both feet, jumping only slightly off the floor. Land on the balls of the feet with the knees bending as you land. This allows you to focus on your footwork.

Step Two: In the second step both handles are placed into one hand and the rope rotates at the side of the body. Make sure the rope doesn't cross in front of the body. This move is also used as a neutral or resting move, by taking the jump out and going to a march. Even though you're not jumping, the heart rate is kept elevated.

Step Three: Now it's time to perform the jump inside of the rope. One jump for each turn of the rope. The Three-Step Breakdown, is not only a great way to learn new moves, it allows you to incorporate variety and resting moves into the routine.


Andy and Jamie's Health and Fitness Tip: The Warm-Up
To get the most out a fitness workout, an effective warm-up and proper
cool-down are imperative.
The Warm-Up

The purpose of the warm-up is to increase the blood flow to the working muscles and tendons, providing, more oxygen, (fuel) so more intense work can be performed. Also, muscle fibers are shortened due to rest, and the warm-up assists in lengthening the muscle fibers to a point where
they can respond effectively and efficiently to work. This reduces the chance of injury or pulling a muscle or tendon because there is an increase in the range of motion. In addition, a warm muscle allows for an increase in the speed of muscle contraction.

An effective warm-up doesn't take long. Increase the heart rate and blood flow to the working muscles with a two to three minutes slow jog, fast walk, or jump rope. Keep it easy. Take all the muscles through a working range of motion by performing rotation-type exercises at all major joint areas. Exercises such as forward and backward shoulder rotations, knee and ankle rotations, and core bending should be performed for 5 to 10 seconds each. Hold a muscle in a static stretch for 10 to 15 seconds to loosen up the muscles and tendons. Do not bounce and do not hold too long. The purpose is to increase the length of the muscle fibers to prevent injury and to assist in the muscles to work to their potential, not to increase the flexibility or the end length of that muscle. Lastly, take the muscle through a range of motion that imitates the activity you are going to perform. This allows the muscle fibers to learn the order that the muscle fibers are stimulated.

Next month: The Cool-Down

News from Petar Bogunovic (Pedja)

Uechi-ryu Karate-do
Mr. George E. Mattson
United States of America



Dear Mr Mattson,

One of people who have been providing me with some information for my book ("THE WARRIORS OF CHINESE HAND - Genesis and Expansion of Tode-jutsu ") is our mutual acquaintance, Mr. Ernie Lieb.

Ernest-Ernie H. Lieb (L) and Edmund-Ed K. Parker. The picture was taken at Jhoon Rhee's Washington D.C. National Karate Championships (May 6, 1967).

You met him in 1966 in Boston, when he won your Karate Tournament.

I am using this opportunity to forward you his regards.

Below you can find a part of his letter that he sent to me:

Dear Mr. Bogunovic,

I am sorry you cannot meet with me. I can understand you being very busy. I deal with the same problem.

It appears you are on the right road to success.

Maybe we will meet some day. I think it would be very enjoyable for both of us.

I wish you well in your search....

...I knew Mr. George Mattson, "head of American Uechi Ryu". His partner, who was equal in rank, is Mr. Allen Horton.

He was in the 60's a student of mine. He is now an associate member of the American Karate System....

...If you speak to George Mattson, please say hello for me. He is a very good man and does represent Uechi Ryu well....

Best regards,
Ernest H. Lieb 9th Dan, American Karate System.
United States A.K.S. Headquarters

All the best,

Petar Bogunovic - Pedja