Suki David Nishimoto davepamn@relia.net www.listensoftware.com

Suki means fighting openings or gaps. When too many suki possibilities exist the fighter becomes increasingly more vulnerable. To reduce the number of sukis or gaps, the fighter needs to practice covering these gaps. These gaps exist because of dead energy spaces. The fighter is not extending their mind to feel the openings. For example, while the front hand moves into a striking posture the neutral hand covers vital areas, such as the solar plexus or groin or face from potential counter strikes. As the lead hand withdraws the neutral hand comes on guard. This shifting between the lead and rear hand ensures no space is unoccuppied or sensed. Even as the lead hand rolls back to neutralize a grab or strike - the neutral hand covers the mid section and groin in one motion. As the lead hand empties the lower hand fills with energy warding off a potential attack to the side. The energy should move back and forth creating a full energy extension into the either the hands or feet; or the energy should empty from the neutral limb until needed.

One of the best methods for tighten up opening is to perform embu blindfolded. The fighter learns to trust their energy interpretations and intent exchanged between the two fighters. The mind relaxes and the motion flows intuitively between strong and weak forces. Practice should be done slowly and with focus. Eventually the speed of the practice can increase and the responses are absolutely amazing. One can measurable see the improvement. In time, one will discover their defensive capabilities will dramatic increase in capability. Even, complex sequences can be easily discern and reacted to without thought. In essence, the fighter will maintain a constant extension of their energy, thus, the fighter will learn to shift their energy from advance to retreat or vice versa.

Additionally, the Tai Chi form teaches the practitioner to remove suki within the expression of the form. The practitioner learns to shift the energy between the hands maintaining a constant flow of energy. Realizing how the form eliminates suki takes alittle bit of thought, but after thinking about the flow and working to maintain the constant flow of energy it becomes obvious how the form removes suki. 

Women's Tour Update:

Hello George, I hope all is well and you and Susan had a good Thanksgiving. I want to keep you informed on the progress of the 'Womans Tour" now that I have received word from Okinawa. Enclosed is the reply I just got from Okinawa and an update of information I am sending out to those ladies who expressed interest in joining the tour group. Feel free to pass along the information to any ladies at the dojo you know who may be interested. Thank you for posting the information on your newsletter. We really appreciate your help. Hello to Susan.

Regards, Peggy

 ********************************************** 
  Haisai Peggy san, ...........  
Mr.Tamayose-sensei reported about women's friendship tour in 2004 to Okinawa. I think that everyone was surprised and welcomed that idea.......... 
So we decided to accept your friendship tour, but there are many jobs to coordinate it............. 
If you can come to Okinawa, it is convenient for me coordinate hotels, practice schedule,exchange party,and so on.   Guburisabira! 
Sakae Uechi 
********************************************** 

Well ladies there is our response! and now it's time to ROLL!!!!!

Dear George,

I will be teaching in New Castle, England 

I will teach classes in: Kali Jeet Kune Do Thai Boxing Maphilindo Silat Shoot Wrestling

When: December 7 - 8

E-Mail: matthew_teasdale@hotmail.com 

Thanks Ron Balicki 

Dear Sensei Mattson,

On behalf of my sensei and the students of the Uxbridge Uechi-Ryu Karate Academy, I send you our greetings and we hope that both you and your family in Boston are keeping well.

I am also pleased to advise that our dojo finally has a web site. If you have a moment and would like to view it, our web address is http://www.uxbridgekarate.com . Any comments or suggestions you may have, would be greatly appreciated. 

For your records, the e-mail address of our dojo has changed from KORTIM@msn.com to mailbox@uxbridgeuechiryu.com .

Sincerely,

Tim Koressis

Tips from Charles Roberts:

Mr. Mattson,


I would like to say "HAPPY THANKSGIVING and PEACE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY". 

The tool that I used to do Kotekitae may not be a new; but the materials that I used maybe. The materials used are a wooden dowel (one inch diameter) and insulation foam rubber. I attached some pictures of the tools.

I hope you like the tool. It works good for me.

Thank you for your time and God be with you and your family.

Sincerely


Charles Roberts

Good Morning Mr. Mattson,

I was browsing through your website and found it very impressive. Great job on it.

Would you by any chance know of any schools that specialize in Uechi Ryu in the New York City area? Please let me know if you do because it would make many things easier for me.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Joe 

Congratulations to Mike DeDonato, on his recent promotion to Godan.Photographs and information submitted by John Morenski. GEM

Mike sent this note, when he heard I was going to post the photographs: GEM

Could you please pass along the following lineage and my respects to all of my former and current instructors. Good instructors make good students and >without these instructors I wouldn't have made it. 

1972-1977 Brockton Dojo > Instructors: Jack Summers, Bob Bethoney 

1978-1984 - Quincy dojo: Instructors: Forrest Sanborn (dec'd), Carmine Di'Ramio, Shodan -1983 

1984-1988: Quincy dojo: Instructors: Jack Summers, George Bosworth (dec'd) Nidan - 1987 

1988-1994 Cardiff by the Sea, CA: Instructor: Rod Midlin 

1994-2001 Garden Grove, CA: Instructor: Ahti Kaend (dec'd) 1995 - Sandan 1998 - Yondan (Okinawa) 

2001-Present: Garden Grove, CA: Instructors: Olga Kaend, Steve Goss, Mehran Shahkar 2002 - Godan 

I have attached two pictures that you may also wish to forward to Van or George since you are included and it shows the West Coast Test board. 

Thanks, 
Mike 

Hi,

We have new photo-report from XI Traditional Karate World Championship. Please take a look and send us your comments.

www.karate.org.yu 

Regards,

Stanic Milos Tsunami dojo Belgrade, Yugoslavia www.karate.org.yu

dear Mr. Mattson 
My name is Viktor Iglic and I have my dojo in Croatia in nice turist town Opatija on the coast of the Adriatic sea.I practice Uechi Ryu about 25 years and Tai chi 20 years.My phone number has changed : ++385 91 3327021 and e-mail is : viktoriglic@hotmail.com. I am reading often Your web site and iI find it very good. 

I wish you a lot of health - 

Viktor

If I could contact anybody over 18 years old that has done karate over the last three years, please answer the following questions. These questions are for a school assingment in physical fitness. I chose karate because it is an activity new to me, but am interested in.It will help me a lot to have these questions answered. 

1) What is your name? What city do you live in? How old are you? What is your job or what school do you go to?

2)How long have you been involved with or participated in this activity?

3)Why do you participate or enjoy this activity?

4)How or why did you get interested in this activity?

5)How long did it take you to get good enough at this activity to do it well?

6)What are 2 dificulties, frustrations, or problems you experienced in getting started learning the activity.

7)How has your involvement in karate influenced two other parts of your life? [school, job, budget, relationships,travel,health,etc.]

8)What is your favorite location/place to enjoy karate?

9)What are three words, terms, or phrases unique to karate, and what do they mean? for example, "choke up" in baseball means to move your hands up a bat,

10)What advice do you give a newcomerto this activity to hel ypu get started sucessfully?

11)What are two special concerns with equipment cost, maintenance,storage, or transport?

12) What are two risks, dissapointments or problems related to participating in karate?

13)What is one cross training activity and how does it help improve your body in karate?

Thank you for taking the time to read this. 

Please return answers at madusa732@aol.com by nov. 9 at the latest. 

Thank you so much! 

Woops... Guess I'm way behind in my mail... Sorry. GEM

We are a rehab agency that has 4000 sq ft of gym space available to a martial arts studio. I am interested in finding sources to place this listing. Could you recommend a publication or agency that would reach potential martial arts instructors? 

Sincerely, 

Jack Haire
Pro Therapy
Gainesville, GA
770-539-9001
jwhaire@charter.net 

Dear Sensei:

I have been training in Uechi karate in Melrose, MA for a few months. Is there anywhere on your site suitable for an author's query? Please change anything you feel necessary and post where it may fit. Referral to other martial arts resources will also be gratefully accepted Thank you kindly.

Author's Query For a statewide ~ 30pp newsletter in Massachusetts focusing on mental health consumers' empowerment and recovery. For article on alternative and complimentary practices used by people with mental illnesses to aid in their recovery. Any Sensei who has a mental illness or teaches people with mental illnesses (especially in a program specifically for people with psych disability), or student with mental illness who is willing to share her/his experience, please contact Uechi student Susan Landy at slandy23@hotmail.com <mailto:slandy23@hotmail.com> . 

Any info you give me can be redacted for purposes of confidentiality.

Susan Landy

Hi everyone,

I have just completed our new Dojo; same house, bigger room. The attached picture shows the completed new space; 13 feet by 29 feet. In the back right corner, you can just see a view of part of the old Dojo. The makiwara (just visible) and other training devices will be used in there to keep the Dojo floor uninterrupted. The changing area and a small office-library are also now in the old Dojo. The picture is taken from the walkout entrance to ground level. Next summer, I will convert that to a new Dojo entrance area from the outside. 

We trained on the new floor for the first time last night; it felt good! This project went all the more smoothly thanks to the help of my students; there is a lot of heavy wood there that had to be carried a good distance from the truck. I'm sure you all know the drill. 

Thanks to my students for their help and to my family for putting up with a bit of household disruption. In balance, my family gets a pretty good deal too. My part was to do a full basement and garage cleanup (as much work as building the new Dojo); and next summer a new patio, walkway and deck area go in.

This weekend, Kyoshi Spencer will visit here to help us "break-in" the new Dojo. I'll also be having a neighborhood open-house of some kind too; in the near future.

Similarly, please know that any of y'all are welcome here too! The metro DC area is once again a great place to vacation. Thanks for all of your moral support!

Rik 

Good afternoon, My daughter Brandy absolutely lives for Uechi-ryu! Could you please tell me how we can find information on any and all up and coming competitions? Thank you for any assistance you can give. Have a wonderful afternoon! Kind Regards, 
 -Bonnie- 

Keep watching our site for information regarding the Junior Uechi Championships series. GEM

Dear Mr. Mattson,

Are you the George Mattson who came to our dojo in Wilton Manors where DJ Lippner was sensei?

I am trying to fine a dojo here which teaches Uechi-ryu. Do you know of one that is local?? My daughter is interested in back into it.

Thanks

Liz Thornhill 

Yes, that was me. Please check the "Instructor's Listing", for an instructor in your area. You can a link to this feature on the home page. GEM