Dear George:

I tuned into the Kata Forum to see if any additional responses had been listed as to the topic of Dynamic Tension. Much to my chagrin, all responses to the responses are missing. Have they been deleted on a calendar schedule or is this a technical gliche. I will rely upon you to share this message with Bill Glasheen.

On a side note I have been corresponding with an okinawan dan in Uechi-Ryu who has talked about many splits and a political rift in Uechi-Ryu. Could you please elaborate if true, and the physical and political differences if any. I have heard shaded conversations at summer camp but never a full explanation. Please shed light.

Ronald D. Edelman

We have been experiencing difficulties with the "Dojo Roundtable" since it was moved to a new Server. There is no automatic deletion process, however the person who posts a response may delete it anytime. Regarding the "many splits. ." etc., this has been discussed at great length on this website. Check the Table of Contents and this Forum for background and commentaries regarding the various "splits" in the Uechi system. Although the political problems have weakened the overall focus of the seniors, it should not affect the individual students who should be devoting their time and energies into mastering the style and not worrying about the name chosen to define the style. GEM

Dear George:

I hope this letter finds you, your family and your Uechiryu students in good health and spirit.
Thanks you for both - your kind letter and the invitation for your Summer Martial Arts Festival '96. Although I can not attend this year, I would like to come next year and would like to teach a seminar on Uechiryu, Taijiquan and Gua Zhang (Qigong medical)

You may know that I've had the privilege to cooperate very successfully with Fuken Wushu Association and Wushu Department of Beijing University and that helps a lot in understand our Uechiryu system and the Chinese Martial Arts.

Hoping that we will continue to cooperate and that we'll be seeing each other on Okinawa during the Championship next year.
Sincerely,
Mario Topolsek, 6th dan
Yugoslavia

Dear Sensei Mattson:

Enclosed please find the tape of your guest appearance on Warrior Talk. From myself, Dr. Aiello and our faithful audience, a sincere "thank you" for being an honored guest. I have also included a tape of one of our other recent shows. Dr. Aiello felt that you would be interested in hearing this show. I hope you enjoy it! There are so many more that I have, if you would like me to send you any others, just let me know. I have included a list of all of the guests and topics so far. . . much more to come!

I hope things are well with you. Let myself or Dr. Aiello know if there is anything we can do for you.

Sincerely,

Dina Baganz, Chief Administrative Director
Aiello Group/Warrior Training Center
International Shito Kan Association
Warrior Talk - Martial Arts Radio Show

If anyone is interested in receiving a list of audio tapes available, please call Dina at 810-542-4314. I checked out the list and it is quite an impressive list of martial arts dignitaries. GEM

My instructor does not currently have ready access to the web himself, but he does find the printouts of your web pages that I give him to be very informative. As an afterthought, do you mind if I print off copies of your web pages for him? Also, do you mind if he photocopies any of the material for the class? I always make sure that your name and copyright information is on the printouts that I have given him and he would do the same for any copies that he would make. I guess the overall questions are: Do you mind if copies are made of your web pages and where do you draw the line? Thanks.

Glenn Humphress th20405@ltec.net

My reason for starting this site, was to be able to communicate with all Uechi students and teachers. We are blessed with many creative, imaginative and wonderful contributors, who gladly share their knowledge, skills and talents with the Uechi-ryu world and any other martial artist who enjoy visiting our pages. We draw the line when someone takes the information contained on this website, and without permission, commercializes it in any manner. Many dojo have actually created loose leaf books filled with the contents of this site, which they make available to their students who are not on the Internet. GEM

. . .As for Bobby Campbell, if it were a perfect world then I would want Bobby to teach me a butterfly knife form of the quality that he choreographed and taught Jerry Serino. I never saw the form, but I have seen Jerry do sanseiryu (impressive!) and understand that Jerry kicked butt with the weapons form in competition. Tell Bobby I will polish the hood ornament on his car (the female martial artist doing a side kick) if he would teach me such a form. Realistically I cannot expect that kind of exchange to happen and also have others get something from his presence. Now if you were to have a camera available and could take Bobby aside.... Another Bobby Campbell favorite would be a Chinese broad sword form. While this would have a lesser connection to our southern chinese system, it is great fun.

Perhaps the tea ceremony would have broad appeal. And I still have my sword from when Bobby taught Iaido. That would be helpful to make people do proper attacks in seisan bunkai.

Good luck on preparations, and give Bobby my best. I sincerely look forward to seeing him again.

Bill

So many things to do. . . so little time! GEM

July 25, 1996
Thanks for your reply and for posting the message on looking for a dojo. We already received one e-mail, but it was in Palm Springs. A little too far.
My husband, Manuel, wants to start training again and we appreciate all the help.
Thanks again.
Manuel and Patti PattiHotz@aol.com

Dear George,

Gordi gave me your kind words this morning - thank you so much for assisting by publishing the information on your Page!

I hope all is well with you and yours - please convey our best, and we hope everything goes well and successfully for you at your Summer Camp!

Most Sincerely,

Toshio Higa

George

I was pleased to see such a thoughtful piece written by Bob Kaiser. So much of what is conveyed by the media and by individuals is hysterical dung. This situation is clearly a case where proper education and proper actions based on education is the best solution to the problem as it exists today.

Often individuals such as myself who understand medical issues and deal with them on a daily basis lose touch with what perceptions still exist today. My first reaction to your response to Bob was "Com'on, George, this is basic stuff and he just handed you a super piece!" But then I realized that the ignorance may be mine: an ignorance of perceptions. Perceptions, however far from reality, do drive behavior and so they need to be dealt with.

On the subject of HIV/AIDS, the public can be forgiven for irrational behavior because 1) this is a disease that snuffs away lives of people in their prime, and 2) the media has hyped the situation and most see the world through them.

On a similar issue, many people are fearful of flying on planes because of what they see on TV about faulty equipment, dangerous cargo, and terrorist actions. And yet these same people will not think twice about driving to and from work during rush hour. A visit to a Public Health department will show that the risk for death behind the wheel is several orders of magnitute higher. But since the media has long-since become jaded to traffic fatalities, the tragedy diet that the public consumes is based on rare and/or unusual events. This creates many of the false perceptions and subsequent false concerns that exist today.

Another problem that exists is the need by many for "certain" answers. It irritates me to no end when I see a media person trying to get a health professional to GUARANTEE that he/she will not get HIV through a particular scenario. Nothing in life is certain, and the intelligent people that they interview will not give a guarantee that cannot exist. What results is a situation of frustration for both parties. What should result is a knowledge about what is common, probable, and reasonable.

And speaking of things that aren't certain, all should know that the HIV situation is an evolving one - both for better and for worse. The bad news is that HIV mutates probably as often as the influenza virus. This means that the likelihood of coming up with a single vaccine to prevent infection is remote. It also means that today's best information could soon become yesterday's solutions. For a long time scientists observed transmission of the virus mostly among gay men (anal intercourse) and among those sharing blood (transfusions, sharing needles, etc.). However countries like India and Uganda are in a state of mass extermination because of truck drivers who spread the disease from the prostitutes they have sex with on the road to their families at home. Some have thought that the existence of other sexually transmitted diseases in these areas increased the likelihood of transmission because of existing open lesions. Evidence now exists that there may be another factor: a more virulent strain of the disease in these areas.

The good news is that the information Bob Kaiser communicated in his letter to you is STILL the best information out there. Prevention is the best solution, and prevention is easy. In the dojo today that translates to treating blood (like our own dangerous karate techniques) with respect. Quite frankly if we can operate a karate dojo without people getting seriously hurt or killed, then this HIV situation is a breeze.

One more piece of good news - there is hope on the horizon for those infected with HIV. New tests now exist which detect minute quantities of the virus (as opposed to just the antibody of the virus) in blood. And a new drug coctail (AZT, 3TC, protease inhibitor) has brought the virus down to undetectable levels in some individuals. Nobody is using the "cure" word yet, but there is hope.

Maybe one day more people will see that driving in their cars is much more dangerous than flying in planes. And maybe one day people will realize that they should fear the "other" consequences of a punch much more than a little blood that it may cause. Perhaps what these two situations have in common is the issue of how much "control" a person perceives him/herself to have. But proper behavior will lead to very reasonable control of this disease.

Bill Glasheen

Mr. Mattson,

Greetings from Japan. I am creating a Nova Scotia Karate directory and I was hoping that you would send a letter to all the NS dojo asking for their cooperation. I know several of the instructors personally but I thought that it would be better if they were asked by you or someone from you organization. This is an all out effort to get all the NS dojo online by the end of the year with their own home pages. Could you send me a complete list of you kata and a history of your style. I would concider this a great honor. I was a former student of Sensei Ron Fagan before I settled on Shito-Ryu. Thank you very much and I look forward to your reply. Yours, Mark Munro

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mark Munro B.PE. 1-107 Takefushi Higashi Yao-shi, Osaka-fu Japan 581

Email: munro@osk.threewebnet.or.jp Phone/Fax: (Over seas code)-(country code)-6-703-3583 (Canada and the USA): 011-81-6-703-3583

Most of the Nova Scotia teachers are on-line and check out this site. Hopefully they will email the information you are looking for. I'll be watching for your site. GEM

Dear Mr. Mattson:

I just got "On Line," and found your Web page. The first article I read was your Letter in regard to the split within Uechi-ryu. I am fortunate to have Mr. Tracy Rose as my instructor, for he appears to have the same feelings as you do. He has consistently taught us to rise above the "politics" that so unfortunately permeate our style and world.

I wish you continued success as you spred the Way of Uechi-ryu.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Leland

P.S. I would like to invite you, Mr. Rose and Bruce to the Worcester Country Club for a rematch of our Westboro golf game. If you have the opportunity in August, I would be honored.

Thanks for the kind words Jeff. And you know I'll be available for that golf rematch. GEM

Dear George,

My name is Brian Crow. I studied Uechi Ryu for Aprox two and one half years, while stationed at Kadena Air Base. My return to the states in Dec89 left me searching for Uechi Ryu Dojos in every town or city I passed through. Always turned up empty handed. 19 March 1996, I signed on to the internet, entered the words Uechi Ryu on the web crawler, and bingo, what I could not find in 7 years, I found in a matter of minutes on the NET. One problem, all the Uechi Ryu dojos seem to be located in MI, AZ, or FL. If you know of anybody in NorthEast WA state or North Idaho that knows Uechi Ryu please let me know via E-Mail. Thanks. p.s. I achieved the rank of NikKyu before return to the states.

Hopefully someone out there will be able to help. Check out the Dojo Roundtable for the new special category. . . "Looking for a Dojo, Teacher or lost Friend"! GEM

Dear Sensei Mattson,

I have been studying at the Philadelphia Uechi Ryu Academy since December '95. Unfortunately, my instructor Sensei Al Saunders is leaving the school. It is up in the air if the other instructor Sensei Ernie Sumpter will be staying. Although I am not sure if this school is affiliated with you since I did not see it in your Dojo listing section, I was hoping that you could tell me if there are any other instructor's looking for students in the Philadelphia area. I also plan to be moving to the Burlington, Vermont area next summer and was wondering if you knew of anyone teaching there. Any advice would be graciously accepted. Thank you.

Heather Ransome c/o bfssg@voicenet.com

Dear George:

Although we have been open since November of 1995, we only have 10 students. We seem stymied as to how to grow. Jerry and I are convinced we need to advertise but do not know the best media or cost. We recently attended a NAPMA seminar sponsored by Century Martial Arts which gave us some ideas. It was fascinating that about 400 full time school owners attended and many with 200 students or more generating $50-$75 per month. Jerry and I want to get serious and break out of the part time mold. I never did get the materials from you that were offered free at the last summer camps regarding promotional material. Can you give insight and help how to get students. Can you point me to the most successful Uechi-Ryu School so I can contact him for pointers. I have added a topic to the forum on how to attract students and make the dojo grow. Part of the reasons we can't make summer camp this year is a conservation of resources for advertising. I would like to avoid the mistakes others have made. Presently we work out of a community center and rent a room at nominal cost one day a week for two hours.

Sorry I cannot come this year. I will miss all of you.

Your loyal student, Ronald D. Edelman, St. Louis Uechi Ryu

I'll send you the "Sidekick" program and other information pertaining to the subject of "growing your dojo". Sorry you won't be able to make the camp this year. Quite a few seminars will be focusing on this subject. Also check out the "Dojo Roundtable". There is a Discussion group dealing with suggestions on building a strong dojo. . .Good luck. GEM

Dear George:

The article written by Bob Kaiser is great. This is the type of information that all Sensei's and students alike need to know. Please keep the great information comming.

Jay Salhanick

Hi, My name is Kimberlie. I was wondering if you have any information on Jeff Speakman. He was in The Perfect weapon. Also he is into Kenpo. I would appreciate any information on him. I am a big fan. Thanks Kimberlie jtz@nc5.infi.net Hope to hear from you soon.

I don't know Jeff, but perhaps one of our readers will be able to help. GEM

George, I hope you will post the following. Thanks.

I was pleased to see AIDS addressed in your article forum but would like to make some, I believe, clarifying comments.

I have been a volunteer, educator (faculty member Comprehensive AIDS Program, University of Miami School of Medicine, vice president for operations, National Leadership Coalition on AIDS) and direct care provider in the field of HIV/AIDS for almost ten years. Although your posted ariticle is fairly accurate, I think it is difficult to understand what is being said by the way it is said.

For example: the author writes about "transmission of AIDS..."

AIDS is a medical diagnosis based on specific clinical data. HIV, widely accepted as the virus that causes AIDS, can be transmitted, AIDS cannot. People who are HIV infected may or may not develop the diagnosed illness of AIDS. Most have, but not everyone has. Who knows what the future holds. Although it is looking better everday.

There are only three known ways of transmission of HIV:

1) Sexual transmission: involving the exchange of body fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids from an infected person to another.

2) Blood products: either by sharing HIV contaminated needles with another, or blood to blood contact such as from an open wound of an HIV infected person to an open wound of another person. And of course receiving infected blood products from transfusions, etc. However, those chances (I believe the American Red Cross quotes less than a 1% chance) are very slim and most people who need transfusions will die without them and HIV won't have anything to do with it.

3) Parinatal transmission: this is transmission from mother-to-child during the birthing process. This type of transmission might occur during pregnancy, during delivery, or possibly from drinking the mothers breast milk. It is estimated that about 1/3 of all children born to HIV infected mothers will be born with HIV infection and develop the disease. Once again, recent research suggests treatment improving the chances of the child being HIV negative.

So unless students in the dojo are having sex or giving birth they have one thing to be careful of: BLOOD! As blood is not unknown in the dojo, teachers and students alike should be aware of the potential dangers and handle each situation appropriately.

This means treat everyone the same, treat every occurance of blood in the same manner: as though it is infected. If you must handle or clean up another person's blood wear latex gloves, clean the floor with a hot water/bleach or disinfectant mix. There is no reason to get hysterical about it or obsessive. I guarantee you you can not tell if a person is infected by looking at them (unless they are suffering from debilatating aspects of the disease such as Kaposi's Sarcoma, a disfiguring cancer of the skin and organs or wasting syndrome which causes sever weight loss). So don't discriminate, treat everyone the same.

As your medical author stated, casual contact will not transmit HIV. You cannot get HIV from hugging, casual kissing, shaking hands, using the same phone, copy machine, toilet, glass of water, bo, sai, etc.

In finishing, in the dojo your only concern would be blood. So be careful, not hysterical. And enjoy your workouts.
I hope this has helped.

Bob Kaiser

Thanks for the article Bob. Because the information is so important, I'll also include your comments in the "Article" section of the website. I remember back a few years when the "experts" were saying you could not become infected through heterosexual intercourse! With time, either the virus adapted or our "experts" were wrong. Three years ago I read exerpts from a report that claimed countries would be wiped out by the disease in a few years! One day alcohol is bad for you, the next day an expert is saying a couple of drinks a day will prolong your life! I don't know all the ways the virus can be transmitted, but I do know that in the future we will be told more conflicting facts and advice. I'm sure your knowledge is the very latest, but can we be absolutely sure that it is 100% accurate?? GEM

I was looking through my old martial arts books and found a reference in Draeger and Smith's "Asian Fighting Arts" to training the hands by sticking them into various things (powder, sand, dried beans, gravel, etc.). I know that some Chinese systems do this, but the reference was to Okinawan schools.

Was Draeger correct? Are there Okinawan styles which practice this way?

Mind you, I have NO intention of doing this myself, merely asking for historical purposes.

Thanks in advance, Todd -- Todd Ellner

| The man who never alters his opinion is like the tellner@cs.pdx.edu | stagnant water and breeds Reptiles of the mind. (503)557-1572 | --William Blake "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell"

Interesting

us sensei mattson i want to learn the okinawan traditional method of karate uechi-ryu, but in my country we dont have schools... my name is fleming martinez and my email is ocerquer@ciencias.campus.unal.edu.co

sayoonara shihan

Dear Sensei Mattson,

Last night, David Letterman had a group of Shaolin Monks demonstrating kung fu on his show. They are apparently touring the US. The demonstration was brief but I found it interesting. A young boy (between 6 and 10yrs old) was, for me, the most impressive. You might like to meet these people.

Cheers, John.

I was a student of Sam Savage, St. Petersburg, Fl in 1967. Since that time I have moved around through the world. I seldom hear of Uechi-Ryu anymore. Although I practiced for many years I never attempted to qualify for a belt. I am now too old, I think but am still interested. I live in Savanna Illinois. Are ther any "DOJO's" nearby? I'd also like to get literature about Uechi-ryu on a regular and continuing basis. Please offer advice.
Thanks Franklin
fnjones@savanna-emhl.army.mil

Point your browser to www.uechi-ryu.com and enjoy! Hopefully you will get some email from Uechi brothers and sisters in your area. And by the way. . . you are NEVER too old! GEM

H I George: Great workouts on Satuday. I feel lousy that I am unable to do kumite because of my knee, but thats life. I do some limited stuff with my student. I may take on another student in a few months. HeÆs been bugging me for instruction for quite awhile. In regards to the heavy bag that I purchased, it is called the Wavemaster and is guaranteed for life. It adjusts to 4 heights in 6 inch increments, the height of the bag can be raised from 52 inches to 70 inches tall. It is a totally free standing training bag with a water filled base. It comes complete with a heavy plastic base, striking bag, air inflation cap, inflation needle, instructions and warranty card.

This bag can be purchased from: Century Martial Art Supply 1705 National Boulevard Midwest City, OK 73110-7942 (800) 626-2787 or (405) 737-8954

The price is around $120.00. I bought my unit at Silky way in Bostons Chinatown.

See you soon

Marty Goldberg

Dear Sensei: I am now hoping to be able to do some karate and Uechi-ryu in particular. Due to work commitments and working in the Middle-East, it was impossible to study karate unfortunately for several years! I have moved to a new area of the Middle-East and will now hopefully be in a position to study again. Is it possible for me to come to Boston for say 2-3 weeks of training? Would a dojo be available for me to study intensively? Also, what is the position of studying in Okinawa? (2 or 3 weeks) Also is there accommodations available near the dojo that is not too expensive, or in the dojo. I know some schools have live-in students and have some accommodations for visiting students.

Do you have videos available of your China trips in P.A.L. system (UK) and has the encyclopedia on Uechi-ryu been published yet? I hope it was available in Japanese only.

OSU, Mike Tyler

Your best bet for "intensive" training, would be to attend the August Summer Camp!! 3 weeks of work crammed into 3 days!

I'm not sure about what dojo in the US would be the best to recommend. Most schools run regular classes, but are not equipped to provide the number of classes you wish. Perhaps if you visit the New England area and set up a training schedule to include many dojo. . . This would involve more traveling, but you would benefit from the many talented and skilled instructors in the area. I will send the names and address of a couple of prominent instructors from both the Uechi Association and Shoheiryu in the area. They can recommend teachers in New England that you can visit. Then its up to you to contact these teachers, get their schedules and set up a program. Although most teachers are reluctant to discuss payment for classes, you should present the dojo with an envelope after each class with a minimum of $10 to help cover the teacher's expenses.

Visiting Okinawa is another matter. The Island is very expensive. . . even if you don't have to pay for a hotel. The US and UK money doesn't go very far here. Be prepared to spend three times what you would spend visiting the U.S. Again, the teachers don't like to discuss money, but you will be expected to pay for your classes and it is good manners to present each instructor you train with, and his wife (and family members, if you meet them) with tasteful gifts from your home country. (This is done on your initial meeting)

In the past, visiting "foreigners" would land on the Island with $10 in their pocket, announcing "...here I am, make me a master!" Although the Okinawans smiled dutifully, they were not pleased with the "boorish" behavior of many visitors. If students follow correct protocol and understand simple good manners and learn something of the traditions and culture of Okinawa before going there, everyone will benefit. When asked, I explain to students the following recommendations:

1. Don't go to Okinawa for the purpose of studying Uechi-ryu until you are at least Nidan or Sandan. You won't have the "tools" to understand the experience before this. Don't waste the Okinawan's time teaching basics. You should go there to fine-tune advanced technique and explore the subtle differences in styles that exist among instructors. As a newer student, these differences will confuse and inhibit your progress.

2. When prepared and ready to visit Okinawa, ask your instructor to give you a letter of recommendation that you can send to all the dojo you wish to visit. As a student, you should visit as many dojo as possible during your stay. Don't be intimidated by anyone into limiting your training to one dojo. Be polite and be prepared to say that you are expected at XXX dojo tonight at 7pm. Have your training schedule prepared before going. This way, you will avoid any confrontation involving favoring one dojo over another.

3. Stay out of any political discussion. As a student, you should only train and discuss areas relating to your training. Students love to gossip and spread half truths and overheard conversations. Don't get into this trap! Many students return to their home country with lots of this gossip, and find that everyone is eager to learn who is badmouthing who! Some students feel that by spreading this gossip, they are more important in their dojo than they are as just a student! Don't become a "voice" for the discontented. You are being used!

4. Do not, under any circumstances, accept "special" promotions by your Okinawan hosts. This is very difficult, because often the Okinawan is simply trying to be nice and to reward your visit with a promotion. But by accepting such a "gift", you are undermining your own instructor and establishing an unhealthy precedent in your dojo. If you ask your instructor to approve such a promotion, he/she will probably be pressured to say yes, but if you understand the implications of such a request, you will not make it!

5. There are reasonably priced hotels on the Island. If you wish recommendations, I'd be happy to give you a couple of names. Don't expect your hosts to find you accommodations or to "taxi" you around during your stay. Be as independent as possible. Chances are you will discover other foreigners training at every dojo you visit. Often, these students will help you get around and will answer any questions you might have that your research didn't discover.

6. Bottom line. . . Enjoy the experience by becoming as little trouble as possible to your Okinawan hosts. Don't be upset if you aren't given the royal treatment. Each of the Okinawan instructors have a life of their own, with jobs and family. If they can't party with you after every class or spend the evening with you, don't take it personally. You are there to train and every teacher will give you 100% in this area.

Next. . . the "Master's" book will not be reprinted or officially translated into other languages. However, much of the book was translated for research purposes by Alan Dollar in the preparation of his book. (see review in the "Dojo Roundtable" Forum.

Finally, regarding the PAL formatted tapes: I'm working on getting tapes duplicated in this format. Hopefully will have news by the end of July. GEM

Mr. Jim Maloney was in Ottawa the past week at a confrence that the org that I work for was putting on so I got him to teach a class as I knew he would be a hit (no pun intended). My students thoroughly enjoyed his class - he stretched us, twisted us and did a few fighting drills. My trip to Boston last year continues to pay off - again I am sorry I cannot go but c'est la vie - next year for sure.

best regards

Steven Radulovich Steven Radulovich Hokubei Gojyu-ryu Meibukan Kenkyukai www.to-de.com

We will miss you Steve, but looking forward to seeing you soon. Enjoy your honeymoon! GEM

George: This blinding flash of penetrating insight came to me during the Uechi-Ryu seminar last night at the Korean Karate school---following a blow to my forehead. (Hit me again and maybe I can derive the Third Order Equation for the Alpha Segmented Unified Field Theorem...)

LHP= [(1/BCC) x AGE(in years)] xC divided by TTT

where:

LHP= Love Handle Pinch BCC= Butt Chair Contact time in hours (must be in front of a monitor reading the Uechi-Ryu on line Magazine--no cheating by looking at a blank screen) AGE= age in years (real, not perceived or wished)

C= age adjusted constant determined in [(years/week)xINCHES] (I'll let Bill struggle with the derivation of this. I believe in having the break through ideas and letting others sort through the intellectual debris.....)

TTT= Total Time Training in Hours per Week.

I am trying to be more rigorous and have purchased a blood pressure cuff and a heart monitor. We'll need to add some kind of aerobic fitness factor. If you and Bill are interested we could probably get this written up and published in the Journal of Sports Physiology and Marine Insurance.

We will have to monitor core body temperature- for which I have graciously volunteered you. Of course we will increase your fame and sense of immortality by naming this new Law after you...... ah.... the congruence of the world of Martial Arts, Science and the Electronic Age what a wonderful time in the history of our species......

Have a good day....
Ron (Klein)

That must have been quite a seminar! GEM

Dear George,

I first had the opportunity to log on to your site several months ago. Unfortunately, since I only became ACTIVE on the net very recently, I lost my password from my original registration (J.D. Hawkins/JHAWK). I was hoping you would have access to it, or if not, I needed to find out from you if I should simply re-register and supply a new password. Your help would be greatlly appreciated as I look forward to accessing and participating in several of the areas on your site. I am at darkhawk@stpete.mindspring.com. Thanks!

Jonathan Hawkins

You are not alone Jonathan. . . we all forget passwords, codes, VIN numbers etc. Last month I forgot the password to get into my computer file of passwords!!! You situation is much easier to solve. Simply re-register with a new password. I'll be watching for your comments. GEM

Dear Sensei Mattson,

I see that you liked Alan Dollar's new book "Secrets of Uechi Ryu Karate ....". Do you sell it? If yes, how much is it and how can I order it?

Cheers, John.

PS Pete Settle and his new bride, Stella (gokyu), are moving from Halifax close to Bub Pellam's Kentville dojo, so our loss is their gain.

John Lovas Gokyu Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do Dave Hunt's Karate Academy Sensei Dave Hunt & Pete Settle Bedford Nova Scotia Canada

Yes, indeed I do like his book. Unfortunately, Peabody Publishing does not sell it. You can order directly from Alan by calling 510-778-4400 or email him at Cherokeeco@aol.com. Congratulation to Pete on his marrage to Stella. Looking forward to seeing them both at camp next month. GEM

Sensei Mattson: Last year I attended camp for the first time and am looking forward to this year's edition. I participated in most of the contact sessions, ie. takedowns, ground techniques, etc. and the stretching seminar. I survived but by day 3 my white gi's were a brown and green mess. The great majority of attendees wore white, but a few had black gis or white tops and black bottoms. Would black pants be acceptable for the workouts? In Sensei Glasheen's dojo white is mandatory for testing and demonstrations but he allows black during workouts. Bill has deferred to you on this question. Please advise.

Best Regards, Rich Castanet Richmond VA

Good question. I suggest that you wear an old white gi to seminars and bring along a clean one for group photographs on Sunday Afternoon. Check with Susan regarding getting stains out of your gi. She has a formula that works great! GEM

Dear Sensei Mattson,

Thank you for providing me with Leyn Burrows' name during my recent move to NJ. Unfortunately although Leyn and I spoke a few times, we were never able to get our schedules synchronized. So the last year has essentially been a year "off" from Uechi.

Perhaps that has been, in some ways, a good thing. I must admit I was a bit burnt out a year ago, while now I am more anxious then ever to continue my training. Also, our move to NJ turned out to be temporary, and we have moved BACK (with luck, permanently) to the Boston area. Which brings me to my question.

As you may recall, I had been studying under Ed Huff at BHKA from '91 to '95. Ed is an absolutely wonderful sensei, and I am still debating returning to this dojo. However, the hours and location at BHKA are very inconvenient for me.

A friend of mine who lives in the same town as I (Needham) mentioned that he studies Uechi at a local dojo. From what he tells me, the hours and location would work out MUCH better. Although I plan to visit the dojo shortly to check it out in person, was wondering if you have any knowledge and/or opinions of this dojo, the instructors, the class, etc....? Any information you might be able to offer would be extremely appreciated and useful. My friend's name, if it helps, is Chuck Micchiche. I do not yet know the name of the instructor or the school.

Either way I hope to see you soon and thank you for your past assistance.

Best regards,

Chris Selland

Check out the Uechi Dojo Listing for a number of locations in the Newton area. Many students practice at more than one dojo for convenience. Quite a few of my students visit Ed in Boston at least once a month. GEM

Hello Sir. My name is Max Calvo. I am a student at Frank Chavez's Dojo in Glendale Arizona. I am very excited to be able to E-mail you since I have hear really great things about you. Pretty soon I will be making a Web page for Frank's Dojo and I am very excited to know that I am not the only one making Web pages of Uechi-ryu. Thank you and I hope you come see the Web page when is done. I hope you enjoy it.

Nothing in the world can take the place of presistance. Talent will not; there is nothing more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a porverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistance and determination are only omnipotent.

mc4pc@netzone.com ****** Max Calvo, Phoenix Arizona 1996 ******

Send me the website address and I'll list it on the Hotlink Page. GEM

George:

Hello again!... Just a quick note to let you know my new AT&T (home) internet address "stefaninipj@worldnet.att.net".

I agree with your commentary on origins and style purity. Your answer (and I'm not sure what promted the response) on your instruction about 'what works' is a point well taken.

One observation I would like to add to your commentary is that many things work well when you understand the basics. One of my problems when I started Tai Chi was that my basic posture was incorrect. I was what is known as 'double weighted' or disconnected. It would have made little difference for someone to allow me interpret a movement until the basic problem was corrected. I am sure your instructors understood, at a very deep level, that you had mastered the basics and could allow you the freedom it would not be possible to allow other students.

Therein lies the rub! The difference sometimes lies between a knowing teacher and/or an advanced pupil!

Have a great summer camp!
Philip Stefanini

Thanks Phil. You have hit upon a very important concept relating to all systems. I hope you will expand on this theme in the "Lets Talk" Forum. I'll be watching for it . GEM

Many thanks for your reply about the number of students involved in Uechi-ryu. Could you have a session at camp to discuss the various Uechi-ryu related associations or organizations so that students who don't have access to the net could learn more about them.

For example, how does one go about joining an association and how do you decide which to join. Can someone join more than one? Does a dojo's affiliation determine what association you can join? What if the dojo has no affiliation? It would be interesting to learn what the various Uechi-ryu organizations have to offer -- do they publish newsletters, do they have regional chapters, local meetings or conferences, educational or social events, for example? Is membership open to anyone or only to senior-level students?

A session at camp dedicated to this topic would be very interesting to students. Or maybe you could give a talk about it on Saturday evening prior to the entertainment. That would be an easy way to reach the most people with the least amount of effort. Best regards. Myrna

Great thought Myrna. Every association has its own reason for existing and each offers its members unique benefits. I can't speak for other organizations, but N.A.C. is an organization focused on dojo, dojo owners and instructors. Students become a member of NAC through its dojo. NAC publishes a complete guide which includes the answers to most of your questions concerning membership. Watch for news regarding a new martial arts fellowship being formed at this time, which will focus on the administrative and business areas of the martial arts. This Fellowship will offer health and liability insurance, financial and promotional services for dojo, teachers and students of all styles. GEM

Dear Sensei Mattson,
My name is Josino Costa. I study uechi-Ryu in "Okinawa - Karate-Do Kiokai do Brasil" under Sensei Ramiro Leone. Sensei Leone, 4 th Dan, studied in Okinawa under Uechi Kanei. Do you know Sensei Leone ? My son, Felipe, study uechi-ryu. He is 7 years old and began studying with 3 years old. He is very good and very fast. I would like to receive informations about childrens events and childrens championship. I would like know you. My Sensei said : Mattson is number one, is the best.
Best regards, Josino

Unfortunately, your son missed the June 1st Uechi-ryu Championships this year, but there is still time for you and him to join us at this Aug 9-11th Summer Camp on Cape Cod! Check out the Uechi Summer Camp Photos , Press Release and comments about last year's event for complete information. And thank Sensei Leone for the kind comments. Also, please send his dojo information to me, so I can include it in the dojo listing. GEM

Hello,

My name is Bill Wojtas. I studied Uechi-ryu under Asakiyo Kiyuuna Sensei at the Kitamae Dojo in Okinawa Japan. I attained 1 kyu, but was then re-assigned back to the States and could not get my dan after two and a half years. That was in 1994. I now leave in chicago, and am desperate to study again, but I can not find any teachers. Do you know of anyone in the chicago area that teaches?? Please let me know.

Thanks,

Bill Wojtas

We have a couple of great teachers in Chicago. Check out the "Dojolist". Keep in touch. GEM

George: I was asked to send this posting:

"We have moved! The Battle Creek Budokan has moved its classes to Branch Gymnastics and Physical Development, 393 N.Helmer Road, Battle Creek Michigan. The Battle Creek Budokan is owned and operated by Mr. John VanDeLaare-Godan and Full Instructor certified through the Uechi-ryu Karate Association:North American Chapter. Mr. VanDeLaare also is certified to instruct Kendo, Okinawan Kobudo and Aikido. The Battle Creek Budokan has been operating since July of 1987. For information please call (616)-963-6889."

Thanks

Ron Klein

I have added a link to your page from my homepage:

http://www.bcn.net/~glewis/menage.htm

thankyou, if you have any questions or complaints I will remove it.

I got introduced to Uechi Ryu through my college friend Dan Segarra, of Framingham. He introduced me to you in 1978 or 79. He also took me to the Uechi Ryu event at the John Hancock Center in Boston, at around that time. Later in college in North Adams I studied for a very short period under Frank Gorman, of Pittsfield Mass. Goodluck, thankyou.

Greg Lewis

No complaints Greg. I'll post your site in our "Hotlist" page. GEM

Sensei Mattson-

Although we have not met, I feel that I can call you sensei, as you have taught and conferred with people who have taught me, and because I have read many portions of your "Red Book." I had only begun my study of Uechi Ryu when I chose to leave the country in 1992 to work in the Former Soviet Union. During periodic visits I continued to work out with the New York Uechi Ryu club under Dave Finkelstein's guidance, but was unable to progress much due to my limited time in New York. Last year I spent several months in New York City looking for a new job and again worked out regularly with the group. Eight months ago, however, I moved to Los Angeles having found a work opportunity that I was excited about. Recently I have felt very strongly the gap in my life that I earlier filled with Uechi Ryu. Dave Finkelstein recommended that I contact you to ask if you knew any teachers of Uechi Ryu in Los Angeles that you would recommend. I would be grateful if you could inform of any such that you know of.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Steve Buxbaum

Check out the Dojo listing Steve. Let us know how you are doing. GEM

Email correspondance to: George E. Mattson

Visitors since july 19, 1996: