Uechi-Ryu Karate

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SummerFest 2007 Theme!

I received a surprising number of e-mail from past SummerFest participants, suggesting a more focused Uechi-ryu schedule for this year. I always counter with the fact that there are always classes in Uechi-ryu going on every hour, for beginners, intermediates and advanced students.

However, I also try to hear what people are saying "between the lines" and after bouncing some ideas off a cross section of students and teachers, feel that this year's theme is what people are looking for.

This year's SummerFest will be turning the emphasis of subjects around a bit. Nearly all the seminars will be dealing with the theme of:

"All is in Uechi-ryu"!

Most of the seminars will be conducted by groups of senior Uechi teachers and their job will be to cover a segment of Uechi-ryu and show how teachers and students can expand their interpretation and understanding of their training. . . beyond the obvious basic techniques and mindset learned as new/er students.

Having two or three teachers working in these seminars will give the participants a broader understanding of the purpose of movements, deeply hidden or just beneath the surface of what they may be doing day after day in the dojo.

Although the primary reason for offering the SummerFest variety of martial methods was to expose our teachers and students to old-style and modern methods of self-defense, the destinction involving how these methods relate to our dojo practices were unclear to many and unfortunately, some felt I was recommending an option to Uechi rather than insights into our style, by bringing so many non-Uechi practitioners to SummerFest.

Whether this was a reason for so many dojo staying away is unclear, but this year's format should be exciting to those that might have felt SummerFest was not a 100% Uechi-related event.

I'll be very busy this year, working with all the presenters and making sure they understand the intent and purpose of all seminars being presented.

Susan and I hope you will get your application in early and will be able to spend all three days with us. If you have a suggestion for a seminar that fits into this year's theme, please e-mail me or call: 321-273-0409.

Remember.... "All is in Uechi-ryu"!
G.E.M.

Glasheen Talks Politics....

It all began with a post from Adam, one of our very active Canadian "forumite" poster. What would a martial art site be without a couple of discussions pertaining to the USA's next presidential election. . . [Check it out here]

REPUBLICANS: Please vote for John McCain. Watching the debate, the only guy not to scare the crap out of me was that man.(yes i know, old debate)

He was *GASP* against torture.(too bad nobody applauded that)

I'm pretty liberal politically, but if the republicans were to come into power, id rather have him sitting on the throne then anyone else.

I don't agree with all his views, but at least he's who he says he is, and unlike someone, he actually fought in a war and suffered for it.

It's a shame he's unpopular.

Bill Responds. . .

I like John McCain because he's one of the few politicians who doesn't pander to what the public wants. Most of the rest of them are spineless. John's views have been pretty consistent for years. You know what you're getting with him. His biggest weakness is a lack of charisma.

I saw Richardson being interviewed on Meet The Press a few Sundays ago. The guy's a joke. He two-faces every issue he talks about. Forgetaboutit. He'll never last.

Hillary is a polarizing figure, for sure. But as much as she scares me, she really is one smart cookie. I always thought the same about Bill Clinton. Most of his views scared the you-know-what out of me. But he was a very smart man who seemed to be able to get things done. More importantly, Clinton had a Republican Congress who wouldn't let him spend a dime. It was a beautiful combination. That's why we had balanced budgets.