Uechi-ryu Martial Arts | Karate

July 2, 2009

SummerFest Updates. . .

7/15/2009: Good news! Joe Pomfret just called and he will be coming to SummerFest and will be teaching seminars in ground fighting. No question – Joe is the absolute best MMA teacher . . . anywhere! Be sure to bring an old Gi or shorts and a tshirt. You will love the way Joe teaches and you will learn a great deal about the finer points of this science!

7/12/2009: In case you need directions to the Maritime Academy, CLICK HERE!

7/10/2009: Posting of Teams for this year’s event. If I left your name off, it was an accident. Please send me an email. Click Here to view!

7/10/2009: SummerFest Schedule Summary Posted Here.

7/8/2009: Don’t forget the JuniorFest which will be held all day Saturday. Fred Channel and his team will be heading up this program, aided by a number of senior instructors. JuniorFest will begin at 9AM with a break for lunch at 11AM. The afternoon session will begin at 1PM and end at 3PM. Some of the sessions will be indoors.

7/6/2009: Had a meeting with the IUKF membership director and treasurer this afternoon. He said there was no link on the home page for the SummerFest application!!! MY BAD! So one will be going up in a few minutes. . . check the very top frame of this page please.

Also. . . Received a disappointing e-mail this morning, stating that due to health issues, Jack Summers will not be able to attend the Masters’ Celebration this year. Sorry to hear this. We all wish Jack the very best and hope he is back to 100% very soon.

I just published my July Newsletter. Lots of information regarding this year’s SummerFest, including the IUKF sponsored “Protectors'” seminars, which will be conducted Friday and Saturday. Of course, most of our regular presenters will be there, helping me conduct four – five seminars every hour of the day, throughout the weekend. If you aren’t on my mailing list, send me an email and I’ll send you a copy: gmattson@uechi-ryu.com

Just heard from one of Uechi-ryu’s more “quiet” warriors, John Thurston! John considers Uechi-ryu to be his primary martial art, but he enjoys a number of other martial arts and is considered to be quite expert at them. This year, John will be introducing “Iron Shirt” training to our group:

I would attempt to present the “Iron Shirt” articulation of how one stands. It is what I call the “droopy scarecrow” posture.

One has to have faith in what one has been taught and not slip back and rely on muscle power.

No one in Uechi has ever bought in. However, it is an “optimizing practice” re: “rooting” to the earth.

I will forward one or two pics from “The Way of QiQong” and you have the bulk of the other points already in a reply I made to you.

People might say I am rooted enough, i hit hard enough, but the trick is to draw power from the earth to increase one’s Power without ‘additional” overstressing of the muscles .

Some pics to follow (Which I will be adding as I receive them)
Common Sense Demands You Learn to Defend Yourself

Whats happening at camp this year and why you should be there!

First off, a few people are saying this will be the first SummerFest where the weather will not be cooperating. . . Some are saying they are holding off registering because they are waiting to see if New England will finally get out of the Winter doldrums it has been in for the past three months. Some are predicting that New England won’t have a Summer this year! 🙂

Well. . . worse case scenario. . . SummerFest will carry on in the huge Maritime gymnasium, which will actually make a few participants happy. . . You see, not everyone likes to work outside while enduring ten hours of sun and wind! Personally, I enjoy the outdoor workouts and believe the Mattson luck will once again prevail and this year will be the 26th SummerFest where we will be blessed with fantastic weather, exciting and interesting seminars and workouts.

Check in daily. I’ll be posting information on activities and presenters.

Best,

George Mattson

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/summerfest-updates/

Jun 26 2009

Five Weapons of Uechi-ryu’s Hiraken Strike

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Articles of Interest

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June 26, 2009

Update from Darin Yee. . .

Hi George,

Can you please list on your site I will be canceling my July 11th event for children due to the time I need to spend on a couple of my kids look to get promoted at summer camp. If they want this to happen, I can’t afford to let any Saturdays go. I will still hold the August 7 adult get together. I’ve already hired a band to play.

If you have any questions, please give me a call. Thank you.

Darin

Five Weapons of Uechi-Ryu’s Hiraken Strike

By Ethan Miller, nidan

While testing for my shodan test in 1994 one of the questions I was asked by the test board was to name a strike that was being shown. It was the hiraken, and I was then asked to explain how it was used. After I did this, I of course wondered. What was I missing? The hiraken strike often shows up as a single or double strike to the temple area. This is convenient, because the trusted “iron arm” position also acts to deflect a strike or lift the arms of an opponent. My experience with the hand position is that it is much more versatile. In fact it seems to me to be the most composite of the strikes seen in Uechi-Ryu. I have seen the hiraken demonstrated two different ways by very senior practitioners. I call the first “flat” and the second “closed”. The flat position has a gap between the top thumb knuckle and the fingertips. The closed position has the fingertips tucked behind the thumb knuckle tightly. These two positions alter the fist shape and stress one weapon over another. In fact other styles may name the two positions differently.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/five-weapons-of-uechi-ryus-hiraken-strike/

Jun 23 2009

IUKF Annoucement

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I.U.K.F.

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June 23, 2009

AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR, IUKF, DAVID BERNDT.

THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS TO OVER A YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ORGANIZE OUR MEMBERSHIP FILES TO INCLUDE MANY OF OUR CHARTER MEMBERS AND SENIOR CHARTER MEMBERS, WHO WERE GIVEN AN HONORARY MEMBERSHIP IN THE IUKF, BY SENSEI MATTSON. WHILE WE MAY HAVE SEVERAL DOZENS OUT THERE, AND SOME KEEP GETTING INVOICES FOR DUES, IT WOULD BE A GREAT HELP IF EACH OF YOU COULD CONTACT ME AND PROVIDE THE PROVERBIAL, SO-CALLED NAME, RANK AND SERIAL NUMBER TO ESTABLISH A MORE CURRENT RECORD.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/iukf-annoucement/

Jun 07 2009

SummerFest Time!!!

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June 7, 2009

Shihan Joe Pomfret!

Joe Pomfret will be a SummerFest Presenter again this year! Although there may be one or two of the 3/4 million people who visit this site every month who don’t know Shihan Pomfret or his superstar student, Joe Lauzon, I suspect the vast majority of you will recognize his name and incredible fighting skills.
What many of you may not appreciate, though, is that Joe is one of the world’s most talented as well as “gifted” martial art instructor, capable of clearly and simply transmitting his knowledge to students.

Even though Joe is a superb “ground” fighter, he has never abandoned his “stand-up” core-uechi-ryu fighting background. Joe and his students win many of their MMA matches with their powerhouse “standup” techniques.

Looking for a way to prepare for Joe’s seminars? Why not order Joe’s two DVD and begin practicing the fundamentals of ground fighting, taught by best.

Joe has two really great DVDs for sale on this site. The first one, VidMag 24: Joe Pomfret’s Grappling for ‘Stand-up’ Martial Artists is a “must have” video for the traditional “stand-up” martial artist. Learn the basics of GroundFighting, including the “Shoot”, “Hooks” and other very workable techniques. Learn how to get your opponent to the ground, how to keep him there and how to apply submission holds. Demonstratred and taught in an easily understood manner.

Pomfret’s RSD II

Joe Pomfret, assisted by Joe Lauzon, has come up with a dynamite follow-up to his fantastic basic grappling video. This DVD focuses on a new type of grappling pre-arranged kumite that Joe suggests will aid the traditional martial artist improve their ground fighting skill. Another “must have” for your library and one that you will use over and over in your training

See you “on the beach” for Sanchin!

Best,

George E. Mattson

Uechi Rocks Ts now available!

Order your Tshirts now! Available on your Uechi Store Site. Just CLICK HERE!

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/uechi-rocks-ts-now-available/

Jun 04 2009

Uechi-ryu Seminars in Plymouth, MA

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Seminars

Click Here for directions and “JunglePlex website!

June 4, 2009

All are invited to workout in Plymouth, MA this Friday!. . .

An adult get-together will be on Friday, August 7. This event will start at 7pm with a light workout. At 8:30pm we will change back to our street cloths and go into our lounge where there will be a band waiting to play for our enjoyment. I will have munchies for us. If you would like some real food, I will ask the café to stay open for a heavier meal. I am asking for a $10 contribution from each adult but it’s not mandatory.

I would like to do this once a year so the Uechi family can get together in a non competitive situation and enjoy each other’s company in friendship and fun. Please invite your significant other to attend with you as I will hire a band and dancing is a definite possibility.

I will even make deals with neighboring hotels for you if you feel you live too far to drive after a few drinks. We hold many sports events here and have a very good relationship with many of the hotels.

I hope you will support this as we do not get together often enough to know, understand respect each other.

Strength, Honor and Respect,

Darin Yee

Darin Yee can be reached at 508-958-7000 should you have any questions.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/uechi-ryu-seminars-in-plymouth-ma/

Jun 02 2009

New “Uechi Rocks” Tshirts

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June 2, 2009

New Special edition “Uechi Rocks” T-shirts!

Max and Mia, two future Uechi Champions, designed a new Tshirt for this year’s SummerFest. And in today’s FedEx is the result! Available in all sizes and four colors. Very limited number will be available this week. Watch for details.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/new-quechi-rocksq-tshirts/

May 25 2009

To Contribute Articles

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How Do I. . .

May 25, 2009

We are looking for Uechi-ryu.com Editors:

The process is very simple. You must contact me and let me know the kind of column you would like. Although it doesn’t have to be martial art related, I’d prefer articles that would be of interest to the M.A community.

I’m looking for someone to cover the mixed martial art tournament scene. Someone else who would enjoy discussing Okinawa M.A. history. How about a column on “the teachers” of Uechi-ryu; especially articles on some of the many Okinawa teachers who don’t get a lot of publicity.

A good column requires interesting photographs. Our new website allows you to copy photos from the web or from your computer. Submitting an article is real simple as well. You just click a link, write your article and click a button. All the work is done for you.

Best,

George

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/tips-for-editors-of-uechi-ryu-karate/

May 25 2009

SummerFest Archives

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May 25, 2009

SummerFest Archives:

As we unearth old and forgotten articles and photographs, they will be included here in the “Archives”. If you have something interested that you would like to contribute, please e-mail either the length or the actual material to me and I will post it.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/past-summerfest/

May 25 2009

Local Lodging

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May 25, 2009

Susan and I have checked out nearby Motels and have rated them based on location, facilities and cleanliness. I suggest that you make your reservations early, since our camp is conducted in “high” season when most rooms on the Cape are booked. Call Motels for information and reservations. Although we checked out these facilities, they are in no way associated with our camp or with the camp’s directors.

Susan’s Rating	Motel Name	Other ratings	Address	Price, if available
*****	Bay Motor Inn	AAA rated	223 Main St. Buzzards Bay MA 02532	Room rates available in Feb
****	Yankee Thrift Motel 508-769-3883	Good value, lrg rooms, best w/full kitchen	Rt28 & Trowbridge Rd	$49 – $70
***	Buttermilk Bay Inn 508-743-0800	60 years old. Near road to (rocky) Onset Beach	3224 Cranberry Highway, Buzzards Bay MA 02532	$75 – $190
****	Inn on Onset Bay 508-295-4800	Large selection of cottages	181 Onset Ave Onset, MA 02558	Call
*****	Onset Pointe Inn 508-295-8442	Vry popular, may be booked!	9 Eagle Way Onset MA 02558	$85 – $200
***	Eastern Inn 888-445-5445	Good value	6 Bourne Bridge Approach	Sat&Sun camp price: $190
***	Best Western 800-675-0008	Nice but expensive	100 Trowbridge Rd. Bourne, MA 02532	$139 – $169

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/local-lodging/

May 25 2009

SummerFest Important Information

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May 25, 2009

2010 SummerFest Highlights

IUKF believes that “master” ranks should be awarded for meritorious deeds and services performed for the Uechi community. We believe that it is important for the recipients of these ranks and titles receive their awards in the presence of their peers, family and students. Therefore IUKF has set aside Saturday evening at SummerFest for this very moving and formal ceremony.

This year (2010) I am very proud to announce the promotion of Robert Campbell to the rank of 9th dan. Van Canna will be accepting the certificate on Robert’s behalf and will be presenting it to him in September when Robert will be in the United States.

Receiving theirNanadan (7th degree) promotions will be Jerry McDonald and Gary S. Santaniello. Receiving their Rokudan (6th degree) promotions will be Justin Testa and Harry Skeffington.

The ceremony will be held Saturday evening. GEM The ceremony will be held Saturday evening from 7-8PM. GEM

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NOTE: Please bring and use lots of Sunblock on all exposed skin! (Don’t forget your feet!) Bring a “fanny” pack to store your room key, money and other valuables. Make sure your name is on the pack in case you lose it. $25 charge for all lost keys A locksmith must change locks when you lose a key! Drink lots of water! WEAR A HAT!!!!!

All camp participants must wear name tag at all times. Maritime personnel will be patrolling site. For insurance purposes, only registered people (wearing a badge) may participate in activities.

Updates will be posted at the Bell and will be announced hourly.

I wish to thank you for attending this, the most important Uechi-ryu event of the year. The Summer Camp has evolved into an annual gathering of martial arts friends. . . a time to share experiences, training tips and techniques. . . a time to focus on the pure enjoyment of “working out”!

There are no politics at the camp. Regardless of the style, association or origin of your martial art, you are welcome here. We are only interested in your willingness to work together in friendship and in the “Budo” spirit demonstrated by Grandmaster Kanei Uechi during his lifetime and especially during his visits to our Summer Camps.

The Maritime Academy has proven to be a wonderful host for our camp. In our many previous events at this location, they have allowed us a great deal of freedom, while providing the essential services needed for a successful weekend. In order to maintain this relationship, please note the following rules:
1 Emergency Telephone number: Campus Police: 508-726-0798 Remember… emergencies Only.
I can be contacted at 352-434-9906 ANYTIME.
In-house Phone Numbers:
Non emergency: 1025
Campus Police: 911
Bourne Police: 9911

2. No furniture is to be moved or exchanged between rooms.

3. Keys must be returned by 1:30pm Sunday. However… you may use your room to shower following the Sunday afternoon session and you may leave your luggage in the room until 5pm.

4. No linen will be supplied by the Academy. You must bring your own.

5. No bare feet inside any building. (State Law)

6. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed anywhere except during the Friday and Saturday night parties in the Spinniker Lounge. . No drinking, smoking or partying in the dorms!Campus police will check this year!

7. Minors are not allowed any alcoholic beverages! All adults are asked to help enforce this.

To make the seminars more enjoyable:

8. New/er students: Work out your schedule with a senior. Participate in seminars that are geared for your rank. You may participate in “specialty” seminars in order to determine interest or to satisfy your curiosity. Be very careful when practicing. You are responsible for your actions!

9. We are fortunate to have many martial art dignitaries present with us this weekend. Please introduce yourself and ask questions.

10. Don’t lose your meal coupons. They are like cash and are needed for admission to the Dining Room. They cannot be replaced!

11. Name tags must be worn at all times while at the Maritime Facility.

12. Cars must be parked in the designated area along the canal on Academy Drive and in the Storer Parking lot.. The school will ticket and TOW.

13. Visit the Camp Store. Lots of interesting T-shirts, Books and Videos available.

14. The Gym pool may be open: To be announced at Bell. (See George Mattson for information)
Have a wonderful time.

George E. Mattson