Uechi-ryu Martial Arts | Karate

July 24, 2008

The FireDragon Honor Role

2008:
Will your name be on this year’s honor role?

Stephen Perry flying during his long-jump last year!

SummerFest 2005 Test 1

SummerFest 2006 Test 2

SummerFest 2007 Test 3

SummerFest 2008 Test 4

The Test:

Stage 1: Maximum push-ups that can be done in a minute. These will be flat-handed pushups, with elbows rubbing against the body (sort of like karate fist pushups). I’m still debating on whether or not to ask for fist pushups. Right now I think not, but opinions welcome here.

Quickly go to stage 2.

Stage 2: Maximum pull-ups that can be done in a minute. (This is the one I want to do a little more research on). You get one shot here. Once your feet touch the ground, you are done.

Quickly go to stage 3:

Stage 3: Maximum sit-ups that can be done in a minute. These will be bent-knee situps with a partner holding your feet.

Quickly go to stage 4:

Stage 4: You get one minute to do 2 tries at a standing broad jump. Your best effort is your score.

Quickly go to stage 5:

Stage 5 : Maximum number of “squats” that can be done in a minute. A squat is to be done down to thigh-parallel, and then stand completely up. Any squat that doesn’t go down that far, or goes all the way down does not count. Judge will stop you if form gets unacceptable.

Quickly go to stage 6:

Stage 6: A one-mile run.

Congratulations to all who participated in this extreme test of physical fitness and endurance.

George E. Mattson
Bill Glasheen

ps. a Firedragon lapel pin and jacket crest are awarded all who pass the test.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/2008-firedragon-test/

Jul 14 2008

SummerFest Presenters

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July 14, 2008

IMPORTANT!!!
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO RECEIVE A FREE SUMMERFEST T-SHIRT WITH YOUR REGISTRATION!

Also – Only a few more days to have food included with your registration. After the 23rd, Susan must submit a final food tally – so don’t delay – get your registration in today!!! After the 23rd, all late registered participants will have to purchase their food at the door.

New Presenters at this year’s SummerFest. . .

Robb Buckland and Dr. Ian Marshall

FEARS Ltd. "Art Meets Reality"

Fear has the power to control you.

Distort your senses…

immobilize you
when you most need to act.

What do you fear?

Are you terrified of assault… abused… a violent, drug crazed attacker?

Criminals thrive on fear… they choose their victims by watching for weakness and vulnerability… they know you will hesitate. Criminals prey on hesitation and compliance… criminals don’t wait for you to be ready and they don’t fight fair… you deserve to be prepared. Confront reality… Master your fears… build the confidence to do what is necessary, before you become a victim.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/summerfest-presenters-2/

Jul 04 2008

Lee Iacocca

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Book Reviews

July 4, 2008

Remember Lee Iacocca, the man who rescued Chrysler Corporation from its death throes?

He is now 82 years old and has a new book; Where Have All The Leaders Gone,some excerpts Lee Iacocca Says:

“Am I the only guy in this country who’s fed up with what’s happening?
Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/lee-iacocca/

Jun 28 2008

Rare book sale

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June 28, 2008

Books for your collection!

Get them while the publisher still has them.

Each of these books are selling on Amazon and E-bay for big bucks. . . and that is for used copies!

This package contains brand new, uncirculated books still in their original shrink wrap. George Mattson has signed The Black Belt Test Guide", which makes it even more valuable and collectible.

These books will not be re-printed and the publisher has very few left, so get your set today. Click here to order you valuable books today!

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/rare-book-sale/

Jun 22 2008

Rory Miller’s Meditations on Violence

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June 22, 2008

Rory’s new book is receiving lots of positive reviews from the Uechi-ryu community and the accolades are well deserved.

You can order it now by clicking on the photo of the book. G.E.M.

Meditations on Violence
A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real-World Violence.

Experienced martial artist and veteran correction officer Sgt. Rory Miller distills what he has learned from jailhouse brawls, tactical operations and ambushes to explore the differences between martial arts and the subject martial arts were designed to deal with: Violence.

George Mattson's Corner, NewsLetters

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/rory-millers-meditations-on-violence/

May 28 2008

Darin Yee Interview

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May 28, 2008

Check out google – Type “karate” Would you believe our site is on the 2nd page!!!!

Workout at the “Hut”:
Hi, Sensei,
Carlos Ciriza has arrived in Boston and will be teaching the class at the Hut this Saturday, 6/21, from 9:30 to 11:30. Would you mind posting a notice? Thanks.
Paul

SummerFest 2008 – You don’t want to miss this one!!!!
Wow. . . . Click on the photo!

===========

6-11-2008: SummerFest Update – Dorm rooms for Thursday night are filling-up. (Other programs end Fri morning and we can only occupy one building Thursday) No problem with Friday & Saturday night lodging in the Maritime Academy dorms. If you are planning to stay “off campus,” make your reservations early. August is the “high” season on the Cape and lodging will be very scarce.

Presenters: Please contact me ASAP regarding what your seminar(s) will consist of and please include a photograph for our program guide.
Everyone: Please remember that Susan will not have extra meal tickets to give out. The caterers have a new meal policy and we have a July 23rd deadline to give them our numbers.. If you register after this time, you must purchase your meals at the dining room entrance.

Whoops!
I was reminded by friends this afternoon, when I checked my email – This is June, Not July! SummerFest discount is good until JULY 3rd! Sorry about that.

Get those applications in early anyways please. . . Thanks George & Susan.

“Memories”

I still receive nearly 50 email a day from martial artists, past and present. I used to post some of them to the “MailBag”, but lack of time prevents me from keeping up this activity. I’m in the process of posting a few of my favorite email in the new ”MailBag” (top table of contents), so check it out from time to time. I promise to post some of the best e-mail there every week.

Susan reminds me that the deadline for receiving the SummerFest “early registration” discount is July 3rd. Because of the new food service at the Maritime Academy, we will not be able to issue any food tickets after the July 23rd deadline. After that date, participants will have to pay for their meals at the dining room entrance. Please don’t ask me for tickets, because Susan and I won’t have them.

We will have, it seems, a record number of participants. A huge group from Bermuda and Canada have already signed up. It appears that the Master’s Celebration ceremony, held in the auditorium, will be filled with camp participants. If there is room, visitors will be welcomed. ($20 admission fee)

Get your application in ASAP. Thanks…. George

Memorial Day Spent with our extended Family at Fort Benning!

Susan and I finally had an opportunity to visit Gary and Cindy Khoury over the weekend. Gary and I played golf on Sunday the rest of the time was spent sightseeing around Ft Benning and neighboring Columbus, Georgia.

Gary loves what he is doing and naturally, has a dozen projects he is working on. Cindy is busy being a very supportive wife and mom. Chaz is doing well at school and is growing like a weed! Rachel is an absolutely beautiful three year old, who wanted to come home with us. The baby, Jaclyn is adorable and one of the happiest babies I’ve ever seen. Naturally, “Indy” the dog took a liking to me!

Gary is trying to get time off for SummerFest so he can show us all some of the neat drills he has learned during training.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/darin-yee-interview/

May 19 2008

China Earthquake Help

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May 19, 2008

What one instructor is doing to help out!

John Page: Rising Star East Martial Arts: 9 Depot Square: Ayer www.risingstareastmartialarts.com

sent out this letter to Henry and cc’d me:

Hi Henry:

We are going to be conducting a Kick A Thon at my Dojo on June 7th with the proceeds going to the China relief efforts. In addition to the kids kicking and getting sponsors, we are going to have a raffle, bake sale, dunk tank and anything else that comes up in the meantime to help raise $$.

Maybe some other schools can do the same. There is not a lot of lead time but I figured the getting something happening right away was best. Maybe other IUKF dojos can join us in holding some type of fund raising event on that date or a date close to it?

John

George Sensei,
Earthquake1

I am requesting your assistance on the China earthquake relief efforts by posting this on your website.

The recent series of natural disasters and tragedies, from cylones to floods to earthquakes in one corner of the globe to the next, are undoubtedly overwhelming our psyche and taxing our ability to help, but help we must. We must do our share.

The news and photographs from the earthquakes in China are heartbreaking. Since our Uechi Ryu was originated from China, it should give us the additional incentive to help.

A picture worths a thousand words and I am not much of a talker, hopefully the two attached photographs will appeal to all those who have not yet taken the step to help. The first photograph shows a desperate son
with his mother on his back, the second photograph shows a tearful soldier being overwhelmed by the tragedies around him.

I am sure there are numerous other photographs and much more heartbreaking ones available online. My point is, we must help and we should count our blessings that we are in a position to help.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/china-earthquake-help/

May 12 2008

Darin Yee seminar

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May 12, 2008

Darin Yee Seminar! Sunday in Mount Dora, FL

Darin is visiting Central Florida this week and will conduct a two part seminar at the Mount Dora Community Building this Sunday, May 18th.

The first session will be from 10am – Noon. Darin will be teaching “Winning Sparring Techniques”, a subject he is especially familiar with. Darin believes it is important to test your karate as part of your training. . . and the safest way to do this is by competing in the “point” tournaments. . . Darin practices what he preaches and has entered both the kata and freefighting divisions in literally hundreds of tournaments, beginning with the early “bash and mash” events back in the 70s and 80s and continuing non-stop through the present time.

Darin loves to compete and so do his students. Most importantly, he is very good at teaching the art of sparring. He promises that everyone attending his class will benefit from his unique and imaginative training methods.
Following lunch, Darin will be conducting a fascinating class where he will be teaching and exploring the Uechi kata, using his background in Chinese martial arts to help explain the key elements of our system.

Many of Darin’s friends and students will be attending from New England and Florida.

Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/darin-yee-seminar/

May 09 2008

SummerFest News!

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NewsLetters, SummerFest

May 9, 2008

SUMMERFEST 2008

Just in from Robb Buckland!!!

I spoke to Joe Lewis last night and he has finally confirmed that he’ll be accompanying myself and Dr. Ian Marshall for Summerfest in celebration of Georges 50th !!!!!!!

Robb Buckland

Joe Lewis:
In his era as a heavyweight World Champion fighter and martial artist, Joe Lewis has done it first and done it best.

Of the millions of people who have participated in the martial arts since their inception in the United States in 1948, only a few have had a measurable impact with the general public…and Joe Lewis, 57, the retired World Heavyweight Karate Champion from Wilmington is one of them. Dubbed the “Muhammed Ali of his sport,”

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

May 08 2008

Hut workout

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May 8, 2008

Vinnie Christiano to lead the "Hut" workout this Saturday!

And you are all invited to attend!

This is Vinnie’s last workout before he gets his new hip, but he assures me that everyone will not only enjoy the class, but will get a great "Vinnie-tough" workout!

Paul Giella, who heads up the "Hut" program, says that. . . "Vinnie is planning to really reinvigorate us with his energy before he goes out for his surgery. Van, Peter Blackman, Fedele, Matt Hoffman, maybe Justin are coming… it should be quite a good class. 9:30 to 11:30. We’ll be working on the new Okinawan kata, Ryuko, among other things."

Don’t miss this class!

Susan reports that we are receiving a record number of early SummerFest applications. This year’s event is coming together very nicely, with nearly all of the senior presenters who have taught seminars in the past, planning to be with us this year. Please send in those applications early! Don’t miss out on this really great Uechi-ryu experience.