Eastern Arts and Uechi-ryu.com is very pleased to welcome
Iron Arm International and it’s founder, Ihor Rymaruk to our family of site sponsors. Besides supporting this site financially, Ihor will be involving himself with our renovated "On-line" Learning Center and other site activities. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Rymaruk sensei, I’ve posted a small biography of this talented and gifted martial art instructor, author and innovative inventor.
Apr 21 2007
Welcome to Ihor…
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/welcome-to-ihor/
Apr 12 2007
Calling Topos
This forum entry is worthy of “home page” coverage. I hope you enjoy the “trip down memory lane” as much as I did this morning. For those of you who have not had the privilege of meeting “Topos”, suffice it to say that he is a national Uechi-ryu treasure who has been studying Uechi-ryu for a long time and has a wicked good memory.
Calling Topos,
You are obviously someone who knows a whole lot more than most, what violence is.
How do you see uechi ryu karate, as a system of hand to hand survival, and how do you approach the integration of karate with all of your other training?
What are your thoughts about karate?
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/calling-topos/
Apr 09 2007
Van Canna Sensei promoted to 9th dan & Hanshi title
Eastern Arts Newsletter Proudly announces. . .
Van Canna sensei, awarded 9th degree black belt and Master’s title of “Hanshi”. April 9th, 2007
The I.U.K.F. honors Van Canna’s many years of service to the Uechi-ryu community with this master’s title and rank.
George Mattson, the president of I.U.K.F. and Van Canna’s teacher, recommended to the Board of Directors that Canna sensei be elevated to 9th Dan and be honored with the third gold stripe and title of “Hanchi”. This promotion is in recognition for his many years of teaching, his creation of innovative and important “realist” programs, for the validation of such a step by the old New England Uechi brotherhood, and for his ongoing work as “moderator” on Eastern Arts Forums.
George Mattson recommended the promotion and title at the April’s Board of Directors meeting, where all directors were present. Following a discussion where Mattson highlighted Canna sensei’s many accomplishments over the years and his ongoing loyalty to both his teacher, Uechi-ryu and the I.U.K.F., the board voted and unanimously approved the promotion.
In addition to meeting all the requirements and standards for both his rank and title, Canna sensei symbolizes the selfless dedication and hard work from seniors that is needed to build the traditional martial arts and provide the leadership for maintaining Uechi-ryu as one of the world’s most important “Warrior” arts.
As a senior member of I.U.K.F., Canna sensei has agreed to serve on the “titles” committee. He and other committee members help and assist other master degree candidates select thesis topics or other work that will qualify them for the titles of Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi.
Canna sensei will be presented his kyudan certificate and “Hanshi” belt and certificate in a formal ceremony at this year’s SummerFest. George Mattson will be presenting the belt and certificates.
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On a personal note: George Mattson, the Board of Directors of I.U.K.F. and the Uechi-ryu world of martial artist, wish to congratulate Canna sensei and hope that he will continue to remain active and an inspiration to all students and teachers
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/van-canna-sensei-promoted-to-9th-dan-hanshi-title/
Apr 01 2007
SummerFest 2007
SummerFest 2007
Hope everyone is thinking about the upcoming SummerFest for 2007. The dates are July 27-29th and the place is the Mass Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA. (Everytime I see the picture on the left, I remember all the good times and good friends these “Fests” represent to me!)
I never know who will show up, but the regulars can always be counted on to provide the “best of the best” material from all the familiar subjects we have come to appreciate and look forward to practicing.
My “core” Uechi program has taken on some new subjects while retaining all the important basics that my seminars have become known for. After so many years of trying to “pin down” the breathing explanations, I’ve become comfortable explaining it finally and after 50+ years, feel that the secret (if we wish to call it that) remains in Sanchin. In addition to my 6:30AM Sanchin on the Beach seminars, I’ll be teaching my “Flinch” kyu kumite drill, that was previewed in a forum clip a while back and has matured to something that should be of interest to all ranks and all skill levels.
By now, all you “frequent flyers” here on Uechi-ryu.com know, running an annual camp cannot happen without “you”. We need support from all the martial artists who practice and enjoy “crossing arms” with other players from other dojo and other systems.
This year we will once again have a full Uechi-ryu schedule; one that will keep all ranks busy and productively exploring the system. We are hoping that teachers of other systems will again be joining us to share what they are doing and in the process learn more about Uechi-ryu.
Of course, one of the main reasons people come back year after year is to meet new people and renew old friendships.
The only way the SummerFest formula can continue is:
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Sign up early yourself.
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Get your dojo to support the event. Get your friends to join you and encourage them to get their friends involved. Consider renting a bus to take your dojo’s group to Bourne this year.
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If you have something of value that you wish to teach in a one hour seminar, contact me ASAP with a brief description of your seminar
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Get the kids in your dojo to sign-up for Jr. Fest on Saturday. A full day of excitement and martial arts.
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Don’t wait. Please…. do it now!
Thanks,
George E. Mattson
George E. Mattson
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/summerfest-2007/
Mar 31 2007
Whoon Hei (chi)
I have long stayed away from any comments on this subject for fear of contradictions to another’s belief or understanding of such. The practice of hei ghoun has always been a portion of every kung fu style I’ve learned beginning in 1960 and also in the twenty or so years I’ve been going to China for learning and training.
The Chinese art of Tai Chi has always been given credit for their practice of hei ghoun (some call it chi ghoun depending on what geographic location the speaker is from). This is because most westerners do not see the value of Tai Chi as a fighting art.
Most western martial artists adopting the macho Japanese attitude of strength conquers all does not see the importance of evasiveness and speed over strength.
Many of the triad families in Hong Kong and China study and train in just that. It is called “hai geat tharn shill” which in western terms means tai chi loose hands. Most do not even care to learn the tai chi 108, 80, 40 nor the 24. They just learn what they need to do what they must.
In truth, “hei ghoun” exist in every system and style. The training is called “whoon hei” or “the movement of air”. This health benefit credited to Tai Chi can be obtained in any and every style. The secrete (if there really is a secrete) is in the way we take in and discharge the life giving air. This has been taught to me since I was 9 years old. This is also the understanding and teachings of every accomplished Chinese Martial Artist I’ve had the pleasure to meet and trained under.
We have it in Uechi-Ryu. I make everyone of my students aware of the benefits of proper breathing. As a matter of fact, I am developing a routine for my students to wind down after a hard work out.
Please do not forsake the importance of proper breathing. Improper breathing on the other hand can become a detriment. Be careful not to confuse the 2.
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/whoon-hei-chi/
Mar 27 2007
“Happenings” around the Uechi-ryu World!
Happenings of interest around the Uechi World. . . .
I am constantly amazed at how many people still have difficulty navigating the Internet. Naturally I’m comfortable with our website. . . after all, I designed and created it! 
However, I get at least one or two email a day from frustrated loyal followers of the site, who can’t figure out how to navigate the table of contents in the left frame.
However, I get at least one or two email a day from frustrated loyal followers of the site, who can’t figure out how to navigate the table of contents in the left frame.Others, fearful of clicking the wrong link and destroying their computer or worse, our web site, will avoid all links, hoping that by “refreshing” the screen many times, that different pages will eventually pop up.
Still others, register for the Uechi-ryu site (this one) then expect to be able to post on the forums. Actually, this is not a dumb assumption; After all, both sites are run by me and share the same server. But for various reasons, I elected to keep these two sites separate and therefore if you wish to unlock a number of interesting areas here, you must register where indicated in the left frame. (By the way, I finally had a little time and was able to find just about all of the “lost” links in the archives, articles and other sites. These are only available to registered members of this site.)
Since I don’t often have time to “explore” the site, if any of you come across a missing link, a typo or other error, please feel free to contact me.
Now… Whats happening in the Uechi world that you should be interested in:
- Hopefully you will all be joining me at this year’s SummerFest. It will be held July 27-29th at the Mass Maritime Academy. The application was just posted. You can print it out right now, fill it out and send it in with your payment. SummerFest is “THE” Martial Art Festival! Please plan to attend. You will (I promise) have a great time – meet lots of fantastic and friendly people and you will learn lot about many Uechi-compatible martial art systems.
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/happenings-around-the-uechi-ryu-world/
Mar 22 2007
Uechi-ryu: “A lifetime Activity”!
Uechi-ryu: “A Lifetime Activity”!
A good friend and Uechi-ryu teacher called me recently, asking advice regarding a gifted student he had, who was “breezing” through the Uechi curriculum in record time. The teacher’s question involved rules regarding speeded-up promotions and how to teach this individual, who could memorize a kata every couple days.
Wow, as teachers, we should all have such problems.
I thought about this for awhile, as in my nearly 50 years of teaching, I too was blessed with a couple of students who had what Bobby Campbell used to describe as “Stealing” eyes. (what was seen, could be repeated) Since Bob was one of those remarkable students, I was always challenged to keep his interest in working out, while focusing his attention on areas of training that were quite unorthodox for a fighting system like Uechi-ryu, where the kata were few and relatively easy to memorize.
Gifted students like Bobby, became the target for coaches in better known sports such as basketball and football. It was hard to focus his attention on an activity where achievement was recognized by a thin colored belt rather than the adoration of cheer leaders and a supercharged crowd of fans.
The challenge to retain students, whether gifted or garden variety klutzes, who after a year or two, become gifted, remains the same. The teacher must present the martial art material with goals that are different than what Western sports and activities normally attempt to achieve.
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/uechi-ryu-a-lifetime-activity/
Mar 14 2007
Looking to the future
Looking to the Future. . .
There was an interesting thread on the forums, relating to why we study Uechi-ryu and how important our links are to Okinawa. I haven’t had time to discuss this issue in detail, but while pulling out an old article for a friend, happened across this editorial I wrote in 2000.
2000 was a big year for everyone. A new millennium with many people speculating as to what the next hundred years had in store for us. More than one "nutcase" predicted the end of the world and a few of us optimist, were looking forward to building a stronger and more unified Uechi-ryu. (Both groups were wrong!)
I still remain excited and hopeful regarding Uechi-ryu’s future. But the old guard must not poison the minds of the next generation and the new leaders of Uechi-ryu must keep an open mind and not be afraid to explore new and different ways to become united. They must learn to build bridges rather than walls. They must learn to accept Uechi-ryu as an art that happens to consist of self-defense movements, applications and mindset; not some kind of kookie religion.
E-mail your thoughts on the subject and let me know what you think of my 2000 predictions.
Looking towards the future!
by George E. Mattson
As 2000 winds down, thoughts turn towards the new year and new hopes and aspirations. Among other things I’ve been accused of by my detractors, is being a dreamer! In the early 60s I saw Uechi-ryu prominently involved with the emerging freefighting era. In the early 70s I envisioned Uechi-ryu remaining a unified and dynamic organization, with successful dojo throughout the world working together.
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/looking-to-the-future/
Mar 07 2007
IUKF Statement of Purpose
IUKF Statement of Purpose
The IUKF Board of Directors welcomes the opportunity to help redefine the mission and role of this important organization. After much thought and discussion, the Board has agreed on the following picture of how the IUKF should best function, for the benefit of its members, and the art….The IUKF will operate as a professional association made up of its practitioners and teachers. Its purpose is to serve the needs of its members, to enhance the practice of Uechi-ryu, and to grow the membership of the IUKF community. It will not be regulatory, or governing. Besides promoting the practice and enjoyment of the art, it will establish minimum qualifications for promotion, and for the granting of teaching and honorary titles. It will issue the certificates of such achievement. Through the Uechi-ryu.com website, through regional and individual dojo activities, and through Summer Fest, the IUKF will facilitate the study of Uechi-ryu.
The IUKF will assist both teachers and students. While it will help the setting of voluntary standards for each rank, it will not pass judgment on students, outside of recognizing their accomplishments. Decisions on who passes Black Belt tests will be in the hands of the student’s instructor and seniors in that student’s lineage. The chain of command will be observed in all situations, so that the student is responsible to his/her teachers. It is the responsibility of these teachers to interpret and maintain the requirements and minimum standards of the IUKF.
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/iukf-statement-of-purpose/
Feb 27 2007
FestivalsofSpeed
Festivals of Speed!
One of the “perks” I get, since moving to Florida, is working with and enjoying the annual Festivals of Speed that takes place in St. Petersburg Florida every year. This year it will be held on the weekend of March 23rd & 24th. (see the website for details)
I’m posting this for a couple reasons. First, because I’ve noticed that many forum posters are into exotic vehicles and secondly, because our company, MetroRider Ltd will be introducing its new American-Engineered line of MotorScooters at the Festival. (I know scooters are really hot this year! We sold the two I mentioned last month – three days after posting the video!)
We have donated one of our most popular models (the 125T-2) to the charity auction that is being held at the Friday evening Jet Hop. If you are interested in being part of one of the most unusual parties ever held, you don’t want to miss the Jet Hop! Antique airplanes, special edition Ferrari jets and other unusual airplanes, sharing space with the most exotic cars ever made and their owners. The only problem – get your tickets early, as this event always sells out by the middle of March.
MetroRider will have two of their most popular scooters on display at the Jet Fest, right next to the most expensive Porsche ever made. (Only two were built)
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/festivalsofspeed/
