Aug 19 2013
The split weekend (Friday, Feb 28 and Saturday, March 1st) resulted in miscommunications with the Mount Dora Rec Department.
Thank you very much and I apologize for any confusion in scheduling this might have created for you.
Best,
George
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Aug 07 2013
Dear Sensei Mattson
I had a blast at Summerfest!
I was in awe of all the knowledge and skill coming together under one roof with just one purpose, to teach and learn from each other. I witnessed teachers becoming students and also students learning to be good teachers. I traveled from Nova Scotia with Victor Swinamer and his son Aiden, I thought I was embarking on a journey to learn Karate and improve my Uechi ryu studies.
My journey was much more than that, from the moment the car turned onto the highway I felt like I was in the company of “old friends” even though I have only known Victor in passing, My own Sensei, Kristen Amirault was also with us and although we see each other at the Dojo regularly have not had the opportunity to really get to know one another, by the end of our weekend we were finishing each others sentences like an old married couple.
Dave Lamb and his students were staying at the same hotel as us and we clinked glasses, broke bread and shared life stories, we found out that even though living in different countries and coming from so many different paths, we are all on the same road, and alike in so many ways, we share many of the same interest, but what really stood out was the respect and caring nature of all these students of Uechi Ryu, I think that this is the un-taught lesson in Uechi style, it just happens, and when it does we become better versions of ourselves.
I am a nurse here in Canada, and I remember a dying patient once asking me “do you think we are all just born to die” I did not answer this question quickly, but after a pause I replied that “its what you do with the in-between that really matters” and as we drove back from summerfest I realized what I had to do with my “in-between”, I left feeling re-energized and renewed, ready to live my life in the moment. As a nurse I see many older people not living their lives to the fullest, I now know that I should not fear getting older, I was proved this many times over the weekend as I looked around, Sensei Spencer has hands that are much faster than my eyes and I could not block any of his reikens( even though on his instruction I had my hands up and knew what technique he was throwing….WOW!) It was an absolute honour and privilege to be able to perform sachin for you and Sensei Durkin,( even though I found myself in the hotel bathroom mirror at 3am, working on getting my shoulders down) and even better when I was able to show my correction the next day.
Also, thank you for signing my book and standing for pictures, I understand how busy those days of summerfest must be for you, but you did so graciously.
I am counting down the days until next summerfest, and would like to extend an open invitation to you and Susan if you are ever planning a trip to Nova Scotia, that you will always have a place to rest your head and be catered to.
sorry for rambling, but I just wanted to let you know what summerfest has done for me, and without you there would be no summerfest…so thank you again.
Sincerely yours
Lisa Tanner
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/what-participants-are-saying/
Aug 06 2013
I wish to extend my thanks to everyone who attended Summer Fest and one big “we missed you” to those of you who for one reason or another could not be here. It was a great time seeing a lot of friends whom I have not seen since last year. Next year, I was hoping some of you could come a few days earlier. It would be my pleasure you show you around Plymouth. I have lived here for 34 years and I know what to see and where everything is.
Although I am sort of set in my Martial arts ways because of my 54 years in martial arts training and 44 years of Uechi-Ryu, there is always something I can learn from another. Even if it is something I may not use, it is always refreshing to understand the mentality and thought process of other well trained martial artist. In these unions and meetings, we have the opportunity to see those we’ve only heard about and gain a healthier respect for one another.
My personal, selfish reason for attending Summer Fest and Winter Fest is the opportunity to see and train again with family. If we are Uechi-Ryu students in America, we are in one way or another connected to the seeds which were planted by Sensei George E. Mattson some 50-60 years ago. Organizational lines were not thought of or drawn until some believed they wanted to build their own castles. I congratulate all who have successfully accomplished their goals. Still, Bushido dictates loyalty and integrity. Regardless of whom you’ve studied from in America, your senseis were in one way or another connected to Sensei George E. Mattson.
This is Sensei Mattson’s forum for all Uechi-Ryu people. As Americans North and South, these are our roots. We are all families tied to these roots. Together, we can only become stronger. I hope to see more of you next Winter Fest and Summer Fest. Next time, let others know of the great time you’ve had and bring some friends. Have your friend bring their friends. No one will be disappointed.
The ones who attended can attest to the wonderful time we had together. We worked out hard, learned a lot, ate in some of the best restaurants and visited some of the local historical sites. I understand a lot of us did not get a lot of sleep but it’ll add to our memories.
See you at the next big one
Darin Yee
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/4634/
Jul 02 2013
By Robert Hunt
(Originally published in the July, 2013 Wado Newsletter – reprinted with permission)
A white ceiling of hazy clouds floated across the Cape Cod sky like a friendly
wraith holding the sizzling July sun at bay. The breeze off the Atlantic ruffled my hair
and dried the salty sweat on my skin like a popsicle on Arizona blacktop.
I strode across the green grass of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a couple
miles from the entry to Cape Cod Bay, and stopped to watch a small legion of diehards in dirty white karate pajamas (rapidly assuming the camouflage colors of earth and grass)
kick and punch, jump, run, scramble and shout to the cadence of a Sempai doing what Sempai have felt the urge to do for centuries – conjure diabolical exercises to make
students ask themselves the eternal karate question, “What am I doing here?”
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/and-he-vowed-never-to-teach-again/
Jun 30 2013
High quality – Limited quantity!
Just in. . . High quality, very limited quantities, embroidered T-shirts and golf shirts. They are available in all sizes.
Order yours today while registering for SummerFest!
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/new-embroidered-golf-shirts/
Jun 10 2013
I wanted to thank Sensei Yee of the IUKF for another great seminar last night. We had 17 students from the dojo attend and Sensei Yee helped train us in the movements of the wa-uke bunkai along with breaking down several techniques in Seichin kata. Sensei Yee has made several trips up to the White Mountain Karate dojo over the past few years and has always been very giving of his time and knowledge of the soft side of Uechi Ryu along with the Kung fu roots that Uechi comes
Christian Maine
White Mountain Karate
W.M.K. Dojo
Speed with Glare Style
603-387-0022
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/4507/
Jun 06 2013
Sue and I had a wonderful time once again at the annual graduation ceremony for black belt promotions during 2013. Many thanks to Buzz and Judy Durkin for inviting me and to Bridget for all her helpand assistance arranging the trip and making it so trouble free and enjoyable. Thanks to all the students and teachers who attended my seminars and worked so hard during the classes.
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/butokukai-2013-graduation-ceremony/
May 22 2013
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Apr 19 2013
1960s Boston Workout
Our May 11th “regional workout” like the previous 2 was a huge success. Our number of attendees were 50 plus. They came from all of the surrounding states and traveled as far as 3 to 4 hours to honor us with their participation.
Sensei Gary Wong 8th dan and I were both part of the competition team from the Boston Mattson Academy back in the early “70s” who had much success in national and international tournaments. Our workout this time around was some of the simple Uechi techniques which we’ve trained and used in our winning fighting style. I added some of the effective take downs from our Uechi-Ryu movements.
Looking back, that was over 40 years ago. Sensei Gary Wong and I are just overjoyed to have the opportunity to pass on some of the experience and knowledge we’ve accumulated these 40 plus years in diligent, open minded martial arts training.
Our next regional workout will be in Plymouth, NH hosted by sensei Christian Maine. Christian sensei is one of the new, up and coming stars in Uechi-Ryu. He is open minded and has worked out with numerous Uechi organizations while developing a friendship with all that he’s come in contact with. To me, Christian Maine leads by example the true road of Bushido.
Please keep in touch with me and I will announce Christian’s workout plans as soon as I receive them. This workout will be held in New Hampshire which is beautiful during the summer season. Plan to spend a little time there before or after the workout as I’m sure you will love the scenic area. My students and I are going to plan this as a min vacation/road trip and get a great workout also. Hope to see all of you soon.
A special thanks goes to Barry Chu, John Hwee, Harry Skeffington and friends from Boston Chinatown whom I have not seen or worked out with in a long time since I’ve open my Plymouth dojo. It was wonderful to have this opportunity to work out with them again.
Darin Yee
Permanent link to this article: http://uechi-ryu.com/may-11-uechi-ryu-workout-in-plymouth-ma/
Apr 16 2013
This is just a quick note to thank you for joining me for the annual kung fu dinner in Boston. This was always a great reason for Uechi people to get together for festivities outside of a workout. We get to join the largest martial arts organizations in Boston’s Chinatown and their associates from the entire eastern seaboard.
There were approximately 500 in attendance. Over 70 of the attendee were Uechi-Ryu people from the New England area. The Uechi-Ryu people came from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. I apologize if I did not contact you in regards to this event. I will truly try to include you next year. Please do not hesitate to remind me if you are interested for next year. This event will only get bigger as years go by.
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