What Was New: February 17, 1998 through June 29, 1998
ASSEMBLY, No. 2216
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
208th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED JUNE 15, 1998
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOSEPH AZZOLINA
District 13 (Middlesex and Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
"Martial Arts Instructors Licensing Act."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act providing for the licensing of martial arts instructors, amending P.L.1971, c.60,
P.L.1974, c.46 and P.L.1978, c.73, and supplementing Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Martial Arts
Instructors Licensing Act."
2. (New section) The Legislature finds and declares that the public interest requires the
regulation of martial arts instructors and the establishment of clear licensure standards
for them; and that the health and welfare of the residents of the State will be protected
by identifying to the public those individuals who are qualified and legally authorized to
be martial arts instructors.
3. (New section) As used in this act:
"Board" means the State Board of Examiners of Martial Arts Instructors
established pursuant to section 4 of this act.
"Licensed martial arts instructor" means a person who holds a current, valid
license pursuant to the provisions of this act.
"Director" means the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the
Department of Law and Public Safety.
"Martial arts" means those forms of self-defense which originated in Asia and
which stress self-discipline, self-control and self-respect as the basis for effective
self-defense leading to mental discipline which helps a person to remain calm in
frightening or confusing situations, to
conserve one's strength, and to avoid injury to one's assailants as well as to oneself so
far as possible. "Martial arts" includes, but is not limited to, karate,
taekwondo, kung fu, judo, aikido, jiu-jitsu, Thai boxing and other forms employing empty
hands or using weapons.
"Weapons" includes, but is not limited to, the following classes: bladed such as
the knife and the sword; staff or polearm such as the spear and the bo stick; and
projectiles such as the bow and the blowpipe.
4. (New section) There is created within the Division of Consumer Affairs in the
Department of Law and Public Safety the State Board of Examiners of Martial Arts
Instructors. The board shall consist of seven members who are residents of the State, two
of whom shall be public members and one of whom shall be a State executive department
member appointed pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.1 et seq.). The
remaining four members, except for the members first
appointed, shall be martial arts instructors licensed under the provisions of this act,
shall have been actively engaged as martial arts instructors in the State for at least
five years immediately preceding
their appointment, and shall represent different disciplines of the martial arts.
The Governor shall appoint the two public members and the State executive department
member and shall appoint the remaining four members with the advice and consent of the
Senate. Each member, other than the State executive department member, shall be appointed
for a term of
three years, except that of the martial arts instructor members first appointed, two shall
serve for terms of three years, one shall serve for a term of two years and one shall
serve for a term of one year. Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled
for the unexpired term in the manner provided by the original appointment. No member of
the board may serve more than two successive terms in addition to any unexpired term to
which he has been appointed.
5. (New section) Members of the board shall be compensated and reimbursed for expenses and
provided with office and meeting facilities pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1977, c.285
(C.45:1-2.5).
6. (New section) The board shall organize within 30 days after the appointment of its
members and shall annually elect from among its members a chairperson and
vice-chairperson. The board shall meet twice a year and may hold additional meetings as
necessary to discharge its duties.
7. (New section) The board shall:
a. Review the qualifications of applicants for licensure;
b. Adopt a code of ethics;
c. Insure the proper conduct and standards of examinations;
d. Issue and renew biennial licenses for martial arts instructors
pursuant to this act;
e. Refuse to admit a person to an examination or refuse to issue or suspend, revoke or
fail to renew the license of a martial arts instructor pursuant to the provisions of
P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-14 et
seq.);
f. Maintain a record of every martial arts instructor licensed in this State, their places
of business, place of residence and the date and number of their license;
g. Prescribe or change the charges for examinations, licenses, renewals and other services
it performs pursuant to P.L.1974, c.46 (C.45:1-3.1 et seq.), and set the passing score on
any examination it adopts as a licensure examination;
h. Adopt and promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative
Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) necessary to effectuate the
purposes of this act; and
i. Establish rules and regulations with respect to continuing education requirements.
8. (New section) There shall be an executive director of the board appointed by the
director who shall serve at the director's pleasure. The salary of the executive director
shall be determined by the director within the limits of available funds. The director
shall be empowered within the limits of available funds to hire any assistants as are
necessary to administer this act.
9. (New section) No person shall be a martial arts instructor, whether or not compensation
is received or expected, unless the person holds a valid license to practice in this
State, except nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit any person from
practicing as a martial arts instructor within the scope of his official duties when
employed by a law enforcement agency, bureau or division of the federal, State or local
government or serving in the Armed Forces.
10. (New section) To be eligible to be licensed as a martial arts instructor, an applicant
shall fulfill the following requirements:
a. Be at least 18 years of age;
b. Be of good moral character;
c. Have a high school diploma or its equivalent;
d. Successfully complete any educational requirements established by the
board;
e. Possess a third degree or higher black belt certificate from a Statewide or national
martial arts organization, federation or association recognized by the board; and
f. Pass a written examination and practical examination administered or approved by the
board to determine the applicant's competence to practice as a martial arts instructor.
11. (New section) The examinations required by subsection f. of section 10 shall be held
within the State at least twice a year at a time and place to be determined by the board.
The board shall give adequate written notice of the examinations to applicants for
licensure and examination.
If an applicant fails an examination twice, additional examinations may be permitted in
accordance with standards set by the board.
12. (New section) The board shall issue a license to any applicant who, in the opinion of
the board, has satisfactorily met all the requirements of this act.
Except for temporary licenses issued pursuant to section 14 of this act, all licenses
shall be issued for a two-year period upon the payment of the licensure fee prescribed by
the board, and shall be renewed upon filing of a renewal application, the payment of a
licensure fee and presentation of satisfactory evidence that the renewal applicant has
successfully completed the continuing education requirements prescribed by the board by
regulation, if any.
13. (New section) No person shall use the title "martial arts instructor" or
"licensed martial arts instructor" unless licensed as a martial arts instructor
under the provisions of this act.
14. (New section) Upon payment to the board of a fee and the submission of a written
application on forms provided by it, the board may issue without examination a temporary
license to practice as martial arts instructor in this State to a person who provides
evidence that he is in the State on a temporary basis to engage in a special project or
teaching assignment relating to the martial arts. A temporary license shall expire 30 days
from its date of issuance, but it may be renewed by the board for an additional 30-day
period. This temporary license shall be surrendered to the board upon its expiration.
15. (New section) Upon payment to the board of a fee and the submission of a written
application on forms provided by it, the board shall license without examination a martial
arts instructor who is licensed, registered or certified by another state or possession of
the United States or the District of Columbia which has standards substantially equivalent
to those of this State.
16. (New section) For a period of two years after the effective date of this act, any
person who is practicing or residing in this State on the effective date of this act may
qualify as a licensed martial arts instructor, upon application for licensure and payment
of the appropriate fee, providing the applicant furnishes evidence satisfactory to the
board that he meets the requirements of subsections a., b., c. and e. of section 10 of
this act; and has been a martial arts instructor for three of the last 10 years
immediately preceding the effective date of this act.
17. (New section) a. An applicant for licensure under the provisions of this act shall not
be eligible for licensure and any holder of a license under this act may have his license
revoked if the board determines, consistent with the requirements and standards of this
act, that criminal history record information exists on file in the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, Identification Division, or in the State Bureau of Identification in the
Division of State Police, which would disqualify that individual from being licensed. An
applicant shall be, and a holder of a license may be, disqualified from licensure if that
individual's criminal history record check reveals a record of conviction of any of the
following crimes and offenses:
(1) In New Jersey, any crime or disorderly persons offense:
(a) Involving danger to the person, meaning those crimes and disorderly persons offenses
set forth in N.J.S.2C:11-1 et seq., N.J.S.2C:12-1 et seq., N.J.S.2C:13-1 et seq.,
N.J.S.2C:14-1 et seq. or N.J.S.2C:15-1 et seq.; or
(b) Against the family, children or incompetents, meaning those crimes and disorderly
persons offenses set forth in N.J.S.2C:24-1 et seq.; or
(2) In any other state or jurisdiction, of conduct which, if committed in New Jersey,
would constitute any of the crimes or disorderly persons offenses described in paragraph
(1) of this subsection.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of this section, no individual shall be
disqualified from licensure on the basis of any conviction disclosed by a criminal history
record check performed
pursuant to this section if the individual has affirmatively demonstrated to the board
clear and convincing evidence of his rehabilitation. In determining whether an individual
has affirmatively
demonstrated rehabilitation, the following factors shall be considered:
(1) The nature and responsibility of the position which the convicted individual would
hold;
(2) The nature and seriousness of the offense;
(3) The circumstances under which the offense occurred;
(4) The date of the offense;
(5) The age of the individual when the offense was committed;
(6) Whether the offense was an isolated or repeated incident;
(7) Any social conditions which may have contributed to the offense; and
(8) Any evidence of rehabilitation, including good conduct in prison or in the community,
counseling or psychiatric treatment received, acquisition of additional academic or
vocational schooling, successful participation in correctional work-release programs, or
the recommendation of persons who have had the individual under their supervision.
18. (New section) An applicant and holder of a license shall submit to the board his name,
address and fingerprints taken on standard fingerprint cards by a State or municipal law
enforcement agency. The board is authorized to exchange fingerprint data with and receive
criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
Division of State Police for use in making the determinations required by section 17 of
this act.
19. (New section) a. Upon receipt of an applicant's or licensee's criminal history record
information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Division of State Police, as
applicable, the board
shall notify the applicant or licensee, in writing, of the applicant's or licensee's
qualification or disqualification for licensure under this act. If the applicant or
licensee is disqualified, the conviction or convictions which constitute the basis for the
disqualification shall be identified in the written notice.
b. The applicant or licensee shall have 30 days from the date of written notice of
disqualification to petition the board for a hearing on the accuracy of the criminal
history record information or to establish his rehabilitation under subsection b. of
section 17 of this act. The boardmay refer any case arising hereunder to the Office of
Administrative Law for administrative proceedings pursuant to P.L.1978, c.67 (C.52:14F-1
et al.).
c. The board shall not maintain any individual's criminal history record information or
evidence of rehabilitation submitted under this section for more than six months from the
date of a final determination by the board as to the individual's qualification or
disqualification to be
licensed pursuant to the provisions of this act.
20. (New section) a. As used in this section and sections 21 and 22 of this act,
"division" means the Division of Youth and Family Services in the Department of
Human Services.
b. As a condition of securing a new or renewal license pursuant to this act, the board
shall request the division to conduct a check of the division's child abuse records to
determine if an incident of child abuse or neglect has been substantiated pursuant to
section 4 of P.L.1971, c.437 (C.9:6-8.11), against any applicant for a license as a
martial arts instructor or licensed martial arts instructor.
c. The board shall not issue a license or temporary license to a martial arts instructor
until the division determines whether the applicant or licensee has a record of
substantiated child abuse or neglect.
d. The board shall deny, revoke or refuse to renew the license of a martial arts
instructor if the division determines that an incident of child abuse or neglect by an
applicant or licensee has been
substantiated.
e. The applicant or licensee shall provide prior written consent for the division to
conduct a check of its child abuse records.
21. (New section) The board shall consider, for the purposes of this act, any incidents of
child abuse or neglect that were substantiated on or after June 29, 1995, to ensure that
perpetrators have had an opportunity to appeal a substantiated finding of abuse or
neglect; except that the board may consider substantiated incidents prior to that date if
the board, in its judgment, determines that the individual poses a risk of harm to
children. In cases involving incidents substantiated prior to June 29, 1995, the board
shall offer the individual an opportunity for a hearing to contest its action denying or
revoking a license or temporary license.
22. (New section) a. The division shall complete child abuse record information check when
requested by the board and the division shall complete the child abuse record information
check within 45 days after receiving the request for the check.
b. In accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410
(C.52:14B-1 et seq.), the Department of Human Services shall adopt rules and regulations
to establish procedures for the board to follow in submitting requests for child abuse
record information checks on applicants or licensees and to establish procedures for
conducting a child abuse record information check and providing the board with the results
of the check.
c. The money collected by the division for child abuse record information checks shall be
deposited in a special fund and shall constitute dedicated revenues to be used as
necessary by the division to
conduct checks of the divisions child abuse records.
23. Section 1 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C.45:1-2.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and commissions: the New
Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New
Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical
Contractors, the New
Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the
State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage and
Family Therapy Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of
Nursing, the
New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic
Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of
Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of
Examiners of Master Plumbers,
the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, the State Board of Shorthand Reporting, the State
Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners, the
Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of
Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate Appraiser Board, the State Board of Social Work
Examiners, [and] the State Board of Public Movers and Warehousemen, and the State Board of
Examiners of Martial Arts
Instructors.
(cf: P.L.1995, c.366, s.20)
24. Section 1 of P.L.1974, c.46 (C.45:1-3.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and commissions: the New
Jersey State Board of Accountancy, the New Jersey Board of Architects, the New Jersey
State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, the Board of Examiners of Electrical
Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry, the State Board of Mortuary Science
of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State
Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, the State Board of Medical Examiners, the
New Jersey Board of Nursing, the
New Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic
Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of
Professional Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of
Examiners of Master Plumbers, the
State Board of Shorthand Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the
Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board
of Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate
Appraiser
Board, [and] the State Board of Social Work Examiners, and the State Board of Examiners of
Martial Arts Instructors.
(cf: P.L.1995, c.366, s.22)
25. Section 2 of P.L.1978, c.73 (C.45:1-15) is amended to read as follows:
2. The provisions of this act shall apply to the following boards and all professions or
occupations regulated by or through such boards: the New Jersey State Board of
Accountancy, the New Jersey State Board of Architects, the New Jersey State Board of
Cosmetology and Hairstyling,
the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry,
the State Board of Mortuary Science of New Jersey, the State Board of Professional
Engineers and Land Surveyors, the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners,
the State Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the New
Jersey State Board of Optometrists, the State Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers
and Ophthalmic Technicians, the Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Professional
Planners, the State Board of Psychological Examiners, the State Board of Examiners
of Master Plumbers, the State Board of Shorthand Reporting, the State Board of Veterinary
Medical Examiners, the Acupuncture Examining Board, the State Board of
Chiropractic Examiners, the State Board of Respiratory Care, the State Real Estate
Appraiser Board, [and] the State Board of Social Work Examiners, and the State Board of
Examiners of Martial Arts Instructors.
(cf: P.L.1995, c.366, s.23)
26. This act shall take effect immediately, except that sections 9 and 13 of this act
shall take effect on the 360th day following the effective date.
STATEMENT
This bill provides for the licensure of martial arts instructors and establishes a
seven-member State Board of Examiners of Martial Arts Instructors in the Division of
Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety to oversee their licensure.
The board is to consist of four licensed martial arts instructors, two public members and
a State executive department member.
To be eligible for licensure as a martial arts instructor, an applicant must:
a. Be at least 18 years old;
b. Be of good moral character;
c. Have a high school diploma;
d. Successfully complete any educational requirements established by the board;
e. Possess a third degree or higher black belt certificate from a source recognized by the
board; and
f. Pass a written examination and a practical examination administered or approved by the
board.
The bill provides that no person may be a martial arts instructor, with or without
compensation, unless that person holds a valid license.
For a period of two years after the effective date of the bill, a person who is practicing
or residing in the State on the effective date of the bill may qualify as a licensed
martial arts instructor if that person is at least 18 years of age, of good moral
character, has a high school diploma and possess a third degree or higher black belt
certificate and has been a martial arts instructor for three of the last 10 years. The
bill also provides for the licensure by the board by endorsement of martial arts
instructors who have been licensed, registered or certified in another state with
standards substantially equivalent to those of this State.
The bill also protects children from being victimized at the hands of unscrupulous martial
arts instructors by requiring criminal history record background checks by the Division of
State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and child abuse record information
checks by the Division of Youth and Family Services of all applicants and licensees. The
uniform procedures and enforcement law for licensing boards, P.L.1978, c.73
(C.45:1-14 et seq.) applies to the provisions of the bill.
July 3, 1998: OK
kids. . . I've heard from so many of you, asking for your own Forum, that I placed one on
the "kid's Dojo" site. This site is monitored by adult volunteers, but the forum
in for kids 15 years old or younger. Please talk it up in your dojo and 'get involved'! Oh
yes. . . no class this Saturday. Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July. Finally, thanks to
the New York Uechi gang who showed up for the Chinatown karate demonstration!
July 2, 1998: SUMMER
CAMP: I'm receiving many calls, letters and email regarding the camp schedule. So many
have contacted me that I have to assume others may be wondering why I haven't posted a
schedule yet. Well, basically, because it keeps changing so much. Most of the people who
taught last year plan to return this year. Quite a few new seminars are being planned, but
I don't want to publicize them until I'm sure the teachers will attend. Many have asked
about Kimo Wall, who has been in China for the past year. He promised to be back, but so
far I haven't heard from him. I hope to have a more up-to-date itinerary by the middle of
the month and I'll post it on the web. Meanwhile, please talk up the camp at your dojo and
please get those applications in.
Last year a few of our more affluent
students asked about bringing their boats (yachts) into the Bourne Marina. (next door to
the camp site) I'm pleased to announce that space will be made available to you if you
reserve early. Call Tom McKenzie at 508-759-2512 to reserve your space. (Note: Over 20'
requires advance notice) If you bring your boat, you will be able to register as a
"daytripper" and stay on your boat.
A very interesting "thread" is
being discussed on Bill Glasheen's "Dojo Roundtable" Forum concerning
dantesting. "Wake-up" focuses on the value of one's black belt and the
advantages/disadvantages of being tested under a large and objective board versus having
your instructor simply giving you your belt. Both points of view have been discussed. How
about a few words from you on the subject?
A while back I mentioned that I was
planning on trying something to help validate the various dan ratings. Not sure that
anything will absolutely resolve the issues or politics involved, but perhaps like
everything we have attempted on this web, it is a start. And the concept may evolve.
I have created a Uechi Family Style Black
Belt Registration Web, where the heads of recognized promotion boards may register the
names of successful black belt candidates. I encourage all Uechi based systems to use this
registration web as a way to begin the healing process that separates the various teachers
and organizations. The web may provide an incentive for the "lone wolves" out
there to rediscover their teachers and renew affiliations with others in their area. The
criteria for registration is not simply having an Okinawan certificate, but having been
tested and approved for rank by a board made up of recognized seniors in your area. This
provision places more responsibility on the test board for issuing rank then on the
certifying organization who simply processes the paperwork.
The criteria for being a testboard has
nothing to do with politics, organization affiliations or on the certificate issued. It
has to do with a student being approved for testing by his/her instructor, then being
tested by a group of seniors that represent the state-of-the-art in that area. The role of
recommendation for testing and the actual testing must be viewed as two separate roles!
My proposal does not take anything away
from Okinawa or anyone else who may wish to issue dan ranks. The Registration Web simply
lists names of people who have "earned" their rank by demonstrate their skill in
front of a body of teachers that represent the art. It is a start and will only work if
the seniors of the various Uechi groups want it to work. I'll have the site up and running
by this weekend and will list the names of people who were issued early rank, by date,
since 1958 up to the mid 70s. From that point on, you will have to help me fill in the
blanks of the certificate numbers to the present. We must "grandfather" in the
ranks up to this point, but beginning with the Fall test, we will establish some type of
standard for testing boards. I'll need your help with this. Hope you see the importance of
creating a standard for our art that will endure for generations to come.
June 29, 1998: Gary's
new forum is up and running. Please check it out. Had some time this morning to create the
July Mailbag a bit ahead of schedule. The Mailbag archives page contains all the mail
posted on this web since 1995! Summer Camp coming up fast! Hope you all are planning to
attend. Please send in your applications early to help us in organizing the very best camp
ever! If you get a chance, read J.D.'s "wake-up" post on Bill Glasheen's forum.
June 28, 1998: Tournament Random Thoughts:
Alan Dollar and Richard "Bap" Baptista ran fantastic
events this year. Alan's was large, but Bap's event was huge! Both spent nearly a year
preparing for their tournaments. . . Alan nearly full time, Bap maybe a couple hours a day
until the three months before the big day, when he also devoted FULL time to solving
problems and ironing out details. Because Bap has done it 20+ times before, his tournament
flow chart or details is documented in a 250+ page loose-leaf notebook. Alan is more
modern and has his schedule in a computer and in his computer-like brain.
There are two ways to run a tournament. Poorly and Best Possible.
You all know what I mean by a poorly run event. But with all the work and preparation, why
shouldn't events like Alan and Bap's be labeled "perfect"? Because of the one
variable they have no control over. . . people!
Now it has been said that karate people are different than
"normal" people. I don't believe this. If you talk with other fraternal/social
organizations, their plight is the same as ours. A few members can always be counted on to
help. Most members have good intentions, but fall short of the mark in performance.
Without this nucleus of man/woman power, martial arts tournaments and camps would never
take place. The boy scouts, Churches, Temples and other fraternal organizations would
suffer the same fate without their loyal few. But to run a smooth, exceptionally good
event, the promoter needs the help of many qualified and willing volunteers.
I won't go into the question of paying officials and helpers.
Anyone with half a brain understands that a promoter must have some incentive for taking
on the Herculean task of holding a tournament. Paying the volunteers would completely wipe
out any chance to make any money on the event. (This statement doesn't apply to key people
who spend more than a few days working on the activity. Naturally, these people should be
compensated.)
The crucial failure/success factor in a large activity is the
"volunteers". Those important people who work the day of the event and perhaps
participate in one or two meetings where responsibilities are covered. In a tournament,
these people fall into two categories. The first consist of volunteers who help run the
event on the big day. In large dojo, most of these people will be students. They collect
tickets, sell food, seat spectators, map out rings, etc. etc. Often, the same people
perform these functions year after year. The second group is the most important for the
actual tournament. The officials! And here is where the best intentions and perfect
preparations fall apart.
Bap counts heavily on "KRANE" to supply the officials.
But practically speaking, this is at best a good start. Soon, any person wearing a black
belt is "qualified" to jump into a ring and is deciding the fate of competitors
who paid $50 for their two minutes shot at fame. When there are 30-50 rings running
simultaneously at the big events, it doesn't take a genius to figure out where the year of
planning breaks down.
At Alan's event, there was a mandatory referee/ coach seminar
conducted by licensed WUKO referees. At the meeting, where the seniors were all present,
less than a half a dozen volunteers showed up for training. In typical karate fashion,
people drifted in one by one, up to an hour after the training was scheduled to begin. To
Alan's credit, his official training program was well attended by comparison to others
I've attended. I'm sure, in retrospect, that Alan will be pleased to hear this comment,
but one day before the tournament he had visions of one year of hard work wasted!
Naturally Alan does what every other promoter does. . . allow his blood pressure to shoot
up 30 points, go into a back room and pound his head against the nearest hard object, then
return with a smile apologizing for the late start while people continue to drift in. One
makes concessions to the best mapped-out plans. You compromise. You have no choice.
Tournaments should be a learning experience for the students. . .
an opportunity to test skills under safe and controlled conditions. A few dozen bad calls
can destroy all the hard work and organization involved in running a tournament. Hell, one
bad call can ruin the event!
We had a few bad calls this year at the Uechi Championships. Each
year we try harder and improve very little. Always the same problems!
Gary Khourey and Bobby Spoon (Heavy weight/Grand Champion) and
Lightweight Champions this year at the Uechi tournament) asked if they might be able to
help out next year, to make the event run smoother.
WOW. . . volunteers!
We talked on the phone, exchanged email and hacked our way around
the golf course while trying to identify the best way to approach the project. Ideas
flowed fast and furiously. I got excited as they bounced ideas off one another while I
jumped in with encouraging thoughts and occasional tidbits of wisdom based on experience.
Gary asked if he might host a Forum focusing on the tournament
project and I agreed to give it a shot. I sincerely hope that you will get involved and
help Gary with his 1999 Uechi Championships. We have the problems identified. We now need
solutions. We need your help!
June 21, 1998: Happy
Father's Day to all you dads out there. I just got off the phone with my father in
Hastings Minnesota. He sounds healthy and happy. Still complains about all the yard work
he has to do. My stepmother was a bit angry that I didn't visit them following my
California trip. She told me to stay away from the West Coast, since it will be falling
into the ocean soon! (I think she reads a lot of supermarket tabloids!)
A few of the e-mail messages I receive are from
teenage karate students. They are using a new language that I didn't understand until last
week when a Boston Globe columnist translated a number of "adolese" spoken by
today's youth. I still use "awesome" when trying to appear "hip", but
this only shows my age. Today, kids call their parents "rents", ill-mannered,
slovenly people "scrubs" and someone who acts strangely as "sketchy"!
If you were "tooled on", chances are you
were in a tough karate match. If you were called a "whack", you probably screwed
up your match. "Whassup?" simply means "Excuse me? I didn't understand you.
"Whip" means car, but hopefully no one refers to your ride as a
"hoopdee" (Junky car)
Before Bill Glasheen's Forum was lost, there were a
number of posts regarding commotio cordis, a medical term that means "concussion of
the heart". A number of deaths, especially in youth, were attributed to blows to the
chest, delivered by baseballs, hockey pucks and karate strikes. It is important to note
that this "death blow" occurs within a tiny window of time - 1/1,000th of a
second - when the heart is suspended between beats, recharging itself to prepare for the
next beat. If a heartbeat happens once a second, the vulnerable period therefore
only lasts about 1/100th of the entire cycle.
The important news, is that this injury almost always
involve children under the age of 17, when the chest wall is thinner and more pliable.
Knowing this, I believe even more strongly, that dojo should require that students under
the age of 18 wear chest protection while sparring. Although the chance of commotio cordis
happening in your dojo may be slight, why take the chance. There may be some resistance on
the part of teens wearing "young'uns", "nasty" gear, but this will
only last for the first day. And of course, if the adults were to wear it also, the kids
would probably not put up such a fuss. for those of you who would like more information on
the subject, refer to this month's (number 25) New England Journal of Medicine.
I was able to post quite a few new
letters in the June Mailbag. While checking the Mailbag's live message center, I noticed
lots of people visiting, but no one leaving any messages. I sent a test message and discovered that the file linked to
the center was incorrect! I found the file where the messages were hidden and corrected
the link. You can now leave a message and it will be displayed. Sorry about the
"whack"!!
June 16, 1998: I
just returned from Alan Dollar's spectacular Golden Gate '98 seminar and tournament. I've
attended and conducted quite a few karate events over the years, but none had the spirit,
goodwill and organizational results of this event.
Alan claims that this was his last such event. He and
his hard working staff of students, labored for well over a year preparing for last week.
Every minute of the week was prepared for with contingency plans backing up the schedule.
Alan's wonderful wife Alice was at his side every minute of the week, performing the role
of watchful hostess, referee in matches and kata competitor! All while maintaining a
calmness and charm that balanced Alan's supercharged personality.
The seminars were superb, the tournament a model for
decorum, tradition and ceremony. Over 400 students and teachers took advantage of this
event. My only regret was that more people did not take advantage of this opportunity to
participate in an event that highlighted the Okinawan martial arts in such a proud and
dignified manner.
For me, the event was a wonderful opportunity to meet
old friends and students. Turns out, I had met Sensei Seiko Toyama years ago on Okinawa.
Grandmaster Kanei Uechi presented him with his 9th degree black belt at the same ceremony
where I received my 8th dan. Although he did not have his rakish beard at the time, his
smile and mannerism were instantly recognizable. Kiyohide Shinjo was proud as a father
over his Alan's superhuman organizational ability and successfully showcasing Uechi-ryu so
honorably and magnificently to the general public and martial art dignitaries from
Goju-ryu, Shotokan and many other traditional systems.
I was impressed and proud to be part of
this truly international gathering of Uechi practitioners from around the world. Seniors
Jim Thompson, Jim Maloney, Al Wharton, Henry Thom, John Cierri, Neil Dunnigan, Ric Martin
and dozens more paid tribute to Alan Dollar's efforts and made this event truly memorable.
T
here were many specific activities and moments which I'd like to
discuss in greater detail. I'll save this for later. For now, I just wanted to be the
first to offer my congratulations and thanks to Alan for tackling this major project and
for allowing me to be a small part of its success.
June 7, 1998: Sensei
Canna posted a really great challenge to all you "lurkers" out there. It is so
good, I'm going to post it here:
Dear recalcitrant lurkers,
Emerge from the dark side of the moon and write and be counted!
Jumping in with both feet into this forum is the most important "mental " dojo
practice! When you get back in sanchin it will all jell into place !
Jumping in means WRITING ! Consider this:
1] writing brings these critical concepts swirling around your head ! It will force you to
see everything in a clearer light and to pay close attention [ you will become your own
gentle teacher ] !
2] Writing helps you understand and program such notions! The more you write the more you
will grasp and retain!
3] Writing helps you learn how you feel! " your visceral responses to people and
situations will shine from the cyber world " writing puts your life into a form that
you can stand back from and contemplate "
4] Writing is "inner power" you will rein in your abominable inner self !
5] Don’t be intimidated by your "internal editor " >>the person
novelist Gail Godwin calls " watcher at the gates " Don’t let the
"watcher" frighten you from a blank screen !
6] Writing combats the "demons of doubt"!
7]Writing acknowledges and focuses your moods!
8] Writing is an escape from solitude "time"!
9] Writing is the best practice of "awareness">>>it will get you more
consciously attuned as to what is going on around you !
10] Writing on this forum will make you "stand out " and make you lot’s of
good friends !
Don’t worry about grammar and spelling ! Use microsoft word perfect with built in
spelling , grammar etc. tools , then copy and paste onto the forum!
From the Watcher at the gates !
June 1, 1998: Steve
Wilson, an Okinawan Goju practitioner, sent in a very interesting letter concerning
Tournaments, contact and rules. He offered a very sensible solution to the contact issue
which might be worth discussing. Read Steve's letter in the June
Mailbag.
May 31, 1998: Received a letter from Gordi (check it out on Al Moulton's site) noting
that Takimiyagi sensei had not resigned from Shoheiryu, but stepping down as VP.
N
ow. . . a report on yesterday's Uechi-ryu
Championships
What a great tournament! The matches were strong, fast
and realistic. In comparison to other options in competitive freefighting, the Uechi event
was very impressive. In our never ending quest for realism with safety, the Uechi rules
appear to be erring on the side of realism whereas the "point" events continue
it's evolution towards dance without love.
We need further refinements in the rules however. No problems in under black belt matches,
but the tremendous skill, power and speed exhibited in the black belt divisions, require
that participants display a high degree of cooperation and control. The problems with
tournaments can be resolved, but only with the cooperation of the competitors. Organizers
and officials can make all kinds of rules, but without understanding, acceptance and
practice in the dojo, tournaments at best become a very arbitrary and potentially
dangerous test of one's Uechi abilities. Lets look at some of the problems:
[note: The following comments reflect my feelings about Uechi tournaments in
general as well as some of the promotional exams I've attended. The comments are not
intended for any individual specifically, or any one tournament or match. I've used
examples at the May 30th event to represent some of the inconsistancies in a match that
cause injury and hard feelings.]
Contact! The rules state no contact to the face. . . slight
contact to the headgear. Moderate body contact! In one of the first lightweight
black belt match, a competitor delivered a beautiful, full powered punch to his opponent's
face. The opponent went down. . . not knocked out, but dazed. Ed Huff, the center referee
correctly called "excessive" contact to the head and disqualified the
competitor. Second match, there were warnings for excessive head contact, but the blows
were not direct. Ed gave warnings, because he did not believe the techniques were
"controlled" and therefore not "malicious". A very difficult
distinction, and Ed made what he believed was the right action. The competitor who won
this match, did so, after delivering extremely hard body and leg blows to his oponent, one
which caused a possible rib fracture. Because of the concern over head contact, Ed did not
give out warnings for hard body blows although he repeatedly stopped the matches and asked
the competitors to "ease-up".
The big question: How to define contact and how to get the competitors to adhere to the
rules. In any match, we have the problem of having one competitor following the rules and
his opponent adhering to the "60's" tournament mentality of "excuse me. . .
POW!" strategy. While fighter one gets in and throws a beautiful, but controlled
technique. . . then HOPES his opponent doesn't take advantage of his HONORABLE actions by
clocking him with a late, but unpulled technique. There is, again in my estimation, only
two ways to ultimately handle this delicate but important issue:
1. Run full-contact black belt matches! Don't laugh. . . there are actually fewer injuries
in full contact than in most Uechi sponsored events! The reason? Competitors must protect
themselves, knowing they are not protected by rules! Competitors are more cautious in full
contact and less likely to do stupid and dangerous moves that leave them exposed and
vulnerable to counterattack. Of course, few of the warriors, who thump their chests over
their no-contact knockouts, will opt to prove their manhood in a match where BOTH
competitors are fighting full-contact. Mostly, these toughies prefer to throw their
knockout blows where they are the only ones fighting full contact!
2. So you don't think Full Contact is your cup of tea? Then what other possible way is
there to run a sport karate event. An event where competitors fight by the same rules and
the matches are exciting and challenging? Perhaps instead of certifying officials, we
should certify competitors! It really is foolish to make sure the officials know the rules
while allowing competitors in the ring who don't. Maybe the key to safe tournaments is
having the black belt competitors certify one another, agreeing to abide by the rules as
mutually agreed to by the competitors.
Because of the number of injuries in the lightweight division, the heavyweights and Ed
Huff met in the center ring and agreed to be more careful with the head blows. Although
not a formal certification process, this division was, in fact, run by rules mutually
agreed upon by the competitors. There were not any injuries in this division! No big deal,
simply the competitors agreeing to abide by the rules!
Unless the competitors agree to meet and resolve these issues, I will run the black belt
divisions next year as "full" contact. . . issuing Championship belts in
Lightweight and Heavyweight divisions. Personally, I would prefer to continue using the
existing rules and try out the competitor certification process. It would not be
difficult. . . simply limiting the competitors allowed to register to black belts who
demonstrate an ability to abide by the rules. Regions could have seminars, where matches
can be conducted using the Uechi rules. Competitors who demonstrate an understanding and
willingness to follow these rules will be allowed to compete.
As we have determined through countless tournaments and dozen variations of rules,
competitors can fight using any standard they wish. There are few accidents in
tournaments. One fighter related his strategy to me: "I give my opponent the same
respect he gives me!" Translated, this means "if he uses hard body shots, I hit
him in the body harder. If he hits me in the face, I'll hit him him in the face
harder". With this generally popular competitor philosophy, it doesn't take a genius
to figure out why we have injuries in matches.
If we really want to have Uechi tournaments where students can participate without fear
for their life, the competitors must get involved and work together developing a mutual
understanding regarding their conduct in the ring. We must be watchful of the competitor
that comes from a dojo where the last minute advice from "sensei" is "I
don't care if you win a trophy, but don't lose!" In these dojo, "losing" is
allowing your opponent, who is a superior fighter, to win the match. "Sensei"
will tell you his strategy of "sucker" punching his opponent. . . getting
disqualified. . . but going home a winner albeit a winner without a trophy!
Officials can't weed out these poor sports. But the competitors know who they are and can
refuse to compete with them and refuse to certify them. No competitor should have to enter
a ring where he has to resort to his opponent's "sucker" punch mentality in
order to survive. There should be a "blackball" list of these individuals. We
can invite them to participate in the many full contact matches available, but politely
refuse them entrance in our events.
We can't change the attitude of teachers who regard their student's performance in the
ring as some kind of substitution for their own lack of accomplishments. This is fact. We
cannot change these individuals. However, when students enter the ring, when they face
their opponent, they are solely responsible for their actions. Placing the responsibility
on the officials to run safe matches is not the answer. Its up to the competitors to
follow the rules. And the competitors must work with the tournament organizers to make it
successful.
I am still very optimistic regarding tournaments. They are the best way
I know to give students a proving ground of sorts and a place where they can develop
confidence in what they practice in the dojo. I wish everyone could have witnessed the
Grand Championship match during the evening festivities. At least 800 martial artist from
other styles were able to view what I considered to be Uechi-ryu's finest hour. Gary
Khoury emerged victorious after 2 minutes non-stop action. Bob Spoon, Gary's worthy
opponent, fought gallantly, but was unable to stop Gary's relentless drive. Stephen Perry
performed the head referees position with dignity and confidence. The competition was
strong and focused. The techniques were accurate and controlled. I haven't seen such
talent since Bob Campbell's matches in the 60's and 70's.
Gary, Steve and Bob have expressed interest in helping to improve the Uechi event for
next year. They understand that the effort will be an uphill battle, but are willing to
extend their offer in friendship to all. They also agree that the tournament training must
begin with the competitors. I hope when they call your dojo, they won't be disappointed.
Although my editorial is focused on the freefighting part of the
tournament, I must say that kata and pre-arranged kumite events went very well. Fedele
Cacia and Chuck Micciche won the Championship belt in Dan Kumite. Fedele won the
belt for Kata for the second straight year. Congratulation to all the competitors and
thanks to all the hard working officials. Special thanks to Steve DiOrio and Mike Hurney
for their organizational skills. Finally, thanks to Alan Azoff, who so ably coordinated
the event and Rich Baptista who made it all possible.
May 28, 1998: The
rumor mill is filled with speculation concerning Takimiyagi Sensei's recent resignation
from Okikyukai. It is no secret that he was not the most popular Karate teacher on
Okinawa. It was no secret that he and I often crossed swords in the past and we disagreed
on many technical and administrative matters. It is my belief that he was the person
primarily responsible for the breakaway from the Uechi family and that he orchestrated it
primarily because of his personal dislike for Kanmei Uechi.
Although the "spin" on Mr.
Takimiyagi's resignation focuses on his heavy work and dojo schedule, my feeling is that
Nakahodo, Sensei finally put his foot down and took the action that should have been taken
years earlier. Takimiyagi is a powerful person by virtue of his education and position in
Japanese society. It was difficult for the seniors to overrule his short and long term
strategy. When the break first happened, I predicted he would be President of the
organization in 10 years! And he would have accomplished this, had his plan worked. He had
not counted on the foreigners standing up to him and his policies. One by one, the foreign
dojo left Okikyukai and rejoined SOKE. Most of these returning groups joined the IUKF,
realizing how important it was to have and maintain a voice and vote in Uechi-ryu
policies. Even the Australians, who are fiercely loyal to Nakahodo Sensei, refused to wear
Shoheiryu patches or call themselves anything but Uechi-ryu! In the end, corporate expediency overruled cultural
traditions and if you read between the lines of the enclosed public relations news
release, one can see conventional corporate damage control in action.
Although I personally liked Takimiyagi Sensei and respect him for his obvious talent and
accomplishments, we were upfront with one another regarding our disagreements involving
the politics and policies of Uechi-ryu. I hope that with time, and cool heads, more effort
will be made to unify Uechi-ryu once again. In this effort, the IUKF will support Okinawa
and encourage Uechi Sensei to participate. This time, I hope Okinawa will consider their
foreign family as part of their administrative structure and not attempt to treat us as
children who cannot participate in the welfare of the art we have been practicing and
teaching for so long.
Article in Ryukyu Shimpo (newspaper):
21st CENTURY NEW GENERATION CHANGE IN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
OKIKUKAI Board Members visited the Shimpo Offices on 25 May and outlined their new
Organizational Structure for this year until the 21st Century.
Their first accomplishment was to change committee members to a New Generation. NAKAHODO
Sensei, Hanshi Kyudan, remained as Representative of the Older Generation. A summer camp
in Germany is among the new plans.
The OKIKUKAI Board reported to the Shimpo Offices that a change to newer-generation
members was needed for the 21st Century. The new Board is excited to host the 20th Annual
All Okinawa Championships this year, and other events. The trip to Germany is planned by
NAKAHODO Sensei at the end of May.
He said: “We were invited to go to Germany. There will be karateka from 8 countries
participating in the sessions -- we expect 300 to 400 students to practice and study with
us, and we will also conduct Dan Testing. The Europeans requested to learn the original
Okinawan-style kata. This trip is our response to their request.”
YAMASHIRO Hirokuni Sensei, Renshi Rokudan, said “Of course we will go to share our
karate, but also our Okinawan culture.”
ACCOMPANYING PHOTOGRAPH shows 6 persons. Front row left to right, YONAMINE
Sensei, VP OKIKUKAI. Middle, NAKAHODO Sensei, Pres. Right, YAMASHIRO Hirokuni, Chief
Instructor / Director, Summer Camp in Germany.
Back row left, OMINE Nobumasa, VP. Middle, TAMAKI Takeo, Senior Trustee.
Right, SAKIYAMA Takeo, Japanese Publicity Chief.
May 21, 1998: Let me know if you get on the Uechi page quicker without the graphic. A
few people have said it takes them forever to log on. Microsoft Explorer won't let you
click on any of the table of contents until everything has loaded onto the home page, so a
slow computer plus big graphics mean slow access.
As usual, great things being discussed on
the Forums. I'm happy to report that Paul Giella is back and breathing new life into his
forum. Check it out!
One of the more interesting events last
week was the NAC regional dan test at Ed Huff's dojo in Boston. The sparring matches went
for three rounds! Ironically, the matches were much safer than the usual 30 second to 1
minute usual fare. Lots of speculating as to why, but I suspect that the longer match,
without points, allows the competitors to spar as they do in the dojo. . . with courtesy
and caution. Perhaps this formula, which we have been using for the Uechi Championships
for three years, is the reason this tournament does so well. Competitors are penalized for
bad sportsmanship and dangerous behavior. Winners are chosen for their ability to
demonstrate Uechi-ryu skills in the ring. Two minutes is a long time. One has to be in
excellent shape to spar continuously for this time period. Only a couple of weeks till
this year's event. We need your support and participation to make this year's tournament a
success. Hope to see you on the 30th.
May 14, 1998:
Had a chance to add quite a few letters to the "Mailbag" this morning. Susan and
I also were able to complete the USA Summer Camp mailing last night. We sent out over 1500
brochures. If you don't receive yours by the end of next week. Please contact me. Some of
you move and forget to send me your new address!
A living legend in Judo, O'Sensei Philip
Porter, will be conducting a seminar at Mike Murphy's dojo on the 23rd of May. Space is
very limited, so if you wish to attend, please call Mike ASAP. O'Sensei Porter has also
agreed to attend and teach at this year's camp. In addition to Judo, O'Sensei will be
teaching seminars in pressure points, grappling and JuiJitsu. This year's camp will be the best one yet! Lots of
exciting and new teachers will be attending. Please get your applications in early. . .
and please talk it up at your dojo.
May 11, 1998:
My adopted son, Johnny Liu, called today with information about our proposed training tour
to Fuzhou, China. At this time we are working on a two week stay in China. One week
training with the masters with a second week option for more instruction or seven day
visiting and training with other martial artist located in the Fukien Providence. A third
week option will be a tour to Okinawa.
Although it is too early to get accurate
air flight rates, Johnny has gotten fairly accurate hotel and food rates for China. We
hope to be able to offer the two week tour, with either 2nd week option, for around $2200.
If you are interested in participating in this tour, please contact me as soon as possible
and let me know your preferred time to travel in February.
Alan Dollar has informed me that he has
extended the registration period for his event. If you can make it, please get your
application in ASAP.
May 4, 1998:
Very pleased to announce a new and very unique product for the Uechi web: The
"Iron-Arm" The Ultimate Body Conditioner! To kick off this promotion, the
manufacturer has given us a special price, allowing the Uechi Web to sell the
"Conditioner" for only $29.95. Click here to check it out.
I'm very excited about my upcoming visit
to California where I'll be attending and participating in Alan Dollar's Golden Gate
Tournament and Training. I'm looking forward to seeing many old friends again and
particularly excited over meeting with Sensei Toyama. Hope you can make it as well.
May 3, 1998: Our
May 30th Uechi-ryu Championships is fast approaching. Steve DiOrio is looking for time
keepers, score keepers and other people who can help make the event run smoothly and
fairly. Please call him at 617-270-9553 if you would like to help.
Sensei Ed Huff is in charge of running
the adult kumite rings. We will only be using certified judges and referees this year.
Contact me if you would like to receive the training necessary to help out in the kumite
ring. Michael Aceto is in charge of selecting ring officials for the junior divisions and
will act as the head referee in all matches. This year we will again use "point"
rules for the juniors. Mike Hurney is in charge of all Kata and Prearranged Kumite events,
including the selection of officials for these rings.
Alan Dollar's Golden Gate tournament and
Koshukai training will be held June 10 - 13th. A stellar group of instructors will be
attending. What a great opportunity to meet and train with many Okinawan seniors. Call
Sensei Dollar for more information: 510-778-4400.
Locally, Sensei John Hassell announced a
seminar on Yamani-ryu bojutsu with Sensei Kiyoshi Nishime, to be held on Sunday, May 31,
1998 at the Shrewsbury Middle School. Call John for further information: 508-842-0266 (or
check the Events page for details)
May 1, 1998: Talk
about a slow newspaper month! Had a reporter from the Boston Herald call me about Steve
Fagan's Karate experiences. Apparently someone called in a "tip' about my
posting. Turns out Steve hosted an outdoor workout at a Newton Park near his home,
way back in 1960. Another "tipster" called the same Herald about the
"strange gang of people in their pajamas doing weird exercises"! The result of
that call was the first publicity karate received in the New England press. It is amazing
how the press will "dig" into a story, milking it for every bit of gossip or
possible facts that will maintain the public's insatiable appetite for other people's
misery. Everyone I know is pretty tired of reading the same story, over and over again.
Can't wait to see how they treat the "karate connection".
Check out the forums. Lots of hot topics
on all of them. Until Paul Giella gets back on-line, we need someone to help out on the
"Body/Mind/Spirit" forum. The object of having different forums is to look at
issues from different viewpoints. Not everyone is involved with the martial arts as a
sport or even for self defense. Nancy Gottlieb teaches a weekly class, to people with
physical disabilities, using the meditative movements of Sanchin. Paul's forum is a place
where people can discuss the "other" side of the martial arts.
The May mailbag is also posted.
April 26, 1998: Students dropout!
Students change dojo! Facts of life! I wonder if other martial arts instructors experience
the same emotional letdown as I do when this happens. In the early years of the Mattson
Academy, the dojo was my life. My students were my friends. We worked out together, we
played together, we made mistakes together. We grew up together!
I began teaching at the tender age of 20. Today I have a difficult
time not issuing a Junior rating to someone that age. But back in 1958 I was the
"sensei", the chief mucky muck, the complete authority. It was a label I didn't
welcome or encourage. In fact, I did everything in my power to demonstrate to people that
outside the dojo, I was just a kid trying to experience and enjoy life.
My innocent and naive first 19 years had not prepared me for
dealing with notoriety and the fickle nature of people. Everyone became my quick-friend. I
was invited everywhere and participated in everything. . . all with my new found
students-friends. In my mind, they would be part of my life for ever. . . for better or
for worse.
Then one by one, most of these student-friends would vanish. They
graduated from school and moved on to another state. Others married and became preoccupied
with supporting a family. Some became obsessed with another activity of the moment. A few
found real "gurus" who practiced yoga, kungfu or taichi and who touched new
emotions or promised the real "secret" movement that would make the practitioner
an invincible fighting machine or wise sages, able to ward off danger with a stern glare.
The education of GEM the person didn't happen overnight. It was a
slow evolutionary process. One evening at class a "friend" didn't show up for
class. A week, month and year would pass without a word. How could a friend who happened
to take karate lessons from me, simply disappear? But a new student-friend took his place
and the cycle continued. After many years I realized that people who came to the dojo are
there to learn karate, not to become friends with the teacher. Ironically, with this new
attitude, I've lost fewer students. . . and feel closer to them, than I did during my
early years of teaching.
One of my early student-friends was Stephen Fagan! Although
younger than me, he was far more worldly and certainly more cunning. He worked as a
bouncer at the Kenmore club in Boston and had many pretty girls eager for his
companionship. He latched onto me as his "friend" and brought me into his world
of fast cars, faster women and fancy nightclubs. I was an eager student outside the dojo
as he was a dedicated student in the dojo. As I couldn't get enough of the worldly
experiences, Steve couldn't get enough karate. It was a fair and equal trade-off that
lasted about two years. Then one day he disappeared. Until last week when he reappeared on
the front pages of every newspaper in the country.
Steve was arrested in Florida, charged with kidnapping his two
young children nearly 20 years ago. I don't know if Steve is guilty of this charge. . . a
court will determine this. . . I was more interested in Steve's continued education after
dropping out of my dojo. I remember as a kid-teacher, joking with my buddies about how
great it would be to marry a wealthy nymphomaniac who owned a liquor store! To most of us,
this remains a joke in particularly bad taste. However, from the news reports, Steve not
only realized some men's fantasy of marrying wealth,(which he did twice) he also redefined
himself with a new name as a Doctor, Lawyer, Psychologist who claimed to be a CIA
operative and an adviser to presidents! He lived in million dollar mansions and drove an
expensive Bentley.
I know many new teachers drop in to this site and perhaps my
musing will touch a sensitive nerve. Karate is not a religion or the kata rituals. People
who come to you for lessons are not your disciples. Because they are friendly to you don't
make them friends. They don't owe you anything but attentive dedication in class. You are
not responsible for their actions outside of class and can not take credit for their
success or failure in life. Most importantly, develop other interests and lead a balanced
life outside the dojo and with people who are not your students! Don't be fooled into
believing that what you are doing is so important that you must devote 12 hours a day,
seven days a week to the dojo. Your students will massage your ego and make you feel
invincible. Until they move on to their next goal, leaving you to deal with your fractured
expectations.
Many teachers burn out after a few years of this intense
preoccupation with their art. Better to approach what you are doing with a clear and
unemotional understanding than to be disappointed and frustrated by what you will perceive
as failure. Granted, there are instructors who practice all kinds of motivational magic on
their students to keep them active. But regardless how hard we try, students "move
on". We must not take it personally or blame ourselves for failing to make everyone
into better people through our black belt programs.
On a lighter note. . . just think what might have happened, had
Steve stayed with the dojo and remained my "friend"? How does a Mansion Dojo in
Palm Beach sound????
April 20, 1998: Thanks to Alan Moulton for helping download Bob Campbell's files on the
"Keeper of the Dragon's Beard" forum. I was able to archive the old forum and
created the updated forum today. Bob's latest posts have also been placed on the new
forum. Check it out.
The Uechi world has lost two of its old timers. Many of you may
remember Carol Schiff from the Cambridge Dojo days. Victor Best also worked out at that
dojo for a couple of years. If you have any photographs or biographical information you
would like to share with us, please mail it to me. Thanks.
April 18, 1998: The Uechi Web is
back to normal. If you wish to review Bill Glasheen's past "Dojo Roundtable"
Forum posts, check out the Archives. I've asked Bob Campbell to hold off posting any new
entries until Monday. Hopefully I'll have his updated Forum on-line by that time.
If you plan to watch the Boston Marathon Monday, please watch for
and cheer-on Uechi student Jayne Kramer. She will be wearing "WWW.UECHI-RYU.COM" on her Tshirt.
This is Jayne's fifth marathon. And she has completed them all. She is number 11102
If you can't be at the race, you can tract her results this year. The web site is: "http://www.bostonmarathon.org".
I received an e-mail from Gordi Breyette last night stating that he has resigned from
the Shoheiryu association. I've posted his message on the "politics"
page.
April 11, 1998: SORRY!! What a terrible weekend for the
server to have problems. Turns out this web exceeded the maximum space allocation for the
site and rather than billing me for extra space, the server simply "shut down"!
Of course, no one was working during the Easter weekend, hence the inability for anyone to
access any page that required memory. I received an apology and more space today around
1pm. Hopefully we won't have this situation again. I'm sorry for any inconvenience caused
and hope no one kicked their computer, figuring it was a glitch with their system. One of
the reasons I exceeded the space requirement, was because I updated the Forums hosted by
my server. (Those using the Microsoft message boards) Microsoft recently fixed the bug
that caused all messages to be logged incorrectly, but unfortunately, is incapable of
updating any of the old forums. So, if you have some time, please log onto your favorite
forum and "copy" old messages from the old forum and "paste" them to
the new forum. When all the messages get transferred, I'll delete the older forums.
April 6, 1998: Congratulations to
Raffi Derderian, are in order. Raffi has opened a new and expanded dojo in Providence RI
and is having a Grand Opening workout this Friday evening, April 10th. I will be
conducting the workout, which is open to all students and instructors. There is no charge.
Directions: Rt 95, take exit 22 head towards rte 6 Hartford. Continue straight towards Rte
6 and you will see the Plainfield St. exit sign. Take the Plainfield St. exit and go left
at the bottom of the ramp. Take first right. You are now on Plainfield (rte 14
West). Go for about a mile or so and you'll see a large restaurant - The 1025 Club on the
right. Raffi's dojo is directly across the street. The school entrance is through the
brown foyer on the side of the building. We will begin the class at 7pm. Call Raffi at
946-0384 if you have any questions. There is a great Thai, vietnamese, chinese
restaurant a few minutes from the school. I hope you'll have time to join us for dinner
after the class.
Allen Moulton has asked me to inform everyone of his new website
location at "http://home.ici.net/~uechi/".
You should notice a big improvement in getting on Allen's website since this move. Check
it out.
Don't forget to get your applications in for the Healing Arts Forum to be held on
Saturday, April 25th. We have a full program planned, including many martial art
demonstrations with audience participation. You will be able to take part in many
workshops during the afternoon session as well. If you are curious about the the link
between the Healing and Martial arts, don't miss this exciting session.
April 3, 1998: Thanks to everyone
who contributed to April's ViewPoint! survey. Although most people have a pretty healthy
attitude about bowing and other rituals in the dojo, a few people still associate bowing
with religion. A couple of individuals said they felt the kneeling bow to photographs went
against their religious beliefs and refused to do them in their dojo. One person, who
asked not to be identified, said he left the dojo because of the instructor's ultimatum. .
"either bow or leave!" Few of the respondents actually understood the history or
tradition of the bow and simply did it out of respect or because "that's what we
do!" A couple of posts should be helpful to everyone wanting to understanding why the
Japanese bow and the religious significance of the kneeling bow. I suggest that teachers
give out a handout to new students, informing them of their dojo "rituals" and
the history/tradition behind these rituals. If a teacher wants to enforce a "bow or
leave" rule, the student should know this up front, not learning it after joining,
paying their dues and discovering the conflict during their first class.
The "Emporium"
section of this web has not been very active, mostly because I just don't have the time to
administrate it. But because of the financial burden of operating a site this large, this
section could help pay the bills with a little work. If anyone would like to help build
this section and earn some money for their efforts, please contact me. I promised Bill
Bauchnecht that I would post a couple of items he has for sale.If you are looking for a
mint '96 Sports Utility Vehicle, check out the Emporium.
If you have anything you would like to buy or sell, please get in touch. Let us help you
while you help support this site.
April 2, 1998: Finally had time to
post the April Mailbag and ViewPoint!. Check them out please and
add your direct comments to the "Feedback" forums.
March 28, 1998: Congratulations
to Steve Perry and Gary Khoury who are celebrating their 1st anniversary as Uechi dojo
sensei. I was asked to participate in their anniversary joint workout last night and was
most impressed with the caliber of students they have turned out in such a short span of
time. Additionally, they have attracted many seniors who were "between dojo" and
have motivated them to rejoin an organization and get back to the regular routine of
actively working out with other students. In the short span of one year, these two dojo
have attracted over 250 members! Lets hear about other dojo out there who have made it
through their first year successfully.
The "Dojo Roundtable" forum has tackled many tough and fascinating questions
during the past year, but none so intriguing as the recent discussion regarding "A
new kata!" By now you are familiar with the story of Simon Lailey discovering, then
sharing his experience in China with the Uechi world in the form of a video tape and
Summer Camp seminars. Our own Bill Glasheen has taken up the gauntlet and has further
"Uechicized" the set and has formed some pretty convincing arguments for
learning and studying this new form.
Some people are now speculating that the Uechi world should consider adopting this
interesting form as the fourth root kata! I would like to comment on the subject to put
things into perspective.
In 1984, many Uechi practitioners participated in the first gathering of a truly
International mix of martial artist. The rational behind the camp was to bring together
the three groups of our root system for the purpose of exchanging techniques, ideas and
most importantly, physically "push hands" together as equal elements in the
advancement of our art. China brought the history, mystique and essence of our roots.
Okinawa the preserver and refiner of what was extracted from China and finally the
recipients of the collective gifts from Asia. . . the students who assimilated, studied
and explored the many faceted gem we called Uechi-ryu.
In our quest for our roots and in our pursuit for "the perfect kata", we
learned many new drills, techniques and arts. Our Uechi-ryu benefited from this
exploration. We learned to use our kata as tools,not mechanically performed rituals. We
learned to use our kata in the bunkai and kumite, not practicing the kata without
understanding or benefit, then methodically locking them away while practicing sparring
and applications using ability gained from tournaments, shared experiences and independent
study.
Working with other arts and opening our minds as to "what is similar" rather
"what is different" has forced us to see the multi dimensional applications
within movements that formally were practiced as dead form. The flowery aphorisms now have
meaning and aren't just another mechanical utterance that happens to be verbal instead of
physical. "All is in Sanchin" takes on a new life when one explores other
system's Sanchin with an open mind and with the intent of breathing new life into old
understandings and acceptances. Notice I didn't say modifying Sanchin, but giving it a new
dimension. Simply performing the kata "harder and harder", over and over, will
not, by itself, help most students become better students. They will simply become
"harder and harder"!
With the many influences to our expanding Uechi consciousness, comes a balancing and
selection process. The beauty of the Uechi system, as I see it, is in its simplicity. We
don't need 50 kata to maintain and improve our skills. Three is certainly sufficient. Many
of our greatest Uechi practitioners only knew Sanchin. . . or Sanchin and Seisan! These
masters practiced and assimilate many other arts as part of their martial arts training.
But they only needed one, two or perhaps three kata to hold, interpret and fine-tune all
this knowledge. Spreading their understanding within 50 forms would actually dilute their
personal art and would be counterproductive to what they wanted to accomplish.
Ironically, after all the guest instructors, all the seminars and information. After
all the beautiful, strong, flowery, long and complex expressions of translated Uechi
information, we end up in class or at home, practicing what is relevant to each of us. We
throw a glob of information/technique onto the wall of our consciousness and only if it
"sticks" will it become an "officially" accepted addition to
Uechi-ryu. No administrator or association will force new or changed components upon the
body of Uechi-ryu.
So back to "Superempi", the 108 "glob" that has been thrown unto
the Uechi wall. No research or scientific study will make this an "official"
kata. No "old man" found in a remote village where Kanbun lived and studied,
will motivate the Uechi world to embrace and accept a version of Superempi as OURS. But
the process of discovering, exploring, studying, comparing and modifying a set of
movements from China will continue the process of helping us understand and perfect our
existing Uechi-ryu and I applaud this effort and work. To me, this capacity to encompass
unlimited resources within three relatively simple sets of movements is what makes our
system so unique and effective.
We don't need more "root" kata. . . we need more open minds.
March 23, 1998: This has been a busy
month for the Uechi Web. If you haven't been following the forums, get over there
right now and catch up with all the happenings. I'm very pleased to announce that Tom
Seabourne has joined the Forum staff. Tom holds a Ph.D. in exercise science. He competed
internationally in taekwondo and on ESPN's Full Contact Karate representing Team Labrada.
I just posted his article, "Awesome Abs &
Healthy Back" today. If you have any fitness questions,
please visit Tom's Forum and give him a chance to answer them..
Microsoft's Front Page Forums customers have been living with a
troublesome "bug" since the new version of this web tool was released in
January. Many of the forums store message out of order. Normally, new messages are
posted to the top of the board as older messages get moved down on the list. This bug
keeps old messages on top, and new ones get listed at the bottom or are randomly placed
throughout the older messages. Needless to say, this has been troublesome, although our
readers have been most gracious and forgiving in accepting problems with the site. I
mention this now, because Saturday I happened to come across a particularly exceptional
letter, hidden within Paul Giella's forum! I was going to post the letter here, but
because of its length, decided to just mention it and hope you will take the time to find
it as I did.
March 20, 1998: If you are in an area that carries
"Warrior Talk", please tune in tomorrow (Sat 21st March). I will be on the show,
talking about "Ultimate" fighting matches and what we have learned about our
traditional styles of martial arts, from these exhibitions. And that reminds me. . . the
"Ultimate" has finally happened:
Man Dies After Ultimate Fight Match
The Associated Press
By STEVE GUTTERMAN
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - An American died today of injuries sustained in a bout of
no-holds-barred ``ultimate fighting,'' a mix of martial arts, wrestling and boxing.
Douglas Dedge, 31, of Chipley, Fla., was hospitalized Monday night after collapsing in the
ring in Kiev. He died of severe brain injuries, said Petro Spasichenko, chief emergency
ward doctor at Kiev's Institute of Neurosurgery.
Dedge, who is survived by a wife and five children, had founded a school to teach the
sport in Enterprise, Ala., said Danny Ray, a close friend who traveled with him to
Ukraine.
Ray said the fight lasted less than five minutes.
Dedge, on the mat, had taken a series of punches to the head but was still ``defending
himself well'' when the referee called the fight, Ray said. Dedge stood up, but collapsed
a few seconds later and was not breathing.
He was one of three U.S. fighters who took part in the competition, which brought a large
crowd to a Kiev arena. The sport is popular in the former Soviet Union, where it is called
``Battle Without Rules.''
Ultimate fighting has drawn fire in the United States from critics who say it is too
dangerous, and some states have banned it.
``We consider his death a tragic accident that disturbs us greatly,'' said Yuri Smetanin,
one of the fight organizers.
Some rumors proclaimed the match was billed as "to the death", but this was
not so. The publicist just played up the high possibility that death was not ruled out!
Face it, when you bill a fight as the "ultimate", what do you think the
screaming fans of "Wrestlemania 354" are looking for? A winner by points? No
way. . . they are paying the big fee to watch someone get killed. I wonder if anyone was
disappointed that death was pronounced at the hospital and not live on camera!
I highly recommend you check out Sensei Van Canna's Forum. I don't know about you, but I
get an uneasy feeling when I read of all the potentially lethal reactions that will
probably make defending oneself difficult (if not impossible) under realistic and life
threatening conditions. Van's highly technical and eloquent explanation of how the human
animal reacts to danger is something every martial artist should read and understand.
Hopefully a few students, with a couple of lessons under their belt, will think twice
before they go looking for trouble or overeager in wanting to test out their new skills.
Van's warnings should be required reading by every new student, looking for a quick fix
for his/her confidence problems. I believe Van's recommendations support my beliefs that
you should never become over confident and look for an excuse to get into a fight. If you
have a choice, stay away from potentially dangerous situations. If you can walk away from
a fight, do so. But if your only option is to defend yourself, then the more training,
preparation, visualizing and experience you have in the martial arts, the better!
There are no 100% guarantees in life, certainly not in self defense. No one person or
teacher has all the answers in this area. But a good place to expand your knowledge and
awareness is on this forum.
March 15, 1998: I've been taking some good natured
"pokes" at scientific studies on Bill Glasheen's Forum lately, and wish to make
amends by recommending that everyone read Dr. Ann's Health
Tips. Her latest topic is "Snacking Happy", where she discusses the dangers
of sugar and some recommended ways to cure the "munchies". I don't know about
you, but whenever I sit down to watch a TV show, I get this uncontrollable urge to raid
the fridge. Carrot and celery sticks are not high on my priorities either! Check out Dr.
Ann's suggestions and let me know what you think.
And while we are discussing food, please note that the Kushi Office is hosting the
First World Macrobiotic Conference and International Seminar, celebrating Lima Ohsawa's
100 birthday. The tour will run from April 21 - 27, 1998. Call 617-232-6876 for
information.
March 12, 1998: Sensei Kiyoshi Nishime will be conducting a
Yamanni-ryu Bo (wooden staff) seminar on Sunday, April 5th from 10AM to 4 PM with a 2 hour
break from 12noon - 2PM. The seminar will be held at Chuck Merriman's Karate
International, Inc. in Niantic, CT. Call 860-739-4247 for information. Thanks to John
Hassell for letting us know about this important event.
March 11, 1998: Lots of new mail and a record number of responses from this month's
ViewPoint! committee. I was able to post the rest of the survey this morning. Very
interesting and thought provoking. Obviously there are no right or wrong answers. Bottom
line. . . every dojo must address the issue of rank for children individually. There can
not be a single policy that will be suitable for all dojo.
In April I'd like to tackle the subject of religion and the
dojo!! Now I know this could become quite a volatile issue if we aren't careful. Although
some dojo do preach religion as part of their classes, this isn't what I'm referring to.
Rather, the policy of bowing to a mysterious entity upon entering and leaving the dojo and
at the beginning and end of class and possibly other rituals which may or may not be
viewed by students and instructors as religious trappings. Although quite innocent in most
dojo, some unscrupulous instructors have been known to use these rituals to subtly and not
so subtly control their students and exert non-martial arts influence over their students
that border on cultist. I fully agree with the enclosed post, that students should be
aware of any policies involving confusion over rituals practiced in the dojo. Hopefully
your dojo informs students of the meaning of traditional and possibly religious-like
practices. I wish to thank Sensei Narker for giving me permission to quote from his
Cyberdojo post.
From: Hoosain Narker <ashihara@iafrica.com>
Subject: Karate and Religion?
With regards to the thread on karate and religion, the following article is adapted from a
handout given to all new members to our dojo. I thought of submitting it just to address
my viewpoint. I am a Muslim with students from all major religious groups. Sometimes when
Parents questions the Shin Zen -I could tell them that as a Muslim, I did not bow to
another deity and coupled with this article, made things so much easier. "Rei de
Hajimari Rei de Owari" - Karate begins and ends with courtesy
We hope that the following points will give the student an insight into the rituals, etc.
of Ashihara Karate so as to obtain a better understanding.
Your training at the dojo is partly steeped in tradition and ritual and some of our
customs may be subject to misinterpretation. Confusion sometimes arises over the
significance of the Shin Zen (Shinden) and the purpose of bowing and kneeling. The Shin
Zen has absolutely no religious meeting, but merely serves as the ceremonial centre of the
dojo. As you know, respect is a cornerstone of not only Ashihara Karate, but all other
Martial Arts. Respect for the dojo, instructors, fellow students, and most important of
all yourself. Bowing is a gesture which serves as an external manifestation of this
respect. When we bow to the dojo, we need a symbolic centre to which we direct this
gesture of respect and appreciation.
The Shin Zen serves this purpose by representing the symbolic centre of the dojo's total
essence. This is the Shin Zen's sole significance. Bowing, as mentioned above is external
manifestation of respect. It connotes appreciation and courtesy and in no way is
associated with an attitude of subservience. Instructors bow to Juniors as well as
Students to Instructors, and Seniors bow to Juniors as well as Juniors to Seniors. Respect
and appreciation flows both ways.
Kneeling down to meditate and to begin and end each class is sometimes also misunderstood.
The very idea of kneeling or dropping to one's knees is often thought of as a gesture of
subservience. It is important to realise that in the Japanese society, as in other
Oriental Societies, kneeling is merely a common way of sitting. People kneel to eat,
converse and carry on many normal activities. To kneel down is in oriental parlance, to
sit down. However, if any student do find this position objectionable, they are welcome to
sit with their legs crossed.
Ashihara Karate seeks neither to support or interfere with a student's practice of his or
her religious faith. Ashihara's goals are the attainment of a strong mind and body and the
integration of the two.
Osu!
Hoosain Narker
March 4, 1998: Lots of new mail! And thanks to this month's ViewPoint! panel. . . what a
great response to the question of Children's Black Belts. I was able to getmost of the
e-mail posted, so please check out"ViewPoint!"
If you have time, review the information on our 2nd Healing Arts Forum.
Although this session is primarily for Boston University students, we have 40 slots
available on a first-come basis. So if you are available on April 25th (Saturday) please
send in your application. Only $35!
Jay. . . Get well soon. I'm sure it will take more than an auto
accident to slow you down for long.
February 28, 1998: Lots of new
activity on the site this week. Lots of new mail in the March
mailbag, a new Uechi Championship Tournament
site, with an application form you can download. Because of the volume of mail, I'm
experimenting with a new "MailBag" response form. If you wish to make a comment
on one of the letters or contribute something new, simply click on the "MailBag
Feedback" icon. After "submitting" your letter, it will be automatically
posted to the MailBag Bulletin Board.
I'm a little behind schedule with our ViewPoint! feature. Hope to
get it out this weekend. I am very curious how you feel about Junior Blackbelts. Our
association, after years of discussion, began to promote children to this special rank
after they exhausted all the other junior ranks. Because dojo begin training children at a
very early age, it is not uncommon to see 12 year olds with 4-6 years time in grade. The
junior black belts takes a modified black belt test. . . usually the same material as an
adult Shodan. . . but with less emphasis on strength. The junior black belt is
automatically converted to a regular adult black belt when the child turns 16. Watch for
the new segment and let us know how you feel about the junior black belt program.
February 17, 1998: I received the latest T'ai Chi magazine
last week. Some really great articles on subjects that Uechi practitioners should find
interesting. One article in particular caught my attention. William Kip Morales-Jack wrote
about using his TaiChi "Therapeutic Touch" as a defensive weapon in a fight.
According to Mr. Morales-Jack, Tai Chi and other internal kung-fu disciplines offer an
option to overcome a physical aggressor without having to maim or kill them through
"therapeutic touch." Morales-Jack draws a comparison to the traditional ways of
the Navaho Indian, who views a criminal as being spiritually sick. Instead of physical
retribution, the Navaho tribe prescribes spiritual healing with a great ceremony designed
to bring the person back into the ways of his people.
Now when Morales-Jack fights, his intent is to effect a cure in the foe, " . .
Repairing the foe's spirit, raising him out of his degree of indecency, out of the
state/mood which caused him to want to unjustifiably harm another."
In order for this "touch" to work, certain conditions must be achieved. The
practitioner must develop compassion for every would-be foe. Secondly, one must acquire an
". . Ability to physically connect and penetrate the foe. We must feel our touch
lodge beneath the foe's skin, down to the very bone. Such a connection allows us to guide
any movement of the foe's body or energy, thus rendering the foe's attacks harmless."
This sounds a lot like Kyusho or pressure point techniques, where a simple, yet surgical
strike renders a foe helpless. But I do like the term "Therapeutic" touch!
The author uses terms like "explosive grounding force" along with
"Guiding/healing touch" in his description of a "healing" encounter
with a foe. Not all foes will be "healed" in a fight. "When his resistance
has come to an end, the foe has two options: Either to allow a change in his spirit to
occur, or to activate some form of escape."
Although I sense that the author uses a lot more physical techniques in a confrontation
then the article suggests, he seems to present the possibility of using an extremely
nonviolent and non physical way to fight. The endurance needed by the practitioner seems
to be needed for the emotional and spiritual battle that appears to be waged between the
good and bad guy.
It appeared that Morales-Jack' former karate training, with it's physical focus, was
not his cup of tea. At the beginning of the article, he sites an encounter with an
aggressor. Although he describes a nonviolent resolution to the potential fight, his
conscience was sickened by the performance! "With all my Karate achievements and
trophies, I only had the capacity to maim or kill."
Although he stared the aggressor down, without throwing a punch or kick, (which seems to
be what his new Tai Chi Therapeutic touch is all about) his potential for injuring the man
bothered him. More importantly, he felt that his karate lacked any spiritual or moral
guidelines in dealing with an aggressor.
Mr. Evan Pantazi practices karate and kyusho. If I interpret Evan's words correctly in the
forum posts, he basically is stating the same things as Mr. Morales-Jack, but without
suggesting that his methods and philosophy is something limited to a specific art.
If you read the article, I'd like to hear your views on what Mr. Morales-Jack wrote.
Mr. Mario Topolsek, from the Praha, Czech Republic wrote a very moving letter to the
magazine, regarding A. Hadjiantoniou's August article that presented an unfair view of
Uechi-ryu to the Tai Chi world. In spite of occasional differences of opinions with the
content of the magazine, I highly recommend it for Uechi practioners. There are a lot more
areas of similarities than differences involving the two arts, especially in the areas of
centering, balance and mental calmness.
I would like to welcome this site's newest corporate sponsor, South Bay Chiropractic. Dr. Ann is a regular at our Summer Camp and is
now helping out by sponsoring one of the Uechi Web's features. Check out her site and say
hello.
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