Meeting together for the March seminars has become a tradition for students from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey and other locations when time and travel permit. Remember to create notes from the seminar, revisit them and practice what was taught until we meet again.

A number of ideas were related during the two-hour seminar.

An advancement to the combination arm and leg loosening drills was demonstrated by using manageable weights. This creates resistance for the body and helps strengthen the student at the same time.
The use of the lunge punch was discussed, demonstrated and practiced. In basics the techniques are performed from a Seisan stance where the body is kept square with the stance and the proper technique. The lunge punch uses a longer stance with a 70% to 30% weight ratio. If the body is kept square with the stance slightly more power is generated because of the deeper stance. If the body is turned into the punch more power is developed. It was demonstrated that because the rear leg and foot are in line with the punch it is very stable and if done properly, all the power goes into the opponent and does not reflect back to the person doing the punch (similar to the reverse punch [#3 basic] vs the straight punch [#1 basic].
Proper breathing was discussed again this seminar. Karate students should breathe in through the nose into the abdomen and exhale out through the mouth. The inhalation if done to a 3 count, the exhalation should be done to a 6 count. Also if inhalation is done to a 4 count, the exhalation is done to an 8 count.
When breathing in this way it is a form of meditation, as the brain can think of one thing at a time.
When doing Sanchin and other katas, the breathing helps focus one’s attention into the kata, creating a moving meditation.
Hanshi spoke about the three ways to instruct Sanchin.
1. First teach the student to do it without focus, learning the moves in a relaxed manner (like tai chi).
2. Next teach the student the breathing patterns, while still doing the kata in a relaxed manner.
3. Finally, add the proper use of muscle tightening to the movements and breathing.
4. It may take 20 to 30 years to fully develop and understand each kata.
The Push kick versus the Snap front kick is an effective technique to get a kick in under a person’s guard because it is a more direct attack. Emphasize using the thigh to extend the kick and tighten the toes, ball of the foot and project the heel upon contact. Its focus it different than the snap kick, which is more of an arching kick.
The back stance used in the nunchaku kata is a stance that is again very valuable in sparring because the person appears further away than he or she actually is. Posture is crucial because the head, shoulders, back and hip are over the rear leg. There is a 60% to 40% weight ratio used. It can quickly be turned in a zenkutsu stance picking up a great deal of distance.
BO DRILLS – using a 4 foot jo.
1. Hold a bo toward the end and control the swing from vertical to horizontal and back and forth. This will help increase flexibility and strength of the wrist. If holding the bo at the end is too heavy, hold the bo toward the middle to build technique and strength. (Do this using both hands on top)
2. Place the bo vertically on the floor in front of you. Grasp the bo at the top with a small space between the hands. Starting in a relaxed stance, lower the body into a deep seiuchin stance and twist the hands so they torque outward on the way down and inward on the way up.
3. Do the same twisting and stance techniques and then try to push the tip of the bo through the floor. This works the entire upper body.

QUOTATIONS FROM HANSHI DURING THE SEMINAR – – –

– A STUDENT IS NOT ABOVE HIS TEACHER, BUT EVERYONE WHO IS FULLY TRAINED IS LIKE HIS TEACHER. LUKE 6-40

– SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE IS MOVE VALUABLE THAN GIVING GOOD ADVICE.

– MUST APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT.

– THE MORE INTENSE THE CRISIS SITUATION UNDER WHICH YOU LEARN, THE LESS YOU WILL LEAN.

– PRACTICE WITHOUT PRESSURE AND YOU WILL LEARN MORE EFFICIENTLY AND THE BETTER YOU WILL PERFORM BETTER UNDER PRESSURE.

– WILL – HEART – DEDICATION – – (we understand well the concepts of Heart and Dedication) To understand “will” we must reflect deeper. “WILL” – THE POWER OF CONTROL THE MIND HAS OVER ITS OWN ACTION (FROM THE DICTIONARY).

Congratulations

Formal awarding of IWKA Certificates of Promotion from Master Kichiro Shimabuku and Master William H. Duessel were presented at the conclusion of the March 5^th WHD Seminar in Pittsburgh, PA

Chocku Radhakrishn – Sho Dan, 1^st Degree Black Belt

Josh Mehl – San Dan, 3^rd Degree Black Belt

Marvin Carmona – Hachi Dan, 8^th Degree Black Belt

For the Good of the Order

Plan to attend the upcoming 2011 IWKA Championship event June 23^rd – 26^th. Information and registration forms may be found on the web site www.indybushido.org .

We always have a great time renewing friendships and making new ones.

As always if you remember anything that I did not include, please e.mail me and I will update the newsletter.

Remember – if you have anything you would like to add to the newsletter under TRAINING TIPS, DOJO DEVELOPMENT, OR QUESTIONS FOR HANSHI – – – please send them to me. The next newsletter will be after the IWKA tournament.

Kyoshi Hughes is compiling the newsletter. Publication Dates will be the last week of the quarterly months: March, June, September and December. Any sensei wishing to put something in it should contact him at least three weeks prior to publication. E.mail him at: karatedo@goes.com or Fax: 908-852-9520.