MŌ ICHI DO February 2008

IOGKF-USA

Chief Instructor:

Tetsuji Nakamura

Newsletter Editor:

Jeffrey K. Mann

IOGKF-USA NEWSLETTER

From the Editor’s DeskIn reading through Sensei Randy

Kopke’s submission to this issue, one remark started me thinking. Do I have any regrets regarding my own history and experiences with martial arts? A few came to mind: I regret carelessly giving Holly Mortensen a fat lip back in 1991. I regret the chip on my shoulder when I first joined Sensei Schipp’s dojo. And I regret letting my mind wander while performing sanseiru during my sandan test… with some embarrassing results.

However, as I thought more seriously about this question, I realized I have a more significant regret. I truly regret the periods of time that I did not train hard. I can recall times when I was just going through the motions, sometimes for months, and not pushing to improve my knowledge and abilities as a student of Goju-ryu. That is time wasted, and time I cannot get back.

I often find myself thinking, if I had spent all of that time working hard on sanchin, the makiwara, stretching, kakie, etc., I could be much further along than I am today. Moreover, I have not just robbed myself of improvement, but my students as well. For when I am a better martial artist, I offer them more as well.

I still find it remarkable when Higaonna Sensei tells us that he is not satisfied with his current level of Goju-ryu, but needs to go further. He reminds us that our discipline is a lifelong journey, and it is important not to let time go to waste. I will never attain his level of mastery, but I will have no regrets as long as I continue to strive for excellence in my training, and thereby improve myself as a person as well.

Getting to Know You

(The following is the fifth in a series intended to help acquaint

members of the IOGKF-USA with one another.)

By Randy Kopke

My initial experience with karate began when I was watching my son Scott take classes through the Bedford Community Education program. I would try to help Scott learn his kata and other parts of karate after we would get home. As I watched from the sideline, it appeared to be pretty difficult to do, but I didn’t think it was any more difficult than any other sport that I had ever done. After a few times of bringing my son to class, Sensei Wiesje started to “harass” me about joining. I thought to myself that I might as well join karate, due to the fact that I was always there anyway. Plus, I have always been in sports and loved physical activity. Once I joined the class I realized that karate is much more difficult and demanding than I had ever imagined, and even though it is difficult, it is

also very rewarding. I instantly gained much respect for those around me, including the children. I do know one thing for sure: pain is a very good teacher. When you don’t use proper techniques when blocking, punching or kicking, you find out in a hurry how painful a mistake can be. Another thing that amazed was that no matter how hard you train and how much you work out, there is always more that you can do. I always seemed to have sore muscles a couple of days after karate class. This was the beginning of how karate has changed my life, more on this later. As I progressed through the ranks of our dojo, I gained a lot of knowledge, or at least I thought so. As you move forward you start to think you’re pretty good. Well, if you want a humbling experience, you need to attend a Gasshuku and watch the blackbelts and others train. You soon realize just how little you know about karate or how good you are once you watch Sensei Higaonna, or any of the others train. It is amazing to see all the black belts do Gekisai Dai Ichi over and over and over. When you’re in class doing your kata, you think, “Man, how many times are we going to do the same thing.” Well, I found out that no matter how many times you do it, it isn’t enough. Once you get to your next kyu grade you may not think

you need to practice your previous kata, but that is incorrect and just the opposite is true. When you see high ranking black belts being taught how to do Gekisai Dai Ichi properly, you realize that maybe you need to work a lot harder at what you are doing. Sensei Higaonna told us that your Sensei teaches you 90% of what you need to know about karate, the other 10% is up to you. I think the other 10% is where you have to define yourself in practicing and working on your kata as well as molding yourself to understand how to use karate in the best way to suit your body and personality. The benefits of karate go way beyond keeping yourself physically fit. Karate can give you confidence and that can translate into other parts of your life. I think the single biggest problem we can have, as karateka, though, is arrogance. It is one thing to be confident and another to be arrogant. Using or abusing karate for the wrong reasons should not be tolerated and thinking that you are better than others because you practice karate is not the way of a true karateka.

In the summer of 2004 I was able to go to Okinawa to train at the World Budosai. This was an amazing experience to see the culture where karate originated. While I was there, we were able to train a whole

week with the different sensei from around the world. What I thought was most amazing was the fact that what we were taught in the United States is exactly how it was taught there in Okinawa. This says a lot about the IOGKF, its lineage, and the Instructors that we learn from here in the United States.

While in Okinawa at the World Budosai, I also had the honor of testing for my Shodan. The honor of testing and passing my Shodan in front of Sensei Higaonna, Sensei Laubscher (South Africa), the late Sensei Pantanowicz (Israel), Sensei Terauchi (Japan), and Sensei Andrews (England) was about all a karateka could possibly ask for. I don’t believe I’ll ever forget the feeling I had when it was all over, or the endurance and stamina that it took to complete this task. It was a lot of work, a lot of butterflies, and I thought I was going to die from exhaustion and heat. But I would do it again in a heart beat if I had the opportunity. I still get chills when I think about it!

In 2006 I began training to participate at the Miyagi Chojun Festival in Niagara Falls, Canada. I was representing the United States as one of two middle-weights participating in irikumi. I trained for months to get ready for the irikumi matches. When I started training I weighed

approximately 170 lbs., by the time the event arrived I barely made the weight class of 154 lbs., for middle-weight. I couldn’t believe how much weight I had lost but when I think back I realize how hard I was working to get into shape to be able to fight for those two minutes.

I feel that I have been very lucky to be able to be a part of the IOGKF and to have experienced so much in the short amount of time that I have done so far in karate.

For me, karate has become more than just a hobby; it has changed my life, enough that I want to share it with others. I have done so by opening my own dojo. I love teaching karate to the kids and adults, watching them progress and improve, as well as seeing their personalities change while maturing as karateka. I now have about 100 students and my school continues to grow. I want to share karate with my community and try to create opportunities for children and adults to learn what karate can be all about for them.

If I had one thing that I would do differently though, I would have started studying and practicing karate earlier in my life because of what it has done for me. I want to thank everyone who has ever helped me and taught me what karate can do for you, not only in reference to fitness and self-defense, but

spiritually also. Body, Mind and Spirit, these three words can sum up what karate means, but to actually participate, see and feel these changes happen within you once you practice in the art of karate, well, it gives these three words a lot more meaning. I have so much yet to learn and cannot wait until the next Gasshuku or training session to learn more.

Through the eye of a beginner nothing is mundane.  The journey into karate and its wonders are excitingly new.  Thoughts about situations, technique and history linger throughout the day in a curious attempt to grasp this vast unknown.  Perhaps it's not quite that mystical, though if you can remember the early days, I'm sure they were filled with seemingly endless questions.  As the epitome of a beginner, I've had many thoughts about karate, the inter-working concepts and considerations that pertain to the art.  Of those thoughts, the dojo itself has had my attention as of late.  Slowly, the dojo and its practitioners are becoming something they were not just a short time ago.  Upon making the initial phone call and stepping

foot into the dojo, I judged every person, the building, the sensei, even the pictures on the walls with the utmost scrutiny.  At this point a dojo was a spot within which karate happened and nothing more.  I was impressed and signed up all of the children almost immediately.  Within a few weeks I donned a gi and stepped into the role of practitioner myself.  At this time the dojo was quite impressive for very simple reasons.  You can walk into the dojo and practice Karate without someone calling the police.  Women don’t shield a child's view of what some deem as violence. To the contrary, the children are being taught to learn these things as well.  It is commonplace to have people let out brutal screams without anyone even turning a head to see what the commotion was about.  Everyone within seems to have a common goal and, for the most part, partici-pates in the classes of their own free will.  The dojo is quite an amazing place!  It took a bit before the

dojo started to evolve into more than a specialized gym.  The evolution wasn't gradual - it was more of an explosion.  One day all was status quo. A few days later everything digested before had found a different and greater meaning.  This might sound trite. However, when in the dojo it suddenly felt like a break from the daily grind and a place where you could focus on a single goal.  A bubble, free of stress and outside influences.  The focus became karate and stayed that way until you left.  When viewing it in this way, the dojo was much more than a building and closer to a sanctuary.  It felt like a revelation at the time but the view moved forward much quicker than before.

Who knew within those dojo walls a workout could be so grueling and yet still filled with passion and drive?  The other practitioners working around you to strive and achieve regardless of burden.  Cheers of encourage-ment come from everywhere for the last

“Dojo Dynamics”

By Jason Herington

person still grinding out those final push ups, crunches or partner drills.  Initially I assumed these people had no reason to help each other succeed.  It was mere choice of location and martial art that drove them together.  It wasn't long before I began to realize the importance of the people you train with.  Things are learned from every single one of my fellow practitioners within the dojo - in spite of likes or dislikes.  You can feel the reaching effects from those who do not participate in class for long periods.  Rank is rarely a consideration as the lessons they bring are suddenly amiss.  Those who share my belt color I hold especially dear.  We

break ground at similar times and often struggle with similar issues.  This relationship mirrors a fraternity in many respects, and that insight started the dojo evolving again.  It has gone beyond the physical and into a bit more.  It's the people training in a symbiosis of sorts.  It isn't the walls, floor or the bubble from social norms; it's the people working together toward a common goal. 

This is without mentioning the sensei, a person of such importance that he or she alone can be the crux of any dojo.  This seemed to be much closer to a proper definition of a dojo in my mind.  Not a gym, or sanctuary, but a

collection of individuals who work to better themselves and those around them.

The sensei and fellow practitioners can be considered crucial guides and supporters within a quest to grasp the perfection of karate.  It seems profound as I ponder it within the confines of kyu infancy.  Yet today I sit upon an oft uncomfortable chair placing my elementary considerations into text, hoping to connect the points and puzzlements with something tangible and known.  It seems fitting that upon this reflection another realization occurs.  The dojo is a just a building with four walls and a hardwood floor.  The rest is undoubtedly karate itself.

Interested in bringing Higaonna Sensei to your dojo? Don’t forget that you can find many of his videos at

http://www.dragon-tsunami.org/Tsunami/Pages/section1.htmThere’s no substitute to training with a living legend in

person, but these resources are invaluable for learning and refining your practice of Goju-ryu and improving your ability

to pass on true Okinawan Karate, the legacy of Chojun Miyagi, to the next generation.

IOGKF-USA Gasshuku Report

Ann Arbor, MI2008

Note from Sensei Sam Larioza: Christopher is very special and one of our first junior blackbelts at Ohana Karate. This extraordinary ten year old definitely sets the standard for all the students at our dojo. On his own he created an impressive report entitled “The History of Karate.” He is the exception, taking every opportunity to train outside our dojo. Behind every great “Junior Blackbelt” are great “Blackbelt Parents.” I must thank his parents, Laurie and Doug, for their unwavering support in developing an awesome young man. Ever since starting with Higaonna Sensei as a white belt I have always listened and watched very closely whenever he would pass on his rare words of advice and wisdom. This gasshuku was very different for me in a very special way. As a young karate student I would listen to Sensei for “me,” but this time was different. I heard him completely differently. For the first time as a teacher I heard the message and wisdom not through my ears . . . . . . but through the ears and eyes of my young students and their parents.

2008 Winter Gasshukuby Christopher Ackerman

I have had the privilege of training at Ohana Karate with Sensei Sam Larioza for over four and a half years. I earned my junior black belt about a year ago, and I felt very honored when asked to write an article about the Winter Gasshuku in Michigan.

This gasshuku was a very special event to me for many reasons. It gave me the opportunity to train side-by-side with amazing karate masters such as Higaonna Sensei and Nakamura Sensei. Imagine a 10 year old from little Howell, Michigan training with two of the top Okinawan karate masters in the world!

I had the privilege of attending four training sessions, two with Higaonna Sensei, one with Nakamura Sensei, and the parent-child class led by Sensei Larioza. In my first session, I was amazed at how Higaonna Sensei is able to give special focus and attention to every person in the class. It was a perfect introduction for the great four day experience that was to come. I first trained with Higaonna Sensei in May of 2006 at the Miyagi Chojun Festival held in Niagara Falls, Canada. Seeing him again, I was reminded of what a graceful yet powerful, strong but gentle, and

amazingly modest man Higaonna Sensei is.

I was able to train with Nakamura Sensei only once, but it was probably one of the sessions that taught me the most. I definitely look up to him as a role model. I love seeing his kata. He teaches me something new about my karate every time that I have seen him. We are so lucky to have him in Burlington Canada, only a 4 ½ hour drive away. I have learned how to be a better person and how to improve; he taught me that I need to put my life into what I want to do if I want to grow in it.

My last session with Higaonna Sensei was all about the details. Details, Details, Details! It is all in the details. We did everything that we would normally do in a training session (stretch, junbi undo, push-ups, push-ups and more push-ups) right up until the very end. Higaonna Sensei then taught me things that I had never known about kata. He taught us the deepest and most intriguing details of Geki Sai Dai Ichi that I had never known!! I deeply benefited from this session, and I believe it developed my karate the most of any session. It gave me a basis and the motivation to go home and improve my kata. This session was special. It completely

changed by perspective and importance of the Goju-ryu kata.

The Question & Answer session on Friday night was not to be missed. Here Higaonna Sensei answered our previously submitted questions. Nakamura Sensei was at his side the whole time, translating and helping Higaonna Sensei. Higaonna Sensei shared that his parents and An’ichi Miyagi had a major influence on his life. He also admitted that his mother “made” him do karate at the beginning! He said that his life was built on a strong foundation because of his parents, and he added that meeting An’ichi Miyagi Sensei changed his life.

Higaonna Sensei gave some advice specifically for junior black belts. He said to focus on getting good grades and an education first and then start to train harder. He also said to always believe in yourself, and also to believe in your sensei and your parents. He encouraged us to set goals. Higaonna Sensei told us to accept tasks that are given to us, and always to give our best effort, all the time. Lastly, he said that we should always care about others as well as ourselves.

The events and activities going on between training sessions made the weekend fun. The hotel had pool tables, a swimming pool, and an arcade, so I shot, swam, and played a lot. What made it even better was that I was doing this along with many of my friends from the dojo. But, by far the

most valuable element of any gasshuku is meeting and becoming friends with the many wonderful students and families that come from all over the world.

But this was not all that happened over this weekend! During the day on Saturday, there were many planned activities for the kids (and adults too!!), such as a calligraphy workshop, an origami workshop, a “Parent-Child” class, and showings of the movies “Karate Kid” and “Mulan” in the amphitheater. As you can see, there was a lot more for us kids to do at this event than just karate!

I feel lucky to have attended many IOGKF events over the years. I would strongly encourage everyone to attend as many gasshuku as they can. I have been to several, and they all have something different and special about them that teaches me something about Goju-Ryu karate and life. Be it details, history, or facts, there is something new every time. They all have at least one thing in common and that one thing is that they have all motivated me to improve my Goju-Ryu Karate. If you want to find a way to improve yours, then I would go to a gasshuku because going to these events with any of these karate masters truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. These gasshuku are some of the most significant and beneficial things that I have ever done in my life. I look forward to seeing you at the next gasshuku!

Supplemental Strength Training

Finding time to train amidst our busy lives can be difficult enough. Even when we do, there are often aspects of strength training which are neglected because of limited time or resources. As a result, our bodies often do not meet the level of conditioning and strength we would like. There is also the concern that our bodies may develop unevenly due to over-emphasis on one area and neglect of another. For example, pushups are an easy drill that can be performed nearly anywhere.

However, while they do a good job of developing our chests and triceps, it is much less convenient to train the compensating muscles in our backs and biceps. The resulting disparity can create other health problems, most noticeably a bad back.

This section of the newsletter will be devoted to presenting supplemental strength training exercises that can be practiced easily, in many places, and with minimal investment. Whether at home or in the dojo, we can often find a little more time to tend to these often neglected areas of our bodies.

Neck strengthening

While stretching one’s neck is easy to do, and is often part of our warm-ups, strengthening the neck takes a little more conscious attention and effort. As one gets older, neck bridges can do more harm than good, wreaking havoc on muscles and tendons. A safer and easier alternative is to purchase a plastic ball – available at any store that sells children’s toys. By placing the ball between a wall and one’s head, one can strengthen the neck simply by pushing against the ball. This may be done forward, backward, and to the sides. It may also be performed at diagonal directions as well. One may choose to keep the head still as one pushes (i.e. isometric exercise) or slowly move the head through a more complete range of motion (i.e. isotonic exercise). Personally, I do three sets in each of the four major directions, with each set lasting ten seconds. When I’m feeling particularly motivated, I may add the diagonals. I find the entire exercise can be completed during a commercial break from whatever TV show I am watching. Moreover, neck stretching can easily be done throughout the day, even in public, without drawing unwanted attention. Besides, slowly turning the neck through its range of motion while waiting in line at the grocery story is far less conspicuous than practicing sanchin. Whereas neck pain ranks second only to back pain as the leading cause of muscular discomfort in Americans, stretching and strength training can go a long way toward keeping us healthy, happy, and on the dojo floor.

Iji ga dettara te o hiki; te ga dettera iji o hiki

“If your temper rises, withdraw your hand; if your hand rises, withdraw your temper.”

Notes from the North America Chief Instructor

– Sensei Nakamura

Happy New Year to all USA members and their families!

In January at the Michigan gasshuku, I was appointed as the new Chief Instructor for IOGKF North America (USA, Canada, & Mexico), as well as the Chief Instructor for IOGKF USA.

First of all, I would like to explain the concept of IOGKF North America. The IOGKF North America Chief Instructor is a new position created by Sensei Morio Higaonna. The purpose of this new position is to communicate more often among these three countries, connect them more closely, and build friendships among our members. Each country will still operate as an individual organization.

The former USA Chief Instructor, Sensei Miko Peled, did a great job for the IOGKF-USA. His original term was two

years. Because he did a wonderful job for the USA, his term was extended. Last year, his second term ended, and I was appointed as the new USA Chief Instructor. I would like to thank Sensei Miko and the former Executive Committee members for their hard work and contribution to the organization. I would like to continue their legacy and hope to bring the IOGKF-USA to the next level.

As the new USA Chief Instructor, I would like to inform you about the main foci of our organization: 1. Preserve traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate and pass it on to the next generation. (Traditional karate for future generations) 2. Through karate training, we make a positive impact on our lives and improve our physical and mental abilities. (Individual improvement) 3. By teaching traditional karate, we educate our members to be better people.  By doing so, we help our society become a better place to live. (Contribution to our society) I would also like to add one more thing. As I work as the

administrative director for IOGKF international, I travel overseas quite often. Wherever I travel, I meet many nice people who enjoy learning traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate. I always feel that the IOGKF is one big family. I would like all USA members to feel the same. I would like the members to get to know more of each other and build lifelong friendships. If you have any questions or concerns about the IOGKF USA, please feel free to contact me.

Finally, don’t forget!

OKINAWA BUDOSAI 2008This is the biggest event this year. The IOGKF is expecting over 1,000 karateka and their families to gather at the birthplace of karate. You will have the opportunity to see the best martial artists in the world and observe their skills. Don’t miss this opportunity of a lifetime. Please check the website www.iogkf.com for more details.

MO ICHI DO/ February 2008

Upcoming Events

March 1–2 Montreal GasshukuBy Sensei Nakamura

Chambly, Canada

March 15 100 Men Irikumi, BurlingtonBy Sensei Nakamurahttp://www.iogkf.ca/Gasshuku/2008/100/index.html

April 4–6 Calgary GasshukuBy Sensei Nakamura,

April 18-20 Portland Gasshuku-tentativeBy Sensei Nakamura,

May 24 IOGKF Friendship TournamentBurlington, Canada

July 20–26 World Budosai, Okinawa, Japanhttp://iogkf.com/2008budosai/index.html

October 3-5 Canadian Gasshuku (Burlington)

By Sensei Bakkies

October 10-12 USA Black Belt Gasshuku (Spokane, WA)

By Sensei Bakkies

IOGKF-USA

IOGKF-USA212 Steeplechase CircleSanford FL 32771