White Crane Snow Tiger News – August 2007
www.yamazato-videos.com
www.worldbudokan.com
Orlando Seminar
ISKKF Summer Camp
http://www.worldbudokan.com/video/ISKKFSummerCampMPEGPromo.htm
News Notes & Yamazato New Releases
Camp Schedule
Orlando Seminar
Headed out to
Orlando, Florida on Friday a.m. early. Wasn’t long before my jet touched
down in Orlando. This time I was doing a seminar for Sensei Todd Spencer
and Sensei Peter Van Westering. Todd is a festy black belt and he and I
have trained together off and on for many years. Sensei Peter is a
Matsubayashi [Shorin] Ryu stylist from the New York area and trained
under Sensei Ansei Ueshiro. He is in excellent shape and an adept
karateka. We had a Friday evening session and covered various Shorin Ryu
kata and bunkai. On
Saturday we trained hard and practiced more karate, including body
conditioning and kumite drills. Additionally, we spent time working on
Hakutsuru Kenpo Karate and fighting drills. We also practiced Hakutsuru
So & Ton (Sanchin 1 & II) and Niseishi kata. Finally, to the delight of
sensei Ralph Sanchez who was also in attendance we explored some of the
pressure point and knockout techniques from the Hakutsuru Kenpo system
as outlined in the Bubishi. Ralph has always been somewhat skeptical and
ambivalent regarding pressure point techniques and wasn’t quite sure
what to expect. It was just by sheer coincidence that I choose him to
demonstrate on. As many of you may know, I’m not an advocate of knocking
people out and using the techniques as a way to sensationalize oneself.
I know the sh_t works! [Sorry for that vulgarity…must have touched
nerve!] In any case, it is important to apply the techniques with enough
pressure to cause a response. In this way the practitioner is cognizant
of exactly how to apply a technique so that it is effective but not with
such force that the receiver is knocked unconscious. Additionally, the
receiver also gains some understanding of what is happening to him. In
Ralph’s case it was like he got religion! I applied enough force to send
a shock wave through his body to buckle his knees and cause a
neurological shockwave to crash in his center. He was truly a believer
after that. Most of these folks have never seen these white crane
pressure point techniques before and it was truly a satisfying learning
experience for them. I got to do some kumite with Sensei Todd Spencer
and it was like old times. Todd is quite fast and a very intense black
belt. He once broke someone’s ribs (not intentionally of course) who was
twice his size with a reverse punch in my old dojo in Lake Worth,
Florida in 1986. Todd and I spent many hours back in the day sparring
full contact.
In the afternoon we
switched to jujitsu and began working on the rudiments of Shorinji Ryu
Jujitsu. We started out with breakfalls and moved on to wristlocks and
armbars. The Shorinji ryu system has a series of two-man forms that
start out standing and while applying techniques go all the way to the
ground using throwing techniques and finally submissions on the ground.
Again Sensei Sanchez screamed in pain, “Halleluiah brother I’m a
believer!” I told everyone at the beginning of the seminar the night
before if you can make it until Five O’clock tomorrow you’ll get one of
these fancy certificates. By the time we got to jujitsu they all said,
“We now know what you meant!” In any case, they all enjoyed it and
learned some new things. Late in the afternoon we got to work on sword
kata and a few boken drills. We then had a share and compare session and
each of the black belts got to demonstrate his kata and applications.
Sensei Todd Spencer demonstrated his Ekku Bo (oar) kata to everyone’s
delight. The week before he won the U.S. Open with this kata! Sensei
Peter demonstrated a kata devised by his master Sensei Ansei Ueshiro.
Sensei Peter has hand techniques that are fast as lightening. His kata
performance was a real pleasure to watch especially for me because he is
sixty-two years old and in great shape. He should be a poster boy for
senior citizens in the martial arts! This concluded the seminar and
everyone left a little tired and a little sore but wiser from the
experience.
Just wanted to
mention a few things about skills in the martial arts. If your style
does not embrace throwing techniques, wrist locks and grappling as part
of its knowledge base then its time to add this to the repertoire!
Traditional Okinawan karate has tuite (literally, twisting
hands). This is used as a grapping method and is an extension of the
striking techniques found in kata. If your style is narrow in scope in
this regard then you can use or more accurately integrate jujitsu into
your system. I’m not suggesting that you compromise the stylistic
integrity of your system but simply expand it to incorporate throwing
and grappling. These techniques are actually in all of the karate kata,
you just have to know where [and how] to look for them. Once you
understand the theory then you can find them. In the meantime, I think
you’ll find the techniques of jujitsu especially wristlocks, armbars and
throwing will work quite well in expanding your striking art.
Finally, without
droning on and on here, kicking can be a competency issue in many
systems. Most of the Okinawan styles do not emphasize kicking in the
kata (perhaps because of self defense reasons and/or biotype). You
Shotokan guys are now finally Ok! As such, kicks have to be practiced
separately in basics or otherwise as supplemental training to gain
proficiency. This is truly a weakness in the Okinawan styles! My teacher
just rolled over in his grave! In any case, you should examine your
system or style to see what training methodology is used to achieve
proficiency in kicking. Hmm…food for thought.
OKINAWA
Still planning a trip the latter part of
October. Got some good training and sightseeing lined up.
Let me know if anyone is interested in going. More later…
Hanshi Rudy Crosswell has released a new series of six DVDs on Shito Ryu Karate and four DVDs on Traditional Kobudo.
Okinawa Hakutsuru Kenpo
Chart
New! Patch
We recently received a new shipment of swords in from Asia. They are
called “The Lightening Cloud Katana.”
One style is the Master Sword and
the other is the New
Warrior Spirit!” These are real
swords and are sharp (shinken). The Master Sword sells for
$600.00.We have it on sale for $500.00. It is very attractive
and is a high quality blade. It is manufactured using the Damascus style
of folding the blade many times. The New
Warrior Spirit sells for $300 and is on sale at an
introductory price of $250.00. The
New Warrior Spirit
is an excellent value.
I like the balance of this blade in particular. It comes with either a
black or red handle. [I grabbed one for myself and have used it to cut
bamboo already.] If you are looking for a higher quality blade go with
the Master Sword. Both are good
swords and can be used for kata as well as cutting.
The New Warrior Spirit
Blade
News Notes
-
Yamazato
is selling a new sword called “The
Lightening Cloud!” The Master
Sword and the New Warrior
Spirit! These are hand forged with high quality steel and
not machine made. Call 1-888-299-9262
-
ISKKF Summer Martial Arts Camp
August 10th, 11th & 12th 2007. The
word is out! It is bigger this year. Who will be the World Water
Mellon Kumite Champion this year? Click on this! Camp is in two
weeks! Can’t wait! Got people coming from everywhere.
http://www.worldbudokan.com/video/ISKKFSummerCampMPEGPromo.htm
-
White Crane
Speed & Evasion Vol 6. This
DVD has the last two kata (Seiunchin and Sepai) of the Hakutsuru
Kenpo System. Will be released in two weeks.
-
Sensei Frank Williams
is hosting his Hall of Fame and tournament on September 28th – 30th.
This year’s HOF will be dedicated to Soke Mike Hancock. The event
will be held at the Omni Hotel in downtown Charlotte, N.C. For more
info contact him at
sensei@universal-martial-arts.org
-
4th Annual Budoshin Jujitsu Camp August 17-19th
Santa Clarita, CA. Contact Prof. George Kirby
at
www.budoshin.com/seminars.html
senseigk@budoshin.com .
-
Martial Oceans
will be promoting another great cruise Next
year. On July 17thh 2008 the group will depart
from San Diego and head for fun on the waves and enjoy
Ensenada &
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. In addition
to Great
Martial Arts Training Mondo Silente Dive Team will be there
as well. Looking for more people to dive with us! For more info
Contact sensei Tony Calvino
1-877-773-2790. Register today!
New Titles from Yamazato Productions:
$29.95
each FREE SHIPPING! Call 1-888-299-YAMA (9262) or
www.yamazato-videos.com
Also New! Kyuzo Mifune Judo’s Greatest Master. Awsome! A must see DVD before you die.
Photo
Gallery:
Orlando Seminar Group
Sensei’s Ralph Sanchez (L), Todd Spencer, George Alexander & Peter Van Westering
Body Conditioning Drills.
White Crane pressure point techniques.
Sparring techniques – Front Kick!
My best to you in your martial arts endeavors. Time is your most
important asset but it means nothing without good health. Stay strong!
Stay healthy! Finally, anyone interested in membership in the Okinawa
Hakutsuru Kenpo Association/Shorin Ryu Karate/Jujitsu/Sword or any of
our other marital disciplines check out the new website and
contact me.
www.worldbudokan.com. The article section is growing.
It is becoming a good reference section.
Sincerely,
George W. Alexander, 10th Dan President
Okinawa Hakutsuru Kenpo Association
International Shorin Ryu Karate Kobudo Federation
Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu Federation
World Budokan Kendo Federation
Yamazato International
180 Yellow Jacket Drive
Reliance, TN USA 37369
Tel. 423-338-4972
Toll Free 1-888-299-YAMA (9262)
Fax 423-338-5651
www.yamazato-videos.com
ISKKF SUMMER CAMP
2007
SCHEDULE
Friday-
8/10/2007
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Late Registration - Breakfast
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Karate Kata & Yakusoku kumite (Alexander)
11:00 - 12:00
a.m.
Karate (Crosswell) – Hiji Ate Goho
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Jujitsu - (Alexander)
2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Kenjutsu (Bokken and/or Katana
Sparring – Test cutting) (Crosswell)
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Samurai Kendo (Let the Beatings Begin!)
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Kobudo – Bo – Miyazato no kon (Crosswell)
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Evening Meal
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Dan Testing
Saturday
- 8/11/2007
9:00 -10:00 a.m.
Breakfast
10:00 -11:00 a.m.
MMA (Randolph)
11:00 -
12:00 a.m.
White Crane Kata (Alexander) photo Session
& Certificate Awards
12:00 -1:00 p.m.
Luncheon
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Kobudo – Kumi Bo (Crosswell)
2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Kyusho Jutsu - Pressure Points/Bubishi
(Alexander)
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Karate – Tenshin Happo (Crosswell)
5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Kumite (Alexander)
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Water Mellon Kumite Championships!
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Evening Meal
8:00 - 11:00 p.m.?
Dojo Sake Party!!
Sunday
8/12/007
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Breakfast
10:30 - 2:00 pm.
White Water Rafting