Summer Camp 2007

This years camp was no doubt one of the best ones weve ever had. Of course we say that every year but they just keep getting better and better. The first session was taught by Hanshi Alexander and it covered the shorin ryu karate kata and many applications, including pressure points and yakusoku kumite. Shihan Rudy Crosswell taught the hiji ate goho kata. It was a most revealing class. It is a simple kata or basic exercise but the applications were both amazing and enlightening. The techniques embraced many universal concepts. Hanshi Alexander taught a shorinji ryu jujitsu class that covered many aspects of jujitsu and showed how many of the techniques are an extension of karate kata movements. Unfortunately, Sensei Todd Spencer dislocated his shoulder during the jujitsu class and was in a considerable amount of pain. As he lie there the situation was quickly assessed. Hmmhis right shoulder no longer looked like his left. I bulged out in a peculiar way. Suddenly with a slight pressure applied to the shoulder and one quick jerk his shoulder snapped back into place and all was right again.

Shihan Crosswell then taught a Shin Kendo class that encompassed boken sparring drills and test cutting against bamboo. We cut the bamboo used for targets from our own bamboo grove next to the dojo. We then proceeded to practice our cuts and test our swords with techniques such as kesa giri (lapel cut) andkiri age (upward cut). We also tested the New Warrior Spirit Blade sold by Yamazato and it passed with flying colors. www.yamazato-videos.com Next up was a grueling Samurai Kendo class (Let the beatings begin!). The basics were covered along with some advanced techniques and much keiko (sparring). Teri Weintraub, West Palm Beach, Florida showed lots of skill in her kendo as she is a nidan and has practiced kendo for more than a decade. Sandy Barbee and Gil Bofill new comers to Kendo also showed much enthusiasm during keiko. Sensei Randy Randolph took his nidan test in kendo at that time. He sparred fifteen three-minute matches in a row and demonstrated his proficiency at kendo.

That evening dan testing was held and three brown belt candidates from Delaware, Ohio were promoted to shodan. Greg Beavers, Nathan Fourman and Dr. Michael Mungovan all passed their shodan test. Jonathan Walker, Cleveland, Tennessee who trains at the honbu dojo was promoted to sankyu and achieved a well-deserved brown belt. He exemplified himself with some good sparring as well. In addition, Jonathan was quite helpful with many organizational aspects of the camp. Finally, Randy Randolph, Chattanooga, Tennessee took his 5th dan test. It was a grueling affair. He had an incredible sparring match with sensei Todd Anderson, 4th Dan who is no slouch when it comes to kumite. Sensei Randolph had taken his nidan test in kendo and his 5^th dan test in karate in the same day! Weve never seen anybody else do this nor would we want to again. He certainly distinguished himself but he was completely exhausted at the end of the ordeal. Finally, Shihan Julio Mutch Usera from Rapid City, South Dakota was promoted to 8th dan in jujitsu. He demonstrated his high degree of skill in Shorinji ryu jujitsu and sent many people flying through the air. It was a pleasure to watch. The next day the morning started off with an MMA class taught by Sensei Randy Randolph. Hanshi Alexander then taught a white crane karate class. The class touched on many subjects including history, the hakutsuru so & ton and niseishi kata and concluded with a masters demo that showed the advanced forms of white crane. In attendance were Sensei David Peters and black belt Debbie Moore, Esq. of West Palm Beach, Florida. Officer Bill Kluth and Robin Harrington were in attendance as well. Next Shihan Croswell taught a kumi bo class assisted by Sensei Lynn Kureth from Naples, Florida that showed the many applications of bo fighting. Then it was on to a short kumite class that only covered four techniques. These were all designed to prepare the participants for the final eventThe World Watermelon Kumite Championships!

2007 Watermelon Kumite Championships

Martial Artists Gone Wild!

The watermelon kumite championship is just a fun little tournament we have at the end of each camp to lighten the mood. This basically consists of strapping a watermelon to yourself and then engaging in a death match, at least the death of your opponents watermelon. Actually, it looks like two pregnant women fighting to the death. The first one to get his watermelon smashed is the loser of the match. Interestingly, watermelon kumite like kendo is not a defensive art. The one who lands the first decisive blow [that will smash a watermelon] wins. This creates a very aggressive environment. Those who dance and dash about defensively and hold their watermelon like a mother protecting her young will succumb to those with a close and kill philosophy. This year there were a number of people who had never tried this before, including a game Shihan Julio Usera, Scott Brantner, Kelly Eastwood both from California and Carol Brand from West Palm Beach, Florida. They all did well. Scott brandished a pair of raging hammer fists and Kelly used straight punches aimed at the opponents watermelon. As the first competitors began their matches their watermelons were smashed with powerful kicks and fists of fury [knees and elbows are allowed]. With each match bloody ooze quickly dripped to the ground as each competitor was forced out of the competition. Blood curdling kiai ripped through the air as the competition became even fiercer. Sensei Randy Randolph a former champion was too exhausted to compete. Huh? And Sensei Charles Riedmiller, Delaware, Ohio the defending champion did not participate because of illness. Sensei Todd Anderson, Madison, Wisconsin gave a good showing but did not win. Jonathan Walker although a powerful fighter could not prevail with his front thrusts kicks. Someone said, Youre bleeding! and suddenly his match was over. After many grueling and bloody matches, Greg Beavers, Sensei Riedmillers new Shodan, oozed out several wins and emerged as the ultimate winner and the new 2007 World Watermelon Kumite Champion! We all had a great time and later gorged ourselves on fresh watermelon. We invited the neighbors over for some fresh watermelon as well but they were afraid to come over! Huh?

Look for the event on utube.com Sensei Dave Zimmer has documented the whole thing on video! Additionally, if anyone would like the full DVD version of the event [Camp and/or Watermelon Kumite] please mail us at www.alexyama@mindspring.com

Saturday night we had a sake party that was world class. We celebrated our marital ardor and shared a unique camaraderie with our martial brothers [and sisters]. We licked our wounds sustained from our fierce training and reveled in our martial arts fighting spirit (sounds like a dubbed kung fu film! Who writes this stuff?). No doubt this party was unrivaled in the annals of martial arts sake parties. During the party there were MMA matches going on, a sword kata demo, karate kata and lots of sake consumption and dancing and singing. We will say no more! What happens at Summer Camp says at Summer Camp!

White Water Paddle or Die!

The following day we all headed for the Ocoee River and the site of the 1996 Olympics. As we boarded our rafts and headed for white water our mantra was Paddle or die! Soon we hit the first rapid. The cool water felt refreshing as it cascaded over our lean muscular bodies. Kelly Eastwood still seemed unconscious from her partying the night before. But she too was soon awake. Further down the river we encountered more rapids. We made it through Slingshot and Diamond splitter screaming like little girls all the way. Finally, the last rapid was Hells Hole. No fooling around on this one as this rapid has eight-foot waves and hydraulics that will hold you under and drown you if you go out of the raft. (Only about one person a year dies on this river.) In any case, we all made it and finished our martial arts camp with adrenaline pumping and the experience of another great adventure.

This years camp was fast-paced and tiring. It took some resolve on the part of the campers to train in every class but we all did it. A tenet of the martial arts is to cultivate an indomitable spirit and one of self-denial although you dont hear much of that philosophy lately in the literature. Perseverance in the face of adversity builds character. As is often like to quoted at these events (and as it said on the back of our camp T-Shirts) the expression from ancient Greece, One man is much the same as another. Those who are best come from the severest school. Thucydides 450 B.C. In any case, the campers left tired but thoroughly elated with new knowledge and a sense of accomplishment from their training. Many said the breath and depth of the training at our camp is unmatched anywhere! A special thanks has to go to Shihan Rudy Crosswell who came all the way from Phoenix, Arizona to help with the camp this year. Well do it all again next year! If you missed this years camp come join us next year. Osu!

OKINAWA

Still planning a trip in November. Will leave tentatively Oct 15^th and return Oct 27^th. Cost is $2,995.00. Includes airfare, lodging and training. Got some training lined up with some special Okinawan sensei and sightseeing too. Let us know if anyone is interested in going. www.alexyama@mindspring.comMore later

Hanshi Rudy Crosswell has released a new series of six DVDs on Shito Ryu Karate and four DVDs on Traditional Kobudo.

Weve recently signed up many new members in the Okinawa Hakutsuru Kenpo Association. This is an exclusive group that only accepts black belts as members and promotes advanced study of white crane karate. The group focuses on the kata of Fujian, China that were transmitted to Okinawa and then modified by the Okinawans to reflect the spirit of karate. If you are interested in joining this group please email us or go to www.worldbudokan.com for more info.

Okinawa Hakutsuru Kenpo Kata 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 blades are good swords and can be used for kata as well as cutting. These are selling quickly.

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
• New Release! White Crane Speed & Evasion Vol 6. This DVD has the last two kata (Seiunchin and Seipai) of the Okinawa Hakutsuru Kenpo System. There will be future volumes that will cover hojo undo, makiwara, yakusoku kumite, push hands, body conditioning and more! Watch for these to be released soon! You can order White Crane Speed & Evasion 6 now! www.yamazato-videos.com
• Shihan Frank Williams is hosting the Universal Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame and tournament on September 28th 30^th. There will be seminars and a trade show! This years 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. This will be a great event with many senior masters attending including Hanshi Seifuku Nitta from Okinawa, Hanshi George Alexander and others.
• Ohio Seminar: Hanshi Alexander will be teaching a seminar in Delaware, Ohio Nov 30^th & Dec 1^st contact Renshi Charles Riedmiller www.riedmiller1@cs.com (740) 362-2222.
• Okinawa Trip! Will leave tentatively October 15th and return October 27^th. Cost is $2,995.00. Includes airfare, lodging and training. Train with Okinawan sensei & sightseeing. Let us know if you are interested in the trip to the birthplace of karate. www.alexyama@mindspring.com

• Martial Oceans will be promoting another great cruise Next year. On July 17th^h 2008 the group will depart from San Diego and head for fun on the waves and enjoy 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!
• Remembrance: It was the late Hanshi Ken Penlands birthday this week. He would have been sixty. Thanks for everything Ken! We all miss you!

New Titles from Yamazato Productions:

$29.95 each FREE SHIPPING! Call 1-888-299-YAMA (9262) or www.yamazato-videos.com

NEW! White Crane Speed & Evasion 6

Photo Gallery:

Shihan Rudy Crosswell at Kumi Bo class. Rudy Crosswell, Kelly Eastwood & Geo.Alexander

Shihan Usera assumes a defensive kamae as Sensei Todd Anderson prepares to unleash a devastating kick. The power of a karate knife-hand strike is unleashed against a recalcitrant and uncooperative watermelon.

Geo. Alexander, Kelly Eastwood, Todd Spencer & Julio Usera Kendo matches Kendo buddies Geo. Alexander & Scott Brantner

Geo. Alexander & Rudy Crosswell exhibit rare white crane postures at masters demo.

The testors including three new black belts Shihan Usera turns Scott Brantner into a human pretzel during jujitsu test.

Julio Usera receives 8th Dan Cert. in Jujitsu Okinawan Court Dance? What happens at Summer camp Stays at Summer Camp!

My best to all of you in your martial arts endeavors. Everyone please stay healthy! Finally, anyone interested in membership in the Okinawa Hakutsuru Kenpo Association/Shorin Ryu Karate (ISKKF)/Jujitsu/Sword or any of our other marital disciplines go to the web site and contact us. We have a professional staff to serve you. Also, please check your membership expiry dates. If you have to renew your membership, need patches, etc. please contact us at www.alexyama@mindspring.com. Please visit the web site at www.worldbudokan.com the article section is growing and is becoming a good reference guide. All past and present newsletters are posted there as well. Sayonara!

Sincerely,

George W. Alexander, Hanshi 10^th 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

www.worldbudokan.com

alexyama@mindspring.com