Looking for a dojo in TX

Hi Mr. Mattson,

We were referred to you by Jennifer and Mike Luth for some possible advice. We are moving to Texas from Pepperell Massachusetts and have had our daughter working with Luth’s Family Karate for the past year. She has progressed well and is currently a purple belt with one stripe. We’d very much like to keep her with the Uechi Ryu style but are having a hard time locating a school near Murphy, Texas, just north of Dallas.

Mrs. Luth mentioned that you may be of assistance in finding a school. I see that on the “dojo links”, there are only a couple Texas dojos listed. Is this all of them, or might there be a way to find one closer to Murphy? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Ray and Kelly

Other than those in the Registry, I don't know of any other dojo. Perhaps someone will see this letter who can help you. (Since I don't publish e-mail, please email me and I'll pass along any messages)
Best,
George

Uechi-ryu Karate Do Books!

Dear Mr. Mattson:

I and my friend Andy Hickman have been taking instruction in Uechi-ryu karate from Keith Beldam here on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia Canada. I've found your book " Uechiryu Karate Do" a most helpful adjunct to my lessons with Keith. I've borrowed the book from my classmate Andy and its become a bit worn.

There seems to be some difficulty getting the book here in Canada. Do you have one that I could purchase? Thanks for your help. Ian Gummeson

Hi Ian:

These books are now very scarce and expensive. Amazon is offering them for between $140 - $500! They are now out of print.

Our Uechi store has a few which we are selling for $125, but they are going fast.

Sorry,

George.

Inquiries

Hello Mr George,

i want to thank you for informing me of your travelling,so you mean when you return you will come and train me,ok am also ready this time to learn from you as a good master.

So please when you come back and i want to come to you and learn more in your country will that be possible if i may ask?
Because my aim is to come and learn in your school so that i be the best fighter among your guys.
I will like to give you my postal address incase of something,

ERIC TWUMASI

WEST-AFRICA.

Thank you very much my greetings to your family good bye.

Hi Eric:

Thanks for your interest in Uechi-ryu. I'll have our P.R. Director, Darin Yee contact you regarding coming to the USA for training.
Best,
George Mattson

Students "checking-in"....

Hello George,

I did receive your ebook via your email to me. I start off each day now with a read in it. The background and flavour of the whole system is much appreciated. Also on most days I make it up to the local health club to do the Uechi exercises and kata. I live on Cape Cod now. The nearest Uechi dojo is Peter McRae in Plymouth. He runs a fine dojo, but it is a long drive for me.

You mentioned the march of time as we accumulate years of age. I’ll reach my 80^th birthday in a couple of weeks. All joints and muscles work fine, thanks much to the Uechi work.

What isn’t quite so fine is memory and a bit of balance. The neurologist says “early Alzheimer’s” This is a very slow developing process, but noticeable to me. As a volunteer, I used to drive old people to their doctor appointments. After a while, I found myself getting lost trying to find their house, even with maps, so I had to give that up.

I believe the Uechi exercises help me with balance. Remembering the elements of the kata may be a helpful memory aid also.

In retirement I tried to stay active. After I left GE, I did private consulting for about 10 years until I felt my poor memory might get me in big trouble. I’m saying this because you suggested committee work.

I don’t like to lose the feeling that I can do something worthwhile. Your suggestion of “IUKF committee work” is certainly worthwhile, but I’m a little afraid to say “Sure”.

Best regards,

Millard

Hi Millard:

Pleased to hear that you are still active and aren't having any "joint" problems. Regarding that direction problem - have you considered a GPS? That way you just program the destination and let the machine tell you where to go. (I use mine all the time)

Best,

George

Camp Letters

George:

I hope you and Susan have cleared the airport and are back home (I arrived home at 3:30 a.m. this morning). I had a great time at camp. It was an honor to watch the master testing and presentations. The seminars were very interesting, and I loved the focus on Uechi.

Please give my best to your new black belt students. They looked really good.

I am hoping that you and Susan have a great year. I am looking forward to joining you next year on the second weekend in August to hear all about it.

Peace

Robb

Thanks Robb. Sue and I were at the Providence Airport from 4:40PM until 10:55PM. Bad weather in the Midwest somehow kept planes from getting to Providence. Never saw such a crowded airport. Thanks for making the trip and supporting my camp. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Best,
George

Chicago, Illinois

Dear Sensei George E. Mattson

For many years you have been my teacher and my great friend. When I was a senior in high school, I purchased your first book The Way of Karate. At that time, in 1963, karate was a relatively new phenomenon to most Americans. Tales of karate men who were able to chop bricks apart with their bare hands and fight off many attackers suddenly became popular in the media. Many young men rushed out to the karate schools that were starting to pop up around the country so that they too could be trained to be invincible in a street attack situation.

I will admit that I had some romanticized ideas about the martial arts too at that time. I had studied a little Judo for a few months but I sensed that karate might be a more practical method of self defense. When I purchased your book I expected to go home and read about many secret and deadly techniques that would make me an instant success in any fight. Of course I found something quite different. Your book emphasized an attitude toward training and even to life. You explained that the same principles of karate could over time be applied to everyday living. You also pointed out that there was no magic easy method for learning martial arts. You outlined instead a path of hard work and dedication. Even at the age of seventeen I could see the path that you wanted to show to your readers had much more value than just learning to win a fight. The title of your book really said it all - The WAY of Karate.

I read the first few chapters several times and then attempted to learn the exercises in the book. Little by little I learned the blocks, the punches and the kicks. I moved on to Sanchin and Seisan. (Your introduction to the Sanchin kata is one of the most beautiful descriptions of the purpose and benefits of performing kata that I have found anywhere.)

After graduating from high school I joined the Air Force. Your book went with me to Lowry Air Force base in Colorado, then Spain and Iran. After fours years in the Air force I returned to Illinois to take advantage of the G.!. Bill benefits. Studies at the University of Illinois in psychology and a year teaching high school followed. I began taking flying lessons and eventually became an airline pilot. After thirty years of flying, twenty of it as an airline captain, I am about to retire in Mexico. The Way of Karate went with me to Puerto Rico, many states in the U.S., England, Ireland, Turkey, Malta, even back to Japan. I studied in many different schools, saw the teaching methods of many instructors and many styles. My technique has evolved over the years to be a mixture of many things. I have read many books and watched many video tapes. I have had many good instructors and a few who have achieved no enlightenment whatsoever and probably never will. As I get older I find my body responds less and less to the demands that I put on it, but I still manage to follow a routine that I sometimes call "old man's karate" when someone asks what I practice now. I intend to continue practicing until my body will not allow me to do so anymore.

I am not claiming any great knowledge of the martial arts. Most of my technique is quite simple and basic. Neither do I claim any great abilities. I started out as a young man with no athletic ability and almost no coordination. My martial arts achievements are modest. My achievements as a human being are also modest. I have struggled my whole life, partly through the inspiration I obtained from your book, to attempt to overcome my flaws and develop a better character. I know better than anyone the areas where I have failed up to now. This doesn't mean I have given up on the possibility of still growing. Neither does it mean that I am not still enjoying the process.

Your book started a young man out on a journey that has still not ended. That journey is about to take on a very different shape as I intend to spend my retirement studying and writing in Mexico.

Your book gave me an outline for karate training and an outline for bUilding a certain perspective on life. Many times when I have had to face fear, sadness, or crisis, I have turned to my martial arts training to rekindle my spirit and the will to move ahead.

After all these years I wanted to thank you for the inspiration you gave me at an early age when I was young, fearful, and very confused. Your book made a difference in my life. I think that is the greatest gift that martial arts study can bring to an individual. Thank you for setting me out on the proper path right from the start.

I'd like you to have these two books I have written as a gift from a grateful student. I would also like to ask a favor. I have included my tattered, treasured copy of The Way of Karate with the hope that you will sign it. My copy of your book will go to my grandson someday. I hope he will pass the book down to his son and so on.
Thank you Sensei Mattson,

Earl E. Rogers

Dear Earl:

Many thanks for your very kind letter. It is extremely rewarding to hear from people like you, who both enjoy my books and benefit in some way from what I wrote.
I also wish to thank you for your two books, (Captain and Captain II) which I have read and now reside in my library. Should you ever find yourself in Central Florida, please plan to contact me.

Best,
George

e-Book review... Thumbs up I'm happy to hear.

George,

Thank you for the help in connecting with your ebook. Everything is fine.

I was watching one of your video clips which gave me a flashback to a time at my local health club where I was punching on the heavy bag.

There was an old black guy in the room (who I later found out was a former prize fighter) who said "You don't have any power in those punches ! Power comes from HERE (and he pointed to his hips and his lower body).

When I tried that, what a difference.

I guess this is something that doesn't have to be introduced early in the training, but by black belt time ,as your video says, this would get to be a must-know.

Best regards,

Millard Cramp

Dojo/practitioner in Grafton, MA???

Hi George:

Only a few weeks until summerfest and I am looking forward to seeing you and Susan there.

One of my star students, Ethan - he tested for his blue belt when you were here in January - has moved to Grafton MA - too far for him to continue with me.

I have been looking for a Uechi school near there but havent found anything except a Goju school run by Brad Warren. Do you know anything about him, etc/

Much appreciated and I think a couple more of my students may be planning on at least being there for Saturday - hey are supposed to be contacting you regarding registration.

Doing what I can for the organization!!!!

John

John:
Perhaps one of our readers will be able to help you out with a dojo or a fellow Uechi practitioner. Thanks for the update on more students coming to SummerFest. Much appreciated. GEM

Uechi-ryu: A lifetime activity

Uechi-ryu: "A Lifetime Activity"!

A good friend and Uechi-ryu teacher called me recently, asking advice regarding a gifted student he had, who was "breezing" through the Uechi curriculum in record time. The teacher's question involved rules regarding speeded-up promotions and how to teach this individual, who could memorize a kata every couple days.

Hi George,

Maybe I missed something, I did re read, but didn't catch a reply to the promotions question. I too have a couple of such students who on occasion have come to me asking to watch a kata I didn't even go over with them yet. They either have been watching more advanced students practice before and after class or read the printouts I have on my website describing the moves. I have seen parroting over the years where students learn moves in kata but have no idea what they mean. We try through bunkai to have them explore how these movements apply to the kata and basic self defense. Some get it some don't. This is where for some "gifted performers" there becomes a problem in the training. ( I have a couple of 4 year olds in a tots class who can perform kumite 3 / 4 with good form and semi powerful crisp moves but pair them up and wow it's like we are now speaking another language in doing the same kumites.)

I have categorized learning kata in 2 elements.... the mechanical element, being able to do the foot pattern and hand moves, generally knowing the mechanics, and the technical element where they now show an understanding of what each move means and does in relation to the kata or bunkai. It isn't until they can blend the mechanical and technical aspects along with good form and power that I acknowledge that they now ' know ' the kata.

Many teachers want to rush kids along and quickly promote them to keep them in the school.

The true test for how a student is progressing for their age and rank is through the Uechi ryu kids competitions, My kids miss them as they learned to use their success and failure as a measuring stick beyond the dojo.

One thing I did early on was to establish a system for awarding stripes one at a time, not 2 like the 'old days' to kids for learning certain material. They have learned to be patient and not expect quick rank and they have learned to practice more to learn the material they need to know. I think our dojos success in competition proved to the kids and parents that this method pays off.

Can a quick promotion making a 6 year old a purple or red belt be good for the child... I think not. But that's me, What do you think and how did you reply to the question about speeded up promotions?

Thanks for always posting stuff to make people think.. well some people anyway.

Steve

Hi Steve:
Thanks for the email and great tips.
GEM

Our next dog???

Mr. Mattson,

I just arrived home and am writing to thank you for your hospitality last week when I came to your dojo. I really enjoyed my visit, and hope to be able to do it again sometime.

As I forgot to bring along my USB camera connection on my trip, I couldn't email any photos before I arrived home today. Attached are the two photos of you and me, as well as two photos of our dog, Santiago
("Ago") taken just before we left for Florida. He's a 10 month old Labradoodle. Hope you and your wife enjoy them.

Please give my best to everyone at your dojo, and thank you again for the opportunity to visit.

Best regards,
Bob Bland

Hi Bob:
Thanks for the kind note and pictures. Susan really likes this breed of dog. Looks a lot like "Herman", our first Standard Poodle/Pitbull. What a wonderful dog he was! GEM

Looking for a dojo

George,

I dont know if you are the same guy that had the studio on Hancock St in Govt Ctr(above Kelly's Ice Cream)... but about 30yrs ago, I was a student for a yr or two. Had fun, but never had time to dedicate to the form, between college, job, commuting... I remember you and Clarence... I am sure I would remember others, if I jogged my brain.

Anyway.. I had my kids taking Karate for a number of yrs and they enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I considered it more like Karate babysitting, than Karate. Kids 6, 8, 10(all started at age 4 at a big franchise where the Grand Master's name is on the door)

I am looking to get my kids back into it and was thinking of Uechi Ryu. Frankly, Tae Kwon Do may be in the running as well. As a busy family, proximity matters. We are in Medfield, Ma. Any ideas for convenient locations for Uechi Ryu ?

Ken Devlin

Newton Hut interest

Hi Mr. Mattson,


This is Ben Keyser, a former Uechi student of Michael Aceto. Due to conflicting scheduals in high school I stopped practicing shortly after reaching junior black belt rank. I live in Newton, Massachusetts and am very interested in learning more about your sessions at the hut, as well as any other information on recommended instructors the Boston area with whom I could continue studying Uechi-Ryu during the week. Whatever information you could give me would be great.

Thanks,

Ben Keyser

Hi Ben:
Hope you were able to get started at the "Hut". Paul Giella, Vinny and the gang are doing a great job teaching there. GEM

an old Al Ford student...

George,
it has been many years I know. I have been reminiscing about years gone by. I was a student of Al ford for many years. in fact you gave my first belt at his dojo. Always wondered what happened to him. Looked up your Martial Arts site and was shocked to see his name in the no longer with us list. I know you are busy. Sure would appreciate some info about Al, we were the same age. Lost track of the ole gang, been in Arizona for many years. Mike Deluty was a shock also. I am happy you are still around and helping the UECHI Karate effort.

Hector Nadreau
Shodan

You should bookmark Martin's website...

Hi,

I have added a video in the www.yongchunbaihechuen.com web site of the form 13 treasures performed by the son of the head of the wu shu guan. Just one week left to reserve a space on the teaching days in Southampton and London on the 14th and 15th of April.

So for style comparisons, Ba Fen ( 8 hands ) will be quite interesting to karate people, the push hands work on fujianbaihe site to Tai chi people, 13 treasures for Tiger Crane and Uechi Ryu people and of course San Zhan to everyone!

The teaching days in England are to raise money for the Wu Shu Guan in china. Currently we have an interesting mix of people coming along.Just write back to me for more details.

Hope you enjoy the videos

As Always please let me know if you are not interested in this sort of email and I will take you off my listings.

Best Wishes

Martin Watts

feedback on my new e-books.

Mr. Mattson

Thank you for the ebook, it is nothing less then awsome. I will be crawling over your website on a regular basis. My father is still alive, his memory is not always great, but he is well. I am sure he would also enjoy talking with you. He only found one dojo on his return to the US and did not live in area long enough to get working there. He studied under the 3 belt system. White Brown Black.

Thank you again

Michael Brand

I'm not the only one getting old!!! :)

George,

You are busy full-time with your programs for today and tomorrow, but once in a while you and all of us give a thought to yesterday.

I connected with "Mattson's" about thirty years ago when I brought my two sons to study under Gerry Stanley and Manny Neves in Lynn, MA.

Time marched on, as it seems to do, and I found myself divorced and living in a Beacon St. basement, but going to karate classes with you, Bob Campbell, and Jimmy Maloney.

This experience was so valuable to me that I never forgot it, or wanted to. In following years I studied with Ihor Rymaruk in Schenectady, NY, and later with Peter McRae in Plymouth.

When my birthday comes up in December, I'll be 80 years old. I still show up at Peter's dojo in Plymouth when I can, and I'm sure it is a big help to me with balance and stamina. A diagnosis of "early Alzheimer's "
causes some problems that dojo practice can help me with.

It's time to give you some positive feedback, so, "Thanks".


Millard Cramp

From one of "Windsong" Blake's old students

hello from new bedford ma, i gather you've moved to fl. best wishes in your new venue. you may already know this but i am a former student of alden blake who reached the rank of nidan before life changes made it impossible to continue studying at that time. tho i find its been 20 yrs i still find myself "breaking into kata in my kitchen early mornings before anyone else is awake lol once again best wishes and thank you for bringing uechi ryu to a lot of fortunate people in this area. i remember meeting people at my dan tests from all over the world, i was lucky enough to live a short 50 miles away.....

Artyparty

From David Finkelstein...

Hey, George, great photo of you. Looks as if Florida life is very much agreeing with you.

After a long (and happy) period of not traveling--air travel being so unpleasant these days we're revolted even by the thought of squeezing on to an always overcrowded plane--we're off for a month in Iceland to fish for Arctic char and Atlantic salmon, pick blueberries, and just to do our thing, living in the vicarage of a Protestant minister friend of ours we met there on a previous assignment. Can you imagine, two atheists in a vicarage?! If you hear of terrific lightning strikes in that part of the world you'll know why. Initially, we had decided to go just as a frolic of our own, then got two magazine assignments, so now we're being comp'd by the airline and tourist office, which makes it that much nicer. As we haven't been there in about 15 years it'll be fun to get back. Perfectly clean air, pristine rivers, a mere 250,000 inhabitants, most of them extremely cultured, and no crime. An idyllic place, I suppose, if it weren't for the weather. And it's only a 4-hour flight away, a far cry from the 13-hours it took us to get to Glacier Bay in Alaska, where we were house-sitting the past two summers.

In October, after a 10-year absence, we've also decided to go back to India for three months, primarily to visit friends from north to south, from the Himalayan wilderness to the jungles of Kerala. Again, we were able to get some article assignments out of the trip, so we could put the touch on Air India for the tickets.

Your on line virtual dojo sound fascinating. I've noticed recently that guitarists are even teaching flamenco on line these days, so why not karate?

Evelyn joins me in sending you warmest regards and wishing you and Susan a wonderful summer.

All the best,

Dave

Another "Old timer"...

Hello Sensei,
I was one of your karateka back at the Mattson Academy Dojo, Its a great reminder to hear of the dojo. Chuck Kopp, and Clarence were two of my favorite teachers, I acheived the rank of Nidan, under the schooling of Sensei Jerry Serino, and have my diplomas hanging in my office stamped and signed by Master Kanei.

Wonderful memories.-I left Uechi to study TKD for 15 years and love the mix of both .My oldest daughter is also a 1st Dan in Sho To Kan. I visit Daytona in October and maybe I would book a lesson for a chance to train with you once again. You were kind to me as a 15 year old (1975) starting at such an ominous school with the levels of yourself and Sensei Cambell and all of you teachers,
I always felt welcome. It kept me positive about my training throughout my life.
THANX
Rich Johns

One of my early students....

George...

Funny you should write me about your online dojo program today, as I was about to send you an update on how karate is working for me as a retirement vehicle.

In a word -- well. Very well, in fact.

My doctor says I have the body of a man in his mid fifties who has taken good care of himself -- not bad for age 73!

I work out six days a week, beginning with a mile walk to get things warmed up. Then I spend thirty minutes on an elliptical trainer (MWF) or exercise bike (TTS), followed by equal time in the dojo working my way through San Chin and all the other katas, finishing up with a fourth San Chin to see if I've learned anything new each day.

I've followed this program since moving to Maine thirteen years ago. Two things make this program work well for me and my wife -- who uses a Bow Flex machine for strength training in place of karate. First is having the space in the house for all the exercise equipment and the dojo. The winters here are quite severe, and it's difficult to get out in bad weather.

Second is college level courses on DVD from The Teaching Company. Working on exercise machines without something to engage the mind is much harder than doing it following an interesting course in history, literature, music, science or many other interesting subjects offered by The Teaching Company.

The truly essential component in this kind of program is consistency. You can't succeed in a retirement exercise program working out once or twice a week. It has to something you do every day of the week.

I hope this report proves useful to you and your students. And the best of luck with your online dojo program!

Harry Brawley

Simple Works

Mount Desert, Maine

Thanks for the letter Harry. Your formula for staying fit and healthy is a good one to follow for all of old-timers. Hope to see you at one of our SummerFests. Meanwhile, stay well. GEM