Hi Lenny:
Good to hear from you. We miss you as well!
We just finished SummerFest on Cape Cod. Where was you????
I've been doing scouting work for the Pittsburgh Pirates, however, I do my sanchin and all kumite....also Kanshiwa, Katicki-tai, Seisan, etc....with long time friend,Ron Boulanger.... I do go to the Cape in May/June. It's there where the best college players play in front of 28+ pro scouts. How much $$$$$$$ for an XL Summerfest shirt?
Sorry to hear about your uncle.
Best,
George
Sensei, I think I wrote you wrong infounder such busy conditions here. Father Jerry, who you briefly met here in Plainfield retired from going to Japan after 50+ years. He would finish his priesthood in Ossiningt, New York. He retired his duries in japan in April 2008, He died last Friday on the 8th of August.
http://www.legacy.com/norwichbulletin/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=115593985
I liked your latest film in your garage where I said to myself, " He loves it there, the birds do too." You were explaining the catch of a punch and followed by Wa-Uke. You look good..... say hi to the better half for me.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Good old days!
HI George -
I watched the kumite film with interest, and had some comments - now it's been a looong time since I taught the freshman phys ed class with Dick Philbrick (vanished) and Dave Ruth (hear from him once in a while), so I suppose I could be romanticizing... anyway, I'm writing mostly to remind myself, --- you are after all the one I learned all this from!
Anyway, here was my reaction:
1. Ouch - your sparring partner has not been taught wrist position! I would teach that the very first day with my new students - with his knuckles out and wrist bent, that poor fellow will break three or four bones very painfully if he ever actually HITS anything :-)
2. You say you teach in four stages. I remember at least one that might be what you're referring to ... What about the inside hand in the circular block kumite? When I taught it, it was in stages, and the first stage didn't use the circular right block (for a right thrust parry) at all! I taught them to first use a the very fast left deflection, just guiding past the solar plexus, since they were REALLY slow for the first year in the speed of the circular block. I would bet that forgetting this essential partial block in the kumite is the reason that other student was getting hit - not being taught the full block sequence! Then I merged the left deflect and the right circular for two stages of speed and strength that could be adjusted to the need of the moment. Working on body motion, feet and balance would be part of this also.
3. I do the circular block itself with a much stronger elbow-snap-down- to-my-rib than you showed in the demo. This I think is an advanced refinement - didn't teach to the class until they got pretty advanced. But this is essential if you miss part of the block or a second thrust comes before you're ready, to protect at least part of the mid-body while you gauge your next reaction. It also adds a lot of strength and leverage of you are physically weaker than your attacker.
4. And I agree 100% that the most important and often not-learned feature of the circular block is to cover the absolute minimum area, with no wild swings to the outside, blocking useless regions far outside the attack area. (And another bad habit - raising the elbow so high the midsection is unduly exposed to, e.g., an unforeseen kick.) I would drill on these over and over to get the hand just high enough but not too high on the cross-body motion, and no outside flailing on the finish; we would mark the area and train people to keep the elbow low and stay inside a compact region by constant nagging and tactile feedback by putting an instructor arm in the "wrong" region and making fun of them if they hit it ...
...ah, the good old days.... The classes I teach now have no conceivable means of such excellent and instantaneous class-wide feedback - I always thought teaching martial arts was much more rewarding for the instructor than academics... Best, Andy
I watched the kumite film with interest, and had some comments - now it's been a looong time since I taught the freshman phys ed class with Dick Philbrick (vanished) and Dave Ruth (hear from him once in a while), so I suppose I could be romanticizing... anyway, I'm writing mostly to remind myself, --- you are after all the one I learned all this from!
Anyway, here was my reaction:
1. Ouch - your sparring partner has not been taught wrist position! I would teach that the very first day with my new students - with his knuckles out and wrist bent, that poor fellow will break three or four bones very painfully if he ever actually HITS anything :-)
2. You say you teach in four stages. I remember at least one that might be what you're referring to ... What about the inside hand in the circular block kumite? When I taught it, it was in stages, and the first stage didn't use the circular right block (for a right thrust parry) at all! I taught them to first use a the very fast left deflection, just guiding past the solar plexus, since they were REALLY slow for the first year in the speed of the circular block. I would bet that forgetting this essential partial block in the kumite is the reason that other student was getting hit - not being taught the full block sequence! Then I merged the left deflect and the right circular for two stages of speed and strength that could be adjusted to the need of the moment. Working on body motion, feet and balance would be part of this also.
3. I do the circular block itself with a much stronger elbow-snap-down- to-my-rib than you showed in the demo. This I think is an advanced refinement - didn't teach to the class until they got pretty advanced. But this is essential if you miss part of the block or a second thrust comes before you're ready, to protect at least part of the mid-body while you gauge your next reaction. It also adds a lot of strength and leverage of you are physically weaker than your attacker.
4. And I agree 100% that the most important and often not-learned feature of the circular block is to cover the absolute minimum area, with no wild swings to the outside, blocking useless regions far outside the attack area. (And another bad habit - raising the elbow so high the midsection is unduly exposed to, e.g., an unforeseen kick.) I would drill on these over and over to get the hand just high enough but not too high on the cross-body motion, and no outside flailing on the finish; we would mark the area and train people to keep the elbow low and stay inside a compact region by constant nagging and tactile feedback by putting an instructor arm in the "wrong" region and making fun of them if they hit it ...
...ah, the good old days.... The classes I teach now have no conceivable means of such excellent and instantaneous class-wide feedback - I always thought teaching martial arts was much more rewarding for the instructor than academics... Best, Andy
New Dojo in Alberta
Good day Sensei Mattson. My name is Darrin Richter. I am a student of Doug Smith's from Edmonton Alberta. I recently tested for my shodan and was successful. I was wondering if I could be registered under your dojo directory and your blackbelt registry.
I have recently opened a small school in Lloydminster Alberta as I have moved there. I continue to train with Doug in Edmonton with a 2.5 hour drive. I was wondering if it would be alright to put a link to your website on my own website. My URL is www.bordercitykarate.com. My site is meant to be for information purposes only.
Thank you for your time.
Darrin Richter
780-872-2296
p.s. I purchased your book, Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do from your website and it has been an excellent resource for me.
I have recently opened a small school in Lloydminster Alberta as I have moved there. I continue to train with Doug in Edmonton with a 2.5 hour drive. I was wondering if it would be alright to put a link to your website on my own website. My URL is www.bordercitykarate.com. My site is meant to be for information purposes only.
Thank you for your time.
Darrin Richter
780-872-2296
p.s. I purchased your book, Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do from your website and it has been an excellent resource for me.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Best wishes from Eva
Dear George,
No one knows for sure the future.
Thousands of things which have happens and which forms our destiny.
There are extra steps you have walked down what made you the outstanding and memorable person you are.
You portray what we Martial Artists value most...commitment,the courage one need to be successful.
There are so many things We can be thankful for you.
I would like to thank you for all you do.
Thank you for the time you gave,
For your willingness to help,
You were there on our day,
Thank you sharing of your talent
We do truly appreciate,
Thank you for the beautiful gifts,- our memories,
That you've helped us to make.
Please always remember
"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal."
What you've done will always be appreciated and never be forgotten.
Best wishes,
--
Eva
=========================
Thanks Eva. I really do appreciate your kind words. GEM
No one knows for sure the future.
Thousands of things which have happens and which forms our destiny.
There are extra steps you have walked down what made you the outstanding and memorable person you are.
You portray what we Martial Artists value most...commitment,the courage one need to be successful.
There are so many things We can be thankful for you.
I would like to thank you for all you do.
Thank you for the time you gave,
For your willingness to help,
You were there on our day,
Thank you sharing of your talent
We do truly appreciate,
Thank you for the beautiful gifts,- our memories,
That you've helped us to make.
Please always remember
"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal."
What you've done will always be appreciated and never be forgotten.
Best wishes,
--
Eva
=========================
Thanks Eva. I really do appreciate your kind words. GEM
More on the karate uniform
Dear Sensei,
You are not alone in your feeling about the gi. Sensei Peter Urban rarely if ever wore a gi. Typically he just wore workout pants and no top. When he did wear any type of uniform, he preferred a Chinese looking affair.
Steve Carroll
You are not alone in your feeling about the gi. Sensei Peter Urban rarely if ever wore a gi. Typically he just wore workout pants and no top. When he did wear any type of uniform, he preferred a Chinese looking affair.
Steve Carroll
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
New book Discussion
George:
OOPS! I totally forgot to put my name on the list for one of the 300 hardbound editions, but would very much like to be added. I treasure your books and look forward to this newest addition.
Peace
Robb
OOPS! I totally forgot to put my name on the list for one of the 300 hardbound editions, but would very much like to be added. I treasure your books and look forward to this newest addition.
Peace
Robb
SummerFest 2008
Hey, George!
This is terrible but I am glad your plane was late so that I had the opportunity to spend time with you and Susan. That is a rare gift and I truly enjoyed the time.
As for camp, all I can say is INCREDIBLE!
Camp was especially good this year. You lined up great instructors and had a marvelous turn out. I just wish I could have gone to every class that was taught. I now need to write down all of the stuff in my head that I learned before this ‘old fart’ mind forgets. Thank you so much for setting up camp every year. I am indebted.
What’s great is that every year I have the privilege of establishing former relationships and making new ones. Your gift of Uechi to the US has been a marvelous accomplishment, and a gift of time, talent, and your treasures. I, for one, would not have had this marvelous art had you not decided to teach it.
When I work out with my Shotokan people it drives them crazy that I can get in close and get to them…and that I can grab most kicks and strikes quite often with what we have been taught. Great stuff!
I still cannot believe you have been teaching for 50 years. That is pretty amazing. You inspire me and I hope I will be doing Uechi until I’m 100. It certainly won’t be from lack of trying on my part.
Anyway, thank you, thank you, and thank you. You are the bomb!
Love,
Vicki
This is terrible but I am glad your plane was late so that I had the opportunity to spend time with you and Susan. That is a rare gift and I truly enjoyed the time.
As for camp, all I can say is INCREDIBLE!
Camp was especially good this year. You lined up great instructors and had a marvelous turn out. I just wish I could have gone to every class that was taught. I now need to write down all of the stuff in my head that I learned before this ‘old fart’ mind forgets. Thank you so much for setting up camp every year. I am indebted.
What’s great is that every year I have the privilege of establishing former relationships and making new ones. Your gift of Uechi to the US has been a marvelous accomplishment, and a gift of time, talent, and your treasures. I, for one, would not have had this marvelous art had you not decided to teach it.
When I work out with my Shotokan people it drives them crazy that I can get in close and get to them…and that I can grab most kicks and strikes quite often with what we have been taught. Great stuff!
I still cannot believe you have been teaching for 50 years. That is pretty amazing. You inspire me and I hope I will be doing Uechi until I’m 100. It certainly won’t be from lack of trying on my part.
Anyway, thank you, thank you, and thank you. You are the bomb!
Love,
Vicki
SummerFest 2008
Mattson Sensei,
I just want to thank you for all that you did to make this years Summerfest a success for all who were in attendance. I also want to thank you for presenting, with Bruce, my Nidan certificate. Your consideration only adds to the value of my testing experience. Please pass on my thanks and highest regards to all of the members of the test board for their time. I especially want to thank Vinnie for his pre-test evaluation and his honest directives, without these I doubt that I would have passed. I don't have his email and would like eto send him a personal thank you. Could you or Bruce forward my email to him so that I might convey my thanks. Bruce it was so great to see you again, I look forward to some semi-annual extensive and intense training in the future.
Sincerely,
Scott
I just want to thank you for all that you did to make this years Summerfest a success for all who were in attendance. I also want to thank you for presenting, with Bruce, my Nidan certificate. Your consideration only adds to the value of my testing experience. Please pass on my thanks and highest regards to all of the members of the test board for their time. I especially want to thank Vinnie for his pre-test evaluation and his honest directives, without these I doubt that I would have passed. I don't have his email and would like eto send him a personal thank you. Could you or Bruce forward my email to him so that I might convey my thanks. Bruce it was so great to see you again, I look forward to some semi-annual extensive and intense training in the future.
Sincerely,
Scott
Monday, August 11, 2008
2008 SummerFest Mail
George:
Thanks. I again enjoyed myself at the Mass. Maritime Academy training with some truly talented martial artists and teachers. As we traveled back to Sacramento, we reflected on how much information had been shared and on how much the experience caused us to think about how we are practicing and how the experience can help us improve our own training. We all agreed that the time with Art Rebesa alone was worth the journey and the price of admission (despite the fine beds). Please let him know how much we appreciated his sharing his approach to Uechi with us.
If you have any feedback for us from your observations of our training or teaching, please let me know. I welcome it.
Peace
Robb
Thanks. I again enjoyed myself at the Mass. Maritime Academy training with some truly talented martial artists and teachers. As we traveled back to Sacramento, we reflected on how much information had been shared and on how much the experience caused us to think about how we are practicing and how the experience can help us improve our own training. We all agreed that the time with Art Rebesa alone was worth the journey and the price of admission (despite the fine beds). Please let him know how much we appreciated his sharing his approach to Uechi with us.
If you have any feedback for us from your observations of our training or teaching, please let me know. I welcome it.
Peace
Robb
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