In a rut
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In a rut
It's been a while since I've practiced any Uechi. I practiced until I reached the rank of ikkyu and had to cease training due to my enlistment in the U.S. Army. Having very little time to study on my own the only MA we took part in was an unrefined groundfighting style somewhat similar to the Gracie system. I've had my fun in the enlisted life and am now at the Norwich University military school making my transition to commissioned life. We have more spare time here and I would like to begin trainng in the Uechi discipline again. problem is Northfield VT is a shoebox city and i cannot find anything uechi around here. any suggestions on solo training?
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Bill Glasheen
- Posts: 17299
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 1999 6:01 am
- Location: Richmond, VA --- Louisville, KY
In a rut
Ghost
Congratulations on the fulfillment of your tour of duty, and step towards a new life.
Your "unrefined groundfighting" work will serve you well.
Before answering your question, I'd like to ask a few if I may. How much Uechi do you remember? Can you do sanchin through seisan? Do you remember anything else in terms of partner exercises?
Also, who was your instructor?
- Bill
Congratulations on the fulfillment of your tour of duty, and step towards a new life.
Your "unrefined groundfighting" work will serve you well.
Before answering your question, I'd like to ask a few if I may. How much Uechi do you remember? Can you do sanchin through seisan? Do you remember anything else in terms of partner exercises?
Also, who was your instructor?
- Bill
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Tony-San
In a rut
That is basically what i did. I learned up to Seisan from a friend of mines Dad and then joined the Military. I pretty much practiced my Kata for 12 years on my own. kata practice couple with my usual US Military PT routine kept me in good condition. I eventually bought video tapes and learned the rest of the Uechi katas via my TV set. I joined a Uechi dojo later on in life and was able to train with Black Belts in a very short period of time. I was the only White belt in the Dojo who could do Sanseirui! 
So in my opinion, Kata and regular PT (running, situps, pushups, etc) did a good job. One thing I didn't get in was sparring and it's an area where i'm lacking now so if you get a chance, train that area whenever possible.
[This message has been edited by Tony-San (edited April 25, 2002).]
So in my opinion, Kata and regular PT (running, situps, pushups, etc) did a good job. One thing I didn't get in was sparring and it's an area where i'm lacking now so if you get a chance, train that area whenever possible.[This message has been edited by Tony-San (edited April 25, 2002).]
In a rut
Where there's a will, there's a way.
Find another school/style that can afford regular practice. If none, get together some individuals that are interested and start a training group. Northfield ain't too far from some of the north east schools that you can't make a periodic visit to a Uechi school. Drive a couple of hours, you can visit Buzz Durkins in New Hampshire. Another half an hour, you in Gary Khoury's territory in Tewksbury, MA. Another 45 minutes you can be in Newton, at the "Hut", with GEM sensei on a saturday. Practice what you learn on visits. Complement with videos. The point is to keep training if you so desire.
david
[This message has been edited by david (edited April 25, 2002).]
Find another school/style that can afford regular practice. If none, get together some individuals that are interested and start a training group. Northfield ain't too far from some of the north east schools that you can't make a periodic visit to a Uechi school. Drive a couple of hours, you can visit Buzz Durkins in New Hampshire. Another half an hour, you in Gary Khoury's territory in Tewksbury, MA. Another 45 minutes you can be in Newton, at the "Hut", with GEM sensei on a saturday. Practice what you learn on visits. Complement with videos. The point is to keep training if you so desire.
david
[This message has been edited by david (edited April 25, 2002).]
In a rut
Tony- San, GHOST!!!!! Your story is almost a carbon copy of my own!!!I could add that the practice of kata has saved my life, the heck with sparring! I too learned the advanced Kata from tapes. I tried to attend dojos here and there over the about twentyfive years since I started. From Mass to Okinawa. Since I had no teacher to criticize me my kata got more and more off the Uechi path. For example, I visited Yoshiharu Arakaki sensei when I was flying in and out of Kadena about six years ago. I hadn't seen any Uechi instructors for many years. What a bemused look he had on his face! He said," Hey, you pretty wild but you try hard, when you come I train you for free. How often can you come?" He pointed out one of his prize students. There was a crispness and precision to him I couldn't appreciate at the time. I never saw any one quite like that until recently when I saw a guy here named Fiedel do seisan. A tremendous combination of focused power and grace. These days I have a better perspective and appreciation of what is behind the movements. Before,I was happy if I could find someone to review Kyu kumite with, and I could defend myself then! Other comment I remember was when he saw how I blocked an overhead attack. He laughed and said,"You look like helicopter!". He gave me some good pointers, so many at once I couldn't remember them. I was on my own any way, and my situation took me away from that part of the world. Other comments. I was once told in USA, "I can't see anything." At that point I think I had already been in a life and death fight. I thought, "OK so I need to find someone who can see. I know what I imagine seeing. This training is important to me and I am trying to learn the subtle essence. I guess you can't help me."
Uechi is good for defense against muggers and incorporates the core of all Kung fu. I don't know Buzz Durkin but he is highly respected. Look Tony, you have practiced Uechi a long time. Longer than many who teach it. I urge you not to change until you get Shodan at least. A lot of people have advanced belts and their dedication ammounts to going in twice a week and that is it. How many people would practice this for twelve years if they had no Dojo? For how many is it that much a part of themselves. How many will someday sit down and say OK I am old and sore,I will stop. You? I think not.
I have quite a collection of tapes and books. It is a hard way to learn as you know. Books especially. As to Uechi, I have George Mattsons red book and I would say it is essential. The one I found best in trying to come back into the fold so to speak is one by Allen Moulton. It gives simple,clear, blow by blow descriptions unparallelled in any other Karate books I have. It is good for people who know a little Uechi already but you know plenty. Looking at it I remembered some of the comments Arakaki sensei had made and thought,"Oh, I remember him saying that to me..." Last year I got to spend 48 hours in Okinawa. Too far away to seek out Arakaki sensei, I met a man who is a student of K. Shinjo. He saw my copy of Allen Moultons book and had me sell it to him on the spot. I laughed and asked, "Why do you want this? You practice with Shinjo!". He said he wanted it because it is a good reference and he never saw any other so clearly written.
David is absolutely right, but Ghost don't change styles just yet. There are Dojos you would be welcome to visit near Boston. Yes,go See Gary Khoury. I hear he is one of the best for sparring. I hope to do that sometime too. Make a road trip to the Hut! Uechi teachers are a welcoming group. I've found they all want to help show you what they can. This isn't a chain of franchises.
Sorry this is so long.
[This message has been edited by ecalavia (edited April 25, 2002).]
Uechi is good for defense against muggers and incorporates the core of all Kung fu. I don't know Buzz Durkin but he is highly respected. Look Tony, you have practiced Uechi a long time. Longer than many who teach it. I urge you not to change until you get Shodan at least. A lot of people have advanced belts and their dedication ammounts to going in twice a week and that is it. How many people would practice this for twelve years if they had no Dojo? For how many is it that much a part of themselves. How many will someday sit down and say OK I am old and sore,I will stop. You? I think not.
I have quite a collection of tapes and books. It is a hard way to learn as you know. Books especially. As to Uechi, I have George Mattsons red book and I would say it is essential. The one I found best in trying to come back into the fold so to speak is one by Allen Moulton. It gives simple,clear, blow by blow descriptions unparallelled in any other Karate books I have. It is good for people who know a little Uechi already but you know plenty. Looking at it I remembered some of the comments Arakaki sensei had made and thought,"Oh, I remember him saying that to me..." Last year I got to spend 48 hours in Okinawa. Too far away to seek out Arakaki sensei, I met a man who is a student of K. Shinjo. He saw my copy of Allen Moultons book and had me sell it to him on the spot. I laughed and asked, "Why do you want this? You practice with Shinjo!". He said he wanted it because it is a good reference and he never saw any other so clearly written.
David is absolutely right, but Ghost don't change styles just yet. There are Dojos you would be welcome to visit near Boston. Yes,go See Gary Khoury. I hear he is one of the best for sparring. I hope to do that sometime too. Make a road trip to the Hut! Uechi teachers are a welcoming group. I've found they all want to help show you what they can. This isn't a chain of franchises.
Sorry this is so long.
[This message has been edited by ecalavia (edited April 25, 2002).]
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Allen M.
In a rut
If it is any consolation, Ghost, when I lived in Indiana for the first time I drove to Kalamazoo [over 225 miles round trip] as often as I could to work out at Bill Keith's dojo, then James Thompson's dojo. It was worth it then, and as I look back over 20 years I still say it was worth it! If you have strong enough self-discipline your Uechi skills will continue to advance without a doubt.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
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Bill Glasheen
- Posts: 17299
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 1999 6:01 am
- Location: Richmond, VA --- Louisville, KY
In a rut
Ghost
Take in all that was written above.
Knowing Sanchin, Kanshiwa, and Seisan is quite a package. And being able to figure out Kanshu and Seichin puts you in great standing. (In my book, Seichin is very much a window to Sanseiryu as opposed to a step to Seisan. It is a VERY advanced form.) So...
1) Practice the forms religiously. That's a great start.
2) Build your Uechi library. The comments above about Mattson's, Dollar's, and Moulton's book are right on the money. Each is good in its own way. Use these as references to muse over inbetween workouts. The more you do the forms, the more the pictures and text will talk to you. And look elsewhere online here for videos that will also help you.
3) Visit other dojos as recommended.
4) Don't be afraid to study another style if it is available. The criteria I would use would be: a) excellent instructor, and b) fits in with the principles of what you know in some helpful way (variations on the same theme, adding grappling to your striking, etc.).
5) Do what I and others have done to maintain your karate. If you find one interested person, you have a school, someone to train with, and an obligation to make you practice. Teaching is the next level of learning. Just be honest about whom you are and what you have to offer at your level, and everything will be kosher.
Then keep in touch. Who knows? Maybe one day you'll be adopted (as I once was under slightly similar circumstances) and we will be hearing about your successful dan test.
- Bill
Take in all that was written above.
Knowing Sanchin, Kanshiwa, and Seisan is quite a package. And being able to figure out Kanshu and Seichin puts you in great standing. (In my book, Seichin is very much a window to Sanseiryu as opposed to a step to Seisan. It is a VERY advanced form.) So...
1) Practice the forms religiously. That's a great start.
2) Build your Uechi library. The comments above about Mattson's, Dollar's, and Moulton's book are right on the money. Each is good in its own way. Use these as references to muse over inbetween workouts. The more you do the forms, the more the pictures and text will talk to you. And look elsewhere online here for videos that will also help you.
3) Visit other dojos as recommended.
4) Don't be afraid to study another style if it is available. The criteria I would use would be: a) excellent instructor, and b) fits in with the principles of what you know in some helpful way (variations on the same theme, adding grappling to your striking, etc.).
5) Do what I and others have done to maintain your karate. If you find one interested person, you have a school, someone to train with, and an obligation to make you practice. Teaching is the next level of learning. Just be honest about whom you are and what you have to offer at your level, and everything will be kosher.
Then keep in touch. Who knows? Maybe one day you'll be adopted (as I once was under slightly similar circumstances) and we will be hearing about your successful dan test.
- Bill
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Tony-San
In a rut
Hey! I know you!!!! HAH HAH! I had a feeling you'd end up in this jam your in, hah hah! I hope you're home on leave soon (like Memorial day)! Email me!
Hey... listen to Eclavia... standing on your own to feet and putting your heart and soul into your practice, even if you don't remember hardly anything will build great character and commitment. ome folks may not respect you because you practice kata, but the ones that matter will.
Tony
p.s. I'm anxious to hear about the Rangers. With all the crap going on I wondered how your doing.
Hey... listen to Eclavia... standing on your own to feet and putting your heart and soul into your practice, even if you don't remember hardly anything will build great character and commitment. ome folks may not respect you because you practice kata, but the ones that matter will.
Tony
p.s. I'm anxious to hear about the Rangers. With all the crap going on I wondered how your doing.
In a rut
qoute
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Your "unrefined groundfighting" work will serve you well
_____________________________________
I enjoyed the groundfighting classes, almost all of it fit well with past wrestling experience (even found a few uechi techniques that seemed to work well in conjunction). I have found it difficult, however, to effectivly practice without having a partner or trainig group willing to put in the time or sweat (and sometimes blood) to do it.
quote
_________________________________
How much Uechi do you remember? Can you do sanchin through seisan? Do you remember anything else in terms of partner exercises?
Also, who was your instructor?
__________________________________
Sanchin, kanshiwa, and seisan i can perform with good power and a little rust. Kanchu and seichin i had to watch the video to refresh my memory. Aside from kotekitae i have been too long out of the loop to remember partner drills. I actually had a few instructors (please pardon any name misspellings) to include John Bassett who is a Renshi roku-dan, Al Michaels whom i believe is currently a go-dan, Curtis Smart who is a san-dan, and tony-san, last time i spoke with you you were a ni-dan.
____________________________________
Your "unrefined groundfighting" work will serve you well
_____________________________________
I enjoyed the groundfighting classes, almost all of it fit well with past wrestling experience (even found a few uechi techniques that seemed to work well in conjunction). I have found it difficult, however, to effectivly practice without having a partner or trainig group willing to put in the time or sweat (and sometimes blood) to do it.
quote
_________________________________
How much Uechi do you remember? Can you do sanchin through seisan? Do you remember anything else in terms of partner exercises?
Also, who was your instructor?
__________________________________
Sanchin, kanshiwa, and seisan i can perform with good power and a little rust. Kanchu and seichin i had to watch the video to refresh my memory. Aside from kotekitae i have been too long out of the loop to remember partner drills. I actually had a few instructors (please pardon any name misspellings) to include John Bassett who is a Renshi roku-dan, Al Michaels whom i believe is currently a go-dan, Curtis Smart who is a san-dan, and tony-san, last time i spoke with you you were a ni-dan.
In a rut
Hey Tony, I'll be back home on the beachside
Friday, May 3. what times do you meet, I can drop by and polish up before I head back up to the frigid north.
---Frank---
P.S. I'm still not getting as much power out of my left handed strikes as i would like. perhaps you've got some pointers.
Friday, May 3. what times do you meet, I can drop by and polish up before I head back up to the frigid north.
---Frank---
P.S. I'm still not getting as much power out of my left handed strikes as i would like. perhaps you've got some pointers.
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Tony-San
In a rut
Frank! you da man!!! Monday at Friday at the rec center at 6:30. I won't be present on Monday because I do impact training and sparring with an open group (you're welcome to train with us). Saturday at 10:30am at my house. Again Open workout and sparring. I also do a Tuesday and Wednsday class in Sebastian with Jon Cierri. You can go with me there also, Jon's awesome! Call me when you get in or drop by! We should get together one on one and work on Kata too!
Looking forward to seeing you man... can't wait to hear the war stories!
Tony
Looking forward to seeing you man... can't wait to hear the war stories!
Tony
