official magazine!

WHAT’S BIG IN IOGKF MAGAZINE
Message from Sensei
Tetsuji Nakamura
Page 4
MCF 2013 Preview
Niagara Falls, Canada
Italy 2013 Preview
European Gasshuku Information
ITALY 2013
European Gasshuku Preview
Makiwara Training
By: Sensei Andrews (8th Dan)
Training at Home
By: Sensei Joe Roses (7th Dan)
Interview with Sensei
Spongia
WHAT FREE EXTRAS ARE ONLINE?
Everything in this
Newsletter and with
videos and more!
Kumite Drill Videos
By: Sensei Ernie Molyneux
World Vice Chief Instructor
Master Higaonna
Interview
Rare videos! Clips of
Higaonna Sensei from
1997 surfaces
Event Reports from
around the World!
Time flies. It has been already 8 months since I was appointed as the Chief Instructor of
IOGKF International. In the last 8 months, I have been invited to 7 countries to teach a
Gasshuku. In every place I visited, I was welcomed by all participants and treated with a
great amount of respect and kindness. I would like to thank all IOGKF members for your
support and trust in me. The new Administrative Director, Adrienne Langgarter, has
taken over a lot of my work and is helping me tremendously. I also want to thank Victor
Mangialardo and Bruce McGee in Canada for helping me with day to day tasks; and David
Lambert, Helmut Leitner in Australia and Ciara McGrath in England for publishing the
IOGKF International Newsletter which connects our members around the world.
This year, Higaonna Sensei is travelling to Peru in April for the South American Gasshuku,
Canada in May for the North American Gasshuku (Miyagi Chojun Festival), Italy in July for
the European Gasshuku, Russia in September for the Euro-Asia Gasshuku and England in
November for the EGKA 40th Anniversary Gasshuku. I encourage all members to attend
one or some of the above Gasshuku to learn directly under Higaonna Sensei.
We also have Sensei Bakkies, Terauchi Sensei, Sensei Ernie and many other senior instructors travelling to different countries to conduct seminars. I think this is the biggest
strength of our organization that separates us from others. We have many senior instructors who have high levels of mastery and understanding of the art, who are willing to
share their skill and knowledge with others. In the IOGKF, we care about quality rather
than quantity. We know the value of the tradition that has been passed down through
Morio Higaonna Sensei. It will be learned and preserved only through hard training. In
modern society, we can get a lot of information through the internet, DVDs, etc. These
technologies can be helpful if we use it wisely. However to become better in Karate, the
method is same as 100 years ago, just train hard and properly. From Chojun Miyagi Sensei to An'ichi Miyagi Sensei, An'ichi Miyagi Sensei to Morio Higaonna Sensei, and Morio
Higaonna Sensei to us, the proper method of training Goju-Ryu was passed down to us.
All we have to do is to believe in ourselves and train hard!! Even though we are all of different ages, physical abilities, etc, we can reach our personal best. Higaonna Sensei said
"Look, Listen and Sweat!!”. I am looking forward to training with you in different parts of
the world!
[email protected]
1 - Chief Instructors Gasshuku:
Please note the dates for the Chief Instructors Gasshuku have
changed back to Wednesday October 16th - Saturday October 19th,
2013 as originally planned.
2 - Payments to IOGKF International:
Reminder - All payments to the IOGKF should be accompanied by an
email to the administrative office ([email protected]) with a
detailed description of what is being paid for and how much was
sent. Bank details are often incomplete.
3 - Country Information
Please keep the Administrative office informed of any organisational
information changes (website, email, Dojo location and mailing
Address.
[email protected]
1 - Thank you
I would like to thank everyone for all the positive feedback about
the IOGKF International Magazine which was released for the first
time last December. The idea has been well received around the
world and if you have any more suggestions please email them too
me, I would love to hear your ideas on how to improve our online
newsletter and new world magazine.
2 - Welcome
I would like to welcome Sensei Ciara McGrath from IOGKF
England (EGKA) who has taken over as webmaster for the International online newsletter. She has done a great job and I thank her!
3 - Letters to the Editor
We have launched a new component to our online newsletter and IOGKF International
Magazine, called letters to the editor. This gives you the opportunity to respond to articles
we publish with your thoughts and views. We will then publish the letters we receive in our
next editions. You can respond via the email address above or through our facebook group.
More instructions and information is toward the rear of this issue of the Magazine.
4 - August Edition
The cut off date for our next Magazine & online newsletter will be August 15th, 2013.
By: Sensei George Andrews - IOGKF England (OTGKA) 8th Dan
I have searched for instructions on how to
hit the Makiwara and the Health and
Safety issues, but have not found any
information, so have I decided to give my
input on my experience from the only man
that knows the true way how to hit a
Makiwara.
Master Morio Higaonna enjoys hitting the
Makiwara more than reading a book, or
eating a meal and spends as much time
digesting it, I have watch him for 36 years
and he only thinks of the Pursuit of Excellence and none stop reparations, I wonder
if history could better this observation, as I
have not seen any evidence.
People talk about history; I can only talk
about what I witness, he told me that he
hates not hitting the Makiwara because his
Knuckles become softer.
About the Safety issues surrounding hitting a Makiwara, I stand ready to be corrected
by the Medical Profession, when hitting the Makiwara you should concentrate on the
first two knuckles of the hand, when hitting the Makiwara aim 70% on the index
finger and 30% on the middle finger, but when you make contact you hit 50 – 50%, if
you don’t you may develop problems with fluid on their knuckles.
Members of IOGKF Canada are very excited to welcome Morio Higaonna Sensei and
his friend from Okinawa, Choko Kyuna Sensei (Shorin Ryu 10th dan), as well as all of
the guest instructors and IOGKF families from all over the world. At the moment, we
have confirmations from participants in 12 countries: USA, Bermuda, Mexico,
Dominican Republic, Chile, Japan, Australia, England, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands
and of course our own members in Canada. We also have a lot of support from local
government. The mayor of the City of Niagara Falls will be at the event to welcome all
participants to Niagara Falls, and he even wants to wear a GI and train with us! We
have several local companies sponsoring the event. The local dojo (Taki Dojo) has 250
IOGKF members and they are helping to find local sponsors for the event.
Events hosted by IOGKF Canada are always unique. We believe that we must train hard
on the floor, but once you are off the floor we have to have fun!! We are planning to
have a lot of social events and fun stuff for everybody to enjoy their time in Niagara
Falls.
Day 1 (Thursday May 1st)
On the first day in the morning, IOGKF Canada is hiring a fishing boat to take the guest
instructors to Lake Ontario lake for a fishing party. I hope we can catch a big salmon for
lunch!
Training starts at 3:00 pm, first with black belt training followed by All Grades training
from 4:30 - 7:00 pm. There will be a welcome reception party at 9:00 pm where we will
meet our friends and make new ones. We are planning to have some games so it will be
a fun time for everybody.
Day 2 (Friday May 2nd)
The day starts at 8:30 with the
Sandan and above training session, followed by All Grades
training from 9:30 to 1:30. In this
session we will divide the group
into classes by rank and the
guest instructors will each teach
a different class for every hour,
so everybody will get a chance to
train with different instructors. In
the afternoon, there will be the
open seminars. Sensei Linda
Marchant is teaching "Women’s
Karate" while Sensei Bobby
Smith is teaching "Street SelfDefense" from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Kenzo Dozono Sensei (Shotokan 8th dan) is teaching
Shotokan Karate, while Sifu Hung Teng Seng is teaching Chinese Martial Arts from
5:30 to 7:00. The Black Belt Grading is also scheduled from 3:00 - 5:30 pm on this
day.
Day 3 (Saturday May 3rd)
The day will start with the Yondan
and above training session at
8:30, followed by the All Grades
Training from 9:30 till 12:30. We
will take group photos after the
training. In the afternoon, Choko
Kyuna Sensei will be teaching
Shorinryu an open seminar from
2:00 - 3:30 pm, and Higaonna
Sensei will be teaching an GojuRyu open seminar from 3:30 5:00 pm.
Sayonara Party & IOGKF Idol
Contest II
We are planning to host the second
IOGKF Idol Contest at MCF 2013.
The first one was hosted in 2006 in
Niagara Falls and Sensei Bakkies
Laubscher won the title. We are expecting many talented people top
come on the stage and make the
night enjoyable. Who will be the 2nd
IOGKF Idol?
Day 4 (Sunday May 4th)
Training will start with the Godan
and above session, followed by the
All Grades Training session from
9:30 till 12:30. Immediately following
there will be the
Master's Demonstration from 12:30 1:30 pm where all participants and
their families will witness
performances by some of the finest
martial artists on the planet. This
demonstration is open to the public.
Niagara Falls, Canada is a destination
unlike any other. From the top of Skylon Tower (775 feet up) to the base of
Horseshoe Falls (188 feet down), Niagara Falls is an awe-inspiring Ontario Canada vacation destination.
The Falls give off a round-the-clock
roar, a refreshing – and surprisingly
far-reaching – mist, and a reminder of
just how wondrous our natural world
is. From the marvel of gazing at the
Falls from innumerable look-out
points to adrenaline-fueled activities
like whitewater jet boats, there are
many ways to experience them, including an array of Niagara Falls attractions for
all ages. For those that long to get up close to the Falls, don your famous blue
slicker and jump aboard the Maid of the Mist Niagara Falls to go right up to the
base, walk behind them at Journey Behind the Falls, or fly over them on a helicopter ride. And that’s just the beginning.
Even at night the Falls are impressive. The nightly illumination means you can enjoy
them anywhere you have a Falls view – from your Niagara hotel, restaurant, cocktail lounge or observation deck. Every Friday-Sunday during the summer months
and on special occasions, Falls Fireworks add a little extra colour to the display.
If you can tear yourself away, Niagara Falls is a bustling destination full of activities for most everyone – vineyards and world-class golf courses, kid fun at Clifton
Hill, fine dining and casual eateries, casinos and live Niagara entertainment, spas
and leisurely country drives to Niagara-on-the-Lake, cycling adventures and hiking
trails. Visit the New Niagara Falls and experience it forever!
By: SENSEI JOE ROSES - 7th Dan - IOGKF Australia (AOGKF)
Dojo training is one thing, training at home is another. All of us have been guilty
of striking a Kata pose in our living room or sliding with Suri Ashi across our
kitchen floors during everyday life. However, not many of us have ever trained
long enough in our homes to break a sweat, but why? The Dojo Kun says we
should practice daily, but do you? Most average, modern Dojo’s only open their
doors two to three times per week and classes may only go for two hours. With
168 hours in a week, this does not seem like enough to improve rapidly, or is it?
In our Australian Honbu Dojo (AOGKF), we have adopted the policy: don’t come
to training to get fit, come to training fit! Now to be clear, training in Goju-ryu will
rapidly improve fitness, strength and flexibility, along with a range of other positive attributes. The aim of this article and our training policy is for students to understand that if you are fit you can be good at training, but if you are fitter you
can be great! This means taking some time between sessions to keep your level
up.
There are a number of ways
to train outside the dojo, but
first it is important to analyse
what you are trying to
achieve. All around the globe
I see a lack of Hojo Undo
training in many Dojo’s. This
is all due to fair reasons too;
many Dojo’s train in hired
halls without storage facilities or transporting the
equipment to the hall is difficult. Even then, Hojo Undo
can be quite repetitive and if training becomes dull we can lose students to more
‘entertaining’ styles. Therefore, Hojo Undo training tends to become a practice
that is something of a personal preference, if practiced at all.
To master a martial art such as Goju-ryu, we need to be proficient in all of its
practices, including its strength and fitness training. Your Kata training should
also not be neglected.
HOW?
The question then is how do I fit all this into my home and outside of the Dojo life?
There are two ways:
Allocated time:
You set a time frame (Eg: Wednesday between 6pm-7pm) and you train in the aspects you feel you need to focus on.
Everyday opportunities/I’ve found some time:
If you find a few minutes to yourself, you have the things you will need on hand to
do a short practice. This may be grabbing your chishi while your breakfast cooks
or practicing Sanchin while you wait for the kids to get home from school.
These two systems both work well for those who can allocate time and for those
where time to train outside of the Dojo becomes rare or is difficult.
SPACE:
I often hear people say, I wish I had the space for a Dojo at home! Or that they don’t
have room enough to train. Chojun Miyagi Sensei said in one of his speeches to
promote Karate that Karate-do practice does not require a lot of space – he is correct. It is how you use you space that is the part that takes a bit of thinking. Again
there are two main ways.
Allocating a designated space
In most homes, the garage is the most obvious and clever place that, with the removal of cars, is quick space to be able to train in and is easy to decorate as a dojo
and still be able to be used as practical housing for your car. The next area that
may be available to you may be your backyard or garden if it is level.
If you live in a small place or an apartment without such luxuries, don’t despair,
there is always a park, field, or quiet place nearby that you can call your secret
Dojo, you just need to get outside and discover it.
Having a designated space gives you the opportunity to have a place to keep your
Hojo undo equipment (like Chishi, Nigiri Game and Sashi), which due to their clever
design take up very little space anyway.
Setting up a ‘Hidden Dojo’
By Hidden Dojo we mean that you have everything you will need discretely spread
across your home ready to go, should you decide to seize an everyday opportunity
as mentioned before.
Disguise your Goju-ryu tools with simple ideas likes having a chishi as a hat rack.
Finding some beautiful jars for decoration in your living room which you can use
as Nigiri Game. Using your Sashi a door stop. Having a kick pad a cushion for
small chidren to sit on. Or setting a Makiwara up in your garden as if it is a piece of
art amongst trees. These are all sneaky, but effective ways that visitors won’t even
think twice about.
TRAINING
An important thing to remember about your training at home is not to let it stop
you from getting to your classes. You can train hard, but train smart. You are your
own Sensei when you train alone and outside of the Dojo. Push yourself, but look
after yourself. I suggest focusing on numerous aspects in one session. Combine
cardio and strength training with your Kata. I find if you bring everything back to
Kata your body becomes strong, you move well, you feel good and then you arrive
to training in the best possible shape to get the most benefit out of your class and
from your Sensei.
Sensei Joe Roses, making the most of an everyday opportunity in his home Garage Dojo.
A video montage of Sensei Roses and some of his students training in their homes is FREE online!
12 years have passed already since we organized the European Gasshuku in
Italy in 2001.
Since then, the IOGKF family has grown, many new members joined and the
technical level is extraordinarily increased.
Every year we live the unique experience of being together, brothers from all
over the world, to share the passion that has become the foundation of our
lives.
We must perpetuate and preserve the spirit of our Gasshuku, (which is unique
in the world of karate) with great energy and determination.
Other organizations, in order to justify a gasshuku, need to organize a competion to justify their meeting – we don't!
The real Gasshuku is to live and practice together in many, in harmony under
one roof' as the characters 合 宿 express. We have been doing this since 1979
and we have to protect this spirit with all our strength.
In 2001 we organized the Gasshuku in Frascati, Rome: it was a great success
despite the many difficulties we met throughout the organization.
In July 2013, the place that will host our European Gasshuku will be Catania,
in the beautiful island of Sicily.
We evaluated many other Italian cities, and finally our choice fell on Catania
because this beautiful city, rich in history and natural beauty, seemed like the
perfect place for practicing and for spending free time together.
Catania is located on the wonderful Mediterranean Sea near the impressive
Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.
We like to think that this extraordinary location will help our practice and our
spirit to be like a katana forged by fire, water and wise hands, the fire of the
volcano, the crystal clear water of the sea, the wise hands of the Teaching of
our great Sensei Morio Higaonna and his extraordinary assistants.
At last, I like to remember the great European Senseis, IOGKF pillars, who
have left us: Leon Pantanovitz Sensei, Chief Instructor of Israel, who was a
protagonist of the Gasshuku in Rome in 2001 and who loved so much to travel
in Italy with his wife Norma. Sensei John Lambert, chief instructor of
Scotland, he too accompanied by his wife Sandra, who so much appreciated
his stay in Frascati, and last Sensei Bernard Cousin, chief instructor of France,
who passed away recently.
We miss greatly their physical presence but their spirit and example will
continue to guide and support our practice and our lives.
I therefore urge you not to miss this new, extraordinary opportunity to practice and I will wait for you in our beautiful Sicily, to forgather together once
again and to enjoy the Teachings of Higaonna Sensei and the spirit of
fraternity that has always animated the IOGKF.
The incredible video library website by Sensei Ernie Molynuex
(IOGKF 8th Dan) & Sensei Roy Flatt (IOGKF 7th Dan). Covering
all aspects of the Goju-ryu syllabus, including Kata & Bunkai
- A private lesson with some of the best in the World Online Previews available!
GET THE FULL STORY & MORE!
Over 15 jam packed editions of the IOGKF International newsletter are available
online at the IOGKF International website. Hundreds of articles, countless videos,
endless photos and no issue is the same as any other!...Its all FREE for you...
Sensei Higaonna is a living legend of Karate, could you describe sort of Teacher he is?
Sensei Spongia:
Higaonna Sensei is a living example of dedication to training.
He is a person of great gentleness and great willingness to help, but in the Dojo, on the training
floor, he can be really scary.
He is a severe and demanding Teacher who does not make discounts, in terms of hard training, to
those he considers to be his own students, as it should be.
When I am in Okinawa, often we leave with Higaonna Sensei at dawn for Kozenji, the Zen temple in
Shuri, where Sakiyama Sogen Roshi teaches and lives — a ninety-year old Grand Master of Zen Rinzai
who, in his young days, was a student of Chojun Miyagi Sensei. We practice Zazen under the direction of Sakiyama Sogen Roshi and then return to the dojo to practice Goju-Ryu. Sometimes, Higaonna Sensei is still there at 11 p.m. to incite us to the umpteenth repetition with his “Mo ichi
do” (“one more time”).
When Higaonna Sensei was my guest in Rome for the first time, I remember I had to resort to a trick
to be able to take him one evening to see at least the Roman Forum, in front of which, fascinated
and inspired, he began to speak to me about tradition.
Over the previous days, we
had never stepped out of
my Dojo and my every
attempt to invite him for a
brief tour around the
Eternal City used to meet
his curt answer: “Ima
keiko”
(“Training
time
now”)...
He was there for me to
allow me to maximize the
opportunity of his presence
and he offered himself
totally without allowing
himself any pause or
distraction.
At the end of his stay, we
were sitting at a table in my
house and he answering to
my dedication said: “Ask me
to teach you whatever you
want...”
Sensei Higaonna & Sensei Spongia together in Italy in 1997
I’ll never forget those words that are the seal to me of an invaluable relationship.
A personal relationship with a teacher who bears a tradition is essential for passing on an Art
Could you please tell us another story about Sensei Higaonna?
Sensei Spongia:
I am happy to share with you other interesting and not widely known episodes to give you an
idea of my Master’s character and kindness.
We were in Florence for a short and well-deserved rest after the tough work at the XIX European
Gasshuku that we had organized in Italy, and every day at lunch and dinner at the restaurant
Higaonna Sensei lost no opportunity to compliment each course and to thank the waiter for the
delicious dishes.
On the same occasion, after seeing and appreciating Michelangelo's David (of which Higaonna
Sensei appreciated the balance and posture) he decided that it was enough for him and that it
was time to return to the hotel to train together...
Or when he let my son, who was 4 years old then, chase him around the sitting room table.
I treasure this video.
You go to Okinawa to practice regularly. Is there a difference between training in an Italian Dojo
and a Japanese one?
Sensei Spongia:
In Okinawa, a Dojo is considered to be one’s second home and not a gym where one goes to buy
a product.
Students take care of their Dojo and come for their lessons a little earlier to ensure its cleaning
and maintenance.
I think, this is the main point, which is difficult to implant in the West.
It makes a great difference between partly living in your Dojo as a host or as a client.
My Zen Master once said: “A place where someone is paid to clean is not a Dojo”, and then:
“Students are those who open the door from the inside, clients are those whom it is opened to...”
I have adhered to this philosophy from the very foundation of the ToraKan Dojo (Italian IOGKF
Honbu Dojo) 25 years ago, and have always provided the cleaning personally, today joined by
some students staying after their dawn Zazen to perform Samu (manual work in the Zen spirit).
When I clean the Dojo, I purify my spirit and prepare myself for training and teaching.
I cleaned the Tatami this morning, rubbing it on my knees, in the evening it brings me back all the
energy I am able to express when I walk on it while teaching and training.
At the end of each lesson, every student wipes the tatami with a cloth to leave it clean for those
who come after.
In a Dojo, you learn to take care of everything, of any object as well as yourself as well as others.
Just a few days ago, one of my students about 60 years old, a famous medical doctor, after having
wiped the tatami on his knees together with his companions, told me how moved he was by the
feeling of solidarity he was experiencing when sharing this simple gesture with his fellow trainees
irrespective of their social background or age.
Those actions have an extraordinary symbolic and educational value. Often times in western culture we do not have the courage to propose them to our students for fear of losing the ‘customer’
consent.... but education is a risk and you are not a true teacher if you are not able to run this risk.
Think about the high educational value this approach might have in the schools if, starting from
the primary schools, you allowed children and young people to take care of the cleanliness of
their classroom for half an hour. But who would dare to propose this nowadays?
An Okinawan Dojo has a more family oriented atmosphere
than a Japanese Dojo, it is more Chinese style.
Students open the Dojo and, as we said above, clean it and
start training.
In Higaonna Sensei’s Dojo there are official classes at certain hours, but it often happens, while you are training on
your own, that Higaonna Sensei, who lives upstairs, might
come down, see you in the Dojo and start giving you an extemporaneous as well as precious lesson.
Training in the Okinawan Dojo is to me to come back to the
source to renew the spirit and refine the technique.
It is like polishing and sharpening a sword. It should be a
daily task, otherwise, the blade becomes dull and blunt.
Training on your own, without guidance or reference, may
easily lead to significant deviations, even if you have a good
foundation.
“No one can see their own eyebrows”, — Higaonna Sensei
likes to say to emphasize the importance of this feedback
ensured by confrontment with one’s teacher and other
trainees.
In the Dojo of Higaonna Sensei, I had an invaluable opportunity to practice under the direction of
my Master’s teachers: An'Ichi Miyagi Sensei (who died in 2009) and Shuichi Aragaki Sensei, both disciples of the Goju-Ryu founder.
Moreover, another essential aspect of the Dojo is that you can see your own Sensei during his training.
Watching the practice of Higaonna Sensei and these Masters, who are already past seventy, is clear
evidence of the effectiveness of a proper daily practice of the traditional Goju-Ryu Karate-Do and it
serves as an incessant source of inspiration to me.
In July 2013, Sensei Spongia is hosting
Master Higaonna, Sensei Nakamura, Sensei
Bakkies Laubscher, Sensei Ernie Molynuex &
many other IOGKF International senior
Instructors in Catania, Italy.
A Gasshuku to Forge the Warrior Spirit
Between the Fire of the Volcano & the Water
of the sea.
As part of the build up to this year Miyagi Chojun Festival
in Niagara Falls, IOGKF Canada held an essay writing
competition for its juniors members, who were asked to
share their journey in Karate. E. Chen claimed victory...
I’ve always loved wearing dresses and the colour pink, so whenever people look
at me, one of the last things they can picture me doing is karate. Seeing me,
many have asked if I took dance classes, and yes, I have; that is how my journey
to Karate actually began...oddly enough it was the result of dance classes.
The Beginning:
It was probably my worst experience; my arms were never straight, I hated all the
hair gel they gave me, and my counting was just never right. Oh man, I’m just
going to say it, it clearly was NOT for me. So after a long night of convincing my Mom, I
quit dance classes.
Being the little ball of energy I was at 10 years of age, instead of sitting me at home, my
parents decided to enroll me in something totally different to try out - they enrolled me in
Karate classes.
The very first time I put my Gi on was strange. Maybe it was the fact that it marked the
beginning of my Karate life or maybe it was that everyone else was wearing the same
uniform and that made me feel like being part of a big family...I don’t know. It was just an
incredible feeling that gave me a sense of belonging.
No matter what we were doing, blocks, rolls or even push ups, I loved it right from the start.
Every class was a little different, so I wasn’t sure what to expect each time. It was overwhelming working with more senior students at first but watching their graceful yet powerful
moves really inspired me from the start to take Karate seriously, so I made every class worth
it.
My Parents were surprised! They had no idea it would turn out like this, and when they went
to my first grading they were astonished to see how straight my arms could be (in contrast to
all those dance recitals) when I punched and how high I could kick. It made me elated to see
my parents so happy for me, but even more importantly, I was happy for myself.
At Karate, the people I associated with were all just so warm, and I made some great friends
right away - after all there is nothing better than bonding with a friend over pad work. Even
drenched in a sweaty uniform after class, I always had a smile on my face. I became even
more gratified when I got to help the junior classes and fulfill the Karate experiences of little
kids, and guide them on their own journeys.
Goals:
When I first started sparring, I can’t say I loved it. I was put in a stuffy foam helmet, it was so
hard to bring myself to punch and kick someone like that. Instructors would repeatedly tell
me “Keep your hands up” and “Get in there! It’s all about combinations!”. It was like that for
years and for some reason I never changed back then. Suddenly, at one grading, in the middle
of a sparring match, things started moving so quickly. My breathing became quick and
Shallow, and I could not continue; I could barely stand straight, and I had to stop to lie down
in the change room to regain my energy and the air in my lungs. I was so embarrassed. My
parents, my friends, my Sensei’s and Senpai’s...they were all watching me. The first thought
I had was ‘I definitely failed that grading now.’
In the end, everyone was very supportive, asking if I was feeling ok and yes, I did end up
passing the grading, but in the back of my mind I knew I had to change something; sparring
was a huge component of Karate and I could not just leave it at that. From then on I started
paying more attention to sparring in class, not only watching what I did myself, but also how
my partner moved. I observed senior students, attended sparring classes when I could and I
applied any tips that were given to me. Then, at my most recent grading, during the sparring
component I took a deep breath and told myself I could do this. I was ready. Out of nowhere
I got this amazing strength that took myself by surprise. I just did it, like it came naturally to
me.
Looking back at the videos my Dad took, I was amazed to see how much I had improved. I
got 5/5 for the sparring component and I received some great feedback. It might not mean
much, but to me it told me that what I had put into realizing this goal was completely worth
it and it had paid off. This is definitely one of the biggest parts in my journey of Karate and
every class I am still finding ways to improve my sparring. It taught me a great lesson, that
you can achieve whatever you set your heart too.
Thus far, I have learnt that Karate is not about how strong your punch is, or how many push
ups you can do. To me, Karate is about setting a goal for yourself, whatever that goal may
be, and training or working towards it. Of course, every young martial artists goal is to get
his or her black belt. Naturally, it is mine to and I hope to get it before I go off to University.
Once I do get it, will definitely not mark the end of my Karate training, but rather just the
beginning of a whole new side of it.
Karate is all about the journey itself...and I know mine is far from over...
This winning essay and the 2nd place essay are available online at www.iogkf.com
Letters to the Editor is our newest edition to IOGKF Magazine. This section gives you, the
reader, the opportunity to respond to the
articles we publish. You can have your say and share your thoughts on anything printed. All
you have to do is email your letter to the IOGKF
International Editor at: [email protected]
Be sure to include your name, grade, age, member country and the title of the article you wish
to respond too. Please check with your chief
Instructor or senior Dojo instructor to gain permission before
responding and remember, respect others is part of our Dojo Kun.
We asked our Facebook group members their thoughts on an article we published back in August
2012:
THE GREAT DEBATE - SHOULD KARATE BE IN THE OLYMPICS???
This is a very well presented and balanced consideration of a very important
topic....I commend Sensei Higaonna for what will surely be regarded as one of the
most historic and important policy statements of our times, and will ensure that this
great art is not compromised....I SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF THE PURE ART
FORM....NO SPORT/ OLYMPIC PARTICIPATION
-Sandy B Herman (IOGKF South Africa)
Keep wrestling in the Olympics and Traditional Karate out.
- Steve Krowitz (IOGKF Miami, USA)
In my opinion, the main part & focus of karate-do should be as a budo & as a civilian
self-defense art. The sport aspect's just one part of karate. It is not true karate.
Excerpts of an interview with the late Gogen Yamaguchi of IKGA: “After the war,
part of my task was to reintroduced the art of karate to the public and so that some
of the skills could be better understood. I developed this type of free sparring. But
this has developed into a sporting and competitive practice and this is not the real
meaning of Budo. Kumite for the real budoka is different. So I proposed that should
be a complete distinction made between what sport is and what Budo is. Karate
may now be introduced to the Olympic Games for instance, and people must understand that this is not real karate. I am not really interested in this at all. Even earlier
on, the sparring was not for taking points, it was for the development of the art, for
the study of Budo, not for getting points. Now with the sport competion, it is possible each time to say who wins and who loses, but in a real fight, until someone dies,
it is very hard to say who wins. The serious budoka must completely separate sport
from karate.”
- Leong Sew Pei (Karate-ka from Malaysia)
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What do you have to lose? Nothing! You will Gain!
In the forever changing and always evolving world that we live in, many say you have to
get on board or be left behind. Technology for one has changed the world we live in, but
at the same time taken away the personal connection that the world once had more of;
phone calls replaced with text message and so on. It is easy for us as individuals to get
caught up in our everyday life and miss the small things. Yet part of our great world still
come to a standstill a few times a year for annual events like Christmas, New years,
Easter, Thanksgiving and more. Millions put everything on hold to take part in traditions
specific to their country or nationality without second thought, they just do it, even if only
for a day. Joy is most usually brought about on these occasions, along with a sense of
spirit from being a positive contribution to our families, society and mankind in general.
The question is, do we need a little more tradition in everyday our lives and if so would it
make a difference to the world we live in?
I point our attention to Rome in 2013. Italy, like much of Europe, is a country of beautiful
ancient cities with all the joys of the modern age. Rome alone has a population of over
2,777,979 people living within its borders. Now whether you are a religious person or not,
the resignation of Pope Benedict the XVI drew wide spread media attention across the
globe and the population of Rome and Vatican City increased rapidly overnight. But what
attracted more focus than anything was the traditional process that ensued for the election of a new Pope. The gathering of Cardinals and the voting tradition literally turned
much of the worlds attention to a small rusted chimney. When the white smoke emerged
to relay a new Pope had been chosen, people rejoiced everywhere.
I then put our focus to the London
2012 Olympic games. A once in four
year tradition, the world focused on
London for over a month. The opening ceremony alone had over 900 Million viewers worldwide and all because people wished to feel some sort
of connection the large number of
others watching or participating in the
same thing around the world.
2013 ancient Vatican City Crowd, loaded with Modern Tech.
People thrive of the energy of others. I compare this to a Gasshuku with Higaonna Sensei. He sees you training hard and it excites him and he starts pushing harder. You become motivated and somehow lift to find Sensei has had the same feeling and has lifted
yet again. Although you work yourself to near exhaustion, you somehow feel great!
The world seems attracted to tradition and looks
upon much of it as a source of hope, peace and
with a renewed commitment to contribute
goodwill to mankind. This to me also reflects the
purpose of our Karate training and what I try to
bring out of my students as an instructor.
After the traditions that bring these feelings about
pass, the world slowly slips back into its normal
routine and we return back to the ‘daily grind’ as it
is known. How many times have you heard of
people making new year resolutions and blowing it
a week later?
So perhaps the factor for keeping the goodwill
feelings alive stems from the point that we may all
need a little traditional practice in our lives and I
believe that traditional Karate can solve this
problem.
Of course the actual physical training triggers the release of endorphins, which will make
the body feel great and that is always a worthwhile aspect. But the traditional practices
involved in Karate training, from the discipline to the humility and respect that is created in
traditional Karate-ka leads to the development of better human beings. A connection is
created between a student and their Sensei, the Sensei and their student. Between club
members and family members. And a spiritual connection can be felt to the Masters who
have come before us. We feel connected to an energy and what I refer to as the Goju-ryu
spirit.
Our traditional practices lead to the development of Shin-Gi-Tai (Body, Mind & Spirit) and it
unlocks the door for us to access the energy which empowers us to make a difference or
improvement in ours and others lives – big or small; When you are leaving an empty
restaurant after breakfast with a then 72 year old Goju-ryu Master and a waitress some 20
metres away with a handful of dishes drops one fork, and the Master stops and runs to assist by picking the utensil up off the ground, life is suddenly and strangely put in perspective
for you.
Traditional practice puts us all on a path towards the same goal and this means we all have
the same destination. The journey to get there is entirely up to us and forged by our own
personal experiences. This gives us the opportunity to admire those that are ahead of us on
the traditional journey and strive to reach their level. But more importantly it enables us to
contribute or assist those who are equal to us or who are following behind in our footsteps.
Tradition brings us together and together we have the opportunity to strive towards one
idea and one wish, while spreading peace and goodwill into our societies by developing into
better people. We must protect our tradition from being lost, but at the same time we need
to share.
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Full Event Report
Photos from the training sessions
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Full Event Coverage
Photos from the MCF and social events
Interviews with IOGKF Senior Instructors
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Full Event Coverage
Photos from the European Gasshuku
Part 3 of our Interview with Sensei Spongia
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