Which is more valuable?
A- Someone who tells you want you want to hear?
B- Someone who tells you what you need to hear?

I've always thought it was B but sadly I've been proven wrong more times than not the last couple of years and lost a few I considered friends ... none the less ... when dealing with me I'd prefer what I need even when it's not what I want to hear ..........

Had a really good weekend of Kata study ... Thanks to Master Seiber and Master Grinnell for their time, patience, knowledge and willingness to work with me and to Master Mitchum and Master Advincula for their informative dvd's  I finally have a deeper understanding of kata and it's benifits.

By taking my notes from my one on one sessions with Masters Seiber and Grinnell and comparing them with the dvd's of the 1st generation Masters then going to the source with Master Shimabuku's videos I was able to make alot of minor corrections that have been holding back my progress for years....

Guys whatever you've been told in the past, take it from me, in the martial arts it's the small stuff that counts!!!
A slight adjustment of angle, correct body mechanics, proper bunkai, exact targeting .... all of these are what make up martial arts and all of these are contained in our kata .... If you're willing  to search it out ......

Last night started out to be a normal night.  Then in walks Master Rick Breeden with one of his students, Donald.  It is always a pleasure to see Rick.  His young student, Donald, was a complete joy to work with.  He was a ball of energy.  Rick said he was recovering from a knee injury but his foot seemed to find its way to the side of my head just fine.  His elbow also found its way to my mouth and I have a nice cherry looking spot on my bottom lip.  It looks very nice against my skin tone  I want to thank Master Breeden for stopping by and he knows he is welcome anytime.  

Happy Birthday Young Padawan ....
Remember, you're not getting older just slower and more susceptible to injury .....

After close to 40 years training in the Martial Arts it still surprises me when those nights you just know are going to be a bust turn out to be some of your most informative and motivating workouts.   Maybe it's because your expectations start out so low or maybe it's the shared experience with others whose dedication you admire even when you don't see it in yourself.  Either way, last nights Arnis workout was one such for me.

After receiving my yard pass from Valentine duty due to my bride just coming off a long shift at the hospital and not having the foresight to check the previous week who might show .. I figured I would go to class, work on my kata a bit, then head home once I knew noone was going to show.  But to my great surprise at 6:30 in walks Evan and Mr. Grinnell followed shortly by Chuck, Mark and MaryAnn ... So the gangs all here and on Valentines Day no less ......

Now I don't know what process the rest of you go through in training but mine has always felt like a one step forward two steps back kind of dance with the occasional moment of clarity where it all seems to fall into place ... last night was one of those moments for me.  Not in the physical sense, with my elbow still garbage I'm still doing my best to constantly keep someone between me and Evan or Mr. Grinnell, but last night alot of the concepts I'd been struggling with fell into place for me and I love when that happens.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for showing up and giving me the boost I needed ... it is greatly appreciated!!!

WOW!!! Last night was an incredible night at the Halls Dojo.  We had a visit from Master Rick Breeden and a couple of his students and Master Jerry Lewis and a bunch of his students.  The mix made a great night of sparring.  I want to thank Masters Breeden and Lewis and Sensei Baird for being there and always willing to teach and share their knowledge and to help make the night a great success. 

I was impressed with everyones students for the way they handled themseves both inside the ring and out.  We started off with Masters Breeden and Lewis and Sensei Baird sharing the favorite sparring technique.  Then we padded up and did line line fighting for a while.  From there we switched to some point sparring.  I am not a point fighter and don't teach point fighting, but i was very proud of my people for stepping up and jumping in the ring with some extremely talented point fighters. 

It makes me proud to call myself Isshin-Ryu when 3 dojos can leave their egos at the door and come together and work hard and fellowship the way we did last night. 

Thanks again and I look forward to our next meeting.

CROSSROAD KARATE GAMES

3rd Annual Lewis School Tournament

 

February 26^th Competition begins 10AM

Black Belt Meeting 9:30AM

Halls High School Gym

4321 Emory Rd. Knoxville, TN. 37938

 

All events will have 1^st-4^th place Awards

Fee $35 up to three events

IIKA members $5 discount

(must have membership card for discount)

Spectators $5

New event! Team fighting Black and Under Belts

$40 Per Team

 

Any questions please contact Jerry M. Lewis @ 865-386-3297

Jlewis777@excite.com

www.lewisisshinryu.com

Congratulations to all those who received promotions last night!!!
Believe me when I say you earned it!!!

Being sidelined for the last month with this silly elbow has given me the opportunity to really get a feel for where we are as a Dojo and the individual strengths and weaknesses we need to work on.

I must say that overall I am very proud of the growth that has taken place since our last promotion six months ago, and I'm especially proud of the attitudes and dedication every one of you bring to the Dojo.

I'm Proud to be a part of The Halls Dojo and Honored to train with such a wonderful group!!!!

The promotion photos are up online.  Please click HERE to view.

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to say thank you for attending the banquet.  I had a great time and I hope everyone else did as well.  Please let me know what you like/dis-liked about the event.  I want to make it even better next year. 
Some have said it was the Best banquet Ever, Sonny Newman asked if it was the Sonny Newman Roast.  I think that each of us took a punch or two but hey we are Karate-ka, that is what we do.  I am sorry for having to cancel the seminar/workout But I felt better for everyone's safety to just scheudle it for anohter day.

thank you once again for another year of great friendship and a great banquet.

What a great night!!!
Our very own Kung Fu Panda is back!!!!
We missed you Kent.
Great class guys, nice way to start the new year .....