I moved up to the Great [sic] Northwest in January of this year, and I've had no luck finding a Uechi dojo in the Seattle area. I got seriously spoiled by living only a couple of miles away from Bruce Hirabayashi (Hi, Bruce!) and his basement dojo. So, I've been trying to practice the kata that I know (sanchin through kanshu) as well as hojo undo on my own.
This has so far been worthwhile, in that it's helped me to not completely forget the little training I had, and I also manage to find little lessons in sanchin almost every time I practice it. My concern is about making progress in Uechi-ryu when I finally return to a dojo. (When I get out of Seattle, I plan to move to the Tampa/Clearwater area of Florida, which is lousy with Uechi dojo.) In particular, I worry about grooving bad habits or practicing a stance or technique in such a way that I risk joint injury.
Can anyone provide advice on how to go about self-directed study? Is such an approach even wise? Should I try to find a Goju-ryu dojo or some other style so that I can benefit from guided instruction?
Thanks,
Paul
Solo Training
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paulmooreparks
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2001 6:01 am
- Location: Singapore
- Contact:
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Allen M.
Solo Training
I did it for most of 15 years and got to Uechi dojo whenever I could for mid-course corrections. When I lived in Seattle, I could not find a Uechi dojo either [the grapevine tells me there may be some Uechi people in Seattle area these days]. When I moved to Tennessee I started a Uechi dojo because I could not find one.
If you have Uechi in your blood, [most] everything else is like pale Ginger Ale next to Champaign.
You need to be motivated, have conviction, have sticktoitiveness, and above all have faith in yourself.
The payoffs are rich but the fruits take years to develop [same as if you were in a dojo] as you have to become your own teacher [which is not the same as practicing on your own] which will require in-depth analysis and study pulling everything apart then putting it back together one piece at the time.
Stay away from training in other styles if you wish to continue to learn Uechi because unless the Uechi-groove is already deep, other style practice can mess up your training. Do the other things, such as [your example of] Goju only if you want to learn Goju.
I continued Uechi on my own because I found out it worked within a few months after leaving New England; no other reason.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
If you have Uechi in your blood, [most] everything else is like pale Ginger Ale next to Champaign.
You need to be motivated, have conviction, have sticktoitiveness, and above all have faith in yourself.
The payoffs are rich but the fruits take years to develop [same as if you were in a dojo] as you have to become your own teacher [which is not the same as practicing on your own] which will require in-depth analysis and study pulling everything apart then putting it back together one piece at the time.
Stay away from training in other styles if you wish to continue to learn Uechi because unless the Uechi-groove is already deep, other style practice can mess up your training. Do the other things, such as [your example of] Goju only if you want to learn Goju.
I continued Uechi on my own because I found out it worked within a few months after leaving New England; no other reason.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
Solo Training
Paul: No doubt there's a sense of regret and understandable let-down after not finding a Uechi school in your new home, but fear not, there is hope!
You may have to cast a wider net and find like-interested folks who want to learn. You could start your own club with just one other like-interested person in Uechi. Chances are, you are not alone! The web is an ideal search tool. Don't forget to try newsgroups.
You can also try other styles and despite your preference for Uechi, discomfort with starting over is a valuable lesson. You may want to try a soft style but that's a matter of preference. Keep in mind that all of the martial arts bear common intrinsic elements. Once understood, they are indeed portable; you can carry them back and forth to to any style. For example, any style that helps you eliminate rigidity, no matter how you learn to do this, will improve your Uechi skill significantly.
A good teacher is invaluable, but remember, there are different types of teachers. Try to free yourself of the notion that you need minute by minute correction or a strictly formal class regimen to progress. If you have George's book, you already have a superb 'teacher' by your side and more in-depth technical and practical knowledge than any karateka starting out years ago.
In all cases, seek depth in your kata study with regular practice and you cannot go far wrong. Make sure that your body feels 'right', natural, healthy and strong when doing kata and that your mind gets you 'into' the movements without a lot of fleeting thoughts.
Allen's advice is invaluable as well. Correct attitude is important. You will need a review now and again but that could be an opportunity to seek out your old dojo, renew old friendships and possibly show off your hard earned new skills. Best wishes! Phil
[This message has been edited by Phils (edited September 18, 2001).]
You may have to cast a wider net and find like-interested folks who want to learn. You could start your own club with just one other like-interested person in Uechi. Chances are, you are not alone! The web is an ideal search tool. Don't forget to try newsgroups.
You can also try other styles and despite your preference for Uechi, discomfort with starting over is a valuable lesson. You may want to try a soft style but that's a matter of preference. Keep in mind that all of the martial arts bear common intrinsic elements. Once understood, they are indeed portable; you can carry them back and forth to to any style. For example, any style that helps you eliminate rigidity, no matter how you learn to do this, will improve your Uechi skill significantly.
A good teacher is invaluable, but remember, there are different types of teachers. Try to free yourself of the notion that you need minute by minute correction or a strictly formal class regimen to progress. If you have George's book, you already have a superb 'teacher' by your side and more in-depth technical and practical knowledge than any karateka starting out years ago.
In all cases, seek depth in your kata study with regular practice and you cannot go far wrong. Make sure that your body feels 'right', natural, healthy and strong when doing kata and that your mind gets you 'into' the movements without a lot of fleeting thoughts.
Allen's advice is invaluable as well. Correct attitude is important. You will need a review now and again but that could be an opportunity to seek out your old dojo, renew old friendships and possibly show off your hard earned new skills. Best wishes! Phil
[This message has been edited by Phils (edited September 18, 2001).]
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Guest
Solo Training
You might consider an occasional trip to the Vancouver area. Jim Maloney ,Chris Delorey,several fine Uechi Sensei in the lower mainland area.
Laird
[This message has been edited by uglyelk (edited September 19, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by uglyelk (edited September 19, 2001).]
Laird
[This message has been edited by uglyelk (edited September 19, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by uglyelk (edited September 19, 2001).]
Solo Training
When the seniormost people at UVA graduated and left mew in charge of the club, I wondered how bright it would be to continue with just periodic checks from our forum moderator. But when you do things on your own, you're forced to ask yourself a lot of questions, and this made me examine what I was doing and think long and hard about how to improve it. It's very instructive being the person people ask why we hold our arm like this or use this technique and so on. I learned a ton, and one of the things I learned was that karate is an internal, individual, if also guided, experience. You teach yourself, whether you have a teacher or not, and periodic guidance works fine.
You might tape your efforts and send them home for video correction, too.
You might tape your efforts and send them home for video correction, too.
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Robb in Sacramento
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Fri Sep 25, 1998 6:01 am
- Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Solo Training
Paul:
Follow the link to a school in Seattle.
Good luck and good training.
http://www.geocities.com/uechiryuwest/
Follow the link to a school in Seattle.
Good luck and good training.
http://www.geocities.com/uechiryuwest/
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Allen M.
Solo Training
Thanks for providing the link, Rob. I wish Sensei Urquhart operated a dojo when I lived there.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
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paulmooreparks
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2001 6:01 am
- Location: Singapore
- Contact:
Solo Training
I believe Sensei Urquhart's dojo is in Kent, which is a little south of Seattle. It's a bit inconvenient for regular workouts, but that would be a great place to get an occasional checkup. I'll look into that.
Solo Training
Paul: I've known students to trek in weekly from hundreds of miles away to attend regular classes. Best regards. Phil
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Allen M.
Solo Training
I used to drive 125 miles one way for Sunday Uechi classes when I lived in the midwest. Where there's a will, there's a way. If you want it it's there for you.
I know where Kent is -- I used to live and play there! I gave the Tang Soo Do people up on the [top of the] hill a real hard time. Kent to Seattle is an easy drive on I-5. The driving will get better during the coming months as Boeing starts laying off their 30,000.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
I know where Kent is -- I used to live and play there! I gave the Tang Soo Do people up on the [top of the] hill a real hard time. Kent to Seattle is an easy drive on I-5. The driving will get better during the coming months as Boeing starts laying off their 30,000.
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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera
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paulmooreparks
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2001 6:01 am
- Location: Singapore
- Contact:
Solo Training
Indeed, I knew a karateka in Bruce's dojo that did just that. It's not something that I'm in a position to do on a regular basis, though. I am working with another of Bruce's former students; perhaps I can get him interested in practicing again.
Thanks for all the suggestions. You've all been very helpful and encouraging.
Thanks for all the suggestions. You've all been very helpful and encouraging.
Solo Training
You are lucky to have someone you may be able to interest at work, try getting them to practice some kumite just for fun once in a while. Don't depend on them, it is up to you now. They may drag you down.
I practiced in isolation for more than twenty years. I had reached yonkyu at the old Medway Karate club which was held in a church basement at Holliston.
My job stopped me too.
I can say this...practice kata. Kata is how the movements have been passed down.
You will be put to the real test now. The motivation is yours. I would often conduct class for myself as I remembered it. My greatest failure was not to practice kumites as kata so I lost their flow. I practice kata in parks and at half way stops on runs or after, sometimes I do one or two when I couldn't sleep. I never let more than a few days go without doing something. Then I practice hard every day for a few weeks. You are what you do nothing more. Uechi is good in motels. Tough in deep sand in hot sun. I would get stares and an occasional kidding, still do. The only time it bothered me is when I made a Guatemalan Indian toddler burst into tears spontaneously when he saw my seisan, I stopped and told his sisters I was sorry to please forgive me. I had been jogging on a quiet road near their house and thought I would be alone. Their own army made theirs a truly tough neighborhood, forget the junkie morons trashing the cities here, Practicing kata has saved my life,
This is a great adventure for you, now you will have no distraction, remember each movement is an idea. You need to dream up applications. Think about someone trying to kill you. It will be no more of this slap hands game they call sparring, no longer a social event, it ain't no disco. Don't think a two hand strike needs two hands all the time, or things need be practiced only on one side, like elbow strikes. Get a bag to hit. Play with variations of Hojo undo. Kata gives you the poise you need.
I went for twelve years before I saw the system on tape in a magazine. I bought George Mattsons book and more recently Allen Moultons.
I don't know if you are familiar with Allen Moultons web site but it is full of training tips and lessons. Could be more than enough for you right now, his ideas are advanced. I bet you can get it by clicking on his response to you, or hit http://www.uechi-ryu.ws/.
You are luckier than me because today there is so much info easily found. I had trouble finding Sensei Mattsons red book, and heard rumor that Sensei Moulton had one out. It was through the internet I found Sensei Moulton. His book comes with a tape and is very clearly written. Even so it is hard to learn from a book, but good referance if your memory fades.
I visited a few Dojo over the years and could never fit in. You will never find anything that will match your original place. You need to have a Sensei you have faith in to criticize your movements. I would watch myself in a mirror if I could, but my weaknesses were not apparent to me. I finally found someone to take an interest in me and the flaws were pointed out right away.
The bad part is the Kata should be learned as a progression,I learned from tapes and Sensei Mattsons book. That kept me from getting bored with the four I knew, but I was left without a depth of understanding a good Sensei can give. The movements are so powerful by themselves they will work even if not done just right, many people don't go that deep into karate any way, it is all good. As I say, with the internet you are a lot better off than I was..
I think you should eventually get Sensei Moultons book and tape and Sensei Mattsons too so you will have reference. It doesn't hurt to bow and think of Kanbun and Kanei Uechi, clap then think of your Sensei who led you to this path, then start. This is serious business, not a social club any way.
I got lucky, seven months ago I found a dojo that is a thousand times my origional place, the Sensei is the greatest master I have known. Good luck you will be OK if you just do Kata and never give up.. Sorry this is so long winded.
I practiced in isolation for more than twenty years. I had reached yonkyu at the old Medway Karate club which was held in a church basement at Holliston.
My job stopped me too.
I can say this...practice kata. Kata is how the movements have been passed down.
You will be put to the real test now. The motivation is yours. I would often conduct class for myself as I remembered it. My greatest failure was not to practice kumites as kata so I lost their flow. I practice kata in parks and at half way stops on runs or after, sometimes I do one or two when I couldn't sleep. I never let more than a few days go without doing something. Then I practice hard every day for a few weeks. You are what you do nothing more. Uechi is good in motels. Tough in deep sand in hot sun. I would get stares and an occasional kidding, still do. The only time it bothered me is when I made a Guatemalan Indian toddler burst into tears spontaneously when he saw my seisan, I stopped and told his sisters I was sorry to please forgive me. I had been jogging on a quiet road near their house and thought I would be alone. Their own army made theirs a truly tough neighborhood, forget the junkie morons trashing the cities here, Practicing kata has saved my life,
This is a great adventure for you, now you will have no distraction, remember each movement is an idea. You need to dream up applications. Think about someone trying to kill you. It will be no more of this slap hands game they call sparring, no longer a social event, it ain't no disco. Don't think a two hand strike needs two hands all the time, or things need be practiced only on one side, like elbow strikes. Get a bag to hit. Play with variations of Hojo undo. Kata gives you the poise you need.
I went for twelve years before I saw the system on tape in a magazine. I bought George Mattsons book and more recently Allen Moultons.
I don't know if you are familiar with Allen Moultons web site but it is full of training tips and lessons. Could be more than enough for you right now, his ideas are advanced. I bet you can get it by clicking on his response to you, or hit http://www.uechi-ryu.ws/.
You are luckier than me because today there is so much info easily found. I had trouble finding Sensei Mattsons red book, and heard rumor that Sensei Moulton had one out. It was through the internet I found Sensei Moulton. His book comes with a tape and is very clearly written. Even so it is hard to learn from a book, but good referance if your memory fades.
I visited a few Dojo over the years and could never fit in. You will never find anything that will match your original place. You need to have a Sensei you have faith in to criticize your movements. I would watch myself in a mirror if I could, but my weaknesses were not apparent to me. I finally found someone to take an interest in me and the flaws were pointed out right away.
The bad part is the Kata should be learned as a progression,I learned from tapes and Sensei Mattsons book. That kept me from getting bored with the four I knew, but I was left without a depth of understanding a good Sensei can give. The movements are so powerful by themselves they will work even if not done just right, many people don't go that deep into karate any way, it is all good. As I say, with the internet you are a lot better off than I was..
I think you should eventually get Sensei Moultons book and tape and Sensei Mattsons too so you will have reference. It doesn't hurt to bow and think of Kanbun and Kanei Uechi, clap then think of your Sensei who led you to this path, then start. This is serious business, not a social club any way.
I got lucky, seven months ago I found a dojo that is a thousand times my origional place, the Sensei is the greatest master I have known. Good luck you will be OK if you just do Kata and never give up.. Sorry this is so long winded.
Solo Training
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by paulmooreparks:
I moved up to the Great [sic] Northwest in January of this year, and I've had no luck finding a Uechi dojo in the Seattle area. I got seriously spoiled by living only a couple of miles away from Bruce Hirabayashi (Hi, Bruce!) and his basement dojo. So, I've been trying to practice the kata that I know (sanchin through kanshu) as well as hojo undo on my own.
This has so far been worthwhile, in that it's helped me to not completely forget the little training I had, and I also manage to find little lessons in sanchin almost every time I practice it. My concern is about making progress in Uechi-ryu when I finally return to a dojo. (When I get out of Seattle, I plan to move to the Tampa/Clearwater area of Florida, which is lousy with Uechi dojo.) In particular, I worry about grooving bad habits or practicing a stance or technique in such a way that I risk joint injury.
Can anyone provide advice on how to go about self-directed study? Is such an approach even wise? Should I try to find a Goju-ryu dojo or some other style so that I can benefit from guided instruction?
Thanks,
Paul<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Dear Paul, if you are interested I teach classes near Everett (Marysville), and could also arrange private sessions with you to aid you in the development of augmenting and supplementing solo drills for biomechanical efficiency, structural alignment and respiratory enhancement.
Fraternal,
Scott Sonnon www.amerross.com
sonnon@amerross.com
I moved up to the Great [sic] Northwest in January of this year, and I've had no luck finding a Uechi dojo in the Seattle area. I got seriously spoiled by living only a couple of miles away from Bruce Hirabayashi (Hi, Bruce!) and his basement dojo. So, I've been trying to practice the kata that I know (sanchin through kanshu) as well as hojo undo on my own.
This has so far been worthwhile, in that it's helped me to not completely forget the little training I had, and I also manage to find little lessons in sanchin almost every time I practice it. My concern is about making progress in Uechi-ryu when I finally return to a dojo. (When I get out of Seattle, I plan to move to the Tampa/Clearwater area of Florida, which is lousy with Uechi dojo.) In particular, I worry about grooving bad habits or practicing a stance or technique in such a way that I risk joint injury.
Can anyone provide advice on how to go about self-directed study? Is such an approach even wise? Should I try to find a Goju-ryu dojo or some other style so that I can benefit from guided instruction?
Thanks,
Paul<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Dear Paul, if you are interested I teach classes near Everett (Marysville), and could also arrange private sessions with you to aid you in the development of augmenting and supplementing solo drills for biomechanical efficiency, structural alignment and respiratory enhancement.
Fraternal,
Scott Sonnon www.amerross.com
sonnon@amerross.com
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Bill Glasheen
- Posts: 17299
- Joined: Thu Mar 11, 1999 6:01 am
- Location: Richmond, VA --- Louisville, KY
Solo Training
You have great advice and wisdome with all these replies. I have a few to add.
* You will find that with limited exposure to instruction, your attentiveness to and appreciation of the little time you get will be enhanced. In effect, you will learn how to learn better.
* In some ways you are disadvantaged. In other ways, you will be WAY ahead of your peers. In order to continue, you will need to look inside for the answers to many of your questions on a day-to-day basis. That's the endpoint, my friend; you are being shoved there a bit early. If you survive the toss into the karate pool deep end, you will be a more thoughtful practitioner and potentially a future leader.
* Did you know that some of the most accomplished, highest ranked, and most influential people in the martial arts world had the least amount of formal training before going off on their own? Think about that.
* Be resourceful. Get a camera and tape yourself. I know at least two people
who would look at your tapes and return them with advice and corrections. I'm surprised more people don't take advantage of this.
- Bill
* You will find that with limited exposure to instruction, your attentiveness to and appreciation of the little time you get will be enhanced. In effect, you will learn how to learn better.
* In some ways you are disadvantaged. In other ways, you will be WAY ahead of your peers. In order to continue, you will need to look inside for the answers to many of your questions on a day-to-day basis. That's the endpoint, my friend; you are being shoved there a bit early. If you survive the toss into the karate pool deep end, you will be a more thoughtful practitioner and potentially a future leader.
* Did you know that some of the most accomplished, highest ranked, and most influential people in the martial arts world had the least amount of formal training before going off on their own? Think about that.
* Be resourceful. Get a camera and tape yourself. I know at least two people
who would look at your tapes and return them with advice and corrections. I'm surprised more people don't take advantage of this.- Bill
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Bruce Hirabayashi
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Tue May 11, 1999 6:01 am
- Location: Frederick County, MD USA
Solo Training
Hi Paul:
Sounds like things are going OK for you in Seattle. Actually your post is the first notice I'd gotten that you'd moved away ... I'd thought you'd just taken a rather extended break ...
.
If you make an MPEG of yourself doing kata (preferably clothed) and email it to me, I'll be glad to provide you with (mostly contructive)comments ...
Ciao from Atlanta,
Bruce
Sounds like things are going OK for you in Seattle. Actually your post is the first notice I'd gotten that you'd moved away ... I'd thought you'd just taken a rather extended break ...
.If you make an MPEG of yourself doing kata (preferably clothed) and email it to me, I'll be glad to provide you with (mostly contructive)comments ...
Ciao from Atlanta,
Bruce
