Cocoa Beach Shorin-Ryu Karate

 

Sep. 28 - Oct. 2, 2010 -- Training with Sensei Christian, Kyoshi, Belleville Ill.

Greetings from Belleville Ill. (from an email sent on 10-1-10 while in Belleville)

I have been in extensive training with Sensei Fred Christian, 7th degree Kyoshi and highest ranking USA karate man in the WMKA under Soke Nagamine in Okinawa. In addition to training with him, I have also been training in class and one-on one, with Sensei’s Bob Siebert, 6th degree, Renshi and Ed French 4th degree.

In short, I have received tons of corrections to work on, some on basics, like hips footwork etc and some on the differences in the way we were doing the kata vs how its been passed down by GrandMaster Shoshin Nagamine. I have pages of notes as well as a DVD of Sensei Bob Siebert doing kata. We all need to work on getting our basics and kata done like it is prescribed in OSensei Shoshin Nagamine’s textbook (The Essence of Okinawan Karate). I will be passing on these corrections as best as I can, and look to the black belts and brown belts for help in passing it down the line as we teach. I will share the DVD with anyone who requests it.

I have one more early morning class tomorrow, followed by one on one training with Senseis Christian and Seibert before flying home in the late afternoon. It is very exciting to be part of this group that has direct links to Okinawa. The Senseis here have been to Okinawa several times to train extensively under GrandMaster Shoshin Nagamine and his son, and successor, Soke Takayoshi Nagamine. We in Cocoa Beach are now part of this elite group, via the WMKA!

I am looking forward to getting back and sharing what I have learnt and then in a few weeks, going to Okinawa to the original Honbu (home) Dojo founded by Osensei Shoshin Nagamine 75 years ago to train with the Soke Nagamine and the other black belts from Okinawa and worldwide. By the time I get back we will all have enough to work on for a couple of years, if not a lifetime, at least I will.

Thanks again to Sense DuJardin and Sempai Motro for keeping the classes running while I’m away and their year round dedication and commitment to keeping the art of Matsubayashiryu (Shornryu) alive and well in Cocoa Beach.

Zen Shin,
Sensei Des Chaskelson

From left to right: Sensei's Ed French, 4th Dan; Bob Siebert, 6th Dan, Renshi; Fred Christian, 7th Dan, Kyoshi; Des Chaskelson, 4th Dan



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