Archive for January 2014
RYUKYU KEMPO TRANSITION
Allan Amor Kaicho is the head and founder of the United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance (URKA). This is an international organization dedicated to the preservation of the Okinawan cultural tradition and martial arts, and the spirit of brotherhood fostered through these traditions. Our dojo, East Valley Martial Arts – Kenshin Kan, has been associated with the…
Read MoreLESS KATA, BETTER
-By Jenifer Tull-Gauger Allan Amor Kaicho, head and founder of the United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance, taught us to simplify. Because of him, we focus on teaching 12 base katas, and two weapons katas, before black belt. We could double that, and more, as some schools do. Learning and knowing more katas does not make a…
Read MoreSHOMEN
-By Jenifer Tull-Gauger At the beginning and end of each class, you hear the senior student say, “Shomen ni rei.” Even the youngest students can learn these words, but do you know what they mean? Shomen ni rei means face the front and show respect. When these words are spoken, it is a request to…
Read MoreWHAT IS A DOJO? & WHY AM I HERE?
By Jenifer Tull-Gauger I like to say that the people make the dojo, or the dojo is the people (who are working together). Welcome to the concept of Dojo Family! When you are part of an organization, it is important to know why that group exists, and to know your own role in it. So,…
Read More