Shotokan Legacy Seminars IV
Bali,
Indonesia
July 16-19, 2009
For the fourth time, over a dozen instructors, all of whom lived and trained
in Japan, will come together to teach as a collective unit. This event will
involve instructors teaching a total of over
30 seminars over a 4-day
period. Many of the instructors trained directly with Nakayama Sensei
prior to his passing in 1987. Most of these instructors lived in Japan
for many years and have gained experiences that may have been invaluable to
your own training. The Shotokan Legacy Seminars have set a new standard
of excellence for seminars.
Pictures from
Shotokan Legacy Seminars III
***Order
the DVD from the 2004 seminars***
Some of the best instructors
from various organizations are coming together from far and wide to carry on
a legacy -- the legacy of Nakayama Sensei. From their experience living & training
in Japan, these instructors all share one thing: a sense of obligation to pass
on their personal insights into karate training.
These seminars involve
an extraordinary gathering of non-Japanese Shotokan instructors.
These events are unparalleled within the Karate world.
At Shotokan Legacy Seminars
IV, some seminar sessions will be open to all ranks and ages, some will be restricted
to just black belt adults. There will also be classes in yoga and breathing
that non-martial artists were welcome to attend, as well as a formal Q&A
session and plenty of chances to mingle with the instructors. Some instructors
will focus exclusively on ideas and training methods they picked up while training
in Japan. Others combined their Japan experience with their own thoughts
on training and teaching.
All of the people at the
2008 event in the below photo traveled to Japan to further their Shotokan training
(average time in Japan: approximately 3.5 years)
Please
note that all the below information is from the 2008 event, for reference. We
will update information soon.
Seminar Schedule
& Locations
Descriptions of
Seminar Sessions
(please note that below is from 2008 event,
for reference)
Wednesday (Miraido
Village Clubhouse, San Jose):
Seminar 1: J Keeling - Interpretations: Appreciating
different opinions and training methods.
Seminar 2: F Borda - Basics
Thursday (Cubberly
Community Center, Palo Alto):
Seminar 3: M Kadena- Stance transition and timing in
kumite
Seminar 4: M Berger - Keri-waza, part 1: kicking
fundamentals
Seminar 5: S Ubl - Fundamentals:
Seminar 6: J Yabe - Kihon: working on technique
and speed, part 1
Seminar 7: F Borda - Basics
Seminar 8: M Berger - Keri-waza, part 2: application
of kicking techniques
Seminar 9: S Ubl - Fundamentals:
Friday (morning/afternoon: Cubberly
Community Center, Palo Alto; evening: De
Anza College, Cupertino; note: $2/car parking fee at De Anza):
Seminar 10: A Hoopes - 10 Zen Qigong & Zen Crane
Qigong Form: This is an in-depth class focusing on two Qigong breathing
and movement forms. 10 Zen Qigong is a practice to build energy reserves in
the body. Zen Crane Qigong is based on White Crane kung-fu and combines dynamic
breathing with circular movements.
Seminar 11: B Ehling - "Gravity": Working
on lowering the center-of-gravity, using the force of gravity.
Seminar 12 S Ubl - Fundamentals
Seminar 13: M Berger - Kumite, principles and strategies
Seminar 14: M Kadena - Kihon & kihon kumite
*at De Anza location
Seminar 15: A Hoopes - Zen Yoga Breathing and Deep Stretching:
Learn effective breathing and stretching techniques for enhancing your karate
training. Gain flexibility and suppleness in your muscles through the energized
breathing and movement practice of Zen Yoga (non-Karate people welcome).
*at De Anza location
Seminar 16: J Peck - Kihon/Kata/Kumite (level appropriate)
*at De Anza location
Seminar 17: J Yabe - Kihon: working on technique
and speed, part 2 *at
De Anza location
Seminar 18: E
Passoja - Hip Movement for Maximum Power and Relaxation
*at De Anza location
Seminar 19: R Amos - Jiku-ashi (support/pivot leg) training*at
De Anza location
Saturday (De Anza
College, Cupertino):
Seminar 20: A Hoopes - Zen Kumite: Based on Chinese
push-hands training, this is a form of combat and energy movement with the focus
on breathing and balance. This is an excellent method of sparring to test your
internal power without the risk of injury.
Seminar 21: B Ehling - Gravity II": using gravity
to generate torque
Seminar 22: V Cruz - "Seeing and Direction
as a Way into Karate"
Seminar 23: R Amos - Controlling Kumite
Seminar 24: G Michel - Dynamic Hip Rotation to Generate
Powerful Waza
Seminar 25: J Yabe - Assessing distance in kumite
Seminar 26: E Passoja- Hip Flow (koshi o nagasu) and
Speed
Seminar 27: S Ubl - Fundamentals
Seminar 28: R Amos - Blending Kata with Kumite
Seminar 29: V Cruz - "Ki: Lifeforce of the Universe"
Seminar 30: G Friederich - Timing Drills for Kihon
and Kumite
Seminar 31: M Berger (or J Keeling) - Kata (level-appropriate)
Seminar 32: S Ubl - Fundamentals
Sunday (De Anza College,
Cupertino):
Seminar 33: M Kadena - Kihon/Kata/Kumite (level appropriate)
Seminar 34: A Hoopes - Flexibility, Splits and Circle
Kicking: This is a deep stretching class focusing on hip-opening stretches
and leg flexibility. Learn the most effective method for practicing splits and
lengthening the muscles of the legs. Circle Kicking is an advanced kicking technique
requiring balance, focus and smooth hip rotation.
Seminar 35: G Friederich - "Developing a 6th Sense"
Seminar 36: V Cruz - Kihon: Evaluating Results of Body
Mechanisms (the Obata Sensei way)
Seminar 37: J Peck - kihon and kumite drills
Seminar 38: K Yokota - Tenshin: Body rotation. Will
include practice of "Meikyo Nidan"
Seminar 39: M Kadena (or J Keeling) - Kihon and level-appropriate
kata
Seminar 40: R Amos - "Spontaneity"
Seminar 41: A Hoopes - Moving Meditation: This class
will begin with an in-depth discussion on Meditation followed by a Tai Chi-based
class focusing on the meditative practices of Silk Reeling, Cloud Hands, and
Breath Walking (non-Karate people welcome).
Seminar 42: G Friederich - Timing Drills for Kihon and
Kumite, part 2 (more advanced version of seminar 31)
Seminar 43: F Borda (or M Kadena) - Basics, Kata and/or
Kumite
Seminar 44: S Ubl - Fundamentals
Seminar 45: G Michel - Eating Distance: Powerfully
Closing the Gap between You and Your Opponent
Seminar 46: M Berger - Advanced kumite combinations
Seminar 47: M Berger - Anso no Kata
Please note that there will be a formal Q&A session on Saturday,
3-4pm. Must be participating in seminars to attend
for no charge. There will also be many other opportunities to talk with
the instructors and others in attendence about their time in Japan. Also, professional
massage will available at different points during the series.
At Cubberley Community Center, we will have our seminars at Gym A and Gym B.
These two 7000+ sq ft gyms are next to each other so there should not be any
confusion. At De Anza College, we will be in various rooms in the Gym area just
north of the swimming pool (seminar locations will be to the right of the pool
as you walk in from the parking lot, locker rooms to the left as you walk in).
Please note that there is a $2/day parking fee at De Anza.
Instructors
Listed in order of time first training at the Hoitsugan Dojo and/or with
Nakayama Sensei while in Japan:
Vincent Cruz - Cruz Sensei began his Shotokan
training in Japan in 1956 while in the US Air Force. In 1959, he was selected
to be a Combative Measures Instructor for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) through
which he trained directly with Senseis Nishiyama and Obata, among others. Cruz
Sensei founded International
San Ten Karate Association and has written 2 books about Shotokan.
Gary Friederich - Friederich Sensei was the
first westerner allowed to join the elite JKA Instructors' Training Program
in Tokyo. He had also trained at Takushoku, Komazawa, and Toritsu Universities
and competed in the 1965 and 1966 JKA All-Japans as the only representative
of the USA. Although he may not be a very well-known name in most Shotokan circles,
it is worth noting that he was mentioned several times in both CW Nicol's 'Moving
Zen' and Stan Schmidt's 'Spirit of the Empty Hand.' Friederich
Sensei has been chief instructor for the Nevada
Karate Association, for the past 42 years. Please
note that assisting with instruction of Friederich Sensei's sessions will be
the legendary Shapoff (Bob) Sensei, a very successful competitor
in the 1960's-70's.
James Yabe - Yabe
Sensei's training with Nakayama Sensei in Japan pre-dates the Hoitsugan's founding.
He lived and trained in Japan in the 1960's, having been involved in karate
since the 1950's. His tournament success in the US in the 1960's and 1970's
is well-known. He teaches in Torrance, California, at the ASKC
dojo there.
Steve Ubl
- The first Hoitsugan resident, from 1972, Ubl Sensei also trained at the
Hoitsugan later in the 1970's. A very personal student of the late Nakayama
Sensei, from whom he learned some things not taught to more than a handful of
the top Shotokan instructors. Considered by many of the most highly-regarded
Shotokan instructors as the ultimate "teachers' teacher," Ubl Sensei
operates a dojo in Rancho Santa Fe, California and is the Technical Director
for the WTKO.
Kousaku Yokota
- Yokota Sensei began his training in Japan in 1960. He moved to the US
and was Okazaki Sensei's right-hand-man for most of the 1970's. He moved back
to Japan in the early 1980's to further his training, spending a brief time
training at the Hoitsugan and spending 2 years training with his orginal instructor
(Sugano Sensei) in Hyogo prefecture. Yokota Sensei is currently the Chairman
of JKS Americas region and teaches at his dojo in San Jose, California,
not far from the Hoitsugan Seminars III venues.
Michael Berger
- Berger Sensei trained in Japan for several years in the 1980s & 1990s,
beginning in 1983. While there, he trained at multiple locations, including
both Takushoku and Komazawa Universities. He has placed in numerous tournaments
in the US and Japan in both JKA and mixed-style events and produced several
books and video's. Currently teaches in the Los Angeles area: http://www.wayoflifekarate.com/
Mr Berger was one of the organizers for Hoitsugan Seminars II, in 2005.
Jon Keeling - Keeling
Sensei lived at the Hoitsugan Sep 1985 to July 1988, July-Aug 1990 and for a
few other short stays. He lived in Tokyo for a total of 8 years and for
a few years taught most of the Saturday classes at the Hoitsugan. On Hoitsugan
kata teams that placed 3rd, 2nd and 1st in different years at the JKA All-Tokyo
Championships. Chief Instructor, JKA
of Silicon Valley. Was organizer of 1st Hoitsugan Seminars
in northern California in 2004 and this one in 2008 as well.
Bob Ehling - Lived
and trained in Tokyo in the late 1980's to early 1990's. Ehling Sensei
previously trained with Yokota Sensei (above) and now trains under Field Sensei
(another Hoitsugan alumni) in Santa Monica, California, where he sometimes helps
teach classes at JKA of Santa Monica.
Glen Michel - Trained
at the JKA Honbu, the Hoitsugan, and Seto Juku from 1987 to 1991. In the US,
he has trained with Field Sensei in Santa Monica,
California and with Yabe Sensei in Torrance,
California. Presently, he is Assistant Instructor with Michael
Berger (see above). Mr. Michel was one of the organizers for Hoitsugan Seminars
II in 2005.
Jeremy Peck - Peck Sensei lived
at the Hoitsugan 1987-88 and July-Sep 1990. He spent an additional year+
living and training in Japan prior to staying at the Hoitsugan and during that
time trained regularly at the Aoyama Gakuin University dojo. On Hoitsugan
kata team that placed 2nd and 1st in 1987 and 1988 in the JKA All-Tokyo Championships.
Presently teaches at University of California Santa Cruz and in Monterey, California.
Aaron Hoopes
- Trained at the Hoitsugan 1987-1989, where he was a member of the dojo teams
competing in All-Tokyo tournaments. Was also living and training in Japan for
an additional 2 years. Author of 3 books and many articles relating to
martial arts and yoga. Instructor of Tai Chi and Zen Yoga in addition to
Karate. www.artofzenyoga.com
Richard Amos - Lived in Japan
for 9 years from 1989 to 1998, having been a Hoitsugan member Jan 1989 to Sep
1990. On the Hoitsugan kumite team (along with Rene Vildosola and Leon
Montoya) which placed 1st in the All-Tokyo tournament in 1989, winning all rounds
3-to-0. That same year, he was on the Hoitsugan kata team (along with
Rene Vildosola and Rai Wibawa) that placed 2nd in the All-Japans. Graduate
of the Asai-JKA Instructors' Course in Tokyo. Placed in finals of the
Asai-JKA All-Japans and World Championships on numerous occasions. Amos Sensei
teaches at his dojo in New
York and is also Chief Instructor for the WTKO.
Erik Passoja - Trained at the
Hoitsugan in 1989. Presently trains under Field Sensei (another Hoitsugan
alumni) in Santa Monica, California, where he teaches classes at JKA
of Santa Monica.
Fred Borda - Trained at the Hoitsugan
1991-94. Instructor at JKA
of Silicon Valley.
Mario Kadena -
Trained at the Hoitsugan a total of six times during the 1991 and 2001, for
several months each time. Kadena Sensei teaches at his dojo in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil and has been doing Shotokan for over 35 years.
Some words from those unable to make it:
Thank once again for the information regarding the (Shotokan
Legacy) Seminars. I can see they are growing each year, and attracting a group
of people that have between them a wealth of experience which they are happy
to share. I regret that I shall not be able to join you for the next group of
seminars, but I hope that I can take part in the future. I am sure it will,
once again, be successful, and all those who attend, whether instructing or
training, will gain a lot from the experience. Best regards to all.
Dave
Hooper
Tokyo, Japan
I had every intention of attending (Shotokan Legacy) Seminars III. But
due to bussiness developments that have arisen I will not be able to make it
this time. However I hope that I will be able to come over for the next event
and look forward to meeting you all then.
Best regards
Nigel Jackson
Johannesburg, South Africa
I am really happy to hear that so many of you are together in this project
and that are doing well and training...continuing the legacy of our great teacher
Masatoshi Nakayama, whom I value more each day. I am unable to attend due to
my heavy schedule. I am still training hard like in the old days. I wish you
the best in your endeavors. My very best to you all.
Rene Vildosola
Santiago, Chile
*Please note: Many other Hoitsugan alumni and others
who have trained in Japan, as well as other senior karateka, will be present
for training but not teaching, or just stopping by for the reunion aspect of
the event.
Fees
This event is organized
at the personal expense of the instructors participating. The seminar fees are
used to defray the costs of putting on the event. Compared to the cost of
most world-class camps, it is a huge bargain. Please
note that the early payment discounts for the seminars and hotel have been extended
to March 3.
|
Early Registration
(payment RECEIVED by March
3, 2008)
|
Late Registration
(received after March 3, including at the door)
|
| Entire
Event |
Only
$330 for an event-long pass to all seminars
This is just $11/seminar
or over 65% off
when compared to paying for sessions individually at the door!
up to 30 sessions; please
note that some seminars will run concurrently.
To qualify for the above discount, must be paid in advance. Please
make check out to "JKA of Silicon Valley" and send to 715
N San Antonio Rd., Los Altos, CA, 94022. |
$450 for an
event-long pass to all seminars (this is still just $15/seminar!) |
| Individual
Seminars |
Up to
4 seminars |
$25/seminar |
$35/seminar |
| more than 4
seminars |
$20/seminar |
$25/seminar |
| Please note:
- $5/seminar discount for full-time students
(does not apply to full-series pass)
- $5 charge/seminar for spectators. No exceptions.
- No videotaping this event. Overview DVD will be available
for purchase after the event.
- Participation certificate will be available for everyone who attends.
Please ask for yours after attending your last session.
|
The Hoitsugan Dojo was set up in 1972
by the late JKA Chief Instructor Nakayama Sensei (with the help of Kanazawa
Sensei, now head of SKIF) for people coming to Tokyo from around the world to
train. It is located just around the corner from where the Honbu Dojo had been
for 2+ decades, in Ebisu-Nishi, Tokyo, Japan.
About the Hoitsugan Dojo
Jon@jkasv.com