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My Students

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on October 12, 2007 at 4:34:10 pm
 

 

 

SEIYO KAI INTERNATIONAL©

 

LETTERS & THOUGHTS

A Sensei's greatest achievement is his students. I have been blessed with many extraordinary people in my life whom had called me their Sensei.

 

I would like to congratulate my students for their accomplishments! In 2007, Eric Hausel graduated from the University of Wyoming with BS degrees in Geology, Physics and Astrophysics! Kate Lehman graduated from the Unviersity of Wyoming with a BS degree in Criminal Justice. Brett Philbrick graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BS degree in Criminal Justice. Kyle Gewecke graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BA degree in Education, Amit Dikshit graduated from the University of Wyoming with a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Indishe Senanayake graduated from the University of Sri Lanka with a BS Hons Degree in Earth Resources Engineering. I AM VERY PROUD OF ALL OF YOU - Soke

 

 2005, UW Karate

NEAL  ADAM, 2nd dan, Phoenix, Arizona

Hi!  My name is Neal Adam.  I began karate practice in 1982 in Wheeling, Illinois in Shotokan.   After several years of trying to find a dojo in the Nebraska/Kansas area, I finally met Soke Hausel while working at the University of Wyoming in about 1989. 

During PhD work at Kansas State University and subsequent post-doc research positions in Phoenix, my karate practice continued on a solo basis.  Now that Soke has moved to Phoenix, I have the opportunity once again to have good instruction and coaching, and have really been enjoying the weapons training.  I am now an Asst. Prof. of Biology at Grand Canyon University, and am trying to make sure that teaching duties do not prevent me from training.  My daughters and I live across Phoenix from Soke Hausel, and Emily, my 9-yr-old, likes to follow along in karate practice.

 

 

SUMEET APHALE, 3rd dan/Sensei, Newcastle, Australia

I am attaching my dissertation acknowledgement which also features you!! Thanks for all your patience and all that you have taught me.

 

Acknowledgment

A Ph.D is a huge undertaking and cannot be accomplished without inputs of all kinds by a great many people. The work with this dissertation has been extensive and trying, but in the first place exciting, instructive, and fun. Without help, support, and encouragement from several persons, I would never have been able to finish this work...

 

... I also give a special thanks to Dan Hausel, my martial arts instructor for the past four years, for his instruction and patience. His way of life is an ideal I will always try to follow. I thank Amit, my roommate and friend who patiently put up with me and all my whims throughout the years. I also thank my friends Gaurav, Senthil, Chinmay, Jignesh, Kevin, George, Kris, Katie, Cyrena, Brian and Sondra for giving me the much needed moments of joy without which I would never have finished this gigantic task. There definitely are more people who deserve my gratitude and I ask for their forgiveness for not being able to name everyone of them. Please note that I haven’t forgotten you. Finally, I thank my parents who were a constant source of inspiration and optimism through these trying years ...

 

My interest in martial arts began after watching a series of “old school” Shaw brothers and Jackie Chan movies, way back in 1990. In my home town (Pune, India) the several martial art schools in existence, only taught Judo, Karate or Tae Kwon Do (no Kung Fu). After about a month each in many of these schools, I made up my mind to pursue Karate. I began with Wado-Ryu and soon moved to Isshin Ryu in 1992. For about three and a half years, all I remember is knuckle push-ups, kata, body hardening and getting beaten up by other, more skilled martial artists!

 

My vagabond life (due to the study options I picked) started in 1996 and I was unable to continue as a full-time student of any single school. Sporadic training and discussion sessions with other martial artists (from different martial arts and styles), books and movies were my training aids for quite some time. It is during this period, that I began understanding martial arts as a Way of Life, rather than just being kata, sparring and knuckle push-ups.

  

My academic pursuits brought me to Laramie in 2000. It was a time when I was fed up by the stagnant nature of my martial arts training and I took about a year off from it all. I visited the Seiyo Shorin Ryu Karate dojo on the UW campus in 2001 and was quite impressed by the instructor (Soke Dan Hausel) and his senior students. The quality and zeal they all possessed in their technique was surprising to me, knowing that they hardly ever had sparring sessions and I just had to learn from them. The five years that I spent with this talented group of people were full of poignant learning experiences, a lot of self evaluation and fun. From here, I took lasting, fond memories and strong friendships with me, when I moved to Australia in the fall of 2005.

 

I continue to be a student of martial arts, though currently I can only practice what I have already learned rather than learn something new. Soke would have gone through millions of lower blocks (Gedan Barai) in his 40+ year martial arts career and I have yet failed to spot his focus or force waver by an iota. That is my motivation as well as my goal. To me, that is martial arts in its complete perfection.

 

Dr. Sumeet graduated in 2005 and moved to Australia. He was awarded a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from Pune University, India in 1999, a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wyoming in 2003, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2005 from the University of Wyoming. He is currently a research professor at ARC Center for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Newcastle, Australia with interests in smart structures, nano-positioning and control systems.

 

PAULA BOREA, 1st Kyu Shorin-Ryu, 1st dan, Taekwondo Chandler, Arizona.

I started studying martial arts 30+ years ago after my daughter Julie was born in Kansas City, Missouri. It all started as a whim. I had gained so much weight during my pregnancy, and even after Julie was born, my weight had not gone down like I hoped it would. I decided I could not go to a jazzercise class and wear leotards and tights! I remembered seeing a martial arts class at a local shopping mall and they were wearing those white uniforms which I felt could hide my overweight body very nicely!!

 

The style of martial arts at this particular school was Moo Duk Kwan Su Bak Do. I was the only female in the classes for a very long time. The harder they pushed, the more determined I became to be the very best I could be. I wanted to prove to myself and the other students I could keep up with the rest of the class. The weight came off, my stamina and strength increased, and I gained a lot of self-confidence. I achieved the level of Red Belt and was to test for my first degree black belt when my husband got orders to move (he was in the U.S. Air Force at the time).

 

While my husband was stationed in Japan, I studied Shudokan (traditional Okinawan style). Studying martial arts had become a part of my life. I continued to study Shudokan when we returned to New Jersey and achieved the level of advanced brown belt. Again, I prepared myself to test for black belt however, this time my Sensei left our school. Since I was working full time, being a full time wife and mom and going to night school for my Bachelor’s Degree, there were not enough hours in the day to also continue my martial arts training. So I reestablished my goals to achieve a Bachelor’s Degree first and then go back to my martial arts training. I graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May of 1990.

 

One of the main benefits I’ve found as a result of practicing martial arts is the constant self challenging aspect of the sport. Each level pushes you to a higher level of learning both physically and mentally. It also taught me discipline, total concentration and total focus which I used while going to night school. The ability of total concentration and focus on a subject helped me while my kids would be blasting stereos in their bedrooms, while I was sitting at my desk studying for exams or writing another paper. The discipline, the total concentration, and focus as a result of my training also helped me to achieve the honor of Summa Cum Laude when I graduated.

 

I went on to studying Taekwondo after graduating and eventually achieved my black belt in 1995. However, the training was nothing like the traditional training I received when I studied Shudokan over in Japan and the Sensei I studied under in New Jersey. Now that we’ve moved to Arizona, I’ve tried a couple of different schools in search of my “Mr. Miyagi” and I finally found him in Soke Dan Hausel!! I feel very privileged to be studying under Soke and going back to the traditional way of learning. Granted it takes a little longer to warm up the body and the flexibility is not like it used to be, but if one has the fighting spirit and heart, practicing martial arts becomes a part of you and a way of life. Besides the fact it helps me keep up with my 4 grandchildren!!!

 

 

PREM PRASAD DUBEY, 7th dan/Kyoshi, India.  

Kyoshi Prem Dubey is our Seiyo Shorin-Ryu representative for India. Prem has studied martial arts for many years and has a very successful track record as an instructor. He was born on August 9th, 1959 in Jamshedpur, India. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ranchi University in 1980.  Prem Dubey began karate training in 1975 and was one of the founding members of Judo & Karate-do in Eastern India.  He competed in all India Karate-do Federation Championships for the first five years and in Bihar from 1977 to 1981.  Due to his successes in karate, he was invited to Malaysia to train under the Late Master C.S. Chew where he received his Shodan certified by Karate Budokan International.

 

After leaving Malaysia, Kyoshi Dubey returned to India to teach karate India and in the first year of competition, his students ran a clean sweep in the Bihar State Karate Championship.

 

Prem was awarded Nidan in 1984 and continued to show greatness as an instructor. All of his students have won several major tournaments.  In 1992, Master Chew awarded Dubey a Yondan. Two years later (1994) the governor of Bihar, recognized his passion in the martial arts with a special award on behalf of his association. Because of his successes, he was appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Karate-do Association of Jharkhand in 2001 and in 2003 appointed as the Technical Director and Senior Vice President of Jharkhand Wushu Association.

 

In 2005, Prem was awarded Godan (5th dan) by Hanshi Chin Mok Sung, World Chief of Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate Association of Malaysia and was appointed as the Chief of Shorin-Ryu Seibukan Karate Association of India. In 2006, he was awarded a Shichidan (7th dan) by Soke Hausel and a short time later elected President of All Style Karate Association of Jharkhand State.

 

 

ANDY FINLEY, 6th dan/Dai-Shihan (Shorin-Ryu), 2nd dan (Okinawa Kenpo), Casper, Wyoming.

 “I’ve been studying Okinawan and Japanese martial arts for the past 13 years. I originally studied Okinawa Kenpo with Shihan Dorian Fox for several years in Casper. When Shihan Fox’s activities took him away from active teaching, I inherited a number of his students. I wanted to continue to learn, so I asked Soke Hausel to train me. Soke Hausel has been an excellent teacher and has given to me more time and knowledge than I could have hoped for. The Kenpo style I studied is very similar to Seiyo Shorin-Ryu, so instead of learning a completely new martial art, I have been able to modify my Kenpo to Soke’s style of Shorin-Ryu. In addition, I have traveled to Okinawa twice to study with Sensei Tadashi Yamashita and I studied the Tabosa style of Kali-Escrima. Ever since I started training with Soke, my primary focus has and will continue to be Seiyo Shorin-Ryu.

 

 

Outside of martial arts, I make my living as a petroleum geologist. I have a partner in Casper and we employ 3 to 4 geologists in the office and 8 to 12 geologists in the field. Wyoming is one of the best places in the world for petroleum geology due to the magnificent mountains and basins within the state. I received my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1990 (I grew up in Joliet, Illinois) and my Master’s degree from the University of Wyoming in 1992. After my Master’s, I moved to Casper to work with Conoco. When Conoco left in 1994, they requested that I move to Houston or Midland, Texas. I could not bring myself to leave Wyoming and I am very happy I stayed. I became I consultant, and subsequently met Soke Hausel through both of our associations with the Wyoming Geological Association. Staying in Wyoming has been one of the best decisions I have made in almost every way.

 

When I am not working or studying/teaching martial arts, I spend time with my wife Sandra and three children, Elena, Aidan and Caemon. Elena and Aidan study Seiyo Shorin-Ryu but I have not yet started to teach Caemon. 

 

Outside of these activities, I play a lot of highly competitive softball. I usually play between 12 and 17 tournaments a year and a total of approximately 80 games/year. We play all over the Northern Rocky Mountains including Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. We also play national tournaments in places like Texas, Nevada or Florida.

 

I teach Seiyo Shorin-Ryu on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 and the Wyoming Athletic Club in Casper and have 10 to 15 students. We usually take the summers off because everyone is so busy. If you are in town, please stop by the class. Soke, thank you for all of your time and guidance, and I hope to continue training with you for many years to come”.

 

BEN FROIDEVAUX, 5th dan/Shihan, Laramie, Wyoming.

I was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland on April 22nd, 1963 and have both Swiss and US citizenships and speak English, French, German, Italian, Indonesian and Mandarin. I currently live in Laramie Wyoming, but have lived in Switzerland, Indonesia and Singapore. I received a BA degree in Film/TV Production from the University of Kansas, and now work as Assistant Producer/Director of the University of Wyoming Television (UWTV), and currently serve as the Sensei of the Campus Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate Club, the Coach for the All Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate Team, and Assistant Coach for the University of Wyoming Fencing Club. I have trained in Japanese/Okinawan Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo, Shito-Ryu Karate, Yoseikan Budo, Judo, Kendo, Korean Tae Kwon Do (ITF & ATA), Chinese Chang-Chuan (Long Fist), Zui-Chuan (Drunken Fist) and Yung-Chuan (Wing Chun)Gung Fu as well as Olympic-style Fencing (Foil, Epee & Sabre). In addition to a 5th dan rank in Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo, I have a 1st dan in Tae Kwon Do ATA, 1st kyu in Judo and USFA Ratings of D06 Foil, D05 Epee, E06 Sabre.

 

I have won many titles including: Vice-Champion (Silver medal)--Men's Open Forms Division--1997 Swiss National Wushu Kung-Fu Championships; 1st place (Gold medal)--Men's Kata (3rd-4th degree Blackbelt Division)--2005 State Games of America National Championships; 1st place (Gold medal)--2005 Wyoming State Games champion in Foil, Epee --1st place (Gold medal)--2006 Wyoming State Games champion in Epee, Sabre --1st place (Gold medal)--2005, 2006 Wyoming State Divisional champion in Foil. I train in Martial arts, Gymnastics, Yoga, Basketball, Table tennis, Snowboarding, and Mountain & Rock-climbing. His hobbies include International culture (language, travel, cuisine), cinema, photography and magic.

 

My Goals include lifelong study, practice and competition in martial arts, and I look to eventually open the first European branch of Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo in Switzerland and travel to and visit renowned international martial arts schools and fencing salles throughout Europe and Asia. I believe that "The purpose of practicing martial arts is to mold the mind and body, to cultivate a vigorous spirit, and through correct and rigid training, to strive for improvement in the martial arts, to hold in esteem human courtesy and honor, to associate with others with sincerity, and to forever pursue the cultivation of oneself, and thus make one be able to love his/her country and society, to contribute to the development of culture and to promote peace, prosperity and tolerance among all people”. “One can always share whatever little he/she has."

 

ANNE CECILIE HAUG, 1st dan, Oslo, Norway

Hello fellow karate friends all over the world. My name is Anne Cecilie, and I am a 31 year old Norwegian girl who had the pleasure of learning karate from Soke Dan for 4 years while studying at the University of Wyoming 1997-2001. I decided to study in Wyoming because of easy access to great skiing. As well as a lot of great skiing in fabulous snow around Colorado, Wyoming and Utah and a good education in architectural engineering, I also achieved a black belt (1st dan) in karate.

 

Practicing karate gave me positive energy to help focusing on the studies, kept my body in good shape and I made several good friends. Karate was one of the best experiences I brought home with me and one of the things I miss the most.

 

Unfortunately I haven't been able to keep up my karate skills but I haven't given it up yet. After finishing school I moved back to Oslo, Norway, where I work for an architectural firm called Snøhetta designing a new Opera house in Oslo. I love my job, it is challenging and rewarding. After work I spend my days mountain biking, skiing, hiking and hanging out with my five weeks old daughter.

 

JOHN HILL, 2nd dan, Gilbert, Arizona

Like many martial artists, John joined a karate school immediately after watching the movie "Enter The Dragon" in 1979 while attend college at Virginia Tech.  He wanted to be just like Bruce Lee!  John joined a local school at Virginia Tech called "Blacksburg School of Martial Arts" which was a Korean, Moo Duk Kwan style, school.  John took to martial arts very well and within two years had achieved his 1st Black Belt with the school, taught by Mr. Ed Hampton.  The Blacksburg school attended NCAA College tournaments and private tournaments all through the south, and John competed very well. 

 

However, graduation in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry meant that John had to return home to Delaware, his home state. John refused to give up martial arts just because of a geographic move, and soon joined a brand new Shorin Ryu school that opened up in Newport, Delaware.  The school was the Chintokan School, taught by a recent immigrant from Japan, Sensei Masaharu Sakimukai and his family.  John considers himself lucky to find a school such as this where you must learn the heart and soul of martial arts before you learn any martial arts moves. Scrubbing the dojo floor on your hands and knees was the very first technique that you learned. John was not allowed to carry his Black Belt over from the Moo Duk Kwan school into the Shorin Ryu system, so he began fresh as a white belt once again.  John was student number 58 in this brand new branch school. 

 

Since Sensei Sakimukai spoke very little English, all of the students had to learn Japanese which was excellent. Sensei Sakimukai is very well known in Shorin-Ryu karate and still teaches in teh main school in Jacksonville Florida. More information on this school is found at the following website: http://www.chintokan/com/index.php?option=com frontpage&Itemid+1.   John trained under Sensei Sakimukai all through the '80s, and this was incredibly influential training.  Sensei Sakimukei enveloped his students in every aspect of the martial arts, and the martial way of living.  John learned his techniques and the Japanese language well, and soon gained both his 1st and 2nd degree Black Belt through the Chintokan School.

 

 

In the late '80s, John began to teach privately at his home to clients that felt more comfortable in a one on one training situation.  This would not be the last time John would teach!  In October of 1989 he was recruited by the TRW Company to come to Arizona to help them build an automotive airbag production facility.  John accepted and was soon moving again.  When he arrived in Arizona he immediately began to look for a new martial arts school to attend.  But, to his dismay he found mostly what he would call "Americanized Schools" that were all about fancy uniforms, flashy but ineffective techniques, and harldy any real Budo training.  So instead of joining them, John began to teach Shorin Ryu in a series of gyms through the 1990s.  Soon the gyms began to find that more people were signing up for John's Shorin Ryu classes than for the gym itself.  This lead John to become a member of another great Shorin Ryu instructor's school-Sensei Tadashi Yamashita's Shorin Ryu School and began to teach at World Gym in Gilbert, Arizona.  Tadashi Yamashita is a world renouned martial artist, movie star, and movie fight stunt coordinator.  When he visited John at World Gym, the classes were outstanding.  Never had John been through such grueling classes as the one's taught by Sensei Tadashi Yamashita.  Full contact at all times was the norm.

 

Unfortunately, World Gym in Gilbert went out of business in the early 2000s, and John was left again without a school to train in.  So at age 42 John began to concentrate fully on competitive bodybuilding.  John had competed in bodybuilding since 1996 but had not given it full effort because to him, martial arts was always number one.  But after the gym karate school closed, John competed and did as well as 2nd place in the bodybuilding shows he attended in Arizona.

 

John never gave up on the martial arts during this time.  He trained at home and taught his wife Sandy to keep his teaching skills up to par.  Then, John met Soke Dan Hausel when Gold's Gym in Gilbert began Shorin Ryu classes there.  Once again, John feels very lucky to have met Soke Hausel. John can feel that this is a true form of the martial art and that Soke Dan Hausel is an excellent instructor and one in which he can learn from and grow. With his 50th birthday coming up soon, John plans to continue as a student with Soke Hausel for as long as possible.  "There is always room to grow, and learn new techniques" according to John.  "Martial Arts have kept me young in body, mind and spirit, and I will continue to practice for the rest of my life, without fail".  "To strive for the perfection of character is one of the most honorable tasks that you can ever take on in your lifetime".

 

 

WAYNE JENSEN, 3rd dan/Sensei, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dr. Wayne Jensen was a personal student of mine for several years. When we first met, Dr. Jensen was a professor of Army ROTC and later retired from the army as a Lt. Colonel (if I remember correctly) and entered a PhD program in the Department of Engineering where he graduated in Civil Engineering and accepted a position on the faculty at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. I have many great memories of Wayne.

 

I look forward to reading your newsletter each month. My department (Construction Management) at UNL is doing extremely well, with almost three hundred undergraduates but only seven faculty members. We will probably be forced to institute some type of enrollment limits next year, as UNL is now aggressively pursuing research in lieu of classroom instruction. Earlier this month I was promoted to associate professor and received tenure, so I am now attempting to realign my life’s priorities after accomplishing those goals. 

 

 

There is an Okinawan martial arts dojo here but I have issues with some of their instructors and their instruction methods. I continue to work out one to three times each week on a regular basis but mostly alone.  I try to leave one or two days between successive karate training sessions for my joints and muscles to recover. On my days without martial arts, I run, do yoga exercises, or work on strength training.

 

For me, the keys to successful and enjoyable karate have become balance and persistence. I attempt to follow a program I can maintain and train using a variety of techniques. Training times, places and techniques vary with the seasons. During the warmer months, I attempt to complete a significant percentage of my karate workouts outside, although that sometimes entails working out near dawn or twilight. I strive to maintain a beginner’s mind as I continue to practice the techniques and philosophy of karate. 

I fondly remember training in Laramie and still remain in contact with some of the people I trained with there (Ernst Arnold in particular).   I sincerely hope that your continuing practice of the martial arts allows you to express your individuality and creativity in a way that is uniquely yours.

 

CHRIS KING, 2nd dan, Laramie, Wyoming

Chris King (1st dan) started studying martial arts 21 years ago at the age of 6 while his mother completed college. Since that time Chris has lived in many places and in most of them he continued his studies in different martial arts styles. He has ranks in Tae Kwon Do, Shimokawara, Hapkido, Okinawan Kenpo, Muay Thai, and Black Dragon Kempo. “I also boxed and wrestled in high school”. Chris attended some tournaments, however, “I don't really care to compete in kata or weapons. My preference has been full contact and I have won two tournaments. Besides my studies in Shorin-Ryu I am currently studying Muay Thai and Black Dragon Kempo and hope to receive black belts in both”.

 

Chris is currently a law student and after graduation, he hopes to practice as a prosecutor and at that time plans to open his own dojo. “While I really enjoy law my first love would have to be martial arts and I hope that one day I am in a position that I can devote myself full-time. Besides martial arts I used to ski and rock climb but my two knee injuries these past two years has limited that. My other career interest is international relations and ethnic conflicts. My most recent studies in this took me to Serbia and Croatia where I wrote a thesis on the religiosity of the Serbians in the Bosnian war and the effects that had on other religions. I was able to conduct interviews in both countries and it also provided good practice for my language skills from my time as a linguist in the army.

 

KATE LEHMAN, 2nd dan, Colorado Springs, CO

Kate Lehman; University of Wyoming Seiyo Shorin-Ryu dojo; 2nd Dan. My martial arts training began about 3.5 years ago. At the time, I was a lonely, frightened, freshman of 18 tender years. I was not in the best place of my life; I was questioning my path in life and my decision to attend the University of Wyoming. I joined the UW Campus Shorin-Ryu Club mostly for something to do and for some exercise.

 

Instead, I found a support group, friends to share my time and structure in my new life as a college student. I hadn’t had any experience with martial arts, but quickly found that I had a certain aptitude for it. I spent more and more time training, and karate quickly became a very powerful force in my life. The dojo kun became personal codes of conduct with which I still struggle sometimes. For the past three and a half years I have been here, with Shorin-Ryu as my home away from home.

 

I will leave this place for a position in law enforcement, federal law enforcement with some luck. I’ll take with me two bachelor’s degrees; Criminal Justice and Anthropology. And while I also take with me a rank of 2nd dan that is nowhere near the extent of what Shorin-Ryu has given me.

 

Since I began my training, I have become more confident and personally stronger than I ever was before. The knowledge I gained will stay with me for the rest of my life, not to mention the physical and mental discipline instilled in me.

 

KYLE LINTON, 3rd dan/Sensei, Laramie, Wyoming.

A little about myself. Born Sept. 18, 1964 in Attleboro, Mass. My father was a high-school chemistry, physics and history teacher from Canada and my mother a homemaker and secretary from Wyoming. As I grew up we lived in a few places such as Canada, Rhode Island and Colorado but I spent my junior and senior high school days in Cheyenne. I loved sports and my favorite was football - that was going to be my sport. However, I never could get over the feeling that no matter how well I played the outcome was never based solely on my performance. So during the summer of my junior year in high school, I took up golf (more so to waste time before baseball games).

 

I attended the University of Wyoming on a golf scholarship and graduated in 1988 with a degree in nutrition and exercise physiology. I would highly recommend it as a way to go to college.

 

After school I spent 3 years as a golf pro in Florida and 6 years as a college golf coach at UW. The past 10 years have been great as I have been running my own business as a financial advisor working with individuals and businesses.

 

I am married to a wonderful woman, Marcia. We have been together since we were juniors in high school, yes, that’s 25 years! We love spending time together and traveling. We have been fortunate enough over the last few years to travel to South America, France, Cayman Islands, England, Wales, and Ireland. We are also looking forward to a trip to Italy in the fall.

 

My first introduction to martial arts came in college when I enrolled in a semester karate class taught by a local instructor. I enjoyed it but it was not yet my time, however, it did plant the seed. During my golf career in Florida I joined a tae kwon do club mainly to enhance, (ok, acquire) some flexibility. My master in Florida had recently moved from Korea and was a great influence on my development as a martial artist. The physical aspect of martial arts has always been enjoyable for me, however, he was very traditional and sparked my interest in martial arts philosophy.

 

We returned to Laramie and I tried to continue my TKD training and did for a couple of years, however, I missed the traditions I had grown to respect. A couple of years later and still missing something in my life, Marcia and I ran across a course called History in the Martial Arts taught by Soke Dan Hausel. I loved the class and after it was over Soke asked if I had any interest in training and invited me to a class. I have been with the club for approximately 7 years, and have enjoyed my time with the club and look forward to continuing to learn and train. I am grateful for all the wonderful people who choose to associate and share this wonderful experience.

 

RALEIGH LOVE, Sensei (3rd Dan), Buffalo, NY

When I joined Shorin-Ryu, I was on prescription Ritalin.  My study habits weren’t the best, and I was having a serious falling out with what I thought was my path in life.  It gave me an anchor of discipline, philosophy, and companionship. Indeed, my first semester at UW my attendance at Shorin-Ryu was better than my attendance at my actual tuition classes.  Even had that not been the case, previous to that I had significant interest in martial disciplines and philosophies.  At Shorin-Ryu I found something I hadn’t expected.  I found a home.

 

Within that home, I found proclivity.  I found a passion for learning that I had lost in my academics.  I poured my heart and soul into the martial arts, and in return, martial arts poured heart and soul into my life outside the dojo.  I found an academic major I enjoyed and advanced rapidly both in school and Shorin-Ryu. I did my best to confer my enthusiasm to others, and began helping other karateka in and outside of the dojo by the time I was a green belt.

 

Though I picked up something of a reputation in the Laramie dojo, I am still only human. Despite my devotion to Shorin-Ryu, I was given a permanent reminder of the importance of upholding the dojo-kun in everyday life.

 

While I worked on Easter Island in 2005-06, I practiced my kata down on the beach every few days.  Over time, a crowd of children began watching me. Eventually they found the courage to come up and start asking questions.  

 

One of them asked the question as to whether or not I could break a stick of driftwood.  I could remember how to break a rock, I could remember how to break a board, but, I forgot that Karate is for self improvement, and not for showing off.  I broke my hand that day, and fed my humility well. One lesson that I am still trying to hammer into myself is that no matter what pride or shame may tell you, you can still recover from mistakes.

 

Despite the broken hand, I still had the focus to earn my Sandan rank in September of ’06.  Since that time, my life has taken a number of twists and turns, and I haven’t been as diligent with keeping up my training as I would have liked.  But, as I said, it’s never too late to remember the lessons you’ve learned and adapt accordingly.  The lessons I learned still help me avoid life’s pitfalls, so long as I listen to what those lessons taught me. 

 

I hope to have the opportunity and focus to keep advancing, and one day perhaps open my own dojo to spread the wisdom, strength, compassion, and courage that I learned.

 

LENNY MARTIN, Nikyu, Laramie, Wyoming.

I am a Laramie native, born but not raised here. This is my home and after 20+ years its likely I'll always have ties to the community. My interests are one of the main reasons I've stayed around for so long. I have horses and love to take them to the mountains and ride for a few days without crossing a fence, camping along the way. I'm an avid fisherman and hunter but have come to love stalking my quarry much more than bagging it. I'll tell ya it gets pretty darn exciting to be within a dozen yards of a Bull Elk in rutt with just a sharp stick and a bow in hand. One of my goals is to hunt Alaskan Brown Bears with my bow...I may not even have to go that far away since I hear they plan to delist the Wyoming Grizz...not that would be a hunt!!! I love to fly airplanes and jump out of them if there is someone who can land it safely after I jump. I snow ski and in part that is one reason I decided it was time to get involved in karate.

 

When I first came to the Dojo I had been seeking an opportunity to make Karate an integral part of my physical fitness. I've seen all the hyped up DVD kick box your way to a sexy body stuff, and none of that works for me. Many other Dojo's litter their windows and shelves with trophies proclaiming superior performance in this competition or that tournament. To me Karate isn't about dominating an opponent, it’s all about mastery of self. Karate is to be used only when all else has failed to avoid a conflict. I view martial arts from a religious prospective. It involves the integration of mind, body and spirit into a flow of energy that can be called upon at any time for outer strength from within. The source of inner strength is infinite, it is the same source of strength or power that gives life to everything on the earth and my Ki is a river that flows from that source. I also use daily meditation, visualizing those things that cannot be seen. I know I am making progress in my pursuit of self mastery when after a good workout, I feel the flow of chi deep within, coursing through every part of my body. Often this feeling lasts for many hours.

 

I have been involved with the University of Wyoming Dojo for a little over two years now and have enjoyed the fellowship with many people from many countries who find themselves in Laramie and share my love for and interests in martial arts. I'm anxious to get out and visit other Dojo's as I travel to other states & countries. One of my goals is to train for a month or so in Okinawa or Japan and learn a few other styles while I'm at it.

 

...I think I mentioned once that when I started down this path of martial arts it wasn't to "be a black belt." I started down this path to make martial arts an major part of my life and "health." I look at my progress toward the black belt as being similar to climbing a mountain, if there were no other plateaus to reach, my progress would be over. Honestly I have no idea what is involved in reaching the peak of my mountain but I am here to do just that and running a Dojo would be an honor. I could not have been more fortunate than to have found a home in your DoJo and I am very grateful for your guidance, instruction and this opportunity to fulfill one of the things I have wanted to do since I was old enough to knock over a vase on my moms end table. ....we really miss your style of teaching which I would like to model my teaching style after.

 

Kobudo Clinic - UW

 

GLENN POLK, 3rd dan/Sensei, Cheyenne, Wyoming

To jump right into this, I will qualify by saying I will only mention things that had an impact on my life as there is not enough memory in this computer to cover it all. So, here are some highlights.

 

My father was a career military man. We moved to Italy when I was eight years old. This was directly after WW II. We lived in Cortina in the Alps for about a year then moved to Trieste. During this time I was associated with kids from other cultures and became very comfortable and actually enjoyed interfacing with people from other countries.

 

Not long after moving back to the US, the Korean War broke out and it was off to Japan for us. We lived in Kure for about 6 months then moved to Beppu, Kyushu, where we stayed for the remainder of my father's tour. It was a wonderful experience. We were there for about 2.5 years. We came back to the States in time for me to start high school, and I was bored to death. The Dependent schools I had been attending my entire school career were far advanced over the public schools.

 

After Graduating from High School, I had a number of jobs, and ended up working on a fishing boat off the coast of Texas. I finally went into the Army. I was very comfortable there since the Army had virtually reared me. My various qualifications in service included aviation electronics, electronic warfare, small arms expert, communications (yes, I still know Morse code), parachutist. I served in Korea, Dominican Republic, and southeastern Asia, and naturally the U. S.

 

When I got out of service I applied for a position with Xerox Corp and was hired. I spent 36 years with them. During that time, I ran the gauntlet of positions, to include anything technical, i.e.: instructor, product specialist, management. I attended college at University of South Carolina at night while raising a family and working full time for Xerox. I received a B.A. in business and continued on studying Psychology until I was transferred to Texas. At some point, about the latter part of 1977, I acquired a private pilot’s license.

 

Time and money prevented me from pursuing flying after moving to College Station, Texas. I have Three Children, David, Deborah & Jon, and three Grandchildren, Zachery, Alicia & Austin, and I retired from Xerox in September 2002.

 

I had tried to get involved in various martial arts over many years, but nothing held my interest and in some cases actually tended to douse further interest. Donette Gillespie (Sandan) with whom I worked with in Laramie, suggested I join her to see how I would like Shorin -Ryu Karate. The rest is, as they say, history. It turned out to be exactly what I had been looking for. I have been involved in Shorin-Ryu and later Seiyo Shorin-Ryu for about eight years. I wish I had been introduced earlier.

 

BRETT PHILBRICK, 2nd dan, Laramie, Wyoming.

I have been interested in martial arts since I was a very little kid watching martial arts movies. When I was in third grade my parents enrolled my in a Taekwondo class. I stayed with Taekwondo for a few years until another martial art caught my eye. I saw some Steven Seagal movies where he was throwing his opponents around with ease. That made me decide to take Aikido. I enjoyed the art of Aikido very much, and I was very disappointed when my instructor ended up moving. After that I took a break from martial arts training for quite a while. I moved to Fort Collins after I graduated high school and while I was there, I took a mixed martial art class that focused mainly on Combat Hapkido. After two years I decided to move to Laramie (where school was much cheaper!), and I started to look for a martial arts school to join. This is when I found the Seiyo No Shorin Ryu Karate Club. I was amazed at the power and focus that Soke Hausel showed the students in his techniques. This power and focus is what drew me into the club. The club has provided me with so much over the years. I have learned great self defense techniques, discipline, self-control, and respect for all things. I also made some wonderful friendships in the club....

 

JUSTIN ROADIFER, 3rd Kyu/Evanston, Wyoming.

I live in Evanston WY with my wife of nearly five years, Karla. We have a son named Jaden who is 18 months old and are expecting our second child, a daughter, in late April. I really value being a good husband and a good father so I make sure I give lots of time to my family.

 

I earned a BA in psychology from Chadron State College and a MS in Counselor Education from the University of Wyoming, which is where I met Kevin Vance in some classes, who is an awesome karate-ka! Right now, I am lucky enough to get paid being the 9th grade counselor at Evanston High School. It is a really fun job working with the 9th grade students as they get used to high school life and learn about becoming an adult. But it does have its challenging moments of students choosing poor behaviors and not really wanting to change their behaviors, plus the tasks that prevent me working with students.

 

I enjoy video games, trying to watch a movie or having a conversation uninterrupted with my wife (parents will understand this undertaking), weight lifting, watching quality shows or movies that have martial arts in it, spending time with my friends at work and learning more about different topics that interest me.

 

I would have to say my martial arts training began with junior high wrestling. I wrestled for two years in junior high and four years in high school. I really enjoyed all the different techniques that could be used to take an attacker to the ground and subdue them with minimal effort. Near the end of my senior year, I tried Tae Kwon Do. I enjoyed practicing the variety of kicks and learning kata was very fulfilling but I really did not like the free sparring because all I did was kick at my uke and vice versa.

 

In college, I did some “sword fighting” with a group of friends who were in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). In short, some members of the SCA like to re-create medieval sword combat. I loved the combat and enjoyed improving myself against my friends who had been fighting for 4+ years. Before I left for Laramie to earn my Masters, one of my SCA friends urged me to find some formalized martial art to learn because he thought I could really do well in it. After being in Laramie for four months, I felt lonely and wanted to do something other than school work. I remembered what my friend said and that’s when I found a flyer for the Shorin-Ryu karate club and decided to attend. After the first practice, I was hooked. I was really impressed with the great technique and incredible focus of Dan. I thought to myself that this was different than anything else I had seen. The skill of Dan and the black belts were head and shoulders above other black belts I had seen do demos. Plus the environment was friendly and welcoming. People were there to learn and help each other become better karate-ka.

 

As for what karate has given me, it would be many things. The first thing would be a great sense of accomplishment and a strong goal to earn my black belt and then sharing this art with other people. I also really like activities that I can work to improve upon and karate fits this quite naturally for me. Karate also gives me a great feeling of power and confidence, especially after I finish a practice! I practice alone every day, except when I work on bunkai with my friend, Bret. Right now, I have a particular affinity for the dojo kun Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto: Cultivate a spirit of effort and perseverance. Plus, it is great exercise and something that I am passionate about in my life.

 

 

 

Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Clinic

 

JESSICA RICKS, 2nd kyu, Laramie, Wyoming.

I was born in Stockton, California (near San Francisco) in 1980 and grew up all over Los Angeles. I am the quintessential Californian in that I have lived at the beach (Manhattan Beach); my favorite smell is sunscreen, I surf, I scuba dive, and I don’t even know what shoes are. I also love camping… at the beach (and anywhere else).

 

I lettered in track and cross-country at Upland High School (go Scots!) and graduated in 1999. After high school, I did a brief stint at Pasadena City College before going crazy and moving to Wyoming to finish my degree in history. I am currently finishing a second degree in sociology and applying to grad school for history. What do I do in history? Everything.

 

My big interest has always been aircraft (I’m also a licensed pilot) and military history, but I mostly study… everything. I do hope someday I can do an in-depth study of the history of the martial arts.

 

Martial arts have always been an interest of mine and I never really had the opportunity to study long-term, so the club has been a huge privilege to me. I think I’ve found my life-long addiction. Maybe someday I’ll know enough to teach, but I always intend to be a student.

 

INDISHE SENANAYAKE, 4th dan/Shihan-Dai, Sri Lanka

Chief Instructor, Sri Lanka Dojo. My Nidan is dated July 2002. That was sent to me with the representation certificate. So, I've been with you since July 2002, keeping in regular contact. It's about 5 years now. And I received Sandan from you on March 2004. So, we have kept a good relationship in Karate-do. It's nice to have a good teacher like you and to have a nice friend like you and to know a warm hearted person like you. I pormise to keep contact with you in the future also.

 

Sri Lanka

 

 

 

 

SANDRA SINICKI, 1st kyu & BRIAN SINICKI, 1st dan - Nâves-Parmelan, France

Sandra is a native of the Haute Savoie region of France (not too far from Geneva, Switzerland), and Brian is from Riverton, Wyoming. They met as exchange students at the University of Wales, Swansea in 1997 and have been married for almost 8 years. After living in Laramie for six years Sandra and Brian moved back to France and are now situated in a small village in the French Alps very close to Sandra's home town.

 

Sandra currently works for the accounting firm DeLoitte and Touche in Geneva, Switzerland and Brian is an independent computer consultant and software developer (Brian was one of the original webmasters who helped develop our website). The Sinicki’s are expecting their first baby in the middle of July.

 

“The martial arts have played a very significant role in our lives and personal development since we started training with the UW Karate Club. I began in 1995 when I was a sophomore at the University of Wyoming, and Sandra started several years later after moving to Laramie to be with me while I finished school. For now, the distractions of moving overseas, finding jobs and getting settled into life in a new country have left us with little or no time to train. However, with a little one on the way who will need training, there is no doubt we will be back at it soon!

 

Outside of the martial arts, we are both very active in mountain sports and love skiing, rock climbing and alpinism, and Sandra is also a very dedicated runner. Sandra finished her second marathon last summer in Stockholm, and the winter before we found ourselves climbing to altitudes over 22,000 feet on Aconcagua in Argentina.

 

We are also sending all of our friends at the UW dojo a big round of hellos and lots of congratulations at all of your accomplishments since we have left. We miss you guys!”

 

KIM SCHROEDER, 4th dan/Shihan-Dai, Utah Shorin-Kai Chief Instructor.

My first introduction to martial arts began when I was attending the University of Utah. I had been a high school wrestler and had originally decided to go to Utah to be part of their NCAA wrestling program. In my freshman year, I began studying Wado-Ryu karate under Master Toshio Osaka. I studied Wado-Ryu for the next several years, with occasional interruptions for time that I spent living in England while serving as a missionary for my church.

 

After my return from England, I spent the next few years working hard on Wado-Ryu. I am grateful for the sound basics that I learned under Sensei Osaka. I learned the value of good stances, strong technique and working to perfect each Kata.

 

Following my graduation from Utah with a degree in Computer Science, and with obligations of family and job travel, I was not able to continue with my martial arts studies in a formal setting. It would be several years before I could free up the time needed to seriously pursue Karate.

 

When my family moved to our current location in Utah, I decided to return to the practice of martial arts in a proper dojo. After looking into several dojos, I liked what I saw in Utah Shorin-Kai and decided to resume my studies there. I greatly enjoyed the sound fundamentals taught by Sensei's Watson and Stoneking, and found that it complemented the foundation that I already had in Wado Ryu. Since that time I have been affiliated with Utah Shorin-Kai for the past 12 years.

 

I have learned a lot about Karate, and about myself through my studies in martial arts. Additionally, through my studies I have been able to work on other related traits such as discipline, humility and self-mastery.

 

One of the most rewarding aspects of Karate, is that I've been able to share it with others, and I'm pleased that two of my sons, Jeff and Matthew are both studying in our dojo. It gives me great satisfaction to see their progress.

 

The study of martial arts is a great way for people of all ages to strengthen mind, body and spirit.

 

 

TOVE LINN TJERSLAND, 1st dan, Oslo, Norway

Life is treating me nice. I am getting married June next year and I am 4 months pregnant with my first child. I work as an architect in a company called L2 architects and live in Oslo. I have not been practicing karate since I got back to Norway, but I am thinking of starting again after birth. I really miss it.

 

KEVIN VANCE, 4th dan/Shihan-Dai, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Kevin Vance first became involved with martial arts at the age of 17 after he came across a small Taekwondo club while working for the school district in Rawlins, Wyoming. “The strange sound of people yelling in unison caught my interest and started me on a road that led through many different challenges and accomplishments”.

 

Kevin attended the University of Wyoming, earning a degree in Psychology, and a Masters Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with emphasis in Child and Family Studies. “I enjoy learning about and working with families who tend to struggle with the daily grind of family life”. He currently works as a Marriage and Family Therapist for the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming and also received the opportunity to teach at the Laramie County Community College. “ Ultimately, I want to teach full time at the University level”.

 

He enjoys camping, hiking, working with computers, reading, and many other activities. Of my most rewarding activities, I enjoy working with the Boy Scouts of America as an assistant scoutmaster.

 

ROBERT WATSON, 7th dan/Kyoshi, Murray, Utah.

MARTIAL ARTS OBJECTIVES: To continue to seek true knowledge of the Martial Arts, and endeavor to pass this knowledge on for the sake of present and future generations. To forever remain a student of the true spirit of Budo.

 

SENSEI LINEAGE: Dan Hausel, Soke 10th Dan, President Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Association; Shogen Oyakawa, Hanshi, President American Karate Kobudo Association; James Hawkes, 9th Dan, Regional Director United States Karate Association USKA; James Kennedy, (Deceased), former Regional Director USKA (Mr. Kennedy was a Yudansha Student of Hohan Soken & Fuse Kise, Okinawa).

 

EDUCATION: Brigham Young University, Master of Arts – Community Education/Recreation. During the course of graduate studies I was able to utilize a non-funded internship to introduce Karate-Do into the Murray City Secondary Educational Curriculum, and establish additional Karate Do, Kobudo programs at the Salt Lake Community College, the YWCA and Sandy City Department of Recreation.

 

UNIVERSITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND NEW MEXICO BUS - Major: Pre-Law Minor-Recreation & Fine Arts.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

SKILLS & TRAINING 1967-PRESENT

Continuous training, numerous seminars and clinics spanning 40 years in which knowledge has been gained and exchanged with many noted experts in the field of Martial Arts & Police Defensive Tactics. During this time many certificates and letters of accommodation have been received. Competition in over 200 events, receiving many awards.

 

Martial arts instruction provided through Murray Community Education since 1980.

Received honorable discharge from United States Armed Forces, US Airforce 03/1980.

Director, Founder Utah-Shorin-Kai (1973-Present).

Received Title of Kyoju (Professor) Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai (2006).

Accepted and Invited into the Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai (2005).

Utah State Summer Games Karate Sports Coordinator (1985-1996).

Invited and accepted into Hokubei Karate Kobudo Kyokai (American Karate Kobudo Asso.) (1995).

Appointed Utah representative for the American Karate Kobudo Association (1995).

Received Homologated Rank Certificate-PUKO (Pan American Karate-Do Organizations) (1988).

USA Karate Federation, appointed to Executive Committee, Official Member of Board (1987).

Awarded the Title of Kyoshi USA Karate Federation USAKF (1987).

Received Homologated Rank Certificate-WUKO (World Union Karate Do Organizations) (1986).

Inducted into Who’s Who In American Martial Arts (1984 -85).

Invited onto National USA Karate Federation Competition Team (1984).

National Champion USKA-Kata, Kumite, Coaching (1983-1984).

Tri-State (CO, UT, NM) Middle Wt. USKA Champion 1984.

UTAH USAKF Representative, Elected President USA Karate Federation of Utah (1986).

Certified/Licensed International USAKF, WUKO, PUKO Judge (1986) Referee (1987).

Established Utah USKA Black Belt Association, (Tournament Oversight) (1983).

USKA State Representative (1973-1995) Regional Director Police Defense Instrs. (1980 -1995).

Training and Instructing In Albuquerque NM (1967- 1973).

 

 

Yamashita clinic

 

 

 

 

 

 JKI Clinic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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