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2005 TSIR Spring Training, April 1, 2 and 3, at the Doubletree Hotel in Rockville, MD
Recently, members of the the Ambler Area Karate Dojo, located at the Ambler Area YMCA, joined Shihan Motoo Yamakura at the Ten Shi Ichi Ryu Spring Training.
Master Yamakura |
Master Yamakura |
Tom Letizio practices |
Tom Letizio practices |
LOCAL KARATE DOJO HOSTS INTERNATIONAL MASTER By Zak Zaklad, Assistant Instructor Oct 8, 2002
In October 2002 the Ambler (PA) Area Karate Dojo, located at the Ambler Area YMCA, was honored by the visit of Shihan Motoo Yamakura. Mr. Yamakura is an internationally renowned martial artist, eighth-degree black belt and national chairman of the GKK (Goju Ryu Karate-do Kyokai), the organization to which The Ambler Dojo belongs. The week was hosted by Instructor Bill Kane and Assistants Zak Zaklad, Vic Lim, Jon Rook, George Connaghan, Helen Muth; and Upper Salford Instructor John Henderson, and black belts Rick Kimball and Lisa Toombs.
Mr. Yamakura, who resides in Tulsa, OK, has practiced both widely and deeply in the martial arts. He first came to the States in the late 1960's, after studying Goju Ryu - a traditional style of karate - in Japan under Mr. Tada, one of the pioneers of popularizing karate. His first job in America was to train soldiers in effective hand-to-hand combat. He became an American citizen in 1971, and has lived in the States since then. This is the first time that Mr. Yamakura has come to teach in the Philadelphia area.
The week began with a black belt training session on Sunday afternoon, September 22, and concluded with a green, brown, and black belt session Thursday evening, September 26. In between, Mr. Yamakura was kept very busy; three-hour black belt seminars every morning, and classes for the full Dojo Monday and Wednesday evenings. During this unique week, Shihan Yamakura discussed the history and philosophy behind Goju Ryu karate and demonstrated basics and Kata for the eager and attentive students. His teaching excellence complemented his extensive knowledge and masterful techniques.
The week was not all work. A full Dojo banquet was held on Tuesday evening, and various of the black belts had the honor of "hanging out" with Mr. Yamakura during the week, as he explored Philadelphia.
Each of our students, from beginner to black belt, who participated in the week's training activities, got several things: a look at "at the top", at martial arts mastery; a review of the basics; an assessment of his/her own level and what to work on next; and, finally, a new enthusiasm for the practice of karate. In many ways, this week represents a culmination of our efforts since we joined the GKK in 1995. With the generosity of Shihan Yamakura, we are hoping to repeat the experience on a regular basis.
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
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22-Sep-2002 |
23-Sep-2002 |
24-Sep-2002 |
25-Sep-2002 |
26-Sep-2002 |
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9:00 am - 12:00 pm Black Belt Workout at Ambler dojo |
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Black Belt Workout at Ambler dojo |
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Black Belt Workout at Ambler dojo |
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Black Belt Workout at Ambler dojo |
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3:00 - 5:00 pm Black Belt Workout at Ambler Dojo |
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7:00 - 9:30 pm Open Class at Salfordville dojo |
6:00 pm Open Dinner (includes spouses/guests): Drafting Room in Spring House PA |
7:40 - 9:10 pm Open Class at Ambler Dojo |
8:30 - 10:30 Black/Brown Belt Workout at Ambler dojo |
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Pictures from the week...
Shihan Yamakura in fighting stance
Shihan Yamakura, Vic Lim and Zak Zaklad
Above: Shihan Yamakura, Helen Muth, Lisa Toombs
Shihan Yamakura and Green Belts @ Ambler Dojo
Karate PA Notes – Week of September 22-27, 2002
Karate MA Notes – June 29, 2002
Top row:
Mike Wert, Allan Zaklad, Vic Lim, Bill Kane, John Henderson, Jimmy & Rick
Kimball, Monty Gallagher.
Front row: Becky Harris, George Connaghan
Not pictured:
Peter Kreichet, Matt Davis
From Left: N. Ault, D. Taylor, M. Yamakura, B. Kane, V. Lim
Karate OK Notes – Oklahoma June, 2001