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Master Yamakura and the Ambler GKK visit TSIR Spring Training - 2005

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

     

September 2002 Master Yamakura Visit to PA

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

   

22-Sep-2002

23-Sep-2002

24-Sep-2002

25-Sep-2002

26-Sep-2002

   
 

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

   

3:00 - 5:00 pm Black Belt Workout at Ambler Dojo

           
 

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

   
             
             
             
Ambler Dojo http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=Bethlehem+Pike&city=Ambler&state=PA&csz=Ambler,+PA&zip=&country=&slt=40.187150&sln=-75.227050&mlt=40.171056&mln=-75.223866&mag=9&cs=&name=&desc=&ds=n&BFKey=&BFCat=&BFClient=
Salfordville Dojo http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&addr=&city=Salfordville&state=PA&csz=Salfordville,+PA&zip=&country=&slt=40.292530&sln=-75.434128&mlt=40.292611&mln=-75.434029&mag=9&cs=&name=&desc=&ds=n&BFKey=&BFCat=&BFClient=

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

June 29, 2002 Brad Smith & "Zak" Zaklad visit to Nancy's dojo in MA Black Belt reunion

Karate MA Notes – June 29, 2002

August 18, 2001 Black Belt reunion

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

June 2001 Training with Master Yamakura in OK

From Left: N. Ault, D. Taylor, M. Yamakura, B. Kane, V. Lim

Karate OK Notes – Oklahoma June, 2001

June 2000 Training with Master Yamakura in OK

Karate OK Notes – Oklahoma June 19-23, 2000

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