by Carol Gittins

Everything I Need to Know About Karate,
I Learned in Master Yamakura’s Dojo

If you can’t make the technique work, practice it more.
Pay attention to the small details because they are important.
Study the history and cultural context to achieve understanding and competence.
Learn to bow and understand what it means.
There is breathing, and there is Breathing.
If you can’t make the technique work, you’re doing it wrong.
Have faith and imagination―visualize the result you wish to achieve.
Observe your students to learn your weaknesses and shortcomings.
Learning to use ki is like digging a ditch with a teaspoon.
Keep an open mind―just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it’s not valid.
If you can’t make the technique work, analyze it again.
Stay in the now but prepare for what’s to come.
Keep working until you own the technique.
How you ask a question can shape the quality of the answer.

Below are some exciting programs and events being sponsored by The USA Karate Federation in 2012. The events are both national and international and for Karate and Jujitsu!

January 28, 2012
Weapons Seminar at Hickey Karate Center 4540 Stow Road Stow, Ohio 44224 With Mike Bukala and Patrick Hickey

February 17-19, 2012
Weekend Training Camp in conjunction with the International Kwanmukan and US Jujitsu Federation – click for information.

by Ed Myers

It is once again time to collect the annual dues and generate an active member list. Dan ranks are $25.00 and Kyu ranks are $15.00. Dojo leaders are to send this to your national director. The national directors are to send the active member list to Ed Myers (CEO) and the monies to Jean Stamper (Treasurer). This is all due by April 1, 2012.

by Motoo Yamakura

An Excerpt from:
Goju-Ryu Karate-Do
Volume 1, Fundamentals for Traditional Practitioners

Motoo Yamakura was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1943.  His father was an educator and an officer in the Japanese Imperial Army and led the English Battalion in World War I.  After the war, the elder Yamakura spent most of his time teaching math and Japanese writings.  In addition, he was an expert in kendo.

Motoo Yamakura was wild and violent in his youth.  He was the type of child who was always getting into trouble.  At the age of eight, he was renowned in his neighborhood as the best fighter in his age group.  He was often involved in fights with older boys and was beaten up many times.