A great photo of Mr. Mark Cramer and Dr. Judy Furlong from 1976.  Dr. Judy was Ms Judy Babka way back then and was our first female black belt holder.  Mr. Cramer heads our Competition Team.

     We all learn in a variety of ways and modalities. We watch, listen, practice, formulate pictures in our mind how techniques need to be preformed.  And, we listen to instruction suggestions and criticism as we move along the path. We watch other instructors, their students and learn.  Beyond our experiences in the dojo we go to other GoJu dojos to see "if they are doing it right." I have truly been blessed as I have had the opportunity to listen to and practice with Mr. MotooYamakura, Mr. Gogen Yamaguchi, Mr. Gosei Yamaguchi, Mr. Goshi Yamaguchi, Mr. Richard Stamper, Mr. Bill Reuter, and Mr. Duane Sammons. Their examples were inspirational. We also learn from reading.

     The Journal of Asian martial Arts over the years has printed innumerable articles on GoJu Ryu. The latest publication, Volume 18 - Number 4- 2009, has a dandy article titled "Kata and Bunkai: A Study in Theme and Variations in Karate's Solo Practice Routines" by Giles Hopkins, M.A.

     I would have scanned the article but that would breach copyright laws. So I picked up my copy of The Journal of Martial Arts at a Border's book store. I also went on line and the Journal of Martial Arts is available with the above article. We all learn in a variety of ways and modalities. I hope that you can find the article and explore the bunkai.

     It's worth reading.

Reviewed by: John Henderson

     This book is the story of Elvis’s journey through the Martial Arts as told by Mr. Wayne Carmen, U.S. Karate Champion of 1973.  Anyone who is a fan of Elvis and of course the Martial Arts will certainly find this book worthwhile.  While it doesn’t delve into the specifics of kata or technique or self-defense it does chronicle Elvis’s studies including those with Ed Parker’s Kenpo and his work outs with Mr. Bill “Superfoot” Wallace through his final training and his being awarded seventh degree in Pasaryu Karate (a form of Tae Kwon Do combined with Kung Fu) with Mr. Kang Rhee in and Elvis’s own formation of the T.C. B. Karate Association.

 "Always two there are, no more, no less: a master and an apprentice".-- Yoda

 little Yoda like creature inhabits the dark corners of my basement dojo. I nicknamed him 38 / 12. Every time he hears a far fetched explanation, the little man comes out of hiding and starts ranting again. "You know that doesn't make sense", he says.  And he persists incessantly until he undermines my practice.  It becomes harder and harder to force myself through a workout with his nagging. 

     So it starts again.  "What's the real reason for this movement?", he chides.  His obsession begins and continues until I find a logical answer.  Only then can I take the dojo dust mop, poke the little man back into his corner and resume my work outs with full enthusiasm.