My good friend Hayashi Shihan, Arahan Dojo, recently garnered the Gold Medal in Poomsae (Kata)
competition at the Korea Open! Congratulations! Her students must be proud of her! Osu!
This month has been filled with happy news! First Yokohama Dojo's Shihandai William Fox finished his final examination for his Doctor of Medicine degree while also getting his 6th Dan in Iaido. Next Hayashi Shihan wins the Gold Medal in international competition.
Yokohama Dojo Shihandai William successfully passed his Renshi, 6th Dan test in Iaido!
What is inspiring is that he did this in midst of taking his final examination for his Doctor of Medicine Degree! Shihandai William started karate with me when he was in elementary School and I have watched him grow from the "little chubby" kid into a fine gentleman and scholar. He is an inspiration to all our kids in the Dojo. He exemplifies the Spirit of Osu! Dedication, Perseverance and Self Control. Not only did he pass this Iaido test he also attained a professional car racing driver license. All while finishing up his sixth year of medical school at Juntendo School of Medicine and completing training at Harvard and Chicago in the United States.
Kimura Dojo is very proud of Shihandai William and encourages all the "Pokemons" to follow his example in their endeavors.
The class is getting quite large and increasing difficult to teach effectively all my self. It isn't too bad when Yachiyo is able to assist but her presence is dictated by her work, She couldn't make it to practice today. A full class is 31 kids and adults. Today three were absent. We do our sonoba kihon in a circle so I can see everyone and input in my mind what needs to be corrected. But there needs to be a venue to be able to go one on one so that the corrections can be effectively conveyed.
Thus, the circuit system. The adults are coming along fine and several are capable of helping the Pokemons (kids). It offers the opportunity to check their own kihon and also start learning the basics of sharing their knowledge with kids. Teaching exposes them to their own weaknesses. Jita Kyoei, together we flourish, a win/win situation.
I've uploaded some parts of the practice tonight. Once I edit more, hopefully I an upload more scenes. Some are funny to say the least. There were five posts today; front kick led by Michael; Seiken Ago Tsuki led by Yukari; Seiken Chudan Tsuki led by Yukiko; Jodan Uke led by Hiroshi. All five are parents of kids in the class.
Kids always enjoy having someone different teach them. A break from grouchy Sensei! Gahahahaha. The adults got a taste of the challenges of leading the kids! Y(^^)Y
3 and 4 yrs olds are always fun to watch and a challenge to teach! (^^)
