THE ALLIANCE VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1 March 2010

Five Yoshukai karate alliance dojos

1. HOMBU Sensei Dan Dugan 6

th Degree Black Belt. Started teaching 1976

Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7 – 8:30

1400 Primm Rd. Lincoln Park District, Lincoln, Il.

$40 per person

2. WILLIAMSVILLE Sensei Clay Roberts, 3rd

Degree Black Belt. Started teaching 2006

Classes are held on Monday thru Thursday nights from 7:15 – 8:45

101 ½ W. Main St – Williamsville, Il $45 per adult / $35 per child

3. KENNEY Sensei Nykol Schreiber, 2nd

Degree Black Belt. Started teaching 2008

Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday night from 7 – 8:30

Kenney Community Building 101 Johnston Kenney, Il

$40 per person

4. PUERTO RICO Sensei Sergio Blasco 1st Degree Black Belt. Started teaching 2008

Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday night

$20 per person

5. ELKHART Sensei Scott Bottrell 2nd

Degree Black Belt. Starting teaching 2006

Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 - 8

103 Govener Ogelsby – Elkhart, Il

$45 per person

The five YOSHUKAI KARATE ALLIANCE Sensei‟s

(left to right):

Sensei Schreiber – Kenney Dojo

Sensei Blasco – Puerto Rico Dojo

Sensei – Hombu

Sensei Roberts – Williamsville Dojo

Sensei Bottrell – Elkhart Dojo

4th Yoshukai alliance school Opens in Puerto rico

That‟s right! Our 4th Dojo is in Puerto Rico, under the instruction of Sensei Sergio

Blasco, Shodan - Yoshukai International Karate. Sensei Blasco had resigned from his

Yoshukai organization 2 years earlier for his own personal reasons.

Reading about the Alliance on the internet, Sensei Blasco talked with Sensei about the

possibility of joining the ALLIANCE. After many emails and

phone calls, we are happy to have Sensei Blasco and the good

people from the Trujillo Alto Dojo wear the Alliance patch.

Sensei Blasco is married to Tamara Blasco and they are the

parents of one daughter, Eva Michelle, 19. Sensei Blasco is a

Department Manager at the Puerto Rican Water Treatment

Plant.

As with many traditional martial artist, Sensei Blasco doesn‟t

want to be a “Martial Art Millionaire”, nor does he want to be

recognized as “Super-Sergio, the World‟s Deadliest Martial

Artist”, but simply as a traditional Sensei that can share his

knowledge and training with other people that want to better

themselves through self- knowledge. (Sensei Sergio Blasco)

Welcome to the ALLIANCE! We are very happy to have you with us!

(As a foot-note, the Alliance is not concerned about growing in order to be a large

organization. If there is anyone interested in keeping tradition alive and promoting the art

of YOSHUKAI, not self-promotion, they will be accepted into the Alliance. We have a

very good group of people and intend to stay that way).

5th Yoshukai alliance school opens in Elkhart

Our 5th Dojo and the second one this year! Sensei Scott Bottrell, Nidan, along with Mr.

Reese, Shodan, opened their dojo in August in the small town of Elkhart.

Sensei Bottrell decided after assisting Sensei Roberts in Williamsville for 3 years, he

would like to have his own school. Deciding on the town of Elkhart, he was going to

combine a dojo, an antique

- 2-

store, music lessons, fencing lessons and furniture stripping all in the same building, in

downtown Elkhart.

To attract the students to the dojo, Sensei Bottrell gave a small demonstration at his dojo

in July that was tied-in with a town wide event.

As with all instructors in the ALLIANCE, Sensei Bottrell isn‟t

trying to make his living teaching karate, nor is he trying to

have his name and face recognized in every house in Central

Illinois as “Scott Bottrell, the Baddest Man Around,” but as a

gentle, but firm traditional Sensei. When he shaves his head,

gains about 100 lbs. tattoos his body entirely, growls like an

animal and brawls instead of using technique, then he will

become “The Baddest Man Around.” Wow! Just picture that!

On the music side, his band, The Ramblin‟ Elk Sanctuary,

plays quite often at a local pub, The Talk of the Town in

Elkhart. Go check him out sometime!

Thank you Sensei Bottrell for choosing to remain traditional

and carrying on the traditions of YOSHUKAI KARATE!

(Sensei Scott Bottrell)

- 3-

Yoshukai karate alliance students

Hombu – Sensei Dugan

Black Belts: Mr. Kennett – 3rd

Degree; Mr. Lowe – 2nd

Degree; Mr. M Schreiber – 2nd

Degree; Mr.

Lanning – 2nd

Degree; Sensei Schreiber – 2nd

Degree; Ms. Lowe – 1st Degree; Welcome back Mr.

Goetsch – 1st Degree Black Belt! Mr. Gorman – 1

st degree Black Belt!

Kyu Belts: Alex McIntosh – 3rd

kyu; Noah Kenney – 5th

kyu; Vicki Mileham – 5th

kyu

Erica Tomkinson -5th

kyu; Karen Birdwell – 6th

kyu; Linda Henne – 6th

kyu;

White Belts: Payton Lanning; Reggie Kirby; Aston Dragoo; Belle Smith; Brittany Smith

Mason Landers; Matt Knowles; Brittany Chapman; Chris Davis

Williamsville – Sensei Roberts

Black Belts: Mr. D Schreiber – 1st Degree; Mr. Hayward – 1

st Degree; Mr. McCullar – 1

st Degree

Kyu Belts: Remy Ramirez – 1st kyu; Mark Hayward – 2

nd kyu; Cristian Ramirez – 3

rd kyu

Dalton Trader – 3rd

kyu; Jack Waugh – 4th

kyu; Taryn Ramirez – 4th

kyu;

Mitch McCullar – 5th

kyu; Eric Churchhill – 5th

kyu; Ben Bradley – 5th

kyu;

Patrick Powers – 5th

kyu; Nick Freshi – 6th

kyu; Kyle Baumgarten – 6th

kyu

Ken Baumgarten – 6th

kyu; Caden Holdener– 8th

kyu; Mason Rickard – 8th

kyu

Kenney – Sensei Schreiber

Kyu Belts: Dawn Johnson – 1st kyu; Dale Barnett – 1

st kyu; Austin Johnson – 1

st kyu

Braxton Lambert – 3rd

kyu; Aaron Barnes – 6th

kyu; Josh Johnson – 7th

kyu; Danny Johnson

Puerto Rico – Sensei Blasco

Kyu Belts: Angel Machado; Jissac Carmuega; Noel Rodriguez; Orlando Guzman – 8th

kyu

Juan Ofarril – 7th

kyu

Elkhart – Sensei Bottrell

Black Belts: Mr. Reese – 1st Degree

Kyu Belts: Alexia Davis – 8th

kyu; Grant Davis – 7th

kyu; Brayden Trimmer – 6th

kyu

Tosha Boyer – 6th

kyu; Jake Boyer – 6th

kyu; Josh Judd – 6th

kyu; Mitch Hudson – 6th

kyu

White belts: Delaney Howard; Dawson Hagan; Justine Casswell; Tom Crumpler

Angelina Hobbs.

- 4 -

From the past to the present

It‟s always good to see old faces return to Yoshukai. Welcome back …

Dale Barnett – Kenney Dojo - (Middle row, 2nd

from the left) took karate under Sensei

Borowiak!

(Back row: 1st one from the right) back in 1974 when the

dojo was located at 123 South Sangamon St. in Lincoln.

Also pictured is Sensei Dugan (Back row; 2nd

from the

right).

Mr. Bill Goetsch – Shodan took Yoshukai Karate under Sensei Dugan back in 1995 at the

age of 13.

Alex McIntosh – 3rd

kyu brown belt took Yoshukai Karate under Sensei Dugan at the age

of 8.

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A YOUNG BOY TRAVELED ACROSS JAPAN TO THE SCHOOL OF A FAMOUS

MARTIAL ARTIST. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DOJO HE WAS GIVEN AN

AUDIENCE BY THE SENSEI.

“WHAT DO YOU WISH FROM ME?” THE MASTER ASKED.

“I WISH TO BE YOUR STUDENT AND BECOME THE FINEST KARATE KA IN THE LAND”,

THE BOY REPLIED.” HOW LONG MUST I STUDY?”

“TEN YEARS AT LEAST,” THE MASTER ANSWERED.

“TEN YEARS IS A LONG TIME”, SAID THE BOY. “WHAT IF I STUDIED TWICE AS HARD AS

ALL YOUR OTHER STUDENTS?”

“TWENTY YEARS” REPLIED THE MASTER.

“TWENTY YEARS! WHAT IF I PRACTICED DAY AND NIGHT WITH ALL MY EFFORT?”

“THIRTY YEARS” WAS THE MASTERS REPLY.

“HOW IS IT THAT EACH TIME I SAY I WILL WORK HARDER, YOU TELL ME

THAT IT WILL TAKE LONGER?” THE BOY ASKED.

“THE ANSWER IS CLEAR. WHEN ONE EYE IS FIXED UPON YOUR

DESTINATION, THERE IS ONLY ONE EYE LEFT IN WHICH TO FIIND THE

WAY.”

- 5 -

Logan county healtH fair booth FRIDAY, APRIL 3rd 2009

Once again YOSHUKAI KARATE ALLIANCE participated in the Logan County Health

Fair. Sensei Schreiber and Mr. M Schreiber were there to operate the booth with

assistance from Mr. Reese and Aaron Dugan. Thank you gentlemen for your help!

There were approximately 300 -5th

grade students that walked past the booth as we

explained the health benefits of traditional karate training. One thing they all really

enjoyed was punching us in the stomach, explaining how they should punch (we won‟t

mention that someone‟s eyes welled up when they were hit by a little girl … and then

pretended it didn‟t happen when asked about it later). What they did not seem to enjoy so

much was when asked to do push-ups the same way we punched … on their first two

knuckles. It did seem that they all did enjoy the information on the health benefits, along

with the pencils of our web-site address on them.

It is always good to see Mr. Lanning and his students every year go through the booth.

No hesitation from Mr. Lanning to bow whenever he sees YOSHUKAI students. We

appreciate his respect for the traditions and of his example to follow them! See you there

next year, Mr. Lanning!

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“KARATE IS A VERY USEFUL EXERCISE FOR 2 REASONS;

ONE IS THAT KARATE IS AN EXERCISE OF THE WHOLE

BODY, IT IS EFFECTIVE IN KEEPING HEALTH OR FOR

CURATIVE PURPOSES, THE OTHER IS THAT IT DOESN‟T

RESTRICT PRACTITIONERS, EVERYONE, OLD OR YOUNG,

MAN OR WOMAN, CAN PRACTICE”

- 6 –

Logan county healtH fair demonstration Saturday, april 4th

Once again, YOSHUKAI KARATE ALLIANCE was given the honor of demonstrating

our skills to the people of Logan County. This year we were given 1 ½ hours to

demonstrate, which is so easy to do.

Mr. Stone again drove down from Aurora to assist us and demonstrate his katana skills,

which is always impressive to watch.

Breaking went well, which is always a favorite of everyone‟s to watch. It seems there

was enough concrete broken to fill every pot-hole in Logan County!

We do miss watching Mr. Hanger getting his face splattered with apple as they are being

smashed by nunchucks! THAT was ALWAYS entertaining!

We appreciate the dojos & Sensei‟s for bringing their students to Lincoln for a week to

practice together. This is one of the reasons the demonstration goes so well is that so

many people are doing the same techniques together (discipline). Also, we appreciate the

many parents who have shown their support by bringing their children to practice and

giving up their Saturday morning to bring them to the demonstration. It is sincerely

appreciated, thank you very much!

I don‟t know why, but it seems Mr. Kennett has always wanted to demonstrate self-

defense techniques and spar with Ronald McDonald while we are there … interesting

image!

- 7-

(above)Children demonstrating Zenshinkotai (above) Brown belts demonstrating bo kata

(below) Black Belts demonstrating Tenshin (below) Sensei & Mr. Stone demonstrating bo tai tonfa

(below) Sensei – Rohaidai sai‟s (below) Jack Waugh breaking board with a kick

“The essence of the bow is the same as the spirit of the martial arts.” - 8-

2009 Black belt test Friday, june 19th

This year there were only 2 people who tested for the rank of Black Belt, both were

Sensei Robert‟s students from the Williamsville Dojo. Mr. John Hayward tested and was

promoted to Shodan. Mr. Hayward joined the Williamsville Dojo after it first opened 3

years ago, wanting to finish his martial art goal he had started several years back in the

Shudokan Dojo in Springfield. CONGRATULATIONS MR. HAYWARD AND

WELCOME to the elite rank of YOSHUKAI ALLIANCE Black Belt! Glad to have you

with us!

(No pictures were available)

Natsu keiko vii Saturday, june 20th

Our seventh Summer Camp and the FIRST that most people were on time! (probably

because it was scheduled to start 15 minutes later). We had a very wet spring, which

meant, some very wet places at Kickapoo Park, especially around the trees! The

makiwara training this year was slightly sloppy due to the mud between the toes when

kicking the makiwara, upon contact, you did not want to be close!

Guests this year included YOSHUKAI KARATE ALLIANCE‟S newest member, Sensei

Sergio Blasco from Puerto Rico. Sensei Blasco joined the Alliance in April of this year,

which makes the 4th dojo in the Alliance! Welcome to the Alliance Sensei Blasco!

- 9 -

Our other guest this year was Sensei Dan Rivero, 5th Dan, Gojo-

ryu Karate, who has been a long time friend of Yoshukai Karate.

Sensei Rivero has been teaching Gojo-ryu for many years in the

Springfield area. Sensei Rivero demonstrated Gojo kata & let us

practice the bunkai of the kata. It was very interesting to see so

many similarities between the two systems. Thank you very

much Sensei Rivero for taking time to demonstrate & participate in

our training. Look forward to seeing

you again!

New this year was ground-fighting techniques, taught to

Brown & Black Belts by Mr. Kennett. The sai throwing was

high-lighted by someone who missed, not the target, but the

entire bale of straw the target was on … no names mentioned,

but this was his first Summer Camp!

(Mr. Kennett teaching grappling)

It seems that the water balloon training is starting to be the big event of the day! The

purpose of this is to develop timing & distance AND a chance to cool off. If you hit the

balloon right, you do get wet! After a few minutes of serious (?) training, Sensei Blasco

let everyone practice free-style defense with the water balloons … WOW! True feelings

start to show up as some people are bombarded with balloons! Even Sensei Blasco took

advantage of this opportunity to drown Sensei with an entire cooler of ice-cold water!

(who had to be revived by CPR).

There was a discussion on protocol by Sensei & Mr. Stone. The discussion was about the

ways of protocol & why it is necessary.

Congratulations to Sensei Bottrell for being the winner of the YOSHUKAI clock that was

raffled off by the Alliance! It looks very good

in the Elkhart Dojo!

This year was also the first year we had the

day‟s training professionally video-taped by

the Alliance‟s good friend, Mr. Bob Bartel.

Thank you Mr. Bartel for staying the entire

time of the day to finish the taping, it was

sincerely appreciated.

(Bob Bartels with video camera)

- 10 -

As the training was coming to an end, everyone lined up for pictures. Mr. John Hayward from the

Williamsville Dojo was recognized & promoted to Black Belt. CONGRATULATIONS MR.

HAYWARD! Sensei Blasco was presented a plaque welcoming him and his students to the Alliance …

looking forward to many years of training with our Puerto Rico friends!

Before Sensei Rivero left with his son, he was also presented a plaque by the Alliance in recognition of

his many years of teaching traditional Gojo-ryu Karate in Central Illinois.

After the training, we had our annual cook-out at the Boy Scout Area. This year‟s cooks were Mr. Virgil

Lowe, father of Mr. Troy Lowe & Ms. Emilie Lowe, & our usual YOSHUKAI chef, Mr. Kennett. Thank

you for sacrificing your leisure time to cook for everyone, it is appreciated.

Everyone pitched in to help clean up & left around dusk before the mosquitoes became too much of a

problem. It was another good day of hard YOSHUKAI training & fun! Looking forward to next years!

As usual we all broke up into groups by rank, the schedule went as follows:

White/Yellow belts:

1. Fundamentals of gyaku tsuki with Sensei

2. Fundamentals of kicking with Sensei

3. Proper breathing techniques with Mr. Michael Schreiber

4. Tai ho jitsu #1 & #2 with Mr. Dave Schreiber & Mr. Reese

5. Review of our guest instructor self-defense with Mr. Gorman

Green belts:

1. Jump kicks with Ms. Lowe

2. Nunchuck training with Sensei Roberts

3. Shuto training with Sensei Schreiber

4. Kata with blindfold with Mr. Lowe

5. Makiwara training with Mr. Kennett

Brown belts: (Noah

& Ms. Lowe)

1. Grappling with Mr. Kennett

2. Makiwara training with Sensei

3. Apple-smashing with Nunchuck with Sensei Bottrell

Black Belts:

1. Grappling with Mr. Kennett

2. Sai throwing with Mr. Stone

3. Bo tai tonfa #1 & #2 with Mr. Stone & Mr. Kennett

4. Apple smashing with nunchucks with Sensei

5. Kobudo ippon kumite with Sensei

Everyone gathered together for the following events:

1. Guest Instructor Sensei Dan Rivero

2. Water break

3. Discussion on protocol - 11 -

4. Traditional folding of the gi

5. Raffle, promotions and pictures

“OINK, OINK” …

A COUPLE of

Sensei‟s just

could not wait

to eat …. trying to

be sneaky?!

(Vicki & Erica) L to R: Mr. Hayward, Mr. Reese, Sensei Blasco, Mr. D Schreiber

Sensei Schreiber, Ms. Lowe, Mr. M Schreiber, Mr. Lowe

Sensei Bottrell, Sensei Roberts, Mr. Kennett, Mr. Stone, Sensei

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“We look forward to a couple of new students to participate in next year‟s Natsu Keiko

…

Sensei‟s new Granddaughter Mr. Kennett‟s new Granddaughter

(daughter of Adam & Carrie)

AND

Marissa Ann Dugan Holland Makelle Devalle

- 12-

KENNEY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Kenney Dojo celebrated its one year anniversary with two cakes, one from Kim Miller

and one from Dawn Johnson. Thank you ladies for your kindness!

With the Kenney Dojo after 1 year is: Dale Barnett, Braxton Lambert, Luke Newhouse,

Jayden Miller and Nathan Miller. The newest members to our dojo is the Johnson family:

Dawn, Austin and Joshua, welcome!

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From the archives

Picture of Grandmaster Yamamoto with Sensei Dugan‟s children. Bottom left is Dianne

(8), Todd bottom right (10) & Grandmaster Yamamoto holding Adam (10 months)

1985 2010

This picture was taken at the Annual Yoshukai Tournament held in Alabama, October

1985

July kyu belt tests

Thursday july 9th – Williamsville

Nick Freschi – 7th

kyu; Patrick Powers – 6th kyu; Erik Churchill – 6

th kyu

Bennett Skaggs – 6th; Mark Hayward – 2

nd kyu

Monday july 13th – kenney

Joshua Johnson – 8th kyu; Luke Newhouse – 4

th kyu; Braxton Lambert – 4

th kyu

Austin Johnson – 1st kyu

Tuesday july 28th – Hombu

Noah Kenney – 5th kyu

Kyu belt test reviews

REMEMBER

All techniques are derived from good, strong basics. Good strong basics are derived from two

major aspects of traditional Japanese karate:

(1) SPIRIT and (2) EFFORT

which have to go together. [You cannot practice one without the other]

BETTER SPIRIT AND EFFORT [NUMBER 1 & MOST IMPORTANT]

“KARATE IS NOT A FIGHT IN WHICH THE ONLY PURPOSE IS TO WIN. IT IS

MOST IMPORTANT TO AIM AT THE FORMATION OF CHARACTER THROUGH

HARD EXERCISES, REMEMBERING THE PROVERB: THE REAL ENEMY IS IN

YOUR MIND”

- 14 -

Kenney kyu belt clinic August 2009

Sensei Schreiber picked a hot day to hold Kenney Dojo‟s first Kyu Belt Clinic! Thank

you very much Dale for allowing us to use your home to train in.

We started off outside then worked our way inside after practicing weapons. Once inside

we worked on kicks, punches and shuto blocks on the wave master. All of the Kenney

students attended this event in which was enjoyed by all students and their families.

After the clinic was over, we had a pot luck and boy was there lots of food! Thank you to

all the families of the students for preparing the food and for participating in this event!

Swimming pool Thursday, august 27th

Every year the ALLIANCE has its annual training in the pool at the Lincoln Park

District. It is interesting to see how your karate techniques work (or don‟t) in the water.

This is also a fun way to train and for one night out of the year, the students do get to

have fun while training … although it appears that every year we do more training with

our heads under the water!

After the karate training in the water, which is an excellent work-out, the students are cut

loose and allowed to enjoy the pool to swim and play in. Thank you to the Lincoln Park

District for allowing us to do this.

Next year will be here before you know it! Keep kicking!

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BE SURE TO KEEP CHECKING OUR WEBSITE: www.yoshukaialliance.com AND

our FACEBOOK PROFILE: YOSHUKAI KARATE ALLIANCE. This is where we

can have our own martial art discussions.

- 15-

Kenney fall festival II annual demonstration

Thank you to all of those who helped the Kenney Dojo demonstrate Yoshukai to the

Dewitt County area. The Kenney Dojo has a good name around town and part of it is due

to your participation in the demonstration. I also want to thank Sensei for taking over and

running things, without him it wouldn‟t be what it is, and that goes for all the Yoshukai

events … just PLEASE, if he asks you to be quiet, do it … and quickly! There was a man

in the audience talking loudly during breaking. Then he was trying to over-talk Sensei as

he was speaking and asking the man to please be quiet & to show some respect. If you

were there, you know Sensei doesn‟t allow rudeness!

The Kenney Dojo has a good reputation with the local residences due to the fact that the

Kenney Heritage Association always has something positive to say to people when

inquiring about classes.

We, as usual, hope to continue to get invited back over the coming years with a bigger

group of people each year.

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“TRADITIONAL KARATEKA WEAR PLAIN WHITE GIS, NOT COLORFUL

UNIFORMS ADORNED WITH STRIPES, STARS & RHINESTONES. THERE ARE

FEW SPINNING OR AERIAL TECHNIQUES & NO FANCY EQUIPMENT”.

DOUG STEIN – JAPAN KARATE FEDERATION RENGO-KAI

- 16 -

Signing of the constitution September 15th, 2009

FINALLY! The Alliance has a legally binding Constitution! After several years, many

drafts and catching Mr. Stone and Mr. Kennett together, we accomplished it! (nin tai)

There are three (3) original copies signed, each one in the safe keeping of Sensei, Mr.

Stone and Mr. Kennett. We thought it a good idea to have three copies made in the event

any were destroyed in a fire or lost. Honestly, the most secure one is in the possession of

Mr, Kennett who has his locked in his steel gun cabinet … that would be a tough one to

lose!

We (all Black Belts) had input on the Constitution so as it not be one-sided in any

manner. The whole purpose is to make sure nobody in the future tries to exploit the

Alliance and change any of the kata.

Normally, only Black Belts have a copy, but if anyone would care to have one, just ask

Sensei, he will be happy to give one to you. Thank you to all the Black Belts for your

patience and input!

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“A SEED SOWN IN KITAKYUSHU, YOSHUKAI WAS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO

LAUNCH INTO THE WORLD BY THE STRONG BOND OF MASTERS &

DISCIPLES.” GRANDMASTER YAMAMOTO

2009 Weiner roast October 10th

Even though we moved the Weiner Roast up a week, it was still a very cold October

night. This year we held the weiner roast at Mr. Haywards home in Mechanicsburg. It

was a pleasure to meet Mr. Hayward‟s family, who graciously opened their home to us.

It was a good night for the students of the ALLIANCE to get together and socialize. War

stories from the dojos were plentiful and enjoyable, although some were questionable,

weren‟t they Mr. Lowe?

We cannot talk about the weiner roast without mentioning Mr. Gorman‟s famous SPICY

Chili. It is enjoyable to watch people eat the chili, then notice how much liquid they

consume!

Looking forward to next year‟s! Thank you to the Haywards!

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Ii annual dewitt county cancer walk October 10th

Thank you again Mel and Stacy Lambert, the

grandmother and mother of Braxton Lambert for

inviting us back to participate in the Cancer Walk.

They had several booths displayed for people to be

educated on different types of health benefits, along

with several different items that Sensei had NO

problem helping himself to.

Several people throughout the area donated various items to be raffled. The Yoshukai

Karate Alliance Kenney Dojo donated two certificates worth two free months of karate

lessons at the Kenney Dojo. Braxton Lambert, Kenney Dojos very own student won

BOTH!!

The following students came along to not only support Yoshukai

Karate Alliance but, also to share in the joy of helping raise

money for DeWitt County Cancer patients: Erica (Hombu);

Dawn, Austin, Joshua, Luke and Braxton! Erica stayed behind

with Sensei and Sensei Schreiber to answer any questions anyone

had to ask. Before the walk began we went over a few self-

defense techniques with some of the women.The other students

walked the path with several other people to help raise money!

Black belt training October 24th, 2009

(Left to Right: Mr. Lanning, Sensei Bottrell

Sensei Roberts, Mr. Lowe, Mr. Stone

Sensei, Mr. Goestch, Mr. M Schreiber

Sensei Schreiber, Mr. Reese)

Although he was not feeling

well, Mr. Stone drove down

from Aurora to attend Black

Belt training at the Hombu. This

was also the 1st clinic as a Black

Belt for Mr. Goetsch. It was a

very fast-paced work-out,

starting with brown belt combinations. The training then shifted to tai ho jitsu followed

by 25 minutes of kumite. Following a short break, Mugen empty-hand and Mugen sai

was the agenda. Nidan Nunchuck ending the training.

A short meeting immediately afterwards covered a few topics:

1) New kyu belt certificates

2. Constitution officially signed, now a legally binding document

3) All manual will have copyright on 1st page

4) Why isn‟t the patch and nintai on everyone‟s gi?

5) If you are late for class, quietly bow yourself in, regardless of rank

6) Attendance in class and clinics are still required to be promoted in the dan ranks

7) Web-site updates

Everyone was gone by 11:30! (there were not any Gordon-ryu techniques practiced that

day)

Ms. Lowe returns from Colorado

Ms. Emilie Lowe, Shodan, is a student at the Hombu. While attending Lincoln Christian

University in Lincoln, IL, Ms. Lowe was assigned to do her internship in Colorado for

three months.

Three months have gone by quickly and everyone is glad to see her back, especially her

brother Mr. Troy Lowe and her nephew Noah Kenney, both from the Hombu.

Just as soon as she came back, Sensei threw at her the way to use tonfa … if you have

used the tonfa, you know how easy it is to blister your hand. We hope they heal quickly!

- 19 -

Self-defense class for Clinton Girl scouts

The Kenney Dojo held a self-defense class for the Clinton Girl Scouts! The girls earned

several patches that day – safety, health, and one for learning about a woman running a

„business‟ and one for exercises! Sensei Schreiber presented each girl with a one-months

free lessons!

There were approximately 20 girls present. Sensei Schreiber lead the girls in several

different activities, one in which were the regular warm-ups that begin every class, along

with YOSHUKAI‟s regular kyu belt self-defense. Then she had time to sit them down

and ask each girl what they learned from the days lessons.

Sensei Schreiber was assisted by three other ladies: Erica and Vicki from the Hombu and

Dawn Johnson from the Kenney Dojo, thank you ladies for you assistance! OS!

KODA SENSEI STONE MARKER

As a symbol of respect to Koda Sensei, we have, at last, our stone marker in place next to

the tree we dedicated and planted in his memory. His good and long-time friends from

Chito-ryu, Hanshi Dometrich & Okusan,

graciously donated $100 towards the marker as a

gesture of their respect and friendship.

Sensei, Sensei Blasco and Sensei Schreiber buried

the marker in concrete facing the East and slightly

away from the tree to allow room as the tree grows.

Completed, they knelt down to show respect with a

simple bow and kiai. It was a very solemn time.

Whenever you go past Postville Park, stop sometime to look and show your respect with

a simple bow.

“KARATE IS MORE

THAN

A FIGHTING SKILL …

IT IS

A MENTAL

DISCIPLINE FROM

WHICH STUDENTS

LEARN THE

VALUE OF KINDNESS AND SINCERITY TO OTHERS”

- 20 -

November kyu belt testing

Tuesday, November 3rd – Hombu

Vicki Mileham – 5th kyu Green belt; Erica Tomkinson 5

th kyu Green belt

Noah Kenney – 4th kyu Green belt

Wednesday, November 4th – kenney

Josh Johnson – 7th kyu Yellow belt; Aaron Barnes – 6

th kyu Green belt

Braxton Lambert – 3rd

kyu Brown belt; Austin Johnson – 1st kyu Brown belt

Dale Barnett – 1st kyu Brown belt

Thursday, November 5th – Williamsville

Mason Rickard – 8th

kyu Yellow belt; Caden Holdener – 8th kyu Yellow belt

Ken Baumgarten – 6th kyu Green belt; Kyle Baumgarten – 6

th kyu Green belt

Nick Freschi – 6th kyu Green belt; Patrick Powers – 5

th kyu Green belt

Ben Bradley – 5th kyu Green belt; Eric Churchill – 5

th kyu Green belt

Mitch McCullar – 5th kyu Green belt; Cristian Ramirez – 3

rd kyu Brown belt

We had testing in Elkhart at a later date because they had been open 4 months December.

Welcome and Congratulations to the Elkhart students!

Tuesday, December 1st – Elkhart

Grant Davis – 7th

kyu Yellow belt; Alexia Davis – 8th kyu Yellow belt;

Mitch Hudson – 6th kyu Green belt; Josh Judd – 6

th kyu Green belt

Jake McCray – 6th kyu Green belt; Tosha Boyer – 6

th kyu Green belt

Brayden Trimmer – 6th kyu Green belt

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“THE NEAREST WAY TO IMPROVEMENT IN KARATE IS TO

CONTINUE PRACTICING STEP BY STEP”

- 21-

Saturday, December 12th

Early in the morning, Mr. Scott McCullar tested and was

promoted to Shodan. As with Mr. Hayward, Mr. McCullar

wanted to fininsh something he had started as a teenager in

the Shudokan Dojo in Springfield. Sitting on the board of his

test was his good friend, Sensei Jackson of the Shito-ryu

Dojo. CONGRATULATIONS MR. McCULLAR and we

also welcome you to the elite rank! Glad to have you on

board the ship! Both Mr. Hayward and Mr. McCullar finished

one of their many personal

goals they have set in their martial art journey.

2009 Christmas dinner Saturday, December 12th

This year was our 8th Annual Christmas Party held again in the Ballroom at the Rec

Center in Lincoln.

Starting late, as usual, the first on the agenda was the

promotion of Scott McCullar to Black Belt.

CONGRATULATIONS Mr. McCullar, you are now in

the elite rank!

Sensei then

presented a plaque to

Sensei Bottrell and to

Sensei (?) Lanning in recognition of their loyalty &

dedication to YOSHUKAI KARATE. Mr.

Lanning‟s plaque was mistakenly written as Sensei

Lanning, which did bring a huge smile to his face!

Arriving late was Mr. Bob Bartel, our video friend of the

Alliance, who was also presented a plaque in recognition of

his loyalty & friendship to the Alliance. Next year, we know

two men who are going to receive watches for their

Christmas presents … don‟t

we Sensei Roberts?

Sensei was then

presented with a gift from

all dojos. The money will be used toward a ticket for a trip

to Puerto Rico to visit the Trujillo Alto Dojo &

Sensei Blasco. Sensei was very grateful.

Mr. McCullar then surprised Sensei, Sensei Roberts, & Sensei Bottrell with a portrait of

each drawn by Mr. McCullar … very good portraits with an acute likeness to detail.

(Even being so kind as to have Sensei Roberts appear handsome).

Then began the dinner, which this year, was entirely consumed

by everyone. NO leftovers this year!

We would like to say thank you to Sensei Schreiber for

organizing the dinner AND to all the students from all dojos that

helped with the decorating & spending their time in the kitchen

to see that everyone had plenty to eat.

Already looking forward to next year‟s & to Sensei Bottrell &

Co. play a few Christmas Carols for us!

3rd annual winter training

This year was not like the other years before. Sadly, the temperature was all the way into

the upper 30‟s … might have well called it Summer Camp!

Even so, there was excellent attendance by all ranks from all dojos. Mr. Stone and Mr.

Kennett covered for Sensei since he wasn‟t feeling well. Mr. Stone took the Black Belts

and Mr. Kennett took over the kyu belts.

New this year was the children going outside for 2 minutes of training … just long

enough to test their mental discipline.

Maybe next year will be colder! We can only hope!

- 24 -

my personal Yoshukai and Martial Arts experience and deceptions - By Sensei Blasco

Across my journey in Martial Arts I learn and see many things sometimes good things

and sometimes not.

If you're reading these article means that somehow you are link with Karate, if so, have

you stopped to think if it really is "Karate" what you practice? Before proceeding with the

reading of these words ask yourself what you understand is Karate? The most probably is

that its going to be all the opposite to what Karate really is.. There is a fairly general

concept of Karate where violence, selfishness, individualism and vanity are ideas traded,

built and magnified by the media, because in our society it is what "sells". We are used to

compete in all areas and situations of life, then why not compete in karate? Is this what

our teachers, founders of this art wanted for us, for human society? Do you really believe

that the attributes mentioned above were the goals of the evolution of karate? I think

not!

The most important thing to know about martial arts is that they are healthy and peaceful

activities. As you learn its long history, understand that true martial artists do not want to

hurt anyone nor have any violence in their lives. They work very hard to not live or

undergo unnecessary conflict, practicing their art so they do not have to fight just

because. Instead, they can demonstrate the power and artistic beauty of their techniques.

For this reason, this practice is called martial art and not fight or quarrel.

"The ultimate aim of art of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in perfecting the

character of its participants"

Through Yoshukai Karate, you can learn how to develop your attitude and a lifestyle for

your road to self-realization. Karate provides that the individual can demonstrate their

skills and overcoming challenges as a means of enhancing their self-concept and test their

limits. Through Yoshukai Karate the individual acquires knowledge and confidence in

the use of their abilities and its way to develop self-control. With the practice of

Yoshukai Karate, qualities are improved as safety, serenity, patience, perseverance,

kindness, among others.

"The man fights with his mind. Their hands and arms are merely an extension of his

will, and the biggest mistake of our age is to believe that the equipment can replace the

spirit "

If you practice competition (and I will not call it Karate) I strongly invite you to reflect

on these words as the true "DO" is not the path of violence, quite the contrary, the way

of love. Yes, Karate-Do is the way of love, art transformed into love, the path of

personal growth based on love, love yourself, love your training partner, love for his

Dojo, love for their environment, love for the nature, love of teaching, love of spirituality.

Love, respect, loyalty, companionship, are some of the concepts that our teachers have

tried to give us through this "art" called YOSHUKAI KARATE. If we accept that

Karate is love, spirituality is the connection to the universe with vital energy, the Ki-what

then is the competition? In expressing the unknown, but before I ask again, what meaning

have to beat someone else? What is the pleasure of harming a training partner? What do I

want to show ? Why to fracture a partner rib? It is so important to feel like a "winner"?

but what you won? Is it worth the damage or harm another human being just to take a

plastic medal? You want to be the best? the best of what? Why? Everyone must think

deeply and find their own answers, their own responses based on personal deepening

.Yoshukai Karate, never, nor will it be a means to harm others, much less a means to

elevate and feed egos, feelings wrong, vanities.

The World is full of so called Karate Masters that the only thing they want is fill their

pockets with your money. Oh yeah! The evolution begins, Internet Black Belts

certifications, DVD certifications ,Black Belts crash courses ( How to be a Black Belt

within a year ) and much more.

Yoshukai is no exeption to the human ambition too. Yoshukai evolved as a more

offensive vision of the more familiar traditional styles. A strong character style and

strong discipline. But at some point in time, things changed as often happens with human

nature. People saw a way to win more cash and changed DO for $Dough$. Stay away of

those people and follow the real path. How do you know who is real? If you heard the

word Money too much it is time to move. Dont get consumed by the dark side!

If you really love Karate you have the responsibility to keep them alive, How? Just

following the real guidelines of the founders when Martial Arts have no $ value.

So do not waste time, wake up and introduce yourself in the adventure of personal

growth, how far would that lead? It all depends on how much we are willing to get deep!.

"The greatest achievement in the character of a warrior is his own temple"

We are now bombarded of the so called MMA aka Ultimate Fighting Championship. I

prefer to call it Ultimate Fighting CRAP!. A bunch of so called martial arts experts with a

little of nothing experience and knowledge of real martial arts. They stand in an Octagon

beating themselves until no more blood still in the body and their faces are

unrecognizable. Wow! 5 rounds of 5 minutes of hard stupid beating! And they call

themselves Fighters! A real fighter must finish the fight in less than 2 minutes.

“A teacher is never a giver of truth - he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that each

student must find for himself. A good teacher is merely a catalyst. “

What is respect? Respect is a two ways action you have to be respectful to obtain the

respect from others. Dont confuse respect by fear. Yelling to others people is not the

answer to obtain respect. The respect doesn‟t come by your yelling or rank but by your

actions. Teachers are helpers to show you the way, not owners of your life and decisions.

You can find Karatekas who think that they are more Japanese than the Japanese

themselves. Ask yourself the following! Do you want to know karate? Or do you want to

be Japanese? If you want to live like the Japanese, its easy, move to Japan. You want to

be good in Karate? Stick to the doctrine & discipline and you will succeed.

Its up to everyone of the Yoshukai practitioners to uphold the integrity of Yoshukai

Karate as it was conceived. How ? Simple, keep up the rules that for centuries maintains

the heart of Karate alive!

“Children of the alliance”

The art work you see to the left was presented to Sensei

by Eric Churchill from Williamsville dojo. Nice job

Eric! Sensei Roberts has commented many times of

how proud he was of Eric & of not only his skills, but

most important, his ATTITUDE, which IS the most

important aspect of karate training! Keep up the hard

work Eric!

Mr. Lanning‟s (Nidan) children participated in local races. Payton (white belt)

participated in a tricycle race while his sister, Brianna raced to the top of an inflatable!

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“NO MATTER HOW YOU MAY EXCEL IN THE ART OF TE, AND IN YOUR

SCHOLASTIC ENDEAVORS NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THEN YOUR

BEHAVIOR AND YOUR HUMANITY AS OBSERVED IN DAILY LIFE”

Street clothes night Williamsville dojo

On December 21st Sensei Roberts held a street clothes night at the Williamsville Dojo!

Following is a collage of photos from the night‟s

event:

It was a pleasant surprise to see Mr. Hanger show up and train with everyone, he found

out about the event on Yoshukai Karate Alliance’s Facebook page!

-28-