forum to date

[Van Canna]

You re doing a great job, Art judging by the views you get, so don't let up. But this

Grand Master Van Canna

No such thing here...I am still a student of Uechi Ryu and of life...and most important, I value the friendship and camaraderie it has all brought to us seniors.

[hthom]

Since the majority of my posts pertain to Uechi Ryu training, I do not hear from many viewers. I do check the number of viewers however. I am pleased and flattered, to see so many viewing the posts. I keep telling myself that others are watching, so I might as well continue.

I just checked the numbers for this one: 1,420 viewers, 15 replies. Not bad at all!

Keep at it. You are doing great.

From my experience on Facebook I know it gets discouraging sometimes. I am doing the Facebook page of International Uechi Ryu Karate Federation (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Internat ... 8431993085), yes, sometimes several hundred people "reached", but hardly many "likes" or comments so it is unknown of the number reached, how many actually read the posts.

At least in your case with the forum, nobody can do the "thumb down" thing, or you can just delete comments/posts from trolls. Several weeks ago for about three weeks in a row every other day, someone gave a thumb down on one of the posts, for absolutely no apparently reasons and seemed to be randomly made (none on my Youtube clips so I lucked out so far.) Hope the clown (troll?) is gone forever.

[maxwell ainley]

I agree doing well ,things aren't the same as ten years ago participants in discussion etc ,but Art's put a a lot of work ,I for one fully appreciate . Max

[Art Rabesa]

GUESS I'LL KEEP GOING. THANKS

[Art Rabesa]

I've been playing with the idea of popping a quick 3 or 4 minute lesson onto my forum. The majority of the lesson matter will concern Uechi Ryu. I've posted quite a few short videos thus far. There will be lessons on general martial arts material as well. However, since I am a teacher of Uechi Ryu , I feel I might be able to aid other Uechi Ryu practitioners. It'll be termed "Art's Lessons". Stay tuned. Hope you enjoy it. ------Happy Trails ------Art

[Josann]

I've been playing with the idea of popping a quick 3 or 4 minute lesson onto my forum. The majority of the lesson matter will concern Uechi Ryu. I've posted quite a few short videos thus far. There will be lessons on general martial arts material as well. However, since I am a teacher of Uechi Ryu , I feel I might be able to aid other Uechi Ryu practitioners. It'll be termed "Art's Lessons". Stay tuned. Hope you enjoy it. ------Happy Trails ------Art

I hope you do continue. I check your forum most days. Your training is a great compliment to the great teachers that I've had. Your insight helps me answer the question, "What am I doing with this,?" when studying kata.

Too many of us get lulled into "kata as dance" mentality, focused on how we look to an audience. Your interpretations have opened my eyes to the what and whys of kata study. Too often kata becomes an end in itself. To me "study" of kata means how can I practically apply this if sh*t hits fan. Hopefully kata will make some moves and concepts instinctive at that moment.

Keep posting. Serious students need the knowledge you have to give.

Thanks Art.

[Art Rabesa]

JOSANN - THANK YOU
All the strikes and infighting lessons that I teach come right from the kata's. I've made up nothing -- it's all in the kata's. I treat kata like any fight I've ever been in. Kata should be done with the same intensity as anything else in the training. Kata is my escape. It's my drug of choice. Do not stand too close when I'm going through a kata. Thanks for tuning in. ------Happy Trails ------Art

[Art Rabesa]

I have "Art's Lesson" running on the forum now. Quick little tips on many aspects of the training. Most deal with Uechi Ryu, but some are geared to martial arts in general. I really hope the lessons are helpful. As I've stated before, my main goal is to advance Uechi Ryu. With the many facets of the style, it takes quite a bit of instruction. As I continue to analyze Uechi Ryu, I find more and more treasure. There always seems to be a faster and stronger way to accomplish what has always been there. I'm hoping that those teaching will get some benefit from the "lessons". When I'm teaching, I wonder if others might want a little of what's going on. So I film a short segment and put it on the forum. Kind of like shopping. Use what you feel will help. "Art's Lesson" will continue until I run out of ammo. --------Happy Trails-------Art

[Art Rabesa]

The ammo needed for the continuance of this forum will come from those viewing. That is how I keep score. I think there are many that have questions or opinions. For some unknown reason, they do not log in and express these opinions or questions. Maybe there is something that I have not covered. Something that you are having problems with in the training. You're insight is going to help me with posting topics of importance. I'll always find something to post, but having more AMMO certainly helps. Think of this forum as a part of your training. I think of it as a part of my training. On we go. -----Happy Trails ---Art

[Art Rabesa]

Here we are for another year of Uechi Ryu info. I'm thinking of some goals I'd like to make for this year. The only goal I can think of that will enhance Uechi Ryu is to keep the forums moving. Van and Bill are old hands with the running of their forum, and they continue to do a great job. With G.E.M. overseeing everything, we keep pumping out our posts. Social issues as well as martial arts are a mainstay here. Viewers have different outlooks and agendas. With three Uechi Ryu forums going, there is a great deal of coverage. Another year will continue to bring all viewers assorted topics and views. I am a viewer as well. I enjoy what I read from Van and Bill's forum, and learn from it. That's what it's all about. Never stop learning. After 53 years of Uechi Ryu, I'm still learning. That's a good thing. I will continue to post lesson's and add my two cents on topics. I'm thinking of my next video clip right now. So lets all hope for a great year with lots of good things happening, and lots of new things to learn. Keep on keeping on. ------Happy Trails -------Art

[Art Rabesa]

Keeping the training and teaching going is an on going thing. For most of us, it's just what we do. It's what I do. I've been traveling to various sites, over a number of years, teaching Uechi Ryu. I gave up the actual operation of running a school several years ago. The business and legal aspect finally got to me. The traveling, and not actually having my site and students, is now getting to me as well. I miss having MY STUDENTS. I find it very difficult to teach at someone else's dojo. It is not my school, and they are not my students. I am a quest instructor. As a quest, I find myself teaching carefully. I do not make corrections, or express my beliefs. I am careful not to deter from the teaching of the head instructor, owner. When I operated my school, I never had anyone else teaching. My senior black belts would assist in the teaching, but there was never anyone else. So I understand that aspect of it. Being the rank I am, it's hard to simply drop in somewhere for a workout. Kind of a catch 22. So I have rounded up some of my past students to continue their training. I told them that they were actually doing me a service. I stay active - I continue to teach regularly - I have my own students at my site. I'm excited to get started. I'll have to get the rust and cob webs off them, but they'll round out after a month or so. My class is invitation only. I really do not want too many people. This forum will continue, along with assorted teaching videos. I'll still visit Uechi schools from time to time when asked. I'm hoping this will open up more views for me to post. Another "Longevity" reason I guess. Have to keep moving my friend. When there's still gas left in the tank, you might as well step on the petal. -----------Happy Trails -------Art

[Art Rabesa]

There have been 41 lessons on "Arts Lesson" thread thus far. I am about to post #42. This is an important thread for me. I want to give my teaching methods to viewers, in hopes that they find it informative. Many times, what I'm posting is a result of the class I just finished. Sometimes I'll jot my thought down quickly while I'm teaching. In this way It won't slip my mind later. That happens sometimes. I guess I didn't block ALL the head shots during those tournament years. To date, the forum has allowed me to express my beliefs in the instruction of Uechi Ryu. Not everything I post will be agreed with, or understood, but at least it allows for expression. The key for me are the views. I do check this every day. I go over the posts that do not have as many views as other posts very carefully. Maybe the topic is not as interesting as others, or I didn't do a good job in it's explanation. In trying to reach as many areas of the training as possible, sometimes things get overlooked. Sometimes things get diluted as well. I'm hoping that I can add a little something to the viewers over all training. FORUM TO DATE? Still learning. -----Happy Trails ----Art

[Art Rabesa]

Impossible to get almost 54 years in Uechi Ryu onto a forum stage. I have to really be patient. That is difficult for me at times. To simply take topics as they pop up is the best way I guess. The "Art's Lesson" thread takes more time than others. Every time I post a topic, I feel I should do a lesson video on it. At times, it becomes difficult to really get the meaning clear when typing it in a post. When this occurs, there usually is a lesson video coming on that post. I never go over what I'm going to video. We push the start button and go. That's why you see me wondering what I want to do next at times. I treat it like a class I'm teaching. That's where I'm most comfortable. I also have an "Explosive Uechi Ryu" thread on Sensei Canna's very busy forum. Keeps me busy. I find it very interesting, how certain topics get much more attention than others. When I post a topic, I think it's an important segment of the training. Yet, it obviously is not thought of that way by viewers. There are things that hold more interest than others. I'm still learning that with this forum. An on going process. It's a crap shoot. Interesting - not interesting. That's what makes it all very interesting to me. It's nice when an old war horse like me finds something of interest. So, to all those who view this forum ---I THANK YOU.---------Happy Trails-------Art

[Art Rabesa]

When martial artists get together, or write anything pertaining to the art, protecting oneself seems to be at the top of the list. I have taken part in many of these discussions and writings. I've always felt that this was something you can not do much about. You wonder when you're going to be set upon out there. You wonder if you can protect yourself if it happens. Very common thoughts, especially by those who train. My KISS mind set seems to ease these thoughts. Keeping things simple is for emotional well being as well. Keeping in mind, that all this is just my thoughts and opinion. Just something that seems to work for me. It is simply this. Your training is something lay people do not do. Therefore, you have better odds. Meaning that you have a better chance of protecting yourself than someone that has no training. That is all it is. The concern about your training, and if it will work, is a mood point. Who knows? All we can do is do the best we can. Train hard and hope it's enough. Go through your days and nights knowing that. Never having to put the training to the test would be a great thing. Most law enforcement personnel go through their entire career without pulling out their weapon. Most martial artists go through their entire life without ever having to put their training to the test. This is fact. So just keep training because it's what we do. It's that simple. It's what we do. -----Happy Trails----Art

[Art Rabesa]

There are social issues that I have opinions on. Delving into these issues is not what I view my forum as. I try to stick to the physical aspect of the martial arts, mainly Uechi Ryu. It's amazing to me how much there is to go over. When I started this forum, I figured I'd run out of topics in a few months. Something is always popping up in our training to go over. 54 years in Uechi Ryu enables you to reach down for many things. Thinking of my next topic, or video lesson, is a daily thing. Going over past topics to enhance them is always a must as well. Taking lesson video's and expanding them is what I like to do also. So it appears the ongoing search for topics is not that difficult after all. As long as people are training, there's going to be something to discuss and view. I've met many who are training. who seem to rely on my video lessons for their input. This is an area that I always have a strong opinion on. In the books that I've written or the video lessons that I do, I make this statement, "You really can not fully learn from just this material". It can be useful as an aid to your practice, but not as the sole teaching method. You must train with a qualified instructor. My material is just a learning aid. You must be in front of me for me to teach you. I can not teach you simply from my books or video's. Well ---I guess that could be a topic for discussion. See what I mean about topics always popping up. Okay-- that's it for now. See ya. --------Happy Trails------Art