UECHI LONGEVITY

[Maurice Soque]

I was able to witness history last night. My sensei Arthur Rabesa was awarded the rank of Judan 10th Degree Master at George Mattson's annual summer camp. As usual Arthur turned the spot light away from him and redirected it to Bill Bauknecht where he dedicated his promotion to Bill. "Bill would be more excited about me getting this rank than myself" were his words. Bill's son and daughter in attendance shared that feeling for their dad. I think the audience was oblivious to the fact that in the history of IUKF there were only 2 other people in North America that hold the rank of Judan... now there is 3 after last night. I will have to be honest, I think I hold the same feelings as Bill about the excitement, I even wore a tie that night. Bob Bethoney made a heart felt speech, Arthur's wife and two daughters attended the event as well. Thank you Arthur Sensei for all you have done for Uechi-Ryu I hope we spend many more years together grinding away. Congratulations again Sensei, with much admiration your student, Maurice B. Soque - Falmouth, MA.

[Art Rabesa]

Thank you. I know Bill's up there applauding.

[maxwell ainley]

Congratulations Art ,all the best , Max.

[Art Rabesa]

Thank you Max. Much appreciated

[hthom]

Been pondering about this for a while. Part of getting more senior by the day, I guess.

This morning I read "saddened to hear about the passing of Uechi Kanmei Sensei."

With utmost respect to Kanmei Uechi Sensei, I can't help but to think:

Another one!

He was only a young guy.

It seemed quite a few Uechi practitioners passed away at relatively young age. For me, 40's to 80's are in the category of Young to Relatively young.

It makes me wonder.

Health articles and researches talk about the health and longevity benefits of exercising and eating right.

I recently read a comment something to the effect: "Well, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger probably never exercised a day in their life but smoking drinking shooting snorting and f******* like mad, they are still kicking up a storm!" So true!

I just don't know.

I will keep exercising, do my Sanchin and katas, keep my weight and blood pressure down, eat my calcium and vitamin. I feel good doing the stuff so ----- whatever happen happens.

Besides, exercise and health benefits are only part of the reason of my Uechi Ryu practice. I just enjoy doing it. If there are no health or longevity benefits come with the practice, so be it.

Long live all Uechi Ryu practitioners! Let's keep fighting the bastard!

[Art Rabesa]

Real sorry to hear about Kanmei Uechi. Richards and Jagger are actually zombies. They've been dead for years.

[Art Rabesa]

October 3 -- 9AM Saturday Falmouth, Massachusetts. Dark - chilly - wet - windy - another day in paradise. Much too early for this kind of weather. Read through the posts on this topic with a cup of coffee. Looking out the window and it looks nasty out there. Looks like I'll have to get my sweat pants and sweat shirt out this morning. Too damn soon for these clothes. Okay!! Time to tackle those hills behind my house. Hope that large black dog isn't out yet. When I return, it's down in my basement for some kata. That'll be the start of my weekend. I wonder where my wife will drag me too today. Uechi Longevity. Just keep moving my friends -- keep on keeping on. ------Happy Trails ------ Art

[Art Rabesa]

I remember hearing about "A way of life" when I began my Uechi Ryu. When you're young, that statement doesn't mean much. I never planned on it grabbing hold of me as it did. Hard to really explain I guess. You rise up through the ranks and concentrate on your teaching and students. You find yourself feeling anxious when you go too long without a workout. Even though you're teaching, you feel that you must get in there and join your students in the workout. You feel guilty when you are not sweating enough after a class. These little things go on through the years, until one day you realize that you've been at it for over 50 years. You remember when you started. Young and a little crazy. Now I'm not young any more, but I'm still working on the crazy part. It has been "A way of life" without me realizing it. I find myself eager to teach. I want to give back what I've learned and experienced over these 53 years. That becomes the objective now. The way of life continues until I'm unable to tie my belt. Then I'll just show my videos I guess. -------Happy Trails------Art

[Maurice Soque]

I concur,

[Maurice Soque]

NO MORE ACHES. I have been playing ice hockey my whole life having been raised in Massachusetts since I was 2 yrs. old. As an adult I still play twice a week, even travel to Montreal once a year with 2 teams to play in tournaments. The beginning of this year I started feeling knee pain on my left knee, then on both right and left. We do not have a formal class schedule here on the Cape, so like Arthur I am a basement dweller with shades drawn...we are also Ronin travelling to dojos in Mass. I recently took on a private student, where did I start?...the first half of the exercises. OMG after the 2nd week the GD knee pain is GONE ...its like someone rubbed some kind of magic snake oil. Oh well, needless to say, I'm a believer...not that I never was, but you always hear its the simple things that matter or make a difference. Got to go - and DO MY EXERCISES. Yours in Uechi-Ryu, Maurice.

[Art Rabesa]

Called Jim Maloney up in Nova Scotia this morning. Wanted to wish him a happy birthday. It's the big 70. He was getting ready to go out for his power walk. I was tying up my shoes, getting ready to hit the hills behind my house. We both have December birthdays. We always talk about our past years because we've been friends for over fifty years, and there's a lot of past to talk about. Our two trips to Okinawa is always a topic we kick around. Our teaching is always another topic we always seem to get into. The older we get the better we were always slides in there as well. The fire always gets turned up when we go over things. It's good. Our power walk will have a little more purpose this morning I think. A couple of old dogs that can still get it done. Happy Birthday Pal. -----Happy Trails -----Art

[Art Rabesa]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiVRmKncs_c
No explanation needed.

[Art Rabesa]

There "comes a time" in your training, and teaching, when comfort creeps in. A time when it is not very important to have to show how good you are any more. Nothing to prove any longer. This time sort of sneaks up on you. When you realize what is happening, it's like a new turn in the road. It is impossible to explain this awareness to anyone. You are doing the same things you've always done in the instruction, but something has changed. You've changed. Your way of looking at things has altered some what. Finer details are sort out in the style. Using all the years of experience and knowledge, seep into your explanations. Your hope is that those learning will grasp concepts quicker than you. All the trial and error does not have to occur because you've been there. You know what works and does not work. The seeking out of different aspects can be solved. Being at ease with the advancement of our style. The younger teachers grasping solid concepts of Uechi Ryu. When you're not able to demonstrate like you used to, it's comforting to know that there are those that can. To continue to keep your standards high, yet having patience with the level you see. When did this happen? Teaching becomes more important because of this comfort level. The mistake is confusing comfort with laziness. Please do not make that mistake. I heard this statement many years ago --"Do not confuse respectfulness for weakness". Being humble is a form of comfort. To have to prove how good you are, or how tough you are, becomes boring. I guess the point here is clear. I hope it's excepted as another level in our "way of life". I've wanted to write about this for some time now. This forum gives me the opportunity to do so. I am enjoying this level very much. No need to prove anything any more -- just teach. However--I'll be glad to demonstrate if called upon. "COMES A TIME". -----Happy Trails ---Art

[Art Rabesa]

Why is it that I think about the next class. I want to continue with that little problem they're having in kyu kumite. Also, there is that section of kumite one that some are having problems with. Have to come up with some more movements off the front leg for them. The arm and leg conditioning can begin to get tougher. I'll work the power base drill into the opening exercises. I've been wanting to do that for a while now. I think for this next class, I'll concentrate on the ulna and radius strikes in the infighting section. I forgot the eight form last time. I'll get it in at the end just before we bow out. I never get it all in, but I like to have more prepared than not enough. I get thrown off my lesson plan often. There's always something that runs longer than anticipated. Got a seminar I'm doing next week. I'm pretty sure I know what I want to emphasize. They're not my students, so I'll have to figure it out as it goes along. They'll know I've been there. You can take that to the bank. Well--guess I'll get to class. I always get there at least 30 minutes before anyone shows up. When they come in, I'm in my gi looking at them. LONGEVITY ----beginning to understand?? -------Happy Trails-----Art

[Art Rabesa]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkrgHZTOw0o
This gentleman is my age. I wonder if my breaking days are over. Did a lot back in the day. I wonder. -----Happy Trails ----Art