I am not knocking boxing, never. What I am trying to point out to you is that we use sanchin as a tool, one tool. You seem to picture sanchin as someone who just stands there and gets beat on. A good test? Yes, but only a test. During these three months of training that you refer to in boxing,,,,,I ...

Before Bill G. gets a chance to respond, I will throw my two cents worth in. This bit about sanchin versus boxing is rediculous. You take a kid and train him, condition him and teach him boxing and say he will kick sanchin ass? Do you actually think that when we take a new student we only teach him ...

I have always thought that when a boxer stepped through the ropes, ready to go 10-12 rounds, he was the best conditioned athlete in the world. I now give that credit to the MMA fighters. There isn't a boxer I know or have known who could stand up and compete with an MMA fighter. Five minutes of brut...

Jake I think you are missing my point, somewhat anyway. I would never say, for example, that because I train in Uechi-ryu it is the best system out there. I believe that all systems are good, how they are taught is the key. I feel the same way about sanchin. Again, to me, this is only a way to descr...

Right on the button Bill. And Ray, you can't compare apples with oranges. I have often said that if you take a MA, put gloves on him, put him in with a boxer in a boxing ring, follow the boxing rules, the boxer will win. But take the boxer and put him in a dojo, he's red meat. I think you have misse...

Jake, I did not intend to imply that all boxers could not develope power. I am a good example of making my point. I boxed in the service, and I was not a heavy hitter. I worked on my power and increased it somewhat. After a number of years in Uechi training, I started hitting with extreme power. Wou...

All of us who have "given" ourselves to sanchin have gained the knowledge of what sanchin is all about. I have often said, sanchin is everything. By that I mean we teach the sanchin thrust, sanchin stepping, sanchin stance, sanchin power, etc etc. Add our conditioning to that and you have ...

Good post Bill. Too many students set their goal to get to their black belt level and then quit. We "older" folks know that this is only an * in our training and the learning and fun of it all is just beginning. If everyone knew what was down the road, there would be no drop outs. The rewa...

Right on Leo!!
BB

Ian, I'm sure things have changed in the miltary since my time. I can't even remember what the rules of conduct were for enlisted personnel. I do remember, many times, when those rules were "stretched" to the limit while out partying at the local bars. There were far fewer female troops in...

This story interested me and I couldn't really decide how I felt about it. Being ex military, though many years ago, I still have strong feelings about the military. Most of my family are or have been military. I decided to contact my niece, retired Air Force captain, married to a retired AF captain...

Allen came down to visit me several times when he was depressed over his inability to practice his Uechi as he had in the past. Since we had talked about how I was working out with my cancer problems, I took him over to our dojo on a couple Sundays, just the two of us, and gave him some tips that he...

Van, I will be calling up to the Cape in the next couple days. Toni will be so glad to hear your good wishes. I am also able to check with her son and another close friend, just to monitor how she is doing. Also, my kids check in with her regularly. Thanks for your caring.
Bill

Congratulations and best wishes when you test. I'm sure you will pass with flying colors. It's nice to hear from someone who has started the experience of stepping up in Uechi ryu. Each step is another learning process and the best part is, there doesn't seem to be a "top to the stairs." I...

To all of you wondering how Toni West has been, she has doing pretty good. She and her family sold her home and she is now in a really beautiful condo at the Brookside Golf Club in Bourne. She had a short stay in the hospital last week, picked up a bug and was very sick. She seems to be doing better...