Uechi Atlanta

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Sat Jun 24, 2000 5:31 am

It's 12:24 AM Saturday early AM. I'm here at the home of an old student and good friend, Bruce Hirabayashi. With any luck, some of you folks will get to see him test for rokudan in the near future. Some of you "regulars" know him well.

I'm down here to run a dan test for a single student who is one of the many "professional kyu ranks" you often find in these isolated dojos. Time to kick the boy upstairs into shodan land, providing he has a good day mentally. In the mean time, Bruce let me play on his computer while I wait for the melatonin to kick in. Traveling always has a way of making you tired, and yet you just can't rest easily.

Now if I can only get used to this %$#@ *&%$ ergonomic keyboard.... Maybe the melatonin is kicking in after all.

I'll let you know how the test goes.

- Bill

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Sun Jun 25, 2000 12:29 am

Today (6/24/00) Norm Asbell successfully passed his shodan exam in Lawrenceville, GA. Norm originally started Uechi (for 4 years) with Rick Potrekus (West Palm Beach, FL: 561-232-2214 E-Mail: PBShubukan@msn.com). He subsequently has spent the last 3 years studying here in Lawrenceville (near Atlanta) with Bruce Hirabayashi (Tel: 770-513-8410; Fax: 770-513-2256; bruce.hirabayashi@worldnet.att.net). My tradition is to run an eclectic testing board. Since Uechi dans are hard to come by down here, we made up a more-than-competent multi-style board:

* Bill Glasheen: Renshi rokudan, Uechi ryu (etc.)
* Bruce Hirabayashi: 5th dan, Uechi ryu
* Jim LaRocco: 8th dan Isshin ryu
* Hank Irwin: 5th dan Shorinji ryu; Master carpenter (and maker of traditional weapons)

Three other candidates successfully tested for kyu ranks. Since the test was small, I took the opportunity to answer questions from Mr. LaRocco and Mr. Irwin about the specific techniques being performed at the test. Mr. LaRocco in particular came up with some of the more challenging questions, focusing on the mechanics of the techniques he saw demonstrated as well as the students' understanding of what they were doing.

In general, the biggest opportunity I saw was application of simple body mechanics. The more I learn about Uechi ryu, the more I try to get people out of their rigid robot modes and back into natural athletic movement that one would see of any world-class athlete. I always enjoy the look I see on peoples' faces when they suddenly realize that what they do in natural fighting mode is the exact same thing they should be doing in kata and prearranged kumite. Wow, natural motion! What a concept! What a style! And then...the Uechi robot disappears.

Congratulations to Norm and the other Lawrenceville students. And congratulations to Mr. Potrekus; a seed was planted and the tree is just beginning to bear fruit!

- Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Glasheen (edited June 24, 2000).]

Post by **gmattson** » Sun Jun 25, 2000 1:54 am

Congratulations Norm. Good work Bruce and Rick.

Best,
George Mattson

Paul Parks · Post by **Paul Parks** » Tue Jun 27, 2000 5:13 am

Bill-sensei,

I appreciated the opportunity to meet you and listen to your insights. I've begun applying your comments on my Sanchin, as my three morning kata felt quite a bit more dynamic today.

I'm sure that we'll all be remembering your visit for a while, judging by the notes that Bruce was taking during the morning workout!

Paul Parks

David Elkins · Post by **David Elkins** » Wed Jul 05, 2000 12:29 am

I was similarly very happy to see Norman earn his black belt (see thread on Seeking the Bridge, Welcome Brother Norman). OSU

Isn't there an olde tradition that new Rokyudans accept a punch from everyone gathered to celebrate their passage?

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Good Training,

David
Uechi Ryu West