5 Questions with Sensei Michael DeGiso

1. When and where did you start training in martial arts?

I think I was 7 or 8 at the time and that would have been around 1965. The first classes that I attended were in Braintree, MA with my 4 brothers. The instructors at the time were Carmine DiRamio and Forrest Sanborn in the Uechi Ryu System. Then when I was around 11 or 12 we found out that Mattson Academy had started a school in my home town of Brockton and my family (all 5 boys and my father) joined that dojo. The original instructor at that school was Arthur Rebesa but we did not join until Sada and Taka from Japan took over the school. They were very dynamic instructors and were the first to make me fall in love with karate. When they decided to go home to Japan in the early 70’s, Jack Summers took over the school and has had a huge influence on my life.

2. What was an influential experience that helped shape you as an instructor?

Jack Summers was one of the greatest influences of my life in karate and in my other life’s endeavors as well. He allowed me to draw from my own life’s experiences to express myself freely with the art. He always told me to keep the good and throw away the bad. He would remind me that I could learn from anyone including white belts. I have learned to think in concepts and that I can apply my karate training to all aspects of my life. As an instructor, I have learned not to try to make duplicates of myself but to cultivate the strengths of each student and allow them to grow in their own direction. I also believe that you can draw from the other martial arts to help shape your karate style.

3. How has Karate impacted your life?

Karate has had a huge impact on my life. Karate was the first martial art that I focused on and then wrestling came along which was a great compliment to karate. I have been cross training for several years now in BJJ, Maui Thai, wrestling and boxing, but my roots will always be karate. Karate helped me to focus academically, professionally and also as a father and husband. It instilled discipline in my life. The first adversary every day that I have to face is myself and complacency. Karate helps me stay grounded and calm under adverse conditions that I have to face on a daily basis in life.

4. What aspect of Karate are you currently focusing on?

I tend to lean towards the sparring and self-defense side of karate but I know you are not going to believe this but I truly love kata. I am also trying to focus more on breathing. If you learn how to master breathing correctly it will help you remain calm during conflicts. As I get older I am also more interested in the lineage of our system from Pangai-noon and earlier.

5. What advice would you give a new student?

Be patient!!! From the outside Uechi Ryu seems very basic but it is truly a very deep system and takes years to master. It is a life time endeavor but it can truly transform your life.

Video: Yakusoku Kumite… continue your learning outside of the dojo.

Uechi-Ryu Karate’s curriculum outlines a warm-up (Junbi Undo), technique drills (Hojo Undo/Kihon), forms (Kata), technique applications (Yakosuku Kumite), and sparring (Kumite). After drilling individual techniques and kata, Yakosuku Kumite gives a practitioner a road map to execute techniques in combination against an attacker.

Below is a video of Yakosuku Kumite. Use this video to complement your dojo training.

Slow motion video of Yakosuku Kumite.

Thank you very much for Sensei Chip Quimby of Authentic Karate Training Center of Peabody, Massachusetts, U.S.A. for sharing these great videos!

TRAINING WITH THE MASTERS …Senior Promotional in N. Attleboro, MA

A BIG thank you goes out to Sensei’s Ed and Jeanie DeCosta, owners of the North Attleboro, MA Dojo for last week’s…

 2014 TRAINING WITH THE MASTERS CAMP!!!

                                         

Okikukai Senior Officers and 10th Dan Masters Sensei Nakahodo and Sensei Higa presided as the consummate gentlemen our organization has come to treasure.   These two octogenarian Masters are truly special teachers.  We cannot thank them enough for exhausting themselves each day trying to better every karateka in attendance.

The additional presence of Okinawa’s reigning three-time All Okinawa Kata Champion,  Asao Nakasone was a special treat.   Asaosan (5 Dan) offered fantastic contributions to a great week of karate.  Further attesting to Asao’s character, the Kata Champ was very helpful and humble.  And, was even overheard saying his coming in third place in the All Okinawa Kumite Competition also was “Lucky!”

                                       

Capping off the week, the DeCosta’s escorted the official Okikukai contingency to Jack Summers gravesite, where Okinawa presented a ceremonial Certificate of Appreciation to Jack’s wife Claire Summers.  This tribute to the decades Jack worked to promote Uechi- Shohei Ryu Karate and the Okinawa culture in this region of the world was a heartfelt and significant gesture, authentically in the honorable warrior spirit of karate family.

Of course CONGRATULATIONS to all the senior rank candidates who promoted.  This was the best test I can recall participating in.   High calibre karateka travelled not just from New England, but from far and wide, California, Canada, Pennsylvania and others.  There was “much sweat left on the floor” during the week.  As the week was a relatively abbreviated preparation with our Okinawa Seniors, all will attest to a feeling of extra pressure having to improve and rise to the occasion in front of such gracious teachers among a strong group of candidates.

                                     

AUGUST 2014  OKIKUKAI CANDIDATES FROM THE U.S.A.  –  SENIOR PROMOTIONS  to 8th / 7th / 6th Dan

Pointing at his colleague the venerable Master Nakahodo Sensei, Higa Sensei said that the training and promotional had been, “Excellent  …he said so.”

Osu!!!

-Billy G.

Sensei Kiyohide Shinjo

Here is an excellent Kenyukai video featuring Sensie Kiyohide Shinjo.  Thanks to Sensei Mike for passing it along.

Sensei Andre on NFL Video Speaks about Karate

Friend of the dojo, Sensei Andre Tippett, from the Okinawan Karate Club, was on a recent NFL Total Access video about Karate.  Thanks to Dave for the link!

Jack Summers Receives 10th Dan

Very few people in our style have ever reached this rank.  We are all very thankful to Sensei Jack for his lifetime of being a part of and leading our community.