NOSTALGIA

Last night, while sitting in bed and looking over some past membership lists, I start reminiscing about how traditional martial arts is really a very tightly knit group of friends or family. For instance, whenever we cross paths, we share our life experiences and provide updates about our professions and families just like family members. The reality is that we are a family.

Photo taken about 1969 or 1970 at the University of Utah
(with a Instamatic camera). Soke Hausel demonstrates yoko tobi geri
(flying side kick) with Tim Smith.

Periodically, I receive emails, letters, visits and phone calls from various martial artists. For example, I use to look forward to hearing from Sensei Pedro Rodriguez from Puerto Rico. Pedro had an infectious laugh and personality that made you feel like you knew him all your life. It was enjoyable to hear about his experiences. Sensei Indishe Senayanake from the Sri Lanka Dojo often sends email about his experiences, geology studies martial arts demonstrations and philosophy. These are wonderful and I look very much forward to the day that I can travel to Sri Lanka.

Sensei Scott Seaton from Alaska periodically describes his fishing, hunting and guiding events. I look forward to hearing about Sensei Mike Webb‟s growing family in Canada and to discuss geology with Hanshi Andy Finley and enjoy hearing about the country and western band with Shihan-Dai Kyle Gewecke. I also get opportunities to talk with Dai-Shihan Neal Adam from Phoenix and see some of his new and creative martial arts. In other words, Seiyo Shorin-Ryu is a family, and I look forward to hearing from all of you when you get a chance.

As a rough estimate, more than 5000 people have now trained in Seiyo Shorin-Ryu. We now have members and former members from all over including many states in the US, Puerto Rico, the Navajo Nation, the Cherokee Nation, Azerbaijan, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, France, Germany, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Canada, Italy, Russia, China, Canada, Korea and more.

Performing another flying side kick in Albuquerque at the
University of New Mexico. Eddie Begaye defends my kick.

I remember one earth-shaking series of email from a former student on 9/11. She was attending graduate school in New York City and witnessed first hand the attack on the World Trade Center and relayed the information to me as it was occurring. In short, I would love to hear from all of you when you get the chance.