 Results On this page you will find pictures of club members from recent events.
Great Road Trip! First I was off to Sensei Ken Jacobs dojo, the Kyobukan Dojo, in Toronto this past Saturday! Good training and we covered a lot! Fast learners there!
Then Sunday I caught up with some of OKDR Black belts in Woodstock, ON at Woodstock Martial Arts with Sensei Roger Mabee who was just recently promoted to Shodan in the OKDR and this past Warrior Gasshuku hosted by Kyoshi Neil Stolsmark. There we did some good "old" (authentic) kobudo. We concentrated on the Bo and Sai with a grading and a little demo at the end. Thanks to senpai Ian and Senpai Roger Dufour for making the drive to help with the weekend.
Hope to see everyone at the Saifa Oyo Seminar coming up end of July.
Sensei Mike Promoted to Renshi by the DNBK! Thank you everyone for sharing in this great event for the dojo.
Hanshi Merriman Seminar Boucherville, QC June 2010
Some of Kyoshi Frenette's Hojo Undo
Members of EMAC Canada who attended this fantastic seminar
What a good looking group!
Kyoshi Neil Stolsmark Warrior Gasshuku 2010 Waukesha, WI
We are back from another awesome Warrior Gasshuku hosted by Sensei Neil Stolsmark. Thank you to eveyone who went and support this wonderful event. I know everyone had a fantastic time and will have wonderful memories they can share for the rest of their lives.
Congratulations Roger Mabee and James Morrison promoted to Shodan in the OKDR and EMAC Canada for Kobudo.
What a great extended weekend! Lots of great karate and kobudo. Once again congratulations to Roger Mabee and James Morrison of EMAC Canada, the OKDR (in Canada) and Woodstock Martial Arts on being promoted to Shodan (1st degree black belt) in the OKDR.
OKDR Brown belts...
Sensei Roger receiving his Black belt in Kobudo
Sensei James Receiving his Black belt in kobudo
OKDR Black Belts!
Team Canada at Kyoshi Neil's 2010 Warrior Gasshuku
To'on Ryu Karate and Kobudo Seminar with Sensei Mario McKenna May 6,7&8, 2010
This has been one of my dreams and it has finally come true, to learn the infamous To’on Ryu Sanseriu kata. Many questions were answered with the awesome training by Sensei Mario McKenna and yet many more questions were formed. These, I guess will be answered next time or maybe not. For over 10 years I wondered about the To’on ryu Sanseriu kata and why the goju sanseriu was different. This weekend was very enlightening.
Thank you Sensei Mario for making the journey to our dojo and for sharing your knowledge and patience with us.
Thank you to all the students who made the effort and attended this event.
Hanshi Merriman's 50 Year in Karate Arizona, USA Feb 27 - Mar 4, 2010
We had an awesome time celebrating with Hanshi Merriman, Kyoshi Frenette, Sensei Paul Enfield and his family and many many, more. The training was great but the people were fantastic! Below are some pictures from the banquet hanging out with Sensei Paul and his family.
Blainville Seminar with Kyoshi Frenette, 8th Dan - Dec 5, 2009
Kyoshi Frenette, 8th Dan, at Eastwind Dojo - Nov 15, 2009
Shaolin Kwan Dao Seminar
Kobudo Keiko (Training in Okinawa Weaponry)
Bo, Sai and Nunchaku - Aug 29, 2009
Kobudo Training with guests from Woodstock, ON and Montreal, QC.
Good work everyone this weekend. As I stated this weekend in class, in order for kobudo, or anything for that matter, to stay strong first you have to start off strong and then maintain the strength. Martial arts training is like a boiling pot of water, you have to constantly feed the fire to keep it hot and that means keep training. I feel we have started off very strong in the OKDR kobudo and I will do my best to keep it strong in Canada.
I feel sorry for the martial artists that don't have a teacher to train under or think they have nothing else to learn. I feel so lucky and honoured to have the teachers I have and to have the lineage we have to follow in.
Also to know that there is so much out there to learn and that I know so little still.
I welcome anyone who wishes to share with us our ancient and authentic arts.
Saifa Bunkai Seminar Napanee, ON
Thank you everyone who attended the saifa bunkai seminar held in Napanee, ON.
Everyone did a great job absorbing all the material in a short 2 hours.
Thank you all for your dedication to preserving the Goju pasted on by Miyazato Sensei
of the Jundokan Dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.
Thank you all!!!
Congratulations Kevin, John and Roger promoted to Shodan in the OKDR and EMAC Canada for Kobudo. Congratulations Senpai Steve who was promoted to Sandan.
DNBK seminar at Eastwind Dojo with Ken Tallack, Kyoshi 8th Dan - May 8, 2009
Very motivating seminar!! Thank you Kyoshi!!
Hanshi Mady Seminar April 25, 2009
Thank you Sensei Tim Leonard and the Toshikai dojo for hosting this seminar.
EMAC Goju Ryu Karate and Ju-jutsu seminar by Sensei Mike Sywyk - Timmins, ON.
This past weekend, Feb 20 and 21, Sensei Mike, Sempai Roger and Sempai George travelled to Fontana Sensei's Dojo in Timmins, ON to teach seminars on Okinawa Goju Ryu and Ju-Jutsu. Fontana's Sensei's Dojo is EMAC Canada's northern most dojo. Friday night was a seminar for senior belts only so we worked the higher belt katas and then focused on Rensoku kumite of Saifa.
Saturday was a full day with 4 hours of training in more Okinawa goju Ryu and Ju-jutsu waza. Everyone did a fantastic job and I was very impressed with Fontana's students attitudes and training mindset. There is a saying that says, "If your heart is not right your art will not be right.". Fontana Sensei has a great heart and this shows in his students. This dojo will be a force to recken with at the next gasshuku.
Okinawa Goju Ryu Jundokan Seminar Ottawa, ON - Jan 25, 2009.
Great seminar! Thank you everyone who came out. We are off to a great start in 2009! Thank you to Kyoshi Frenette for a great Jundokan Goju Ryu Seminar this past weekend and to all the dojos and students who supported it. Lets make 2009 the best year yet!
Good work this weekend!
EMAC Canada Referee Refresher course and Tournament coming up January 31, 2009
Sensei Mike at Bluewater Martial Arts the home of the BudoTrader Rockland, ON - Sept 24, 2008
The Karate - Kung-Fu Connection
Sensei Mike was invited by Sensei Jeremy McCann of Bluewater Martial Arts and the BudoTrader to conduct a free seminar on the Karate/Kung-Fu connection at his dojo in Rockland, ON. To be included in the group of other martial artist who have done this in the past was a total honour. With the open minds and positive energy in the dojo the seminar just flew by! Thank you to Sempai Mark, 3rd Dan and Sempai Donna, 2nd Dan who came form Eastwind Martial Arts to help.
Kuroi Obi Keiko - Black belt Training
On Friday August 29, 2008 we had a special training session for black belts only. This served many purposes but mainly it was to continue the advanced training as seen in most traditional martial arts called Shugyo Keiko or Spirit Training. Shugyo training is not done during regular class time for the simple reason, it can't.
The four hours allowed us to cover, work on and put together many more things then we can in a normal length class and push yourselves beyond your comfort zone.
I was very proud of everyone who came out and gave 110% effort and didn't give up. The key lesson in this session was awareness. Practice this!
Look for more and longer Shugyo training sessions in the future.
More pictures on the gallery page.
Kobudo Training in USA with Kyoshi N. Stolsmark - Aug 1-3, 2008.
Ottawa Rapidzs Baseball Demo - Jul y 10, 2008
It was Martial Arts night at the Ottawa Rapidzs field July 10 and Eastwind Budo Life Center was one of 4 groups invited. We conducted 2 demos one at the beginning for the game near the front enterance and 1 after the 8th inning on the field. It was great! Everyone was great and the crowd loved us. See below for some pictures and video coming soon.
Hanshi Merriman, 9th Dan Seminar June 21, 2008 - MTL, QC
Thank you everyone who attended Hanshi Merriman's Seminar in Boucherville Quebec at Kyoshi Frenette's Dojo.
Everyone is doing well at The Rideau Osgoode Karate Club Okinawa Kobudo Seminar series taught by Sensei Mike Sywyk. Here are some pictures of the last seminar held to the Rideau Osgoode Karate Club, Chief Instructor Sensei Albert Ethier.
Kayleigh practicing with the nunchaku.
Eastwind attends CKKA Seminar,
Grading and Tournament.
AWESOME Event!!!
On March 29, 2008 Eastwind Budo Life Centre attended the 2nd Annual CKKA Memorial Seminar, Gradings, Tournament and Banquet. Simply put, it was AWESOME. Sigung Dave Chong amazed us again, at least me anyway, by teaching a snake form was had not seen before. We had learned 2 previous snake forms but Sigung taught us another yet another one. It was the short snake form. What I can figure, is that we knew the long snake form and the medium length snake form. This was a new one and a bit shorter in length, therefore the short snake.
In addition to the seminar Eastwind also competed in the 2nd Annual CKKA Memorial Tournament with Sempai Donna taking first place in Black Belt Women's Kobudo and Sensei Mike placing 1st in Black belt Men's Kobudo, 1st in Black belt Men's 5 Animal forms division, 2nd in Black belt Men's Sparring, 4th place in Black belt Karate kata.
After the tournament, the CKKA hosted a memorial banquet with a few of the CKKA masters, like Sensei Doug Lee, Sensei Alex Atkinson and Kyoshi Tallack, Kyoshi and Representative for Canada in the DNBK, receiving top honours. Sempai Donna also received an CKKA award for 'Diligent Training'. Congratulations Sempai Donna! Keep up your hard work.
Thank you to all people involved in organizing this GREAT event.
Keep checking our website for more CKKA seminars coming up in 2008.
www.eastwindbudo.org
The Eastern Martial Arts Coalition (EMAC) Canada, founded January 1, 2006 is about perserving and bringing together many of the traditional and authentic martial arts practiced in Canada. Through EMAC Canada we are bringing together Traditional Okinawan Karate, Traditional Okinawan Kobudo, the 5 Form Fist Kung Fu System and Ju-jutsu all under 1 roof. When you train hard and look deep in to all these are arts are you will see how they are related.
EMAC Canada is not limited to any specific styles, although is limited to traditional and authentic arts, in other words you must be able to trace the lineage of your style to its roots.
The arts practiced at Eastwind Budo Life Centre are connected and related in the following way, the Five Form Fist Kung-fu system which comes from Southern China is the source/roots of our Okinawan Karate and Kobudo systems. For hundreds of years the Chinese and Okinawa people had a great relationship and through this relationship amoung other things the knowleadge of martial arts was exchanged with many of the Grand Masters of Karate and Kobudo going to China and Chinese Masters coming to Okinawa knowledge was exchanged over a long period of time. Finally our Ju-jutsu system, which has its root in Japan, is the application/bunkai of all the kata. Bringing all these arts together makes a complete system.
The art does not make the man; the man makes the art. (man = human)
EMAC Canada Instructor Training Workshop Jan 26, 2008
Very educational workshop sponsored by EMAC Canada. Congratulations to everyone who participated and congratulations to all the black belts who were certified at Dojo, Regional, National and International Instructor levels.
Thank you!
EMAC Canada Budo Gasshuku November 23 & 24, 2007
Thank you very much for your support and professionalism this weekend at the EMAC Fall Budo Gasshuku 2007. Without you it would not of been such a success. Not all of you were able to make this event, however you would be proud of the people and students who were there they all did a fantastic job. It was a busy day, but the EMAC Chief Instructors did have time to sit down together and discuss a few issues. All in all this weekend's Friday night Black Belt grading and all day Saturday event was a success because of you! On behalf of EMAC Canada thank you all for your support, your teaching and for emphasizing to your students how important these seminars and extra events over an above normal dojo training. The grading was great and covered most areas of the brown belts training. I believe they felt they were tested and they will treasure the moment you help to create.
"One of the best Gasshuku EMAC hosted... Thank you, I had a blast this weekend." - Sensei Frank Hudon 4th Dan Chief Instructor Clear Skies Martial Arts.
   
EMAC Canada Black belt Grading Fall 2007
EMAC Canada Budo Gasshuku Fall 2007
Small San Shou Seminar (Tai Chi) - Dec 1, 2007
Jundokan Okinawa Goju Ryu Seminar - Nov 2007
Eastwind Martial Arts, the one and only real dojo in the Ottawa area to train at for Authentic Martial Arts.
EMAC Canada, a coalition of people preserving traditional and authentic martial arts.
For all your Dojo and Organizational needs see above.
"The Way is in the Training"
Shaolin Snake seminar with Sigung Dave Chong, 10th Degree Black belt - Nov 3, 2007 Kingston, ON
Totally AWESOME seminar with Kyoshi Frenette - Oct 14, 2007
Simply the best!!! There is nowhere in Canada and maybe on the planet where you can get the details and refinements that we got at this seminar and I have trained with the best of the best. Thank you Sensei Frenette!!
OKDR Curriculum Review Ottawa, ON September 29, 2007
On Saturday September 29, 2007 Eastwind Budo Life Centre hosted an OKDR Curriculum review session. This was attended by OKDR members only. We held part of the session at the Dojo but then for most of the session we trained outside in the park across the street from the dojo overlooking the Gatineau Hills and while the trees turned color. It was FANTASTIC.
To some of the participants it reminded them of training in Nago City park in 2004 when Sensei Neil Stolsmark organized a 2 week tour of Okinawa which included specialized kobudo training with Gakiya Sensei and Yogi Sensei of the OKDR Hombu dojo.
All in all, the training on Saturday was a great time. We need these 3 or 4 hour training sessions just to go through the whole curriculum for the OKDR.
It is very important that we keep the standard of martial arts high in Canada and with so many clubs popping up with unqualified instructors it makes it very hard. Martial Arts being what it is, Martial Arts, we hope the public will seek out qualified instructors for themselves or their loved ones.
EWBLC Travels To Wisconsin
by Ron Taylor
Once again this year some dedicated Martial Artists from the Eastwind Budo Life Centre, Sensei Mike Sywyk, Sempai Donna Dufour, Sempai Ron Taylor, made the trek to Wisconsin to train in the art of Kobudo. For those who may not know, the North American Headquarters of the OKDR (Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai) is Waukesha Wisconsin, and it is the home of 6th Degree Black Belt Sensei Neil Stolsmark who is the teacher that everyone loves to train with!
The training this weekend consisted of both physical and cranial pursuits. On the physical side, lots of hard work and many many refinements were provided to the participants. Just when you think you have the moves of the kata, a new level of training for that very same kata is provided and once again you feel like the kata is brand new. Sensei Stolsmark has such a depth of knowledge for each move of every kata it is amazing to train with him, and have him open your eyes and mind to the depth of which the training can and does go. Thank you Sensei Stolmark!
On the cranial side of the equation, Sensei Stolsmark is writing a book which will include information from a number of interviews with the founder of the OKDR - Gakiya Sensei, and many other Martial Artists who have helped shape the art into what it is today. We were treated to a preview of that work and I am sure it will be a best seller not only among Kobudo-Ka, but across all genres. It incorporates a lot of the history of the art and details how many of today’s traditions have come about. Looking forward to reading that book!
To go along with hard work there are rewards, and our very own Sensei Mike Sywyk was promoted to Sandan (Third Degree Black Belt) this weekend after proving his proficiency with a number of weapons – Congratulations Sensei Mike!! Everyone came away from the weekend a winner, both physically and mentally! We all have a little more understanding of why the Art has survived this long and we will carry it forward to future generations!
Hanshi Patrick McCarthy Seminar Hamilton, ON July 30, 2007
WOW!! This was one of the best seminars that I have ever attended. I kid you not, I had goose bumps the whole seminar!! And WOW what a great and humble master Hanshi Patrick McCarthy is, he is one the few real masters that I have ever had the honour and privilege of meeting. These days so many people call themselves "masters", however very few are, this I have found this out over my 25 years of training. Hanshi McCarthy is the real deal!
Group Shot
Kyoshi Diliberto and Hanshi McCarthy
After seminar training at Sempai Sherry house
Neil Stolsmark's Warrior Gasshuku - June 7 -10, 2007 Waukesha, WI
Thank you to everyone who went. Awesome time had by all, as always.
EW members with Yogi Sensei, Gakiya Sensei and Stolsmark Sensei
EMAC Spring Budo Gasshuku 2007 - May 25 &26, 2007
EMAC Spring 2007 Budo Gasshuku - A Great Success
EMAC National Grading Board and EMAC Black Belts
Pick your Own Trophy Tournament - April 28, 2007.
I don't know why we did not think of this before. Everyone did so great and it was our pleasure to see everyone face light up when they got to pick their own trophy. Although we don't train for tournaments; we use tournaments to train, if you train correctly winning at tournaments is a natural result.
Everyone did so great and we are so pround of everyone. Keep you you hard work.
Secrets of Seiunchin Seminar -
Great seminar!! Thank you to everyone who attended. Thank you to Sensei Tim who sponsored the seminar. See below for some pictures.
Sensei Vince Morris, 8th dan Seminar April 1 - Boucherville, QC
We are among the luckiest people in the world! This is how I feel after just getting back from our Sensei’s Dojo in Boucherville, QC where our Sensei, Kyoshi Jean Frenette, hosted a man by the name of Vince Morris. Although, this was not our first time training with Sensei Morris, I think this seminar was even more awe-inspiring than last time. Sensei Vince Morris, 8th Dan Karate-Doh and vital point expert, conducted a fantastic seminar on April 1, 2007. Sensei Morris did a great job reviewing techniques from the last seminar and at the same time went into more detail to ensure our learning continued. What a great thing, you go to a seminar and you actually learn new stuff. This happens every time we go to train with Kyoshi Frenette or any guest instructor he brings in. What a joy!
We will be going over waza (techniques) from the seminar in the next few weeks. See below for pictures.
Eastwind Competes at Kingston City Karate Tournament, Feb 17, 2007
Last Saturday, February 17th, ten members from EWBLC made the trip to Kingston, Ontario to compete and officiate in the 12th Annual Kingston City Open Karate Championship. Hosted by Kyoshi Ken Tallack of the DNBK, the tournament took place in the Queen’s University Physical Education Centre. The EWBLC team consisted of a combination of adults and children ranging from white belt to advanced Black Belt. Headed by Sensei Mike and Sensei Laura, team members included Jennifer Matsununga and her daughter Lily Chen, Jackie and her son Jacob Dignard, Natalia Martynova, Theresa Fournier and Sempais Donna and Roger Dufour.
While the coloured belts were busy competing with martial artists from different dojos and styles, the Black Belts had the opportunity to judge kata, kumite and kobudo with black belts from other dojos. It was fascinating to see how many variations of karate there are!
The Black Belts competed later in the afternoon against some very stiff competition. There was a lot of talent and martial arts experience on the floor that day. The divisions included weapons kata, open hand kata, and kumite or sparring.
It was an exciting, memorable day for the team from Eastwind. With nine competing members, a total of 15 awards were won including several first, second, and third place awards in the divisions of kata, weapons kata, and sparring. Next year, we look forward to bringing many members to this exciting event.
Kobudo Seminar Feb 3, 2007 Osgoode, ON Canada
Thanks to Sensei Albert Ethier for a wonderful afternoon at his Dojo, The Rideau Osgoode Karate Club. Sensei Mike was invited by Sensei Albert to teach our wonderful are art kobudo at his dojo and it went off superbly. Students from Eastwind Martial Arts in Ottawa traveled a short distance to take part in a kobudo seminar which covered the Bo staff and the sai. Of course many students from ROKC were there and Yolanda from Limestone Karate in Kingston also attended. Thank you Sensei Brad Gilbert for promoting the seminar.
Our Kobudo system as taught to us by Sensei Neil Stolsmark, as taught to him by Y. Gakiya Sensei from Okinawa is, to say the least awesome!! We are so lucky to have this authentic kobudo system taught to us and for Sensei Mike and Sensei Laura to be personal students to Sensei Stolsmark we are truly blessed.
We are also lucky to have such open-minded Sensei like Sensei Albert of the ROKC to invite us in to his dojo to help promote our art and for that the Dojo will benefit and most importantly their students will benefit.
A specal thank you to Eastwind black belts and OKDR black belts, Ian Taylor and Donna Dufour for making the trip to ensure everyone had lots of help and do some demos.
Goju Ryu Seminar Jan 28, 2007 Ottawa, Canada
Again, another awesome day! If you missed it, it is your loss. Kyoshi Frenette's ingenious exercises that focus on the principals of Goju Ryu and biomechanics are just simply awesome. If you were not able to attend I would strongly urge you to make the next one. After taking one of Kyoshi Frenette's Seminar your skills are at a new level.
Thank you to the Dojos that were able to attend, Ecole de Martial Arts, Blainville, Quebec; Sensei Mary Lou Crete, Eastwind Martial Arts, Rideau Osgoode Karate Club, Sensei Albert Ethier, Sakura Martial Arts, Sempai Laurie Winter, White Water Martial Arts, Sensei Chris Smerdon and of course Boucherville Karate dojo, Kyoshi Jean Frenette. Thank you to all who attended. We could not support Sensei Frenette coming up if it was not for you people.
Secrets of Sanchin Seminar Jan 13, 2007
~What a great day!!
Thank you everyone who made the 'Secrets of Sanchin' seminar so fantastic. We will most definitely have a follow-up to this seminar. This seminar would not of happened if it was not for the efforts of Sensei Tim Leonard. 1000 thanks to Sensei Tim and his Toshikai Dojo for sponsoring the seminar.
Thank you to all the teachers and students who attended. Many wonderful dojos were in attendance and many wonderful people. Thank you to the following Dojos and their students:
Deseronto Goju Ryu
Napanee Karate Club
Eastwind Budo Life Centre
Rideau Osgoode Karate Club
Toshikai Dojo
Sakura Martial Arts Dojo
The next couple of seminars coming up are January 28 2 -5pm with Kyoshi Frenette at Eastwind Dojo and February 3 1:30 - 4:00 pm Mike Sywyk on the Bo and Sai. More information to follow on both seminars.
EMAC Canada Referee Course and National Black Belt Grading - December 2, 2006
I would like to personally thank everyone who came out and supported the EMAC Canada referee course and the Black belt grading. It was a fantastic day. I really appreciate everyone's support and we could not have such a great coalition and have such great coalition events if it was not for our great coalition members.
Some people seem to think that a coalition like ours can run by itself, but of course it can not. For this coalition we belong to, to have such great events like we have had this year it take lots and lots and lots of time, effort and hard work. Most of us don't know how many hours, and I am guessing in the hundreds, that Sensei Lowry has work to organize 2 black belt gradings, 2 opportunities for black belt only training, 2 gasshukus, an examiners course, a referee course, seminars, tournaments all this year and all for our coalition. Thank you Sensei Lowry!
I would also like to thank all the EMAC Canada chief instructors that came out for this wonderful day and a special thank you to Sakura Martial Arts in Perth for hosting this event, Thank you to Sensei Jamie Wright, Sempai Laurie Winter and Semapi Russell Lloyd.
There are more exciting events coming up next year including more gasshukus (training camps), more courses, more training, more tournaments, more gradings etc.
If I don't see you before the holidays have a Merry Christmas from our family to yours.
Yours in Budo,
Mike Sywyk
EMAC Canada Technical Director
www.eastwindbudo.org
EMAC Canada National Black Belt Grading - December 2, 2006
EMAC Canada Referee Course 2006
Jundokan SoHonbu Dojo Canadian Tour 2006 - Nov 9-12, 2006
EMAC Fall Gasshuku and Friendship Tournament 2006 - October 14, 2006
At this year's EMAC Canada Fall Gasshuku 2006 there was a true feeling of camaraderie, sharing, and true happiness. It was a total success! From the great Sensei that came to share their knowledge to the nicest students, it was a perfect formula. There were some strict objectives set forth for the day like; meet someone new, have fun, and be safe, these objectives were followed and met by all students and the Instructors, who lead by example.
Thank you to all the Sensei's who traveled from as far as Timmins, ON and all the participants as well.
The skills on the floor are getting better and better each time we are getting together.
EMAC Canada Chief Instructors Meeting and Tensho/Rokishi Seminar - Sept. 23, 2006
September 23, 2006 was a great day! It started off with an EMAC Canada chief Instructors meeting and get together for a fall rejuvenation and a "get back into gear" meeting. The meeting was very positive. It got under way by going over the Fall calendar, then business ideas, next we when over the Fall Gasshuku, then we discussed the December National Black Belt grading, and finished with a round table. This meeting help get us all in gear for the Fall and got the synergy going again after the Summer months.
Following the meeting, EMAC Canada hosted a seminar open to all belts and all ages and Sensei Mike and Sensei Laura taught the kata Tensho and the 2 person form to this called Rokishi. Rokishi is considered a lost treasure and the people who attend the seminar were truly blessed with this wonderful bit of knowledge. Treasure it always!
If you were not able to make the this seminar get ready for the big 2006 Fall Gasshuku coming up October 14 in Napanee, On. This day will include not only seminars but also a Friendship tournament. See Sensei for more details. Sign up at the Dojo and get training as we challenge is on to see which Dojo, Eastwind or Napanee can get more medals at the tournament.
Okinawa Goju Seminar Sept. 16, 2006
On Saturday September 16, 2006 Kyoshi Frenette, the highest ranking Jundokan Black belt in Canada came to Eastwind Martial Arts Studio for an Okinawa Goju Ryu seminar. What a simply awesome day! The seminar was hosted by Sensei Mike and Sensei Laura, direct students of Kyoshi Frenette. This seminar was supposed to be a refresher as some people were just coming back after the Summer, however not only did Kyoshi Frenette do a great review but he also did many new drills and exercises as well. The seminar finished up with Kyoshi own additional to the art his Bakkuhatsu drills.
Fun has had by all and thank you everyone who came out to support Kyoshi on such a beautiful September day.
You are all beautiful people.
Kobudo Training and Testing in Waukesha, WI - Aug 25 - 27, 2006.
By Ron Taylor - Shodan Kobudo
A total of 4 members of Eastwind Budo Life Centre, led by Sensei Mike, made the trek to Wisconsin to spend a weekend training in Kobudo with Sensei Neil Stolsmark - and what a weekend it was! 3 of the 5 Kobudo-Ka tested for Shodan and passed! Congratulations to Sempai(s) Donna Dufour, Ian Taylor and Ron Taylor. It was a strong showing by our Dojo and everyone was pleased with the work done for the Grading.
The curriculum covered touched all areas of Kobudo and included Bo, Sai, Tonfa, Nunchaku, Eku and Nunti Spear!! Refinement after refinement was shared as we worked through what proved to be a very humid weekend in the Dojo. The puddles on the floor were proof of the effort that was extended by everyone in attendance, as we worked to gather the knowledge that was flowing so freely over the weekend! There was something for everyone from White Belt up to 3rd Dan Black Belts and we have brought back that knowledge to share with everyone in the Dojo over the coming weeks.
We also had an opportunity to share in the Celebration of Sensei Neil Stolsmak’s 7th Dan Black Belt promotion! Congratulations Sensei from EVERYONE at EastWind!!! We were also treated to a Tonfa Kata that will be taught to us in the coming years as Sensei Neil worked through Sunday morning with everyone! There was discussion of the upcoming Gasshuku in 2007 and our very own SENSEI MIKE will be a FEATURED INSTRUCTOR at that Gasshuku - if you practice Kobudo and you can, you should try to make the upcoming Gasshuku as Sensei Neil has confirmed that Gakiya Sensei and Yogi Sensei will also be in attendance this year!!! Its an opportunity you don’t want to miss - last year was awesome and I have no doubt that next year will be every bit as good, if not better as we have been told that Gakiya Sensei just keeps getting better and better!!!
Make sure that you come out to classes and grab the knowledge that has been brought back from Sensei Neil.
Dojo Sparring Tourney June 2006
Sparring Seminar by Sensei John Atkinson - June 25, 2006
Warrior Gasshuku - Waukesha, WI
Thank you to everyone who went. Awesome time had by all, as always.
Okinawa comes to Mason City, Iowa
By Dai Sempai Mark Bonnet
Sensei Mike and Dai Sempai Mark have returned safely from their trip to Mason City, Iowa to train with some of the Masters from Okinawa. They met people from all over North America, from California, to Kentuky, to Iowa, to New York and New Jersey, to Alaska, to Toronto. They were warmly received by our Karate family in Iowa, and everyone trained hard over the three days. The Okinawans emphasised the importance of basics, stances, kakie and training hard. They corrected kata, and presented lectures on the history of Okinawan Goju Ryu. It was a great trip, and a great opportunity to meet our Jundokan family in North America. It was also a great warm-up for the visit of Gima Sensei, 8th Dan and Kinjo Sensei, 8th Dan this November! Sensei Mike and Dai Sempai Mark have lots to share, so make sure you get to class soon!
Some Shibu Dojo and Jundokan Masters
Sensei Mike and Sempai Mark with Jundokan Masters
Mason City, Iowa May 2006
EMAC Canada 2006 Spring Budo Gasshuku - Napanee, ON May 26 & 27, 2006
Thank you to everyone for a successful weekend in Napanee at the EMAC Canada 2006 Spring Gasshuku Weekend. Thank you to everyone who made it a success.
We could not have done it without you. At the National Black Belt grading Eastwind had 2 brown belts promoted to Black belt and 2 black belts promoted to second Dan. Congratulations to Cathy Delany and Tom Lowe for Shodan-Ho and Ian and Greame McDowell for second Dan (Nidan)!! The grading was excellent it tested everyone thoroughly and everyone did great. Thank you to the professional group of people that were on the grading board that day to help evaluate the brown belts and Black belts testing for upper Dan ranks. Many of the senior Black belts from Eastwind were on the grading board. Thank you at all the other Black belts who came out to support their fellow Dojo mates going for new ranks. Also thank you to the Black belts that helped out the grading board and partnered up with someone that needed a partner or that helped out in any way. We had over 38 Black Belts in attendence this day!!! Way to go!!!
What can I say about the seminars, they were awesome! What a group of talented Chief instructors EMAC Canada has!! At this gasshuku we were able to showcase the versatility of our organization. From Karate to ground defense, from Shaolin Gung Fu to ju-jitsu, from kobudo to self defence against weapons, all in all just speculator amount of knowledge at this years EMAC Canada 2006 Spring Budo Gasshuku Weekend. Thank you to all of Eastwind members who participated and also the parents and support people that drove and helped out in any way. Remember knowledge is only potential power, you have to put it to use for it to become true power.
As for the tournament, the results are still being calculated so we will know shortly who won the tournament challenge between Eastwind and Napanee. Stay tuned for the results. What I saw at the tournament was good competition, good effort, good sportsmanship and people having fun. I want to congratulate our youngest competitor ever from Eastwind Mr. Callum Sywyk. Callum at the age of 2 years old competed in the Beginner 6 and under category. Congratulations Callum and congratulations Everyone from Eastwind.
Keep checking the website, pictures will be up soon.
Yours in Budo,
Sensei Mike and Sensei Laura
www.eastwindbudo.org
Okinawa Trip February 2006
On February 3 Sensei Mike and Mr. Bonnet left from Ottawa for Okinawa, Japan, the birthplace of Okinawa Karate. The trip was a training packed adventure. With Kobudo training in the morning with Gakiya Sensei and Yogi Sensei and the training at the Jundokan Dojo with Kancho Miyazato, Taira Sensei, Yogi Sensei, Genaha Sensei, Kinjo Sensei, Sunagawa Sensei, Glennsan, Tabasan, Itosan to name a few of the masters there. We did manage to see a few sights while we were there as this was the first trip for Mr. Bonnet but the 6th for Sensei.
Below is a brief day by day outline of what we did:
Friday Feb 3 - Left Ottawa 7:55 am
Saturday Feb 4 - arrive Okinawa 10:00 PM took monorail to Sempai Chris and Ange's apartment, the place we were staying. Thanks Chris and Ange!!
Sunday Feb 5 - Went to Nago to see the Cherry blossoms (SAKURA) then to the Onsen (Tradition Japanese bath)
Monday Feb 6 - Kobudo Training in the morning with Gakiya Sensei and Yogi Sensei. Lunch and then to Shuri Castle for Mark to see. If you go to Okinawa you must go to Shuri Castle. Supper and then off to the Jundokan for training from 8 - 10PM. Of course this being the first time this trip we see all the Senseis we gave lots of gifts. Refeshments at Taira Sensei's bar.
Tuesday Feb 7 - Kobudo Training in the morning with Gakiya Sensei and Yogi Sensei this time in the town next to Naha, Urasoe because the Budokan is closed on Tuesdays. Lunch and some training on our own. Supper and then off to the Jundokan Dojo again for training from 8 - 10PM. Refeshments at Taira Sensei's bar.
Wednesday Feb 8 - Kobudo Training in the morning with Gakiya Sensei and Yogi Sensei back at the Budokan. Gakiya Sensei brought us out to lunch at a soba restaurant then more training with Yogi Sensei at the Budokan and then to Shureido to to pick up some belts, uniforms and training equipment. Then got lost looking for the name stamp store. Supper and then off to the Jundokan for training from 8 - 10PM. Refeshments at Taira Sensei's bar.
Thursday Feb 9 - Last Kobudo Training in the morning with Gakiya Sensei and Yogi Sensei at the Budokan. Had lunch and then went looking for the name stamp store, found it!! And then off to Heiwadori (the covered market). Supper and then off to the Jundokan for our last training session there from 8 - 10PM. Karaoke party and refreshments at Taira Sensei's Bar.
Friday Feb 10 - up at 7:00 am took monorail to Naha KoKu (airport) and the same day after 30 hours of traveling at 10:35 PM.
Training group at the Jundokan Dojo
Leadership Seminar Aug 2004 - Ottawa, ON
What a treat!! At the end of August, just in time for the big influx of new students that always happens in September, the Brown and Black Belts of EWBLC were treated to a special seminar on leadership by Personal Development Trainer and Blue Belt at EWBLC, Mrs.Cathy Delany. What a great night. Everyone learned something and Cathy made it a lot of fun. What a great speaker!
This was a special night we organized just for our advanced belts both junior and adults. We did some interactive exercises, note taking and asked a lot of questions and at the end of the night everyone had some great leadership tips. Remember you are all leaders in some way or another. And Don't wait for but look for ways to help out in everything you do. This is Leadership.
We are all very lucky to have the Dojo and people we have and you would be totally surprised of all the special talent we have at our Dojo.
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