UW Seiyo Kai's First Auunal Yudansha Clinic Is A Huge Success

Oct. 28, 2009 - PRLog -- The UW Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo Club concluded it’s first annual Yudansha (Black Belt) Clinic held at their campus dojo in the Education Building Gym October 24th & 25th. Training was instructed by Hanshi, Andy Finley 7th Dan and Shihan Kevin Vance 5th Dan. Members of Seiyo Kai International Karate Dojos from Cheyenne, Laramie, Gillette and Casper participated in the two day clinic.

Sensei Martin of the UW Club said he enjoys hosting clinics that focus on karate, “events like this are a great way for Black Belts to train with other Black Belts at a level of intensity that beginning students find a bit intimidating and difficult if not impossible to keep up with.”

Traditional Okinawan Martial arts are sometimes confused with the stuff you see in the movies. “People get the wrong impression about true martial arts because they think it’s all about the good guy beating up the bad guy and that’s just not the real world,” said Sensei Martin. “In our style designed by Grand Master Soke Hausel 10th Dan, Traditional Karate is designed to develop the whole person for a healthier lifestyle and effective self defense techniques.”

“While many other ‘Sport Karate Clubs’ focus on sparring (pretending to fight) winning trophies, and medals at tournaments. Seiyo Shorin-Ryu does not sanction tournaments or competition of any kind but instead teaches the philosophy of karate as a ‘non-aggressive true martial art’ for overall physical conditioning and devastating self defense. There is so much more potential for developing superior focus and overall mind-body conditioning with our training program because we don’t concern ourselves with being performers on a stage trying to impress spectators. We just train hard, get in great physical shape and learn fundamentals. If we ever had to use what we know to defend ourselves and our loved ones then karate comes in pretty handy there too.”

Sensei Kyle Gewecki 3rd Dan drove down from Gillette where he is currently teaching physical education at a local elementary school and runs a Seiyo Kai dojo in his spare time. Sensei Gewecki who graduated from the UW a few years ago with a degree in kinesiology and education said “coming back to the UW to train is sort of like coming home. I had been involved in martial arts before I met Soke Hausel almost eight years ago but ever since my main focus has been Traditional Okinawan Karate.”

Sensei Martin says that “UW Seiyo Kai are planning several events for the near future including several free to the public two hour clinics on ‘women’s self defense,’ as well as Mudansha (colored belt students) clinics and an annual anniversary clinic celebrating more than 32 years of karate on the UW campus.”

Among our many Mudansha (students)are some very educated people. Florence (from France) our RSO’s faculty advisor is a research scientist and Paula (from Brazil) is an exchange student working with Florence. Bill is working on a Masters degree in teaching Astronomy, Crystal is here completing a master's in Geography, and Kate is here for a degree education. Will, Steve, Jason, Clark, Bryan are Engineering students, Eddie is a Math major and Adam is studying Political science. We even have a few of us like Ben, Nicole and Deanna who just work in Laramie for a living.

Just a reminder that the UW Seiyo Kai Dojo (RSO) is always open to new students who are interested in learning “the Way of The Peaceful Warrior” so if you want to know more about how to join or are ready to work of some of the stress of the day we train five days a week (12 hours total) and all you need to get started is a couple of bucks and your desire to learn. A schedule of fees, training times and web links can be found at www.uwyo.edu/karate so drop by; we’d love to train with you. Follow us on myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/uwkarateclub

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The University of Wyoming Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo Club was founded in 1978 by Grand Master Dan Hausel 10th Dan. Our club has trained some of the most highly educated Karate Ka in the world. We train in Traditional Okinawan Martial Arts.