Hatsumi-soke's class last night was great. He was very clear about the fact that techniques are not the essence of a true budoka. Techiques should be forgotten. Have a clear mind. Move. A true budoka has heart. This kind of heart is not blinding bright but instead it radiates out and onward. Much of the [...]

It takes about 14 hours to get to Japan… And by the time you get there, you've lost a whole day. Oh, and they speak a foreign language, too. But you knew that, didn't you?We landed about 2:30pm Japan time (that's 1:30am NY time), hit the tarmac running and then it was customs time. Which [...]

Tonights class was a nice small (what with a few people out sick, out of town, working late or out sick) with a focus on nage, keri and ukemi. Senior students stayed later for an extra session in which one of our number showed some koto ryu and kukishin lessons. To this end, Bill Lami [...]

The first Sat class of the New Year was great. I got a chance totrain with some of my students that haven't been around for a while. WE stayed after training and had dinner together and talk for about 3 hours

Welcome to 2008. We wish you and your loved ones a healthy and happy New Year. Oh, and welcome to the Year of the Ninja Rat! (don't ask)