We just returned from Vancouver Canada, where we attended the Goju Ryu North American Seminar 2008. Three full days of Karate training with four master instructors from our style. Most importantly, Goshi Yamaguchi Saiko Shihan, the Grand Master for Goju Ryu Karatedo from Tokyo. Also from Japan, Shigeki Yamada Shihan along with Ian McGarrity Shihan from the US, and John Priegert Shihan from Canada. What an amazing challenge and opportunity! The opening session on Friday was three hours, and then 6 hours each on Saturday and Sunday. It was grueling physically and mentally, but also so fun and exciting to have access to the quality of instruction and the examples that they set. By far there were more black belt participants than anything else. Our own little Cian was the youngest participant and he made us proud! He behaved well and practiced well and therefore got quite a lot of attention from the various instructors – especially the Grand Master! — who honestly seemed like a wonderful grandfather in his character. Our own sensei, her son, also a sensei, and three of the young black belts from our Dojo tested successfully for their next level black belts. Quite an accomplishment for each of them and really made an impression on Cian for what hard work and dedication is worth.

A few words from Chad now….The seminar exceeded all expectations. It was really hard to know what to expect but, as Joyce wrote, we worked hard and learned much. There was a lot of knowledge shared and a great amount of skill with all the students and sensei present. There was a great spirit of tradition and an interesting mix of exchange. We were able to drive to a foreign country and learn from people from across the Pacific. All the time it was emphasized that we were all one as we sought to learn a common skill. The grand master was very skilled in his martial arts but also his ability to teach. That seemed to me to be what makes the sensei true sensei, the ability to teach. What fun.