Jacques S.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Jacques S.

Jacques was a fellow student in the mid-to-late 1980s at Black Belt Academy, Hicksville. I posted a message on his Facebook wall today, his birthday. He left the following comment on the post:

"My dear friend, thank u for the b-dy wish..know that since our training, u have taught me confidence, courage, and strength throughout these many years. Throughout many times in my life I have drawn upon ur teachings to get me thru the hard times..Osu!!"

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Keith C.

Keith (brown belt) came to visit during Easter '05. He was recruited for his college football team on full scholarship, where he outshone most of the local Connecticut players.
I got a kick out of it when he said to me, "Sensei . . . hips! Now I understand what you meant all along." One of the reasons he's such a good defensive player is because he gets his hips low, drives up under his opponent's shoulders, raises their center of gravity, and knocks them over. As a youth at the dojo, Keith would just stare blankly and 'Hai Sensei' ("yes, teacher") me just to keep me quiet. At least he finally learned what I was teaching all along and could use it to his advantage. Keith has grown into a big man. When I asked about his size, he replied: "6 foot 5, 260 Sensei, and thank you for being my greatest coach and teacher." Upon seeing a Facebook post I made re: politics in Karate, Keith commented: Sensei you've done a great job raising us under your guidance in the martial arts as well as in life. You're also a pretty funny guy. You've always let us know about politics and tradition and the difference.

Chris C.

"Thank you so much for sending links to those YouTube videos! Watching you and Sensei Abrams perform kata brought back many fond memories of training at Black Belt Academy and Do Gakuin...
...I also wanted to thank you for everything you've taught me over the years. Much of the discipline and humility it took to learn this craft (3d animation artist) and start my career I owe to training at your dojo. Although I haven't trained at Do Gakuin in years, I will always consider myself your student..."

Mary D. F.

"I must compliment you on your website. On a lark, I did a search for "Shotokan" and found your site. The "Pedigree" section is concise and I was glad to see the preservation of the traditions of Shotokan firmly secured as you have always been a dedicated martial artist.
I joined Black Belt Academy in the summer of 1985 and although I dabbled in Kung Fu after the birth of my son in '99, it never really matched the real training and adherance in quite the way I knew it with Shotokan. I trained up just short of my brown belt and got lost, I suppose. I'm certain now, if I hadn't, I'd still be training somehow. It's interesting: the stances, focus and the placement, well, I still have them at my last training level, at least. I don't think they'll go away either."

Michael B.

Mike trained with us in 2000 and 2001. He was not a particularly coordinated, gifted athlete at the dojo.

He came back for a visit in Winter 2005 and reported that he was on his H.S. basketball team in his Junior and Senior years, and at the time of his visit was a member of the Nassau C.C. team. He said that the team was to-date undefeated and that scouts at four-year schools are showing interest in him for scholarship.

Mike wanted to say 'thanks' for being so demanding on him during his time with us, saying that the discipline honed here helped him in his academics and athletics. Basics and kata helped him learn to coordinate his body and move more fluidly. He found that the low stances, particularly kibba dachi, helped develop his legs (especially his quads), which are essential to his basketball jump shots.

George R.

"Thank you for the message and the invitation to download the eBook. I'll be sure do that. I've also subscribed to the YouTube page of Do Gakuin Shotokan.

I came across your YouTube page after a discussion with some of my students on the concepts of karate kamae and the similarities it shares with "old style" bareknuckle boxing. We discussed the topic at length. Upon finding your video it was so closely mirrored many of our discussion points that I sent it to the senior student's I was discussing it with. Superb video. Since that point, I've viewed several other videos and felt compelled to support the Facebook page as well.

Thank you for contributions to the world of karate and budo more broadly."

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Friday, June 28, 2013

Jacques S.

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