ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY

THE ICA TRAVELS NORTH
11/JULY/2009

   On behalf of the Harold Long foundation the ICA journeyed to Ft. Madison, Iowa to attend and participate in a seminar. We went at the invitation of Master Steve Young. Master Young is the Chairman of the American Okinawan, Karate Association and Secretary Treasure of the Isshin-ryu Hall of Fame. He had expressed an interest in the Isshin-ryu Cross-Trainers alliance, and invited us up to demo some of what we do. I was very flattered to be invited by Master Young, as he is one of the “real deal” people in Isshin-ryu. Any time with him, is time well spent.

   The seminar was no exception. It was well organized, well attended, and had high profile demonstrators and attendees. I was impressed by how many high dans there were. They were not just giving seminars, but participating. I was particularly impressed with Masters: Nick Adler, Marilyn Fierro and Terry Creamer. It is interesting to see Marquee name people perform. You can see how they got up there on that marquee. This is why you should travel and participate in events throughout the country. You never stop learning this way and your students reap the rewards.  It was also good to see old friend, Master Dan Harrison and watch him labor away in all the seminars, particularly mine. He is one of my favorite “Yankee” brothers and a real martial arts man.

   All the people in my seminar worked hard. It was not easy for those who had never been exposed to ground fighting, stand-up grappling and street punching. Some of my teaching methods are pretty aggressive as they need to find out first hand if it works or not. You don’t have to punch someone to know that a punch hurts. But a pain compliance hold or submission hold, needs at times to be illustrated. All took it in good spirit. Especially the gentleman who was going to escape from me for real. As I said, they were a very good group and had lots of exposure before to seminar work. I have noticed that in many area’s, particularly Master Toby Cooling’s group and in this one, the Masters all travel and participate in theirs and others seminars. This is why I believe that the ICA and some of these groups would be a good fit for each other. It is the same culture and work ethic. We are not a competing association. The ICA is a training and information organization, who also raises money for the Harold Long foundation. We assist in promoting the progress of Working Masters and aspiring students, with fresh and progressive information. A sound formula for present and future success. On rare occasions, we also make rank promotions. It is not to anyone’s student or association member. Just “deserving” people, who are either over looked, or ignored due to their cross training philosophy, their associates, or lack of a high ranking sensei or association. We have highly qualified masters that will certify “deserving” people who would otherwise go unrewarded for their efforts. This however, is not our major purpose.

   Thank you again Master Young, to you and your group, for making us feel at home. I’m sorry we had to leave so soon. Spending some laid back, social time with everyone, was preferable to that long ride back. Family plans dictated our schedule.  I am grateful, that through your invitation, and the sponsorship of the Harold Long Foundation board, I could attend and introduce two of my instructors (Leon Scott and Darrin Motes) to such a fine group and event. It will certainly serve to broaden their horizons and remind them that there is a great big, wonderful, martial arts world out there, full of wonderful people and experiences. I will never allow them the false security of being “big fish in little ponds,” with a limited scope of understanding. I respectfully recommend it for everyone. For the purpose of reality training, I also respectfully recommend everyone consider limiting your tournaments and maximizing your seminar and dojo visits. Tournaments are fun IF, they have the reputation for being well organized WITH fair judging. Otherwise, they are an expensive waste of time. And all your students learn is, how to fight under unrealistic rules and how to distrust certain people’s intentions and methods of judging. All activities have a place, if they are in balance, and should be pursued. Otherwise, you would go to school and study just one subject, out of a twenty year old text book. Just my opinion…..