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RE-RE-RE-INVENTING THE WHEEL

 As time goes on there is a continuing formation of different sides of the street for Isshin-Ryu practitioners. This division is putting people into two separate camps of operating philosophy. So far it is only philosophic and hopefully it will stay that way. Isshin-ryu unity has enough problems without exacerbating it with additional splinter groups. The afore-mentioned camps of philosophy are; to teach Isshin-Ryu only; or to paraphrase Gary Alexander; "Isshin-ryu Plus. "For some reason this has become a bit of a controversy. It need not be as I know no one who has condemned either side for their teaching philosophy. There have been some articles by notable people on the subject but so far all have said "you do your thing and I’ll do mine. "I am one of those people who teach an assortment of disciplines in my dojo, with Isshin-ryu always taking top priority. There are two reasons for this. One is, I honestly consider it the best all- round Martial Art.  Two; I am not nearly as well versed in the others and don’t consider myself qualified to teach them as in-depth. I have been aggressively pursuing additional education in jujitsu, grappling pressure points, chin-na and weapons. Obviously without concentrating on one or two I will never have the proficiency I have in Isshin-ryu. Moreover I don’t care too. As I said earlier, I consider Isshin-ryu to be the best of all worlds. And, I enjoy it more! On the other hand, I have my students and their education to consider. Isshin-Ryu may in fact be the best of all worlds but it is in a galaxy of other circumstances and situations. Isshin-ryu does not provide for every circumstance and situation. If Isshin-Ryu were a medication it would cure most problems. Unfortunately there are a variety of agents that a single medication will neither cure nor protect you from. This is where the study and utilization of other martial arts disciplines comes in. As first a striker, I have to ask myself, "what if I get knocked down". What happens if I have to defend against a wrestler, a grappler, a Ju-jitsu person? The honest answer to that is, I would have to always have a little luck on my side. I simply can’t depend on that, and I certainly can’t ask my students too. So what is my plan?. . . Again I don’t want to become a master of several disciplines, and I am a little far down the road to try. I continue to teach Isshin-ryu under Masters credentials. The rest I teach to the best of my ability and education. After that, I bring in Masters to the dojo for seminars and send my students to them and others for accelerated learning. My personal approach to overall street defense is "disengagement. "I don’t want to be on the ground period; but if I am, I am about disengaging, getting to my feet and using my striking skills. To insure that option I must learn some Ju-jitsu or grappling skills that will enable me to do so. Will there be a time that I will choose to take some one down and apply a submission hold or choke out? Will there be a time when the situation will call for chin-na, or a ju-jitsu technique?. . . Yes to all. It is all about options. Basically I love the
"ART" of Martial Arts. If not I would concentrate on the knife and gun exclusively; the ultimate defense trump card. Getting back to my original point; It should all be up to the guy that hangs out his certificate and pays the rent. As long as what you are teaching is legit and you produce good students, you have acted with judgment. Right now we have some outstanding progressives, which set their martial arts table with a variety of disciplines. We also have some outstanding traditionalist that continue to prefect and refine the purity of the art.  Everyone has a choice. Everyone has a voice.  Everyone has an important roll and contribution to make. This is what should make the Isshin-ryu world go round.  Not slow it down! The good news is, we are all still learning, still searching, still reaching out.  The carrot of improvement is still out there. How can we not "ALL GET ALONG"???!!!!

     Denny Shaffer, Ku-Dan

Next week: Back to the Masters profile featuring Masters; Maurice Masarsa and Sandra Strong.