Monday, February 13, 2017

Winter Camp Schedule


Osu! 
 
We apologize for the delay in getting the final Winter Camp schedule to you all, but we hope that you'll agree that it was worth the wait. 
You can download the Schedule at : 

 
The planning team has worked hard to incorporate suggestions from previous events and new ideas to make Winter Camp even better. 

This year we've added a lot of classes that we think you'll enjoy, including:
  • An extended group training session focusing on karate essentials,
  • Fun new kids sessions, including our brand new Karate Warrior Obstacle Course,
  • Extra training periods for our highest-ranking black belts including two opportunities to work with Kaicho,
  • Multiple classes emphasizing bunkai (the meaning behind the katas),
  • A back-to-basics class giving all students a chance to train with Master Culbreth, and
  • A succeeding as a second and third degree black belt class taught by a panel of some of our highest-ranking instructors. 
 
Sensei Chitose and Yamamoto, early 60's
 
 
Here are a few reminders on how to interpret the schedule:
  1. Participants 10 years and older are able to attend any class that's their rank or lower. For example, all students can attend any class in yellow. Blue belts can attend all classes that are blue and yellow, green belts are able to attend green, blue and yellow classes, etc. 
  2. Kids under 10 must attend classes on the left section of the schedule. 
  3. All Kyu grade students (adults and kids) can only attend classes on a specific kata if they are at least able to walk through the kata being taught (unless the class says "Intro" like "Intro to Seisan" in Period 3). 
If you have any questions about the schedule, feel free to contact Sensei Hines at getxthexpoint@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you all at Winter Camp this year, and we want to thank all of our instructors who volunteer their time to plan their classes and instruct at our camps. We couldn't do it without their dedication. 

Osu!

Josh McCullars, Erik Hofmeister, Chris Mattison, & Sherrie Hines.
 

Sunday, February 12, 2017

RIP Soke Katsuoh Yamamoto, 1938 - 2017


It is with much sadness that we share the information we received last night to inform us that Soke Yamamoto had passed away.  Soke was 78 years old, born on July 10, 1938.  At 9:41 on February 11, 2017 CST, and 12:41 on February 12, 2017 in Japan, his long and courageous battle with cancer came to a peaceful end.


  Image may contain: 1 person, beard


After being  involved in martial arts for many years and becoming the founder of Yoshukai Karate in 1963, he has touched many lives and inspired so many people with his bravery and strength of mind.

He continued this legacy even through this last and most difficult battle to the end.  We lift up his family with prayers or wishes for comfort during this difficult time.  He was blessed to have wonderful care from them, and was so happy to have them by his side during this illness.  We will now carry on his legacy with pride, not forgetting the many teachings and lessons we all gained from him.  

Soke gathered much strength from WYKKO, as well as we did from him.   We will continue to share that with his family and stay close, assisting in any way we can.  These are the things he would want as his great legacy continues to live on in the way he wished.  Soke's family has expressed their gratitude for the love and support of the WYKKO organization during his illness.  

Minako San, his eldest daughter, has posted on Facebook this morning and you may send condolences there, for those who can and wish to do so.  We personally continue to pray for his family, students, and for his friends that have known him for a long time and will miss him dearly.  Osu!




Hiroaki and Donna Toyama

Mike and Denese Culbreth