Your Dojo’s Promotional Video

Athens Yoshukai recently finished creating a video to promote our school.  The project was run by one of our students, Krystina Francis, who has experience with video making and editing, but this was her first promotional video.  

Making a video for your dojo is easier than you think, and is a great way to highlight how your school is different from others out there.

    Ms. Francis has written a detailed description of how to create a video.  

In synopsis, you need to make a script, film it, edit it, and find music to overlay it.  The cost varies depending on how much you want to do personally versus hire out to others.  For the Athens Yoshukai dojo, we did everything ourselves (mostly Ms. Francis).  This included students practicing timing their kata together, coming up with some quick weapons combinations, and having a semi-choreographed semi-knockdown fight.
 

    My student, Dala Griffeth, said this about making the video, “I thought the whole experience was a lot of fun. It was interesting to work with each other to find a way to show Yoshukai in an effective and entertaining way, while still showing the traditional technique we pride ourselves on. I thought the end result was really cool and am extremely proud of it.”  

Another student, Hali Serrian, said, "Working on the video was a lot of fun. It was good experience in coordinating weapons against weapons realistically and without anyone getting hurt. ... The video turned out great and my overall impression was quite positive."  

Other students who helped were Robert Bishop, Ben Dawkins, Daniel Williams, Susan Elrod, Ludo R, Timothy Pierce-Tomlin, and Craig Cheesborough.

    In less than a month, the video has over 170 views.  For a small dojo without financial promotion, that’s not bad!  I send a link to the video to all prospective students who email me, since I think it represents the school and WYKKO well.  

Having a social marketing presence, including YouTube, is important for getting people interested in karate.  Making a video is fun and productive - I’d encourage everyone to give it a go!  Osu!

Shihan-Dai Erik Hofmeister - Athens Dojo.

Sensei Gallop Franklin Tournament.

The 33rd Annual Karate Tournament of Sensei Gallop Franklin will be held in Tallahassee on next Saturday May 23rd at  the FAMU Jake Gaither Gym, 1755 Wahnich way, Tallahassee, FL 32307

Sensei Gallop has always been supportive of our Dothan Yoshukai Tournament. It is a good occasion to practice your skills - Kata, Kobudo and Sparring, and show our appreciation for his support of Yoshukai.

For more information call (850) 216-1212

or visit Sensei Gallops website.

Kaicho Mike Culbreth 

Hachi Dan !

Congratulations to Sensei Mike Culbreth who was awarded his Hachi Dan (8th degree Black Belt) at the Victoria Cup tournament in Canada last week.

WYKKO ONLY TOURNAMENT

COMING THIS WEEKEND

APRIL 18, 2015

THE WYKKO TRADITIONAL KARATE TOURNAMENT

IN ROSWELL, GEORGIA

Don’t miss out on this closed WYKKO Tournament. The tournament will be held at the Roswell Parks and Recreation center at 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell, Georgia. The tournament starts at 10:00 a.m. (Georgia time) and will run straight through. Make your plans to participate in this tournament, which will only be WYKKO students. 

If you need accommodations the Roswell Suites at 907 Holcomb Bridge Road and the number is 770-552-5599 and ask for the Yoshukai rate. 

All students should make an extra effort to be at this tournament. There are a lot of other activities that you can do while in the Atlanta area (Six Flags……). 

If you need any additional information, please ask your Instructor.

Kaicho Hiroaki Toyama & Mike Culbreth

 

Kobudo Cross Training

On March 6, 2015, 5 Yoshukai Yudansha: Mrs Yoko Hamada Hollyfield, shihan Travis Page, shihan Robert Johnson, shihan Fred Lecut and Brian Orlich participated in a Jo Jutsu seminar by Carl Long Hanshi at the Pensacola Big Green Drum Dojo.

A shorter, thinner version of the Bo, the Jo can be carried as a walking stick, and is designed mostly for use against sword.

 

Cross Training is good. There is always something to learn by training with good people. Look around, study, train with other styles, and bring it back to Wykko !

Shindo Muso-ryu Jo Jutsu was founded circa 1605 by Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi, following his defeat (with a bo) against famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Having engaged in a pilgrimage around Japan (shugyo - as in "Shugyosha go kun") he reached illumination and designed the shorter weapon and created the Jo techniques which allowed him to defeat Miyamoto Musashi during a new duel.

 

Update on Soke Yamamoto (March 13)

At winter camp, all of us Yoshukai Students had formed a heart on the beach. Mrs Toyama had taken this picture of us and sent it to Soke Yamamoto - hospitalized with pneumonia - with get well wishes from the whole organization.

On March 13, 2015, Sensei Toyama received a text message from 山元 ミナコ (Minako San) saying that the poster of the posted picture and well wishes had arrived. She immediately took it to the hospital for Soke Yamamoto to see. 

Soke had already been watching the picture from Facebook and asked Minako San to show it to him sometimes, at which point he was tearing up, overcome with emotion for the love and caring shown for him. He was very excited about it and asked that I send this message on Facebook.

Soke Yamamoto wishes for you all to know that he is so grateful for your love, support, and encouragement for him. When he first saw the picture, he was very sick and mentally giving up his fight. His doctors didn't have much hope because of the severity of the pneumonia, along with his already weakened condition from the cancer. When he saw the picture and heard your wishes, he felt a power and strength surge from within. He has continued to watch it and gather strength, and much to the doctors' surprise, his condition stabilized and the fever began to subside. In fact, the doctor told Minako San that it was a surprise and miracle that they hadn't anticipated. At this point, they are discussing possibly releasing him, if he continues improving and they hadn't expected to be able to. 

Soke Yamamoto with his daughter Minako and Nurses.

He wanted you to know that he feels strength and will to continue to fight this and his wish is to be able to come see you all again, one more time. He asked to thank you all again for helping him to be strong and have the desire to keep pushing ahead.

Soke and Mrs Sumiko Yamamoto

Please continue to pray for Soke and his family. His condition is serious, and we know that love and prayers can give strength with God's help. Please feel free to send any wishes to Minako San, or we can provide an address to send by mail. He attributes much of his mental fight and inspiration to all of you guys in WYKKO. Let's keep him uplifted in the way that you are all so special at doing! 

Osu! 

This post was created from information provided by Mrs Toyama

RIng Wars 2015

On Saturday, March 7^th, several students travelled to Oakwood, Georgia to support Josh McCullars, Matt Mangham, Shenandoah McInnish & Garret McInnish fight in Kelly Leo’s Ring Wars.

There were some great fights with awesome competitors. Yoshukai Karate was very well represented.  
 

First up was Mr. McCullars in the light weight division. His original competitor was unable to participate as was Garrett McInnish’s competitor. Mr. McCullars and Garrett fought. 

 

Mr. McCullars won but he was able to use the fight as a training session for Garrett. Mr. McCullars truly exhibited Yoshukai spirit during this fight. The fight went the regulation 3 rounds. 

 

The next fight was Mr. Mangham and Eric Armstrong in the middle weight division. This was a very short fight lasting approximately 20 seconds. Mr. Mangham won his fight with several shin kicks, a round kick to the head and the final blow was punch to the lower ribs. Mr. Armstrong was unable to continue.

The last fight was Mr. McInnish in the heavy weight division. This fight was won in the second round by a body TKO. This was a hard fight with lots of very hard techniques. Mr. McInnish was declared winner in the final round.

Great job Gentlemen!