Mid-America Karate
Greer Golden, Chief Instructor
Martin Vaughan, Assistant Instructor
James M. Nelson, Executive Director
9192 Norbury Dr., Swartz Creek, MI 48473-1167
PHONE 810-635-7841 FAX 810-635-2189 CELL 810-252-7696
E-Mail: MidAmericaRegion@aol.com
3rd Quarter 2009
THE MID-AMERICA MONITOR
July-August-September-2009
SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS
Missing Out
By Roy Spencer
There may be many reasons for not attending camps; however, the experiences you miss out on are many. Consider the actual training, the energy of other students and the new things you always learn. You missed out on the energy of Sensei Okazaki. He demonstrated application from heian katas then had us use those techniques with a partner. This really helps youunderstand what you are doing when performing kata. Sensei also showed us how to take basic moves then change them slightly to create more power.
An example of this was to twist your forearm when doing augmented forearm block. Another experience you miss out on when not attending camp is the hundreds of years of knowledge from all the students. Although Sensei Okazaki was the main instructor, those attending camp include many black belt students who can help attendees with karate and answer any questions. As usual, basics were talked about a lot but posture was the main focus; for example, keeping the back straight and the hips tucked under. Sensei Vaughan’s class on Saturday was mainly performed at slow speed which helps with form. You missed out on the socializing after training when those attending enjoy good food and beverages and get to know karate students from other clubs. So, when the next camp comes around, don’t be the one who misses out.
2009 Mid-America Golf Outing A Success
By James Oberschlake
The 4th Annual Mid-America Golf Outing was again a huge success. The weather was pleasant, and the course was in great shape. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time and enjoyed contributing to a worthy cause. This year we had 20 teams with 75 golfers
participating. Teams came from Brown County, Shotokan of Anderson, Indiana ISKF, OSU, Swartz Creek, Meigs County, and Creekside Karate Club. We had a record number of 45 hole sponsors. There was also an increased number of items donated for the cookout, door prizes, goodie bags, and silent auction. At last count we showed a profit of $6990.00. Proceeds will be used to help those participating in this year’s National Tournament in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and the newly instituted scholarship program. Many thanks to all who worked so hard.
Next year’s golf outing is scheduled for August 21, 2010. Mark your calendar and plan to join us. Together we will make Mid-America a source of pride to all.
Fall Camp Welcomes the return of Sensei Field
This year’s Fall Camp was
once again held on the scenic
campus of Ohio State University.
We welcomed our special guest
instructor, Sensei James Field,
to Columbus, Ohio, on
September 19, 2009, the same
weekend that students returned
to campus. Sensei Field always
enjoys returning to the Mid-America
Region to visit his old
friend, Sensei Greer Golden. He
commented that when he first
started coming to the Mid-
America Region, that he felt like
a stranger, but now feels like he
is a member of the Mid-America
karate family. Sensei Field
teaches at the Sana Monica Dojo,
in Sana Monica, California, and
is the Regional Director of the
Southwest Region.
Only forty-seven students
were able to make it to camp;
however, they were all hard
working and very enthusiastic.
One of the drills we did
helped us to develop our speed
and quickness. It was broken
down into three phases. All were
three were based the idea of
using expansion and contraction
while doing kata and kumite.
- Starting in front stance, step
forward using a slow deliberate
crescent step. Do this for a
number of movements both
forward and backward.
- Next, step forward slowing
half way, then explode into front
stance by pushing off with your
support leg (expansion). Make
sure to grab the floor with your
toes, have your hips in the
correction position when
finishing, and keep your back
straight. Don’t forget to breath!
- After completing this
movement a number times
switch by starting fast and
ending slow. Step forward
quickly squeezing your knees
together (contraction) as you
push off your back leg and
transfer your weight to your
support foot. End by moving
slowly into front stance. Breath!
- Lastly, step forward quickly
starting with contraction and
finish quickly with expansion.
Repeat this drill by moving
backward. When moving
backward, the concept is the
same. Contract your body and
then let it expand as you move
back into stance. Your hip
position will either be forward
or backward depending on your
application.
On Sunday, September
20, 2009, the instructor
trainees and senior students
were given a judges clinic,
while the rest of the students
had a mini shiai. It was great
fun for all, and a very
valuable learning experience.
Next year’s Fall Camp
is planned for the weekend of
October 16, 2010. That will
eliminate the conflict with
“Move In Day” on campus,
and allow more OSU karate
students to attend. As
always, it was a pleasure to
have Sensei Field as our
special guest instructor, and
we are forwarding to seeing
him again next year.
Sensei Hiroyoshi Okazaki
Mid-America welcomed Sensei Hiroyoshi Okazaki to the Region for the first time during Mid-America’s twenty eight
annual Summer Camp, held at scenic Camp Copneconic, in Fenton, Michigan. Sixty-three campers from
thirteen different clubs enjoyed Sensei Okazaki’s instruction, and look forward to his return in 2010.
Photo courtesy of Amberly Nowak
Tom Weidele, Creekside, works on
Jion, during the one of the clinics
held at this year’s Fall Camp.
Photo courtesy of Mike Parkhurst
Being an Instructor
By Dr. Martin Vaughan
It became clear to me at
this year’s Fall Camp that not
everyone is prepared to be an
instructor. You can have rank,
technical ability and extensive
experience, but you may not be
an effective instructor. Then I
asked myself how/why did I
become an instructor. After
some thought it occurred to me
that the instructor that I am
today I owe to my instructors,
Master Okazaki and Sensei
Golden. These men have rank,
technical ability, and extensive
experience, but they also did
something else. They helped to
developed me as an instructor.
When they were teaching they
were teaching me how to be a
teacher. After the class they
were teaching me how to be a
teacher. Was I special? Did
they do the same training for
others? The answers are no and
yes. However, I was among the
few that listened carefully and
put that “special” instruction
into action because I was
teaching classes too. I copied,
studied and experimented with
what to teach and how to teach
it (I still do!).
So how can you become
and effective instructor. Not
someone that shouts commands
and counts, but someone who
can guide and develop a student
so that they progress in their
training, stay interested in their
training and keep coming back.
Know where you are
going. Like any journey you
need to know where you are
going. Just because you have
been there yourself does not
mean that you can tell someone
else how to get there. You need
to know the skills that are
required for every rank and
how best to distribute that
information to your students
(see the following points). It
really helps to get this
information from someone that
is close to the top in the
organization. We certainly have
those people traveling to our
region several times a year
(Masters Okazaki and Yaguchi,
Sensei Field and H. Okazaki).
There are additional
opportunities available by
attending Master Camp and
other camps across the country.
You can’t get this information
from a local instructor who has
rarely been outside the region
and who thinks that what s/he
learned 15 years ago (perhaps
incorrectly or partially
correctly) is what the required
standards are today.
The following are some points
for instructors to consider.
- Study the skills required
for each rank. There are
fundamental principles and
technical skills that you (and
your students) need to know
(for instance, ways to make
karate power vs. how to do a
rising block). Karate is not
simple; it is very complex and
very technical to do. Therefore,
it is even more complex and
technical to teach. Know the
techniques and fundamental
principles from top to bottom,
bottom to top. However, it is not
enough to just know that your
hand should be like this or that
while doing the 24th move of
Bassai dai. This requires book
work and practice, your
practice.
- Present the material in a
logical way. Sensei Yaguchi
says this best, “Learn technique,
make technique, use technique
.” To learn technique you need
to show the students what you
want them to do. Give clear,
concise explanations of the
technique, but don’t talk it to
death. Clearly show the
students what you want them to
do. You can often do this at the
same time. Use a slow count to
allow the students an
opportunity to learn and
understand the technique.
Repeat or rephrase your clear,
concise explanation as they go.
Once the students have the idea
you can progress to “make
technique”. Now you give the
students an opportunity to
practice the technique. Here
you can give suggestions, make
corrections, and constantly
repeat or rephrase your clear,
concise explanation, all the
while the students are “making
technique.” Finally, the
students are ready to “use
technique” (I think this is an
area in which we fall short in
this region). Have the students
apply the technique with a
partner. Again, give clear,
concise, instructions, and show
what you want the students to
do (you can do this at the same
time). Remember, always
demonstrate and limit the talk.
This allows for more time for the
students to train.
- Include work with a
partner every class. Apply basic
techniques, practice kumite, or
apply techniques from kata. Use
you imagination, but make sure
that what you have them do is
logical and “natural”. By doing
this, working with a partner
becomes more natural for your
students and their skill level
increases in all areas of their
training.
- Do kata every class. Kata
is the “soul” of karate. It should
be a part of every class, if not
the focus. You don’t have to go
from the start to the finish. Mix
it up. Change the direction that
you face to start. Practice
pieces as a basic. Apply kata
movements as a partner drill.
Always finish by doing the entire
kata.
- Don’t make your classes
to hard, but don’t make them too
easy. Karate training is difficult.
It requires understanding and
effort. Your role as an instructor
is to find a balance of challenge
and enjoyment for your
students. If training is too easy
there can be no challenge. If the
training is too hard there is little
chance for enjoyment. Find the
balance and your students will
develop and keep coming back.
These are just some
points for our instructors and
future instructors to consider.
As always, I am willing to discuss
any technical point with any of
our instructors at regional
training and/or local testing.
However, I will ask that you do
not ask these questions during
the regular training as it tends to
slow the class and often distracts
from the focus of the training.
 
At this year’s Fall Camp, we helped celebrate Sensei Field’s 70th birthday.  Following the second
clinic on Saturday, a large group of campers went to dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant, BaJa
Sol, in order to enjoy delicious food and a yummy Birthday cake inscribed with Sensei Field’s name.
Photo courtesy of Mike Parkhurst
Sensei Field checks students to make sure they are doing the proper
application of the sparring technique that he gave them at this year’s
Fall Camp. Photo courtesy of Mike Parkhurst
Greg Hoplamazian, OSU, and Sam
Utley, Indiana ISKF, prepare to
work on a timing drill learned at
this year’s Fall Camp.
. Photo courtesy of Mike Parkhurst
Scholarship/Grant Funds
As a 501 (c) (3) entity, Mid-America Karate, Inc., is committed to funding scholarships/grants to its
members. How these funds will be obtained and distributed will be determined by the Board of
Directors of Mid-America Karate, Inc.
Generation of Funds/Credit
- Funds/Credit will be made available per calendar year beginning on January 1, of each year.
- Funds/Credit will be generated from a portion of each individuals membership dues and a
portion of the annual fund raiser held each year. Additional funds/credit may also be obtained
from other sources such as donations, regional clinics, camps, and/or other such karate
activities. Those making donations may earmark such funds for a particular club within the
Region.
- Five dollars ($5.00) from each ISKF membership card will be put into the scholarship fund, and
one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) from the annual fund raiser will be used for such purposes.
Any funds not used during a fiscal year will be carried over to the following fiscal year. The
Board of Directors may authorize additional revenue be placed into the scholarship fund at its
annual business meeting held in the spring of each year. They may also need to reduce the
amount available for distribution, depending on the success of the annual fund raiser and
capital available in the general fund.
Distribution of Funds/Credit
- At the beginning of the fiscal year each club renews its membership with the ISKF/US. As part of
the registration process clubs are requested to list the number of ISKF members in their club.
This will be the determining factor in the distribution credit made available to each club within
the Region for the fiscal year. This number must coincide with the records of the Executive
Director of the Region.
- If there is a total of three hundred (300) members in the Region, each club will have a
percentage of credit available by determining the percentage of current ISKF memberships
from that club. For example, if a club has thirty (30) members, then they would have ten
percent (10%) of the monies available for scholarships/grants. From an estimated two thousand
five hundred dollars ($2,500.00), that would be two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). The
minimum each club will receive will be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) in credit.
- Club instructors will decide how to use their scholarship/grant credit within their own club;
however, such credit may not be used to pay ISKF memberships fees, kyu/dan exam fees,
and/or registration fees associated with any rank advancement or the ISKF National
Tournament. In addition, those receiving scholarship/grant funds must be Mid-America
Karate, Inc., ISKF/US members in good standing.
- It is strongly recommended that each club instructor develop a policy within his or her own
organization for distribution of funds/credit so that such funds/credit are distributed fairly
among those in need of such help.
- No actual distribution of funds to the individual clubs will take place, but they will be given a
credit for the fiscal year. The club instructor will notify the Executive Director that part or all of
the available credit will be used for a particular clinic, camp, or other karate activity held within
the Region, and that amount will be deducted from the credit available to that particular club.
- The Executive Director will send out a monthly report on the distribution/availability of
scholarship/grant credit used/available to every club each month.
At this year’s annual Regional Board of Directors meeting, volunteers were asked to serve on a
committee to develop a policy for distributing scholarships/grants to the members of the Mid-
America Karate Region. Kim and Jeff Weber, and Jim Nelson served on this committee and
developed the following policy.
Please contact Jim Nelson if you have any questions.
Master Camp Drill
Sensei Kanazawa-Demostrated by Jim Nelson and Roy Spencer
Photos Courtesy of Jamie Kennedy
   
Five people are needed for this drill;
however, the first attacher may also be the
fourth attacher. One person starts in the
middle facing his first attacker in fighting
stance. As number one attacks stomach,
the defender steps back and does a
reverse pressing block while the drawn
hand goes to his ear (figure 2). The
defender then shifts forward and does a
back fist to face (figure 3). Next, attacker
number 2 steps in and punches face. The
defender turns and does a knife hand
block reverse punch combination (figures
He then steps back halfway and does a reverse push block (figure 7), and slides in executing a jab to
the face (figure 8).
  
  
Lastly, attacker number 4 steps forward and does a round house kick.
The defender turns and does an inside outside
block - reverse punch combination (figures 9
and 10). Note: As the defender turns, his rear
foot moves to the side first to allow his body to
shift out of the way of the round house kick. If
there are only four people to a group, then
attacker number one is also attacker number
four. Switch stance and have attackers start
with their right leg forward.
1 2 3
4 5
6 7 8
9 10
4 and 5).
Attacker
number 3
steps in and
front kicks
stomach.
The
defender
turns and
does a
down block
(figure 6).
Mid-America Calendar
November 14-15, 2009
ISKF/US National Championships
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Cherry Hill, NJ
December 12, 2009 -11:00 AM
Dan Exam and Clinic
Willis Intermediate School
Delaware, OH
January-TBA
Winter Camp
Indianapolis, IN
February 13, 2010-11:30 AM
Regional Clinic
Willis Intermediate School
Delaware, OH
March 13, 2010-11:30 AM
Regional Clinic
Willis Intermediate School
Delaware, OH
April-TBA
Spring Camp
Columbus, OH
May 22, 2010-11:00 AM
Regional Tournament
Willis Intermediate School
Delaware, OH
May 23, 2010-11:00 AM
Regional Board of Director’s Meeting
Comfort Inn
Delaware, OH
June 11-17, 2010
Master Camp
Camp Greenlane
Greenlane, PA
July 9-11, 2010
Summer Camp
Camp Copneconic
Fenton, MI
August 20, 2010
Regional Training
Brown County Dojo
Hamersville, OH
August 21, 2010
Golf Outing
Friendly Meadows Golf Course
Hamersville, OH
September TBA
Regional Training
Youngstown, OH
15
Cancer Symptoms
Men Ignore (Part I)
Men, heed these possible clues and
find cancer early, when it's more
treatable.
By Katheen Doheny and
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Some men are notorious footdraggers,
especially when it
comes to scheduling doctor
visits. That’s unfortunate.
Routine preventive care can
find cancer in men and other
diseases in the early stages,
when there are more options for
treatment and better chances of
a cure. Some men, though,
would never go to the doctor
except for the women in their
life. According to Leonard
Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief
medical officer for the national
office of the American Cancer
Society, women are often the
ones who push men to get
screened for cancer.
Experts say that men could
benefit greatly by being alert to
certain cancer symptoms that
indicate a trip to the doctor’s
office sooner rather than later.
Some of those cancer symptoms
in men are specific. They
involve certain body parts and
may even point directly to the
possibility of cancer. Other
symptoms are more vague. For
instance, pain that affects many
body parts could have dozens of
explanations and may not be
cancer. But that doesn’t mean
you can rule out cancer without
seeing a doctor.
Cancer Symptom in Men No.
1:
Breast Mass
If you’re like most men, you’ve
probably never considered the
possibility of having breast
cancer. Although it’s not
common, it is possible. "Any new
mass in the breast area of a man
needs to be checked out by a
physician," Lichtenfeld says.
In addition, the American
Cancer Society identifies several
other worrisome signs involving
the breast that men as well as
women should take note of.
They include:
a. Skin dimpling or puckering
b. Nipple retraction
c. Redness or scaling of the
nipple or breast skin
d. Nipple discharge
When you consult your
physician about any of these
signs, expect him to take a
careful history and do a physical
exam. Then, depending on the
findings, the doctor may order a
mammogram, a biopsy, or other
tests.
Cancer Symptom in Men No.
2:
Pain
As they age, people often
complain of more aches and
pains. But pain, as vague as it
may be, can be an early
symptom of some cancers
although most pain complaints
are not from cancer.
Any pain that persists,
according to the American
Cancer Society, should be
checked out by your physician.
The doctor can take a careful
history, get more details, and
then decide whether further
testing is necessary, and if so
what kind. If it's not cancer, you
will still benefit from the visit to
the office. That’s because the
doctor can work with you to find
out what's causing the pain and
help you know what to do about
it.
Cancer Symptom in Men No.
3:
Changes in the Testicles
Testicular cancer occurs most
often in men aged 20 to 39. The
American Cancer Society
recommends that men get a
testicular exam by a doctor as
part of a routine cancer-related
checkup. And some doctors
suggest a monthly self-exam.
Men, heed these possible clues
and find cancer early, when it's
more treatable. Yu tells WebMD
that being aware of troublesome
testicular symptoms between
exams is wise. "Any change in
the size of the testicles, such as
growth or shrinkage," Yu says,
“should be a concern.” In
addition, swelling or a lump
should not be ignored. Nor
should a feeling of heaviness in
the scrotum. Some testicular
cancers occur very quickly. So
early detection is especially
crucial. Yu recalls a young man
who waited until his testicle was
the size of a grapefruit before
coming in for help. "If you feel a
hard lump of coal [in your
testicle], get it checked right
away," Yu says.
Your doctor will do a testicular
exam and an overall assessment
of your health. If cancer is
suspected, blood tests may be
ordered. You may undergo an
ultrasound examination of your
scrotum. Your doctor may also
decide to do a biopsy, taking a
tiny sample of testicular tissue to
examine it for cancer.
Cancer Symptom in Men No.
4:
Changes in the Lymph
Nodes
If you notice a lump or swelling
in the lymph nodes under your
armpit or in your neck -- or
anywhere else -- it could be a
reason for concern, says
Hannah Linden, MD. Linden is a
medical oncologist and an
associate professor of medicine
at the University of Washington
School of Medicine. She is also a
joint associate member of the
Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center in Seattle,
Wash. "If you have a lymph
node that gets progressively
larger, and it's been longer than
a month, see a doctor," she says.
Your doctor will examine you
and figure out any associated
issues that could explain the
lymph node enlargement, such
as infection. If there is no
infection, a doctor will typically
order a biopsy.
Cancer Symptom in Men No.
5:
Fever
If you've got an unexplained
fever, it may indicate cancer. It
could also be a sign of
pneumonia or some other illness
that needs treatment.
Most cancers will cause fever at
some point. Often, fever occurs
after the cancer has spread from
its original site and invaded
another part of the body. But it
can also be caused by blood
cancers such as lymphoma or
leukemia, according to the
American Cancer Society. It’s
best not to ignore a fever that
can’t be explained. Check with
your doctor to find out what
might be causing it and if
anything needs to be done.
Cancer Symptom in Men No.
6:
Weight Loss Without Trying
Unexpected weight loss is a
concern, Lichtenfeld says. "Most
of us don't lose weight easily."
He's talking about more than
simply a few pounds from a
stepped up exercise program or
to eating less because of a busy
schedule. If a man loses more
than 10% of his body weight in a
short time period such as a
matter of weeks, it’s time to see
the doctor, he says.
Your doctor will do a general
physical, ask you questions
about your diet and exercise,
and ask about other symptoms.
Based on that information, the
doctor will decide what other
tests are needed.
Cancer Symptom in Men No.
7: Gnawing Abdominal Pain
and Depression
“Any guy who's got a pain in the
abdomen and is feeling
depressed needs a checkup,”
says Lichtenfeld. Experts have
found a link between depression
and pancreatic cancer. Other
symptoms can include jaundice
or a change in the stool color,
often a gray color.
Expect your doctor to do a careful
physical exam and take a history.
The doctor may then order tests
such as a chest X-ray, CT scan,
MRI, and, possibly, other scans and
tests.
Continued...in the next issue of
The Mid-America Monitor |
