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Sensei Ota,
This is Harlock Hero. I'm one of the orange belt students that Sensei Juan Queris brought to your seminar in Orlando, FL last month. We weren't able to speak to one another very much at the time, so I'm writing you now to thank you again for your instruction and the opportunity to train with you. Being able to keep up with all the hard training you put us through amazed me. I wouldn't have been able to if not for the similar training that Sensei Juan puts us through on a regular basis. When I first started with Sensei Juan six months ago, I never would have been able to do any of the things that I can do now; I simply didn't have the health or stamina for it. He's a great teacher who has gradually helped build me up to the level where I can really begin to experience the benefits of Karate-Do, and we all appreciate his and your teachings very much.
I recently bought the first of your kata DVDs, the one where you demonstrate Fukyugata Ichi and Ni, and the five Pinan. I've found them very helpful, especially in illustrating the proper way to move the body when turning; there is a subtle art to putting the hips and hara into everything you do that makes techniques many times more powerful; I'm now beginning to grasp this.
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Again, thank you for taking the time to develop a video like this and to share your knowledge with us. With great instructors like Sensei Juan and yourself, I can only begin to imagine the level of Karate-Do to which I'll eventually aspire, provided that I continue to keep up my end of the deal and invest hard work and training. I suspect that I'll see you at the AAU tournament in Miami next month, and then again at our dojo's seminar in March. Until then, I'll keep practicing, developing my kata and basics, and hopefully you'll notice an improvement when you see us again.
ありがとうございます,
Harlock |
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SKKA
1134 W. Redondo Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
Open Letter to Sensei Ota & Students’m so glad my friends and I took the time to travel down to see Sensei Ota and visit his Dojo. During the entire drive we talked about the Dojo, wandering what it would look like, who we would meet. We also talked about how it would be to work out there and could we live up to expectations. When Sensei Ota said he had a “kids” class and we could join in we all felt better (relieved?). We didn’t want our visit disrupting the usual routine for the Dojo.
The next morning we left the hotel. heading straight to the Dojo, looking forward to the day ahead. It was early when we met Sensei Ota and went over to the coffee shop to talk before class. Talking about karate and his future plans for the Dojo really got us focused and ready to start warming up. As students were arriving I was surprised to see so many Black Belts. Remember, I thought it was going to be a kids class. By the time we started there to, could stay and work on sparring skills. We stayed and got to work with a great group of skilled, students, that were extremely helpful and polite. We became so focused that it was well into lunch time before we finally stopped and said good bye to our new friends.
Rich Sauer
Sensei Ota continually inspired us throughout the day. As you probably guessed, the drive home was filled with excitement and lots to talk about. I can’t thank you enough for spending your time with us and sharing your knowledge. I can instruction when we finished. After that class, we had enough material to work on for six months.
Sincerely,
Richard Sauer:
I Richard Sauer
9777 Witter Springs Rd.
Witter Springs, CA 95493
Phone (707) 349-0042
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Dear Sensei,
Thank You again for your seminars this past weekend. It is always an honor to train and to spend time learning with you. I know that training is very important, and the more I can train the better I become as a student. We work very hard in the school and we are very consistent with how we are training. I have noticed that the students are making the same movements in the kata, and we are able to work with each other to help understand how we can improve. It is always fun when you show us a movement that improves our power or speed, and after we practice the new movement the old movement is no longer comfortable.
I will continue to work on my fundamentals, and increase my distance and setup.
Thank You very much once again, and I look forward to seeing you in the heat of August!
Respectfully Yours;
Bob |
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Dear Sensei,
Thank you for coming to our Dojo recently. The information and knowledge you
shared with
us was very helpful in our understanding and ability to help others learn.
We will concentrate
on foot speed, changes in direction, stances and speed drills you worked on
with us.
Look forward to your return in August.
Martin Koski |
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"Joche Zapata, Sensei Visit to Ota, Hanshi's Dojo APR-2008"
I want to share some of the thoughts and expiriences I had in my recent visit to Ota, Hanshi's dojo in Gardena, California.
First I have to thank Ota, San for his great generousity inside and outside the dojo. Mr. Ota selflessly put himself at my disposal and made my trip to California a great expirience.
In his dojo I met some of the best Karate people I've seen in my life. To mentioned a few, and I hope they forgive me if I leave someone out: Mr. Michael Rovens, Kyoshi 7th Dan, Mr. Mark Polland, Sensei 6th Dan, Mr. Garret Ginoza, Sensei 5th Dan, Mr. Leonardo Gomez, Sensei 5th Dan, Mr. Norman Miyamoto, Sensei 5th Dan, Mr. Mac Karimi, Sensei 5th Dan, Mr. Tomoshige Miyazato, Sensei 5th Dan, Mr. Joshua Taurek, Sensei 5th Dan, Mr. Lee Cohen, 2nd Dan and many others. Most of these individuals have been training with Mr. Ota for over 15 and even 20 some years. Their abilities in Ota, Hanshi's way of Shorin Ryu shows in their swift and strong movements and the speed with which they move.
Classes were taught in the old Okinawan fashion, diligently and with everyone giving 115% effort. Tuff workouts, as tuff as they come, repetition, repetition & repetition. Trully the expert way to master a Ryu. Everyones concentration in each exercise drill and in performing as the Hanshi imparts makes this a great dojo with great Karate. If you are week of heart or legs I do not recommend showing up. But, if you are serious about real Karate training, as it has been done for the past hundreds of years, call up and ask Ota, San to grant you a visit.
Ota, Hanshi is trully a living legend and his constant and diligent practice of Karate has allowed him to keep in top form at the young age of 62. I did Kumite with the man and I must say that I have never been hit that hard with a fist before in my entire life. I carry a powerful fist myself, and I have put people down with it but, I do know when having met my match and believe me when I say a punch in the ribs by Ota, Sensei is a humbling expirience. Not counting the freeking kick that followed...!!! I do like to think that I got a couple of shots in but, that might be in my mind only.
I enjoy been a part of the SKKA and I hope that this text of my expirience in visiting the Hombu Dojo will inspire others to go and visit or to contact Ota, Sensei in order to have this great man come visit you and assist you in your training.
To my brothers in the art at Ota, Hanshi's dojo I say: Thank you all for letting me train with you and for all the knowledge and laughs you shared during my visit. And, to Ota, San, a great man, instructor and friend I say: "Arigato, Sensei" I am humbled in your presence.
Joche Zapata, Sensei 5th Dan
Chief Instructor
SKKA Puerto Rico
APR-2008 |
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Alexandra Herbeck
Seminar, 
Walter Herbeck
