Invrijheid

Masters Kimo Wall's video newsletter from 1992 with -groups demonstration on Okinawa of Matayoshi Kobudo -performances of master Kim Wall and grandmaster Shinpo Matayoshi at the Butokukai in Tokio

Grandmaster Eiichi Miyazato (1922-1999) performs Kururunfa kata. Sensei Eiichi Miyazato was one of the top students of the founder of Goju-ryu karate-do, Chojun Miyagi. After the death of his teacher, sensei Miyazato formed the Jundokan ('House in which to follow in the father's footsteps'). Film footage (around 1992) was shot by karate and kobudo master Kimo Wall.

Demonstration of Sanchin en Tensho kata at the Okinawan Karate Kobudo Festival 1990.

Kata demonstration by Okinawan Karate and Kobudo masters at the Okinawan Karate Kobudo Festival in Naha, Japan in 1990.

Chief-instructor Meibukan Goju-ryu Netherlands sensei Lex Opdam visits Jundokan gasshuku lead by Master Yasuda Tetsunosuke. Hollabrun, Austria, 2000.

Hojo undo or complementary exercises that are helpful in supporting and enriching the overall performance of karate techniques and general proficiency towards locomotion and strengthen specific skills. A Chi'ishi (Chi'shi) is a so called power stone. A stick with on top stone/cement. With a Chi'ishi you can perform exercises that are meant mainly for training the upper body, in particular for the muscles of the forearm, upper arm and shoulder, as wel as the back, chest and trunk. Because of the Chi'ishi's structure (strong lever effect), exercises are very suitable to train muscles that are used for keeping the Chi'ishi in balance. In this video you will see some examples of exercises one can do with the Chi'ishi. Performer Lex Opdam Video was taken in Nijmegen, Netherlands, oktober 2020. --- While these short video examples are freely accessible, they are intended for Martial Mindfulness practitioners. The context of the content is covered during the lessons and the examples shown are meant to support training. ---

In this sample clip, the choreography of the kata is shown with a certain speed and rhythm intended for group training as practiced within the school of Martial Mindfulness. Except for the embusen (format/pattern) of a specific kata, the rhythm, speed, details and even execution of techniques can differ per individual according to his or her interpretation and imagination of the bunkai (combat application) and personal abilities and preferences while performing. Within the Martial Mindfulness school, both hard and fast, soft and slow and/or combined movements are part of the kata practice. From reactive and concentrated actions, arising from our fighting spirit (resulting in a more closed tunnel vision), we try to open up again through slow movements and silence (pause/stop). Practicing slowing down and pausing (no movement) are an essential part of the exercise. Depending on your goals, you can pay more or less attention to one or the other. The name Seiunchin or Seenchin/Seienchin means "to remove while marching calmly" and "to control, pull, and suppress." The kata cannot be traced be traced but probably originated in China. In Seiunchin, the shiko dachi is employed particularly often. This stance strengthens the leg muscles and is very suitable to direct the force during throwing techniques upwardly and to remain stable while experiencing resistance. This kata also employs unique techniques in which one arm/hand supports another. Performer Lex Opdam Origins of the shown form: Okinawa Goju-ryu karate Lineage of the performer: Okinawan Goju-ryu karate (IOGKF-Meibukan-MMF) Video was taken in Nijmegen, Netherlands, june 2021. _ While these short video examples are freely accessible, they are intended for Martial Mindfulness practitioners. The context of the content is covered during the lessons and the examples shown are meant to support training. _

In this clip the choreography of the kata is shown at a slow pace. After this, specific explosive power transitions related to the combat application (bunkai) in the kata are demonstrated. The name Shisochin is translated as "four wind directions" or as '"our gates" but also as "fight with the four monks" and "fight form four directions". The kata cannot be traced but probably originated in China. Characteristics are the nukite and shotei hands that are applied as key elements at serval points in the kata in different techniques. The kata has many evasive and escaping techniques combined with an offensive technique. Performer Lex Opdam Origins of the shown form: Okinawan Goju-ryu karate Lineage of the performer: (Okinawan Goju-ryu karate: IOGKF-Meibukan-MMF) Video was taken in Nijmegen, Netherlands, november 2020. --- While these short video examples are freely accessible, they are intended for Martial Mindfulness practitioners. The context of the content is covered during the lessons and the examples shown are meant to support training. ---

The name Tensho means "rotating hand palms" and "changing grips." A kata that was formulated on Okinawa by karate master Chojun Miyagi, but whose techniques and principles originated from the Chinese martial arts. The general purpose of exercising Tensho kata in a hard physical way is to activate the tendons and muscles that are located around the joints, to load up bioelectricity, harmonize breath, motion, and posture, and to construct body armor against external attacks. Depending on the goals the performance can change from soft to hard, fast to slow, from big to small. Tensho is a specific form, with its own techniques, but it is the principles behind it that are the most important. In a hard form of Tensho kata, as performed in this video clip, it is the principles of isokinetic movement and isometric positioning of muscles/tendons/joints aligning it with diaphragmatic breathing. Performer Lex Opdam Origins of the shown form: Okinawan Goju-ryu karate Lineage of the performer: (Okinawan Goju-ryu karate: IOGKF-Meibukan-MMF) Video was taken in Nijmegen, Netherlands, oktober 2020. --- While these short video examples are freely accessible, they are intended for Martial Mindfulness practitioners. The context of the content is covered during the lessons and the examples shown are to support home training. ---

artial artist Lex Opdam performs kata (solo form) Sanchin and is tested (shime). Sanchin originates from Okinawan Goju-ryu karate. Video was taken at the HQ Meibukan Netherlands in Nijmegen in 1997. In that time he was the Branche and Personal Representative (1995-2013) of karate pionier master Anthony Mirakian (Overseas General Manager of the Meibukan appointed by grandmaster Meitoku Yagi ) for the Netherlands. After an initial start with the Indonesian martial art of Pencak Silat, Lex started practicing Goju-ryu karate in 1984 (1984-1992 IOGKF and from 1993-2013 Meibukan). During his martial arts life he has trained in many other Eastern and Western martial arts. Today, Lex teaches martial arts in his spare time at his independent Martial Mindfulness dojo in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, where Okinawan karate, especially Goju-ryu, is part of his curriculum.

Performance of Shorin-ryu kata Naihanchi by Sensei John Hassel at the Meibukan Goju-ryu Karate-do Headquarters of Hanshi Anthony Mirakian, summer 1998.

Since the Fukyu kata teach the basics, grandmaster Meitoku Yagi decided to include the Fukyu kata in his Meibukan School. Although many other Okinawan schools and 'style's, mostly Shorin-ryu, practice the Fukyu kata, they differ in techniques and performance, but the embusen (pattern) often remains the same. In this video you can see the Fukyu kata performed with a jodan ko uke, chudan tsuki and gedan osea uke in kokutsu, heiko and shiko dachi. More information on the Fukyu kata can be found in the book 'Karate Goju Ryu Meibukan' ISBN 978-1-933901-29-9 Performers: Students of master Anthony Mirakian Origins of the shown form: Okinawa-te, Okinawan Goju-ryu karate: Meibukan Lineage of the performers: (Okinawan Goju-ryu karate: Meibukan) Video was taken in Watertown, USA, 1998.

A video clip of the dojo basement of karatemaster Anthony Mirakian's during my training visit in 1999. Probably not so interesting for the average karate practitioner, but for those who have trained in this dojo a nice memory to look at. In this clip the floor of the basement, where you would work-out alone or in a groep doing makiwara training of hoju undo, just had a makeover. Master Anthony Mirakian was an American karate pionier who brought Meibukan Okinawan Goju-ryu karate-do to the USA in 1960. He was a ninth Dan (Kudan) black belt and, since 1972, served as the 'Overseas General Manager' of the Meibukan, an Okinawan goju-ryu karate school founded by Grandmaster Meitoku Yagi, one of Grandmaster Chojun Miyagi's top students. Master Anthony Mirakian's 'Okinawan Karate-do Academy Meibukan Goju-ryu' dojo was the U.S.A. Headquarters for the 'Okinawan Meibukan Goju-ryu Association' and was located at 151 Mt Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02172 U.S.A. Master Mirakian has passed away at the age of 82 on March 31, 2015.

A delegation of the Kodokan Boston visited the Meibukan Goju-ryu karate-do HQ in Nijmegen, Netherlands, in 1997. Here some footage of exchanging kobudo kata performances by Sensei Fred Lohse during the extensive Matayoshi kobudo workshop my students and I received.

A glimpse of the legendary American karate pionier Master Anthony Mirakian, at the MEIBUKAN Honbu Dojo, Okinawa, Japan. Master Mirakian, born in 1933, brought Meibukan Okinawan Goju-ryu karate-do to the USA in 1960 where he opend his dojo (Watertown, MA) and taught the art of karate untill his death in 2015. Master Mirakian was the 'Overseas General Manager' appointed by the late Grandmaster Meitoku Yagi, topstudent of Chojun Miyagi the founder of Goju-ryu karate.

Since the Fukyu kata teach the basics, grandmaster Meitoku Yagi decided to include the Fukyu kata in his Meibukan School. Although many other Okinawan schools and 'style's, mostly Shorin-ryu, practice the Fukyu kata, they differ in techniques and performance, but the embusen (pattern) often remains the same. In this video you can see the Fukyu kata performed with a basic technique of jodan age uke and jodan seiken oi tsuki in migi and hidari heiko dachi. More information on the Fukyu kata can be found in the book 'Karate Goju Ryu Meibukan' ISBN 978-1-933901-29-9 Performers: Students of Lex Opdam Origins of the shown form: Okinawa-te, Okinawan Goju-ryu karate: Meibukan Lineage of the performers: (Okinawan Goju-ryu karate: Meibukan) Video was taken in Nijmegen, Netherlands, august 1997.

Sifu Liu Chang-I is the lineage head of the Liu family Feeding Crane system from Taiwan. Feeding Crane was brought to Taiwan in the early part of the 20th century, from Fuchow, China. It’s system contains a complete and traditional curriculum, including power development, forms, application, chi’gung, body conditioning, as well as herbal medicine and other traditional practices. More about Sifu Liu Chang-I can by found at his ‘Liu Chang I Feeding Crane Kung Fu’ youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuJc2lgxczPSvOOdRFmeCEw Footage was shot in karate master Anthony Mirakian’s Goju-ryu dojo in Watertown, MA, USA, 1996.

A delegation of the Kodokan Boston visited the Meibukan Goju-ryu karate-do HQ in Nijmegen, Netherlands, in 1997. Here some footage of exchanging kobudo kata performances by Sensei Fred Lohse during the extensive Matayoshi kobudo workshop my students and I received.

Tai sabaki or body repositioning by moving your own body. In this video clip a short example of a basic exercise for developing 'hip twisting' in a circulair motion from and to the position of 'heiko daichi'. Contracting specific muscles and relaxing others in order to shift your body weight and body position in a dynamic and explosive way. Performer Lex Opdam Video was taken in Nijmegen, Netherlands, oktober 2020. --- While these short video examples are freely accessible, they are intended for Martial Mindfulness practitioners. The context of the content is covered during the lessons and the examples shown are meant to support training. ---

Short videoclip of a Russian Systema seminar with Mikhail Ryabko. Mikhail was a colonel of the Special Operations Unit with the Russian Military and is Director and Chief Instructor of Systema Headquarters, Moscow. Munster, Germany, 2004

A part of a short film (13 min.) about Okinawan arts that was taken by Soetsu Yanagi in 1940 with the name ‘Ryukyu no fubutsu’. The shown part focuses on Goju-ryu training with short clips of hojo undo, kata Tensho, Kururunfa and Seiunchin.

Video shot by master Kim Wall at a karate tournament in the USA in 1992. IOGKF group performance of the kata Sesan and solo performance of the kata Suparinpei by Sensei Tetsuij Nakamura.

A clip of informal kobudo training with sensei Fred Lohse in a park near Watertown, USA in 1998. For more info on Matayoshi kobudo go to https://kodokanboston.org/

In this videoclip you see master Kimo Wall demonstrating Tonfa against Bo finishing with a short open hand kumite at a public event. Master Kimo Wall (1943 - 2018) studied martial arts under master Higa Seiko, Shinpo Matayoshi and other masters throughout the 1960's. Sensei Kimo Wall is considered by many to be one of the most respected western masters in Okinawan martial arts of all time. He exemplified the spirit and the techniques of the island's fighting traditions for over fifty years. He taught thousands of students the arts of Karate and Kobudo across the globe. For more information about Sensei Kimo Wall, please visit https://kodokanboston.org/2016/05/20/kimo-wall-sensei/