Lee Wedlake’s Karate Newsletter
March 2016
Updates and news toward the top, ongoing info toward the end.
News
I was saddened to hear that my friend, John Sepulveda, lost his wife last month.
March 19 marks Mr. Parker’s birthday. If I’m teaching on that day, or on the anniversary of his passing, I will lead the class through Short Form One after dedicating it to him. I do that form because it’s something everyone in class can do and I believe it shows continuity by having all levels unified in the performance of it.
My Facebook Pages
I’ve been going through a box of old photos and scanning them to post on my FB page. You’ll see them in a variety of albums. Lots of Ed Parker pictures and even the magazine covers of the issues I had articles in. I have four pages – personal, Kenpo and Tai chi, wedlakekenpotv and my Kenpo Karate Compendium.
Brain in the News
A Harvard University newsletter article says dancing is good for your brain as well as your body. I immediately thought that forms should fall into that category and sure enough, they say tai chi provides the same benefits.
It’s been proven that tai chi practice improves balance and mental function. Given that it’s form-based, I’d have to say that doing your Kenpo forms would do the same thing. I speculate that they study older people for the tai chi studies and that most older people don’t do karate, so they have not shown the connection. Assistant Professor Peter Wayne there says “Practicing mindful movement may help compensate for some of the motor deficits that are common in Parkinson’s and aging.”
Keep doing your forms and read the article. https://hms.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/OTB_December-2015.pdf
In addition, read this editorial about kids in football. Being that we do a contact activity, we can’t ignore what’s being said. http://www.dana.org/News/Details.aspx?id=119529
This is by the physician, Bennet Omalu, whose story was made into a movie called Concussion.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/07/opinion/dont-let-kids-play-football.html?_r=0
“A year from now you will wish you had started today.” — Karen Lamb
Updates
Update 3 – Texas Kenpo Conference April 30- May 1, 2016!
Less than two months and 40 slots left.
Steve White and I have once again booked Rancho Cortez in Bandera, TX for the event.
Sigung Steve LaBounty, Bob White, John Sepulveda and myself will teach and our “lieutenants” are:
Co-host Steve White will teach “Checking the checks”.
Ron Sanchez, from Bob White’s school, has cancelled.
Barbara White will conduct women’s self-defense for women not taking the seminars.
Graham Lelliott will cover the equation formula.
Sean and Rebecca Knight from Tucson will teach “Technique flow” as a team.
Based on the response to this so far, you probably should sign-up early.
Brian Duffy and Glenn Haley are also on staff.
Registration and information link here. https://kenpotv.com/leewedlake/store/2016-texas-kenpo-conference-pre-registration/
The participation certificates are done, as are the t-shirts. Shirts are $20 and supply is limited.
***The pre-registration price of $495, all-inclusive, is gone.
Other links for one-day, off-site and non-participant registrations are there, too.
I’ve created a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/864067487044938/ and will post updates here. Bandera is northwest of San Antonio, TX. http://www.ranchocortez.com/
Update – IKKA Update
The luau will be held this month in the Los Angeles area on Saturday, March 19 for IKKA members. This is coincident with SGM Parker’s birthday and Bob White’s annual fundraising event for the Royal Family Kids Camp.
Their newsletter should be out this month, too.
www.edparkersrkenpokarate.com
Update – KenpoTV
I recently shot 18 videos of more extensions, both solo and on the body, with the assistance of my two Ft. Myers black belts, Brad Congress and Bill Damewood.
In addition, I will be adding more of my Comparative Systems clips. I did about 5 of them at the same session. The shoot list is still rather long and you’ll see the material coming in 2016. Thanks especially to Nick Dreiling for digging through the videos to see what was missing.
With over 1,000 videos on the site, people use it to learn and stay fresh on the material. Many instructors use the site to help them in planning lessons. Some hook it up to a monitor in the class room to illustrate principles in motion. Still others do it live by arranging a session with me via video chat. kenpotv.com. A week-long trial is $1. The site is licensed by the Parker family.
Update – Upcoming Seminars
Details on my page at kenpotv.com/leewedlake/seminars-2
March 5/6 – Colleyville, TX AKTS Camp w/John Sepulveda Host: Rob Hazlewood
March 19 – Deerfield Beach, FL at Ultimate Kenpo Warriors
April 8/9 – Chicago, IL Host: Kurt Barnhart
April 16 (changed from April 2) – Goose Creek, SC Host: Nick Dreiling
April 30/May 1 – Texas Kenpo Conference, Bandera, TX
May 21 – No. Dartmouth, MA. Host: Lance Soares
June 25 – Round Rock, TX. Host: Daniel Delenela
TBD – Philadelphia, PA and New Hampshire, summer
September – Chicago and Goose Creek, SC
October – New Orleans
May 2017 – Wonder Valley Kenpo Camp
Fall 2017 – Australia
See John Sepulveda’s schedule at http://www.akts-js.us/Js%20Seminar%20Schedule.htm
Update – Premium Subscriber Article
Every month I post a new article for Premium Subscribers. It’s $29/yr and includes access to everything previously published. Here’s what has been posted in the last 12 months.
February 2016 – Was Ed Parker Learning Disabled? – January 2016 – The power principles are not isolated – December- Hood Ornaments – November 2015 – We’re a slap art – October 2015 – Reacting vs Countering – September 2015 – Eight Considerations Revisited – August 2015 – Sources of power – July 2015 – The “shuns” – June 2015 – In-Person Instruction – May 2015 – Counter-rotation torque – April 2015 – The Hammerlock Series
https://kenpotv.com/leewedlake/articles/. Here’s how to subscribe.
https://kenpotv.com/leewedlake/join-lwks/
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.”
– Elbert Hubbard
Ongoing
Private and Group Training Via The Web
I have been teaching via video to individuals and groups. One school has me do an online group class for them quarterly. This is not limited to school owners. You can do it with your desktop, laptop or device. You can schedule a block of either 5 or 10 lessons running about 30-45 minutes each. I can arrange single lessons too, but the block saves money. Here’s what you do.
Pick a block of lessons. Schedule a time slot and pay by credit card or PayPal.
Select the subject(s) you want/need to cover.
Off you go! I’ll send you notes on the lesson by e-mail afterward.
If you’re interested, please contact me at lee@leewedlake.com. By the way, the protocol would be to make sure it’s ok with your teacher, if you have one.
WRBBOF
The World Registry of Black Belts, Organizations and Federations (WRBBOF). I am a member of the Board of Directors. The organization is non-political and not a certificate factory. Take a look. http://www.wrbbof.com/
Blog Posts
I post some short articles and updates on my site from time to time that you may find to be of interest. Click on Resources, then Articles and you’ll be in. kenpotv.com/leewedlake
In the online store
Ed Parker books, Kenpo Karate, Memories of Ed Parker and Guide to the Nunchaku. $15
My “Knuckle sandwiches are free” shirts are available. Charcoal gray with the Texas flag fist logo.
I have one copy of Amy Long’s Kenpo Continuum, Vol. 2 book left.
A limited number of Lessons with Ed Parker is still available. The e-book is available through Amazon.
My technique manuals and form videos are available.
https://kenpotv.com/leewedlake/store/
Podcasts
I posted new ones recently on my website in the articles section instead of the iTunes page. I have over 130 to hear with more coming. Hear them at https://kenpotv.com/leewedlake/articles/ or at http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=381705015
“Use what talents you possess, the woods will be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”– Henry van Dyke
Until next month,
Lee