"The
surest
way
to
reveal one's
character is
not through
adversity
but by
giving
them
power."
(Abraham
Lincoln)
|
(Updated:
03/05/10)
DOJO
NEWS & MILESTONES
Turn on speakers! Can't see the video
of St Louis Blues Mascot Louie above? Click this picture:
(Info about the Louie
video!)
PHOTO GALLERY
Group photo
- KARATE STL Students
Photos - Visit from Louie, St. Louis Blues Hockey Team Mascot
_______________
DECEMBER
10, 2009 -
The
Third
Annual Recreation Showcase, Maryland Heights, Missouri, exhibited
a sampling of the many programs offered at Maryland
Heights Centre, including a karate demonstration comprised of
youth and adult students from our Maryland Heights location.
Basinger Sensei and Assistant Instructor, Stephanie Faulkingham are
extremely proud of all our students who gave an impressive and
crowd-pleasing
performance! A huge and sincere thanks goes to the
demo participants as well as to their supportive families.
NOVEMBER
13-14, 2009 - Karate STL held a
two-day training seminar at Pattonville Heights Middle School. Seminar instructor
was world renowned
Seikichi
Iha,
Head Master of Shido-kan Shorin-ryu Karate-do, who
holds the highest title and rank of Hanshi 10th Dan. Teacher
to Sensei Basinger, Hanshi (master) Iha is president of the
Beikoku Shido-kan Karate-do Association, and is the United States
Branch Chief for the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association.
He began training more than 50 years ago, studying in Okinawa with
honorable masters Shinpan Gusukuma and Katsuya Miyahira. We
were also honored to welcome as seminar guests
Yujiro Uza, Sensei
4th Dan, of Chicago, Illinois, and Lynn Tanner, 1st Dan, from the
Hombu dojo in Lansing, Michigan. Yuji is Sensei Basinger's longtime friend with whom she
trained when she and late husband Gordon lived in Dallas
(1984-1995). Originally from Okinawa, he had initial
Shido-kan training from Sensei Lonnie Schwartz but, since, has
also trained with Koichi Nakasone, 8th Dan, as well as his current
teacher Sensei Iha,
and other masters. Sensei Basinger and her budo friend Lynn were among the
group of students from North America traveling with Sensei Iha to
Okinawa for the recent world tournament
(see August 10-20, 2009 below).
An educational and fun time was had by all at the well-attended seminar!
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SEPTEMBER 21,
2009: First-time enrolling adults can
get 50% OFF adult karate class fee, plus other discounts
for the new adult and for the Karate STL student who refers them! First-ever
offer from Pattonville School District, Maryland Heights Centre and Karate
STL. (NOTE: That offer has been extended to include 2010
Winter/Spring Session One -- starts week of January 10. See
Sensei Basinger for details.)
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AUGUST 10-20, 2009 -
Karate STL head instructor, Sensei Sharon Basinger had the rare
opportunity to travel to Okinawa, Japan, with her teacher Seikichi Iha, Hanshi
10th Dan, and a group of about 30 other fellow Beikoku Shido-kan
Karate-do Association members from North America. The
principal focus of the trip was the 2009
Okinawa Traditional
Karate-do World Tournament
and Training Seminars at
the Okinawa
Kenritsu Budokan in Naha City. There were over 1,100 participants from
40
countries at the televised event. The opening  ceremony included karate
demonstrations in which Basinger and other Shido-kan Shorin-ryu members
proudly performed. She acted in the capacity of tournament coach; 15 others of her North American group competed in the tournament. We are
all very proud of Laura Chartier, Sensei 5th Dan, of our Rochester Hills, Michigan, shibu dojo,
who finished 3rd in her division. Congratulations, Laura!
Also in attendance were about a hundred Shido-kan Shorin-ryu members from several countries around the
globe including South America, Australia, Asia,
Europe and Africa.
This being her second visit to Okinawa, Sensei Basinger
was
able to intensify the experience: Her
coaching role allowed even deeper interaction with fellow karate-ka, and from
a different perspective than when she competed in 1997. Friendships
created on the last trip were renewed, as well as new friendships created with
fellow karate-ka she had previously known only peripherally.
Okinawa
sites revisited were even more meaningful because she had time to absorb
things she missed before (like seeing a great movie the second time).
The group was also granted the privilege and honor of visiting the dojo of Katsuya
Miyahira, Hanshi 10th Dan and President of Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-do
Association. Other than at the Budokan, training was also held at other
Okinawa dojos with Okinawan masters. Among the sites visited were
historic Shuri
Castle, Okinawa
Chiraumi Aquarium-Ocean Expo Park, Shikinaen Royal Garden (18th century
largest second residence for the Ryukyu royal families), an Ancient Okinawa
Cultural Village, ancient masters' memorial sites, Okinawa Cornerstone
of Peace (over 200,000 names engraved in granite -- soldiers and civilians
regardless of nationality -- of those who lost their lives in the 1945 World
War II Battle of Okinawa).
Sensei Basinger hopes to be able to post some trip photos here soon, so
check back later!
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JULY 17-19, 2009
-
12th Annual National Training Seminar
(NTS)
Beikoku Shido-kan Karate-do Association
President: Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan, Head Master
Sheraton Lansing Hotel
Lansing, Michigan USA
Tawni
Miranda was a first-time
attendee this year and gave an outstanding
performance in the youth kata tournament and banquet demonstration.
She and all Karate STL students made Sensei Basinger very proud,
like usual. It
was an extraordinary opportunity to
learn, unite and bond with high ranking senseis and karate-ka from
across the country and around the world, as well as to celebrate
friendships old and new.
NTS Content and Focus: There was a curriculum in place for
ALL ranks (like
less formal
"training" for
the kids
in the hotel swimming pool).
Many facets of the martial arts were covered. Sensei Iha led
instruction. There were other
master teachers in attendance from various parts of the globe. . .
as well as other high ranking senseis and karate-ka with whom to
train who are always tremendously inspiring. It is always an
extraordinary opportunity to learn, unite and bond with fellow
karate-ka from across the country and around the world, as well as
to celebrate friendships old and new. Past NTS attendees have
come from as far away as Okinawa, Japan, Guam, Australia, Israel,
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Russia, Austria, Germany, Italy and
Canada.
Among Karate STL adult and youth students who have attended seminars
with Sensei Basinger: George Fortier, Ameer Syed, Glenda and
Bryan Petrofsky, Kristina Carpenter, Stephanie Faulkingham, Tony Bui, Kevin
Queen, Candice Turner, Krystal Carpenter, Tawni Miranda, Tom Eberle,
Kathy Royer, Nsilo Berry, Benjamin Royer, Georgy Kalachinsky,
Nezariah Berry, Graham Lair, Jordan Bolton, Arbaaz Syed, Khristopher
Bolton. Non-participating observers who came to lend support:
Karen Carpenter, Charles and Shelley Berry, Lennie and Molly Bolton,
Lonnie Williams, Brian Royer, Linda, Don and Terri Turner, Tony and
Minerva Miranda.
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JULY
16, 2009
in Lansing, Michigan, Tony Bui was promoted to the
rank of
1st Dan (Shodan). Congratulations, Tony!
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APRIL,
2009
- Maryland Heights (MH) location news/photos:
-
To
see photos/short biographies of Head Instructor, Sharon Basinger and
Assistant Instructor, Stephanie Faulkingham on the City of Maryland
Heights web site, go to the Meet Our Instructors
page under City Government: http://www.marylandheights.com/index.aspx?page=463.
-
On
the cover of the 2008-09 Winter/Spring issue of the MH classes brochure,
our own Karate STL students are being featured while in class:
Pictured are (left to right)
Daniel Burns, Alex Maxwell, Summer Miller, Zy Faulkingham and Colin
Parker. On page 8 there is a collage containing more in-class
photos -- among our students are (left
photo)
Sydney Walsh and (right photo)
Tom Lindell.
-
In
the MH Summer 2009 issue on page 10, our adult karate class is being
featured with a photo of Karate STL student, Tony Bui, 1st Kyu: http://www.marylandheights.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=1662
-
To
enroll online for any of our Maryland Heights location classes you must have a
valid Maryland Heights Resident ID card (if not a member, you can still view
the current brochure of classes being offered). Membership is $5 per
year for residents of Maryland Heights. For ID card information, call
314.738.2599 or go to http://www.marylandheights.com/index.aspx?page=101.
-
Bridgeton
residents, you must register in person with your valid Bridgeton resident ID
card in order to receive resident rates for our Maryland Heights classes.
You may enroll online, however, you will be charged non-resident rates.
JULY
17, 2008
in Lansing, Michigan, Ameer Syed was promoted to the
rank of 2nd Dan (Nidan), and Stephanie Faulkingham was promoted to
1st Dan (Shodan). Congratulations, Ameer and
Stephanie!
JANUARY 24, 2008 - Louie visits KARATE STL's Pattonville
location! Louie is the mascot for the NHL St. Louis Blues
Hockey team. The
resulting video can be viewed by clicking on the link at the top of
this page; it is on also the Blues' website...type Louie - Kung Fu in their Search box at
the top left of http://blues.nhl.tv/team/console?type=fvod&id=849&tab=1.
The video aired on the Jumbotron at the Blues' home game on February
10, 2008. A big "Louie-size" thanks goes to our great
students and their supportive families who made it possible, as well
as to the St.
Louis Blues for contacting us to participate in this fun
event. We all had a blast! GO BLUES!!
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JULY 20-22, 2007
-
10th Annual National Training Seminar (NTS)
Beikoku
Shido-kan Karate-do Association
East Lansing, Michigan USA
From
Sensei Iha's web site: "This
year's NTS was a great success with over 250 Shido-kan karate
enthusiasts participating in three intensive days of training with
Seikichi Iha, Hanshi, 10th Dan, at Michigan State University
Members
of dojos from throughout the U.S., Canada, Okinawa Japan, Colombia
and Israel were in attendance this year. We enjoyed many hours of
active training time with Iha Sensei each day along with break-out
sessions on a wide range of applications with our senior teachers..."
[Read
on for more 2007 NTS recap
--
includes Youth Seminar, Demonstration & Kata Tournament
Highlights and the Ryukyu
Ocho Suidi Kobujutsu Association Bo Seminar.]
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JULY
20-23, 2006
-
NTS
&
30th Anniversary
9th Annual National Training Seminar (NTS) &
30th Anniversary Celebration and Demonstration
East Lansing, Michigan USA
Activities
and a curriculum was in place for ALL ranks and
ages.
This
NTS was extra special in that we commemorated Iha Sensei's
30 years of teaching in the U.S. Leading the seminar were
honored guest karate master teachers, all under the direction of Iha Sensei.
There were more than 320 participants at the tremendously successful
event...from the US, Okinawa, Canada, Japan, Argentina, Brazil,
Colombia and Israel!
An open-to-the-public demonstration was held at the Wharton Center
featuring Iha Sensei and visiting karate masters, traditional
Okinawan festival dancers, kobudo (weapons), and creative
contributions from each Shido-kan dojo including KARATE STL.
Seminar Content and Focus: Many facets of
the martial arts were covered, and included:
-
Kata tournaments
-
Sparring techniques
-
Kata training, analysis and history
-
Kobudo (weapons)--kata, technique and
applications
-
Bunkai (kata application)
-
Kumite and partner drills
-
Self-defense techniques
-
Shido-kan friendship party
-
Karate/Kobudo/Okinawan cultural demonstration comprised of Shido-kan dojos (including
KARATE STL), karate masters, Okinawan dancers, etc.
-
Banquet included an award ceremony, gourmet lunch and drinks
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JULY
20, 2006
in Lansing, Michigan, Sensei Sharon Basinger
was promoted to 5th Dan (Godan). Sensei had an additional
stripe embroidered onto her late husband's 4th Dan belt (obi), so
that she could wear it to honor him. Congratulations, Sensei!
MARCH 18, 2006 , in Lansing,
Michigan,
Kristina Carpenter
-- was promoted to the rank of 1st Dan (1st Degree Adult Black
Belt). Congratulations,
Kristina!
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DECEMBER
30, 2005, Shido-kan Israel's head instructor, Amit Michaeli
took Michal to be his wife in Jerusalem, Israel. It
was truly our pleasure meeting and training with Amit at KARATE STL
during his April-May, 2001, stay in St. Louis. His sensei is
Paul Snader from the Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Shido-kan Dojo. Congratulations
and the very best of our wishes go to Amit and Michal!
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JULY
28, 2005
- So very tragically, Karate STL youth student Alex
Huckaba lost his mother Angela (age 30), and two brothers Josh
(age 7) and Jacob (age 9) in a horrendous traffic accident on
I-44 near Six Flags. His 18-year old aunt Amy, and 14-year
old uncle Brett were also killed in the fiery collision.
Alex was away at camp at the time. Please remember Alex, his
father Shawn and extended family in your prayers. All of us
at Karate STL are deeply heartbroken for Alex. Many of us
came to know his mother and brothers when they often stayed and
watched while Alex attended the 6 pm karate class at our
Pattonville location. We will remember them as good and caring people, a
true pleasure to have known.
February
13, 2005 - Twenty-three KARATE STL students
participated in a karate demonstration at the "Celebrate
the World” International Festival held at Maryland
Heights Centre. The students did an exceptional job of
exhibiting their skills, and made Sensei Basinger extremely proud to
be their teacher. The festival featured music, dance, folk art
and crafts, demonstrations, children’s activities and food from
around the world. Among the many countries represented were
Japan, Bulgaria, Kenya, India, Greece, Brazil, Peru, Bosnia, Mexico,
Philippines and more.
JANUARY
9, 2005 -
Congratulations to George and Katie Fortier on the birth of their
son, George IV! The Fortiers also have two daughters, Eleanor
(5/16/01) and
Theresa (10/19/02). George III holds the rank of 2nd Dan at KARATE STL.(To
top of page)
NOVEMBER 30, 2004, Krystal
Carpenter was promoted to the rank of Junior Black Belt. Congratulations,
Krystal!As of September
27, 2004,
Joel Hubbard is in
no way
affiliated with, nor are any of his previous ranks recognized by,
Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association or its
President, Grand Master Katsuya Miyahira, Hanshi 10th Dan; Beikoku Shido-kan Karate-do
Association or its President, Head Master Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan; Karate STL or its
Branch Director and Head Instructor, Sharon Basinger, Sensei 5th
Dan. MAY
24, 2004, Melissa Lonsberry from Lansing,
Michigan, visited KARATE STL. We were all very pleased that Melissa
was able to carve out some time from her business trip to train at our
dojo. It was a real pleasure meeting and training with her!FEBRUARY
26, 2004,
Candice Turner was promoted to the rank of Junior Black Belt. Congratulations,
Candice! (To
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DECEMBER
5-7, 2003 - Sensei Basinger's budo friends,
Caryl Akamichi and her students (Marie and Elaine) from Long Beach,
California, and James Emery from Charlotte, North Carolina, visited KARATE
STL and attended a training seminar conducted by Head Master Seikichi Iha,
Hanshi 10th Dan. We always
have a great time training and socializing with our karate family! JULY 4, 2003
- Congratulations to Lisa Humphrey on the birth of her first son, Quinten! Lisa is the daughter of Sensei
Sharon Basinger, head instructor at KARATE
STL.
(To top of page)
December
27, 2002 - Tragically, KARATE STL's
R. Gordon
Basinger, died of complications from cancer. Husband
of Sharon Basinger, he was also a highly regarded
teacher and dear friend to many at KARATE STL, as well as a
respected member of the Beikoku Shido-kan Karate-do Association. His first exposure to martial arts
was Kenpo, later Tae Kwon Do. Then he and his wife began training in
Shido-kan Shorin-ryu Karate in 1989, and had been promoted through
the ranks together to Sensei 4th Dan.
Basinger Sensei's longtime illness
began in the 1960s with Lyme Disease.* Since Lyme Disease had
not yet even been named or "discovered" at that time, he went untreated.
He was seen by many specialists over the years, and even checked into Mayo Clinic in the 1970s, attempting to
understand his symptoms, all to no avail. By the time he was
finally diagnosed and treatment was available, the disease had
advanced beyond the possibility of a cure. His immune system
became more and more severely compromised and, therefore, paved the way for cancer
which was diagnosed in 1997. He underwent various procedures
and two years of chemo-therapy, resulting in
remission.
In May, 2002, his cancer returned with a vengeance and
had metastasized (spread). After several months of additional
chemo-therapy and much excruciating pain, on December 12th he was
told he had but a few weeks to live. He still never gave up
hope, faith or his commitment to battle illness. The evening before he died he
said to his wife, "They don't
think I can, but I'm going to beat this!" He was
courageous, optimistic and determined to the end, which is no
surprise to those who knew and admired this exceptional man.
He will be painfully missed.
KARATE STL student Kristina Carpenter, age 14 at the time, said, "A person is never gone until he or she is
forgotten." If that is true, he will be with us forever.
He lives on in the memory of those who respected, admired and loved
him. The lives he touched are drastically enhanced for having
known him. There
is also a memorial for him on the website "National Lyme Disease
Memorial Park Project, a living memorial for associated tickborne
fatalities"...
http://www.lymememorial.org/Additional_Information.htm *
Symptoms of
Lyme Disease are varied and unpredictable, including flu-like
symptoms and rash at the onset, to intermittent and
often debilitating joint, muscle and skin pain; extreme fatigue;
heart irregularities; vision, hearing, taste and swallowing problems;
sleeplessness;
nausea; muscle degeneration; a recurring non-contagious skin rash
which can be welt-like and circular. It has been reported in
all states except Montana (and outside the U.S.), and believed to be
greatly underreported. It is contracted by a bite from a very
tiny, easily undetectable, deer tick. For additional info on Lyme
Disease, go to http://www.lyme.org/.
Many friends and relatives have asked if there is anything they can
do. Mrs. Basinger simply asks to help make people aware of
this insidious disease. She hopes to save others from the
awful suffering her husband endured. Even if only one
person is reached, it would be worth the effort.
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__________________
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MAY 17-20, 2002, KARATE STL hosted
a two-day training seminar including an open-to-the-public karate
demonstration, all of which was conducted by Head Master Seickichi Iha, 10th
Dan, with assistance from Koichi Nakasone, 8th Dan from Okinawa. Caryl
Akamichi from Long Beach, California, traveled to St. Louis for the
event. Unable to participate in the seminar/demo, Frank
Samples of the Hombu dojo in Lansing trained at our dojo the
following Tuesday. It's always great spending time with our
karate family.
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NOVEMBER 14, 2001 - Congratulations to
Bryan and Glenda Petrofsky on the birth of their second son, Aiden!
The Petrofskys' firstborn, Isaac, holds the distinction of being
KARATE STL's first "dojo baby" -- 2nd generation
student. Isaac and Aiden became karate students upon reaching
age 4. Both parents are 1st Dans at KARATE STL, where they
met.
JULY 28, 2001
-
Our beloved head master
Seikichi Iha was
promoted to 10th Dan by his teacher, Grand Master
Katsuya Miyahira on March 25, 2001, making Iha the
highest ranking Okinawan master residing in the United States. However, it
was not publicly announced until July 28, 2001
at the Beikoku Shido-kan Karate-do 25th Anniversary Celebration in
East Lansing, Michigan. The
announcement drew an immensely enthusiastic standing ovation of
friends, family and hundreds of his students (including several from
KARATE STL) who were present.
Iha's
rank is certified by the Okinawa
Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association, Okinawa, Japan. Congratulations, Iha Sensei!
JUNE 2, 2001
in St. Louis, Missouri, KARATE STL's Break-o-Rama was held. A
fun time was reportedly had by all and all boards were successfully
broken with bare hands! Congratulations to our winners for the most funds
raised -- First prize winner: Jormond Burch. Second
prize winner: Tom Lindell. Third prize winner: Austin
Schumann. Prizes were presented in class Tuesday,
June 12, 2001. Sincere appreciation is extended to all fund-raising
participants and their supportive families. Thank you also to Brett
Schumann for his time, effort and expertise in creating our unique
and superb board-breaking stand.
APRIL 26, 2001,
Sensei Basinger's longtime budo friend from Lansing, Michigan, Ricardo
Briones visited KARATE STL. Ricardo was her coach in July, 1997, at
the Okinawa Karate and Kobudo World Tournament in which she was a competitor. It was great
having Ricardo at our St. Louis dojo.
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