The sun slowly sank in the early evening August sky, the redwood and sycamores moved in the gentle breeze.  The crowd gathered, the potluck table filled, the beverages chilled, the children played in the dojo and on the little grassy park, the radio station played music, and the BBQ refused to light.  No to be detered by the stubborn grill, a less high tech version arrived (thank you to our BBQ savior and cook extraordinaire – Michael DeAlba), the smells started to bring the hungry forward and the Seika Ryu 10th Annivesary Celebration began.

The event was one of pure ohana.  With students who had been there from before! the beginning all the way to those new intrepid souls who are starting their new martial paths, the friends and families of students, instructors and masters, black belts and friends from other schools, the young and old alike, the crew of Seika Ryu came to celebrate.  The group swelled to 50-60.  Old acquaintences were renewed, new friendships forged, and everyone knew they were part of an institution… an ohana..  a strong and vital family of martial artists and their family/freinds.

The black belt candidates who had tested earlier in the day mingled and received congratulations, even though their respective success remaied unknown. Sensei Schwinn thanked everyone for coming. Grandmaster Michael DeAlba, 9th Dan and Master John Navarro, 8th Dan, were in attendance.  At one juncture Mr. DeAlba called the crowd togethered and launched a small speech on the wonderful gift shared at Seika Ryu.  The group then shared their thoughts and appreciation, many directed at Sensei Schwinn, for the he has had affects had on their lives.

On this day the camaraderie ruled and a celebration danced into the night.

A very nice warm August day.  Three black belt candidates.  A distinguished panel of masters and instructors.   The martial art of kempo jiu jitsu.  Mix in 1.5 hours of exhausting cardio, 1+ hours of fighting (stand up, takedowns, grappling, snd submissions).  Throw in some sticks and knives.  Add kata, defense techniques, and a pile of grappling skills.  Shake and mix well.  End with a question and answer period of the candidates.  What do you get?  Another in a long line of Seika Ryu black belt tests that shall be storied in the candidates lives.

Ivan Rodriguez (adult nidan candidate), Shannon Foley (adult shodan candidate),  and Mason Holt (youth shodan candidate) showed up, worked out, fought, demonstrated their martial arts, and tested their mental and physical abilities.  The bruises, minor injuries, exhaustion, mental fatigue were significantly overshadowed by the inner-character and fire that has been forged over the years.  The candidates, after 4.5 hours of grueling and demanding effort, at a black belt only testing, showed their metal… they never quit, even in the face of forced failures, and self-criticism.  They stayd the course and each, in their own right, showed the panel what they were made of.

Although the candidates will not know whether they will receive their respective promotions until August 31st, they honored their families, their instructors, their fellow students, and themsleves, by putting forth their best efforts.  As the saying goes, “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failures, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that neither knows vicotory nor defeat.”   Theodore Roosevelt. 

Here is to you Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Foley, and young Master Holt; you rank amongt those who dare mightily.  Bravo!

Campbell Community Center
Campbell, CA

On a sunny April weekend, Seika Ryu once again made their presence known at the Mokomoko Martial Arts Tourament.  Competing in sport jujitsu, grappling, continuous sparring, point sparring, and kata, the Seika Ryu competitors represented Seika Ryu in an honorable and respectful manner earning numerous compliments and praises from many officials and fellow participants.  Besides providing the martial arts world and spectators an example of integrity of character, the Seika Ryu students distinguished themselves on the mat.  Every single competitor cam home with at least one trophy.  There were numerous first places amongst the players. 

Without having had the opportunity to see most of the competitors, Sensei Schwinn, who acted as the tournament’s pooling director, was only able to see three or four of the Seika Ryu competitors performances; what he saw made him extremely proud.  Dr. Stacy Powell once again established herself as a stellar example of martial spirit and skill dominating in the continuous sparring and also winning the open black belt kata division.  Mason Holt fought much bigger and older opponents it the grappling division and faired well.    Young Cameron Keller showed his martial skills and did well.  Reports on Mr. Ivan Rodriguez’ sport jujitsu matches were very impressive.  Trento Hatch was running around with a grin on his face and at least a couple of trophies. Our sister competitor, representing Redwood Martial Arsty Academy, Briann Montgomery won her very first grappling.  Many stayed to help load mats and help clean up the tournament hall after the event.  Simply an awesome weekend.

The new Seika Ryu Martial Arts “Members Forum” was launched on Monday, April 13th 2009.  The forum also includes a blog by Sensei Schwinn and a Student / Instructor Manual section.  This brings a new layer of interaction amongst the martial arts community.  Read, post new topics, respond… tell us what you are thinking.  Explore and have fun!