Reflections

On Friday night, September 22, 2023, my friend and Sensei, Woodrow “Woody” Jensen, passed away. Here are a few of my memories of “Uncle Woody”, as we affectionately called. …

Sensei Rod Lindgren    A friend asked, “when is the best time to start studying Karate?” He had heard that you have to start training in Karate by the time … Age as an Asset in …

Rod: In almost three weeks I turn 75. For most it’s a time to slow down. Many of my friends are going through terrible physical ailments, all of which are … Benefits of Tai Chi Read More …

access to Karate It was January and the New Student had moved into his dorm room. One of the first students on campus, he was enjoying some independence. First time … The New Student:& …

the more they stay the same.   He was now a 12th grader and his life in his new town was pretty good. Back in his old town and school, … The Twelfth Grader: The More Things Change… …

Around 1967 I was a brown belt. We were still studying at the Summit dojo along with weekday classes given by Frank Brita at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and were following … Trenton Ribs …

by that much He was now a Tenth Grader and he had learned a few things from his reading. He was no longer an easy target. His life was much … The Tenth Grader: Missed it… Read More …

To Chris Wissman (re: 6 Bank Street) Hi Chris, Yes, we moved out of the Summit dojo in 1970. Sankyu time for me. Either during his (William Scott Russell) time … Response… Read More …

Part Two It was early Spring. The Ninth Grader had experienced an interesting few months since his fight with Sean. He had been unable to find a karate or judo … The Ninth Grader Read More …

part one He was feeling pretty good. School had just let out early. Christmas break had just begun. His church’s Christmas play was tonight and he was to be one … The Ninth Grader Read …

to Friendship He had been training for 2.5 months. Just a baby. “You gotta crawl before you walk, walk before you run.” He was at that stage where he knew … White Belt: Fear&; …

Shihan Charles Cusumano     When one makes the decision to place himself before the Kazoku nad its Yudansha for instruction in the methods of Isshin Shorin-ji it is assumed that the … …

or Prudence? 2020 and 2021 have been years indelibly marked by Covid-19 and the controversy surrounding it. On the one hand, you have the medical researchers and scientists who have … 2021: …

July 27, 2021 Dear Rod, At Diane’s urging (under threat of painful death), I started to clean out some of my work and personal files. I’ve sure accumulated lots of … A Note from …

You Just Have to let it Rest. The Yellow Belt was just finishing up his first semester of Karate. Soon the Spring term would be over and he would go … The Yellow Belt: Sometimes… Read …

by Shihan Ron Landis presented to the Google Group Isshin Shorinji Ryu Okinawa Te 04/06/08 About 6 weeks ago it was my very good fortune to come home one evening to … On Mastery Read More …

Evolution of This Website When I first decided to build a website, I had very specific reasons for it. I had studied ISR at Wyoming with Sensei Woody Jensen in … Then and Now: This Website …

ISR History Shihan(*) Rod Lindgren: It’s been many decades since my active involvement in Isshin Shorinji-ryu, so please be patient with my attempt at recreating the history to some of … Ron …

So, one day in class Sensei Murphy said he’d like to practice kumite with me.  I believe I was a yellow belt at the time.  I wasn’t worried because I … Kumite Read More ; …

What Does it Mean? I recently read an article claiming that Karate is not a martial art. It is a brand. The author posited that, as we all know, “a … Rank: Read More » …

First, let me give you a name. Ophira Bergman. Important person we will come back to. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, sport karate was kind of finding its … Then and Now: …

“Learn to see the sacredness in all things and treat them as such.The pettiness of the world will begin to fall away.”~Bill Walter~ “I don’t see any value in being … � …

It has been said many times that a strong house requires a strong foundation. This was illustrated quite nicely in my neighborhood recently.There is a duplex right across the street … …

Negative Transfer There are two concepts that have an effect on progress in martial arts; positive transfer and negative transfer. Positive transfer is when something in your past has a … …

vs. Individual Sports I have always been more interested in individual sports than team sports, so now you know the slant of this post. Even when I have been part … Team Sports Read More …

When I was preparing to move from Parsippany to LA, Sensei Murphy recommended, that because I tended to be a little heavy and stodgy in my movements, I should probably … ISR Experience Read …

My Thoughts For the past 30 years or so the hot topic of conversation in the Martial Arts world has been “What is the best fighting art?”, but the question … Karate or MMA Read …

Mr. Lindgren: As happens in any oral history, I was asked several years ago about a folklore concerning a surprise we played on Soke. The story I was asked to … Trophies Read More » …

To Practicality The Black Belt was once again at a tournament. He understood the limitations of tournaments, but still enjoyed the competition and comradery. He had been a black belt … Black …

It was worth it The Green Belt was teaching the pretty photographer how to do a hip throw, Ogoshi. Yes, he was a karate student, but, as Sensei said, “Karate … Green Belt: The Lesson …

Many Lessons “Oh Wow!!! How did I get into this mess?” The Brown Belt was at a rival dojo. His friend and dojo mate, a young 1st degree black belt, … Brown Belt: One Mistake&; …

An Educational Experience The yellow belt was ready to compete in his second tournament. Just two weeks earlier, he had experienced his first tournament. It went well, with a first … Yellow …

If it works… The Green Belt had just shown up for class. It was clear to see, he’d had some sort of mishap. The bandage on his cheek was clear … Green Belt: a Walk in the Park …