You have your reasons and I have mine; sometimes they overlap, often they’re the same. Still we train. We train for improved health, improved skill, peace, and balance. There are literally a plethora of other reasons that we train.

After gaining sufficient skill, some of us begin to teach, we take on students in order to pass on knowledge to the next generation.

This is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.

This is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. 

THIS IS A RESPONSIBILITY THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

Yes, you read it correctly; it was written three times because this is important.  It’s important that every teacher understands the larger scale responsibility that we’ve accepted when we agreed to be called ‘sensei’.

Beyond the personal rewards of watching our students growth and progress lies the larger reward of preserving our art.   This reward often comes with little or no recognition, nor should it be expected. The reward is that the art is being preserved for the next generation, and that is enough.

2014 has brought exciting changes to our dojo for the advancement and preservation of our art.  Takamiyagi Hanshi will be coming to the United States as the featured instructor for our 15th Anniversary Goshukan Gasshuku.  Our first student in the Goshukan-Ryu Yudansha Transition Program is on track for certification by the end of the year. Plans have been set for the first Okinawa Goshukan-Ryu Honbu Dojo Training Trip for summer/2016 where our students will be exposed to intensive private training at the Honbu Dojo in Okinawa.

While these are all exciting and rewarding in different ways, the primary focus is simply to ensure preservation of our art.  As a teacher, this is my duty; this is my responsibility.

G. Parker