Congratulations to Kai Sassa, who was promoted to 8th Kyu (green tips). His hard work and time spent in the dojo were evident. Keep training hard!

Congratulations to Jen Christie on her hard work leading to her successful testing for ろっきゅう (rokkyuu or 6th kyu), Green belt. And congrats to Seven Soucy on his hard work leading to his successful testing for よんきゅう (yonkyu or 4th kyu), Brown Tips. They have both put in the time and the training, and it shows! Keep coming through that dojo door!

The Rockland Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Dojo, a traditional karate dojo based at the Penobscot Bay YMCA, completed its very first International Karate Seminar this past Saturday and Sunday, December 6 & 7. Martin O’Malley Sensei, a fifth-degree black belt from Finland, led the seminar. The dojo, led by David Troup, also a fifth-degree black belt, has been offering the Okinawan karate style in midcoast Maine since 2006. Thirty participants, including many Pen Bay YMCA members, attended. Practitioners travelled in from Finland, Germany, Ireland, Canada, and Okinawa, as well as from many parts of the US, including Ohio, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Massachusetts.

“This was a dream of mine come true,” commented Troup. “When I moved to Rockland from New York City in 2005, I never imagined we could build such a vibrant Karate community here in the midcoast. Having this wealth of experience and knowledge, willing to travel from all parts of the world to the Pen Bay YMCA for this seminar is something I will never forget!”

Matsubayashi-ryu karate is a traditional Okinawan karate style that emphasizes natural body movements, stances, and proper body mechanics. Founded by Grandmaster Shoshin Nagamine in 1947, it has extended to all parts of the world. Though many organizations practice the style, the World Matsubayashi-ryu Karatedo Association, founded by Nagamine sensei, is the largest, and the Rockland dojo has been a member since 2005.

O’Malley sensei, who has trained with many of the style’s most prominent masters, has travelled to Okinawa to train close to 40 times. His seminar focused on the basic techniques of Matsubayashi-ryu, as well as fighting applications and traditional weapons.

During the seminar, three students were successfully promoted to higher ranks, in front of a testing board that included six high-ranking Matsubayashi-ryu black belts — O’Malley sensei of Finland, Tessner sensei of Germany, Seiler sensei of Minnesota, Schnell sensei of Ohio, Roberts sensei from Okinawa, and David Troup from Rockland, Maine. Local student Patrick Dole received his first-degree black belt. Lyn Cathryn Donnelly, originally from Camden, Maine, and now living in Ireland, was promoted to third-degree black belt, as was Paula Sisson of Toronto, Canada.

Congratulations to Haydee Temple on her successful testing for Shodan (Black belt). She has put in the work and shown tremendous courage and commitment, having come to class as a 16-year-old into what was then an entirely adult class.

Her work ethic and talent suggest this is only the very first step for Haydee. We can’t wait to see how far her training will take her!

Congratulations to Justin Keller on his hard work leading to his successful testing for ろっきゅう (rokkyuu or 6th kyu), Green belt. He is inspiring us all by coming to class three times per week and working hard in between. Well done Justin! Keep working hard

On Tuesday and Thursday, October 21 and 23, the Rockland Matsubayashi-ryu Dojo celebrated the 100 Kata for Karate Day by completing 50 Fukyukata ichi and 50 Fukyukata Ni on each day. Congratulations to all of our students who participated!

Congratulations to Justin Keller on his successful promotion test for 8th kyu (green tips). He showed us all what can be accomplished when one comes to every class as well as practicing in between. Keep working hard and coming through the door to the Dojo!

Congratulations to Pearson Snyder and Chris Felicetti on their successful promotion test to Yon Kyu (brown tips) tonight at the Penobscot Bay YMCA. They both keep coming through the door of the dojo, and it shows! As sensei Masters would always say: “Now work harder…”

Join us at the Penobscot Bay YMCA on December 6^th and 7^th for a special seminar by Martin O’Malley sensei, 5th dan in Matsubayashi-ryu. The seminar will take place over two full days, with a focus on:

• Kihon (basics)
• Kata
• Bunkai (Kata applications)
• Yakusoku Kumite (Choreographed sparring drills)
• Okinawan Kobudo (Ancient weapons art)

The seminar is open to Karate practitioners of all styles.

To those who are not yet familiar with Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu, this seminar will offer a good basic understanding of the style.
And for those who practice the style already, this seminar hopes to dive in-depth into key elements in the Matsubayashi-ryu curriculum.

The fee for the two-day seminar is:

WMKA members: $100
Not yet members: $150