Cocoa Karate

03/16/2020

Important COVID-19 update:
Sempai Rob will be teaching outside the Cocoa YMCA tomorrow at 6:30pm. You may only enter the YMCA with close-toed shoes. Following this class, we will be temporarily relocating to the Merritt Island Karate dojo (information in the Fb link). We will be adjusting to their evening class times, so please see our temporary schedule below:
- Monday at 6
- Wednesday at 6
- Thursday at 6:30
Please comment if you have any questions.

10/31/2019

On Wednesday, October 30, 2019, the Ueshiro Cocoa Shorin-Ryu Karate Dojo held a green tip test. Jon Crappas and Nathan Doty both successfully earned the rank of Ro-kyu. (See attached picture.)
We began with our traditional class, capped by 100 squat punches to warm-up. The class followed Master Ueshiro's training advice and practiced one kata (Fukyugata-Ichi) at least ten times. The Board of Judges then convened as Alex Rodriguez (Orange Belt) led the group through kata. The Board of Judges consisted of Sensei Trevor Tezel (San Dan), Sempai Dakota Flynn (Ni Dan), Sempai Andre Gross (Sho Dan), and Sempai Cheyenne Flynn (Sho Dan). Sempai Gabriel Vilchez (Yon-kyu) volunteered to perform the test as an example for the testing candidates.
Prior to the presentation of new ranks, the black belts demonstrated a group kata (Wankan) as did the supporting Kyu ranks (Fukyugata Ni), who showed great spirit. Domo arigato Hanshi for your continued direction - now we have to execute on it!

05/19/2019

On May 18, 2019, a group of Florida deshi gathered to discuss Master Shoshin Nagamine's The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do. The conversation centered primarily around Chapter VI - "On Kumite (Sparring)." The discussion centered on kumite as the "life-or-death" practice of karate and bringing this spirt into all our training. One deshi pointed out Master Nagamine's emphasis that karate is not "sport."

Attendees agreed that one meeting was not enough. It was therefore agreed that next month's book club meeting, set for Saturday, June 15, 2019 at noon at Panera Bread (Viera), would center around Chapter V - "Sequential Movements of the 18 Kata" of Nagamine's Essence.

Domo Arigato Hanshi for helping us all access this text with your valuable insight and perspective. Domo arigato to all deshi for participating and sharing your perspectives.

Domo arigato gozaimasu,

Sensei Trevor Tezel, Shihan
Ueshiro Cocoa Shorin-Ryu Karate Dojo

04/12/2019

On Monday, April 8, 2019 the Ueshiro Cocoa Shorin-Ryu Karate Dojo conducted a green tip test during our regularly-scheduled class (please see attached picture).

Congratulations to the following students, who were promoted:

Ro-Kyu (First Green Tip)
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Brodey Dunning
Emma Clark

Go-Kyu (Second Green Tip)
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Gabriel Vilchez

A formal class was held with warm-ups, across-the-deck exercises, and repetitions of Fukyugata kata. The formal test then began. Arigato to Sempai Gavin Clark (San kyu) for demonstrating all aspects of the formal test. Arigato to Sempai Cheyenne Flynn (Sho Dan) for leading the candidates through the test and leading the group in kata while the board convened. Arigato to the board of judges, which was comprised of: Sempai Dakota Flynn (Ni Dan) and Sempai Andre Gross (Sho Dan).

Domo arigato to Hanshi Robert Scaglione, who stands as a model of dedication to Karate training. Domo arigato to Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro, whose tireless efforts to propagate this style enable us to enjoy it today.

04/01/2019

We will be conducting a tip test on April 8 during our regularly-scheduled class (6:30pm). The following candidates have been given permission to test:

For Ro-Kyu (First Green Tip)
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Emma Clark
Brodey Dunning

For Go-Kyu (Second Green Tip)
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Gabriel Vilchez

Hope to see everyone there!

03/13/2019

Onegai-shimasu,
The Women's Class at the Viera Dojo is a great opportunity for women to learn from other women, namely, some of the great female black belts within our local Florida schools.
Check it out, and please encourage women you know (young and senior) to attend. Every Friday at 5:30pm at the Viera Rec Center (2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Melbourne, FL 32940).

03/13/2019

Domo Arigato to the Northampton Ueshiro Pine Forest Karate Dojo for hosting this great event on Sunday! Below are the list of attendees from the Cocoa Karate Dojo:

Cheyenne Flynn (promoted to Sho Dan)
Andre Gross (promoted to Sho Dan)
Dakota Flynn (promoted to Ni Dan)
Dennis Flynn
Trevor Tezel (promoted to San Dan)

Winter 2019 BlackBelt Review. Sunday March 10th. Visitors from all over the country.

02/11/2019

Onegai-shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei and all Deshi,

On February 9, 2019, three of the Florida Dojo of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA (Viera, Merritt Island, and Cocoa) held a combined Kyu Rank Test at the Merritt Island Dojo. Congratulations to the following students who received their new ranks:

Ro-Kyu (First Green Tip)
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Sean Kiendra (Merritt Island)
Gabriel Vilchez (Cocoa)

Go-Kyu (Second Green Tip)
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Hugo Baron (Viera)
Penn Lorraine (Cocoa)

Yellow Belt
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Ryan Hensley (Merritt Island)
Phoenix Kiendra (Merritt Island)
Aayan Shah (Viera)
Bastien Baron (Viera)

Yon-Kyu (Green Belt)
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Michael Hensley (Merritt Island)
Carine Baron (Viera)

San-Kyu (Brown Tips)
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Gavin Clark (Cocoa)
Gabriel Norman (Viera)
Keith Callahan (Merritt Island)

Ni-Kyu (Brown Belt)
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Michael Kukura (Merritt Island)

Ik-Kyu (Black Tips)
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Jeffrey Carter (Merritt Island)


Some of the test participants arrived as early as 8:15am. The formal test began under the supervision of Hanshi Robert Scaglione (Shihan of the Viera Dojo) at 9:00am. Sensei Kurt Tezel (Roku Dan, Denshi, Shihan of the Merritt Island Dojo) hosted the event and led the group in the opening stretches. Sensei Tezel then led the group in kihon (basics), as prescribed in the 50th Anniversary Journal.

Amid the gold which Hanshi shared with us (including repeated reminders to breathe) one particular correction stood out. Hanshi explained how during "step-and-slide" neko-ashi-dachi, many of us are stepping onto the ball of the foot, as opposed to the heel. To perform the move correctly, we must step forward onto the heel first (while maintaining a quiet, cat-like movement). Hanshi explained the different bone structures between the heel and the ball of the foot and how we risk injury by leading with the ball of the foot during these long stepping exercises.

Following kihon, we moved into kata, practicing each of the Fukyugata kata, several of the Pinan kata and Wankan. While training, Hanshi convened the attending black belts for a brief meeting and subsequently convened the board of judges.

The board of judges consisted of Hanshi Scaglione, Sensei Tezel, Sensei Ron Marchetti (Yon-Dan, Merritt Island Dojo), Sensei Dale Adamson (San-Dan, Viera Dojo), Sensei Pat Marchetti (San-Dan, Merritt Island Dojo), and Sempai Trevor Tezel (Ni-Dan, Shihan of the Cocoa Dojo). Sempai Jennifer Sangalang (Ni-Dan, Melbourne/Suntree Dojo) assisted the board of judges by calling up and leading the testing candidates through the basics, yakusoku kumite, oyo-tan-ren, pushups and squat-punches. Sempai Justin Thompson (Ik-Kyu, Viera Dojo) showed great spirit in demonstrating for the testing candidates. Domo Arigato to each of these individuals for their role in the administration of the test.

Each of the candidates put their "best foot forward" and performed well. Following the kata demonstrations, the board of judges asked each of the candidates a series of questions.

Following this, the group reconvened on the outdoor deck for breaking. Despite only two students being required to break, many more (both testing candidates and non-testing Deshi) volunteered enthusiastically to attempt breaks. Domo arigato to these students and the other deshi who attended to support their fellow students who were testing. Afterwards, the board of judges conferred, while the group performed more kata. The new ranks were then awarded.

As stated by Hanshi in his closing remarks, we remember the sacrifice of Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro, who underwent an arduous journey to a country whose language he did not know, all for the sake of bringing us this style of Karate that we enjoy today. Domo arigato Hanshi for carrying on Master Ueshiro's legacy and serving as a model of inspiration both on and off the deck.

Domo arigato gozaimasu,
Sempai Trevor Tezel, Ni-Dan, Shihan
Ueshiro Cocoa Shorin-Ryu Karate Dojo
trevortezel@gmail.com
321-806-9164

02/04/2019

An awesome end to a great weekend.

Sunday’s class was led by Hanshi - the culmination of a superb karate weekend.

02/02/2019