Kyoshi's Weekly Technique Bulletin 12/15/97

DECEMBER 15, 1997

RELAX AND
BREATHE

Relax the body throughout the kata, until that split second of kime at the end of each technique when you tense the entire body for maximum penetration. Then immediately relax again. The exceptions are 1) the hands should be tight throughout, 2) the toes grip the deck, and 3) the eyes are slightly narrowed by raising the lower lid. The rest of the body should remain relaxed
until kime.

One muscle group in which tension is commonly trapped is the traps. Keep those muscles relaxed and the shoulders consciously pulled downward, toward the deck. Two ways to identify these muscles in order to relax them is to 1) have someone press into them from behind you with their fingertips until you relax them downward, and 2) purposefully lift the shoulders yourself, as if to cover the ears, with maximum contraction until the muscles fatigue, then consciously pull the shoulders downward toward the deck to relax them.

Breathe relaxed, deep, and naturally throughout the kata. Also, at the end of the kata, take a moment to consciously re-oxygenate the lungs by filling the lungs with air
several times.

Deep and full breathing keeps you relaxed, makes you stronger, and helps maintain a consistent cadence to your techniques by slowing the natural tendency to rush through the kata.

Arigato,
David Baker
Shihan, Midtown Karate Dojo

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ROBERT SCAGLIONE, Kyoshi, began his karate training 30 years ago in 1967. This is his 25th anniversary as a Blackbelt under Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro-Hanshi of the Shorin-Ryu Karate U.S.A. system. Kyoshi Scaglione is the Chief Administrator of the original style in the United States. He has traveled with Hanshi throughout the U.S.A. and as his representative worldwide. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1938, Kyoshi served in the U.S. Navy and in 1961 became a NYC Police Officer. He voluntarily worked exclusively in high crime/ high hazard areas during his entire 20 year tenure with the NYPD. He served in many assignments in all five boroughs of New York City including uniformed street cop, undercover officer and as a Detective in the elite Special Investigating Unit featured in the film "The French Connection." He led the NYPD in felony arrests many times and has numerous awards, citations and letters of commendation from Police Department officials, Federal Agencies, District Attorneys, Grand jurors and the civilian community. He retired from police service in 1981 in order to devote himself full time to the art of karate.

Kyoshi began his karate training in the NYPD. He continued his training under Sensei Terry Maccarrone-Shihan of the Hegashi Karate Dojo on Long Island, New York. He was Senior Instructor at the St. James Dojo for five years. Hanshi Ueshiro, wanting a dojo in Manhattan, asked Kyoshi to open a dojo in New York City. He founded the NYC dojo in 1977, which became the headquarters of Shorin-Ryu Karate USA several years later. After ten years, in 1987, Kyoshi relocated to Merritt Island, Florida and founded the Okinawan Karate Dojo leaving his senior student David Baker, San Dan to continue operation of the NYC dojo.

Over 125 students began their training directly under Kyoshi Scaglione and have attained blackbelt level. He continues to work closely with all his blackbelts, including the ten who have opened dojo on the mainland US, Hawaii, and in Israel. Among his students are many professionals, doctors, lawyers, military officers, police officers, business executives, artists, writers, housewives, students and children.

Kyoshi is the co-author with artist Bill Cummins, Ni Dan of "The Shorin-Ryu Karate Question and Answer Book" and has written another entitled "Building Warrior Spirit." His student David Seeger, Yon Dan, an Emmy Award winner, has produced several karate videos with Kyoshi. Kyoshi is the Editor-at-large of this 30th Anniversary journal. He has written and assisted his students in writing newspaper and magazine articles, film scripts on varied subjects, novels, and stage plays. He has appeared on national T.V. and radio, in stage productions, and at Universities and schools giving karate demonstrations and lectures on self-defense and assault prevention. Kyoshi's four sons, Sal, Robert Jr., Dion, and Shane are all Ni Dan blackbelts.