I practice karate, and have done so since I was nine years old. Shotokan Karate of America has a rich history that I’ll probably explain in another article at some point, but suffice it to say that I love everything this organization does and stands for. Currently, I am training for my shodan (first-degree black belt) test in California this Summer, so I may post occasional karate-related things under life updates. This is not the main purpose of this site, but karate is a huge part of my identity, and so I think it is appropriate to share some of my thoughts.
The following is an article I wrote for the member page on ska.org detailing a visiting black belt. To maintain the integrity of the article, I will only add superscripts for footnotes defining some terms that may be foreign to those unfamiliar with karate or martial arts.
Dave Lechuga’s Visit to the Twin Falls Dojo
On March 23-24, Dave Lechuga, a godan1 from the Lake Forest dojo2, visited Twin Falls, Idaho and led three practices. Out of it, the dozen attendees didn’t just learn new practices and insight on technique, but they also trained with a master teacher. Each practice left attendees with new exercises, projects, and life lessons. Here is some of what I learned.
The first practice took place in the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) rec room, a familiar training location for the Twin Falls dojo. This two-hour session focused on basics3, and it was here Lechuga shared two practices that help build muscle, balance, and power. The first focuses on the upper-body, using a series of five elbow strikes that demand speed and balance in the hips. The second trains the legs with twenty repetitions of each kick on both legs, all without lowering the knee. Since this practice, I’ve incorporated both into my daily training routine and have noticed a tremendous difference in my balance and flexibility. Then Lechuga broke down each of the basics. In this practice, Lechuga shared the importance of respect for the dojo and to people everywhere. Without that respect, a practitioner cannot hope to develop proper spirit and understanding of what the tenets of karate practice mean. If you cannot respect others, you do not respect the basics of karate.
The second practice, held that Saturday afternoon, moved to the CSI gym and allowed the attendees more space to practice kata4. Lechuga led everyone through each of the five Heian katas and Jutte several times each. While on the loud gym floor, Lechuga charged us with moving silently (outside of kiai5), thus forcing us to control our movements more. There were no stupid questions in this practice, and I learned a thing or two about Heian Godan and hip movement that I’d been puzzling over for some time. Kata represents a battle, and by the end of the practice, Lechuga extended his lesson on respect to incorporate control. In a battle, we must respect our opponent, and in training, we must respect our partner and not lose control. Awareness and control of our focus and emotions are crucial in both the gym and battle.
Unfortunately, I had to leave Saturday evening after a wonderful dinner party hosted by Jesse Clark. Here, we could converse freely and chat as friends and equals, all while enjoying some delicious pizza!
Sunday morning in Clark’s home gym, Lechuga focused on kata again, but with an emphasis on Jutte and stances. He explained how we should always have a forward mindset when facing an opponent. He showed these points with Clark. Everyone left with a clearer understanding of what Jutte accomplishes and how to apply it in a fight.
I still feel bad I couldn’t attend all three practices, and I envy those who could learn from Lechuga further. Yet even with those few hours we had with him, I now understand more about my movements in kata and the purpose of each action. I implement many of these drills into my home practice routine. And above all, I recognize the importance of respect for all things. Like any kata, respect and honor take practice and dedication. I am grateful, and the Twin Falls dojo thanks Dave Lechuga and all others who came to our dojo to teach and learn with us.
-Reagan Larsen
Twin Falls, Idaho
Footnotes:
1Godan – A fifth-degree black belt; the highest achievable in SKA, and the analog equivalent of a tenth-degree in other styles
2Dojo – A training facility; these are generally used to describe either a physical location or a gathering of practitioners
3Basics – One of the three main pillars of karate, this covers each type of punch, kick, and block
4Kata – 型 Literally “form,” another of the three main pillars of karate, these are sets of choreographed movements simulating a fight, and are performed solo. Each kata hase a name, like Jutte, and others are part of a series like Heian Shodan or Heian Godan.
5Kiai – 気合 Literally “spirit,” this term is synonymous with a shout (“hi-ya!”).
Reagan Larsen 
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