This past weekend we were privileged to have Sensei Regan Salamander and Master Tracy Salamander teach a martial arts seminar at TMAFitness. I have known the Salamanders for 32 years and admire them as martial artists and mentors. The Salamanders have spent the majority of their lives training and teaching the martial arts and brought close to 80 years of knowledge to share. Sensei Salamander and Master Salamander made the trip from their hometown of Colorado Springs where they teach at their studio, Springs Karate and Fitness.

As practitioners it is critical to have an open mind, expose ourselves to different styles and perspectives, and to venture into the unknown. The Salamanders and I were brought together by our instructor, Master Yong Taek Chung, who taught us the art of Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do. While in the United States Air Force and stationed in Okinawa, Sensei Salamander spent many years studying Shorin-ryu Seikbukan Karate under Grand Master Zenpo Shimabukuro. The Salamanders shared their knowledge of Seibukan and other martial arts concepts. Their teachings were beneficial, fun and challenging.

The seminar opened with an overview of what the day would cover:

Seibukan Karate
Economy of Motion: critical weapon distance, stepping, targeting and time conservation
Coiling: shoulders around hips and knees, square stance to the front
Centering: body upright, shoulders over hips, legs underneath body
Angles of Attack
Move Left: parallel stance, back fist
Move Back: x-block, knee; x-block, arm lock, take down
Move Forward: high block, elbow; high bock, double elbow
Move 45 Forward: side kick; cat stance, press, punch
Move 45 Back
It was fascinating to be exposed to another style and compare and contrast techniques to their Chung Do Kwan counterparts. Throughout the day we were introduced to new techniques and their applications. Drills not only emphasized technique, but brought us together through interaction and learning.