The following is a news update from our brother, Black Belt, son, and friend, Marine 2nd Lieutenant James Mobley in Iraq to his teacher and adopted Father-Dr. Michael Steward. We are all family within and without the martial arts. Please continue to send James your prayers and love!!! I will keep you all posted with news and updates from Iraq as I receive them. If you know of anymore martial arts students in the service overseas, please contact me and I will put them into our website.
Dear One Fine Great Man,
Thank you for your prayers. They mean a lot to me. Everything has been going good. At least as good as can be considering I am half way around the world. It has been getting cooler here. The highs are below 100 now. That is compared to what it was when we got here of 115. That makes a huge difference. The nights are down to low 80s. We still have the moon dust here. Moon dust is here because of the tanks driving back and forth all the time; it has turned the dirt into a fine dust. This is what we have to walk to when we go and get something to eat. Their winters over here are called the rainy season. So it will be very interesting to see the moon dust turn into mud.
I have been working 11 pm to 2 pm right now. So I had to adjust to that. Even though I am up, it makes for long days. Speaking of that, we are over a quarter of the way done and we have been here for about 8 weeks. The days seem to take forever and the weeks go by fairly quickly. It seems like the days just repeat themselves, like in the movie Groundhog Day.
I hope everything is going good for you and Mrs. Steward. Tell her I said hi. You be safe and healthy and I know that you are in my prayers as well.
Your Second Good Looking Son,
James
Congratulations!!!!!
Soke-Dai Patrick Albrecht is proud to announce the recent advancement of Jessie Mobley to 1st Dan Black Belt in Shotokai Karate. It is great pride and honor that we humbly congratulate Sensei Jessie Mobley who was recently promoted to the rank of 1st Dan in Shotokai Karate. Please join us to congratulate this fine martial artist in this great achievement!!!
For those of you who know and love Sensei James Mobley as much as I do, I want to let you all know that 2nd Lieutenant James Mobley of the United States Marine Corp, is now serving in Iraq. I want you all to send up your prayers for his safety in Iraq and also for his speedy safe return home. James is a true leader and is now leading a battalion of marines in the intelligence communications division of the Marine Corp. James our prayers are with you and your family now and always. You make us proud serving your country in these trying times we are living in!!!!!
12th Annual Weekend with the Masters
Summer Camp
Some of the Featured Masters teaching this year are;
Soke Calvin Campbell, Soke Terry Wilson, Soke Sonny Barker, Soke-Dai Patrick Albrecht, Master Dean Sutzer, Hanshi Jeff Disney and Hanshi Connie Arrington to mention a few.
When: June 3, 4, & 5, 2005
Where: Long’s Retreat
Family Resort
TOKOSHI Martial Arts Federation put together one of the finest family retreats with their 12th Annual Weekend with the Masters summer camp. There indeed is something for everyone.
This camp is known as a fun camp with great instructors, and this year was no exception. Dr. Tom Manson proved to me and my wife that Long's Retreat is a great family resort. There is something to do for the entire family. Classes were scheduled to allow time for family activities, and the scenery was fantastic.
The students attending these past camps (2002, 2003 and 2004), made our time at camp the most enjoyable weekends that we have had in years. I have taught all over the world, and I liked Dr. Manson's camp the best. I can't wait to go back next year!
Dr. Michael Steward Sr.
For further
information contact:
Soke Tom Manson
Phone 740-606-3500
Voice 1-800-529-6045
Website
http://www.tokoshi.com
On July 24th Soke Calvin Campbell proudly promoted four new black belts. A huge congratulation goes out to them. Soke Campbell’s black belt tests are some of the toughest I have ever seen. This is something to really be very proud of. The following people were promoted:
Sensei Shirley Campbell
Sensei Isaiah Campbell-Jr. Black Belt
Sensei Mwai Kinywa
Sensei Tulani Rufaro Jr.
*************************
11th Annual Weekend with the Masters
Summer Camp
Some of the Featured Masters teaching this year are;
Soke Calvin Campbell, Soke Terry Wilson, Soke Sonny Barker, Soke-Dai R.D. Lawrence, Dr. Michael Steward Sr., Master Dean Sutzer, Hanshi Jeff Disney and Hanshi Connie Arrington to mention a few.
When: June 4, 5, & 6, 2004
Where: Long’s Retreat
Family Resort
TOKOSHI Martial Arts Federation put together one of the finest family retreats with their 11th Annual Weekend with the Masters summer camp. There indeed is something for everyone.
This camp is known as a fun camp with great instructors, and this year was no exception. Dr. Tom Manson proved to me and my wife that Long's Retreat is a great family resort. There is something to do for the entire family. Classes were scheduled to allow time for family activities, and the scenery was fantastic.
The students attending this past camp (2003), made our weekend the most enjoyable weekend that I have had in years. I have taught all over the world, and I liked Dr. Manson's camp the best. I can't wait to go back next year!
Dr. Michael Steward Sr.
For further
information contact:
Soke Tom Manson
Phone 740-606-3500
Voice 1-800-529-6045
E-mail tmaf@bright.net
Website
http://www.tokoshi.com
***********************
Dr. Steward has several workshops and lectures coming up.
The following is a list of these events and the contacts for more information.
Green Tea Day-Miami University March 30th, 2004
All events and workshops are free!!!
Qigong Workshop 10:00 AM till 11:00 AM
Acupressure First Aid For Your Health Workshop 11:00AM till Noon
Book Signing From Noon till 2:00PM
Contact: Buffy Hanna hannae@muohio.edu
http://www.scripps.muohio.edu/scripps/events/GreenTeaDayPhilosophy.html
****
April 8th - Women In Networking (Luncheon)
11:45 AM till 1:00 PM
Lecture: Acupressure First Aid For Your Health
Book Signing
After 1:00P
****
Dr. Steward's 1st Book
"Dragonfly Qigong"
And 2nd Book
"Awaken the Dragon"
Are now published by Trafford Publishers
and available!!!!
Trafford's on-demand publishing service is the world's most trusted service for self-publishing authors -- used by more than 3000 authors from over 50 countries. Please go to www.trafford.com to read about this breakthrough for authors.
Dr. Steward's 2nd Book
"Awaken the Dragon-Qi Cultivation Techniques"
Is being published by Trafford Publishers & will be out by Christmas!!!!
This book “Awaken the Dragon-Qi Cultivation Techniques” contains the ancient wisdom of the Chinese healing art Qigong and will guide you to experience and cultivate Qi (or Chi), the most primal cosmic life energy, and lead you through a process of improving health and well-being. The Qigong systems, which were kept secret in China for over 5000 years within private families and esoteric schools, can unlock the potential of our mind, body and spirit. Dr. Michael Steward has put together a collection of the most popular Qigong exercises practiced today. Dr. Steward shares these ancient exercises with us by giving us an easy step by step procedure to follow with plenty of photographs and great diagrams. Dr. Steward shares with us the “Eight Brocades Qigong”, “Five Elements Qigong”, “Five Animals Qigong”, “Micro Cosmic Breathing”, “Macro Cosmic Breathing”, “Five Gate Meridian Qigong Acupressure” and many more exercises. Dr. Steward believes that it is not important how much time you have on Earth; but what you do with that time that matters.
Practiced by millions of people the world over, Qigong is actually an approach to life itself. It is a state of mind characterized by complete relaxation and complete acceptance, and deep meditation; it is open to the healing energy of the universe, and it offers healing for the whole world. Qigong practice not only aligns our own body, mind and spirit, but also aligns us with the universal body, mind and spirit. By regulating our minds through meditation, deep breathing and gentle movement we can facilitate a smoother and stronger flow of energy throughout our bodies, giving us greater health and freedom of movement throughout our lives. This unique book will familiarize you with the cultivation and healing concepts of Qigong. This book is beautifully illustrated with over 370 photos and more than 80 drawings.
“We must practice Qigong with the intention of not only healing ourselves, but of becoming a healing influence on all those around us”. - Dr. Michael Steward Sr.
Dragonfly Taiji/Qigong Clubs Promote 3 Instructors and 2 Assistant Instructors.
Dr. Michael Steward proudly promotes Dennis Kelly, Cristy Carter-Tramell and Jim Stubbles to the full instructor status of Laoshi. He also proudly promotes Jeff Parks and Rob Carnell to assistant instructor status of Fu Jiao Lien. These excellent instructors have met and exceeded the requirements and time necessary to achieve these teaching titles.
Soke Steward presenting Soke-Dai Albrecht with his 9th Dan
Click on thumbnail photos to see enlarged photo.
Soke Michael Steward Sr. proudly announces the appointment of his Soke-Dai. Soke-Dai Patrick Albrecht received his 9th Dan rank and successor Makimono-scrolls. Soke-Dai Patrick Albrecht meets and exceeds all requirements for this rank and title.
Soke-Dai literally means "in place of the Soke" or "instead of the Soke". The Soke-Dai position was used as a sort of "proxy" to handle affairs that the Soke could not attend to. If the Soke were unable to attend a formal function the Soke-Dai would attend in his place. He was used as an official representative of the Soke. Being a people of great honor, in Japan if one were formally invited to an important function, it would be a "loss of honor" not to show up or have some kind of formal representation, so the Soke-Dai would be there.
In the west this term is used to mean "the next generation inheritor". Most Japanese Ryu have many Soke-Dai with only one person destined to inherit the Ryu.
When the Soke had no family member to leave the art to, he looked to his number one student. A scroll (Makimono) attesting to his inherited art and Soke-Dai title was generated stating the mentioned facts of the responsibilities of the inheritor/Soke-Dai.
The familial responsibilities of a Soke-Dai are as follows:
1. Rights regarding the techniques (waza) of the art, such as the right to keep it secret, the right to control how and when it is performed, and rights over the repertoire of its curriculum and its choreography (kata).
2. Rights over instructors (kyoju), over initiation rituals and documents (soden), and over the awarding of diplomas and licenses (menkyo).
3. The right to punish (chobatsu) and to expel (hamon) students.
4. The right to control uses of uniforms, patches, logos and so forth.
5. The right to control facilities and special equipment or tools used in the art.
6. Exclusive rights to the monetary income and social status resulting from the preceding five items.
The Soke-Dai or current inheritor has assumed responsibility for preserving the historical texts, special tools, unique skills, and specific lore that have been handed down within their own particular lineage. In both cases the Soke-Dai distinguish their traditional teachings from newly founded rivals by pointing out how their teachings remain faithful to the goals and forms taught by previous generations. Based on these similarities, many modern writers use the term Soke-Dai as designation for the legitimate heir to any established main lineage. Used in reference to present-day representatives of traditional martial art lineages, therefore, the Soke-Dai title properly denotes their roles as successors to and preservers of a particular martial arts historical and cultural legacy.
Click thumbnail photo for larger version
Dr. Michael Steward Sr. proudly presents Master Patrick Albrecht with his Menkyo Kaiden certificate and his 5th Dan in Shotokai Karate-Do. This is the highest rank a black belt can achieve in this system. Congratulations to Soke-Dai Patrick Albrecht on this great accomplishment!
The Tokoshi Weekend With the Masters Summer Camp was a huge success with eighty
students attending seminars. If you were not there then you really missed a one of a
kind camp. This was Dr. Manson's 10th Anniversary Camp, and it was the best one yet!
The students that attend this camp are truly special. The masters teaching were excited
to teach students of such high caliber. All the classes were full and everyone came away
with excitement and anticipation for next year's camp, and what would be in store for
them. Dr. Manson puts together a superb camp that is professionally run and well
orchestrated.
Dr. Steward's New Book Is Published!!!!
“Dragonfly Qigong” By; Dr. Michael Steward Sr.
In Dragonfly Qigong, Dr. Michael Steward Sr. adapts ancient Chinese Qigong exercises, utilizing new modern enhancement tools to develop and improve the energy flow within the human body. Dragonfly Qigong offers a series of mind directed bodily movements which exercise and condition the whole being. The conscious intent of the mind directs the movements of the body in accordance with the principles of Qigong. The result is a harmony of the mind, body and spirit, which is unique to the practice of Qigong.
Practiced on a regular basis, Dragonfly Qigong exercises will improve your internal and external energy flow. Added health benefits are as follows:
· An added increase in energy
· Unifies and relaxes the body, mind, and spirit
· Decreases stress levels
· Improves circulation
· Increases efficiency of ones heart, lungs, other organs, and muscles
· Improvement of ones overall health and mental outlook
Another significant attribute of Dragonfly Qigong is that the exercises are gentle enough for individuals of limited health (but who are still reasonably functional) to practice right away. There are many cases of people with respiratory problems, metabolic disorders and spinal ailments, who, with the consent of their physician, have shown positive improvement from practicing Dragonfly Qigong exercises.
Dr. Michael Steward Sr. is an international
authority on a wide range of martial arts, including Qigong, Tai Chi Chuan,
Karate, and Ju-Jitsu. He has been teaching for almost three decades. Besides
being the creator of “Dragonfly Qigong” ©
1999, he is also the creator of “Head Smart Body Safe”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Coming This Fall
"News Flash"
March 21st, 2003
Tokoshi Martial Arts Federation
|
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10th Annual Weekend with the Masters
Summer Camp
When: June 6,7,8, 2003
Where: Long’s Retreat
Family Resort
TOKOSHI Martial Arts Federation put together one of the finest family retreats with their 10th Annual Weekend with the Masters summer camp. There indeed is something for everyone.
This camp is known as a fun camp with great instructors, and this year was no exception. Dr. Tom Manson proved to me and my wife that Long's Retreat is a great family resort. There is something to do for the entire family. Classes were scheduled to allow time for family activities, and the scenery was fantastic.
The students attending this past camp (2002), made our weekend the most enjoyable weekend that I have had in years. I have taught all over the world, and I liked Dr. Manson's camp the best. I can't wait to go back next year!
Dr. Michael Steward Sr.
For further
information contact:
Soke Tom Manson
Phone 740-606-3500
Voice 1-800-529-6045
E-mail tmaf@bright.net
Website
http://www.tokoshi.com