The Invisible Sensei Podcast

Shai Hai Sensei has had the kind of Karate journey that would make an incredible movie.  From growing up in survival mode and making life and death choices at an age when most were busy being care free children.

To finding Martial Arts and following that path to a completely different country and culture to pursue his love of Karate, then travelling to Okinawa to seek permission to train with one of the most famous Karate Sensei in the world, a Sensei people refer to as  an “Okinawan Superman.” 

After a time being accepted but having to prove his sincerity by taking off his black belt and beginning again, and coming to realise that the path was hard and many times discouraging, but continuing anyway.

His story is inspiring, his deep respect for his Sensei and those who have guided his path is obvious, his humility is only matched by his skill and tenacity.

He is many things a Husband, Father, a Sensei in his own right.  He is also a critically acclaimed actor, much like everything he does he finds Uechi Ryu Karate has applications in more ways than Martial.

This 3 part conversation is deep, wide ranging and to my mind inspirational.

To view him in action at his recent 6th dan grading, please watch this excellent mini documentary from the Okinawa Spirit YouTube channel:

https://youtu.be/bT2tm6RgVdc?si=V6zBoi56G48wI6r1

And to read his blog, referred to in the interview:

http://shaihaibudo.blogspot.com/2023/05/esoteric-secrets-of-uechiryu-karate-do.html

http://shaihaibudo.blogspot.com/

For details on the Kizuna Seminar:

https://linktr.ee/Kizuna2024

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To view this interview:

https://youtu.be/A2nm3KUg4WQ

Shai Hai Sensei has had the kind of Karate journey that would make an incredible movie.  From growing up in survival mode and making life and death choices at an age when most were busy being care free children.

To finding Martial Arts and following that path to a completely different country and culture to pursue his love of Karate, then travelling to Okinawa to seek permission to train with one of the most famous Karate Sensei in the world, a Sensei people refer to as  an “Okinawan Superman.” 

After a time being accepted but having to prove his sincerity by taking off his black belt and beginning again, and coming to realise that the path was hard and many times discouraging, but continuing anyway.

His story is inspiring, his deep respect for his Sensei and those who have guided his path is obvious, his humility is only matched by his skill and tenacity.

He is many things a Husband, Father, a Sensei in his own right.  He is also a critically acclaimed actor, much like everything he does he finds Uechi Ryu Karate has applications in more ways than Martial.

This 3 part conversation is deep, wide ranging and to my mind inspirational.

To view him in action at his recent 6th dan grading, please watch this excellent mini documentary from the Okinawa Spirit YouTube channel:

https://youtu.be/bT2tm6RgVdc?si=V6zBoi56G48wI6r1

And to read his personal blog, referred to in the interview:

http://shaihaibudo.blogspot.com/2023/05/esoteric-secrets-of-uechiryu-karate-do.html

http://shaihaibudo.blogspot.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by Andy Rodriguez Sensei for a chat that covers an incredibly broad range of experience.

Which includes, American Kenpo, Jodo, Aikido and Shorinryu Karate and this barely scratches the surface.

He took the bold step of creating a literal home Dojo in which he teaches selected students while embracing his own ongoing studies.

He is rare in the Martial Arts world in that when asked a question he does not know the answer to he will quite happily reply “I don’t know, let’s find out together.”

His Iwa Dojo is based in Delaware and in part 2 of conversation he shares his insights into some of his greatest influences.

Please enjoy our conversation.

To find out more about the invisible Sensei 

https://linktr.ee/Invisen

If you which to watch the conversation please follow our link to our Youtube page:

https://youtu.be/D3p0QOLPxDk

And for more details on the October “Kizuna Seminar” with James Pankiweicz  Sensei:

https://linktr.ee/Kizuna2024

 Audio only option:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/yama-bushi/episodes/Andy-Rodriguez-Sensei-Great-Sensei--good-people--part-2-of-3-e2m9ohs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are joined by Andy Rodriguez Sensei for a chat that covers an incredibly broad range of experience.

Which includes, American Kenpo, Jodo, Aikido and Shorinryu Karate and this barely scratches the surface.

He took the bold step of creating a literal home Dojo in which he teaches selected students while embracing his own ongoing studies.

He is rare in the Martial Arts world in that when asked a question he does not know the answer to he will quite happily reply “I don’t know, let’s find out together.”

His Iwa Dojo is based in Delaware and in our 3 part conversation he shares his reflections on all things Martial in his typically humble but insightful way.

Please enjoy our conversation.

To find out more about the invisible Sensei 

https://linktr.ee/Invisen

If you which to watch the conversation please follow our link to our Youtube page:

https://youtu.be/eiPmqQSJJ1o

And for more details on the October “Kizuna Seminar” with James Pankiweicz  Sensei:

https://linktr.ee/Kizuna2024

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Its not just about pushing record, doing a podcast in a landscape as political as the Martial Arts world, can be a bruising and at times difficult experience. But it has also created an incredibly supportive community of Friends and a varied garden of experience that I am more than grateful to be nourished by.

For details on our up an coming New Zealand Kizuna Seminar:

https://linktr.ee/Kizuna2024

And to see more of our Invisible Sensei content:

https://linktr.ee/Kizuna2024

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I may look at martial Arts as a lifestyle and a way of learning more about myself, and not competition orientated, which is great for me, but does that serve my students? And what does such a view do for the longevity of a Dojo?

If your interested in learning more about the Invisible Sensei please click this link:

https://linktr.ee/Invisen

And for more details on the October Kizuna Seminar with James Pankiweicz Sensei follow:

https://linktr.ee/Kizuna2024

And as always deep thanks for taking the time to listen.

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Why its good every now and then and look back at the road we have walked to this point (warts and all) to better walk the one in front of us.

For an invitation to and more details on the October NZ Kizuna Seminar please click below.

https://linktr.ee/Kizuna2024

To see what else the INVISIBLE SENSEI is up to click on:

https://linktr.ee/Invisen

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Cover art from an original photo by Mr.Chris Wilson

I was lucky enough to meet with Yagi Isao Kancho Kancho of Motoburyu, a master of many arts and weapons techniques many that pre-date what many think of as Karate.

I never trained with him, I never learnt any of his art but meeting him was an honour that I will treasure.

My deepest respects to his Family and Students on his recent passing.

For more details on the KIZUNA Seminar in New Zealand please follow the link:

https://linktr.ee/Kizuna2024

And to learn more about the "Invisible Sensei" please follow this link:

https://linktr.ee/Invisen

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How do we shape the perfect Bunkai? What is a "perfect" Bunkai? If I'm the only one who can do it how perfect can it be? And finally when does the study of bunkai become a theoretical game of "well if you did this, I'd just do that."

Thanks for listening guys please feel free to share and checkout our YouTube channel and holla at us on our socials.

https://linktr.ee/Invisen

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