Canada Report Phase 3

So on arrival to Ottawa Dave was initially disappointed to find that training had to be postponed. Kyoshi had a prior commitment to attend a 4th birthday party, and invited Dave to come along with Kyoshi’s wife Christine who is also an accomplished black belt..

But this was no ordinary birthday party.

The Therien dojos are like a big family. It is one of Kyoshi’s senior instructors (Aline de la Rosa, the mother) who chose Kyoshi to be godfather of her daughter. This again shows the tremendous respect held for Kyoshi John Therien by his students and instructors. Aline De La Rosa was known to Dave already as he had met her at the conventions in Toronto, Ottawa and in Charlesville Mezzieres in France in years gone by. Aline had previously been a student of Alain Sailly who is well known to many Kiwi martial artists when we brought him to New Zealand for a series of seminars in the early 1990s. Also at the party were members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police SWAT team. This is an integral part of the Ottawa policing as Ottawa is Canada’s capital with many international diplomats who require special protection. And many of the skills gained by the swat teams are generated and trained at the Therien stable. In fact almost all of the attendees at the party were from a martial arts background so this provided a good reunion to the Canadian martial arts scene.

Dave therefore had to have his training postponed to the following day, but before days end Kyoshi Therien gave Dave a personal tour of Ottawa and surrounding districts.

Next Day - At the Dojo:

After his previous experience with Kyoshi in France Dave was not disappointed with the pressure point theory training.

Dave tells me that the points are known to many martial artists but what is not readily known is the correct application - and this is where Kyoshi Therien excels. His knowledge of Ju-Jutsu , physiology, and impact training through kick Boxing has enabled Kyoshi to develop a training program that focuses on applying energy to a variety of selected points during a dynamic combat situation. This may also throw some light as to why "The Iceman" retired as world champion unbeaten after 14 years in the ring. This is only guesswork on Dave’s part but in addition to an unrelenting training program, great skill and fitness, knowing where and how to hit your opponent for maximum effect may well be a contributing factor.

The training received by Dave meant training with Sensei Derek Marcotte, 3rd Dan, under Kyoshi’s supervision. Thanks must go to Sensei Marcotte for his great skill and willingness to act as training partner. Sensei Marcotte has recently purchased the Vannier Dojo as a business from Kyoshi Therien and it is growing strongly.

While at the dojo over several days, Dave sat in on a number of both kickboxing and Ju-Jutsu classes and was impressed with the attitude of both students and instructors, and also the genuine concern for students by instructors.

Dave has a saying that
"For every drop taken out of a bucket, 2 drops must be put back in"

This implies that to keep martial arts growing positively, those who practice them must be willing to contribute to their development.

Kyoshi Therien also adopts this philosophy as observed by Dave on his visit.
Kyoshi actively supports those around him - by starting dojos for them to manage and so forth. A further example of this was Kyoshi’s willingness to voluntarily provide Dave with names and contacts of his suppliers for uniforms and weapons. Kyoshi even made a call to his major supplier on Dave’s behalf to get things rolling. This act alone has potential to benefit not only Action Martial Arts Supplies, but in the broader sense, also Kiwi martial artists, as we endeavor to provide our customers with better products, service and quality.

Kyoshi additionally provided other business advice regarding the running of a professional dojo, marketing and other Budo related expertise that is appreciated.

This was the end of the Canada leg - now off to Germany.