from the April, 2014 issue of Kiai!

Thousand Waves Celebrates Sun Dragon
Anniversary in Austin

 

By Senpai Becky Kidd
1st Degree Black Belt

The Sun Dragon 25th Anniversary Weekend felt like a mix of summer camp, family reunion and taste of martial arts all rolled into one action-packed weekend. Sei Shihan Nancy and Jun Shihan Sarah, Senpai Ryan, Senpai Amy, Senpai Carla and I joined Sensei Joy Williamson and the Sun Dragon community and some very special guests to celebrate.

The event began with a potluck dinner party at the home of Senpai Doris Ann (DA) and Senpai Bart in South Austin. Community members provided a lovely assortment of side dishes and desserts to accompany Bart's roast pig. The adults visited with old friends and got acquainted with new ones, while the kids played and chased DA’s chickens around the yard.


One of the offerings at the beautiful site of the Sun Dragon anniversary celebration was a weapons class
for kids, taught by Sei Shihan Nancy.

Saturday morning we reconvened at a nearby retreat center for a full day of training opportunities. Sei Shihan Nancy led a spirited opening workout in a sunny field blooming with bluebonnets. The remainder of the day was broken into 4 sessions, each with several classes from which to choose. Classes included Arnis, Kajukenbo punch attacks, Tai Chi, Judo, knife defenses, bo/jo basics and partner drills, practical self defense, nunchaku, Quigong, sparring, exploring animal forms, core work, deepening your kata, gi games and outdoor dojo.


Sensei Suzanne Pinette, founder of Sun Dragon,
came to teach at the anniversary celebration.
Sensei Joy invited a wonderful group of guest instructors to celebrate and teach throughout the weekend. Sensei Suzanne Pinette, the founder of Sun Dragon, came to teach and led a meditation as a memorial for Sensei Peg Strain who had been her teacher. Instructors from around the country included Sei Shihan Nancy and Jun Shihan Sarah from Thousand Waves, Shifu/Sensei Kore Grate from Five Elements Martial Arts in Minneapolis, Sifu Sonya Richardson from Hand to Hand in Oakland and Sensei Sally Johnson Van Wright of Valley Women's Martial Arts in Easthampton, MA. Austin was represented by Cathy Chapaty of Tao of Texas Martial Art and Sa Bum Nim James Espy of Traditional Martial Arts, as well as Sun Dragon’s own Senpai Carmel Drewes, Senpai Susan (George) Schorn, Senpai Laura Hayden and Vanessa Martinez.

After training, teachers and students in varying combinations staged an inspiring performance, sharing our arts with one another. Dinner was capped with dancing accompanied by a local Tejano band. A lasting memory for me will be the conga line comprised of Sun Dragon children, children of the band members, assorted adults and one dog snaking its way through the dancers on the floor.

Sunday morning brought more training at Sun Dragon and at nearby Traditional Martial Arts. The closing of the weekend was an informal circle where participants shared their thoughts and feelings about the weekend. We parted with much hugging and picture taking, trading of email addresses and business cards, and promises to see one another at PeaceWorks in the summer.


Thousand Waves group performs Seienchin kata during the Sun Dragon anniversary performance.

I am so glad I made this trip and met this amazing community in their home. I feel very fortunate to have Sun Dragon as a sister school. Knowing that there is another Seido school built on the same feminist/self-defense tradition as Thousand Waves is helpful in those moments when I am reminded that many other schools have different foundations.

I've never been to Special Training. My schedule and my budget have never coincided in a way that made it possible. I’ve also wondered if my brain and body have room to accommodate other arts and practices. My Seido training is very fulfilling and it feels like it takes all of my attention and ability to keep up with that. I didn't realize that joining our karate siblings in Austin for this celebration would have any bearing on this dilemma, but I was happily mistaken. Shared history is important. Shared language is important. Broad horizons and open minds are important. Knowing and being known are important.

Happy 25th Anniversary Sun Dragon!