For Sensei

Doug Dwyer breaking a 2"x4" in 1965

10th degree black belt (Judan) Doug Dwyer's involvement in the Martial Arts has spanned more than fifty-five years.
"During that time I have been privileged to train with and learn from many highly skilled Martial Artists.

Beginning in 1954, I joined a Judo class taught by Art Broadbent (Sandan) and ten months later, enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. My training continued in Boxing and Judo. After being Honorably Discharged, I trained under Charles Gruzanski (Shodan) in Judo and Karate and was promoted to Rokyu in Kyokushinkai Style of Karate.

It was there that I met John Keehan. We became fast friends and studied and trained together. Seeking a deeper understanding of the Discipline and determined to acquire more advanced training, in 1962 we traveled to Arizona to study with Master Robert Trias. He was a 7th Degree Black Belt at that time and proficient in Shorei-Goju, Kempo, and Shotokan Karate. The training was intense, and after six months we learned several formal katas, Taezu Naru Waza techniques (speed forms), knife and club defense, open hand fighting and defenses against multiple attackers.

Then, following this mind-opening experience, it was back to Chicago where I continued my quest for Black Belt, which I earned in 1963. It was during this time that I began teaching, continued my own education in the Arts and received the rank of Rokyudan in 1970. It has taken years to perfect the finer points of heavy breaking, the use of Asian weapons, and perform the formal katas, train other Black Belts and hold the rank of Judan." - Doug Dwyer

Sensei Dwyer, the head instructor at The Academy of Samurai Warriors has won many trophies in Karate sparring and Kata (form) competition. Sensei Dwyer has also trained champions such as ED Miller, 1965 World Karate Champion and Floyd Banks the 1967 World Karate Champion.

Sensei Dwyer is a very sharp martial artist and individual who is a fondly remembered Sensei by many of his students. Still training and teaching today, Sensei Dwyer is the embodiment of what a true black belt instructor is. In 2008, the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame awarded Sensei Douglas Dwyer with a Lifetime Achievement award.

Sensei Dwyer and I had met in October of 2008 at a seminar he gave in Ft. Walton Beach Fl. It was apparent from the onset that Sensei Dwyer was in remarkable shape for a man who was 69 years of age. His punches, kicks and blocks were smooth, snappy and clean. Sensei Dwyer had demonstrated various striking, blocking and kicks with weighted hands and feet. He put us thru the paces with the wieghted punching blocking and kicking and worked out right along with us. It was apparent this was his normal routine. He had managed to captured my respect and admiration with his ability, training ethic and charisma.
6th Degree Black belt Doug Dwyer shown above breaking 10 roman bricks with a hammer fist strike. Sensei Doug Dwyer was one of the top breakers in the United States. Dwyer shown below delivering a Yoko-Geri (side kick) to another Black belts throat.



TRAINING SANCHIN WITH SENSEI DWYER (2009)

There is a saying that Karate begins with Sanchin and ends with Sanchin and Karate fighters should practice Sanchin everyday three times a day. It was indeed an honor and a privilege to have Sensei Dwyer work with me and share his knowledge of Sanchin Kata.

In my training in Karate I had yet to learn Sanchin, most of the Katas I had learned were the Heians (Pinans) Tekki, and then of course by shodan level there were Katas such as Empi, Hangetsu, Kanku Dai and others. Sanchin seemed to be very fitting kata to learn from a Judan (10th degree blackbelt) on this occasion. Here was an instructor who could spark a reinterest in my karate background as well as a highly knowledgeable and skilled instructor to learn from.

Only one stance is used in this kata—the sanchin (meaning "three battles") stance, from which a name of the kata is derivative now (initially it was named as Peppuren 1. Sanchin-dachi is a practical stance, and yet is the most difficult stance to master. The legs protect the body from sweep kicks, the thighs are to trap low kicks. According to a tai chi manual ("Zhengzi 13 postures"), the punch draws its power from the earth through the legs—the flip of the hips enables the strength of the whole body to be channeled and focused into one punch.

Properly employed, Sanchin kata follows the "hard" style of karate—all the muscles are to be flexed and tensed throughout the kata—actually making it the most strenuous kata. This type of strength training, is only recently understood in Western science and is known as "isometric training" in bodybuilding.

The Sanchin routine uses only its namesake stance and is carried out with controlled breathing (ibuki breathing). Inhalation and exhalation are performed in unison with the various blocking and striking movements. In the most commonly taught versions, emphasis is placed on the tension of the practitioners' muscles, and movement of the body as a solid, stable unit. The Chinese and Uechi-Ryu version uses open hands while other Okinawan and Japanese versions tend to use closed fists. Certain schools of Five Ancestors kung fu, most noticeably those hailing from the Chee Kim-Thong lineage, employ minimal tension during execution. This is intended to facilitate the correct training of qi (or ki).














The narrow (shoulder width) upright "pigeon-toed" foot position of the Sanchin stance (Japanese: sanchin dachi) balances stability in two directions (front and side) with the flexible waist rotation needed for strong punches and kicks. The toes attempt to "grip" the floor, attempting to turn the feet outward while actually turned inward, creating a rooted stance, whilst the pelvis remains tilted upward along with the turned-in position of the front knee and the bent back knee help protect the groin from kicks.

SANCHIN

This is the starting sequence of all Kata.

* Move purposefully to the "Kiten" (starting point). Check you have allowed enough room to perform the Kata.
* Stand in 'HEIKO DACHI - YOI' (ready stance) and await the command 'HAJIME' or prepare yourself to start.
* On the command 'HAJIME' or when ready - start the Kata.
* From 'HEIKO DACHI - YOI' make 'KIOSKI' (Attention stance) by moving right foot to left foot so feet are touching together in 'HEI SOKU DACHI' simultaneously put the hands by your sides and stand up straight like a soldier.
* 'REI' (Bow) - bend from the hips, do not just nod the head.
* Now make 'MUSUBI DACHI' (Heels touching, feet at 45 degrees) Left palm centre on top of right palm centre, one fist distance, in front of your 'Hara' (Lower abdomen).
* For a few seconds start to feel energy flowing from your palms into your 'Hara' and circulating around your body. Start also to visualise a successful outcome. In time you should be able to obtain 'MUNEN' (meaning 'NO MIND') a meditation state were your body performs on 'Autopilot' or without thinking - just acting.
* Name the Kata in a loud and spirited voice.
* Step forward right foot Sanchin with double Chudan Kamae. Draw back left fist & punch Gyaku Zuki Chudan.
* Step forward Sanchin closing the groin in a double Chudan Kamae. Draw back right fist and punch Gyaku Zuki Chudan and return to the first Kamae.
* Step forward right foot Sanchin closing the groin. Draw back the left fist and punch Gyaku Zuki Chudan and return to Kamae.
* Punch 4 static Choku Zuki in the same manner.
* Open both hands on the final punch and strike 4 Gedan Nukites (both hands). Arms slightly rounded at the elbows. Sholders down.
* Step back right foot Sanchin - 1 Mawashi Uke.
* Step back left foot Sanchin - 1 Mawashi Uke.
* Bring the left hand under the right at central Chudan level. Open both hands (palm centre) crossed left under right.
* Lift both hands to Jodan level.
* Step back right foot into Musubi Dachi.
* Crossed hands down to starting posotion.
* Hands to sides and feet together - Hei Soku Dachi.
* Bow from the hips - end Kata.
* Step right foot Heiko Dachi - Yoi (ready).

It has been my pleasure and a priviledge to have met, get to know, call friend and come to call, Douglas Dwyer, in the true sense of the word.....Sensei.