Traditional Okinawan Karate, Kobudo, & Tuite

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Sensei Ben Madsen

Ben and Loren 

 

(Sensei Ben Madsen pictured on left, standing next to Sensei Loren Engelby of the Glacial Ridge Karate Club of Atwater, MN)

Ben Madsen started his training in Matsumura Orthodox karate in 1993, at the Blue Ridge Karate Club of Fairmont, under Sensei Butch Theil.  In 1994, the club transitioned its style, and became affiliated with Grandmaster Fusei Kise's AOSKKF (the All Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo Federation), where it remained for years.  Years later, the leadership of the Blue Ridge Karate Club decided that the group was better suited to be affiliated with a different organization, and became a member dojo of Grandmaster Yuichi Kuda's Matsumura Kenpo organization.  It is in this style of karate in which Ben Madsen earned his Shodan.

Due to injuries and circumstances beyond his control, the current sensei was forced into an early retirement, and was no longer able to teach students at the Blue Ridge Karate Club.  The club was left in the hands of its senior student, Liz Grotte, and eventually became reaffiliated with Grandmaster Kise and the AOSKKF, coming in under the charter of Sensei Loren Engelby and the Glacial Ridge Karate Club.  In the summer of 2001, Sensei Grotte resigned the position of Sensei and left the group to then senior student Ben Madsen.

Under the direction of Sensei Ben Madsen, the current club was named the Chain of Lakes Karate Club, and has been affiliated with Grandmaster Kise and the AOSKKF / OSMKKF ever since.  The Chain of Lakes Karate Club is currently a chartered dojo of the OSMKKF (Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Matsumura-Seito Karate & Kobudo Federation).

Sensei Ben Madsen was promoted to the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt) in June of 2006, in both karate and kobudo.  He also trains regularly with Sensei Loren Engelby (7th dan) of Atwater, MN, and attends annual federation training camps and tuite seminars to further his knowledge and be a more effective teacher.

 

 

 

 

Training Code       

of Master Hohan Sokon    

1.  Always act in a courteous manner.

2.  During your training, concentrate to the limit of your mental endurance.  Give your all mentally and physically as training without concentration prevents advancement.

3.  The physical, mental and spiritual training of the student should be combined as one.  The heart, mind and body should be in union at all times.

4.  Heed the advice of your teacher and of more advanced students of your school and other schools.  Listen to them and never forget their advice.

5.  Listening and watching are key points to advancement.

6.  In order to advance, one must strive to obtain the true spirit of the art.

7.  Training is on a continuous basis, and one learns a little at a time.  Do not take breaks in training as it will result in a step backwards.

8.  Always strive for advancement and when advanced, one must not brag or boast.

9.  Self-praise and over-confidence is a sickness that corrupts training.

10.  Refrain from over-eating, drinking and smoking, for these are bad habits that hinder the effectiveness of your training.

11.  Martial arts training has no limits.  Step by step, study by study, and one day in the future you will undoubtedly enter the Temple of Shaolin.

 

 


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