We just returned from East Peoria, Ill., where we attended the 11th annual Kagami Biraki Gasshuku, also known as the Renewal of Spirit Seminar, which is put on by chief instructor Joey Johnston and his brother, Tony, along with students from the Academy of Okinawan Karate, among others. It was a great event with plenty of training and fellowship at the Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino. Eighteen instructors taught 25 classes over the course of the two-day event (Friday and Saturday) before a great banquet Saturday night. O’Sensei Robert Bowles of Shuri Ryu as well as his wife of more than 50 years, Hanshi Sandra Bowles, were on hand along with Hanshi George Sheridan, also a longtime chief instructor of Shuri Ryu as well as instructors in Haganah and Systema. I highly recommend those who have never attended this seminar to put it on your bucket list of seminars to attend. You won’t be disappointed.
Also, I would like to thank shodan Mickey Thomas who agreed to make the 14-hour drive (one way) to Illinois with me to take part in the seminar. I can’t thank Mickey enough. Mickey seconded my opinion of the seminar, saying he enjoyed all the classes and learned a lot during the seminar.
Finally, I have included a few photos from the seminar, which attracted about 120 students.
