Sensei Cathy Cline

[Paul Bedard]

On TSW I have seen mention Of sensei Cathy Cline & have also mentioned that I have had the pleasure of calling her my friend. Actually more like a karate big sister. Sensei Cathy just joined us in Vancouver during a seminar with sensei Hiroyoshi Okazaki who is Shihan Teruyuki Okazakis` nephew. I found this very positive as they are both 7th dan, however sensei Cathy doesn`t need much excuse to come & visit with us as she is like family. Let me just say that the respect that these two demonstrate is something that I hope one day might be noted of me. Anyway I really want to give you a sense of Sensei Cathys` character, she is all business while training, however when it`s time to relax you just know that you`re with a friend & one of the nicest people you`ll ever have the chance to meet. On saturday, I had just finished training an all rank then a black belt class back to back. Sensei Cathy had arrived from Seattle & joined us for the black belt class. As she came by and was correcting a student next to me I caught her eye & did a quick rei. She just pointed for me to pay attention to sensei Hiro ( as was correct ). After that class needless to say I was very sweaty & my gi was soaking wet as was every inch of me. Sensei Cathy came up to me & shook my hand ( she always hugs me) & said `I won`t hug you cause your all wet with sweat`. We talked for a couple of minutes & she looked at me & smiled & said `what the he!l` then she gave me a big hug, sweat & all. I just thought that I would share with you an example of the character of the highest ranking woman in the ISKF & one of the highest ranking woman in the world.. If you are reading this, thank you for letting me share...
Osu
Paul B

[fujicolt]

Sounds like a true Karateka!

[Paul Bedard]

In my books Steve, Sensei Cathy is a wonderful example of the dojo kun. She has had major shoulder & hip surgery & even though she really can`t jump anymore & seiza is a challenge, she goes for it. The last session that sensei Hiro did for us was primarily kanku sho & breaking it down, then taking sections of it & using it as ippon kumite. We then finished with some reaction training. Sensei Cathy was just going for it & the sweat was running off of her too. I don`t think that I have ever noticed her work that hard. Usually she is on the floor correcting. When the seminar was over & the final rei was done, she had the biggest smile & told us how impressed she was with sensei Hiro & led a big applause. I couldn`t have been more proud of her. You see, even though they are both the same rank, she is still his senior as was evident in their order at the shomen. Sensei Hiro insisted that sensei Cathy be up in center in front of the shomen, while he placed himself back & slightly to the side. Even though it was sensei Hiroyoshi Okazaki who was the guest instructor the respect that he showed sensei Cline was phenominal.. I think I`m going on & on now. I`m sure you get my point. As shihans Okazaki & Yaguchi are getting older & one day will be joining Masters Funakoshi & Nakayama ( not for a long time, I hope ). I`m very impressed with this fine example of the next generation of leaders that will represent the ISKF. They just make me so proud
Osu
Paul B

[fujicolt]

Tis great to here from someone Happy with their situation

[blacknebula]

I am heading off tomorrow to the ISKF Mountain States Camp and Sensei Cline is supposed to be one of the guest instructors. I look forward to meeting her.