June 2015 issue #7 Volume 2 interview with Black Belt Joe Cappellini ______

Martial Arts for Life in The Villages - Sensei Lee Aiello 7th Degree Black Belt

We meet Mondays at Lake Miona 11 to 12:15; Wednesdays at Seabreeze 11 to 12:15 and every Thursday we have a practice session (especially good for newcomers) at Laurel Manor 1 PM to 4 PM.

A Sumer time Reminder for the months of June, July and August, you may wear your short-sleeved

On our website (elderlywarriors.com) there is some information about some of the Black Belts a little about where they learned the art of karate go to the website and take the time to look through every category, ormation to you via the Newsletter, perhaps two black belts at a time.

So again this month - welcome to the BLACK BELT CLUB:

Black Belt GAYLA JOHNSTON

8th Degree Black Belt in Kempo. Began in 1986 under William Durbin. Also, trainded under Craig Caudill, Bluegrass Budo Kai and Steve Martin. Completed several workshops under Bill Wallace and Richard Stone. Hold varing degrees of black belts in Karate, , , Jujitsu, Tae Kwondo, and .

Trained and tested using these weapons: Bo Tonfa Bokken Nunchakus Sai Swords Tanto Kama Cane 3 Section Staff Knives (rubber)

Black Belt RONAN BARON

First karate class was in September, 1983. The school taught Okinawan Goju Ryu. I attained the rank of Nidan (2nd degree) in 1988.

I moved to Florida and, from 1988 to 1994, continued to study Goju Ryu with Eddie Preston who was the defensive tactics coordinator at the Criminal Justice Institute in Dade County. During this period I also became an FDLE certified defensive tactics instructor for the Florida Department of Corrections.

Between 1994 and 2002 my activity consisted of practicing Yang short form Tai Chi. Wanting to do something more active, I began what was

Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and Kickboxing Blend. In Decemberr, 2005, I received a black sash in that style from Master Instructor Daniel Pineda. In November, 2006, I received 1st degree black sash from Daniel Pineda and Chief Master Instructor J.P. Perelmutter. In 2008 I achieved the rank of 2nd degree black sash.

I moved to The Villages at the end of September, 2010 and began classes under Sensei Aiello in October. Received 3rd degree Black Belt under Sensei Aiello March, 2013.

We are also highlighting one belt ranking each month, so that we all know what we must master before moving on to the next belt. This Keep in mind that when you test for your Green Belt you must also know everything that the Green and Yellow Belt candidate does!

GREEN BELT

Minimum of 12 months or 140 hours of class.

All of the Yellow Belt requirements plus: Katas: Pinan Ich Neko Buto Ich Karumpha Geri Waza 1 2 Taezu 1 2 3 Kougeki 9 10 Closed hand breathing (i.e. Sanchin type) Spar for 3 minutes Two self defense moves (Updated 3/15/2012)

Any Karateka testing for their next belt after March 15, 2012 will be reviewed using these criteria.

no, make that a TRUMPET CLARION

What brought you and your wife to The Villages? Did you hear about it from friends, an article, TV?

When I was dating my wife, Kim, she asked me if I wanted to go with her to Florida to see her parents who were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary. They have lived in Virginia Trace since 2006. Since Kim and I had been dating a few years I thought this was a great opportunity to continue an old tradition of asking the parents for their proposed to my now wife at the Lake Sumter Square after my in-laws love with The Villages. Besides, I felt it important for my wife to be close to her parents, especially as time creeps up on us. My parents are deceased.

What did you do when you were working?

I was blessed with having two careers and several other side- lines/hobbies, etc... First off, out of college I started teaching music. (Also spending many weekends and summers on the road performing)

During my 20 years in teaching I directed several instrumental groups (bands, etc.) (In my spare time from 1990 to 1996 I became a part- time Deputy Sheriff)

After the teaching years I vested my state time and transferred into the PA Department of Corrections for the next 17 years. Since I was not a veteran (but had previous Law Enforcement experience), I went into the non-civil service side of corrections. My job was very interesting to say the least.

Besides working as a CFI (Corrections Food Service Instructor), I trained officers in handgun, shotgun and officer survival. I worked with Special Teams such as HNT (Hostage Negotiations Team), CERT (Corrections Emergency Response Team), HRT (Hostage Rescue Team) and CRST (Corrections Rifle Specialist Team {snipers}. Subsequently I was a Hostage Negotiator for 15 of my 17 years, becoming Team Leader the last 10.

Do you miss the discipline of working at a certain job every day? Honestly, NO!!! When I retired last year I was ready to stop running a structured schedule. Even though I am busy here in The Villages it is kind of like the same melody but with different words. Maybe that will change after a while. Who knows?

When did you come down? Which Village do you live in?

We moved here in April of 2014 and currently live in the village of Gilchrist 214.

llages?

Besides the Karate for Life Club I play trumpet in The Jazz Workshop. I also enjoy the neighborhood activities, pickle ball, driveway parties beverages !

When did you begin studying karate?

When I was a senior in High School, the local Karate Instructor (who became my first Sensei), Paul Braddock, performed at an assembly at our school. That was in 1971. It got me interested.

What degree black belt have you attained? Did you attain this many years ago?

I am currently a Shodan in the GoJuryu Karate System. I trained for until around 1975. In 1981 I was promoted to Nidan. In 1994 to Shodan. In 1996 I changed careers; thus my schedule did not work with the club training. The irony of it all is I never really needed Karate as a school teacher - however it has come in handy several times in corrections !!!

I never dreamed I would be able to train again. Especially with the wonderful members of our Club. Wow!!!

Why did you originally get involved in the martial arts?

I was intrigued by the movements and subsequent degree of difficulty that I saw during the demonstration at our high school. Once I started I was never turning back. I just had to make adjustments through my has taught me that the Martial Arts are a way of life. One does not fully realize that at a young age.

I read about it and the other martial arts club in the Village recreation guide. Once I stepped into your club to workout, I first was greeted by Vince Capasso. We had trained in the same system and he was such a gracious person to talk to. A gentlema introduced

ever again. Did you get rid of everything and have to start over?

Yes I did. Before I left the big city of Waynesburg, PA I donated my gear, makawara board, heavy bags, etc to the local Judo and Karate clubs. I am still starting over. Just ask Sensei

to do it yet?

Not sure if I want to get body piercings or learn to play golf. Something I did enjoy in the past though I had a hobby of raising German Shepherds for 41 years. Actually they were more like family than a hobby. That was really enjoyable when I was into it.

Have you taken any special vacations?

few trips north for relative graduations and to see my son in Philadelphia. Going to North Dakota to visit a brother-in-law this August.

What do you most enjoy about our karate classes?

Learning from so many, many talented teachers and students that I have been blessed to be able to train with. I sincerely mean that. I am sure those that have not studied the Martial Arts for very long may not totally understand, but we have some real experts that are sharing important for us to listen and maintain the utmost discipline in class. Our instructors are world class.

Any karate etiquette or pointers that have helped you in your studies?

I was always taught that Focus is the point of total body release. It takes years of disciplined practice to accomplish but can be done.

Last but not least it is showing respect to not only our Sensei and instructors but most importantly to our classmates. I feel this has to start with showing your own personal discipline and conveying that through respect to others. roller-coaster. My beginning music profession led me through a journey of practicing in garages as a kid, to performing around the country. No need to drop names. There is enough of that in The Villages! Besides, I blessed. Blessed t thankful for my family, for all the opportunities life has given me and the blessing he has given me to meet such wonderful people in our club.

Thank you Lucille for letting me share some thoughts.

Lucill came upon our club and are making such capable contributions to help us all improve our skills! Thank you for agreeing to let me interview you, Joe.

Thought for the month: Karate aims to build character, improve human behavior, and cultivate modesty; it does not, however, guarantee any of these. Yasuhiro Konishi (founder of Shindo Jinen-ryu Karate)

See you all in class! Lucille