SKA and BBC Emeritus President Ron Thom led three practices at the Kansas City dojo March 22-23, 2025.
Ron Thom is emeritus president of both SKA and the BBC. Born in 1948, Ron began karate practice with Ohshima Sensei in 1966. He and Jon Beltram were among the five SKA members to compete at the 1970 World Karate Championship in Japan in 1970. Ron passed to godan in 1990. A retired marine biologist, Dr. Thom conducted research in coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Learn more.
Ron Thom leading a kata practice
21 SKA members from seven dojos participated:
12 from Kansas City
3 from UNL
2 from Indianapolis
1 from Olympic Peninsula
1 from Minneapolis
1 from Houston
1 from Wisconsin
George Canjar, sandan from Houston, TX and Sedona, AZ wrote about the weekend practices:
Previously, my only exposure to Ron Thom had been watching his videos of Empi and some pandemic video sessions, so this was an amazing opportunity to be able to meet, listen and learn. Not to mention get some Empi advice and hear priceless stories of other seniors and SKA history. The KC dojo is incredible, and Ron used the venue to lead three practice sessions over the weekend March 22-23rd Some recollections and impressions from the sessions are shown below.
Kihon: Don’t be in a hurry, move with clarity, intention, and alignment. Breathing and the movement are the same. Ron had us repeatedly compare feelings of pulling with front foot with activation of the backfoot during translating forward and back as well specific focus on turns/rotation in both basics and kata.
Reminders of simple clean efficient movement then proceeded from basics to kata to kumite. Kihon provides constant opportunities for correction and reminders of what to do and work on.
Kata: A strong but stiff, tense feeling is not correct. Focus should be on smooth, rhythmic, feeling highlighting attention, purpose, and breathing. The key kata elements of fast/slow, expansion/contraction and light/heavy manifest thru visualization of the opponent and the application of the movement.
Exact movements within the kata allow seemingly small points to completely fulfill their intention. Continuously focus on perfection of every kata, every repetition.
Kumite: Attack is led by hips, don’t try to be fast but rather integrate all parts of the body to destroy the opponent. Maintain strong feeling and focus throughout exchange in both attack and defense. Ron highlighted the similar cadence that all attackers were utilizing and the need to alter timing every pass. Otherwise, it becomes very predictable.
Ron led ippon kumite with defender closing eyes and feeling the attack initiating. With practice, most people could sense the punch coming with their eyes closed. Many times, some noise came from the attacker prior to punching. When eyes are open, that noise is likely overwhelmed by the visual sensory input. In any case, every bit of information can be helpful in anticipating your opponent’s intentions. In summary: There is a tendency to fall into routines and order in our practice. Regional opportunities like this highlight that it is critical to travel, practice with different karateka and learn from different seniors like Ron. It is also a gift to catch up with old friends and witness everyone’s journey over the years. There are many great people that I only see at Special Trainings, regional events and only know within the SKA umbrella.
We want to express our thanks to Ron as he reiterated the SKA mission, direction, and intention: to promote sense of connection among all of us who are practicing. Thanks to SKA’s Midwest Region for funding Ron Thom’s airfare to and from Kansas City. Thanks also to our host, Mike Lyon. We all appreciated the KC members’ hospitality and the great KC BBQ!
I look forward to seeing everyone at Midwest summer special training.
— George Canjar, sandan from Houston, TX & Sedona, AZ
black belts at sushi dinnerFirst lineup with Ronwarming up with breathingRon describes that we should make kata not too quickly and in a relaxed mannertrying to answer some initial questionsHeian ShodanHeian ShodanKwankuKwankuKwankuKwankuSome corrections given during KwankuAfter the morning practice, Ron talked a bit out SKA history and mission.Ron asked us to think about why we practiceMost of these photos were shot by Mike Kostroske (in street clothes) who was recovering from foot surgerysome personal thoughts about practiceSaturday morning’s group photoSat;urday afternoon – KwankuKwankuKwankuKwankuKwankuKwankuKwankuKwankuIppon gumiteIppon gumiteIppon gumiteRon demonstrated how he receives the attackmore ippon gumitequestions and answersmokuso at the end of the second practicegroup photo Saturday afternoonSaturday night BBQ Sadly, no photographer Sunday. Here Harry Dolan unwinds after practiceGoodbyes and thank yous to Ron (and a few final questions)after practiceafter practiceafter practiceHarry Dolan thinks there might be a crack in the camera lensKC members feel elated after practiceGroup after Sunday morning practiceOn Monday we visited Jon Beltram at homeSome wonderful memories!
Practices were open to members in good standing of SKA. All levels were welcome and encouraged to attend. Here’s the list of participants:
