ISSA Welcomes Shifu Amata

Shifu AmataWe're very happy to announce the addition of Shifu Amata to the ISSA. For those who don't know Shifu Amata he's been around for a very long time. Over 30 years in Shou' Shu'.

I remember him way back when I was in the student ranks. He was always a fantastic Shifu to look up to and learn from coming through the ranks.

I remember him as being extremely exuberant. His love of Shou' Shu' shows whenever he's on the mat. Although I haven't seen him in many years after meeting with him a few weeks ago it's obvious that hasn't changed.

One other thing I remember about him is his mongoose test. I was a Shun Shifu at the time (still am of course) and working on my mongoose. Normally it wouldn't be protocol to watch a higher test but Sijo Da' Shifu wanted me to see something. So I was able to watch. When the test was over Sijo Da' Shifu turned to me and said "That's what I want it to look like".
As usual Sijo Da' Shifu had a lesson for me.

The Stories of Shifu Amata and Shou' Shu' could fill a novel. But for today all we have to say is

WELCOME!!! We're glad to have you!

Shifu Amata will be traveling at the end of this month to visit Da' Shifu Clark. He wants to get a jump on his ISSA certification so he can be ready for our upcoming training camps with Da' Shifu Clark in October.