The following students recently got promoted at the MSOI on Feb 18th, 2008.

John McCutheon 2 Yellow Tips White Belt
Mike McCutheon 2 Yellow Tips White Belt
Austin Engelhaupt 2 Yellow Tips White Belt
Hector Gomez Orange Belt
Cody Sheldon Orange Belt
Dallas Dellinger Green Belt


All these students did very well during their test. Each student had to demonstrate Isshinryu upper body basics, kicks, kata, history questions, and self-defense.

Congrats to all the students who tested.


Sensei

Congrats to Rachel and Matt Haas, of the MSOI-Peru Dojo on their recent promotion to 1 tip on their white belt. They did very well with 10 upper body basics and kicks.

Sensei

The MSOI held a Black Belt testing on January 12, 2008 at the Bureau County Metro center. Ryan Marion was tested on all 8 empty hand kata and 2 weapons kata. Mr. Marion's was approximately 2 1/3 hours long.

I am proud to announce Mr. Marion was promoted to Jr. Black Belt. Mr. Marion's testing board consisted of Sensei Cliff Morse, Master Ken Peirce, Sensei Josh Wealer, Mrs. Tracy Carriere, Mr. Dustin Skaggs, Mr. Jeff Conger, Mr. Brian Carriere.

Pictures will be posted soon.

Sensei Morse

The MSOI has opened a new dojo at the YMCA in Peru Illinois. The Classes are Monday and Wednesday Nights from 630 pm to 730 pm.

The instruction at the dojo will be under the direction of Sensei Cliff Morse. Classes will be instructed by Sensei Josh Wealer. Sensei Wealer is a 4th degree black belt in Isshinryu Karate. Sensei Wealer has dedicated 16 years to studying Isshinryu at the MSOI. Sensei Wealer has been teaching classes for the MSOI since 1995. Sensei Wealer has taught unders of students at the MSOI as well as he teaches with an open mind.

For more information about the classes please visit the YMCA website or email Sensei Morse at

The MSOI will be holding Youth Self-Defense Classes at the YMCA in Peru Il starting in January.

Isshinryu Karate is a self-defense based martial arts system from Okinawa, founded in 1954. Isshinryu teaches the use of in-close techniques, 50/50 punch, kick combinations, natural stances, use of low kicks, multiple-purpose techniques, and making the shift from offense or defense in a quick movement. Isshinryu installs self-defense, self-confidence, and self-discipline in all of its students.
This class will be under the direction of Sensei Cliff Morse of the Morse School of Isshinryu, Inc. Sensei Morse is a 5th degree Black Belt in Isshinryu Karate, and has over 25 years of martial arts experience. Sensei Morse has taught several self-defense classes for elementary and high schools throughout Bureau county as well as various local and state organizations. This class will be continual all year round class. Feel free to sign up at anytime. For classes, please wear comfortable clothing. If you have any questions about classes, please feel free to contact me at:

Monthly cost: $40 for YMCA Members
$50 for Non-YMCA members
Begins: January 5, 2008
Times: Monday & Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm