thedrifter
06-19-09, 09:11 AM
Ju-jutsu master passes knowledge, skills, techniques to Marines on Okinawa
6/19/2009 By Pfc. J Nava , Marine Corps Bases Japan
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan — By day, Duane C. Waybright is the recreational assistant at the Camp Hansen gym. By night, he dons a black belt and traditional white robe and becomes sensei to several Marines. He trains them in the martial art of Daiei Juku Aiki Ju-jutsu, which originated in the 1970's.
Waybright, who was born on Sept. 24, 1960, in Cheverly, Md., began his venture into martial arts by training in Okinawan Karate at the age of 20 and later studying Kung-Fu.
"There is no martial art that is better than another, but you have to find a style that fits your personality," Waybright said.
In 1983, at the age of 23, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he would travel abroad and eventually arrive in Okinawa in 1992.
Waybright first met his sensei, Masayoshi Umeda, while working with U.S. Army Special Forces stationed on Torii station.
"He (Umeda) had been training on Torii for 20 years before I met him," Waybright said. "He knew he only had a short time with students because of permanent changes of station, so he trained as much as possible in a short amount of time."
Umeda's method of teaching is to correct one thing at a time, little by little which helps learning become easier, Waybright added.
"Martial arts gives me the inner strength to be confident in what I do and not afraid to go outside my box," Waybright said.
After 17 years of training with Umeda, Waybright earned his 5th degree black belt in Daiei Juku Aiki Ju-jutsu, and now passes on that knowledge to Marines willing to learn.
Ju-jutsu teaches you how to redirect force, energy or attacks instead of meeting force with force, explained Waybright. It is a form of self control and at the same time a way to control would-be attackers.
"It (Ju-jutsu) gives you confidence in your ability to not get your butt kicked as opposed to confidence in kicking someone else's butt," Waybright said.
Waybright has been teaching Daiei Juku Aiki Ju-jutsu classes since 2003 and now offers classes on both Camp Hansen and Foster.
Waybright has stayed true to his old sensei's coaching style, according to Lance Cpl. Michael Lue, a corrections specialist at the Camp Hansen brig. He lets his students grow as martial artists by letting them make mistakes and then making them aware of those mistakes.
"In combat, Marines sometimes don't have enough time to think," Waybright said. "Ju-jutsu gives them the ability to react by immobilizing or incapacitating the enemy."
Ju-jutsu helps maintain a fighting spirit, Lue said. "It helps you stay sharper in terms of preparing a combat mind set."
Waybright's classes go on Tuesdays and Thursdays on Camp Hansen and on Mondays and Wednesdays on Camp Foster, and invites service members, civilians, spouses and children alike to come and join.
"The biggest thing is just to not be intimidated," Waybright said. "It's going to hurt of course, but all that we ask is that you try your best."
Ellie
6/19/2009 By Pfc. J Nava , Marine Corps Bases Japan
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan — By day, Duane C. Waybright is the recreational assistant at the Camp Hansen gym. By night, he dons a black belt and traditional white robe and becomes sensei to several Marines. He trains them in the martial art of Daiei Juku Aiki Ju-jutsu, which originated in the 1970's.
Waybright, who was born on Sept. 24, 1960, in Cheverly, Md., began his venture into martial arts by training in Okinawan Karate at the age of 20 and later studying Kung-Fu.
"There is no martial art that is better than another, but you have to find a style that fits your personality," Waybright said.
In 1983, at the age of 23, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he would travel abroad and eventually arrive in Okinawa in 1992.
Waybright first met his sensei, Masayoshi Umeda, while working with U.S. Army Special Forces stationed on Torii station.
"He (Umeda) had been training on Torii for 20 years before I met him," Waybright said. "He knew he only had a short time with students because of permanent changes of station, so he trained as much as possible in a short amount of time."
Umeda's method of teaching is to correct one thing at a time, little by little which helps learning become easier, Waybright added.
"Martial arts gives me the inner strength to be confident in what I do and not afraid to go outside my box," Waybright said.
After 17 years of training with Umeda, Waybright earned his 5th degree black belt in Daiei Juku Aiki Ju-jutsu, and now passes on that knowledge to Marines willing to learn.
Ju-jutsu teaches you how to redirect force, energy or attacks instead of meeting force with force, explained Waybright. It is a form of self control and at the same time a way to control would-be attackers.
"It (Ju-jutsu) gives you confidence in your ability to not get your butt kicked as opposed to confidence in kicking someone else's butt," Waybright said.
Waybright has been teaching Daiei Juku Aiki Ju-jutsu classes since 2003 and now offers classes on both Camp Hansen and Foster.
Waybright has stayed true to his old sensei's coaching style, according to Lance Cpl. Michael Lue, a corrections specialist at the Camp Hansen brig. He lets his students grow as martial artists by letting them make mistakes and then making them aware of those mistakes.
"In combat, Marines sometimes don't have enough time to think," Waybright said. "Ju-jutsu gives them the ability to react by immobilizing or incapacitating the enemy."
Ju-jutsu helps maintain a fighting spirit, Lue said. "It helps you stay sharper in terms of preparing a combat mind set."
Waybright's classes go on Tuesdays and Thursdays on Camp Hansen and on Mondays and Wednesdays on Camp Foster, and invites service members, civilians, spouses and children alike to come and join.
"The biggest thing is just to not be intimidated," Waybright said. "It's going to hurt of course, but all that we ask is that you try your best."
Ellie