SHARING ANCIENT MARTIAL ARTS PRACTICE AND  PHILOSOPHY IN THE PIONEER VALLEY FOR 30 YEARS
As a white belt Sensei Gobillot began practicing Shorin ryu Karate in 1988.  He built his first dojo (training hall) at "The Arts and Industry Building" in Florence in 1998 with the help of his deshi (students). From the beginning in “88” he has been a member in the world wide organization called “Ueshiro Shorin Ryu Karate USA” now under the direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione.

Daniel currently holds the rank of shichidan (7th degree blackbelt) in Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu Karate (USRKUSA), and godan (5th degree blackbelt) in Muso Shinden-ryu Iaido (Japanese sword) and also a sankyu in Aikido.  He teaches adult and children's classes weekly in Karate and Iaido at the dojo.  You can walk in and attend or watch a class any time.

Daniel began teaching children’s classes in 1989 and graduated to adults classes shortly after. The dojo cultivates a community atmosphere and is used by some as an extension of family.  Karate practice offers a total body exercise, physically and mentally that can be used to enhance your life experience inside and outside the dojo.  Anyone can do karate.  You simply have to climb the stairs to the dojo and walk in the door.

As is often the case in martial arts the dojo has never offered a means of financial support.  Daniel has also founded several business’s in the Pioneer Valley to assist in supporting his full time hobby, martial arts.  He has worked in the business world as well as the artistic world using his hands to create useful and pragmatic objects out of concrete and wood.  He has a general Contractors License and a Brokers License and currently sells property with Borawski Real Estate.

His training has assisted him in every facet of his life.  At first dealing with the stress of employees and customers then raising children and navigating marriage and partnerships.  It is often said that Karate is 20% physical and 80% mental.  True or false you can always enjoy the ecstacy of a good sweat.

I joined this dojo as a white belt in February 2001 at the same time my two 7-year old sons did. My husband joined a few months later, and it was one of the central foci of our lives for years. Since my other family members are no longer training, I have had to work a little harder to achieve balance among the most important parts of my life, namely family, birding, career, and karate. I fit it all in, in varying proportions, but birding tends to demand the most schedule-bending.

Pine Forest Karate/Northampton Ueshiro Karate has always offered a peaceful interlude after a busy day or a stressful week, whether I train with others or alone. This beautiful refuge overlooking the Mill River is unique in our system. It remains steadfastly the same, while the little river beneath its windows flows ever onward towards the Connecticut and wider adventures. It can offer you whatever you need from it, however often you need it.

Sensei Owen began practicing Shorin-ryu karate in 1994. After meeting Sensei Gobillot and enjoying his teaching style and appreciating his many years of training, she joined the Pine Forest Dojo in 2007.  She obtained the rank of yon-dan (4th degree blackbelt) in 2015.  After decades of committed training, one could say that Ueshiro Shorin Ryu is at the epicenter of Sensei Owen's life.   

She continues practicing karate for the physical and mental benefits and particularly likes being in the Ueshiro system as it gives the opportunity to work with members of many other dojos, some of whom have been training for 30, 40, and even 50 years. 

Sensei Owen graduated from Smith College in 1970, and attended the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, she began her practice in Northampton, where she runs her own clinic today.    

Robert began studying the art of Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu karate under the tutelage of Sensei Daniel Gobillot in February 2010 at age 51.  While serving in the Army in the 1970’s Robert had a brief introduction to Ishin-ryu karate but he did not pursue further training at that time.  When he started Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu training in 2010 he wasn’t sure what he was hoping to achieve or where he wanted karate to take him. Walking on to the deck of a dojo for the first time can be an intimidating endeavor for anyone, but he likes to say, “Once begun halfway done”.  After training for a while one becomes more comfortable and confident in their progression in the art. Everyone at Pine Forest dojo, especially the Sensei, are great at taking time with students from white belt to black belt rank and teaching them proper form and technique without harsh criticism.

As is discussed on the deck and in the Shorin-Ryu Okinawan Karate Question and Answer Book, karate is about moving forward.  Not being a static person and always interested in what was around the next corner, Robert has travelled extensively throughout North America via motorcycle, exploring every state and Canadian Province and Territory.  His practice of karate has been an introspective journey about seeing what else lies ahead in karate and in life. Both karate and motorcycling have been and continue to be very Zen-like activities for him. When being tested for Shodan in December 2015 he was asked to describe in two words what he would like to get out of his next five years of karate.  His answer was to “go further”. Karate training takes time and effort, but as is often said, what you put into something is what you get out. The rewards are well worth the hard work!

I started my karate training in 2012 during a transition period of my life, looking for an outlet to expand my mind, body, and spirit. I was greeted at the door by other students with the phrase Onegai shimasu

Translated to Please teach us. As a white belt being asked to “please teach me” seemed an odd request.

It is the exchange of goodwill towards each other. Another translation is “Please treat me well” There are several translations to the phrase all of which reflect the very essence of karate do

Respect, trust, humility.

What I have learned is that a good teacher will learn how each student learns, thus learning how to teach that student,
I have always strived in my life to remain teachable, to never stop learning, about myself and others. I apply this lesson when I enter the dojo and carry it with me when I leave.