When being invited to a seminar conducted by Grand Master Denny Shaffer, 
it is a professional honor.  I was invited, along with Master Lee by Master 
Joe Laney, of the Steel Hand Dojo to attend a seminar Thursday, April 21.  
Upon arrival, we were met by Master Laney and you could easily feel his sincere
attitude of warmth and welcome.  Their dojo is everything you would want
and expect in appearance, size and décor.  It is obvious, they have work very
hard creating a beautiful place to call home.  While waiting for the class to start, 
we had fun meeting and interacting with the students. Grand Master Msarsa 
stopped in for a few minutes to say hello and joined us for a picture taking session
with some of the participants already there attending.

Although we were privy to the fantastic skills of Master Shaffer’s demonstrations,
he also joined in with some serious hands on instructions with the participants, 
which puts him in the elite class of professional, working Masters.  Master Shaffer
uses a lot of techniques right from the katas so everyone is able to  benefit and
learn exactly how to use the techniques. He also used some familiar locks the 
students really  liked since it gives them control on their next move.   

For example, he would have some students throw a punch while other students 
block with a side block but not a reaching block but a block which is tight so 
you are able to wrap and strike.  If you look closely at the pictures, it’s easy to
see Master Shaffer is thoroughly enjoying himself during this instruction but 
I do not know about the Uke he is using as the recipient of this demonstration
for the class.  At this point, I commented, I am glad they are the ones participating 
and learning in these locks but at the same time I enjoyed the benefits of picking
up on a few things concerning techniques from another viewpoint without
the physical disadvantages of the Uke.  

Master Shaffer also demonstrated a variety of techniques taken from his cross
training designed to weave in and out of katas from Isshinryu.  He demonstrated
and worked the seminar none stop, except for a  short break or two, and then he
was right back at it for two hours or more.  His endurance is amazing and
I think he went overtime just to make a point to the participants that he only gave
them a break because they look like they really needed one and not because it was
planned.  However, he made them make it up and they did so without complaining.

It goes without saying, it was a great seminar and the end results showed that a lot 
of effort went into the planning and preparation.  Master Lee and I were honored 
and glad to be a part of it.   One other special highlight of the evening was going 
out to dinner with Grand Master Shaffer, Master Lee and Master Laney to Ruby 
Tuesday.  The only thing that evening that competed with camaraderie of fellowshipping
with these Masters in a relaxed, social environment of great conversation and fun and
good eating was Master Laney picking up the tab.