The technique of moving forward. In order to complement this week's thought I reflected on how the Masters teach us to move forward in the 19 Kata of our style Shorin-Ryu Karate USA under the direction of Hanshi Ansei Ueshiro. The composers of the kata give us the attitude of moving forward and never retreating in ALL of the approximately 600 techniques or moves of our kata. The composers were from different backgrounds, mostly from Okinawa and China and lived in different centuries. Without exception all the attacking and blocking techniques move forward. The three of almost six-hundred moves which step back to survey the arena or battle are the last moves of the kata, F-3, Ananku and Rohai whereas the kata or battle is over. This move forward theory is described in the "Building Warrior Spirit" book for kata on P.54 and p.55. There are many references to moving forward throughout the book in everyday police work and in life situations. However the individual must know himself, recognize the circumstance and act accordingly as described in this week's thought for the week. Arigato, Kyoshi Robert Scaglione.