NEWSLETTER 
Issue #8 - April 2002

Editor - Michael H. Wyka

The Vadha Federation 
P.O. Box 190 
Floral City, FL 34436 


FEDERATION NEWS

The “big news” this month is the fast approaching VADHA SEMINAR 2002. It seems like just a couple weeks ago that Vadha artists gathered together for the Federation’s first ever seminar. But here we are, just two short months away from the Federation’s Second Annual Seminar.

The Date: June 8 - 9.

Vadha Black Belt Brian Wyka has graciously volunteered to host the Seminar. His Floral City school is an excellent training hall and an ideal location for the seminar. 

If you are thinking of going (and why wouldn’t you be?), please keep in mind that the Seminar is capacity restricted. If you’ve not reserved your space, do so today. 

To make your reservations, contact Brian Wyka directly at 352-344-5882.

ADVANCED CONCEPTS 

Red Sash Jack McCrave, held an advanced concepts class at black belt Brian Wyka’s school over the Thanksgiving Holiday, 2001.

Attending the class were Michael Wyka, Brian Wyka, Jason Baker, and Alfons Bemmel. 

Jack gave instruction on timing, feints, and attack patterns, both physical and mental. 
The class was intense, and lasted several hours. For the black belts in particular, it was a wonderful change to once again put on the mantle of students. 

GRADING 

Master Brian Wyka held a novice level grading at his school in Floral City, Wednesday, March 13, 2002.

Brian Wyka was assisted at the grading by his fellow instructor (and cousin), Michael Wyka, and brown belt Wil Squire.

Two yellow belts were awarded in the early portion of the grading. 

Brooke Fisher and Chris Lange, both earned their yellow belts, grade one. 

Congratulations, Brooke & Chris. Your hard work is paying off. 

Yellow belts Chris Hernandez & Caleb Alexander successfully advanced to grade three. 

NEW BROWN BELT - Alfons Bemmel advanced from green belt to brown belt, grade seven. 
Jason Baker advanced from grade eight to grade nine, brown belt. 

In addition to testing the physical aspects of Vadha, all students were tested to gauge their grasp of Punap. These Punap tests varied depending on the level of grading. For example, the stiff-arm, stiff-body, and light/heavy body tests were all administered to Alfons & Jason, in addition to Punap sparring applications. 

Congratulations to all. 

Next novice level grading..... September 13, 2002. 

THE VADHA PATCH Trivia

The Vadha patch was designed by Mayha Master Jack McCrave, in the 1960’s. The design incorporates important symbolic aspects of Vadha. The crossed hands and the viper are symbolically inseparable. The crossed hands are in the traditional “salute”. The viper represents the “poison hands” of Vadha. This was a term applied to Vadha practitioners who, by use of the internal energy, seemed to have “poison hands” in their strikes. And the enclosing triangle represents the goal of every Vadha practitioner, Sumadhi - the unity of Mind, Body, and Spirit. 



The test for Sumadhi is the most important, and final, test of a candidate for black belt. Any one of three traditional tests can be used. The most common used today is the “burning.” 
For more information on just what the “burning” entails, you’ll just have to wait until your own black belt grading. 

VADHA EQUIPMENT...

If you need martial art equipment, or specialty Vadha items, such as patches & T-shirts, give Brian Wyka a call at 352-344-5882. 

He has a large variety of Vadha merchandise and equipment available, and carries the popular Tiger Claw (TM) brand of martial art equipment. 


FEDERATION REGISTRATION

The recent push for registration has been very successful. 
This has brought up a number of questions about registration. For everyone’s benefit, I am including a montage of questions below:
“I got my black belt from Jack McCrave in the ‘70’s. Do I still have to register?”
Well, the short answer is no. You don’t have to do anything. But if you want to teach Vadha, and if you want to be sanctioned and recognized as a Vadha black belt by the Vadha Federation, if you want permission to use the Vadha logo, and Vadha name for your school, then the answer is “YES”, you do have to register with the Federation. 
“My instructor isn’t registered. Does that mean that my belt is worthless?” 
If your instructor is claiming to teach Vadha but is not registered, you are probably not getting the education you seek. But regarding your belt, if your instructor is not registered with the Federation, then your belt is not recognized by the Vadha Federation - whatever your rank.
“If my instructor isn’t a certified black belt, how can I get my belt recognized?”
You have to be graded by a Federation certified black belt. If you are a black belt, you have to be tested by a Federation inspector. 
“Who’s in charge of the Federation?” 
The Mayha Master, Jack McCrave, is in charge. A board of black belts assists the Mayha Master in the administration of the Federation. (there are presently five black belts on the board). 
“Why all the changes? Things were going just fine before the Federation.” 
In short, no they weren’t. A new student seeking Vadha instruction could not be sure if he really was being taught Vadha. It might have been called Vadha, but calling a cat a dog doesn’t make it bark. 
The Federation was founded with the strict intent and purpose of safeguarding the purity of Vadha. It is a unique art. The Mayha Master & the Federation want to preserve it as such. 
The way things were going, however, individuals were receiving Vadha black belts without truly qualifying. A whole host of black belts were made who never passed the traditional “Final Test” for instructor. Many (not all) of these individuals really had just a smattering of Vadha knowledge, mixed with other martial arts. In most cases, this wasn’t there fault. They thought they were getting the real thing. 
And that is exactly what the Federation seeks to put an end to. 
We are already having good success. The Federation receives numerous requests each year from people seeking out Vadha instruction. We make sure they are sent to Vadha black belts who have been certified by the Vadha Federation to teach. 
And if a person is teaching a different martial art in the name of Vadha, then the Federation will (and has) take whatever steps it has to, to correct it. 
The very name, “Vadha” is a registered service mark of the Federation’s three permanent members. And the popular logo patch is protected by copywrite. Any unauthorized use of these CAN BE legally addressed, if necessary. 
People deserve to get what is being advertised. If Vadha is on the sign, Vadha should be taught. 
“But if I also have a black in Tae Kwon Do, don’t I have the right to teach that too?”
Sure! Just don’t call it Vadha. If you want to teach Tae Kwon Do, open up a Tae Kwon Do school. Or, open up a school and call it, Hot-Fudge-Sundae- Do. But if you teach something else, don’t call it Vadha. It’s pretty simple.
“I’ve been training under _______ for nine years now, and your telling me he’s not teaching Vadha?” 
Yep! Keep training with him if you wish. That is your choice. Just keep in mind that what you are receiving is not Vadha. It might have small elements of Vadha in it, but it’s not true Vadha. This is not an indictment against what you are doing. You may be a fine martial artist, perhaps even a very good martial artist. You are just not a good Vadha artist. 
If you continue on, you should really suggest to your instructor that he change the name of the style to something else besides Vadha.
“I’m a green belt. Do I have to register?” 
No. You’re encouraged to, but only black belts are required.
“How do I register?” 
Registration is $25 for the calendar year. Vadha practitioners of any rank may register. Please send your $25 to Federation Treasurer, Vincent McCrave, at the Federation post office box. Make the check payable to Vincent McCrave.