Mason - Echoes of Okinawa

09/08/2026

Did you know Okinawa has its own "Great Wall"?

If you've ever hiked the Mutayama Trail in northern Okinawa, you might have seen these old stone walls lining the jungle. They’re called Yamashishigaki (山猪垣) — which literally means “Wild Boar Walls."

In 1605, a Ryukyuan official brought sweet potatoes back from China. They grew incredibly well here and became a lifesaving food source for local villages.

But the villagers weren’t the only ones that loved the sweet potatoes. The Ryukyu wild boars came out of the mountains and decimated entire food supplies.

The villagers carried heavy stones by hand all the way from the ocean beaches up into the mountain ridges and built nearly 20 miles of wall using "nozurazumi", a traditional method of stacking natural rocks so that they lock together using only gravity.

If you’ve hiked “Jawbone Ridge”, you’ve probably seen the “Great Wall”.

04/08/2026

We recently wrapped up the MCCS Young Warriors Summer Fit Camp on Camp Foster, and MAN…what a great group!

When we first started, some of them were shy and some of them were spinning in circles and wanted to talk through the entire class🤣

But as we moved through the structured course, they gained new tools each week and naturally began to put them into practice.

By the end of the course, they were all able to move through a series of warm-ups, stretching, strengthening, Yoga postures, and get this – all of them were able to sit still with their legs crossed, and their eyes closed and take long slow, deep breaths.
Silently.
For 3-5 minutes.

For most kids this age, that’s a nearly impossible feat!

And on the final day, one of them even stepped up to lead his own 5-minute Yoga class.

If you’re looking for something for your kiddos to do during summer break in Okinawa, this is the place to be!
See you next year🙏🏼

02/08/2026

Here’s a quick history of Ishikawadake (Mount Ishikawa)!

Most hikers know it for its rocky path and a view of Okinawa’s narrowest point, but this 204-meter peak is more than just a fun hike.

In Uchinaguchi, it’s called Ishichā-daki, meaning "stony river". The name dates back to the Ryukyu Kingdom and was even recorded in the Omoro Soshi, a 16th-century compilation of ancient Okinawan poems.

In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, local families fled here, building huts and stone hearths to survive.

Today, it stands as the beautiful southern gateway to the Yanbaru forest. From the summit, you can see the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean at the same time.

A Course is a quick, fun, family-friendly hike, B Course throws in some steep climbs, scrambling and spider webs and C Course is considerably longer and a bit more challenging than the B Course.

26/07/2026

My Karate teacher, Grandmaster Kiyohide Shinjo has been officially recognized as a holder of Okinawa Prefecture’s Intangible Cultural Property.

This prestigious recognition honors a very select few who have dedicated their entire lives to preserving and passing on Okinawa’s traditional cultural heritage.

Shinjo Sensei has devoted himself to the preservation, instruction, and advancement of authentic Uechi-Ryu Karate, ensuring that its techniques, traditions, and values continue to be passed on to future generations.

23/07/2026

During one of my early trips to Thailand, I learned about a type of meditation called Vipassana and I felt compelled to try it for myself.
I was able to get a spot in one of the Cambodia classes in early 2024, so headed out on a journey to experience it on my own. I spent the first couple of days wandering around the capital and the city nearby the meditation center, as well as a couple of days after the course had finished. But in between, I spent 11 hours each day for 10 days studying Vipassana - meaning "to see things as they really are".
If you’ve ever been one of these, you know how intense it is, with absolutely no talking and no connection to the outside world.
Since phones were turned in upon day 1, I wasn’t able to get any photos or video of it with the exception of a few that I was able to take on my way out.
It was a very interesting and defining journey for me and I’m curious to hear if you’ve been through one, or have contemplated going.

15/07/2026

🔥 Strength in Motion (SIM)🔥

Tired of the same old gym routine?

SIM is a one-of-a-kind full-body workout that blends strength training, mobility, yoga, martial arts, HIIT, and functional movement into one energizing class.

Build strength, improve flexibility, move better, sweat hard and leave feeling like you just became a Ninja 🥷

💥ALL fitness levels

💥NO experience needed

💥ONLY at the Risner Fitness Center

💥FREE

Tuesday at 1130 - Thursday at 1015

14/07/2026

Summer Sunrise Yoga☀️
Saturday, 18 July
60 minute practice

All levels welcome
Bring your own mat

¥2000
Limited space available - message me for details and to reserve your spot!

06/07/2026

Camp Foster fitness this month!

06/07/2026

Kadena Fitness this month🎇

July Fitness Schedule 🇺🇸🎆

02/07/2026

Adults: Tuesdays & Thursdays 1930-2100 at the Risner Fitness Center

Kids: Tuesday & Thursday 1800-1930
Wednesdays 1830-1930 at the Himawari Teen Center