ELAINE GUILLOZ: A MODERN SAMURAI
Satori-Ryu Budo is the creation of my Sensei, Soke Dale Kirby, who trained under Japanese Masters in multiple styles of Martial Arts. Satori-Ryu Budo is the Way of the Enlightened Warrior, pursuing the Lifestyle of the Modern Samurai. The Modern Samurai is not one who goes around seeking violence and confrontations. Being a warrior is not about fighting, it’s not about who is toughest in a fight. Being a warrior is about taking care of your responsibilities which come from many different directions and areas of your life. Those can include, but are not limited to Spiritual Beliefs, family, country, employers, and society. How you deal with those responsibilities define who you are. The Modern Samurai is one who is responsible and accountable for their own actions, one who takes care of responsibilities, accepting the hardships and the rewards equally. Students who demonstrate those standards are recognized by awarding them the title of Modern Samurai.
It has been my honor to train with Elaine Guilloz, who is a student of Renshi Jerry Cichon, who is the Midwest Director for Satori-Ryu Budo. Elaine is a very unique individual and I had the opportunity to talk with her recently. Her story is an example of what can be accomplished when you refuse to accept limitations. I will let her tell her story, in her own words:
My name is Elaine Guilloz. I was born deaf and when I was very young, I was put into a special needs school for many years. In that environment I was not able to rise up and succeed. When I was a young girl, I wanted so much to train in the Martial Arts. In the early 70’s I use to watch the TV show Kung Fu and dreamed of being involved in any type of Martial Art. So, at that time I started trying to learn Karate. However, my parents did not agree and put an end to that and destroyed my dreams. In 2011 I met a Martial Art’s Sensei Donald Black, and he accepted me as a student and so at age 55, I began living my dreams. Shortly afterwards I began training in Jiu Jitsu on Wednesdays, Judo on Saturday and Karate during the week. During all of those years I had never lost my dreams that I’d had as a kid. I feel like I began to live again. Not only do I feel better emotionally and mentally, but I am healthier now then I was when I was 18 years old when I was told that I couldn’t train in the Martial Arts. Now being 68 years old, I have learned a lot in the Martial Arts, and it has taught me a lot about who I am. I am reminded of a quote: ”I am a woman hear me roar”. I think that describes me perfectly.
But I didn’t stop there. I went on learning the way of the sword, training in Satori Ryu Iaido, under Renshi Jerry Cichon. I became involved in training with the Katana in 2019 and trained mostly by myself because I live so far from Renshi Cichon’s school which is 2 1/2 hours away. I have been using videos that Renshi Cichon sent me, and I also have video from when I have trained at his school. I have also traveled to all of his seminars and once traveled to Tennessee to learn under Hanshi Lance England, where I had the privilege to meet Soke Dale Kirby. I was very proud to have both Hanshi England and Soke Kirby autograph my Bokken, which is a wooden sword. I have been training over 5 years and continue to train with Renshi Jerry Cichon, attending his seminars. On April 13, 2024, I was able to achieve my Black Belt in Satori-Ryu Iaido. There is a quote that I think sums up my Martial Arts career from Philippians 13: I can do all things through Christ.
Elaine Guilloz is a Modern Samurai not just because of her success in the Martial Arts. It is her success in confronting and overcoming limitations. For her entire life she faced the limitations because of her disability. But what was even harder to overcome were the limitations placed on her by society. Despite the obstacles placed in front of her, she has achieved her childhood dreams. In fact, as another example of her drive and determination, Elaine was awarded her Black Belt in Judo! She is an example to other students who face challenges that with determination and perseverance, they too can achieve their dreams.
Elaine Guilloz has demonstrated, through the successful confrontation with her limitations, the continued example that she sets for others, that she is a true Modern Samurai.