Seiyo Kai International

"No matter how you excel in the art of te (karate) and in your scholastic endeavors, nothing is more important than your behavior and your humanity as observed in daily life"-Teijunsoku

Much of the modern history of Seiyo Shorin-Ryu occurred in  Wyoming. In 1976, Soke Hausel (a sandan at the time) moved to Casper, Wyoming from New Mexico (he began his initial training in karate as a teenager in 1964). In 1977, he moved to Laramie accepting a position as Economic Geologist with the Wyoming Geological Survey at the University of Wyoming. At the University, he organized the precusor to the University of Wyoming Campus Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Club. Over the years, he established an international reputation as a polymath. 

The initial club in Laramie was recognized as the University of Wyoming Shotokan Karate Club & off-campus Laramie Bushido dojo. After starting the university club, members met for several years in the University Union, the Kourt House Fitness Club, the Folk Dancer Building (formerly the Laramie Methodist Church), at the University, and on the grass near the football stadium. The club got a break when the University placed Pat Moran as director of Half Acre Gym. Unlike his predecessors who perpetuated bureaucracy, Mr. Moran was pragmatic & supportive providing space for training at Half Acre. Later the club moved to the Education Gym. The club also trained at the Sandan School of Martial Arts in Saratoga for clinics & special training until that facility closed.

In 1992, the club affiliated with Juko Kai International & the IOMAU & Soke Hausel was promoted to Yondan by Dai-Soke Sacharnoski and Soke Shian Toma in 1993 (Branding Iron, 1993, v. 96, no. 49). In 1995, he was promoted to Shihan, 5th dan, after testing in front of Dai-Soke Sacharnoski and about 150 to 250 black belts at the JKI National Black Belt Clinic in Florida.

The club continued to grow. At times, 60 to 80 members trained in the Ed Building Gym during peak periods of growth. Members took part in a variety of demonstrations at university basketball games, taught self-defense classes on and off campus and gave lectures in the history of karate. Soke Hausel taught beginning karate & jujutsu through the Physical Education Department, the Department of Kinesiology & taught dozens of self-defense classes through the School of Extended Studies. The PE & Kinesiology classes were filled to capacity & registration had to be limited to the first 110 students in karate & 22 in jujutsu each semester. 

Due to the strong influence of Dai-Soke R. Sacharnoski, the style of karate taught at the University of Wyoming changed with influences from many Okinawan and Japanese systems taught at the Juko Kai Hombu. Soke Hausel worked to develop a powerful art with a one punch knockout capability while greatly emphasizing self-discipline & respect for others. The UW club also sponsored international clinics by Dai-Soke Sacharnoski in 1996 and Sensei Yamashita in 2003.

In 1999, the UW club was awarded top honors by JKI as the top JKI-affiliated club in the world. In that same year, Hausel's hybrid style of karate, kobudo and jujutsu was certified as unique by the Zen Kokokusai Soke Budo Bugei Renmei and Hausel was certified as the Soke (Grandmaster/President) of Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai and Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Budo and Bujutsu. In 2004, he was promoted to Judan in Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo by Juko Kai International & 3 other international associations.

Today, affiliated clubs are located at (1) the University of Wyoming, led by Sensei Lenny Martin; (2) Cheyenne Wyoming, operated by Shihan Kevin Vance & Shihan-Dai Glenn Polk, (3) at Casper, Wyoming, operated by Hanshi Andy Finley, & in (4) Gillette, operated by Shihan-Dai Kyle Gewecke.

If you are a non-violent person, looking to gain physical, mental and spiritual health, we look forward to seeing you at our dojos across the Cowboy State. You can apply for membership at these dojos. Each year, Soke Hausel schedules a Yudansha (black belt) & Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Clinics at the University of Wyoming in Laramie & special clinics in Casper and in Gillette.

Because of the affiliation of Soke Hausel with Arizona State University, University of New Mexico, University of Utah & the University of Wyoming, Seiyo Kai International has members in many countries around the world & includes its members include university faculty, scientists, teachers, engineers, medical personnel, military, law enforcement agents, clergymen etc. The Soke-Dai of the organization, Eric Hausel, is educated as a geologist, astrophysicist & physicist. Soke Hausel is educated as a geologist.