October 2002 Newsletter

Karate enhances life if it is approached properly. It is the best art form that life has to offer - combining one's body, mind and spirit. It teaches us how to breathe efficiently, move efficiently with purpose and how to become aware of and interact with our surroundings.

To learn a person must be patient. To learn a person must know that there is something to be learned and knowledge to be gained. The person must add enthusiasm plus the will to learn.

There are four parts to all learning:

• memorization
• knowing the skill but not possessing fluidity of motion
• being able to use the skills without hesitation and then we begin to develop power (SPEED + FORM = POWER)
• skills become second nature with continued practice

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY IS LIKE THE SET OF THE SAIL by Jim Rohn

In the process of living, the winds of circumstances blow on us all in an unending flow that touches each of our lives. We have all experienced the blowing winds of disappointment, despair and heartbreak. Why, then, would each of us, in our own individual ship of life, all beginning at the same point, with the same intended destination in mind, arrive at such different places at the end of the journey? Have we not all been blown by the winds of circumstances and buffeted by the turbulent storms of discontent?

What guides us to different destinations in life is determined by the way we have chosen to set our sail. The way that each of us thinks makes the major difference in where each of us arrive. The major difference is the set of the sail. The same circumstances happen to us all. We have disappointments and challenges. We all have reversals and those moments when, in spite of our best plans and efforts, things just seem to fall apart. Challenging circumstances are not events reserved for the poor, the uneducated or the destitute. The rich and the poor have the same challenges that can lead to financial ruin and personal despair. In the final analysis, it is not what happens that determines the quality of our lives, it is what we choose to do when we have struggled to set the sail and then discover, after all of our efforts, that the wind has changed directions.

When the winds change, we must change. We must struggle to our feet once more and rest the sail in the manner that will steer us toward the destination of our own deliberate choosing. The set of the sail, how we think and how we respond, has a far greater capacity to destroy our lives than any challenges we face. How quickly and responsibly we react to adversity is far more important than the adversity itself. Once we discipline ourselves to understand this, we will finally and willing conclude that the great challenge of life is to control the process of our thinking.

Learning to reset the sail with the changing winds rather than permitting ourselves to be blown in a direction we did not purposely choose requires the development of a whole new discipline. It involves going to work on establishing a powerful, personal philosophy that will help to influence in a positive way all that we do and that we think and decide. If we can succeed in this worthy endeavor, the result will be a change in the course of our income, lifestyle and relationships, and in how we feel about the things of value as well as the times of challenge. If we can alter the way we perceive, judge and decide upon the main issues of life, then we can dramatically change our lives.

• One never becomes perfect, but one always strives to attain perfection. 
• Practice what you have been taught. 
• Never show others what you have learned or try to teach what the Sensei has not instructed you to teach - no matter how high you think your rank is. 
• Develop your Attitude - Have a Beginner's Mind. 
• Visualize your goals. 
• Believe that you can succeed and you will, IF you say your desires out loud. 
• Be positive and channel thoughts in the right direction - like your ki, internal energy. 
• Do not think that one person is the same as another or that one belt level is the same as another. 
• Practice kata - - with light and heavy application of strength, expansion and contraction of muscles, and with fast and slow movements in techniques. 
• One must learn to apply strength when necessary.
• Increase strength by using the full range of motion. 
• Do the little things right and the BIG things will take care of themselves.

Areas that must be balanced in our training are FORM, BALANCE, CONCENTRATION, ROLE OF MUSCULAR POWER, RHYTHM, FOCUS OF POWER, TIMING and SPEED.

The word 'dojo' means training hall or gymnasium where the Okinawan Martial Arts are practiced. Its more literal translation means, 'the place of the way' or 'a place of awakening'. Exploring is an awakening. It is insight into the way things. Life has limitations, and its order is according to the laws of nature. To grow we must conform to these laws and harmony may be sensed.

As you think about what has been written on the front side of this newsletter - - now apply it to the Codes of Isshin-ryu Karate.

1. A person's heart is the same as heaven and earth
2. The blood circulating is similar to the moon and sun
3. The manner of drinking or spitting is either hard or soft
4. A person's unbalance is equal to weight
5. The body should be able to change direction at any time
6. The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself
7. The eye must see all sides
8. The ear must hear in all directions.

As the holiday seasons approach - remember karate items help you and your children succeed. Items are sold at our cost. Thus, they save you a few dollars.

Isshin-ryu Patch $9.00

Dojo Patch $5.00

Protective Hands and Feet - $30.00 per set

Sensei Duessel's DVD of all the Isshin-ryu Kata $40.00

IWKA Certificate from Okinawa - $35.00

Gi's - starting at $20.00

Coming soon order forms for dojo T-shirts, Long Sleeve T-shirts and Sweat shirts.

KICK-A-THON FOR ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL IN EACH DOJO

OCTOBER 7 - 12, 2002

CHILDREN WILL KICK FOR 5 MINUTES

ADULTS WILL KICK FOR 10 MINUTES

GET YOUR KICK-A-THON DONATION & PLEDGE FORM,

HAVE CHECKS MADE TO ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL