August 2002 Newsletter
As we start the new school year - PARENTS & STUDENTS - please
take a moment to update your registration information from previous
years. If you are not going to be able to make a class call and you can
make the class up.
REMEMBER it is each person's responsibility to train regularly and
pay dues at the beginning of each month.
Life, vacations, the heat, parties and heaven only knows what else
sometimes gets in the way of karate training. 50+ brown and black belts
(from 8 dojo) joined Master Duessel here for the Friday session, 50+
(from 3 dojo) joined us at the Landing seminars and 20+ (from 2 dojo)
joined us here for the Sunday seminars. Sensei is 75 and has been
training in Isshin-ryu since 1964, prior to training directly with
Tatsuo Shimabuku. He is probably one of the last Americans to have
visited O'Sensei in Okinawa. He enjoys his visits to our dojo and this
area. Yet, at his age I wonder how many more trips he will be making.
Everyone should take advantage of these special events. If we attempt to
stay the same, we will regress or stop improving. Improvement does not
mean that we must CHANGE what is taught or make the system of karate
look more flamboyant than it is. This dojo is a traditional one,
teaching the art of Isshin-ryu karate as it was taught to Master Duessel
in the late 1950's; where promotions are earned and each takes a great
deal of time and effort to deserve. There is a great deal to learn and
to attempt to perfect. The beauty of Isshin-ryu is making a simple,
direct, technique look fluid and powerful. With practice one's moves
will develop symmetry, elegance and power in the flow of one technique
into another or a flow of one part of a person's being into another.
Symmetry is also viewed as a form of balance, which is desired in life;
having manners, being polite, gracious and kind. These elements are not
false or contrived as one grows into adulthood. The art of karate is not
an end or a means to grow and develop into a whole person . . . but one
part of the puzzle. Karate gives us a means to focus our energies on the
intrinsic qualities that make our lives meaningful. Goal setting is a
valuable tool, but goals must be realistic. Select ones that are within
reach, yet ones that create a challenge at the same time. Think about
what you are working toward, write your thoughts on paper and put the
paper away for a short time. Periodically, take out the paper and focus
your attention on how you've progressed toward your desired goals. When
you are approaching your goal, evaluate it again and establish new
goals. Parents, teachers, classmates, and friends are appropriate people
to ask if you need help setting appropriate goals. It is my hope that we
take the challenge and reset our standards . . . and move ahead. Accept
the challenge to attempt to better yourself; mentally, physically,
emotionally and spiritually. Continue to train with the attitude that
you want to learn and improve.
In karate, as in life, one often thinks of gain, how far one has
progressed and how far it is to becoming proficient or a higher rank.
The student and parent ask how long is it going to take to become a
certain rank and how often do students gain promotion? If the student
concentrates on progress and gain, a conflict is created between an
ideal and the reality of how things actually are. The conflict enters
the karate world when one creates a picture of what one wants, what one
expects and then one enters his or her own time line for attaining the
goal. The intention of traditional karate is to end conflict, at its
root, psychologically. Traditional karate places the focus on perfecting
the physical body, through performing better techniques. The technique
is the basis for perfection, because as one tries to perfect the form of
the technique, the intellectual and psychological sides of the student
work together to aid and join the student into a cohesive unit. As the
individual technique is perfected, it is joined with other techniques,
adding form, timing, rhythm, speed and focus of power when the student
study's kata. As the student studies kata, self defense and sparring
techniques, the individual moves become either stronger, more focused
and improved or the student opts to stay at the level he or she is at
where it may be comfortable. Karate is not mystical or easy. It demands
concentration, effort, focused intention and dedication. HOWEVER, anyone
may work to attain any goal and succeed if the proper effort and mind
set are applied, with the continued support of the family.
I will be writing to Okinawa by September 15th. If you would like to
become a member of the IWKA, (Isshinryu World Karate Association) see me
ASAP. The one time membership fee is $35.00
Sensei Duessel has created a DVD of the Isshin-ryu Hand and Weapons
Kata. There are also kata being done by Tatsuo Shimabuku from the 1950's
and 1960's. The cost is $40.00. See me if you want one - the quantity is
limited so do not wait . . . though more may be made in the future.
The following are some thoughts from some of the people who attended
Master Duessel's Seminars.
William (16): "I liked EVERYTHING." I am impressed by the
thought that we must breathe using the abdomen instead of the chest and
Master Duessel had great posture.
Kyle (9): I liked that he teaches you to do the things the right
way." I am impressed with the strength of his punches.
Cassandra (30): I liked the concept of using the hips when walking. I
am impressed with the thoughts about retracting the arm to make punches
and blocks stronger.
Andrew (35): I liked the ideas of torquing the bo. I am impressed
with the self defense drills and secret scroll techniques.
Jeff (41): I liked everyone who attended. I am impressed by Sensei
continues to develop new insights because of the training he does, even
as a 9th degree black belt.
Jessica (24): I liked the concept that skill is more important than
speed and power. I am impressed with the importance of focus in one's
techniques.
There are a number of people who cheat themselves out of a lot of
good days. They put themselves into a poor frame of mind by judging
others, criticizing people or looking for the faults of others. Here is
an idea that will almost guarantee you a good day, every day. I can
almost see the smile on your face waiting to hear this. It's true! Use
this idea and you'll have a great day.
Accept everyone you meet. Sounds simple enough doesn't it? It is
really, but there's more to it. Accept them just as they are. Don't try
to change them. Now, that's the difficult part and will probably require
a little more effort on your part. A leading psychologist once suggested
that none of us have the power to reform another person, but by liking
the other person as they are, we give that person the power to change
him or herself.
Here's another psychologist's view on the same subject. If people
really practiced acceptance, we'd soon be out of business. For the very
heart of psychoanalysis is that the patient finds one person - the
doctor - who will accept him. For the first time in his life, he lets
his hair down, he brings out his fears, the things he is ashamed of, and
the doctor listens without surprise or horror or moral judgment. Because
he has found one human being who shows acceptance in spite of all his
shameful traits and faults, he is able to accept himself and then he is
on the road to better living.
You don't have to be a psychologist or an analyst to be a big help to
others by doing what the doctor does. Just listen. Don't judge. Accept
the other person just as they are.
The "Times of Your Life"
There are two times in a person's life. The first is when
everything is going wrong; when confusion, debt, obligations and
uncertainty burden us so heavily that it is impossible for us to act
quickly to take advantage of opportunities that are both profitable and
necessary. This time is "right now." "Right now" is
never a good time to do anything. We have other hurdles to clear before
we act. "Right now" we are involved in certain situations. We
certainly can't do anything "right now."
The other time in our life is a time when everything is perfect. We
have no problems. We have complete control over every aspect of our
lives and are ready to seize every opportunity to improve ourselves.
That time is "later." "Later" is a wonderful time.
Everything will be ironed out "later." All our confusion will
magically disappear. We will have gobs of money and no other
obligations. That's when I will be ready and willing to act;
"later."
Unfortunately, when most people need something, they need it
"right now." But "right now" is not good, so they
put it off until "later." "Later" is better. They do
this thinking that "right now" will eventually become
"later." Sadly, this is why poor people stay poor and why lazy
people stay lazy. Because "right now" is never a good time. We
hang all our hopes on "later." Ask yourself how many times you
have put things off until "later," and how many times you've
actually done it.
It then becomes obvious that "right now" is just a
convenient excuse not to act at all. When we say "later," we
really mean never. "Right now" and "later" are two
times we must treat delicately. We can convince ourselves that we have
the discipline and maturity to act "right now" because we have
a need "right now," even though "right now" is not
convenient. Or we can risk our health, our family, our belongings and
our home and hope that everything will be fine "later', and that
"later' doesn't become yet another time in our lives . . . too
late.
Yesterday is History . . . Tomorrow is a Mystery
. . . NOW is a GIFT . . .
That's why it's called . . . The "Present"
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