December 2005 Newsletter

Remember - - If the weather is questionable, listen to WRNJ Radio 1510 for closings. Classes missed may be made up at your convenience. SAFETY FIRST! Also, if you are going to miss a class, please call and let us know and you may schedule a make up class. If you do not call, you may not be able to make up the missed class.

There will be no classes on Saturdays, December 24th and 31st . Plan ahead if you normally attend these classes at Fit Happens and try to attend Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at the Main Street Dojo.

For the holidays surprise a student with one of Master Duessel’s DVD’s, Books or Bo Posters, also training equipment or a gi is appropriate.

Promotions

Congratulations to the people who earned promotions since our last newsletter

•  Junior Yellow Belt - Baker Fox

• Junior Orange Belt - Scott Demmert

• Senior Brown Belt #3 - Natalie Montone, Terri Uhrig

"MIZO NO KOKURO" - Mind like water

"Mind like water" refers to the attitude we should have once we get face to face with an opponent. It's important for the Karateka to keep his or her mind open and calm because that could help in the conflict, whether it's on the street or a kumite session in a tournament. The still water reflects everything like a mirror.

If it's clean and clear, one can see everything through it. Fear, pride, hate stain the "mirror" and the martial artist can no longer see clearly and act like he should. We should remain calm and see the opponent with a clear mind, take the right decisions and win.

Water can be devastating too. Its force can sometimes destroy people and settlements. Just like that, the Karateka should be able to deliver devastating techniques when his life is in danger. But at the same time he or she must know how to chose the right amount of force for that situation. A Karateka is not a bully, not an enraged animal.

Each action should be motivated by the attack he or she faces and the response fast and at the same time controlled. Don't think about the outcome of the fight, or at the fact you are stronger or weaker. The reflection won't be clear and these thoughts could make you lose. Just empty your mind and face the opponent. Sense him and deliver the techniques.

Christmas In Japan

Christmas in Japan is a relatively new celebration which is celebrated mainly in the cities. The popularity of Christmas began at the beginning of the 20th century. The Japanese became acquainted with the holiday because of the Christmas products they manufactured for other countries. For most of the Japanese who celebrate Christmas, it's purely a secular holiday devoted to the love of their children. Christmas decorations abound throughout the cities. Tinsel and lights are hung in dance halls, cafes, and pinball parlors where "modern- minded" Japanese go to celebrate. The trees are decorated with small toys, dolls, paper ornaments, gold paper fans and lanterns, and wind chimes. Miniature candles are also put among the tree branches. One of the most popular ornaments is the origami swan. Japanese children have exchanged thousands of folded paper "birds of peace" with young people all over the world as a pledge that war must not happen again. Many of the Japanese people take this time of the year to do special things for others. For instance, hospitals are decorated with a Christmas tree to lift the spirits of the sick. Children are chosen to sing carols to the patients. Others may even put on plays about the birth of Jesus. Japanese children call Santa, "Santa Kurohsu" and he is believed to have eyes in the back of his head so that he can watch the children all year long.

Japanese New Year

In Japan the New Year is called Shogatsu or Genjitsu. Before the New Year's holidays. all school and office work must be finished and every house must be clean inside and out. Unlike many other Asian cultures, the Japanese celebrate New Year's Day on January 1. In fact the days before and after January 1 have become times of celebration, and the New Year's season often stretches from the last week in November to the first week in January. At midnight on December 31 a gong at each local shrine is struck by a monk. The tolling of the gong means all mistakes from the past year are forgiven.

On New year's morning all the members of the family dress in traditional kimonos. This is the one time of the year When everyone wears this type of clothing. Families eat a meal together which usually features a special type of buckwheat noodle called soba, a symbol of long life. Children try to swallow at least one noodle whole for good luck. Other New Year's foods are black beans and rice cakes. Children receive New Year's gifts, particularly coins in special money envelopes called noshigami. Millions of New Year's cards are delivered on New Year's day, and the day is the prime time for family visits.

Families often go together to visit shrines where New Year's fortunes, printed on strips of white paper, are given out. Each person ties his or her fortune to small tree branches outside of the shrine. When many strips of paper are tied to the tree, it looks like it is in full bloom. Most shrines have a flame that never goes out. Each family gets a light from the flame and takes it back to light their stove at home. One Japanese saying goes, "A spark from the life-long flame will keep sickness away."

Why Study Martial Arts?

At times I feel like the minister preaching to the choir. Yet, again I was asked why I have been studying the arts and doing athletic things I do for so long, where other people who solely exercise do not seem to stay with their programs. Amazingly enough, the martial arts are one of the most fascinating physical activities that have been developed in the known world to date. There are many reasons to study an art form.

A main reason I started to train is because of the search for a meaningful form of exercise. In our ever-increasing technological society, there is a greater need than ever to prevent ourselves from becoming "couch potatoes". There are many activities that can be taken up to avoid this, such as sports like bike riding, jogging, weightlifting and so on. The martial arts certainly qualify as a good form of exercise which involves the body, mind and spirit.

People are becoming increasingly aware that personal discipline is being lost in our society. The martial arts do not promote violence; in fact, they do the exact opposite. The mental aspects of martial arts (such as remembering the terminology, learning the patterns of movement, and reacting to a sparring partner) require attentiveness, which obviously encourages discipline. Learning about the effects of a punch or kick makes one realize just how easy it is to get hurt by one, especially in an uncontrolled situation like a street fight. The martial arts teach techniques that are useful to avoid fighting entirely, thus preventing a street fight before it even starts.

Each of us must continue to strive to become better internally, externally and continue to develop inner confidence. Martial arts instructors and good students are never satisfied with today’s performance. The teacher encourages each student to try harder, to move faster, to aim each punch and kick better. This breeds an important positive attitude. If we accept the challenge and if we do not become complacent and self critical. Each student who accepts the challenge improves the energy in the class, the students improve and thus help the teacher improve as well. This kind of teaching and training inspires confidence in one's own abilities, which cannot help but become apparent not only in the martial art, but in everything one does.
Today’s world is becoming more aggressive and people must become prepared to defend themselves. No two people have the same likes and dislikes and that is why there are numerous styles of martial arts. Many people join a martial arts school to learn how to defend themselves from a physically superior attacker. Some martial arts are better suited to this task than others. If this is a consideration visit the martial arts schools in the area. Research the credibility of the instructors, don’t just look at the certificates on the wall and listen to their business pitch.

In a nutshell - that’s it. For most of my life I have been searching for meaningful exercise, desiring to improve my discipline, striving to improve the inner self and confidence and also desiring to be able to defend myself and my loved ones. Care to join me?