May 2007 Newsletter

PURPOSE – BELIEF – FAITH - SUCCESS

In every great book there are countless stories of men and women who had great purpose and high ideals; they worked toward and reached incredible goals. Time after time these people came up against obstacles or circumstances that would destroy the average person. These people would find themselves in situations that appeared devastating - they might have lost fortunes, loved ones or possibly had to battle some great physical problem but they never appeared to waiver; it seemed as if nothing could stop them.

You very likely can think of a number of people you know personally or know of, who might be Giants when it comes to producing in your industry. The record of history in sports is filled with great examples. What made these people Great was their Belief or Faith - it was unshakable. No one and nothing could disturb or destroy their Faith.

Everyone, including YOU, has been touched, blessed, endowed with the tools. You must develop a belief or faith based on understanding, just as these people did for themselves. Their faith was not blind; the bind that is easily shattered like fine crystal with the first knock that comes along. Their faith had a strong foundation based on understanding.

These people are often referred to, as being in the spirit, and it is not difficult for them to Believe or have Faith, because they KNOW. They know they can do whatever they visualize. They know they are dynamic, creative beings. They choose the vision and they work through them.

At our most recent benefit tournament there were many examples of people who had Faith in themselves and their skills to participate. Everyone who competed, regardless of the outcome, was and is a winner and should be proud of the accomplishments made. Some people won with “class” while others did not. Some people lost and handled defeat with honor, making it a learning tool. Thanks for being a part of a tremendous day.

Thanks to all the parents and friends who helped with registration, scoring, handing out awards and mostly for helping me keep the event moving and being the best tournament to attend; which was said by NUMEROUS competitors and spectators.

The House of 1000 Mirrors

Long ago in a small, far away village, there was a place known as the House of 1000 Mirrors. A small, happy little dog learned of this place and decided to visit. When he arrived, he bounced happily up the stairs to the doorway of the house. He looked through the doorway with his ears lifted high and his tail wagging as fast as it could. To his great surprise, he found himself staring at 1000 other happy little dogs with their tails wagging just as fast as his. He smiled a great smile, and was answered with 1000 great smiles just as warm and friendly. As he left the house, he thought to himself, "This is a wonderful place. I will come back and visit it often."

In this same village, another little dog, who was not quite as happy as the first one, decided to visit the house. He slowly climbed the stairs and hung his head low as he looked into the door. When he saw the 1000 unfriendly looking dogs staring back at him, he growled at them and was horrified to see 1000 little dogs growling back at him. As he left, he thought to himself, "That is a horrible place, and I will never go back there again."

All the faces in the world are mirrors. What kind of reflections do you see in the faces of the people you meet?

Japanese Folktale

BLACK BELT – BEYOND THE HORIZON – William H. Duessel

Have you every felt let down after you reach your goal of a Black Belt? This is something that each person has worked long and hard for. I want to elaborate on this as to why that happens and how to avoid it. It is absolutely critical for us to have goals and to know what we want in life. But what happens when we get it? Suddenly, the goal we have working so hard to achieve has been accomplished and now there is nothing to strive toward.

When I achieved my Sho Dan rank in 1968, my next goal was San Dan. After I received my San Dan, my next goal was Roko Dan. Years later I did receive my Roko Dan, but my next goal in karate was Hachi Dan, 12 years later. My final goal was to achieve the rank of 9th Dan, Ku Dan, 11 years later in 2005.

Most of us have the tendency to flatten out – we shift our energy into neutral and start to feel deflated and let down. I have seen this in many black belts over the years. We lose our energy, our creativity and our initiative. Sometimes we feel restless or depressed at the level we are at. We are our own worst enemy. This is why we have to set a goal in what we want in life, martial arts or personal life.

If you want to avoid this trap, learn to set your goals to take you through – not just up to – your objective. In other words, don’t wait until you’ve achieved a goal before setting another one. Goal setting is a very powerful force. It needs to be continuous and ongoing if it is really going to get you anywhere. You can kick back and rest if you want, this is a choice you have to make, not something imposed on you by circumstances, it’s likely to be a much more satisfying time out.

You have to keep asking yourself, how far do I want to go, what’s next, what more do I want to do? It is important to keep growing in all aspects of life and continue setting clear goals.

Kihon (Basics) are repeated until the movements become almost instinctive, obtaining a perfect action. (Something which is) fundamental. To see beneath the surface features of the technique and grasp the core common is to comprehend the KIHON.

Kihon is the term for the basic techniques that are taught and practiced as the foundation of all later movements added to karate. At the simple level this would include stances, punches, kicks and blocks. Styles of karate differ greatly in their focus or lack thereof on Kihon. Some styles have a set of twelve basics that are practiced consistently every single class.

When a student first starts training in karate he or she is introduced to individual techniques such as strikes, blocks, and kicks. The practice is referred to as Kihon or basics. In some Isshinryu dojo they are referred to as chart 1 (Te no bu "Hand part") and chart 2 (Ashi no bu "Foot part") basics. Kihon is performed while in a mostly stationary position.

As a student progresses he or she will then begin ippon Kihon or one-step basics. This means a student will move from a hieko (ready) stance to seisan stance when performing upper basics and the same movement for the lower basics.

The practice of basics while moving about the dojo floor is referred to as 'Kihon Ido' or moving basics. It is simply adding in steps while you perform blocks, strikes, and kicks. This form of practice takes it beyond the ippon kihon to a movement in the forward and then reverse direction. Finally or the last phase is providing movement in one, two, three, or all four directions.

This type of training sets the foundation for all karate training to follow. Stringing basics together in jiyu kihon or free style basics allows the student to prepare for learning the style's kata.

Basics, in all its forms, are practiced for the entire life of the karate practitioner. Students should practice kihon until they are instinctive and they should visualize opponents attacking with various basic techniques as they practice. This basic practice is carried into other areas of karate practice to include one of the most important aspects of karate training, visualization within kata and bunkai.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Speed, Balance, and Control are the keys to gaining a successful Karate Sequence.” Edward Ascolese