Renshi Bruce Brousseau

It was with much anticipation that we attended Capital Conquest in Orleans this past weekend. We had a huge secret and we didn't have to keep it much longer. Our very own chief instructor was receiving the title of Renshi. Keeping this a secret from him while we organized with students and his family was stressful at best, but it was all worth it. We are unbelievably proud to have him in our club, as our head instructor and as our friend. We couldn't be happier.

Renshi

We've schemed and we've plotted to keep you from knowing.

We've wiped grins from our faces to keep it from showing.

It feels like forever that we've kept you in the dark.

We've been keeping this secret from you since last March!

A title so warranted, we are bursting with pride,

No one's more deserving; it can't be denied.

That a teacher who listens, cares and inspires

would be granted a title that so many admire.

Polished instructor is your new title's definition,

and you are every inch of that we are certain.

Much more that just a teacher, is what we believe,

you've reached a level that few can achieve.

You've taught so many of us to take joy from this path,

you've been there beside us, you've watched as we've passed,

level by level and goal after goal.

But now it's our turn, to take over your role.

To watch you receive a promotion so due,

This title is for us, as well as for you.

We've waited so long, with barely contained glee

To finally be able to call you...Renshi.

Congratulations Renshi Bruce! You are an inspiration to us all!

Good Made Better

Karate has been known to improve many things. Physical improvements such as balance, co-ordination and strength can be attributed to karate training. We can also thank our karate training for improvements in focus, confidence and awareness. Karate can definitely make good people better.
However, as Sensei Bruce has often told us, "Karate doesn't make a person good. You have to have good qualities already. Karate can also make a bad person more dangerous." And how true these words are.
The reaching and achieving of goals in the way of belts leads to improved confidence. It's easy to feel better about yourself as you see each milestone reached by the colour around your waist. Witnessing the payoff to your hardwork is amazing.
However wonderful it is to have confidence in yourself and your abilities, this is also the time to keep yourself in check. Humility is a huge part of martial arts. To know your abilities and to not display them is the ultimate goal. You shouldn't need to show others how much you know or what you can do. The need to convice others of your worth does not show confidence - it is a display of weakness.
Let's remember to be humble in our karate training. We can't learn while we are talking, so let's listen to all we can and become the best people we can be.

Respect

If people had to choose something that is lacking in the world these days, most people would agree that there is a lack of RESPECT. The respect that used to be automatically given to people in authority (teachers, police officers, clergy) seems to be gone and without it, the world automatically becomes a scarier place.

Respect is a huge part of the martial arts and it is extremely important that it remains that way. How wonderful it is that there is a place you can go where the longer and harder you train, the more respected you become. That after years of faithfully coming to class and trying your best, you become awarded with one belt after another, as your hardwork and dedication is shown around your waist and in the titles you earn.

In order for this practice to continue, we must not become lazy in the dojo. We must constantly strive to show respect to each other and to the Senseis. We've talked in class lately about what it means to show respect. The Question of the Month for October is "What are 3 ways that we show respect to each other and to the Senseis?" Most students can automatically think of three. Other students may show respect in numerous ways and they may not realize that they are doing it. For anyone who is having trouble coming up with three ways on paper, I've compiled a list for you. (Hint: I've taken most of these out of your handbook under the page titled Karate Etiquette).

Ways we show respect: Bowing (when entering or exiting the dojo; to our partners; after addressing or thanking the Sensei; when stepping on or off the training area), using the titles Sempai or Sensei when addressing someone of senior rank, being on time for class, going behind a class quietly to get to the changerooms, warming up quietly before your class starts, not talking when the Sensei is teaching, putting your hand up when you have a question, arriving with a clean gi, following the rules of no jewellery and no gum in class, sitting properly in class, being a good partner, helping to take care of the dojo (putting your sparring equipment away neatly) and working hard in class (this is our favourite one!).

We train in an atmosphere that is fun and friendly. By giving each other the respect we've earned (and everyone is entitled to respect for simply showing up to class!) we also create an environment that is safe and healthy. Showing kindness and consideration makes us all feel good. Now go put your answer in for the Question of the Month; the prize is a good one!

Happy Anniversary to Us!!!

October 1st marked the one year anniversary that Mark and I have owned Perth and District Martial Arts. What a year it's been! Looking back over the last year, there have been too many amazing moments to even count. From seminars to gradings to our big tournament, we sweated through many an awesome class, we broke boards, did some weapons training and had (what some people might think) a little too much cake. All of this would never have been possible without the fantastic students and their families.

Running a club has been a lot of work and we've certainly learned a lot over the last year. We've changed and grew with our new responsibilities and we believe we've become better people. Our love for karate has continued to grow and we love getting to share that with so many people on a regular basis. Our goal when we started was to bring as many opportunities to our students as we possibly can and with our new programs, the World Kobudo Federation and our new affiliation with Karate Ontario, I think we are well on our way to achieving our goal.

However, we certainly do not run this club by ourselves. Luckily for us, our instructors are friends that we have trained with for almost ten years. We are so lucky to have each of them and we feel that we really have an amazing team. Sensei Bruce, Sensei Cathy and Sensei Tom have been with us every step of the way and we are incredibly grateful for their support.

Now....back to our anniverary. We thought it only seemed fitting to celebrate with a party. We took over Alley Cats Bowling Alley for three hours and while some of us proved that we can do more than just karate, others had a great time alternating between which gutter we threw our ball down. We topped off the party with a gift for the students: 8 student's names were chosen from a jar to get their "Revenge on the Sensei" by throwing a pie into the face of their chosen Sensei. This (we're not sure why) was a HUGE hit with the students. Well, I have to admit, when it wasn't me sitting in the dreaded chair, was laughing as loud as everyone else. I hope the students got their fill of revenge because it might not come around again for a long, long time. At least until we all get the remainder of whip cream out of our noses and ears. :)

Thank you once again to all of the people who make Perth and District Martial Arts such an amazing place to be. We are very grateful to you all. xoxo

Goals

For many of us, goals are an important part of life. For me especially, goals make my life more meaningful. It's how I measure how well I'm doing in this crazy adventure, because sometimes life gets to be so much fun that I forget there are other things I want to accomplish, do (or buy!) later on and only by laying the foundation for some of those things now, will I have a shooting chance of accomplishing them.

We all have many goals, and even if they are not written down and strategically planned out, they still take time and energy and perseverence. A goal that many of us share is to raise our children to be kind, caring, responsible adults. That one takes years to accomplish and more than a little time and energy! (And from what I'm discovering, it never actually ends.)
Karate is no different.

We have many different goals in karate. Your most pressing goal might be to achieve your next belt, but you may have many other goals as well: to learn your next kata, to make your roundhouse kick higher or to clean up your breakfall. There are so many facets to karate that we can have many different goals at the same time.

Summer usually brings with it many activities that take our time away from the dojo. Vacations, cottages, friends coming to visit...it makes it hard to stay focused on our goals at the club. But that's okay. Another great thing about karate is that by simply attending class two or three (or four!) times per week and without even consciously working towards our own goals, we will still make progress to achieve them. Our next kata will be learned, our roundhouse kick will gain more snap and we will become a better partner.

Karate, it's been said many times, is a journey. But I think that it is more like an old friend. A friend you've had since childhood understands that sometimes they will not be your main focus, but that doesn't make them less important or less of a friend. Karate is the same way: sometimes my training feels incredibly intense and focused and other times it simply feels like a good way to exercise with friends. As my goals are realized and my focus changes direction, I can rest assured that just taking classes will help me retain what I've learned and possibly help me to find my next goal. So even if your heading off to class and your mind seems stuck on the bbq or your vacation next month, don't worry. Karate will still be there and it will be willing to meet you head-on when your training becomes focused again and you strive to punch harder, kick higher and retain more each class......you know, when your company has gone home, you're back from vacation and you've had your fill from the bbq. Happy summer everyone!

Where does the time go?!?

Well, another couple of months have passed. With the number of events that have been going on lately, it's no wonder that we lose track of time.
We've had two black belt gradings lately, a club grading, a number of tournaments and seminars, and basically a whole lot of fun. Now summer's almost here (only seven days of school left for the elementary kids as I write this) and it's time to play.
We started off with a Hide N' Seek night at the Nitschmann's which was tons of fun. We had a great bonfire, roasted marshmallows and played hide n' seek in the dark! Wanna feel invisible? Just hold really still and watch people walk right past you on the path! Then try your luck running to home base, knowing full well it will be well guarded. Or you could try Tori's technique of crawling on your belly all the way there - she wasn't detected at all until someone tripped on her!
We plan on starting up ball hockey soon, that's always a lot of fun. What a workout! And the trash talk ....and the nick names....well, you have to see it to believe it!
Time to head outside with families to enjoy the summer air (well, somedays) and enjoy our karate training without worrying about snow covered roads to get there!
For all of our students who will be away this summer: Play safe and we'll see you back in September!

Family Night 2009

Wow! Last night was our first Family Night at PDMA. This was a night for us to invite in all of our friends and family so that they can see a small portion of what we've learned. We had over 25 students put on demonstrations (some put on more than one!). We had a great selection of kata, self defense, board breaking, all with great technique and purpose. It was especially nice to see we weren't lacking in the humour department with some of the demonstrations being extremely funny while also showing amazing karate skills. This just proves once again what a fantastic group we have, the energy is so positive.
It's hard to pick out a couple to talk about as everyone did so well. Sensei Tom's 6-board break was definitely a highlight of the night, however. Sempai Gail and Sempai Tyler (mother and son team) performed a super fight scene after hurling insults at each other that had us cringing. Terrible that a fight over proper technique in their kata could escalate to that! :)
Dave and Ben (father and son team) performed katas using swords and then kalis. This had more than a few people gasping in awe. It was incredibly well done. We loved the humour that they incorporated into the second part. The Little Warriors even braved the crowd showing off their skills in technique, pad work, sparring and kata. They finished their performance with board breaking.
The last performance will not be easily forgotten as Sensei Bruce showed that at Fourth Degree Black Belt, it was time to put his skills to the test. Coming out of the dressing room, with the soundtrack to Rocky playing, he warmed up for the test amid cheers from the crowd. A huge bag, which was easily 6 feet tall, was then placed over him. In his attempt to fight his way out of a paper bag, there were many tries to break the bag, cheers of encouragement from the crowd and a thorough wet-down of the bag by Sensei Mark (a wet paper bag might be easier) . He did emerge victorious from the bag, blood stained and worn out, but was revived quickly when the music started up again. An amazing performance that had us laughing so hard our cheeks were hurting.
A big "thank you" goes to everyone for coming out to Family Night and to our students who showed courage by getting up in front of so many people and for performing as well as you did. We appreciate the effort you put into your performances and we are already looking forward to next year's Family Night!

Just humming along...

Everything at PDMA has been just humming along nicely. We had quite a few people grade in February (Congratulations to Samantha, Andy, Chris, Dana, Silas, Dave, Kalil and Melissa in our regular class and congratulations to Lincoln, Davidson, Angus, Aydan, Lilli, Annaka, Julianne, Blake, Baraka and Dylan in our Little Warriors Class). Everyone did extremely well - all of the hard work and preparation paid off!
Coming up in March is our Family Night. A chance to show your stuff to family and friends! This will be a night to remember as everyone has something special planned. This is our chance to take what we learn in class and really start to play around. There will be an interesting presentation from the PDMA Demo Team (involving a frog), some board breaking demonstrations and an interesting challenge for Sensei Bruce. Don't miss it!
We are hard at work on preparations for our tournament in April as well. Saturday April 18th is the date, it will be held at St. John's Elementary School. We are having divisions in kata, team kata, sparring, grappling and self defense. Don't forget about the Red Man! If you are looking for something to do between your divisions, go pound out some aggression on the Red Man. (Sorry Andy!)
Spring is always a very busy time for karate. Let's all have some fun and enjoy this wonderful art that brings us together with amazing people!

Too busy having too much fun!

Wow! Time passes so quickly when you are busy! I am very grateful that I can say our busy schedule has kept me from blogging and it wasn't because there was nothing to blog about!
Christmas season went extremely well. We started the season off with an awesome Christmas party on Dec 6th. We had a great slideshow presentation, trophy presentations (Congratulations to Michaella and Silas for Most Dedicated Student, to Deborah for Most Improved and to Andy for Best Etiquette) as well as the winners announced for our Sensei Baby Picture Match Up (Congratulations to Samantha, Rachel and Hanna - the only ones who guessed every picture correctly). The kids did a gift exchange and then they tore apart a beautiful pinata (it took them about 10 minutes to break it - it took me a week to make it!). Now, the food......we have some truly amazing members and the spread we had was fantastic. Thanks so much to everyone who came, it was a great time and a fabulous way to get the Christmas season off to a wonderful start!
We didn't cancel many classes around Christmas. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve were the only two nights we missed and we were quite pleased with the attendance on the nights around Christmas. We have some very dedicated students!
We certainly didn't slow things down in January. We started the New Year off at the Perth Legion on the morning of Jan 1st to watch one of our members, Andy Streekstra, bring in the New Year by jumping into the Tay River. We all agreed that Andy is the bravest person we know.
A new year always brings about the desire to do better and to incorporate changes into our lives that will make this year the best one yet. We hope to make this a great year for the club. All in all, this will be a year for great training, having fun and making new friends!