Karate Training in 2010

Karate is a dynamic art. Being such, people are able to study the art of karate for their entire lives and still feel as though they've only scratched the surface. The many facets keep us intrigued and the constant need to reach for our own improvement keeps us both humble and working hard.

Obviously, people take up karate these days for different reasons than for what it was originally intended. We are not training our Little Warriors to prepare them for an actual battle (just imaginary ones!) and therefore the training is much different these days. People start karate for many different reasons. Some people are trying to lose weight, gain coordination, make friends, learn self defense etc. Some are just trying on something new to see if it fits. Some (like myself) saw people doing kata and drills and thought "You know what? I think I might be able to do that."

Because of the different reasons people train, karate has changed. We are no longer humiliated on the floor for not knowing something, we are encouraged and given a chance to try without fear. Our goal is to give people a place they can come, regardless of age or ability, and learn about the dynamic art of karate. While there, they will find friends and many, many laughs. They will work hard and form a bond with others on the floor next to them. They will leave each night knowing that their karate training is helping their body and their mind. They will leave feeling that they are part of something bigger. Karate, to an observer, is obviously very physical. But to those who know, to those who train, they know it is so much more. We learn to look after each other, to stand up for those who need help and to be the best person we can be. As Kyoshi Sailly said (but more eloquently and with his wonderful accent) at today's seminar at SMA in Kingston "We are not just karateka on the training mat, we are karateka off as well - remember that."

We are not helping to prepare people for battle; we are helping each other prepare for life.

New year and lots more fun to be had!

2010 was already packed full of events before the new year even started. Trying to stay ahead of it all is, at the worst- tiring, and at the best- tons of fun. We are heavy into the planning for our first big event - our tournament. Martial Madness 2010 Tournament will take place on Sat. Feb 20th at the St. John Catholic High School and it promises to be a very exciting day.
We've made some changes to this year's tournament. We've divided the day into morning and afternoon divisions (under 13 compete in the morning and over 14 compete in the afternoon). This should help our younger competitors as they will be finished competing earlier in the day now. The divisions this year include: kata, team kata, sparring, and self defense. We are also offering divisions in grappling for those under 13 and sport jiu-jitsu for those over 14 years of age. And our biggest tournament news - We have TROPHIES this year. They are really nice (and huge!) and we can't wait to start handing them out!
We are also looking forward this year to another Family Night. Tentatively scheduled for the last Wednesday night in March, get your minds working! We are hoping this year's family night will out-do last year's and that will be very difficult. Demonstations of kata, self defense, weapons, board breaking and more....this is your chance to shine for family and friends!
So, as this year gets off to a busy start, take some time to sit and make some new goals for this year. And then let us know what they are! We are always willing to help in any way we can. Remember, karate is not just about making us better fighters, it's about making us better people!

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!