ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hanshi Duessel’s most recent seminar was held in Pittsburgh was March 6, 2010. Approximately fifty students attended the seminar from Pittsburgh, Penn State, Ohio, New York, and New Jersey. A special thank you to Mr. Jeff Matusewicz, Mr. Adam Masur, Mr. Joe Marotta, Mr. Tom Ammernann, Miss. Natalie Montone, Mr. Ryan Ammermann, Mr. Lee Gugler, and Mr. Tony Curcuruto for attending from our dojo.
Hanshi Duessel’s SUMMER AFFILIATION SEMINARS are June 26th and are being held at Shihan Carmona’s dojo in Landing, NJ. The cost for the symposium including lunch and dinner will be $50. Shihan Carmona asks that registrations be handled by each individual WHD school and passed along to me no later than May 30th, 2010. With this in mind adult Brown and Black belts must register with Kyoshi Hughes no later than Thursday, May 20th. Ask if you have any questions.
25TH BENEFIT TOURNAMENT – April 25, 2010 at Hackettstown High School. We need help from students, family and friends to make the day a success. We Train And It Is Fun. Students should plan to participate; it is fun and a good learning situation.
KING’S Sparring Tournament, March 14th was a nice event. Congratulations to Jake Brader for his 4th place, Arshdeep Sing did well in his division and Ryan Ammermann for winning 1st Place in the Men’s Black Belt (18 – 34 age group).
Congratulations to the people who earned promotions since our last newsletter.
- Jake Brader – Junior Yellow Belt
- Tristen Christiano – Junior Orange Belt
- Clairanne Arcaro – Senior Green Belt
ATTITUDE
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, being gifted or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home…a dojo. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our attitudes.” Wayne Wayland (Isshin-ryu Karate Instructor)
Difficult situations are sometimes necessary for a person to mature. At times the situation is an unpopular one, such a creative moment when one is considering the probabilities. However, it is true that some lessons require a strong experience for evolution to occur. The experience gained and often in hindsight knows that even the most negative experience can produce a positive outcome. Remember the eternal energy, which each of us possesses requires that we participate in the physical experience that will help create growth and develop a positive attitude. Instead of complaining about the problem, contemplate the information received and move forward. If someone does something to hurt your feelings, forgive but do not forget the moment. If a grudge is held, the person holding onto the hurtful idea is generally the only one who is truly being effected. Stay true to personal beliefs and receive the lessons and use them to move forward. Learn the lesson and move forward. Again, we realize the reluctance of those stuck in a negative pattern to receive this information, however, we feel the infinitive power of the Soul and align our energies with it, so as to help you through it.
ALWAYS REMEMBER that in the dojo, everyone works, nothing is free and all start at the bottom. We should exercise respect, patience, and understanding in dealing with our everyday existence. A student will succeed in the martial arts through hard work, proper attitude, repetition in the techniques and devotion to him/herself and the art. Strive for perfection in all that you do and accept nothing less. If you do, you are cheating yourself. Only you can make positive things happen.
THE GROWTH PYRAMID
There are many ways that we can look at attaining our goal in our martial arts training. To some it might seem as a winding path, while to others a straight walk, and to others a climb up the mountain. If we are to stop and think for a moment we have traveled all three paths. The path that we travel is based on our own individual triangle. It is a road that requires balance, devotion and dedication. It is a triangle with a base – foundation – that consists of three sides, each made up of a vital part of the training. If there is a lack of balance in any of these areas, the climb to the top will fail. The three sides are: preliminary exercises – basic exercises to loosen and strengthen the body and joints, stretching the ligaments, etc. Basics exercises – the ABC’s of karate teaching proper techniques in exercises as well as all areas of the art. Last, but most important, kata training. With a combination of the three, a solid foundation is established, along with proper growth and development is achieved. Kata cannot be fully understood without the bunkai – application of the techniques. Weapon’s training cannot be performed without the knowledge of kata. Each part of the triangle is dependent on the other for support and balance. When all sides are place together, they show the upward path to the growth pyramid.
TWO WOLVES
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. ”One is Evil – It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
“The other is Good – It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” The grandson thought about it for a minute, and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Adult students should consider joining the American Isshinryu Karate Association. It is a $10.00 annual fee.
Adult yellow belts and about should join the Isshin-ryu World Karate Association. It is a one time $40.00 fee .
See Kyoshi if interested.
THERE WILL BE NO CLASS AT FIT HAPPENS SATURDAY, APRIL 3RD
