25TH BENEFIT TOURNAMENT – April 25, 2010 at Hackettstown High School. Because of the help from students, family and friends the day was a success. Everyone pitched in to help greet spectators and competitors, working many jobs. Many comments were made to me about how helpful and friendly everyone was. Mrs. Hughes and I thank all the students for the card and wonderful plaque.
Congratulations to the people who earned promotions since our last newsletter.
- Junior Yellow Belt: Ronald Dill II, Nicholas Curcio
- Junior Green Belt #1: Donald Irons
SAVE THESE DATES
MAY 16TH
American Isshinryu Association – “DAY WITH THE MASTERS” is Sunday, May 16th Master Temple’s dojo, 316 Jackson Avenue, Dunellen, NJ. We will start at noon with a clinic on kumite with one of the best Isshinryu fighters of all time, Master Ralph Passero from 12-12:50. The 2nd clinic is with Master Don Nash on “Winning Techniques for Kata”. Master Nash was an outstanding competitor and always placed! His seminar will run from 1-1:50pm. Master John Hughes will put on the 3rd seminar and it will be on bo techniques. Who better to learn bo from than one of the best with a bo, Mr. Hughes! His clinic runs from 2-2:50 pm. Master Brian Fitzgerald will give the 3rd clinic on kata bunkai. If you think you know about your kata, think again, he will show bunkai that you never would have thought of. His seminar runs from 3-3:50. Finally, Master Temple will be giving away 12 six foot grand champ trophies for a free weapons competition from 4-5pm. There will be four divisions, (1) Kyu level, (2) Shodans, (3) Nidans/Sandans and (4) Masters.
The cost for the entire day is only $15.00 for members. Non members will be $25.00 and that will get you a full membership as well. Spectator fee is just $3.00. These events are our way of generating revenue for the organization. I donate the building and the trophies, the Masters donate their time. No money goes in our pocket! We need your support!
JUNE 19TH
TRAINING SESSIONS AT KYOSHI’S – SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010 – – ADULTS SHOULD ARRIVE BY 9:00 A.M. – READY TO WORKOUT . . . CHILDREN BY 10:30 A.M. – – MORE INFORMATION WILL FOLLOW.
JUNE 26TH
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 each individual WHD school owner handle registrations. 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. Also, please let me know if you will be attending the seminars and the get together afterward or just the seminars.
AUGUST 13TH & 14TH
OVERNIGHT TRAINING AT KYOSHI’S – FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010 – – MORE INFORMATION WILL FOLLOW.
KARATE & ENERGY
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vax-o-matic/ / CC BY 2.0
In the long history of martial arts, practitioners have used their physical skills as a means of building mental, emotional and physical skills. This is especially true of karate; in fact, for many karatekas, the art is primarily a path towards personal fulfillment rather than a basic means of self-defense. Karate and its martial arts forerunners are historically linked with Zen Buddhism. In this branch of Buddhist belief, people achieve enlightenment through everyday activities. By experiencing every moment for itself and leaving the mind open to all experiences, we may find inner peace. The cornerstone of Zen Buddhism is being in-tune (mushin) with the world around you.
To advance through the higher levels of karate, it is essential that a karateka cultivate internal power, which is the basic element of this power is ki. Ki is an undefinable force, but it is generally described as the energy of life. It binds all living things together and gives each person his or her spiritual, physical and mental power. In most schools, beginning karatekas won’t worry too much about ki. They focus mainly on proper technique and breathing exercises. But in these basic activities, they are laying the groundwork for later ki exercises.
In solitary practice, karatekas must learn to concentrate on their own movements, letting everything else go. This is a powerful form of meditation. In fighting competitions, karatekas need to react quickly to any action by their opponent. This quickly teaches the karateka to be open and attentive to whatever he or she may encounter.
THOUGHT, CHOICES & ENERGY
“What we ponder and what we think about sets the course of our life. Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish, we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish, we can start a new activity. Any day we wish, we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year. We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause.” (Jim Rohn)
As Shakespeare uniquely observed, “The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves.”
We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today.
Whether we look into the depths of thinkers like Jim Rohn or William Shakespeare or delve into the advanced levels of karate, we can learn much about ourselves. Decide to become a student of the art. Many people study many things and may learn a great deal but frequently what is learned is not to the depths that the person who dedicates himself or herself to living one art and pursuing the meanings of the true way.
