Jeffrey

Good Luck. Work hard and have fun!

Welcome Bdon-87

Happy Birthday to both of you.

With ever new group of white belts one of the first lessons is how you stand. Pay attention to how you are standing. Those that catch on do well. Those that don't struggle till they do. It is good words to live by.

Congrats Nevinyrral!

Hi Jeffrey, I am not sure what grade you are in Wado (or what group you are with) but this may be of interest to you: Taken from Roberto Danubio's Book Wado-ryu Karate-do - Budo in Wado Ryu Karate: "Budo is a term used to describe those martial arts methods adopted from Bujutsu (warrior arts, term used for all Samurai martial arts methods), existing under the aspect of "the way", (Do). The lethal Bujutsu combat techniques have been developed over centuries, however, it was only after being combined with the Zen philosophy in the beginning of the 17th century that they achieved an ethical content, thus becoming Budo (the way of the warrior). Do is a principle of Asian ideology, the term originating in Japanese Zen Buddhism. Do can be translated as; way, path, maxim, teaching philosophy, direction, principle or method. At the centre of every Asian path there is always the practicing of a skill. However the goal is NOT the acquisition of any particular skill, BUT the expansion of one's own potential and the search for and development of one' own capabilities and opportunities. Training Goals As in other martial arts, the training goal is NOT the acquisition of self defence techniques or the self satisfaction derived from exhibiting superiority over someone else. In Karate one strives to utilise one’s own capabilities and opportunities through the use of technique (waza). To achieve this one must first learn self awareness and the ability to think, and one must practice not to expend energy, but to transform it through movement." Just thought as a Wadoka (and the fact the Wado and Budo are indelibly entwined) it may interest you. Sojobo Very interested Sojobo. Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to order that one next book order. I'm part of the Shintani Group in Canada but before you judge, we are a club that is trying to do things differently. I know there is a lot of interesting politics surrounding the different Wado groups. I spend a lot of time reseaching traditional Wado as compared to what is considered Shintani Wado. I first noticed it when a another member pointed out some youtube videos and the body movements stuck out like an eyesore. Thanks again.

No need to apologize, Bob. This is just the nature of discussion. New topics tend to arise, and others branch off the original. Its what makes it enjoyable. I disagree. The point of the Martial Arts, any Martial Art, first and foremost, should be effective self-defense. All the other stuff are what should be the by-products of training, and not the other way around. If this is not the case, then I feel the original point of the Arts becomes lost. Swords were created for one reason; as an effective weapon used to kill in self-defense, be it in single combat, or in war. It wasn't created because someone thought it would be a fun, spiritual object to dance around with. The same can be said for the Martial Arts; they were originally created and used to allow someone to defend themselves from the danger that other human beings are capable of inflicting on others. As time moved on, the other by-products came to be found in the Martial Arts because of the ideals of the different people who studied them. I have no problem with this, either. But, I think it is important to remember why the Martial Arts came about in the first place, and that when the effective self-defense aspect is replaced and is no longer the original focus of the style, then we have a de-evolution of the Martial Arts. If this were the case, then the argument about whether XMA is a "true" Martial Art would effectively be over. But how many here feel that XMA is a "true" Martial Art? Well said.

Welcome zalexia

How I got into the Martial Arts is on and off again story. I was introduced to Tai Chi after a severe back injury while diving at age 12. Basically tore the lower back muscles. I was told it would it help develop the back muscle and increase mobility. It worked like a charm but I didn’t stick with it after finding a local Kung Fu school which seemed to suit a young adolescent just a bit better. Bruce Lee was very popular back then. I taught swimming at the local YMCA so I could join the Judo program for free and did that for a while as well. Once I was of age I did my part in the Military for a few years got out and moved to a different city. It was a few years before I found something I liked and ended up joining a local Kung Fu club. Did that for about 5-6 years and had a falling out with the people running the clubs. Basic McDojo kind of stuff. 15 years later I was looking for something to get my daughter involved in and a local karate flyer came to the door. Signed her up. She hated the first class and I was told she never wanted to go back. But karate is all she talked about all week. She had told me that I should join to since I had shown her all the certs and belts from when I was younger. I was coaching the son’s hockey team and she felt it was fair that if I was participating in his sport I should do the same for her. After 15 years I was now a Karate student. The first class just about killed me. I didn’t move the next day at all. But I was bitten by the bug again. Now the whole family is in Karate and we all love it. It has been become the family sport of choice. I have achieved my blue belt with a little work as my body remembered Kung Fu and it took a while to weed out the bad muscle memory and replace it with new stuff. We shall say it is a work in progress. My daughter has her Green belt and the wife and son just got their Yellow. One of the best choices I ever made and I have many thanks for my daughter. Now I help teach the kids classes 3 times a week. Always liked teaching kids and our Karate club has become extended family to all of us. There are no words to describe what karate has done for my family. I know that Bob listed some items about what Martial Arts can do in his “What should you be advertising” thread but there are a few items that can’t be explained. When you join a good club you become a part of a family.

Thought you might this interesting.. http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/kitchen-kata#comment-826

EFFECTIVE SELF-DEFENSE is what should set you apart from all other organzied sports. Other sports can teach what you listed but self defense can not be learned in baseball or hockey as an example. Depending on your team I guess. LOL! All sports can teach as you stated... *Respect, Courtesy & Self-Discipline *Positive Behavioral Changes *Self-Confidence *Focus & Concentration *Improving Grades & Productivity *Goal Setting & Self-Control We live in a sometimes scary world and EFFECTIVE SELF-DEFENSE should be seen as point number one when trying selling any MA class.

EFFECTIVE as I define it is what works best for you. Learn all the skills and pick what works for you. Becuase we all varied body type and abilities not every thing is going to work for you the same as it would some one else.

Welcome Jason

Practices the basics. Simple and easy.

And that is why I do!!!

That was well done Brian. I really enjoyed it. Made me think about things and I always like that. Thanks.

Congrats Elizabeth

Enjoy the Holiday everyone. Merry Christmas!

Welcome CrimsonPhoenix

congratulations lozzielizzie

Congratulations

That is just awesome Lupin1

I was lucky and learned this at a young age. The adrenaline rush is something I have learned to control. The military does well to remove these feelings. Now when I am fighting someone new this is what I watch for. If I see it I know I will win. It is my best tactic. I have had some people come up after a match and ask why I was smiling just before I moved in. LOL! This adrenaline rush can also be used as a tool. If you can take the good stuff out and control the rest you in good shape. Geoff Thomspon writes about the it as his old friend. Any of his books not a bad read.

Welcome

For parents to get involved they have to be the ones to want it. All too often I see parents drive the kids to the door and leave to go do what they want to do. The parents that stay are either talking amongst themselves or not really paying attention and texting, surfing on their phones. But I do see the odd parent who watches intently as their child does exercises and practices the drills. I have been helping out both our children’s classes for a year now and have made the following observation. When looking at the children that are doing well and succeeding also have the parent who is ever watchful. The parent often comes to me after class to ask how little Johnny is doing and what he/she needs to work on. They don’t teach at home but encourage practice and take a keen interest in their child. Second the kids that don’t do well and have trouble learning or take a couple of semesters to advance to the next rank are the children of the parent that drops them off at the door. In anything, if you want your child to succeed in life you need to be involved in what they do. Take an interest in what they are doing. Children look to us for guidance and encouragement. As a parent I feel truly blessed that I can take an active role in helping both my children in their Martial Arts training. Kids learn from our example and if you encourage your children they will encourage others. This applies in everything your child does and not just sports.