Previously in issues of the Academy E-News, we explored four of the eight principles of the true martial artist-perseverance, integrity, modesty and self- control. Last month we took a special look at gratitude.

To start back to school this month, we'll explore the other three: compassion, courtesy, and indomitable spirit

COMPASSION. The Dalai Lama said, "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." Compassion is when you identify with people who are suffering and when you have the desire to help. Being selfish, on the other hand, can lead to unhappiness. Have you read the story of Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens? In it, Scrooge changes his life by turning away from heartlessness, becoming once again the generous, kind-hearted soul he was when he was younger. By doing so, he is able to change the outcome of his life for the better and avoid meeting a grim end. We should all try to possess this great quality in order to make our lives richer.


COURTESY. The word "courtesy" conjures up images of holding doors for people, of letting another person in front of you at the grocery counter who has only two items to your forty, of helping someone out. This includes good manners and polite behavior but it also goes far deeper than these simple actions. You may have already noticed that people who lack courtesy, or are in other words rude, are not the most popular of people. So why would anyone want to be like them? Unfortunately, even if we don't mean to be rude, sometimes it may never occur to us to be courteous. Courtesy is a habit. Courtesy is expecting nothing in return. It is something done not for the rewards, but for the good of it. Stopping to help someone with a flat does not earn an hourly wage, only a heartfelt "thanks." We must act courteous every time an opportunity presents itself, and soon it will become a part of who we are. So the next time an elderly lady drops the contents of her grocery bag, don't hold yourself back help her!
Being courteous to others is often easier than extending those same courtesies to one's self. It's a matter of do as I say not as I do. How many times have we told others to relax, take a break, enjoy yourself, have some fun - while driving ourselves to the point of exhaustion, committing to more than we can ever accomplish. It's also knowing when not to push harder - even if asked. Courtesy to one's self is a matter of treating you as you would have others treat themselves - getting enough sleep, taking breaks when needed, eating right and listening to what your body is saying. Courtesy is many things - favors, charity, politeness, respect, concern, even delivering a service - all done for free or with nothing expected, nor demanded in return. It's respect at its finest.


INDOMITABLE SPIRIT- Yamato Damashii - This means having a great attitude toward life, which cannot be held back. The qualities of moral fortitude, courage, sincerity, devotion and unswerving success oriented attitude form the concept of Yamato Damashii - indomitable spirit. Ask yourself if you have this quality. Do you have to drag yourself from bed in the morning, force yourself to go to work or school, struggle with work assignments, schoolwork and homework, strain over your martial arts training, and finally drag yourself back to bed again? If you do, then you are sorely lacking in indomitable spirit, and you need a booster shot of energy. Every morning should be a great new morning to wake up to; every challenge should be faced with a smile on the face; and dullness should be banished from life forever. Attack life and eat it up like a fantastic meal you are starving for. For this, you have to change your attitude. If you force yourself to jump out of bed in the morning, the morning will welcome you with open arms.

So follow these principles and be a better martial artist and a better human being. It's all up to you.

Sometimes in our attempt to give children what we did not have, we forget to give our children what we did have.

Don't Let Your Child Fall Victim to Predators
By: Bill Wardell

When children use the Internet and internet communication tools such as chat rooms, e-mail, and instant messaging they risk possible interaction with online predators. The anonymity of the Internet means that trust and intimacy can develop quickly online, especially for trusting children and teenagers. Predators take advantage of this anonymity to build online relationships with inexperienced young people. In order to help protect your children, you need to be are aware of the risks related to online communication. If you're involved in your kids' Internet activities knowing the risks is much easier.



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS ONLY

Back Pain - The Epidemic
By: Gerry Van Dyke, COAST Rehab

Did you know that each year, more than 65 million Americans experience back pain? 80% of us will suffer from back pain at some point in our lives ..... 80% .....That's 4 out of every five people! Does that make you a little nervous? It was previously thought that 90% of all back pain resolves on it's own within 4- 6 weeks, but now studies are showing that only 20% of people will have no other symptoms within the year. 70-80% of people will have some form of reoccurring symptoms in the year to follow. For 3-4% of the people, back pain will turn into a chronic (long standing) problem. If you talk to the folks around you, you may find that up to a third of them will have had some form of back pain within the last 30 days. Any guesses what the only type of pain that people have more frequently than back pain? It's headache. That's the only one. Not hip pain or knee pain or carpal tunnel pain. So not only do most of us get back pain, but we also get it frequently!

This month we will be holding our
SEPTEMBER Belt Exams on the standard
split schedule;

Children: Lil Dragons & Goshin Juniors will test on
Friday 25 September 2009

Adult Martial Arts & Jiu Jitsu will test on
Saturday 26 September 2009

Please review the testing schedule, exam roster, and upcoming events to see how it may affect you by visiting our website .....

SEPTEMBER BBC DATES !!

FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 09

FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 09



DON'T MISS IT !!!

AMERICAN BLACK BELT ACADEMY
WILL BE CLOSED

for days listed below;

We'd like to remind everyone
that the academy will be closed

Monday
7 September 2009

and on

Friday September 11th, 2009

in observence of
our nation's tragedy in 2001.

The September 11th attacks were a series of coordinated suicide attacks by the Al-Qaeda terrorist group upon the United States on September 11, 2001.

On that morning, 19 Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners. The hijackers intentionally crashed two of the airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing everyone on board and many others working in the buildings. Both buildings collapsed within two hours, destroying nearby buildings and damaging others.
The hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed into a field near Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania, after some of its passengers and flight crew attempted to retake control of the plane, which the hijackers had redirected toward Washington, D.C.

ROYCE GRACIE SEMINAR

Saturday, Sept 12
12:00pm - 3:00pm

Royce (pronounced Hoy-sa), born 12 December, 1966 is the son of Grand Master Helio Gracie. Helio, along with his older brother Carlos Gracie, are the originators of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He spent his childhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As a toddler, Royce learned Jiu-Jitsu from his father and his older brothers Rorion, Relson, and Rickson Gracie. He began competing at the age of 8 and competed in a number of Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in Brazil and the United States and compiled an amateur record of 51- 3. He received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 18.

Royce became well-known in the mid 1990s with a string of submission victories over larger opponents in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Between 1993 and 1994, he won 11 matches by submission and was the tournament winner of UFC 1, UFC 2, UFC 4, and fought to a draw with Ken Shamrock in the superfight at UFC 5. These results changed martial arts by sparking an emphasis on cross-training and mixed martial arts was born.

Don't miss this chance to train with the legend of Gracie Jiu jitsu and 3 time Ultimate Fighting Champion in Atlanta.

FREE
WOMEN's
SELF-DEFENSE
CLASSES

American Black Belt Academy will be sponsoring

FREE WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENSE classes

Every Thursday, during the month of September @ 5:00PM

ATTEND THIS SPECIAL COURSE OF
WOMEN'S SELF DEFENSE CLASSES FOR FREE !!!

Bring a friend and come learn helpful self-defense techniques from certified Instructors.