News from Nokado School of Self defense

Hello:

I hope that this June 2011 newsletter finds you in good health and happy spirits. It is SUMMERTIME.....in a few weeks there's no more school...lots of great weather and blue skies. Tons of time to TRAIN. Summer camp will begin in a few weeks and it is going to be a blast. We have a full calendar for the summer season with lots of testing, and special events. I hope that you can participate in everything. Don't worry about the heat , as you know that Dojo is air conditioned and we are all ready to go.

Jiu Jitsu in my everyday Life

Elizabeth Mene

Family. A noun used to describe a social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for. The word is used in simple context, but is it understood? A family doesn't have to be blood, or kin, or directly related. A family isn't always the people who provide your food and shelter. A family doesn't have to be two parents and a child. A family is really just the bond you share with those you trust. A family includes the people who continually guide and teach you despite your mistakes or misgivings. A family is the feeling of safety and security from the people around you.

Family is essential to growth and maturation. Jiu Jitsu in itself teaches lessons, and the family that is found at the dojo reinforces those lessons. A Jiu Jitsu family knows that you can not simply show a technique and expect a student to repeat it perfectly. A Jiu Jitsu family knows that each technique must be taught and performed with patience in order to be beyond compare. A Jiu Jitsu family understands when to provide comfort, and when to push a student to their unparalleled ability. I have had the extraordinary pleasure of having such people in my life.

Every day this Jiu Jitsu family teaches me new lessons. I've been taught primarily how to defend myself, but I've also been taught so much about myself. I'm more confident; I introduce myself to strangers quicker, I put my entire trust into this family, because I know I can approach them with any problems or issue. They've given me hope for the world that I can find people who care as much as they do. Every day, my Jiu Jitsu family changes my life and helps me grow; physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Ni Dan Mene