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Happy Holidays!
We wish you great Joy, Peace,
Health and Prosperity in the New Year!
In patience, respect and appreciation, we
acknowledge the dedication, skill and passion
of our
teachers: Grandmaster Yu, Tony Ortiz, Amy
Matthews, Sensei Sang Kim, Paulina Borowfsky,
Shihan Jose Cotton, Sensei David Sheeger,
Sensei Maria Van Dessel, Sensei Michelle Gay,
Victor Perez Jr, Darwin Bodero, Indajo
| Ask the sensei.... |
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Q: How do I get more flexible
kicks?
A: There is
much confusion
surrounding the issue of flexibility.
Contrary to popular understanding, stretching
alone does not create flexibility, nor is
hyper-flexibility a desirable state, no
matter how good it may look to those of us
made of less rubbery stuff.
Flexibility in kicks is a combination of
articulating both halves of the pelvis (yes,
it comes apart), strength and activation in
the supporting leg, and proper sequencing
i.e. the supporting foot and leg initiate the
sequence and the knee, shin, or foot of the
kicking leg finish the action.
Leg stretching
exercises,if done at all, should be performed
with proper
support and understanding of the different
roles of muscle, ligament, fascia, and bone
tissues, and an awareness of one's own body
type, to avoid weakening knee and hip joints
through imbalanced or over-stretching.
For
those of
us not-so-flexible types, we can rejoice in
our stability, fight close and low, learn to
cheat the angles, and when confronted with
the flexible opponent - keep our hands up!
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| Bob's Dojo Diary: Ripped and Ready in 2008 |
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Recently, while admiring my own ripped
abs in the mirror, I wondered if there was
more to me than just a pretty exterior. The
answer to that is: yes!
In fact, there are four layers of
abdominals, the six-pack being the most
superficial (no pun intended).
The deepest layer is the transversus
abdominis, which acts like a corset. It's
sole function is to compress and protect
the lower back. A good strong kiai
engages this muscle.
Next, are the internal obliques, which run
upwards like a Christmas tree. They work
in tandem
with the external obliques, which run into
a downward "V," toward your front
pockets.
Both internal and external obliques allow
you to twist, lean side to side, bend
forward from the waist, and stabilize the
spine during punches and kicks.
Finally, there are the rectus abdominus
muscles, which are what you see so
prominantly on me. These six-pack
muscles, running from the bottom of the
breastbone to the pubic bone, flex the
spine.
Contrary to what you may think, a six-
pack does not necessarily mean strong
abs. Fortunately for me, all of my layers
are in kickin' karate shape.
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| SMAI News |
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Good Guy/Bad Guy Self-defense video completed
by Shadow Pictures!
Good Guy/Bad Guy Self defense workshop taught
at Broadway Dance Center, Columbia
University, Syracuse University, World
Kanreikai Karate Montreal Dojo.
If
you are interested in sponsoring a GG/BG Self
defense workshop or seminar, please contact
us for more information.
SMAI "Movement Fundamentals" Instructor, Amy
Matthews contributed to newly published
"Yoga Anatomy" by Leslie Kaminoff . It is
available
from your local bookstore or www.amazon.com.
Check out Amy's new website at:
www.embodiedasana.com
(designed by Undici
Design, the same brilliant team that created
SFMAI.ORG)
"Reflexes and the Martial Arts" by Sensei
Michelle was included in
Currents Magazine - published by the Body-Mind
Centering Association
SMAI is currently home to World Kanreikai
Karate, Yang style Tai chi with Grandmaster
Yu, Battodo/Toyama Ryu, Capoeira, Movement
Fundamentals, Pilates with Paulina, San
Miguel Eskrima, Ju Jitsu and solo pratices of
Iaido, Shinkage Ryu, and private classes.
For
a complete class schedule visit our website
www.sfmai.org
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| Sweat the respect |
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The annual dojo clean-up is an important
component of traditional training.
Mundane tasks of dusting,scrubbing,
and polishing
take on special meaning, as we transform our
sweaty training hall to a shiny sparkle. None
who participate view
the dojo the same way thereafter....
Thanks
to the amazing clean up crew:
WK Karate members, Byakokan members, friends
and family. Rondell took the photos.
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| Join SMAI! |
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Anyone can support the Society by
becoming a
member,
spreading the word, attending master
classes and
workshops, or making tax-deductible
donations. Our $35.00 yearly membership
entitles you to discounts on classes and
workshops offered by SMAI, access to rental
space for solo practice at a special rate,
and the opportunity to help maintain and
evolve those special traditions in our care.
SMAI is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501
(c)
(3)
organization. Your tax-deductible
contribution will
assist the development and maintenance
of
programs
which help keep our community safe and
empowered
through the knowledge of movement.
Annual Membership
$35
USD
Buy Now
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Kanreikai Karate Kids Kicking for Kids Kicking Cancer |
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Did you know that "it takes about 15
minutes to throw 1000 front snap kicks?"
or "the first thousand kicks are the
hardest!" or that "once you get going it is
easier to keep going than to stop" or
most surprisingly " All that kicking can
make your legs hurt"?
This is some of what we discovered during our
week long kickathon to raise money for St.
Judes' Children's Hospital. Monday's class
kicked off the event with a staggering 2000
kicks
each! Wednesday and Saturdays class,
determined to blast that record to itty bits,
flashed their soles 3000 + times. Some kids
even did both classes.
Just so you know, there
was some talk about doing it again next year
with the goal of
10,000 kicks in one day. If so, I recommend
that supporters prepare
their hands with daily clapping sessions. Begin
with a hundred daily repetitions and
increase daily by a hundred until this
time next year and, in the meantime, I will
look for some kind of mechanical substitution.
Thank
you to all who participated and to all those
who cheered us on. Special thanks to Sempai
Donna
and Sempai Diane who organized the
event, decorated the dojo and ran pizza and
drinks.
So far we have raised $1584.00 dollars!
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