|
|
|
Welcome to the world of karate history, philosophy, other martial art information
Dear Karate Enthusiast;
The purpose of this newsletter is to pass on historical information, philosophical views and activities of interest to karate martial artists around the world. Please send your article, event or activity with a photo of the instructor and/or event organizer by the 20th of the preceding month to get your information in this newsletter. Please send your text in a Word document. Please send posters and pictures in small jpeg files, thank you.
Instructors, please forward to other karate enthusiasts,
thank you.
Sincerely,
Ray Hughes, Editor
and Volunteer Staff
Contact Us
View other Newsletters
|
Disclaimer: Titles 
One of the most difficult areas this newsletter has to deal with is the use of instructor titles. We are very sensitive to this issue and do not want to offend or insult anyone. To simplify this daunting problem we will use the following guidelines with the use of instructor titles:
a. The correct title of the instructor(s) must be in the article or seminar information submitted by the author or event organizer.
b. All captions that we place under photos will be:
1. Japanese instructors: Last name followed by the title Sensei.
2. Non-Japanese instructors: The title Sensei followed by the last name of the instructor.
c. Any title and name that is placed in this newsletter by newsletter staff will use the title of Sensei.
We consider the title "Sensei" a very prestigious title
|
|
Feb
 | | Robert Hunt |
Bunkai
The Karate Tapestry - Part 20
By Robert Hunt
Someone commented once that a demonstration of karate application bears a striking resemblance to a World Wrestling Federation match. They weren't far off. Here's an idea - you step forward and punch at me and hold still. I'll block, kick you in the head, then an arm bar, then I'll sweep your legs out from under you and deliver a screaming blow to your prostrate body, fierce as a tiger, and then you grimace in imagined pain. What do you think?
Such is a demonstration of (contrived)  bunkai - the secret fighting techniques hidden within the kata that we learn and pass on and how we understand them, manipulate them and demonstrate them.
The story of bunkai is truly long and winding, filled with myth, imagination, a few facts, untold misunderstandings, make believe, fairy tales and lies - pretty much like the rest of life. The original point of kata was apparently to preserve and enhance fighting methods among a predominantly illiterate fraternity of martial artists. A selection of techniques was strung together, memorized, practiced in an order and passed on. Over the centuries, those strings were modified, expanded and named, to fit the criteria of various teachers until, in modern times, they became calcified in karate "styles" and innovation ceased. Now we sort through ancient kata for understanding, much like an anthropologist sorts through ancient cities. We strain to glean hints to the meanings woven into routines created hundreds of years ago. Click HERE to read the rest of the article To contact Robert Hunt
|
Feb  | | Ray Hughes |
The Current War within the Karate Community
by Ray Hughes
We recently concluded an Awards Banquet in Arizona. At that banquet I gave the following speech. I have discussed the pros and cons of competition in this newsletter before. This is a little different angle in respect of awards given to competitors.
There is currently a war waging within the karate community. A war that has been persisting for over a hundred years, a least as far as modern karate goes. This battle revolves around the giving of awards to competitors.
There are those who believe that giving awards to competitors is wrong. They believe this contradicts the philosophy and the spirit of the martial arts. They believe one should train for personal growth, the perfection of skill, overcoming the weakness of mind, and the development of humility. Not to train for materialistic awards and the seeking of glory.
I must admit, I personally believe 100% in this view!  There are those, however, who believe there are skills developed from competition that cannot be fully developed in the dojo. There are skills that can be developed in the dojo such as technical development, goal setting, strategy, and philosophical understanding. But there are skills that cannot be entirely developed in the dojo, such as functioning under elevated pressure, dealing with injustice in real time (both real and perceived), and other internal struggles within the mind that surface when under stress.
To this view, I agree 100%!
This may sound like a contradiction. But it's not.
I believe that competition actually achieves the goals the other side seeks.
But first, isn't self-defense an important aspect of the martial arts? I still think so. And if this is true, how do we best develop skills that will improve the chances of success in real self-defense situations?
To read the rest of this article click HERE
Ray Hughes
Scottsdale Martial Arts Center
|
Sports Psychology
by Dr. Sam Sterk
The use of Visual Imagery
involves a vivid creation or recreation of an athletic performance in your mind, from start to finish. See yourself doing your skill/skills. Mentally rehearse them from start to end. i.e. Katas or your fighting/sparring skills. There are other important uses, namely:
*To motivate your persistence and the intensity
*To manage your energy levels correctly
*To mentally rehearse your perfect skill- great form
*To refocus & maintain your Concentration and eliminate any and all distractions
*Prepare for competition.
Pointers on how to learn to use imagery
- Be calm and use all your senses or even as many as you can (hearing, visual, smell , tastes, kinesthetic
- Control your images-make sure you perform as you want to
- Use your senses and begin with the words, I feel
- Practice, practice, practice
To read the rest of the article click HERE
Sam Sterk, Ph.D., CC-AASP 480-767-0956
|
Feb
Martial Art Humor
We all need a little humor in our life. If you have a joke, send it in.
|
Feb
 Zen Stories
Successor
The old Zen master's health was fading. Knowing his death was near, he announced to all the monks that he soon would be passing down his robe and rice bowl to appoint the next master of the monastery. His choice, he said, would be based on a contest. Anyone seeking the appointment was required to demonstrate his spiritual wisdom by submitting a poem. The head monk, the most obvious successor, presented a poem that was well composed and insightful. All the monks anticipated his selection as their new leader. However, the next morning another poem appeared on the wall in the hallway, apparently written during the dark hours of the night. It stunned everyone with it's elegance and profundity but no one knew who the author was. Determined to find this person, the old master began questioning all the monks. To his surprise, the investigation led to the rather quiet kitchen worker who pounded rice for the meals. Upon hearing the news, the jealous head monk and his comrades plotted to kill their rival. In secret, the old master passed down his robe and bowl to the rice pounder, who quickly fled from the monastery, later to become a widely renowned Zen teacher.
We all need a little Zen in our Lives. If you have a story, please send it in. |
"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality." Dante Alighieri
|
Traditional Karate Websites
To list an international traditional karate website, contact editor
|
Wado and TSYR Seminar
Dominating your Opponent through the Control of
Initiative (Sente) and Distance (Maai)
Toby Threadgill (USA)
Menkyo Kaiden, Takamura ha Shindo Yoshin ryu
Kaki Kawano (Japan)
5th Dan JKF Wado-Kai
February 06 - February 07, 2016
In Berlin
For additional information click HERE
|
WIKF Wado Ryu Karate Seminars with Sensei Wicks 
All courses are open to Wado practitioners (unless stated) and will include traditional Wado Techniques including- OHYO, KIHON GUMITE, TANTO & TACHI DORI, (KNIFE &SWORD DEFENCE) IDORI (KNEELING DEFENCE) AND KATA
 | |
Sensei Wicks
|
To view seminar schedule from January 2016 through August 2016
|
|
Other Seminars and Events
|
2016 Japanese Karate Tournament Schedule 2015 USA
December 12/26-1/5 2016 The 13th Pan American Maccabi Games
Santiago, Chile
Dr. Sternberg skusajka@aol.com
Caren Lesser lesserc@bellsouth.net
|
|
