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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
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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
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March  | | Ray Hughes |
Why Life Skills (Philosophy) need to be taught
by Ray Hughes
One area where many schools miss the point is not adequately explaining the benefits of life skills learned from traditional karate to their students and parents. For those who primarily teach karate techniques and self defense tactics only will find they have a higher attrition rate than those who support their training with life skill instruction; in other  words, philosophy. Life skills learned by our youth include confidence, perseverance, discipline, fortitude, to name a few while life skills for adults tend to be more life survival philosophies. These skills are learned and developed through long term training. To keep students training for many years, instructors need to give reasons to the student as well as the parents of the young why they need to continue to come long term. Expecting students to train year after years to randomly learn a new technique or to simply improve their kata is not enough. There has to be more; something that continually gives reasons for students to train long term and compels the parent to accept the grind of bringing their children to classes for years on end. For those who have trained long term understand the great values that come from traditional karate training. The striving for perfection in a battle where perfection can never be attained and the internal struggle that develops while on this path all lead to skills that are applied to other areas of life. The strength and resolve to stick to a p  roject, the fortitude to overcome difficult challenges, the understanding of self and learning that one can do more than originally thought, are just a few of the many areas that are developed by traditional training and applied to life outside the dojo.
To read the rest of this article click HERE
Ray Hughes
Scottsdale Martial Arts Center
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March
 | | Robert Hunt |
The Karate Tapestry - Part 21
By Robert Hunt
We think of Goju Ryu as an "unfinished" style. But why so, asks Jon Crain, a fellow traveler?
It's a great question, one who's answer touches the entire spectrum of the human experience - war, peace, love, hope, triumph and despair.
In truth, every teacher's style is completed the day that person dies. Up until then, we study, practice, expand our knowledge and pass it all on. Any teacher worth the title does that. If we don't grow and change, we are little more than parrots
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But Miyagi's tragedy was unique in the world of our arcane martial art. He was different. Most of the early karate leaders were politicians. Miyagi was a karate teacher. 
Miyagi inhabited the first half of the 20th century, a time when mankind went from buggy whips to rocket ships, from Pony Express to Fax machines. No time in our history has seen greater and faster technological expansion.
It was also a time of world wars, devastation and death beyond imagination. Two countries, Japan and Germany, tried to dominate the world by military conquest. Two deranged men, Tojo and Hitler, initiated a conflagration that claimed 70,000,000 lives. Hardly a human being on earth went untouched by their insanity. Pray to God it never happens again.
To look at that madness through the prism of Miyagi's life brings it all home, especially for those of us who pursue his art.
Click HERE to read the rest of the article To contact Robert Hunt
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Sports Psychology
by Dr. Sam Sterk
Your Competition and Your Belt Promotion Plans:
Right before competition, or a belt promotion, how do you feel? Are you nervous?
Sport Psychologists emphasize being ready for competition and belt promotions, both physically and mentally. This applies both to novice and advanced martial art participants. How do you mentally prepare?
This is the subject matter of this article. This article is taken from the writer's book, CONQUER YOUR MIND: SUCCEED WITH THE MENTAL EDGE IN MARTIAL ARTS (being published in the next couple of months).
What is a written competition/belt promotion plan? It's a written plan with check marks about what to anticipate in competition or at belt promotions.
The Competition/Belt Promotion Plan consists of the following:
1. What are your thoughts and feelings about this upcoming competition?
Nervous _____ Tentative______ Ready, strong and prepared _______
2. If you have negative/tentative or lack of confidence types of thoughts and feelings, stop them by seeing a stop sign, say 5 times, I get rid of my unwanted thoughts. Bring up one positive thought and repeat this 5 times. Use your stop thought techniques?
Yes________ No _________
To read the rest of the article clickHERE
Sam Sterk, Ph.D., CC-AASP 480-767-0956
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Seminar Overview
by Christina Gutz
Dominating the Opponent by Controlling Initiative (Sente) and Distance (Maai) Wado and TSYR Seminar with Toby Threadgill (USA) and Kaki Kawano (Japan) in Berlin on 6th and 7th February, 2016 
More than 100 participants trained under the guidance of Toby Threadgill (Menkyo Kaiden, Takamura Ha Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu) and Kaki Kawano (5th Dan JKF Wado-Kai) in Berlin. This traditional Berlin Wado and TSYR seminar has promoted national and international exchanges and strengthened friendships for 10 years now.
The Art of Strategy and Dominance: Sente and Maai
Unlike Okinawa karate which is based on self-defense and clearly expresses this with its fundamental principle "Karate ni Sente nashi" - "There is no first attack in karate.", Wado ryu is based on the principle of Sente, attack and initiative. Toby Threadgill explained that the reason for this is to be found in the origin of Wado ryu, whose combat theory originates in Japanese Shindo Yoshin Ryu (SYR), a traditional martial art (Koryu). The founder of Wado ryu, Hironori Ohtsuka[1], had been trained in this Budo and translated his knowledge of SYR into Wado ryu and he also developed the earliest methods of karate jiyu kumite from jujutsu-based randori and shiai. From the historical perspective, the sword combat of the samurai era, which is about life and death, is, thus, the origin of kumite. Wado ryu is, therefore, a martial art of the samurai, an art of strategy and dominance. The purpose of the seminar was to show that this art of strategy and dominance and, thus, the concepts of Sente and Maai, are actually the same because of the historical link between SYR and Wado ryu. To Read the rest of the article click HERE 
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March
Martial Art Humor
We all need a little humor in our life. If you have a joke, send it in.
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March
 Zen Stories
Searching for Buddha
A monk set off on a long pilgrimage to find the Buddha. He devoted many years to his search until he finally reached the land where the Buddha was said to live. While crossing the river to this country, the monk looked around as the boatman rowed. He noticed something floating towards them. As it got closer, he realized that it was the corpse of a person. When it drifted so close that he could almost touch it, he suddenly recognized the dead body - it was his own! He lost all control and wailed at the sight of himself, still and lifeless, drifting along the river's currents. That moment was the beginning of his liberation.
We all need a little Zen in our Lives. If you have a story, please send it in. |
"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one."
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Traditional Karate Websites
To list an international traditional karate website, contact editor
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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
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Sensei Wicks
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To view seminar schedule from January 2016 through August 2016
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Other Seminars and Events
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Rocky Mountain Championship
May 1, 2016
Louisville, Colorado USA
Referee Course April 30th
for more information
email: info@imakarate.com
303-665-0339
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Americas Masters Games in Vancouver
August 26-September 4, 2016
Karate BC is excited to be part of the upcoming Americas Masters Games in Vancouver, August 26-September 4, 2016. We are one of 24 sports participating in this event. We believe this event is a wonderful opportunity for karate practitioners 30 years an over to get together to compete, make new friends, renew friendships and socialize with other 30 years + athletes in Vancouver, British Columbia. Here is some karate specific information. - We will have two age groups: 30-45 years of age and 46 +.
- There will be 3 general categories of competitors: novice (8-5th kyu), intermediate (4th-1st kyu) and advanced (black belts levels)
- 3 disciplines to compete in: kata, kumite, and kobudo.
- In kumite there will be 2 weight categories: men -75 kg and +75 kg; women -61 kg and +61 kg.
- Competition will be modified WKF rules. Modifications will be as per Karate BC guidelines and will be distributed at a later date.
- Competition date(s) will be Sept. 2, 3. If less than 100 competitors then Sept. 3.
- This is an Open event - participants do not need to be part of their country's NSO; however if they are not they will need to buy tournament insurance for the day(s) of the event. This event is sanctioned by Karate Canada and Karate BC so members/affiliates will be able to make use of existing karate insurance.
- Hotel information will be coming out in next bulletin.
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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
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