It's June already. Time flies...! National Championships in about 10 days!
"Book of the Month" special edition:
http://www.amazon.com/Shotokan-Karate-Kyu-level-Grading-Guidebook/dp/1470142120/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338875261&sr=8-1
or
https://www.createspace.com/3810291
Yep, it's on sale now. Now you really have no excuse not to know your basics for the exam. Our students can purchase it for $10 ($5 discount). I'm sorry but I'm not going to put this book up on the bookshelf; you have to purchase one to get the most benefit out of it!
I'm planning to shift the training subject toward more fundamental points. Basic timing, body dynamics, etc. Perhaps I'll cover a few of the exam required basics, too, just to get you become aware that the next exam is only 2.5 months away...!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
May 13 - 26, 2012
I've been only updating this blog once every 2 weeks nowadays. I've been busy plus there aren't really much to talk about anyways.
As far as the adult karate classes are concerned, the attendance has not been great and we're actually seeing a few people dropping out. Not good. It's not good from the business stand point, but it also makes wonder what we're doing wrong. Please do let us know if there is anything we can do to make our dojo/program better. And please, PLEASE bring your friends/family/coworkers to the class. "Word of the mouth" has been our best advertising vehicle until now (though Yelp! is actually catching up to it rapidly...) so we are counting on you!
We've been focusing on lateral (sideways) shifting lately. It's kind of counter-intuitive (that you don't feel as safe as shifting back, and you don't feel as strong or determined as moving in) but when it works, it works like a magic. Maybe a few more classes of this, and then we move on to something else... perhaps blocking?
National seminar and tournament in about 2 weeks... Are you ready (asking myself, though I know the answer...)??
Sunday, May 13, 2012
May 6 - 12, 2012
This week we started teaching "kids competition prep class". It is a private (or semi-private) lesson once a week for those kids who are going to compete next month at the National Championship. Some of our kids are very talented and/or dedicated, and I feel that with a little additional push they can compete against other kids pretty well. 5 more weeks until the competition!
Another week of Sasoi-waza training, with adding some side shifting to it...
Another week of Sasoi-waza training, with adding some side shifting to it...
April 30 - May 5, 2012
Oops, a week behind...
Nothing much new is happening at the dojo, except having a couple of new students joining us. Welcome Artur and Leroy. They both have background in karate similar to what we practice, so I wouldn't be surprised if they catch up rather quickly. Don't underestimate them just because they're wearing a white belt!
I put a Book of the Month on the bookshelf. It is a karate book written by a person named Ashihara. His style, Ashihara Karate, is a rather new style but is very unique and I always wanted to try out (but never had a chance). They allow grabbing and throwing, and combining with kicks, punches and sweeps the style appears and practices very differently. I personally don't like to call it "karate" but nevertheless it is an interesting fighting system. They use a lot of side shifting or circular steps as well. Take a look at the book when you have a chance and let me know what you think.
Continuing with Sasoi-waza this week.
Nothing much new is happening at the dojo, except having a couple of new students joining us. Welcome Artur and Leroy. They both have background in karate similar to what we practice, so I wouldn't be surprised if they catch up rather quickly. Don't underestimate them just because they're wearing a white belt!
I put a Book of the Month on the bookshelf. It is a karate book written by a person named Ashihara. His style, Ashihara Karate, is a rather new style but is very unique and I always wanted to try out (but never had a chance). They allow grabbing and throwing, and combining with kicks, punches and sweeps the style appears and practices very differently. I personally don't like to call it "karate" but nevertheless it is an interesting fighting system. They use a lot of side shifting or circular steps as well. Take a look at the book when you have a chance and let me know what you think.
Continuing with Sasoi-waza this week.
Friday, May 4, 2012
April 23 - 29, 2012 (Regional Championship)
It's always fun to learn a new Kata, right? But even if you have to continue practicing your old Kata, don't get bored because there is always something more to learn. I've been doing the same Kata (Nijushiho) for about 18 years and I still have points here and there that I want to perfect.
Also we're continuing with Sasoi-waza (inviting technique - one of many ways to set the opponent up). Footwork is obviously important for it so we'll keep working on that as well.
We had AAKF Western Regional Championship on April 29 in Redondo Beach. Thank you very much for those who showed up to support/cheer for us. Adonay, Nicholas D, Angela and Angelica competed in youth division, and Eiko and I competed in adults division. We all took medals home, I believe. But again, the results don't really matter (except that it becomes a good excuse for a party!) but what's important is what you learned from the experience.
We have the National Championship coming up on June 15-16. We will train hard to prepare for it, and we encourage all of you to try to come watch us compete since it will be in LA. This championship is probably the oldest annual karate tournament in the US, but unfortunately it's not one of the biggest because of several reasons. But still, there are some strong competitors worth watching and it's always fun to socialize with karate peeps from different part of country or world. There will be a 2-day seminar taught by highly talented instructors before the championship, and there will be a GREAT after party Saturday night!
Also we're continuing with Sasoi-waza (inviting technique - one of many ways to set the opponent up). Footwork is obviously important for it so we'll keep working on that as well.
We had AAKF Western Regional Championship on April 29 in Redondo Beach. Thank you very much for those who showed up to support/cheer for us. Adonay, Nicholas D, Angela and Angelica competed in youth division, and Eiko and I competed in adults division. We all took medals home, I believe. But again, the results don't really matter (except that it becomes a good excuse for a party!) but what's important is what you learned from the experience.
We have the National Championship coming up on June 15-16. We will train hard to prepare for it, and we encourage all of you to try to come watch us compete since it will be in LA. This championship is probably the oldest annual karate tournament in the US, but unfortunately it's not one of the biggest because of several reasons. But still, there are some strong competitors worth watching and it's always fun to socialize with karate peeps from different part of country or world. There will be a 2-day seminar taught by highly talented instructors before the championship, and there will be a GREAT after party Saturday night!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
April 15 - 21, 2012 and KYU EXAM (April 22)
I usually don't focus on the exam requirement a week prior to the test, but this time I had to continue teaching it since many of you didn't seem to be well prepared. As Chief Instructor of this dojo I'm responsible for your training and progress. I hate to see any of our students failing but at the same time I can't let our standard drop either, so what I have to do is to make sure those who test are ready.
Unfortunately I did not do a good enough job and a few students failed this time. We invite examiners from outside our dojo for an objectivity. I felt bad that I did not teach well enough to those who failed, that some of the points those examiners mentioned were not well covered in my classes. I have to learn from this and try to teach better; this was really a big lesson to me.
Regardless of the results of the exam, I hope you all learned some valuable lessons. Just like a competition, victory is not the goal but the process leading to it and what you learned through the experience are of greater value. An exam is a milestone in your lifelong training; even if you achieve a high rank you wanted, that only means that you now have more responsibilities and a lot more to learn... But don't be discouraged; it still is a fun process nevertheless! I promise!!
Those who passed, it's time for you to learn a new Kata. Check this blog's old entries and find your new Kata's youtube clips. There is a Kata book in our kitchen, too. Ask the higher ranks before or after the class. I will try to spend some time individually after every class, so try not to miss too many classes for next one month (or even one year...!).
We will also continue with a set-up strategy (Sasoi-waza = inviting) for the next 1-2 weeks. The Regional Championship is coming up this weekend. A tournament will be held at Peer's dojo in San Diego. The Nationals will take place in June. Still a lot of events are happening... And only 4 MORE MONTHS UNTIL THE NEXT EXAM!!! :-)
Unfortunately I did not do a good enough job and a few students failed this time. We invite examiners from outside our dojo for an objectivity. I felt bad that I did not teach well enough to those who failed, that some of the points those examiners mentioned were not well covered in my classes. I have to learn from this and try to teach better; this was really a big lesson to me.
Regardless of the results of the exam, I hope you all learned some valuable lessons. Just like a competition, victory is not the goal but the process leading to it and what you learned through the experience are of greater value. An exam is a milestone in your lifelong training; even if you achieve a high rank you wanted, that only means that you now have more responsibilities and a lot more to learn... But don't be discouraged; it still is a fun process nevertheless! I promise!!
Those who passed, it's time for you to learn a new Kata. Check this blog's old entries and find your new Kata's youtube clips. There is a Kata book in our kitchen, too. Ask the higher ranks before or after the class. I will try to spend some time individually after every class, so try not to miss too many classes for next one month (or even one year...!).
We will also continue with a set-up strategy (Sasoi-waza = inviting) for the next 1-2 weeks. The Regional Championship is coming up this weekend. A tournament will be held at Peer's dojo in San Diego. The Nationals will take place in June. Still a lot of events are happening... And only 4 MORE MONTHS UNTIL THE NEXT EXAM!!! :-)
Friday, April 20, 2012
April 8 - 14, 2012
Attendance has been low still... Only a week left before the exam! Exam Kihon, Exam Kumite (Focusing on single attack Kime and Go-no-sen counter attack timing), and Kata.
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