Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thoughts about Changes in Karate
Someone recently remarked that karate-do never changes. I don't know whether this is entirely accurate. I believe that each of us needs to change our practice of karate, as we change (grow older, suffer injuries, change focus, work with different individuals, etc.). As we learn more about karate, we bring that understanding to our kata. Or, vice verse. Our karate should continue to grow and develop -- part of "personalizing." Conversely, if we don't seek development in karate, then our training becomes stagnant.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Update on Merriman Sensei's 50th Anniversary
The flyer advertising Merriman Sensei's 50th Anniversary event should come out soon -- I think we're waiting on finalizing the buffet menu with the hotel. The event will run February 26-28, 2010, at the Phoenix Crowne Plaza Airport hotel. Basically, an informal meet and greet Friday evening, beginning around 6:00 PM at the hotel lounge, with morning and afternoon seminar sessions on Saturday. Then, a buffet dinner Saturday evening. Last, grading Sunday morning, ending before lunch. All of this at the hotel, which has free 24-hour shuttle to/from PHX airport.
"Keri" Versus "Geri"
A student asked for clarification: Why mai geri and not mai geri. The answer involves a nuance within the Japanese language.
Geri and keri mean the same. In the Japanese language, certain beginning sounds of words change depending on whether the word begins a phrase or is a later part of a phrase. When we use "romanji" (English letters) to represent Japanese words, this occurs with the G/K sound, as well as the H/B sound. So, mae geri (geri is in the middle of the phrase), but keri waza (keri starts the phrase).
An H/B example would involve harai otoshi uke (downward "sweeping" block) and ashi barai (foot "sweep").
Geri and keri mean the same. In the Japanese language, certain beginning sounds of words change depending on whether the word begins a phrase or is a later part of a phrase. When we use "romanji" (English letters) to represent Japanese words, this occurs with the G/K sound, as well as the H/B sound. So, mae geri (geri is in the middle of the phrase), but keri waza (keri starts the phrase).
An H/B example would involve harai otoshi uke (downward "sweeping" block) and ashi barai (foot "sweep").
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Missing Class
Students should come to class often, because (realistically) it's the only place to receive corrections. Without corrections, mistakes and errors become bad habits, which left alone leads to poor karate.
Some students become "hooked" on karate training, and place too high of a priority on their training. Miyagi Sensei taught that family should always come first. So, if your training is causing trouble at home, then the conscientious student should examine which he or she has placed a greater emphasis on: training or family. Miyagi Sensei taught that work should come second. And, he taught that karate training should come close behind these. While it often feels comforting to seek solace in training, beware of losing balance in life.
If you have an injury, then often it's best to rest the injury, allowing time for it to heal. Come to class, but watch instead of exercise. Often, students can learn more through active observation.
And, if you must miss class, then make an extra effort to practice on your own, to keep your sharpness and to avoid falling behind.
Some students become "hooked" on karate training, and place too high of a priority on their training. Miyagi Sensei taught that family should always come first. So, if your training is causing trouble at home, then the conscientious student should examine which he or she has placed a greater emphasis on: training or family. Miyagi Sensei taught that work should come second. And, he taught that karate training should come close behind these. While it often feels comforting to seek solace in training, beware of losing balance in life.
If you have an injury, then often it's best to rest the injury, allowing time for it to heal. Come to class, but watch instead of exercise. Often, students can learn more through active observation.
And, if you must miss class, then make an extra effort to practice on your own, to keep your sharpness and to avoid falling behind.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
50th Anniversary Seminar
Merriman Sensei wanted me to let folks know that we're making plans to have a 50th anniversary seminar for him -- he started training in karate 49 years ago, so 2010 marks his 50th anniversary. We're looking to have the seminar in Phoenix in January or February, over a weekend. This is preliminary, so I don't have pricing information or a solid date yet.
The weather can be comfortable then (70s during the daytime and much cooler during the evening when I visited Phoenix in January a few years ago). We're looking at a hotel close to the airport (with a free shuttle service, so folks won't need to rent cars or take taxis). The format would include seminar-type training and a celebratory dinner. We're also looking at options to include more meals, etc.
Although I have only thin information, I'm contacting several dojo to try to discern attendance. Can I ask you to float this among your students and get back to me next week with a "tentative commitment" as to how many in your dojo say they will attend if everything else lines up for them (i.e., the price is right, they can get the time off from work, no conflicting family commitments, etc.). This number would be very helpful for planning purposes. Can I ask you to reply to me at chris.langello@yahoo.com by the beginning of next week, because time is short for planning.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Kind regards, Chris
The weather can be comfortable then (70s during the daytime and much cooler during the evening when I visited Phoenix in January a few years ago). We're looking at a hotel close to the airport (with a free shuttle service, so folks won't need to rent cars or take taxis). The format would include seminar-type training and a celebratory dinner. We're also looking at options to include more meals, etc.
Although I have only thin information, I'm contacting several dojo to try to discern attendance. Can I ask you to float this among your students and get back to me next week with a "tentative commitment" as to how many in your dojo say they will attend if everything else lines up for them (i.e., the price is right, they can get the time off from work, no conflicting family commitments, etc.). This number would be very helpful for planning purposes. Can I ask you to reply to me at chris.langello@yahoo.com by the beginning of next week, because time is short for planning.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Kind regards, Chris
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Balancing Career and Karate
For those who plan to skip class indefinitely, for work-related issues:
Miyagi Chogun Sensei said that family comes first, work second, and karate (hopefully) somewhere close behind. Your career should always take priority over training, and sometimes that means missing class. That said, don't let yourself stay out for too long. Through training you work at developing a sharp edge; when you stop training, the edge dulls. When you come back, you remember what you once had and struggle to regain lost ground.
In my case, I put karate training aside several times for my career, and I guess my work-life turned out okay. Looking back, I squandered many training opportunities, and I wish I would have worked harder to seek balance. I hope that you, too, will seek balance and (while light at the moment) remain steady in your training.
Remember the Jundokan's dojo kun #1: train with steadiness and patience.
Miyagi Chogun Sensei said that family comes first, work second, and karate (hopefully) somewhere close behind. Your career should always take priority over training, and sometimes that means missing class. That said, don't let yourself stay out for too long. Through training you work at developing a sharp edge; when you stop training, the edge dulls. When you come back, you remember what you once had and struggle to regain lost ground.
In my case, I put karate training aside several times for my career, and I guess my work-life turned out okay. Looking back, I squandered many training opportunities, and I wish I would have worked harder to seek balance. I hope that you, too, will seek balance and (while light at the moment) remain steady in your training.
Remember the Jundokan's dojo kun #1: train with steadiness and patience.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Dojo Dues
Folks, sorry for pestering. Just a reminder: if you're training in the dojo, you should pay dues to help cover the cost of our annual seminar. This year the seminar cost $1,045.00, leaving $85 in the kitty to go toward the seminar next year. As black belts, Tony and I contribute the most ($20 per month). Brown belts contribute $18 per month; green, blue and purple contribute $15 per month; and white, yellow and orange contribute $10 per month. Introductory lessons are free, and folks new to the dojo contribute $5 per month for the first six months. If you have any questions about your status, please let me know.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Jundokan Reference Materials (DVDs, Books)
I have information for ordering reference material from Jundokan. While the jundokan.jp website has become closed, Glenn san has made certain items available through OkinawaDirect.com (http://www.okinawadirect.com).
We've been working quite a bit on bunkai in class these past couple of months, and many of you have heard Tony and I discuss the DVD. It's available on OkinawaDirect.com. All of the four Jundokan DVDs available are good, and valuable to your training. But, if you're trying to conserve funds and want to purchase just one at a time, then the one that relates closest to our current training is "Jundokan DVD Part II," which covers kata and kihon bunkai for Saifa, Shisochin and Sanseiru. It costs $41.
If you want to build a larger library, then Jundokan DVD Part I is good, covering Sanchin, Gekisai I and Gekisai II. If you want a book, then I'd recommend Okinawa-den Goju Ryu, which was written by Eiichi Miyazato Sensei and only a few years ago translated to English. It's esoteric, and more of a benefit for those at the black belt level, so keep that in mind. If you want something really, really exciting, then try Taira Sensei's eBook "Gekisai I & II Bunkai," which, while advanced, has plenty that you can work on and benefit from in the dojo now!
Of course, none of these materials are required, and I don't get a cut or any have any financial interest whatsoever. Folks ask me about this type of information, so from time-to-time I try to pass along good opportunities. I recommend Jundokan DVD Part II as a starting point. Please feel free to ask questions.
Kind regards, Chris
We've been working quite a bit on bunkai in class these past couple of months, and many of you have heard Tony and I discuss the DVD. It's available on OkinawaDirect.com. All of the four Jundokan DVDs available are good, and valuable to your training. But, if you're trying to conserve funds and want to purchase just one at a time, then the one that relates closest to our current training is "Jundokan DVD Part II," which covers kata and kihon bunkai for Saifa, Shisochin and Sanseiru. It costs $41.
If you want to build a larger library, then Jundokan DVD Part I is good, covering Sanchin, Gekisai I and Gekisai II. If you want a book, then I'd recommend Okinawa-den Goju Ryu, which was written by Eiichi Miyazato Sensei and only a few years ago translated to English. It's esoteric, and more of a benefit for those at the black belt level, so keep that in mind. If you want something really, really exciting, then try Taira Sensei's eBook "Gekisai I & II Bunkai," which, while advanced, has plenty that you can work on and benefit from in the dojo now!
Of course, none of these materials are required, and I don't get a cut or any have any financial interest whatsoever. Folks ask me about this type of information, so from time-to-time I try to pass along good opportunities. I recommend Jundokan DVD Part II as a starting point. Please feel free to ask questions.
Kind regards, Chris
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