Anger in Aikido

Anger in aikido? Image from Wikipedia.org

What are we suggesting here ... anger in aikido? The art of peace, harmony and humanity? Noooh, say it ain't so!

What would O-Sensei say if this was even remotely true?

These nice folks in hakama are supposed to be the very embodiment of cool and tranquility - no room for primal anger or aggression here mate!

We'll it appears that at least one aikidoka takes it very personal that someone dare claim that his hero, non other than movie star Steven Seagal, has been choked out by a "simple" judoka, an old school hard man in the form of Judo Gene LeBell.

True or untrue - keep smiling, and read more about it here.

The Black-Belt Journey

As a regular reader of this blog, you're more than likely aware of my opinion on the practice of handing out black belts to kids. To me this quest for having "the youngest black belt holder in ..." (pick you city, region, country or art), is nothing but plain and utterly ignorance.

Yes the kids are cute, fired up, good and what not at what they do, and of course the parents are totally proud. Myself, I love kids who succeed and thrive in martial arts to death, make no mistake about it. It is just this idea of handing out a black belt to a young kid after a few years of training which really ticks me off royally.

Consequently, when I do get the odd chance to read about a teacher, school or art who does it the proper way; who understands the intrinsic value of a black belt - having a child go through the stages as they are intended to - this gives me a renewed faith in the martial arts.

Enter this article from pittsburghlive.com. It's about a young man named Steve Goodiski Jr. Steve began training karate at the age of 5. By working steadily and hard, he is now graded to junior black belt at the age of 12. When he reaches 18 - and if he continues his study - he can test for his shodan black belt (1. degree adult black belt).

Now, compare this to the two or three years to black belt time span that some schools insists on having, basically handing out black belts like it is candy to kids at 5, 6 or 7 years of age. Not good at all, in my book...

That's why I'd like to take the opportunity to applaud Perry Culver Jr. sensei, and the other teachers at http://culverkarate.com/ Culver Karate Club in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Seems like Shotokan karate-do at it's best.

My sincere congratulations and a big thank you!

Now, That's a Sensei

All this talk about being a "master" or an "expert" as soon as you've reached the level of black belt will probably never stop. The uneducated media will always need something to write about when the next Karate Kid shows up.

Now don't get me wrong, the achievement is always a good thing for that individual. Also, many students still have to work long and hard for that grade ... and mind you, we're not exactly talking about two or three years of "training" at a black belt mill either for those who are truly dedicated to martial arts.

In all fairness, almost anyone should be able to reach the level of first dan, black belt in most martial arts, providing you give it enough time and regular training.

Now, dedicating 50 years or more to an art and still be kicking, like 68-year-old James Ambrose  sensei here has done in the hard karate style of shotokan - that's an other matter all together.

This, to me, is a sensei - a master and expert worth writing and reading about.

Reluctant to Report Abuse

Long Island -- Investigation has revealed clues that opportunities to stop the sexual abuse of children were missed, newsday.com says.

The families of two of the 37-year-old Ronkonkoma karate instructor -- known as "Sensei Jimmy" to his young students -- said they learned of the abuse more than a decade ago.

One of the karate teacher's former colleagues said at least two other adults had secondhand knowledge of accusations more than a decade ago.

According to a detective of the Special Victims Section said no one filed a police report about the man until a 13-year-old boy came forward in October 2007.

Just Trying to Fit in

California -- Fitting in one of the challenges autistic kids are facing, according to tampabays10.com.

Now, sensei Wayne Centra at a children's hospital in California is teaching kids social skills by using the art of karate. Many of the children in karate class have some form of autism, but an outside observer might not know it.

Centra, who's an occupational therapist, developed the program called "karate for all" at the California children's hospital. His goal is to help special needs children.

The karate activities have been adapted to help the children maintain attention span and focus, according to Centra.

Martial arts training can help autistic children build self confidence, coordination and social skills, several studies have shown.

Beating the Odds

New York -- You'd never know that Mark Cummings has just half a heart.

"I consider myself pretty healthy," Mark says. "I'm doing better than a lot of people without a heart problem."

23-year-old Cummings will achieve a longtime goal when he receives his second-degree black belt and the title of "sensei" at a ceremony in West Winfield at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Cummings had multiple birth defects - including dextrocardia, a condition in which the heart is on the right side of the body that doctors felt would kill him by the time he was 3-months-old, and complications from three operations that led to another in which two steel rods were inserted into his back.

Read this and other inspirational stories at your-martial-arts-resources.com.

Kicking at 80

How absolutely cool!

Story:
Larry Allen says that on a lot of days, he feels real comfortable sitting at home and doesn't feel like leaving. "But then, I know I have to get motivated," he says.

The Zanesville native recently celebrated his 80th birthday, and even after 34 years of karate, the 4th Degree Black Belt isn't close to slowing down. He still helps fellow sensei and Black Belts at the karate school whether it's with classes or with various community presentations. And yes, he still competes, and does well.

"A couple of months ago, we had a karate obstacle course for the kids, and he helped supervise," said Hardwick, a 6th degree black belt. "The last stage, you have to dive over a 2 or 3-foot barrier, roll, jump up and sidekick a pad.

"Well, it wasn't enough for him to just watch. He had to try it himself. Not only did he do it once, he did it three more times! We all about fell over."

Source

Asberger Syndrome

UK -- Teenage black belt Ethan Ward should be an inspiration to all parents with autistic children - according to his karate instructor.

The 15-year-old, who has Asperger Syndrome, successfully completed his black belt grading in Karate last week.

And his sensei John Robertson has been so impressed with the Ethan’s determination to succeed that he recently awarded the Bridgehall teenager the club's Outstanding Achievement Award.

Source

Karate spirit

You must really have a heart of stone if a story like this can't move you.

Story:
Fear and doubt never had a chance. Not from the minute Sam Flores laid eyes on 8-year-old Cole Massie wrapping both arms around a handrail at the Glendale YMCA and inching his way up the last 16 steps to make it to his karate class on time.

Those steps were supposed to be Flores' way out of this dilemma - the fear and doubt he was feeling.

The fifth-degree black belt sensei - a master karate teacher - feared no man. But he had come to fear this little boy with cerebral palsy who wanted so badly to learn karate.

For hours, Cole would sit in his wheelchair in his room watching pirate movies on TV and practicing karate moves to help the good guys win, says his mother, Michelle Massie.

For his 9th birthday, he wanted only one thing, he told her. Real karate lessons.

Source

He found his answer

As a young boy from England, Sensei Mark Cameron was bullied, not a little, but a lot.

By the time he reached the age of 12 he knew he needed something to help him overcome being harassed by the "not-so-nice" kids. He found his answer in karate. Karate gave him the strength and confidence he needed to rise above his obstacles.

Vowing to help other kids not fall prey to bullies, Sensei Mark came to America and opened his first Dojo, International Self Defense Institute 16 years ago in San Mateo. Three years later, he made his way to Manteca and opened a second studio and has been enjoying training students every since.

Source

Mentors through martial arts

Once a gang member himself, an information manager with Detachment 2 of the 17th Test Squadron now uses kicks and punches to keep teenagers out of trouble.

To his co-workers at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., he is Staff Sgt. Dave Armstrong. To his students at the Hillside Community Center in Colorado Springs, he is Sensei Dave.

Source

Like Hand in Glove

If you've ever wondered how boxing and martial arts might blend, then you're not alone. And in case you're wondering - yes, they fit together like hand in glove (pun intended).

Story:
Ana Julaton happily spends six days a week as a sensei teaching self-defense to men, women and children.

But at night, the 25-year-old puts on headgear, dons gloves and becomes an aggressive, determined, relentless attacker ... in the boxing ring.

"I wasn't a fan of boxing growing up," Julaton said before her Tuesday workout. "It didn't make sense to me that a bunch of athletes would go into the ring and try to knock the tar out of each other.

"But Angelo Reyes showed me how scientific it is ... it's more than you think," she added. "I saw parallels between martial arts and boxing. It's beautiful if done correctly."

Source

A Devotional Kick

Congregating before their sensei, the members start the weekly Seigi Bushido Ryu training with an opening prayer.

Throughout the two-hour session, besides sparring, punching and falling, the class will also have Bible study and closing prayers.

Source

Personally I never understood this thing about mixing faith (any faith) with martial arts. I kind of had this idea that the ethics (that should be) built into the arts were enough in the first place.

I would really like to hear your view on this topic.