Last Day, Last Post 2013

This past year I have been very, very negligent about blogging. I dare not call it a resolution but I will make the claim that I intend to put up more blogs here at this site in 2014.

One of the key reasons for my plans to blog more has to do with the success I have had in modifying my training procedures for my students. Since I train students out of my love for karate and not as a profession I have been able to have smaller classes and have had the time to try some new techniques in training. So far what I have discovered is that the learning curve with this new approach to training has significantly helped my students to progress faster in the skills in the art and has made them more “combat ready”.

I am not a fan of “sport karate” (in fact I believe this goes against the whole concept of what karate is all about). I believe karate is a way of life and a way of defense (or a way of death). I believe that karate is never progressed if all one is trying to do is to get a “point” in kumite or win a trophy doing a kata one may or may not understand. I want my students to be able to stop aggression when they encounter it, and to stop it with authority.

With this in mind, I place a great deal of emphasis on the application of the movements (the bunkai) and the adaptation of what many call the “secret” aspects of the application. I am having great success with this in more motivated students (I hold my students accountable for their own practice. If they are not serious about progressing I quickly lose interest in instructing and make that quite clear). I hope this next year to document some of the breakthroughs I find my students making in this approach.

Osu

Off to a Good Start In Winters Texas

I have begun teaching Tora Kai Shito Ryu in Winters Texas. Currently we have two classes meeting at 141 Church Street at the First United Methodist Church of Winters. The first class meets from 9 AM to 11 AM and is an advanced class and is open by invitation only. The second class is for beginning students and meets from 11 AM – Noon. Ous……

I am honored

I received this notification from Century Martial Arts yesterday.

TORA KAI SHITO RYU HONORED WITH THE MARK OF EXCELLENCE AWARD FROM CENTURY MARTIAL ARTS

Winters, Texas (08.01.2013) – Tora Kai Shito Ryu has always sought to deliver quality martial art instruction, while making a difference in their community. That’s why receiving the Mark of Excellence Award from one of the most respected organizations in the industry for over 35 years, Century Martial Arts, is an honor martial art schools across the world hope for each year.

Tora Kai Shito Ryu was proud to be one of the selected establishments chosen to receive this prestigious designation in recognition of the immense positive impact they have on their community. It is the highest honor bestowed by Century Martial Arts to a select group of businesses each year. The Mark of Excellence Award was earned by the extraordinary level of dedication Tora Kai Shito Ryu exhibited to help students in this community achieve great personal growth, in life and in martial arts. “At Century our core belief is that martial arts has the ability to profoundly change lives,” said Century Martial Arts founder and CEO, L. Michael Dillard, “and that is exactly what Tora Kai Shito Ryu is doing— changing lives for betterment of their community.”