AKS Quarterly Newsletter

"The Punchline Editorial"
June 2016

How much training is enough training to maintain your rank?

This is a question that I ask myself on a regular basis. I'm 63 years old.  I have been practicing the martial arts for 43 years, most of my time spent on our style of karate, and sport competition.  I have discovered my body now suffers from Osteoarthritis.  Which means that on any given day I can wake up with sore and swollen shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles.  Sometimes it's just one thing, or all of them.  Now I'm not looking for sympathy, but these things also factor into my training.  Obviously, I don't do all the kicks that I used to, and free sparring is definitely not as much fun as it once was.  Yet, I have come to the conclusion that I must continue to train in all aspects of martial arts.  From my stand point, it is still important for me not only from the health benefits that I receive, but the flexibility, strength training, and Cardio.  It's also for my self-confidence, and for my ability to live in a somewhat frightening world.  I have been telling my students for years that I can't be with them when something bad happens, so their training must be sufficient to help them survive.  I'm trying to follow my own advice.

So how much training is enough?  Well this is what I do.  Some recent studies have shown that exercise can be accumulative.  By that I mean five minutes here; ten minutes there adds up each day.  So while on a perfect day, I actually take an hour for myself to work out.  On days that I can't, I find time to sneak in five or ten minutes; hopefully adding up to at least 30 minutes on busy days.  These short periods of time, I fill with doing kata/forms.  Now I'm not going to argue the practice of kata one way or another.   I will say for me I like that it can be good aerobic exercise, and it is actual karate technique.  Something that you can do by yourself.  It also can be done in small spaces, depending on the kata.

So how do I put this all together? If you're attending a class twice a week that is a good start.  Although, whether you're teaching or learning, that is not enough training to maintain your rank.  That is if you truly wish to excel.  I would say do some karate every day.  Yes, some days will come and go without practicing.  That doesn't mean that you shouldn't have thought about squeezing in a little practice.

Some other practice goals.

When in or at class, or working with a group, always spend time working on the things that you can't do by yourself.  Now I know someone is saying, "What about kata?"  Well that should be part of class, but less than you would think.  New kata is taught in class and time should be taken to watch and make corrections, but the majority of kata practice should be done when you're by yourself.  That is actually why it was invented.

Partner drills for self-defense are taken from the katas, one steps, empty hand against a weapon, weapon against weapon, and free sparring.  To get additional use out of that sparring gear, wear it when doing your self-defense sets letting the attacker come full speed and defend full speed with light contact.

My schedule goes like this.

Once or twice a month, I visit karate clubs that have known open sparring.

Twice a week, I work with a training partner on self-defense, weapons and kata.

On days when I'm alone, I spend an hour, starting with timed bag-work, 3-minute rounds, 30-second rest, for 15 minutes.  The rest of the hour is spent on my kata's with or without weapons.

On alone days that are busy, I squeeze in a kata whenever I can; trying to get 30 minutes total.

In conclusion, I would say that I know everyone's life is different.  I did things differently when my kids were little.  I know everyone's health is different.  The question you have to ask yourself is, "Am I ready and trained enough to defend myself and family if called upon?"   The belt we wear is double edged.  It is proof of accomplishment, yet it means absolutely nothing to a person whose mindset is to do you harm.  So I will end with how I began.  How much training is enough?

Is Your Cup Empty?

If you happened to have read my article, "How About a Nice Cup of Tea?" which was in the June 2013 Punchline, you probably think you know what the article is about.  Wrong!  I am referring to the protective cup (or groin cup, as stated in the student handbook) that males are required to wear, as well as other safety equipment when sparring in the AKS.  Oh, the puns going through my mind while writing this.  Should I have titled this article: "Is Your Cup Half Empty or Half Full?", or maybe "My Cup Runneth Over?"  I am sure you're thinking up one of your own now.  

I can't count how many times I asked my sparring partner if they were wearing a cup and a mouthpiece, and the answer was no.  I would usually say, "Too bad for you."  However, I would naturally proceed with extra care.  Of course, accidents happen and that's why we are supposed to be wearing protective cups.  In fact, I can't imagine working out without wearing one, period.  On more than one occasion, it has prevented me from becoming a soprano in the church choir!  I encourage all the males in my class to wear one while they are working out.  I remember that when I first started martial arts, protective cups were uncomfortable and could be very irritating.  Cup design has come a long way so that is really no longer the case.  You may have to try several, but now it is much easier to find one that you can live with if you look long and hard enough.  I need to pause for a moment to resist putting in some more puns that come to mind . . . . okay, I'm back on track.  The point is that in the AKS, males are required to wear a cup when sparring, and we should all endeavor to encourage our students to wear one, not only when sparring, but while in class.  I fondly remember the response Chuck Krum would always give when asked if he was wearing a cup.  He would make a fist, reach down and tap his cup a couple of times, and say with a smile, "Never leave home without it."  In my mind (or should I say cup), it only makes good sense.

It should be obvious why a mouthpiece is required when sparring, but I believe that many have the wrong idea when it comes to hand gear and foot gear.  It is meant as a safety precaution for both the attacker and defender when sparring.  How many times have you been sparring when you and your opponent both try to execute a technique at the same time and meet in the middle?  Ouch!  Of course, it was unintentional and yes, it may hurt, but think about what the result might have been if one of you, or neither of you were wearing any hand and foot protection.   Their purpose is to provide a margin of safety for the occasional clash or light contact.  Wearing them does not give you the right to go after your opponent with no control or excessive force.  I prefer gloves that cover my fingers, even though I will on occasion wear fingerless gloves.  More than once, I have jammed a finger with a kick that I did not see or had misjudged.  In fact, years ago, I remember driving home from class with a broken finger on one hand a jammed finger on the other.  Chest protectors are normally optional, but are now required in the Elite Division of the USA-NKF Nationals.

I have saved the use of headgear for last.  There are many opposing opinions on this subject.  Let's look at the pros first.  Wearing them adds a measure of safety in the event of a fall or take-down.  It helps protect against the overly aggressive opponent as well as students that have less experience with control.  On the con side, we have the arguments that it impedes vision, gives a false sense of invulnerability leading to carelessness, is cumbersome, and may incorrectly give your opponent the idea that it is okay to make harder contact.  I believe both sides have valid points.  I had an informative discussion with Master Jarrett at a tournament in April.  He is one of the finest and most knowledgeable martial artists I know.  His students do not wear headgear.  He says the research shows that more accidents occur when wearing headgear.  Our Dojo has very hard floors, concrete with a thin layer of linoleum on top.  Headgear adds an additional level of safety in case of a fall while sparring.  One of my black belts wears contacts and stated that they feel much safer wearing headgear with a face shield.  I also wear headgear with a face shield.  Why?  Mostly due to the fact that I spar a lot with the young kids who have less control than the more experienced students.  And of course, with a pretty face like mine, who wouldn't want to protect it?  No need to answer the last question, thank you.  I find it very difficult to spar someone not wearing headgear when I am wearing it.  For some odd reason, they get the idea that since I am wearing headgear that it is okay to make more aggressive contact and that my face shield makes a great target.  Whereas, I am being more careful with my distancing and control, my opponent will relax their control.  After experiencing this numerous times, I finally decided that either we both wear headgear, or neither of us does to make the match fair.  Regardless of how you feel and the various pros and cons, at this time, it is required by the AKS.

So, for safety's sake, I hope your cup is full, or at least half full.   So the next time you work out, remember to keep your safety cup full and your learning cup empty.

(The views of the author are his own.  Any resemblance to an intelligent person, living or dead is completely coincidental.) 

Journey to the Nationals

Doing Karate over the years has been a great experience for me.  To me, karate is more than just a hobby it is a way of life.  Karate has taught me how to respect others, given me confidence in myself, and has driven me closer to God and my family.  The experience it has given me is awesome, with both many successes and some let downs.   There have been times I didn't do so well in my tournaments.  One time in particular when it came time to do a difficult jump in my kata, I fell.  Honestly, I was heartbroken.  However, I got back up and finished my kata strong.  I didn't quit or let it keep me down.  I knew I had to work harder and train that much more.  I worked so hard and trained every day, and was able to beat my competitor the next tournament.

Over the past year, I have gone through many tournaments and did my best.  I've placed in all of them, and sometimes even 1st place.  I have to admit getting up in front of hundreds of people is intimidating at times.  I don't let that fear overcome me, though.  It takes a lot of prayer and focus to concentrate on your kata and nothing else.  My Senseis have really inspired me throughout my tournaments and in class.  They are always encouraging to me and are very supportive.  Without them, this dream would not be possible.   Sensei Sandy always encourages me, Sensei Way always has good advice, and to Sensei Gore you have spent so much time working with me and without you, this wouldn't be possible.  I am especially thankful for my mom and dad and all their time, prayers, and advice.  Thanks for letting me practice so much and taking me to all my classes and seminars.   I appreciate that!

Through this journey I've gotten to meet some pretty amazing people.  Last year I got to meet Bill "Super Foot" Wallace.  I even got a picture and autograph with him as well as an invitation to train.  I also have trained with many National and International medalists/coaches from several countries.  Their teaching has helped me practice every day in some form or another.  Each day I do my stretches, I do cardio on the treadmill, and no matter how tired or busy I am, each day I go through my katas.  On top of that, I participate in class on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.  So you see, karate is more than a hobby.  Let's just say I LOVE IT.

I have been training hard for the Nationals that is coming up, but no matter what, I will keep pushing ahead.  My mom tells me it doesn't matter if I place or don't place, in her eyes I will always be first.  I pray that I will represent God, my family, and the AKS well this summer.

God Bless,
Ethan II

Note: Ethan and his sister, Savannah, have qualified and will be competing in the USA-NKF Nationals (July 14-17, 2016) in Pittsburgh, PA.  The USA National Karate Championships and US Team Trials are the single most important Karate event within the United States each year.  Hosted by USA Karate (USA National Karate-do Federation), this event selects the Junior and Senior US Karate Team that goes on to compete in events across the world.   Athletes from across the United States attend this event each year.

PS: Congratulations, Ethan and Savannah!  On behalf of the entire AKS family, and as editor and webmaster of the AKS website, we wish you both much success in your training and competitions!  GO A.K.S.

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Please send news (weddings, births, graduations, etc.) so that we may share with our members and friends.  Accompanying pictures are most welcome!

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PROMOTIONS!!

Congratulations to all students who have been promoted this past quarter, and to those we've missed in prior newsletters.

A special CONGRATULATIONS to our two black-belts, Jim and Deb Roy on your promotion to 5th Dan.   Thank you, especially, for all your efforts and dedication to the A.K.S.

Best wishes in your continued training!

No Fear?

"Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is."  German Proverb

Some years ago, Mr. Lieb was working with several instructors that were considering joining the AKS.  They were nice enough and reasonably talented martial artists, but as a commercial school, they declined joining us.  They wore ornate uniforms with a lot of decorations and wording.  The one thing I remember was the phrase "No Fear" embroidered low on the back of their gi tops.  Nice sentiment but not realistic.

Fear is part of human nature.  We fear things real and imagined.  We fear the unknown, we fear things we don't understand, we fear new things, and we fear what we cannot control.  Nature itself is a source of anxiety and fear; storms, reptiles, high places and/or wild animals.  We also have social fears; the fear of failure, embarrassment and public speaking.

I have previously shared my own deep dislike for spiders and how one showed up for my Black Belt testing.  And yes, I got to perform 25 push-ups when I had to smack it twice in full view of the testing board.

Mr. Lieb explained, "My Black Belts don't miss."  A very important lesson learned.  I should have let the spider pass by.

I have also written that I started training when I decided I was tired of living in fear.  Karate was the best answer to change the way I lived my life.

"All forms of fear produce fatigue."   Bertrand Russell

We teach our students that a part of the martial arts discipline is controlling one's fears.  If confronted in a potential self-defense situation, they will have fear, but through training and practice, they can control their fear not let fear control them.  Thus they can handle the situation.

"Fear is only as deep as the mind allows."  Japanese Proverb

Several students have shared their personal experiences of how karate has helped them deal with difficult, even life-threatening situations.  One Black Belt related that his training made him much more comfortable talking with his employees regarding work related issues.  He no longer had nagging apprehension that the talk would degrade into something less than civil.

When Mr. Lieb asked Ed Baessler (AKS 4th Dan) if he was afraid when confronted by three bad guys during a recent vacation trip, Ed replied, "I didn't have time, Mr. Lieb.  But when it was over, I was scared I was going to jail."  He had been threatened by three armed assailants when he was in Colorado.  He dispatched them quickly with a walking staff (Bo) that he had just purchased 10 minutes earlier.

"Thinking will not overcome fear.  But action will."   W. Clement Stone

Every karate person has their own story to tell.  A story of how they managed a difficult situation due to their martial arts training.  They have learned how to defuse a contentious encounter and failing verbal resolution.  They had the physical skills to keep themselves from harm.

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.  The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." Nelson Mandela

I am thankful every day that I made the decision to begin training.  I was even luckier to train under one of the finest instructors in the country.  He was the perfect instructor to teach me what I needed to change my whole life.  Fear of bullies, fear of failure, and fear of social encounters faded; it was replaced with self-discipline, self-confidence, and self-esteem.

As an engineer, I undertook projects that others had failed and made them successful.  I started several businesses and made them successful after being told I had no chance to succeed.  What they didn't know is that I had already accomplished the one thing I truly believed I could never do, be an AKS Black Belt.  After that everything got easier.

"Never be afraid to try something new.  Remember amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic."  Unknown