AKS Quarterly Newsletter

"The Punchline Editorial"
September 2016

It's Been 10 Years . . .

In the years to follow, the A.K.S. has been determined to carry on Ernie's dream for the very existence and growth of the A.K.S.  There have been many obstacles that our current leaders have faced, and conquered.  And many times they've doubted the directions taken.  But in the end, we can see that Ernie's American Karate System has endured and grown; not only in numbers, but as a family.

We can only hope that if Ernie walked into any A.K.S. class today, he would grin that big grin and be proud of who the A.K.S. has become.  Thank you to ALL of our leaders, black belt instructors, and students for all of the hard work and effort put forth to accomplish this.  And for remembering and carrying on Ernie's dream!

Here then is an article, written by Ernie, that sums up what we, the AKS, are striving for.

This editorial was written by Laura J. Werner, 2nd Dan AKS and AKS Webmaster

Ethan and Savannah Galicic
Medal at 2016 USA-NKF National Championships

Ethan David Galicic II and his sister Savannah Lee Galicic qualified and competed in the 2016 USA-NKF National Championship which was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 14-17, 2016.  There were over 1,400 competitors from across the US to compete over the four days of the tournament.  Ethan and Savannah are members of the Mountaineer Karate Club in Lumberport, West Virginia and also study Iaido and Aikido under Sensei Bill King in Weston, West Virginia.

After qualifying for Nationals at the USA National Qualifier held in Charleston, West Virginia, Ethan and Savannah put in many extra hours of practice and preparation for the competition.  This included traveling to Pittsburgh, PA and Charleston, WV on several occasions to attend training seminars and practice sessions.  Ethan was lucky enough to be selected for individual training with Sensei Mina Yamazaki, the current Chief Instructor of the Japan Karate-Do Ryobu-Kai, Hombu Dojo in Anaheim, California.

Ethan chose to compete in the Advanced Elite Division.  Their hard work paid off.  Ethan earned a Gold Medal in Advanced Iaido, a Bronze Medal in the Advanced Traditional Weapons Division, and a Bronze Medal in the Advanced Kumite - 45kg Division.  Savannah earned a Gold Medal in Iaido and in Weapons.  Ethan competed with Chatanyara Kushanku in the Elite Advanced Kata Divison and in Advanced Weapons with Hamahiga No Tonfa. Savannah competed with Heian Yondan in Kata and Sushi No Kon in Weapons.

We are so very proud of Ethan and Savannah for all their hard work and dedication, and for representing the AKS with pride and honor.

Congratulations on jobs well done!

Verbal Judo

One of the elements we teach our karate students is how to mollify a contentious situation before it becomes physical.  There are any number of methods to talk one's way out of a fight.  But we train for the times when talk doesn't work and the cretin has his heart set on showing the strength of his bad attitude.

For reasons I don't question, Father Jim Wyse 4th Dan AKS, gave me "Verbal Judo, The Gentle Art of Persuasion," by George Thompson PhD and Jerry B. Jenkins.  Mr. Thompson founded the Verbal Judo Institute based on his experiences as a Professor of English and later a field police officer.  He held Black Belts in Judo as well as Tae Kwan Do.  He used his martial arts training to develop a system for effective communications; at first to assist his fellow officers.

The book teaches how to approach and manage any situation; redirecting conflict to voluntary compliance.  Mr. Thompson began teaching his methods to other law enforcement professionals and expanded to business people, education professionals, government employees, social service people and parents.  He teaches how to use empathy to manage a contentious encounter.  He has five basic principles for verbal judo:

1. All people want to be treated with dignity and respect
2. All people want to be asked rather than told to do something
3. All people want to be informed why they need to do something
4. All people want to be given options rather than orders
5. All people want a second chance when they make a mistake

The concepts seem basic enough, but unless we consider how we sound to others, our message gets sidetracked with perceived attitude.  This is where Mr. Thompson teaches how to empathize with the person you are trying to communicate with and persuade to your way of thinking.

He makes a number of martial arts references both historic and contemporary as he compares Verbal Judo to Verbal Karate.  Judo being persuasive and karate forceful.

One of Mr. Thompson' points I found monumental.  He said being in martial arts, you probably don't remember all the times you got punched or kicked, but you never forget when someone was rude or sarcastic to you.

His point was that words can hurt us more, and last longer, than a strong reverse punch.  We can all recall hurtful comments or barbs we have endured, none of which persuaded us to embracing an opposing idea.

You may want to consider adding "Verbal Judo" to your list of required reading.  It has some valuable insight into teaching us how to get others to see our point of view.  If nothing else, it would be great legal support if you ever have to appear before a judge for having resorted to nonverbal karate.

Do You Have Member News ?

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

We look forward to hearing from you !

PROMOTIONS!!

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

Best wishes in your continued training!

Heinrich Reimer and Christopher Gloede
Visit the Mountain State

After the AKS Summer Camp in Muskegon, Michigan this past July, West Virginia had the honor to host Heinrich Reimer, 8th Dan and Christopher Gloede, 1st Dan.  I am pretty sure that Heinrich did not care for the 10-hour trip by truck from Muskegon, Michigan to Lumberport, West Virginia, but at least he and Chris had the great company of my buddy Bill Way and myself. 

Of course, that may have made the trip seem longer.  Heinrich said he was not expecting West Virginia to be so green.   After the long drive on Monday, the rest of the week was spent on short trips around the area, great discussions and fellowship, convincing Heinrich that there is also good food outside of Germany, training and a lot of time fixing my reverse punch.

Of course the highlight was when Heinrich and Chris visited our Mountaineer Karate Club in Lumberport, West Virginia.   All the students were excited to see him.   They had heard his name many times and already knew so much about him.  They were not disappointed.  After working with the class on basics, Heinrich proceeded to amaze the adults by instructing the kids with the karate game that he invented for children.  In just a few minutes, the kids knew what he expected and were having a blast.

We were pleased to have Sensei Eric Swick, head instructor at DragonsDenMMA in Grafton, West Virginia and Michael Gavitt, one his black belts visit us also.  He would like for Heinrich to come to his school on his next visit to the U.S.

Here are a few more pictures from Heinrich and Chris's visit:

Now the question on everybody's mind is, "Hey Heinrich and Chris, when are you coming back?"

Soon we hope!