Tag: martial arts
Shoka Magazine March 2023 – Commitment
Commitment
By Deng Ming-Dao
Maiden plucks folk tune on steel strings,
Crickets chant like monks.
I’ve walked into autumnal contentment,
Yet a young boy seeks guidance.
One may be quite far along the path, but if one meets a beginner who sincerely seeks guidance, then one should help without reservation. If such a beginner were to come to you, what would you say? This is what I said to someone today:
“The time of beginning is one of the most precious times of all. It can be very exciting and full of wonderful growth. The first thing to do is to make up your mind that you are going to go the distance.
“When I first began, I made a lifelong commitment. I determined that I would learn from my teacher for at least seven years. Now, it has been much longer than that, but the essential element is the same: commitment.
“But commitment needs something else in order to be perpetuated. It needs discipline. This is the perseverance to keep on when things are tough. Adversity is life’s way of testing and perfecting a person. Without that, we would never develop character.
“Rice suffers when it is milled. Jade must suffer when it is polished. But what emerges is something special. If you want to be special too, then you have to be able to stick to things even when they are difficult.”
Commitment and discipline – these are two of the most precious words for those who seek the way.
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
The moment that one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner, of unforeseen incidents and meetings, and material assistance, which no man would have dreamed would come his way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it.”
– GOETHE
W.H. Murray,
The Scottish Himalayan Expedition
Ask your instructor about our BLACK BELT programs and take your training to a NEW LEVEL!
Shoka Magazine March 2023 – Student Art
Shoka Magazine March 2023 – Everybody Must Get Stoned
Marty Callahan
8th Degree Black Belt
“Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re trying to be so good. They’ll stone ya just like they said they would. They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to go home. Then they’ll stone ya when you’re there all alone. But I would not feel so all alone. Everybody must get stoned.”
-Bob Dylan, American Singer-Song Writer
Bob Dylan is one of America’s greatest singer-song writer. The truth in what he is saying in his song ‘Everybody Must Get Stoned’ is universal. It means that as we strive to make something of ourselves, we will all, at some point, face people who will try to hurt us.
The only time this may not happen is if we hide our life away and live in seclusion. So, if this hasn’t happened to you yet, get ready, because it will.
So, what do we do? How do we prepare ourselves? How do we go on after we get stoned? I’m not a politician and I’m generally not very trustful of them but I do admire their ability to let criticism roll off their backs.
So, we could freeze up, let fear take over, and run and hide. But if our oppressor is intent on hurting us, this will only embolden them and they will just throw more rocks. Or, we could fight back, and maybe we should but it probably shouldn’t be your first response as it can stimulate your enemy to respond with more vengeance.
But perhaps the best response is to show that it doesn’t bother you, let it roll off you, think “This too will pass” and “Oh well, have a nice day.”
Shoka Magazine March 2023 – A Black Belt is a White Belt Who didn’t quit
Shoka Magazine March 2023 – Tough Parenting
Sometimes tough parenting requires that you tell your kids that they need to clean their rooms before they can have a donut, while you sit eating donuts yelling, ‘Hurray, they’re
Shoka Magazine March 2023 – Shoka News
A BIG Welcome to our newest students!
❖ Addie Santiago, Julian Santa Maria, Lily Digardi, Joshua Reeves, Samsaara Santiago, Skylar Morales, Khyle Phy-Birdsong, George Jasmin, Bella Espino, Olivia Shane, Kent Wilson, Logan Purtill, Jovanni Garcia
Upcoming Events and Activities
- March-April Instructional Period starts the week of February 27th
- Next Great Journey Lesson topic will be Endeavor. The first chapter is titled Never Give Up. We will be reading from Tiger’s Great Journey pages 82 to 92.
- Saturday, April 1st next Santa Rosa Invitational Karate Tournament: 10:30a-12:30p
- April 10-17th Japan Trip
- Friday and Saturday, April 28-29 Sensei Kevin Warner back to teach classes
- Saturday, May 6th – Spring 2023 Award Ceremony and Potluck Dinner
The Next Santa Rosa Invitational Karate Tournament – Saturday, April 1, 2023 If you’d like to compete, please let us know. After we get a complete list of those who want to compete, we will decide on divisions and do a final selection of the competitors. We will start training for the tournament February 27th at the start of the next Instructional Period.
Japan Trip – April 10 to 17, 2023
I will be joining some of our friends from Shotokan International Alliance and traveling to Japan to do some sightseeing and karate training. If you’re interested in going, let me know and we’ll see if we can make it work for you.
April 28-29 – The Return of Sensei Kevin Warner, 7th Degree Black Belt from Riverside He will be here to teach classes on Friday evening, April 28 and Saturday morning, April 29. Details will be available later.
Spring 2023 Award Ceremony and Potluck Dinner: Saturday, May 6th Shoka Magazine: We’re mailing it to your house. We hope you’re getting it. If not let us know.
Mystery Crusher and Stacker: Who Done It? – Detective Wanted
Not only are the cups in the bathroom being crushed by small hands but they are being stacked as high as an elephant’s eye or as high as the little hands can reach. The mystery continues… who done it? Help us solve this mystery!
Our Covid Policy
Wear a mask if you are unvaccinated. Decide for yourself if you are vaccinated. We will never ask you to do anything that will put you or your family at risk. You always have the opportunity to opt-out of any activity or event that you deem is unsafe.
Shoka Magazine March 2023 – Cover Letter
Marty Callahan
8th Degree Black Belt
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
– John F. Kennedy 35th President of the United States
Parents, families, students and friends,
Was John F. Kennedy strong or weak? I believe he was an extraordinary human being. He suffered from ailments and injuries that would have kept a lesser man down, but he didn’t let them stop him. How could he say to the leaders of the world that we will “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe in order to assure the survival and success of liberty”? Where did he get his strength? It’s the old nature vs. nurture question. Was he born with it or did he
get it from the environment his parents created for him. I believe the answer to the nature vs. nurture question is that it is both. He had good genes but the expectations that his parents had for him and his siblings played a major role in him becoming who he was. This is what we aspire to do for your child. Give them an environment that will allow them to flourish, to find their passion, to become all they can be. What John F. Kennedy’s parents did for him. It’s a wonderful example of parenting at it’s highest. Let us help you give your child what they need to become all they could possibly be.
Here’s what’s in it this month’s Shoka Magazine:
- Shoka News (our newsletter)
- Everybody Must Get Stoned
- Tough Parenting
- A Black Belt is a White Belt who didn’t quit
- Niju Kun #10
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Core Assumptions (Part 4 of 4)
- Michael E. Gerber Show
- Commitment, By Deng Ming-Dao
- Commitment, By Goethe and W.H. Murray
- Thankfulness
- Olivia Shane – one of our newest students
Yours truly,
Marty Callahan, 8th Degree Black Belt
Founder, Chief Instructor, Author
Does Karate Really Build Muscles?
By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA
Many people are drawn to karate because of the physical benefits they offer. While karate is undoubtedly a great way to get in shape, does it really build muscle? We’ve all heard stories of karate experts who can break boards with their bare hands and lift objects that seem too heavy for a human being. But is karate really as physically powerful as it seems? The answer is a resounding yes! Let’s explore the physical benefits of karate, including how it builds muscle and what kind of muscles you can develop through karate training.
Karate can be an excellent way to build muscle and strength. Here’s why. The short answer is that yes, karate does build muscle. How much depends on the type of karate you practice—some are more aerobic than others—but in general, you can expect to gain some serious muscle mass when engaging in regular karate training. Karate focuses on different areas of your body, so let’s take a look at what kind of muscles you can develop through training.
Karate emphasizes striking and kicking moves that involve full-body movement and core strength. This not only targets different areas of your body but also helps to build overall strength due to the fact that they rely so heavily on core power.
Total-Body Workouts
Total-Body WorkoutsOne of the main benefits of karate is that it offers total-body workouts. When you engage in karate, you use all parts of your body including your arms, legs, core muscles, back muscles, and more. This means that each time you practice karate, you will be targeting multiple muscle groups at once and therefore building strength in all areas. Not only does this help to increase overall muscle mass, but it also helps with coordination and balance as well as improving reaction time and agility.
High-Intensity Interval Training
Karate uses high-intensity interval training (HIIT) which involves short bursts of intense activity followed by periods of rest or low-intensity activity. HIIT can be incredibly effective for building muscle because it forces your body to work hard for a short period of time and then recover quickly before repeating the process again. This type of training allows your body to push itself further than it would during a standard workout while still allowing enough recovery time between sets so that your muscles can rebuild and grow stronger.
Dynamic Movements
Dynamic MovementsKarate also requires dynamic movements which involves using multiple muscle groups simultaneously while moving your body through space. Dynamic movements enable users to move their bodies with speed and agility while still exerting force through their limbs—both essential components for building strength and power. Additionally, these movements require stability from the core muscles which helps build robust abdominal strength. Altogether, these dynamic movements can help build lean muscle mass over time when done consistently.
Karate is an excellent way to build muscle because it combines total-body workouts with high-intensity interval training and dynamic movements that target multiple muscles at once. Whether you’re looking for increased physical strength or just want to add something different to your regular fitness routine, karate can be a great choice! So if you’re looking for a fun way to get fit, consider trying out some karate classes today!
Please visit askaboutkarate.com for information about our school in Santa Rosa, CA!
The Benefits of Training in Karate for a Year
By Shotokan Karate Leadership School in Santa Rosa, CA
Have you ever considered taking up karate? If so, you’re in luck! There are myriad benefits to training in karate for at least one year. From physical fitness and self-defense skills to improved mental health and emotional resilience, there are many compelling reasons why you should give karate a try. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most significant benefits.
Improved Physical Fitness
One of the most obvious benefits of training in karate is improved physical fitness. You can expect to get an intense workout that targets all major muscle groups. You’ll also build strength, stability, flexibility, balance, and coordination—all while having fun and learning valuable self-defense skills.
Self-Defense Skills
Learning how to defend yourself is an invaluable skill that will come in handy both on the mats and off the mats. By honing your reflexes and technique through regular practice, you will be better equipped to protect yourself if the need ever arises. While learning the techniques used in karate can be intimidating at first, with practice comes confidence. And with confidence comes the knowledge that if ever needed, you have the ability and skill to defend yourself against potential attackers or dangerous situations. Karate teaches discipline and respect as well as self-defense techniques such as blocking and evasion tactics.
You may even find yourself feeling more confident when walking alone at night or entering unfamiliar environments because you know that you have the tools necessary to take care of yourself if needed.
Mental Health Benefits
Karate is about far more than just physical prowess; it is also about mental fortitude and discipline. Training regularly requires dedication and focus, which can translate into increased mental clarity during everyday life activities such as work or school tasks. Additionally, regular exercise of any kind has been linked to reduced stress levels and increased feelings of calmness—making karate training an excellent way to cope with anxiety or depression symptoms without relying on medication.
Increased Self-Confidence
Training in karate can give you more confidence in yourself and your abilities. As you become more proficient at the techniques, you will gain greater mastery over your body and mind—and this often carries over into other areas of your life as well.
Enhanced Mental Focus
Karate is also known to improve mental focus because it requires intense concentration on the task at hand. By practicing various techniques and forms with accuracy over an extended period of time, you will develop better focus and concentration skills that will serve you well no matter what endeavor you pursue in life.
In conclusion, there are many compelling reasons why everyone should consider giving karate a try for at least one year! From improved physical fitness and self-defense skills to increased mental clarity and emotional resilience, there are countless benefits associated with training in karate that extend far beyond what meets the eye. So go ahead—give it a shot! You won’t regret it.
Please visit askaboutkarate.com for information about our school in Santa Rosa, CA!