ABI Dojo Focus - American Budokai International

In This Issue
ABI Dojo Focus pg 1
Focus Article Acupuncture pg 2
Seminars – Getting your Money’s worth pg 3
Political Correctness pg 4
Martial Science - Balance pg 5
Tai Chi Stress Relief pg 6
O’Sensei’s Corner pg 7
Thoughts on Learning pg 8 & 9
Organizational info pg 10
ABI Dojo Focus:
The Martial Arts Center, Atlanta Ga
The Martial Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia was established in 2000 by Chief Instructor
and owner, Shihan Michael Hernandez (6th Dan – Shuri Ryu Karate, 5th Dan –
Shintoyoshinkai Combat Jiu-jitsu). At TMACenter, the arts of Okinawan Shuri-ryu and
Shintoyoshinkai Jiu-jitsu are the focus of instruction, teaching both children and adults of
all ages. At the Center, we endeavor to teach the understanding of the “Art” in Martial
Arts and not the "Sport" aspect. The instructional staff also focuses on the "Why", which
is imperative to guide a student to a place of willfully learning and complete
understanding of the martial system. Shihan Hernandez is a proud life Member, GA State
Representative and Chief Instructor for the American Budokai International.
The Martial Arts
Center
2947 C North Druid Hills Rd
Atlanta, GA 30329
www.TMACenter.com
(404) 315-1040
AM
FEATURE ARTICLE: The Truth about
T
“The Ancient art of healing”
Acupuncture is a natural therapy that
dates back thousands of years.
Specifically, acupuncture involves the
insertion of very fine needles into the
skin at specific points.
According to traditional Chinese
medical theory, all the body parts and
internal organs are connected by the
special pathways which is called
channels or meridians. Qi (energy force,
pronounced chee) and blood flows
through these channels. There are 14
major meridians in the human body, 12
of which are dominated by the major
organs. Each of these links energy points
across the whole body, which are all
related. The body stays healthy when its
qi and blood are abundant and flowing
smoothly. If energy is weak or blocked,
pain and disease may arise.
Acupuncture, by stimulating the specific
points along the channel, is able to keep
these channels unobstructed, allow qi to
flow harmoniously and thus correct
those imbalances. It may be helpful to
think of this in terms of the electricity
supply to a room. The meridians are the
wiring, the acupuncture points are the
light switches, dimmers and fuses, and
the Organs are the electrical appliances.
This process affects both the structure
and function of internal organs. These
acupoints were mapped by practitioners
in China over 5000 years ago, and in the
past few decades research has
confirmed the existence and location of
these points.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
has been practiced for around 5,000
years while Modern Western Medicine
(MWM) is considerably younger. Since
MWM is very powerful in understanding
the physical and chemical structure of
the body, it has become the
predominant medical system in the
world. However, no system is perfect
and able to solve every problem. The
two medical systems are very different
and they are not a substitute for each
other. Western medicine is purely a
science. It is based on standards and
evidence made from laboratory
examinations. Its methodology is
fundamentally analytical and deductive.
Traditional Chinese medicine is one of
the most sophisticated medical systems
in the world. It has been enhanced
through thousands of years of
experience and research. It is based on
the understanding between the
universe and human beings. In TCM
theory, there is the most important
philosophical concept: holism. All of the
internal organs and body parts cannot
be separated; if one part has a problem,
other parts are influenced. The mind
and body are not separate but one;
emotion plays an important role in
illness. The human body and the
universe are not separate; Human
beings are affected by the change of
nature and environment. So when
Chinese medicine practitioners treat
patients, they will be concerned not
only the symptoms but also the body
constitution and any environmental
changes that might cause the
symptoms.
What can Acupuncture
Treat?
Most research has focused on
the use of acupuncture to treat
pain, (especially from muscles
and bones) and nausea resulting
from chemotherapy, anesthesia
and pregnancy. Clinically, its
applications are innumerable.
In 1997, the National Institute of
Health issued a consensus
statement after reviewing the
research on acupuncture. Based
on the research, the report said
acupuncture is an acceptable
treatment in the areas of:
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Osteoarthritis
Stroke rehabilitation
Fibromyalgia
Myofascial pain
Lower back pain
Asthma
Carpal tunnel
syndrome
Tennis elbow
Menstrual cramps
Headache
Whenever I attended a seminar, private lesson, or clinic of any kind, I
always showed up with a pen and a pad of paper at the very least. In later
years, as technology advanced, either I or someone in my group would show
up with a video camera. And it never failed. People would always come up
to me at some point and ask me for either a copy of my notes, a copy of the
video, or both. Sometimes several people would request copies, apparently
assuming I had nothing better to do in my free time. Similarly, when I was in
medical school, there was a guy in several of my classes who would sit
through lecture after lecture and never take notes, but knew that I cataloged
information (as is my nature) and would always expect me to provide him
copies of the invaluable information we received from our professors. I have
always been astounded by this lack of academic maturity. If you pay to
attend a seminar, you should try to get your money’s worth, and that means,
leaving with as much information as you possibly can. Every time I teach, I
find myself looking around so see who is writing things down, or who is
recording what. Incidentally, if you wish to record anything, anywhere in
your lifetime that involves another person, always ask permission first.
Doing so otherwise is not only completely unethical, but is a serious breach
of protocol and even considered stealing by some.
Every time someone has asked me if they might record me teaching
anything over the years, I have almost always given permission with one
stipulation – that I be sent a copy afterwards. I can count the times I have
actually received anything on one hand.
O’Sensei Robert Bowles, the style-head of Shuriryu Karatedo cracked me up
at one of his seminars in Ft. Wayne years ago when he was approached a
guy waltzing in with a professional grade video camera and tripod over his
shoulder who inquired as to the price of the seminar. O’Sensei replied that
the cost of seminar for the gentleman in question was three hundred dollars,
but the cost of the seminar for his camera was one thousand dollars. You
should have seen the look on the guy’s face.
Several years ago I took a newly
promoted junior black belt with us to a
seminar during which I was teaching a
session on martial science. I would give
the first few words of a principle and my
15 year-old junior black belt, who was
standing next to me would, as he was
asked to do, finish the sentence without
the slightest bit of hesitation. For
example, I would say “Force equals…”
and he would finish with “Mass times
acceleration!” He continued to do this
29 more times as he had long since
committed these particular principles of
power to memory.
Following that
session, as we were breaking for lunch,
an upper ranking black belt who runs a
school in the area approached me and
offered praise regarding the young
student’s knowledge and rapid-fire
responses. He then asked me “How did
that young man come to know so
much?” I thought the question was a bit
odd actually but I responded with the
obvious. I said “He wrote it down.” He
looked a little perplexed but then
responded with “I want a copy of that
information, will you e-mail it to me?” By
the way, on that day that individual
never wrote down one thing that was
said or done.
Taking a class with the idea of learning
in mind and not writing anything down,
is like going for a walk through a tropical
rainforest and not taking along a
camera.
Political Correctness
In these days of high technology and social
media, it’s commonplace for people to voice
Become a member of PAMAI
their opinions in a nano-second for all the
world to see and consequently, to comment
on.
Professional Association of Martial Arts
Instructors
As martial art students, instructors,
school owners, chief instructors, style heads
or organizational heads, we need to be
careful about expressing our personal and/or
Striving to better the Martial Arts community for over 35 years
political views because now more than ever
Founded in 1980, The first PAMAI conference offered instruction in
basic first aid, CPR, fundamentals of exercise science, anatomy &
physiology, public speaking and close quarters combat.
Now, nearly forty years since its inception, the annual PAMAI
conference has become the "think tank" for American Budokai
International member instructors, and the "continuing education"
for certified instructors. Several of the PAMAI instructors host
seminars in their respective regions, as well as travel extensively
teaching throughout the United States, Europe and the Caribbean.
PAMAI is focused on the professionalization of Martial Arts leaders
throughout the ABI network.
before, our opinions literally transcend time
Become a member of this elite instructional corps cadre within ABI
and enhance your martial skills, increase your professional acumen
and strengthen your instructor capabilities. All of this “continuing
education” is geared towards professionalization of ABIs Martial
Arts leaders and sustaining the traditions of the Martial Arts at
large. Contact ABI for information on becoming a member and/or
participation with PAMAI functions.
and space.
If you expressed a political
viewpoint in a roomful of people 20 years
ago, perhaps only those people heard about
it. Today, thousands to millions are likely to
know about it record time.
1) Whenever we say anything, there are 4
factors to consider:
•
What I said
•
What I meant to say
•
What you heard
•
How you took it.
2) Before we speak (or twitter, text, e-mail
etc.) we might ask ourselves 3 things:
•
Is it the truth?
•
Is it necessary?
•
Is the timing right?
****If in fact we cannot say yes to all three
then perhaps we should say nothing at all.
3)
There are 3 other questions we might
ask ourselves before we put information
out there for all the world to access:
Quotable “Quotes”
•
Do I absolutely have to express
myself on this particular subject?
•
Are there individuals to whom I
would not want this information to be

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“Learn one thousand techniques but master one principle.”
“Common sense is not common.”
“If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.”
“The world is not as it is, it is as you are.”
“Where you mind goes your energy follows.”
made available?
•
Can this information ever harm me,
my
business,
family,
friends,
or
associates in a personal or professional
way?
*** If you can answer YES to the latter,
perhaps you’d better abstain.
Martial Science
Balance:
Kid’s
Corner
These are words and phrases,
what I refer to as “No-Say-Ums”,
which are simply words or
phrases that although are quite
common, they are actually out
of place in terms of meaningful,
sincere dialogue.
NOSAYUM
1 - “No problem” (After
someone says “Thank you”)
2 - “Pretty good” (When asked
how you are feeling)
3 - “How’s it going?” (When
making a new acquaintance)
4 - “Can I” (When asking
permission)
There are two kinds of balance: Static and Dynamic. Static balance is just
that--“unmoving balance”. In other words, like standing in a classic horse
stance where you hardly have to think about having to balance in the literal
sense. Dynamic balance implies effort in retaining balance. An example might
be standing on one leg for a period of time and attempting to maintain balance.
There are three parts of balance: Foundation, footwork and posture and all
three of these areas play an integral role in terms of balance. Let’s break them
down in order to better understand the components of each.
1.
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Foundation – our connection to the earth
Toes grip
Knees soft
Inner and outer tension in the legs
2.
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Footwork – the job of the feet in training
Seek and establish position
Kick
Sweep
Utilize ground reaction force
3.
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Posture
Hips tucked under
Back straight
Shoulders above hips
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Head above shoulders
Occiput (back portion of the head) elevated
5 - “Yeah” (When responding)
BETTER TO SAY
1 - “You’re welcome” or “My
pleasure” (After someone says
“Thank you”)
2 - “Very well thank you” (When
asked how you are feeling)
3 - “It’s a pleasure to meet you”
(When making a new
acquaintance)
4 - “May I please” (When asking
permission)
5 - “Yes Mam” or “Yes Sir”
(When responding)
Make these simple
suggestions a habit and I
promise that they will serve
you well throughout your life!
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All of the information above relates only to physical balance. There are several
other types of balance listed below which will be discussed in the future.
 Physical balance (as discussed above)
 Muscular balance (as in the left arm is somewhat stronger than the
right arm)
 Mental/Emotional balance
 Energetic balance (as is the aim of acupuncture and Oriental medicine)
 Spiritual balance
Effects of stress on your body
In short, stress is a physical and emotional
response to a particular situation.
Standing meditation technique
Meditation is an important aspect of doing Tai
Chi because it grounds you, or centers you, both
physically and emotionally and helps you uncover
the stillness within motion. Standing meditation
is the most basic Tai Chi pose. To do this easy
meditation technique:
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First stand with your feet shoulder-width
apart with your toes pointing straight ahead
and your knees slightly bent.
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With your hips tucked slightly forward, keep
your shoulders down and relaxed and your
head held up.
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Slowly inhale and exhale deep breaths
through your nose. You should continue this
meditation technique by keeping your eyes
closed or slightly parted, and begin
meditating.
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Focus on your feet and their connection to
the earth.
Use this meditation breathing technique: As
you inhale, imagine that you are pulling
energy into your feet from the ground or
earth. As you exhale, you return the energy
to the ground. Correct breathing techniques
are an important part of Tai Chi meditation
and should focus on the giving and taking of
energy. The premise of this meditation
technique is very easy: when inhaling, you
should think of taking life energy into your
body. When you exhale, release that energy.
This breathing technique can be applied to
almost all tai chi meditations and
movements
Repeat this numerous times, then let the
energy from the ground travel up your legs
and into the center of your inner strength,
which, according to McMullen, is located
just below your belly button. Exhale, ridding
your body of any unclean energy.
 Headache
 Chest pain
 Pounding heart
 High blood pressure
 Shortness of breath
 Muscle aches, such as back and neck pain
 Clenched jaws
 Grinding teeth
 Tight, dry throat
 Indigestion
 Constipation or diarrhea
 Stomach cramping or bloating
 Fatigue
 Insomnia
 Weight gain or loss
8 proven ways to minimize stress
itssuch
health
 and
Skinlimit
problems
as hiveseffects
1. Think positively- Studies indicate that optimism orpessimism
may
affect
your quality of life.
Impaired
sexual
function
Optimism enables you to cope better with stressful situations, likely reducing the effects of stress
on your body.
balance.
2. Change your emotional response- Managing stress doesn’t mean eliminating stressors from
your life. It means developing positive strategies for dealing with stress to avoid negative
consequences. Think about stress as your reaction to an event, rather than the event itself. This
makes it easier to identify healthy ways to manage stress. Even though you can’t control some of
the stressors in your life, you can control your response to them.
3. Embrace spirituality-Certain tools to reduce stress are tangible, but there is another tool that
helps many people manage stress in their lives — embracing spirituality. Exploring your spirituality
can lead to a clearer life purpose and better stress management skills.
4. Protect your time-How does your behavior contribute to your stress? Some people find it hard
to say no to any requests made on their time. But saying yes to everything comes at a price —
more stress and less peace of mind. Learn how to take time for yourself without feeling guilty.
5. Restore work-life balance-Finding work-life balance in today’s frantic world is no simple task.
Spend more time at work than at home and you miss out on a rewarding personal life. Then again if
you’re facing challenges in your personal life such as caring for an aging parent or coping with
marital or financial problems, concentrating on your job can be difficult. Whether the problem is
too much focus on work or too little, when your work life and personal life feel out of balance, stress
— plus its harmful effects — is the result.
6. Try meditation-Different types of meditation techniques can calm your mind and reduce your
stress. Concentration meditation involves focusing your attention on one thing, such as your
breathing, an image you visualize or a real you look at – for example, a candle flame.
7. Keep you cool-Feeling stressed is normal. And so are setbacks in dealing with stress. If you lapse
into your old ways, don’t give up. Focus on what you can do to gain control of the situation.
One easy way to help yourself keep your cool and lighten your load is to remember the four As of
managing stress: avoid, alter, adapt or accept!
8. Maintain a strong social network-To help you through the stress of tough times, you’ll need a
strong social support network made up of friends, family and peers. This differs from a support
group, which is generally a structured meeting run by a mental health professional.
Although both groups can play an important role in times of stress, a social support network is
something you can develop when you’re not under stress, providing the comfort of knowing that
your friends are there if you need them. A coffee break with a friend at work, a quick chat with a
neighbor, a phone call to your sister, even a visit to church are all ways to reduce stress while
fostering lasting relationships with the people close to you.
O’Sensei’s Corner
Having grown up the son of an Air Force Colonel and pilot, I learned early on
about respect, discipline and proper manners. While I surely didn’t always
appreciate such a strict upbringing at the time, I wouldn’t trade the experience
for anything today. I often joked with my dad years after my own military service
that while most of the guys in my platoon were griping about the pushups and
rigid military discipline, I often commented “Wow, just like being back home!”
Throughout my parent’s lives, my older brother and I never responded to them
with anything other than “Yes Sir” or “Yes Mam”. While our mother didn’t rule
the household with an iron hand like our dad, she was adamant about using
proper language and being well-mannered at all times.
She reminded us often that we were a direct representative of our parents and it was they, who would ultimately be
judged by their sons’ behavior. To this day when I speak to children at seminars I always talk about how important
these few simple words are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ma’am
Sir
May I
Please
Thank you
You’re welcome
My pleasure
House rules were also clearly defined. One was “children should be seen
and not heard.” I remember my grandmother saying that often if we were
making too much noise around the house, especially if other adults were
over. Another rule was that “children do not interrupt adults when they
are conversing.” Another rule stressed was that whatever the decision my
parents made-it was final. There was no whining, no complaining to get
your way and no excuses allowed for putting forth minimal effort. It was
also stressed to look people in the eye when you spoke to them, especially
when speaking to an adult. When we were introduced to anyone, we were
expected to make eye contact, to speak up and give a firm handshake.
While some might disagree with our house rules, they were what they
were, and they helped shape us into worthwhile adults.
When I began training in the martial arts as a teen, what appealed to me
most other than the obvious self-defense aspect, was the formality,
traditions and respect that the arts offered. The same held true during my
time in the military. I learned that respect is a two-way street. If you want
to get it, you’d better be willing to give it. You can almost always tell when
someone has been in the service by the way they carry themselves, their
level of confidence and their ability to communicate. Certainly not in every
case, but most of the time I believe you can spot someone who has seen
military service. If ever I see someone who is rude, ill-mannered or
discourteous, I think how the military or martial arts training may have
made a significant difference in this person’s attitude.
My wife was always tougher on our kids
than I was. In fact since she was so strict, I
was able to take on a more laid-back “life
guide” kind of role which I relished then as
today, although all five are adults and on
their own now. Whenever she would be
out in a public setting with some or all of
the kids, it never failed that a perfect
stranger would come over and compliment
her on how well behaved or wellmannered they were. Add that to the fact
that they were all raised in the traditional
martial arts and you have a pretty solid
formula for developing respect, courtesy
and self-discipline.
I’m not saying by any stretch that all
parents need to crack down, set the rules
in stone and embrace the old “spare the
rod and spoil the child” mentality.
However, as parents, we are our children’s
very first teachers and if we establish a
strong foundation of respect, discipline
and correct behavior, we are insuring to
some degree, a more productive and a
more positive life for our kids.
O’Sensei Steven J Roensch
MOTIVATION Before we can learn anything, there must be motivation to learn it.
All individuals who have been in the martial arts for ten, twenty, thirty, forty or even fifty or more years certainly
didn’t lack motivation to learn or to continue learning. Whether your motivation was to learn self-defense, to
compete, to earn a black belt or to open a school doesn’t really matter. It only matters that you wanted it badly
enough to begin and to continue on the path.
GETTING IT RIGHT The first step in learning isn’t getting it right, it’s getting it wrong. Seldom in our lives when
we did something for the very first time, did we do it correctly? Whether it was walking, talking, riding a bike,
throwing a ball or sinking a putt, we usually performed poorly until we had practiced sufficiently as to make it
work for us.
PERFECTLY WRONG If we learn something correctly from the beginning, be it a punch, a kick, a throw or a form,
we usually only improve on it over time. Conversely if we learn something incorrectly, we may in all likelihood
spend the rest of our lives doing it perfectly…perfectly wrong. In other words, we may have perfected the error.
CORRECTING ERRORS Before we can correct an error, we must first be made aware that we are in fact, making
one. This is why finding a good teacher/coach is so important at the outset. Secondly, we must have the physical
abilities necessary to make the adjustments required to improve the particular technique in question. Thirdly, we
must make the improvements or adjustments a “habit.” To sum it up: awareness/ability/ habit.
TEACHING “Teachers are merely bridges over which their students cross, then having facilitated their crossing,
joyfully collapse, allowing students to become bridges of their own.” Teaching is part art and part science. The
science is the understanding of principle, the application of technique, what makes it work and why it’s done the
way it is. The art aspect lies in knowing when, where and how to impart the information. Additionally, it’s how to
reach every type of learner. When teaching, particularly martial arts, it’s useful to understand the proper
progression of information. Many instructors weren’t taught this way so they rely on a monkey-see-monkey-do
approach which unfortunately is quite limiting. First is concept: An abstract thought or idea, like “How do we get
the opponent off balance?” Next is principle: A comprehensive, fundamental law, which would in this case be
leverage, force, momentum or simple gravity. Finally we develop technique: a specific method or procedure, such
as in osoto-gari or “major outer reap.” Keep in mind that anything that is physical is first and foremost mental so
students must be “taught how to learn” through proper analysis of particularly, principle and technique. Then they
must understand practice doesn’t make perfect as the old adage goes---only “perfect practice makes perfect.”
4 LEVELS OF COMPETENCY When new students observe more skilled or advanced student’s movements, they
aren’t noticing the subtleties of any given technique as much as the instructors are because they don’t yet know
what to look for. They only see what appears to be a powerful side kick by sight and sound. They are in the first
stage of competency – “unconsciously incompetent.” In other words, they don’t know what they don’t know.
After training for a while, be it weeks or months, they enter the phase of “conscious incompetence” where they
realize that they know very little about their particular chosen art. After years of proper training and guidance from
instructors they enter the third phase which is “conscious competence.” It is here that they realize that they are
beginning to demonstrate principle and are meeting with success in their classes or competition. This is where the
confidence grows significantly. After a many years of practice (for the sake of practice) there lies the final phase of
competency – “unconscious competence.” Here the practitioner “owns” the techniques. He or she no longer thinks
but rather just does. The movements are comfortable, automatic and effective without hesitation. This is true
mastery.
CONCERN YOURSELF WITH THE “WHY”
There are martial arts instructors, there are teachers of the martial arts, and then there are the teachers of teachers
of the martial arts. You might recall the difference we discussed in an earlier column.
•
Instructors give directions much like when you might get when you assemble that new grill you got for
Christmas. You get a step one-step two-step three “guide” to assist you with the assembly.
•
Teachers of the martial arts on the other hand tend to stress the intricacies of the technique, and hopefully
the principles governing those techniques.
•
Teachers of other teachers stress principle more than anything. In other words, why the techniques are
done the way they are, not just what they might look like.
Years ago as a young black belt attending a seminar, I overheard a student ask a higher grade black belt
why a certain technique in kata was done the way it was done. The higher grade responded with “That’s
just the way it’s always been done!” Later in the day I questioned a different technique and receive a
similar response with “You’re not ready to learn that yet at your level.” Needless to say at the end of
the day’s training, I left the seminar unimpressed and unfulfilled. I’m pretty confident he was a good
“instructor” however, not necessarily a good teacher.
Chief Instructors for
Shintoyoshinkai
O’Sensei Steven Roensch, Judan
Professor Rey Perez, Hachidan
Kyoshi George Sheridan,
Hachidan
ABI Affiliated Dojos
Shihan Mike Hernandez,
Rokudan
United States
Shihan Tamas Torok, Rokudan
Iron-Warriors Training Center, Hollywood, FL
Shihan John Varnell, Rokudan
The Martial Arts Center, Atlanta, GA
Fishhawk Martial Arts Academy, Lithia, FL
International
Representatives of ABI
Jacksonville State University Judo/Jiu-jitsu Club, Jacksonville, FL
Miami Beach Martial Arts, Miami, FL
Park Avenue Martial Arts, Winter Park, FL
Jeffrey C. Moldovan
Florida Karate Center, Naples, FL
Sensei Phillip Hilzinger,
Australia
Sensei Mike Csoke, Canada
Self Defense Instructor / TLM Fighting Chance Training System
Karate Academy of Pembroke Pines. Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Taiseikan Martial Arts Academy, Miami FL
Christian Karate Association of Dothan, Dothan, Al
North Georgia Karate Academy, Calhoun, GA
Crabapple Martial Arts Academy. Rosewell, GA
(1953 - 2013)
Shihan Bernd Kittel, Rokudan Germany
Dr. Miklos Varga, Shichidan–
Hungary
Sensei Janos Laub, Sandan,
Hungary
Sheridan’s Martial Arts Center, Muncie, IN
Bushido-kai Karate and Jiu-jitsu, Ft. Wayne, IN
Columbia School of Karatedo, Columbia, SC
Peru
Sensei Roman Garcia Paredes,
Rokudan– Peru
Sensei Roman Anthony Garcia
Christama, Sandan– Peru
Escuela De Karate Okinawa, Tarapoto
Germany
K.C. Bushido, Radolfzell, GE
Hungary
American Budokai International
6517 Lincoln Road
Bradenton Florida
34203
(941)525-3506
Tatami Centrum, Kecskemet, Hungary
www.americanbudokaiinternational.com