Dear Students, Teachers, Parents and Friends,

I just got back from teaching a seminar for Master Bob Davis and his
Omega martial arts group at their event in Grand Junction. Although
their rules are different, I witnessed a great group of martial
artists this weekend. Next year I look forward to taking some of our
students to his event.

We are having a ASKKA board meeting this Tuesday at 18:30 hours.
Although it was scheduled to be held at the north dojo, I would like
to move it to our corporate office, which is at 5245 Centennial
Blvd. Suite 206 so we will not be distracted by the other karate
students. Take Garden of the Gods and turn right on Centennial and
about 1 mile on the right you will see the Centennial Office Campus
where our office is located.

Rememeber to pick up your guest pases from you teacher. Any student
that comes in and joins with your VIP Pass earns you $50.

Please register for the Colorado State Games as soon as possible if
you are planning on competing or volunteering to help. The event is
going to take place at Coronado High School on the 2nd of August and
I think we are having opening ceremonies on Friday night with all
the other athletes from the other sports. Referee meeting will be
held at 8:30 the day of the event.

Lesson Of The Week

The Yin and Yang of Conflict

Most people learn to use the symmetrical response to conflict. That
is where if someone pushes you then you push back, as strong or
stronger than the person pushed you. This concept is pretty basic;
it is the old eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth mentality. The
trouble is that each act of aggression leads to someone else trying
to even the score in a never-ending cycle of conflict. This eye for
an eye, tooth for a tooth type of response may eventually lead us to
an eyeless and toothless society.
Even in self-defense situations it is not always the best solution
to react with the strongest response available. If the opponent
yields, then the attacker will actually throw himself off balance
and become a victim because of his overreaction.
Now don't get me wrong, this type of counter-attack need not be
totally dropped from one's arsenal of defense, but one should learn
other alternatives as well. If one is cornered then you need to
respond in order to survive. But learning the complementary response
expands your strategy and tactics. This type of reaction is based on
the theory that when your opponent pushes, you pull and when he
pulls you push. The real key is that what you do is usually the
opposite of what your opponent is expecting.
This type of self-defense technique is known as "the art of fighting
without fighting" or " using the attackers energy against him." The
stronger the opponent attacks, the sooner and harder he will fall.
The ultimate in tactics is to yield to your opponent's attack and
yet position yourself so they have do not have any options for
continuing the attack. This is called kyo in Okinawan martial arts.
The word actually means empty, motionless or void, (one of the 9
elements of Kojosho Kempo by the way) and indicates that the
opponent's attack came to a complete stop because he had no other
option available. This ability to yield and yet maintain complete
control of the situation is the mark of a true warrior and his
pursuit of black belt excellence.
Respectfully,
Terry Bryan