Dear Students, Teachers, Parents and Friends,

Monday, September 1st, all schools closed for Labor Day.

For those students testing for a level of black belt, the test is
scheduled for October 3rd. We are planning on having demo's and
entertainment as we congratulate our new black belts. We will also
have special seminars on Saturday with some special guests coming in
from out of town. Mark your calendar as the 3rd and 4th of October
is going to be a very special weekend.

Next belt test at the York location will be held on Saturday,
September 13th. Make sure you get all your stripes so that you are
able to test.

Don't forget our special VIP program runs through December and the
school is rewarding our students with a $50 cash reward for any VIP
referral they bring into the school that joins. We recognize that
friends share good things with their friends and this is our way of
saying thanks for handing out our VIP guest passes which is good for
one free month of karate lessons and a free uniform. This offer has
a real cash value of $100. If you need some VIP passes, please see
one of our staff members.

For those interested in going to Jamaica in January, the deadline
for registrations is the end of September and also the price of the
land package goes up $25 on the 15th of September. You can pick up
your application at the dojo or ask your Sensei to bring you one if
you train in one of the clubs. If you're interested in getting
involved in fund raising activities to help cover some of the costs,
please e-mail me and I will pass it on to V who is heading up these
activities.



The Lesson of the Week

Mokuteki o Motte Hajimeru – Goal Setting

As many of our students are now beginning a new school year, I think
it appropriate to discuss the power of goal setting. The actual
kanji in Japanese for Mokuteki o Motte Hajimeru means to see,
target, hold and begin, or in other words to see a target in your
mind and then begin. This concept is extremely important in all
areas of your life and especially in your training in the martial
arts.

Years ago they did an experiment with some basketball players on how
to improve their shooting of foul shots. They broke the group into
three different groups. The first group spent an hour just shooting
free throws while a second group spent their time sitting and
visualizing themselves making the perfect shot every time. The third
group spent half of their time shooting and the other half
visualizing making the perfect shot. What surprised everyone was
that the third group had the best improvement.

In the martial arts, we use the same strategy for improving our
techniques. If you will spend time visualizing yourself doing the
perfect kick, punch, form, what ever; as well as time practicing the
technique you will see tremendous progress in your performance.

This technique also helps in other areas of your life as well. If
you want to be a straight "A" student you must first see yourself as
a straight "A" student and then do the necessary work to make it
happen. Success coaches spend a lot of time helping people set
realistic and specific goals for their students because 80% of all
clearly defined and written goals become a reality.

This is one of the major reasons that we started the Black Belt Club
and Masters Club at our academy. We identified a significant
improvement in the number of people achieving the rank of black belt
and even third degree black belt by having them clearly identify
with that goal and by putting it down in writing. Our new leadership
program is designed to take the principles we teach in the dojo in
our martial arts training and to show the students how they can use
those principles to become successful leaders in their community.

As the school year begins, please decide what you want to achieve
this year and then put it down in writing. You will be amazed at the
results. This is a major step towards black belt excellence and
superior leadership qualities.

Respectfully,

Terry Bryan