Dear Students, Teachers and Friends,

Sorry about the lateness of the newsletter, my internet service has
not been working at the house. I love technology… when it works.

The North Dojo will be closed this Friday for Halloween.

Next belt test will be Saturday Nov 1st at the Bijou location at
9:00 am.

The Pikes Peak Championships will be held on November 22nd at
Coronado High School. See you Sensei for a registration form.

Quotes of the Week

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.:
An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust,
and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to
arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in
reality expressing the highest respect for the law.


Lesson of the Week

Shingi – Loyalty


Sometimes it seems to me that many people today don't emphasis some
of the basic qualities of success that have been the backbone of
countless societies for thousands of years. One of these qualities
is loyalty or an unswerving allegiance to certain elements in one's
life.

The first and foremost issue is loyalty to your family. Many times
we take this precious gift we call life for granted, but in reality
this gift of life can never truly be paid back. I mean, we can't
write a check when we turn 18 and call it even. The only thing that
we can do is to uphold the family name by being honest in our
activities, always trying to do the right thing by demonstrating
loyalty to the family.

The martial arts are very similar in nature to an extended family
and traditionally carried that same level of loyalty. In ancient
days, students were required to take a blood oath in order to be
accepted into a martial arts clan or family system. In China, most
styles were family styles and even today many are not taught to
outsiders. In classical teaching methodology, regular students are
taught movements and basics but only the senior students that have
proven their loyalty are taught the inner secrets of that style.

In many modern martial arts programs, these ways are gone and it has
become simply business. At the American Black Belt Academy we try
and blend the old with the new, and pass on the ancient teachings as
they were taught to me and the other senior staff. We have a basic
program that allows a student to check out what karate is all about
and during that time we screen them for the qualities that we feel
are necessary for continued training towards the rank of black belt
and beyond. Once a student is accepted into our Master Club or
Leadership Program they begin to learn the inner teachings of our
system.

I truly believe that learning the martial arts can change ones life
in many ways. How is someone changed when they learn to overcome
fears and develop the confidence to go for what ever they want out
of life? What is the value of a young child developing self-esteem
to a point that they don't sub-come to negative peer pressures and
do drugs or join a gang? We feel these benefits of the martial arts
are priceless, and the greatest care should be used in selecting
those that will become teachers for the next generation. To be a
member of the family also requires one to take on a sense of duty
and respect the art. They develop a sense of duty to never use it
foolishly. A student of our academy represents the school with their
actions and deeds, in and out of the dojo. Courtesy and respect
become the normal behavior in and out of the dojo. This is one
element of loyalty in the martial arts.


Respectfully,
Terry Bryan