Dear Students, Teachers and Friends,

The dojo will be closed from December 24th through the 28th for the
Christmas Holiday.

We are having a New Years Eve sleepover for all the kids in the
dojo. There will be games, snacks and lots of fun. Students and
their friends are welcome to attend. See your Sensei for more
information.

Start the year off right with a New Years day training class. Open
to all students, the class will be held at the Bijou location and
will run from 9:00-10:30. Start the year off right with a good
strong spirited workout. The Bijou school is located at 2304 East
Bijou, across the street from the old Montgomery Wards building.

Quotes of the Week
ANAIS NIN:
People living deeply have no fear of death.
ALBERT EINSTEIN:
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is
the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion
is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in
awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.

Lesson of the Week
Kokoro – Spirit/Heart

In the Japanese martial arts the word Kokoro means heart or the true
essences of the practitioner or style. I had quite a few personal e-
mails in response to the X-treme martial arts show on the Discovery
Channel this week. Most of the feedback had to do with how shallow
the modern open circuit seems and how it was perceived as more
showmanship than classical martial arts. And I would agree totally.
I did have a chance to see the new movie "The Last Samurai" and that
goes more in detail of the underlying spirit of bushido – the way of
the warrior.

Many schools today emphasis the physical techniques of the various
martial arts but less and less schools practice and teach the true
essence of the spirit of classical martial arts tgraining. In my
humble opinion, teaching the techniques without stressing the
internal attitudes and philosophies which are the foundation of
classical karate produces a very shallow and empty art.

While the heart and soul of the Japanese arts do indeed emphasis the
way of the warrior the true essence of the Okinawan arts tend to
emphasis a more peaceful and mild manner. The spirit and true heart
of the Okinawan people comes through in their art of karate where
their attitude is to use their skills only as a last resort.
In the modern dojo, the heart of the training is based on the true
spirit and principles of success that have been passed down for
generations. Among these principles are loyalty, honor, courage and
discipline. Our leadership program is designed to take these
foundation principles and create a formula for becoming a successful
leader and role model in the modern world. Success depends on
staying true to ones values and developing the disciplined spirit to
overcome any obstacle you may face. This is the meaning of Kokoro
for the modern warrior.

Respectfully,
Terry Bryan