Dear Students, Teachers and Friends,

Congratulations to everyone testing this last weekend, everyone
looked great. Like the journey of a thousand miles beginning with one
step, the journey to black belt is achieved one idea, one technique
and one belt at a time. Special recognition goes out to those that
passed their pretest and will be testing for their black belt during
the weekend of April 16th, 17th and 18th. For those testing, you need
to go to our web site at www.americanblackbeltacademy.com and click
on dojo. At the bottom of the page you will see Brown Belt. Please
review the material in the brown belt manual and print out the black
belt candidate application and turn that in this week. Those testing
or attending the Elite Training weekend can register on-line under
the special events section on the web site. If you are coming in from
out of town, most of the event will be held at the event hotel – the
Radisson Inn. To get your free breakfast and the $69 a night rate
call (719) 598-5770 and tell them you are with the American Black
Belt Academy event. Please call right away, they are filling up their
rooms quick.

Next weekend is the tournament at Coronado High School. Please see
your Sensei for a registration form right away. Referees and
officials need to be there by 8:15 and the tournament begins at 9:00
am sharp.


Quotes of the Week

HORACE:
Whatever advice you give, be brief.
BUDDHA:
Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds.
HENRY DAVID THOREAU:
Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim
above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.
Letter, March 27, 1848
.


Lesson of the Week

Ma-ai : Distance and Timing

In classical martial arts, distance and timing are very important
principles in combative success. Lets discuss each one then how they
intermingle for overall effectiveness.
Distance is one of the most effective elements in self-defense. The
old saying of asking what is the very best defense against anything
is answered, "Don't be there." Proper distance and the ability to
maintain this distance is the key deciding variable in any defensive
strategy. The same is true in offensive tactics. We know that to be
effective, we must draw our enemy into our effective range of our
weapons and then victory is assured. For example, different martial
arts emphasis different weapons and tools. Some prefer kicks, others
prefer hands, some knees and elbows, and still others grappling. To
win in a self-defense situation, one must fight at the range you do
best and outside your opponents comfort zone. Even within a certain
range, there are optimal distances where a technique is the most
effective. If you try and punch someone and they are too far away
then your technique will not have sufficient power and all you will
do is throw yourself off balance.
Timing is the second variable in this concept. There is always the
perfect time for achieving anything. Many times the process of
failing was not cause by lack of planning or even in the
implementation of the idea, but of the timing of the initial action.
I am reminded of those people that state that you have to announce
that you are a trained martial artists in a self-defense situation in
order to justify your actions. Well, I believe that you should not
strike unless absolutely necessary, but if it is obvious that it is
necessary, then hit them, don't talk about it.
The advanced martial artist learns there are times that generate the
best results. Right before your opponent attacks, right after he
misses, as he is inhaling, when he blinks or gets something in his
eye, or even when he is distracted for a second. All these elements
lead to good timing from a combat perspective.
When you come up with strategy and tactics that contain both proper
distance and proper timing, you have a blueprint for success. If you
look at a problem or situation that is going on currently in your
life and begin to create an action plan for solving this situation,
always remember to include the elements of distance and timing in
your planning process. Many times, just thinking of these elements
will eliminate the problem all by itself. This is the path of black
belt excellence.
Respectfully,
Terry Bryan