Dear Students, Teachers and Friends,

Our Black Belt testing and training weekend is coming up April 16th
and everyone that is planning on testing for black belt or any
degree of black belt needs to contact me and let me know so we can
order belts in advance I hope you don't miss this opportunity to
train with some of the top masters in the country that are coming
in. You can go to the web site for more info and register on-line.
If you are coming in from out of town, please call in your
reservations now, as there are other events going on that weekend
and things are filling up quick. 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. We have limited space available
so please go ahead and register on-line to insure you will have a
place, Go to our web site at www.americanblackbeltacademy.com and
look in the special events section.


Quotes of the Week

CHINESE PROVERB:
One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of
impatience may ruin a whole life.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS:
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which
difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.
"There is nothing in which people more betray their character
than in what they laugh at."

*Johann Wolfgang von Goethe {1749-1832 German Poet}


Lesson of the Week
18 Postures – The Crane

The Shi Ba Shou or 18 postures have been handed down for a very long
time and base their roots on Shamanism or the process of trying to
understand the world by observing nature. There are several versions
of the 18 postures and are probably the roots of all modern karate
forms. My training and understanding of the 18 postures comes from a
variety of sources, but in particular from Kojosho Kempo. The next
few weeks I will share my personal opinions on the postures.

The Crane

"The crane's beak is long and pointed, a stabbing weapon useful for
self-defense. She is calm and poised, balanced and disciplined. When
attacked, she knows she cannot meet force with force. She therefore
controls the fight by yielding, until an opening appears, then
counters immediately." - Fred Absher – Kojosho Kempo

The crane is a master of angles and balance. While the tiger attacks
straight ahead with lots of power, the crane stylist steps only
inches out of the way, just enough to make the attacker to miss. If
you have ever watched a crane in the wild, they can stand motionless
on one leg for hours at a time waiting for a fish to swim by. As
modern warriors, we can learn a lot about true patience and self-
discipline from this very act.

Calm, balanced and disciplined – what better attributes could you
want in a fighter? Being a master of angles the crane has learned to
wait till the last second and then by making a slight movement or
shifting of the body, the stronger and more aggressive attacker
simply throws himself off balance, using the opponents force against
him. A tremendous amount of mental practice is necessary to remain
calm as a serious attack is approaching, and yet not physically
reacting too soon is one of the keys to success. There is an old
Chinese saying that an attack of 1000 pounds can be redirected by an
ounce of energy, if you use proper angles and timing. Learning to
redirect a superior force with minimum energy, as well as optimizing
effectiveness of its strikes based upon proper angles and points of
attack is the key strategy of the crane stylists. She knows that the
best defense is "Don't be there", and has developed that strategy
into a fine science.

As we try and figure how this attribute of balance applies to a
person, we first learn that in order to be in balance, one needs to
know where the center is. Physically, the center of balance is
located two inches below the belly button, your tandien. Most
classical martial arts spend a great amount of time working on
kuzushi, or breaking their opponents balance with superior knowledge
of centers of balance.

Each of us must learn to create balance in all areas of our lives
and not focus too much on any one area. Balance between work and
rest, family and business, as well as the correct amount of time
spent on mental, spiritual and physical training is absolutely
necessary to maintain balance in ones life and to be able to attain
true success.

Mentally, your center or key to balance is your true values. Once a
person has identified what he/she feels is most important in life,
then it becomes imperative to make sure that these values are up
held in every part of their life. In classical martial arts, a lot
of time is spent on teaching ethics and protocol. Ethics here refers
to good manners, courtesy, respect and consideration for others.
Martial arts protocol is a fundamental set of acceptable behavior
which codifies the spirit of martial arts and which martial artists
can rely on to cultivate their body and mind, and to guide their
everyday actions and judgment. Ethics is an indivisible part of the
study of martial art and sets the moral guidelines for martial
artists. Ethics principles serve as the traditional, cultural and
social standard by which practitioners are trained in martial arts.
Central to these principles is the concept of non-violence, respect
for oneself and others, loyalty to one's family, country, and style,
and the following of the natural way. Once a person has learned
these principles, they are able to better remain clam and patient in
their reactions to others.

Understanding our major definite purpose in life and working towards
that goal while staying true to our values is what balance is all
about. Only then will balance be achieved and the true essence of
the crane understood.

Respectfully,
Terry Bryan