Dear Students, Teachers and Friends,

I had several e-mails saying they missed my karate-gram last week
but it wasn't a technical problem, I just didn't get around to
sending it out. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate all
the students that were elevated in rank last weekend at the Elite
Retreat and also to thanks those Master Instructors that came and
worked with all of us. I feel very blessed to have such wonderful
friends that will come and share their knowledge with our students
so freely.

It also saddens my heart to announce that Sensei Hacker and his
family from the Bijou school will be leaving us soon to go to
Hawaii. They do intend on coming back here after their assignment
there, but they will be missed greatly in the meantime.

Up for a road trip? We will be heading to Kansas City for Kyoshi
Kennedy's training camp on the 6th of May. If you would like to go,
please talk to your Sensei. There will also be a tournament on May
15th in Denver put on by Dr. Davis. If you are interested in
attending, please see your Sensei.

Quotes of the Week

EDWARD EVERETT HALE:
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
HELEN KELLER:
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor
do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is
no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a
daring adventure or nothing.



Lesson of the Week

18 Postures – The Dragon

The 18 postures have been handed down for over 1500 years and are
based on the process of trying to understand the world by observing
nature. This week we will talk briefly about the dragon.

The Dragon

Unlike its European counterpart, the Eastern Dragon is a wonderful
creature that brings luck and wisdom to everyone it comes in contact
with. The dragon is known to possess supernatural powers and great
wisdom. The dragon is always a part of the Chinese New Years
celebration because of the luck he brings. Held in high regard, the
Chinese dragon can be playful or very frightening depending on its
mood at the time. It long and flowing movements as it flies through
the heavens are the basis of the physical movements of the dragon
stylists as he twists and turns using circular techniques to strike,
evade and throw his opponent.
The dragon posture is known for its momentum, timing and
sensitivity. The dragon stylist is known for its handwork where he
delivers high-speed hand and arm techniques using punches, grabs,
palm strikes, arm blocks, and elbow strikes. The "dragon character"
is present in the speed, the coiling energy of the moves, and the
chain attacks. It has been described as playing chess at warp speed.
Legend has it that the dragon lives for thousands of years and over
those years obtains great wisdom. Having the power of invisibility,
the dragon only appears to those of great stature but then shares
his wisdom with them freely. In Kempo, the dragon is the symbol of
those that have been training for years and have adapted techniques
and tactics from other systems and made them their own.
This goal of having dragon wisdom is evident in the concept of
Kaizen, or constant and never ending improvement. The successful
warrior trains the mind, the body and the spirit a little everyday
and eventually demonstrates incredible abilities achieved a little
bit at a time. For example, the dragon warrior knows that by setting
a goal of reading positive educational materials for at least 30
minutes a day, that within a couple of years he will be in the top
10% of his chosen field. Edward George Bulwer Lytton (1803-1873)
wrote, "The pen is mightier than the sword", but the way of the
dragon is to become a master of both.

Respectfully,

Terry Bryan