Dear Students, Teachers and Parents,

A quick reminder that the main school on York is closed this Monday
due to the holiday. We will resume classes on Tuesday. Belt test is
September 8th at the main school.

Many of you have asked about Tai Chi and Shaolin classes now that Gu
Ping is here with us. I am happy to say that he will be teaching Tai
Chi Chuan at the following times, starting this week:
Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 am
Monday and Wednesday at 11:00 am
Monday and Wednesday at 8:00 pm
Saturday morning at 8:00 am

Please help me get the word out. For those of you that do not know
what Tai Chi is, it is a method of self- defense and health that has
been around for several thousand years. Modern science has been
amazed as to the improvements in overall performance of people that
begin Tai Chi.

I can't tell you what an opportunity having him here with us truly
is. Everyday that we are together he indirectly reminds me how lucky
we American's are and all the freedoms we have. Last week we went to
an attorney to see how it would be possible to keep him here and
eventually bring over his wife and child. Looks like we have a 2-year
plan of action, but he is going to need to earn some money to make it
happen. Any help in talking up his programs would be appreciated.

Lesson of the week.
Developing a Plan of Action – Heiho ( Strategy)
When faced with resistance, the civilian acts first, talks first,
pushes first or retreats first. After it is all over, he wonders what
happened and how he ended up in such a position. A warrior on the
other hand, has all options covered and is pro-active in getting
things done. To truly understand this, a warrior must become a
student of the principles of strategy and tactics in all things.
Questions are the basic tools for expanding knowledge. Not only is
the unexamined life not worth living, the unexamined fight is not
worth fighting. Lead your life with inquiry and passion. Put
curiosity and intelligence ahead of behavior. Question everything.
Ask "What if" questions. Not knowing is the beginning of knowledge.
The following are key elements to creating any plan of action. When
developing a plan of action, keep all major categories in balance.
All actions must be in harmony with your true values and belief. The
following steps go into creating a plan of action for black belt
excellence:
 Must have intense desire for success.
 Must be a believable goal.
 Must be a stretch – 50% probability of success.
 Write it down.
 Determine what benefits you will get from this plan in detail.
 Analyze where you are at right now.
 Set a time line.
 Identify any obstacles.
 Clearly identify the knowledge you need and where to get it.
 Clearly identify individuals and groups you will need to work with=

in accomplishing this goal.
 Taking in consideration all these details, create a plan by
prioritizing and doing first things first.
 Back up your plan with persistence and determination.

Until next week,
Terry Bryan, Kyoshi