Dear Students, Teachers and Parents,

Hope everyone enjoyed the great weekend! Congratulations are in order
to all the new black belts. Our senior instructors from around the
country had nothing but great things to say about your attitude and
talent. Good job everyone!

I would also like to express my appreciation to all those that helped
with the planning and running of the events of the weekend – it ran
very smooth.

Lesson Of the Week


The Person In Front Of You

In the martial arts we soon realize that in a self-defense situation,
the person that is attacking you is your prime objective and nothing
else matters. This is not the time to have attention deficit or to
shift your attention to something else – your life depends on it. You
focus on their energy, what resources they have, what their
intentions are and begin to instantly read their verbal and nonverbal
communication to understand exactly what is the true meaning behind
the attack. These attributes of "seeing" falls under what we call
zanshin – "total awareness". These attributes are developed slowly
over the years through constant martial arts training under a
qualified teacher. What seems to be logical understanding to the
advanced student almost seems mystical to the untrained person's
mind.

A benefit of developing this awareness is seen in the ability to
understand instantly what your actions have on others. This feedback
allows you to follow the right and noble path more times than those
that seem to just let things happen. As you begin to develop the
habit of looking at others in this manner, you will soon see that
more positive things begin to happen in your life.

Here are a couple of suggestions as you begin to develop the habit of
seeing:

1. Don't waste time talking about your problems with people that
can't solve them.
2. Always radiate the attitude of well-being and confidence, the
attitude of a person that knows where he is going.
3. Treat every person you come in contact with as the most
important person in the world. You should do that because:
a. As far as that person is concerned, he is the most important
in the world.
b. That is the way human beings should treat one another.
c. And by doing this you will begin to develop the habit of
helping create self-esteem in others – one of the most powerful
things in the world.

I guess it is one of those little secrets in life, to give total
attention to the ones that are the closest to you. This works in
friendships, as well as combat.

Respectfully,

Terry Bryan