Dear Students, Teachers and Parents,

This week is Halloween and a quick reminder on candy safety is
probably in order. Please talk to the little ones about having their
parents inspect any food before eating, as we don't know any more as
to its safety.

Belt test is next Saturday, so please earn your stripes this week if
you plan on testing. Testing for lower belts will start at 9:00 and
brown belts will test at 12:00 noon. Check the board for exact times.

I also hope everyone remembered to set their clock back this weekend.
Hate to see you late tomorrow.

Lesson of the Week

Ma-ai – Proper Distance and Timing

The kanji for ma-ai means space, fit. The proper spacing that "fits"
the situation is a crucial element in combat, especially if you add
timing to this concept. This concept has been used in combat as long
as we have recorded history. Lets discuss this concept from a martial
point of view and how that applies to other areas of our lives.

Each person develops a specific distance from where they feel the
most comfortable when engaging in conflict with an opponent. This
distance is developed due to a number of elements including body
type, attitude and tactics or styles of training. A larger person may
feel more comfortable at grappling range while a smaller person may
be more inclined to use a hit and run type of tactic. In America
today, most martial arts programs are very pragmatic and teach a
variety of techniques from different ranges, but in general pure arts
tend to specialize at a certain distance. For example, a Tae Kwon Do
practitioner would prefer a kicking range, while a judo person would
feel much more comfortable at grappling range. The modern warrior has
to develop the ability to instantly identify the strengths of his
opponents and developing a strategic response based on his
attributes, which can neutralize these strengths. Taking the opponent
out of his natural range, or by modifying the timing may be the key
principle in this tactic.

In the business world, this ability to specialize at what one does
best is called "competitive advantage". In any industry, one must
identify their specific niche, and develop a mission to become number
one or number two in that specific niche. There are very successful
and different strategies for number one and number two, but in
reality everyone else is just buying time on their way out of
business. As the saying goes, "If you do not have a competitive
advantage, don't compete."

The second element of ma-ai, is fitting this advantage in by using
proper timing. The first style of timing is called go no sen. The
kanji for go no sen translates as after, before or before it ended.
This is a basic counterattack where the opponent launches the first
attack and you respond to it. Most martial art systems teach their
beginning students this level of timing first. The next level is sen
no sen or before, before. This basically is the concept of countering
the actions of your opponent before he actually launches an attack.
This proactive level of training is a superior methodology, and the
mark of a master warrior. Successfully controlling a situation before
an attack is launched, requires a person to develop attributes
outside the punching and kicking methods, and to become an expert in
other areas including negotiations, nonverbal communication and
empathy.

In all areas of ones life, being proactive is a major element towards
success. As martial artists we do work on physical responses to being
attacked, but even more important we are proactive in creating the
proper elements, which will create the best opportunities for our
successes. What we read, who we hang out with, what we think about,
the mentors we choose, all have a tremendous effect on our future
outcomes. The modern warrior uses the principles of ma-ai when he
identifies the perfect distance and space, between where he is
currently and where he wants to be in the future. All successful
people have this ability to understand the proper distance and timing
needed to create win-win situations to all concerned. This ability is
definitely a step towards black belt excellence.

Respectfully,
Terry Bryan