Dear Students, Teachers and Parents,

This week we will be closed Wednesday through Saturday for the
Thanksgiving Holiday. Since the next belt test at the main school is
December 7th, please feel to attend extra classes this week to ensure
you will be ready for testing to make up for those days we will be
closed.

On Sunday December 8th Sensei Diana will be teaching a broadsword
seminar from 6 –8 pm. To reserve a spot please talk to Mary.

By request I will be teaching a butterfly knife seminar on Saturday
December 14th but do the nature of the material, anyone under 18
should have parent permission. The butterfly knife is a martial arts
weapon that has effective street applications and training will be
conducted with a live blade.

Lesson of the Week


Sensei – One Who Walked Before

Although many people recognize the word sensei as meaning teacher,
the kanji for sensei means ahead, life or in other words a person
that is ahead of you on life's journey. The relationship between an
individual and a person that has "already been there" is unique and
worthy of discussion. If knowledge is power, then a street-wise
teacher willing to share his knowledge is very powerful indeed.

We enter this world not knowing and our perceptions of reality are
based totally on our experiences and what we are taught by others.
Not knowing what is real, causes doubt in our abilities and the world
around us. The single most effective way of knowing something is
possible, is by someone else already achieving that specific goal or
objective. Identifying your personal goals and identifying a person
that has already achieved some level of expertise in that area is a
major step towards success.

In life and death scenarios, the value of being trained by someone
with "Street" experience is priceless. While the world is full of
mentors with endless theories and academic solutions, the street-wise
teacher possesses both technical knowledge and a proven track record
in real life situations. These teachers are worthy of the title of
Sensei.

In the martial arts world, the relationship between a teacher and
their students is clearly defined. Understanding the true value of
learning from a qualified teacher, respect between the sensei and
student is a priority in this relationship. The sensei develops a
course of action to help the student achieve their goals, while the
student displays discipline and persistence while performing the
suggested training. Honesty in actions and deeds is the mark of a
good sensei, enabling the students to understand between quick fix
solutions spouted from lesser teachers, from true ageless principles
of success taught in classical martial arts.

As we are now in the information age some have called the psychozoic
age, the power of choosing street-wise mentors, in all areas of our
lives, is more important than ever. Unlike western society that tends
to devalue the importance of teachers, in Asia teachers are given the
utmost respect. Choosing your teachers well during this journey we
call life and then nurturing these relationships is one of those key
principles of success in black belt excellence.

Respectfully,

Terry Bryan