Dear Students, Parents and Teachers,

A quick reminder that next Saturday Sensei Richardson will be
teaching a seminar on the tonfa from 9:00 am – 10:30 am. The price of
$33 includes a pair of tonfa.

The dojo will be closed on Monday the 20th for Martin Luther King Day.

The new requirements are now being taught in the classrooms – the
biggest change is reverting back to the way the first two kata are
taught in Okinawa. Pinan Shodan and Pinan Nidan have switched their
order.

Lesson of the Week

This last weekend we taught the 9 animals of Kojosho and I felt it
only appropriate that we talk about the first animal and its quality
of courage.



The Tiger and Courage



"The tiger's fangs are long and his claws are sharp. He is
unrelenting and stern, courageous and cunning – the ruler of earth.
To become like the tiger you must let your spirit merge with the
spirit of an animal that knows no fear and can attack without
hesitation."

These are the words of Fred Absher and are the foundation for my
understanding the posture of the tiger. One must understand that the
tiger is a style of resolving conflict and a series of tactics, but
more importantly it is an attitude.

The tiger knows that most real encounters are finished at close range
and right away. He views long range tactics like kicking and punching
that you see in tournaments, as entertaining to watch but having
little value in real combat. Either you close quickly, and go for the
juggler or break the neck - or you simply don't waste your time.

There is the tale of two tigers, where it is explained that two
tigers in the wild never fight. The reason, it is explained, is
because they know that one will die and one will be maimed for life
in any such encounter. The tiger stylist has the same attitude. He
knows, that should he have to defend himself or his loved ones, he
will do so with extreme prejudice and without hesitation. Simply
knowing this and showing no fear is usually enough to deter most
aggressors. Having nothing to prove, he walks among us without fear,
and that overwhelming and confident attitude projects this intent
that is immediately felt when he walks into a room. Instead of others
feeling threatened when he walks in the room because of his
tremendous abilities, they actually feel safer and more comfortable
when he is around.

Most martial artists understand what physical courage is, to make the
body do what it fears to do. Slowly we learn to overcome our fears
through this simple process of doing what we fear to do. Many times
it is the moral courage that is needed the most in the modern
society. Moral courage is the ability not to abandon a position or
belief you hold when it may not be popular. Moral courage may be
standing up to bigotry, racism, and unfairness or bullying behavior.
Moral courage is the challenge of standing up for what is right
without fear of personal consequences. It takes courage to do the
right thing especially when everyone else is going as different
direction.

Respectfully,

Terry Bryan