Hyoshi - Timing

Everything in the universe has a rhythm. Each living thing beats to
its own natural rhythm. If you learn this principle and become
perceptive of these natural rhythms, you will find yourself better
armed at succeeding in the martial arts and in life.
Rhythm is based on many independent variables. A large man will fight
to a slower beat than a smaller man. Strength and physical fitness are
also important factors on natural rhythm. These principles work in
every area. A large army is stronger than a smaller one, but with speed
and mobility can be neutralized by a smaller one. A larger and stronger
corporation can be successfully attacked by a smaller company by using
speedy decisions and fast implementation of strategies.
In any engagement you must first strive to understand the natural
rhythm of your opponent. Then you use "Hyoshi" or timing against them.
As Karate-Ka , we constantly train to defend and defeat opponents with
different timing. Certain tactics soon become natural when you deal
with a larger and stronger opponent. You also learn what works against
those that possess faster rhythms and techniques. We will concentrate
for the next couple of weeks on three basic types of timing as they
compare to someone attacking you. Go No Sen, is the tactic of reacting
to an attack after the attack is launched. Sen No Sen is responding to
an attack at the precise time the attack is launched. And finally, Sen
Sen Non Sen is reacting to the attack before the attack is launched.
Most martial arts schools start their students with Go No Sen
techniques. What do you do when someone grabs you, or punches at you.
As you train on the possible reactions, techniques, angles and timing
principles - you will uncover principles that will work for you
everyday. Soon the student learns to read the signs so well that he
will be able to launch a counter attack at the precise moment an attack
is launched. Eventually, each student will become so well versed on
these tactics and learns to control them so well, that a conflict never
exists. This is Sen Sen No Sen and is the goal of all true martial
arts.

Instructor Training and Sempai Training
We will be having instructor training for those wishing to become
teachers or assistant instructors in class on Saturday the 26th of
February at 10:30 in the morning. The initial class should last around
3 hours and the cost is $20 to cover the costs of materials and
handouts. If you are interested, please talk to your Sensei and get
permission to attend.

E-Groups
I have set up karate-ka@egroups to allow me to send these weekly
newsletters to our students and friends. E-groups has the capability to
store information, have group discussions, and even a chat room for our
students that has talk capabilities where you can actually talk to one
of our students in Canada, Australia or South Africa. We are in the
process of putting the katas and techniques up on the web so that you
can have access to them when you are at home. In order not to overwhelm
those that just want to get the weekly news and that is all, we have
set up dojochat@ egroups.com for those that want to discuss different
topics with the teachers and students of the American Black Belt
Association. We will move our Sunday night chat into that site. To put
yourself on the list and join the group, simply go to egroups and
enroll in that group. We have also set up a site coloradokaratefederati
on@egroups.com for those of you that are participating in sport karate.
Here we will keep track of points, ratings and general information
about tournaments in the state of Colorado.

New Schedule
We have added some classes to the schedule at the main dojo starting
this week. Many of you have handed out gift certificates to your
friends and the school is growing. As of the first of the year, we have
gone to a referral based only school. We encourage each of out students
to pick up gift certificates for a free month of karate and hand them
out to your friends when you talk about martial arts training. We truly
appreciate your efforts in making our school strong, so that we can
help more people learn the awesome benefits that true martial arts can
bring to an individual in today's society. As always, if there is
anything we can do, don't hesitate to let us know.

Kyoshi

American Black Belt Academy - www.coloradokarate.com
Terry L. Bryan , Chief Instructor