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Promises, promises, broken promises “. . . That’s OK”

16 Mar

This week’s post is dedicated to my friend “Dean” who had both a set back in chemotherapy and a disappointment.

life=kata-YOU-

There are many ways that the Dojo is a microcosm of everyday life. One example may be found in the potential new student that walks into the Dojo. Let’s take a look at two hypothetical new students. With a nod towards one of my favorite childhood magazines, “Highlights Magazine”, let’s call these two potential students “Goofus and Gallant.”

goofus-gallant-1  Goofus. Goofus enters the Dojo excited and vocal in his desire to learn karate. As is my usual procedure, I tell him he must come back in thirty days. He promises to do so. In thirty days he returns and is proud to exclaim:

  • “See I passed the first test;”
  • “I wanted to learn karate all my life, I’ll start the next class, I promise I’ll bring my check;”

Goofus continues,

  • “I promise to attend every class and work hard;”
  • “I promise to listen to everything you say;”
  • “I promise to practice every free minute at home;”
  • “I promise to be your most devoted student.”

goofus and gallant Gallant. Gallant enters the Dojo and simply asks if it would be okay to quietly observe the class. When class is finished, Gallant thanks me and asks if it would be okay to visit again. I tell him, “Yes” and shake his hand.

Based upon my experience, Goofus will join the Dojo and quit in two to three months (definitely after his first bruise, physically or psychologically). Gallant will eventually join the Dojo and become a devoted student.

Similar stories have been told in varied ways (the most popular being the student that will work twice as hard to obtain a black belt; which will take twice as long). I chose the above to illustrate a specific point that fostered disappointment for my friend “Dean”  – The person that promises the most will be the one the does nothing and disappoints the most.

So,

Promises, promises, empty promises “. . . That’s OK” (Online Kata)

As always, you can perform either the Sanchin Kata, my Shibumi Kata or any karate kata. For my karate brethren, the “Kata Sommelier” has a rare recommendation for this session.

Remember, the group dynamic is not fulfilled by all of us being geographically present, rather, it is fulfilled by each of us performing our kata in the proscribed manner.

Session Parameters:

Date: Starting Monday March 17th, 2014;

Time: Anytime another’s promises exceed their ability to execute them.

Location: Any location;

Salient Points:

  • As you perform your kata rise above the emptiness of the promises made to you;
  • Rely on your own inner strength and “fighting-spirit;”
  • Know that you are a far better person for doing, not for promising and avoiding;
  • In your own mind perform your triumphant kata symbolically “in-the-face” of the one who disappointed you:
  • You are a formidable force – while you welcome the assistance of others, their failure to make good on their promises is of no consequence – you will triumph while the promisor must always bear the knowledge of their failure.

Kata Sommelier: For my karate brethren, I would recommend Kanto, “Fighting Spirit” Kata. Since this kata is very rare, being created by Hanshi Frank Van Lenten to represent his Goshin-Do Karate-Do Kyokai, you may perform any kata within your syllabus with the “Fighting Spirit” of Kanto Kata. Be formidable, unconquerable, you have no need to rely on the empty promises of others; no matter how lofty they tout themselves.

The last requirement of this “. . . That’s OK” session is to remain in a positive physical, emotional and mental state throughout the day by way of the concept of  “Zanshin” (the “remaining mind.” For information on the Zanshin state-of-mind, please use this LINK: https://senseijohn.me/2014/02/23/zanshin-remaining-mind-shibumi-project/

Once again, you may wish to not only perform this “. . . That’s OK” session as scheduled, but may also revisit the session as a regular part of your kata practice.

In closing I remain, doing, not promising,

HANKO-wood

Sensei John Szmitkowski

If you enjoy the Online Kata, please help support Sensei’s blog –

Come visit my store on CafePress!

all items have a minimal mark-up of only $ 0.75 to $ 1.00 over base prices! Here are ONLY SOME of our support products:

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Sensei John is now on Facebook, under – FLY FISHING DOJO, you are invited to send a Facebook friend request.

You may wish to view my other blogs –
LOGO-WEBSITE  my fishing blog which includes my fishing journals and the interrelationship between martial arts protocol & ideology to fishing http://flyfishingdojo.com
and
DOJO STICKER-1 the Goshin-Do Karate blog at http://defeliceryu.com

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Still Winter . . . That’s OK

2 Mar

“Life is a Kata” (Sensei John Szmitkowski)

LIFE = KATA

Winter.

The days are shorter, colder, bleaker. But, with the end of Winter just around the corner, let’s take a moment and celebrate the season with either Sanchin Kata, Shibumi Kata or any other karate kata. So,

it’s still winter – “. . . That’s OK” (Online Kata)

Remember, the group dynamic is not fulfilled by all of us being geographically present, rather, it is fulfilled by each of us performing our kata in the proscribed manner.

Session Parameters: 

Date: Starting Monday March 4th, 2014;

Time: FIRST thing in the morning! Yes, get out of that warm bed and venture out into the cold, crisp air.

Location: MUST be outdoors

Salient Points:

There is one simple point, just do it and embrace the experience.

Kata Sommelier: For my karate brethren, I would recommend the kata that you are most familiar with. This should allow you to perform the kata utterly without thought so as to focus on your winter surroundings.

The last requirement of this “. . . That’s OK” session is to remain in a positive physical, emotional and mental state throughout the day by way of the concept of  “Zanshin” (the “remaining mind).” For information on the Zanshin state-of-mind, please use this LINK: https://senseijohn.me/2014/02/23/zanshin-remaining-mind-shibumi-project/

Once again, you may wish to not only perform this “. . . That’s OK” session as scheduled, but may also revisit the session as a regular part of your kata practice.

In the cold dark days of winter, the common man remains indoors, the extra-ordinary man will embrace the winter. To guide you on your way to extra-ordinariness here is a video of the extremely rare Ten-Ni-No Kata (translation: “To Rise Above The Common”) filmed in a New Jersey snowstorm.

In closing I remain, embracing the last of winter,

HANKO

Sensei John Szmitkowski

Help support Sensei’s weblog –

Come visit my store on CafePress!

all items have a minimal mark-up of only $ 0.75 to $ 1.00 over base prices! Here are ONLY SOME of our support products:

Shop-cups-home

KATA LAB For a refreshing and innovative discourse on kata and bunkai, please feel free to visit Sensei John’s Kata Laboratory and “THINK * SWEAT * EXPERIMENT” using this convenient link: https://senseijohn.me/category/kata-laboratory/

NOW AVAILABLE – SANCHIN VIDEO SERIES designed specifically for the NON-MARTIAL ARTIST who desires to learn & unlock the secret treasure of Sanchin. Here is a convenient link a promotional video about the Sanchin DVD filmed on location at various scenic locations throughout Arizona. LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-pC-tPUrYE

** If you experience any difficulty in purchasing online using the above links, please contact me via a “comment” on this blog & I will e-mail you instructions on how to purchase a Sanchin product using a check or money order ***

Sensei John is now on Facebook, under – FLY FISHING DOJO, you are invited to send a Facebook friend request.

You may wish to view my other blogs –
LOGO-WEBSITE  my fishing blog which includes my fishing journals and the interrelationship between martial arts protocol & ideology to fishing http://flyfishingdojo.com
and
DOJO STICKER-1 the Goshin-Do Karate blog at http://defeliceryu.com

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Kata Mind Games . . . That’s OK

16 Feb

In the last “. . . That’s OK” (Online Kata) session I wrote about performing kata either in a chair or in bed as a means to mitigate physical and psychological debilitation. (see “Group Kata In Bed . . . That’s OK” with this LINK: https://senseijohn.me/2014/02/02/group-kata-in-bed-thats-ok/

This session, I would like to take that concept one step further. There are those people that are temporarily so afflicted by physical discomfort that even the thought of performing a kata in bed is too challenging. When this occurs, then the answer lies within the problem itself – if the thought of kata in bed is too difficult, then keep kata in your thoughts. So, for this “. . .That’s OK” (Online Kata) session, let’s play kata mind games.

I think we all can benefit from this experience. Not only do I think you will find it challenging, I know this session will give you a greater sense of appreciating the little things each day that you routinely do and take for granted.

As with all OK (Online Kata) sessions, you may perform either Sanchin Kata, my Shibumi Kata, or any karate kata for this session. So –

Play’in Mind Games . . . “That’s OK” (Online Kata)

Remember, the group dynamic is not fulfilled by all of us being geographically present, rather, it is fulfilled by each of us performing our kata within the online kata session parameters.

Session Parameters: 

Date: starting Monday, February 17th, 2014;

Time: anytime you are physically or emotionally debilitated;

Location: wherever you find yourself at the above time

Salient Points:

  • Sit quietly and close your eyes;
  • Accept your physical, emotional or psychological discomfort;
  • Visualize your kata;
  • Imagine that you are performing the kata at a greater level than your are capable of; Your movements should be faster, stronger, sharper and more fluid than in reality;
  • As you picture the movements, be aware of the psychological concepts that accompany that movement;
  • Allow the perfection of your mental imagery to absorb into your physical and emotional self so as to dissipate your discomfort – you are physically, emotionally and psychologically a whole and perfect being.

Kata Sommelier: I would recommend that you try this session as follows:

  • First, visualize your most favorite kata and mentally perform it as perfectly as possible;
  • and then immediately
  • Repeat the process with your least favorite kata, again perform it as perfectly as possible;
  • Do you notice any differences in the (mental) performance of these two kata?

The last requirement of this “. . . That’s OK” session is to remain in a positive physical, emotional and mental state throughout the day by way of the concept of  “Zanshin” (the “remaining mind”). For information on the Zanshin state-of-mind, please use this LINK: https://senseijohn.me/2014/02/23/zanshin-remaining-mind-shibumi-project/

Once again, you may wish to not only perform this “. . . That’s OK” session as scheduled, but may also revisit the session as a regular part of your kata practice.

In closing I remain, play’in kata mind games, but . . . That’s OK.

HANKO

Sensei John Szmitkowski

NEW feature: Help support Sensei’s efforts to bring you the most unique kata experiences –

Come visit my store on CafePress!

all items have a minimal mark-up of only $ 0.75 to $ 1.00 over base prices! Here are ONLY SOME of our support products:

Shop-cups-home
lab-collage-6 For a refreshing and innovative discourse on kata and bunkai, please feel free to visit Sensei John’s Kata Laboratory and “THINK * SWEAT * EXPERIMENT” using this convenient link: https://senseijohn.me/category/kata-laboratory/

Sensei John is now on Facebook, under – FLY FISHING DOJO, you are invited to send a Facebook friend request.

For the official Goshin-Do Karate-Do blog, please visit WWW.DeFeliceRyu.Com

You may wish to view my blog dedicated to the interrelationship between martial arts protocol & ideology to fly-fishing and fishing in general by clicking WWW.FlyFishingDojo.Com

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Group Kata In Bed . . . That’s OK

2 Feb

Because of my Shibumi Kata project I am privileged to meet many unique and brave people who fight an ongoing battle against debilitating illness. It is to them that I dedicate this week’s “. . . That’s OK” (Online Kata) session.

These valiant people sometimes find themselves confined to a wheel chair or are bed-ridden. This state is not a prohibition to their practicing the physical movements and psychological concepts of my Shibumi Kata (or Sanchin Kata for that matter).

I would like all of us to join in and experience first hand their valiant kata practice.

To this end we can practice any of the following kata while seated or bed-ridden:

  • Sanchin Kata,
  • Shibumi Kata,
  • or for karate-ka, any kata (the Kata Sommelier, has a challenging kata recommendation).

So, you are confined to a chair or bed-ridden, “. . . That’s OK.” (Online Kata)

Remember, the group dynamic is not fulfilled by all of us being geographically present, rather, it is fulfilled by each of us performing our Kata in the proscribed manner.

Session Parameters:

Date: starting Monday, February 3rd 2014

Time: anytime

Location: a bed or chair

Salient Points:

  • Perform your kata using mostly the hand movements of the kata;
  • If seated, not withstanding the above, you may shuffle one foot in front of the other to represent the stance called for in the kata;
  • Movements should be performed exactly as called for in the kata, using all applicable body tension, breathing, focus, et cetera;

Kata Sommelier: For karate-ka, I would recommend you perform the highest ranked, most difficult kata in your syllabus. In my kata syllabus, this would involve either the Hakutsuru or Suparunpei Kata. You are either in bed or seated anyway, so perform the most difficult kata – if you can. If you can’t then try a basic kata. With a bit of creativity, you can also perform kicks that may be within the kata.

The last requirement of this “. . . That’s OK” online kata session is to remain in a positive physical and mental state by way of the concept of Zanshin (the “remaining mind”). For information on the Zanshin state-of-mind, please use this LINK: https://senseijohn.me/2014/02/23/zanshin-remaining-mind-shibumi-project/

Once again, you may wish to not only perform this “. . . That’s OK” session as scheduled, but may also revisit it as part of your overall practice regime.

To illustrate the concept of seated kata, here is one example of a seated Sanchin Kata performed at the gravesite of my friend and comrade, Shihan Wayne Norlander (R.I.P. 05-18-11).

HANKO Sensei John Szmitkowski

  invincible summer For information on my “no-risk”, kata seminars, please visit the seminar page using this convenient link https://senseijohn.me/seminar-kata/

KATA LAB  For a refreshing and innovative discourse on kata and bunkai, please feel free to visit Sensei John’s Kata Laboratory and “THINK * SWEAT * EXPERIMENT” using this convenient link: https://senseijohn.me/category/kata-laboratory/

© Copyright 2014 Issho Productions & John Szmitkowski, all rights reserved.

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. . . That’s OK, it speaks for itself

19 Jan

First and foremost – 

Welcome new readers and new students of either Sanchin Kata or Shibumi Kata! The past few weeks of my “free Sanchin & Shibumi campaign” have been very exciting. I never thought that by simply handing out cards and pamphlets I would meet so many interesting people.

This post is a means by which we can all practice our kata “together” as a group via the internet. The group dynamic is satisfied not by being geographically together, but by all practicing together in accord with the session parameters. To keep practice fresh and interesting, I will post new sessions every two weeks in a new category of blog posts.

Note:   For those of you that have learned Sanchin Kata from either my DVD, book or both, the new category will replace the “Sanchin Pilgrimage” category. This will all me to include the partitioners of the Shibumi Kata and martial artists that may choose to join in our cyber-group. For my martial arts readers, I will act like a Sommelier who recommends pairing of wine and food; however, as a “Kata Sommelier” I’ll recommend kata to be paired with the session parameters.

The first cyber-group session is posted below. We can all start practicing tomorrow and continue until the next session’s parameters is posted in two weeks.

I’ve decided to call this category – –

. . . That’s OK (with the OK being an acronym  for “Online Kata”)

The name is a nod to my Uncle-In-Law, Jim who would tell of hardships he endured during his 82 years on this Earth and end with the phrase “. . . but, thats OK.” “We almost starved during the Great Depression, but thats OK,” is one example.

Similarly we, as an online Kata community can go about our days, good and bad as an online community and simply know that “ . . . . That’s OK” – we have Online Kata to help us.

 * * * * * This Session * * * * *

I have a latin phrase burned in my mind from my years as a student at Seton Hall Law School, Newark, New Jersey (1985-1989). That phrase is “Res Ipsa Loquitur.” It means “the thing speaks for itself.” Res Ipsa Loquitur was not only a legal principle I was required to learn, it was also the name of our school newspaper. As such, I was routinely exposed to it. Now, Res Ipsa Loquitur is the foundation of our first “That’s OK” session.

Session Parameters:

  • Date: Every day beginning Monday, January 20th, 2014;
  • Time: The very first thing in the morning, or as close as possible to the first thing you do;
  • Location:  Any location; however, my preference is an outdoor location;
  • Salient Points: This one is simple – as an online community we can perform our kata as a means of getting through our day gracefully, with a sense of satisfaction, no matter what we may encounter, because the benefits of our practice of the kata “speak for itself!” We will feel better than the average person physically, emotionally and psychologically all because of our online group kata. Thus each morning our kata will – Res Ipsa Loquitor.
  • Kata Sommelier: For martial artists, if you do not desire to perform Sanchin (or try my Shibumi Kata), during these two weeks, I would recommend you participate by performing the first kata required in your style. Without learning this kata, you would not have advanced in knowledge. Thus the kata “speaks for itself.” In Goshin-Do Karate, this would be Taikiyoku Kata, for Goju-ryu karate-ka, Gekisai Dai Ichi, for Isshin-Ryu practitioners, Seisan Kata, and the like.

In closing, I remain letting kata “speak for itself” –  and – – – “ . . . . That’s OK”

HANKO

Sensei John Szmitkowski

  invincible summer For information on my “no-risk”, kata seminars, please visit the seminar page using this convenient link https://senseijohn.me/seminar-kata/

lab-collage-6 For a refreshing and innovative discourse on kata and bunkai, please feel free to visit Sensei John’s Kata Laboratory and “THINK * SWEAT * EXPERIMENT” using this convenient link: https://senseijohn.me/category/kata-laboratory/

NOTES:

Sensei John is now on Facebook, under – FLY FISHING DOJO, you are invited to send a Facebook friend request.

For the official Goshin-Do Karate-Do blog, please visit WWW.DeFeliceRyu.Com

You may wish to view my blog dedicated to the interrelationship between martial arts protocol & ideology to fly-fishing and fishing in general by clicking WWW.FlyFishingDojo.Com

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