Hall of Fame award

I was sent this by Martin Carey in Ireland this week. It's an "Official International Black Belt Hall of Fame" award for 2008. My thanks again to the folks in Ireland. Much appreciated.

New Hampshire, Part 2

Hanshi Richie Bernard came to Steve White's studio as Jack Nilon and I were wrapping up our seminar on the six-step problem solving process which we illustrated through scenarios based on two-man attacks. As we taught how to take a standard technique and apply its parts by splitting them to handle the attack, Hanshi Bernard was patiently waiting in Steve's office.

He came out as we were bowing out the 50+ member class and Mr. White asked them to sit. He introduced his guest as a tenth-degree black belt in traditional Japanese karate and that he had a special recognition for me, one surprised instructor. I should mention at this point what a Hanshi is. The organization he belongs to is the Shidokan International. Shidokan translates as the "House of the Scholar-Warrior who follows the Way". The following description is from his group.

Shidokan International recognizes the growing experience of its members using the traditional teaching titles found in Japan. These titles are earned through dedication to karate and to the dojo, and are recognized around the world:
Shidion
“Assistant Instructor” - One who assists the teacher on a consistent basis. May be attained below Black Belt.
Sempai
“Senior Student” - Typically a Black Belt responsible for teaching a class.
Sensei
“Teacher” - Not only a teaching title, but the most often used term in Japanese to denote teacher.
Renshi
“One who Knows” - An internationally licensed teacher who takes on major responsibility within a dojo. Typically 4th Dan or higher.
Kyoshi
“One who Teaches Teachers” - A teacher who goes beyond his own training and teaching, and helps develop other teachers and other dojos.
“One who Teaches” - Usually 6th or 7th Dan with 20 to 25 years of experience, on the way to becoming a master.
Hanshi
“A Model for the Whole” - Reflects mastery of the physical side of karate, but also the understanding and ability to teach at all levels. This title also recognizes the master's lifelong commitment to living the karate code of conduct in all situations.
Chief Grand Master Instructor-minimum Rank in most cases Kudan (9th Dan)

The recognition was that he appointed me as a Hanshi and performed the traditional ritual that accompanies such an appointment. It is too long to be described here but it was recorded and some of you will be able to see it in the future. What I can tell you is that it came at a significant time in my life and is one of the highlights of my martial arts career. I never aspired to or expected such an honor and it staggers me to be designated as the Shidokan International group is recognized through the Japanese Ministry of Education.

The ceremony was laden with tradition and many points hit home, especially in the light of what has happened with the collapse of the Ft. Myers school here. Hanshi Bernard said that of the five demons that protect a dojo, the biggest, ugliest one is inside overlooking the floor because the biggest threat to a school comes from the inside.

This was a highlight in my martial arts career. Words are not enough.

New Hampshire weekend, Part 1

Jack Nilon and I went up to Manchester last weekend to work with Steve White's group up there. Jack taught a well-received class on Friday night. The subject was non-standard entries to two-man defenses.

As always, our hosts were great. Lee MacDonald took Mr. Nilon to the shooting range with Mr. MacKenzie while Mr. White and I went snowmobiling. It was the first time for me and I had a blast. On Saturday morning before that day's seminars Steve and I went to the Nashua airport to meet Bob Dimeo, a flight instructor Steve had introduced me to a few years ago. Bob has completed building his own airplane, an RV-8, and it's beautiful. The picture here does not do it justice. It looks like a little Mustang. The weather was a bit too cold to go flying and the ramp was covered in ice, but Bob has told me we'll take it up in May when I go back.

The Saturday class was a closed event. It was provided to the teaching team members of three schools by the school owners as an appreciation gift to them. Mr. Bill Gaudette, Mr. Jim Peacock, Mr. Harry Grimm, and Mr. White flew me up to teach at their expense. In my mind, such gestures mean more than money and gifts; experiences usually outlast material things by building character, educating, and broadening people.

Two other black belts of mine showed up, they being Lance Soares of Massachusetts and Tony Velada of Chicago. You can see they enjoyed themselves with Mr. Nilon. That's Lance on the left and Jack on the right.

The seminar was visited by a surprise guest. I'll tell that story next time.

Fwd: Listening in kenpo class prevented crime

From Tim Walker in Florida.

[ The names in this letter have been changed due to an ongoing criminal investigation.]

January 15, 2009'

To parents, students, prospective students and parents of American Kenpo Karate University:

My name is Jane Doe and my daughter, Janet, has been taking karate from Mr. Walker for 2 years. When Janet is taking class, I sit in the back of the University and study for my college classes. I often stop to watch my daughter in class or to listen to Mr. Walker give the class instruction. One of the things I have always enjoyed the most about Mr. Walker's teaching style is that he will often instruct students on "street-wise" information. I have always enjoyed listening to this information. I never thought that it would one day save me from a violent crime.

On the 5^th of this month, I was grocery shopping for a few items in Live Oak. It was latter than I usually go, about 9:45pm. As I was leaving the store I noticed a gentleman standing by his truck on his cell phone. I also noticed in the corner of the porch of the store a young gentleman watching me leave the store. At first I thought he was a worker from the grocery store but then I noticed he did not have on a uniform. I quickly assessed the situation and felt that I should approach the car with caution. If the other man had not been in the parking lot, I would have gone back in the store to ask someone to walk me to my car. I was thinking before I approached the car of what to do. I decided not to open the main part of the car but opened the trunk and quickly threw in the items and my purse as well. As I saw the man approaching, I quickly shut the trunk. I had my keys tightly in my hand with one keys sticking up so that I could use it as a weapon if need be. He asked me if I would give him a lift up town. I firmly said, "No!" and started to walk away. He walked back to the porch and I quickly got in my car and drove off.

Today, a week and a half after the incident, my friend at work showed me a newspaper article where a man at the same store on the same day [15 minutes after the man approached me] had given a man a ride and was robbed at gunpoint. That could have been me!

I am very thankful that Mr. Walker teaches his students to be "street-wise" and I am very glad I listen in class. Thanks Mr. Walker for saving me from an act of violence!

Jane Doe

---

This parent contacted the police and is helping identify this criminal. The man she mentions in the parking lot by his truck talking on his cell phone ended up being the one to give the younger guy a ride and ended up getting robbed. Someone else was robbed in a similar fashion at night in the WalMart parking lot 2 days earlier and they believe it was the same robber.

What we teach is not just about kicking and punching is it?? Yours in Kenpo, Tim

Timothy Walker, PSTD
4th Degree Black Belt
American Kenpo Karate University, Inc.
Branford, FL
386-935-3777   AKKUinc@juno.com
www.AKKUinc.com

____________________________________________________________
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Who thinks of this stuff?

Motivational

 

http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html

This was sent to me by Si-bok Tom Kelly. Motivating.

Why parents drink

Why Parents Drink
 
The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees was absent but had not phoned in sick one day. Needing to have an urgent problem with one of the main compute rs resolved, he dialled the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's
whisper. ' Hello ? '  
'Is your daddy home?' he asked.  
' Yes ,' whispered the small voice.
May I talk with him?'  
The child whispered, ' No .'  
Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, 'Is your Mummy there?' ' Yes '  
'May I talk with her?' Again the small voice whispered, ' No '  
Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, 'Is anybody else there?'  
' Yes , ' whispered the child, ' a policeman . '  
Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, 'May I speak with the policeman?'  
' No, he's busy , ' whispered the child.  
'Busy doing what?'  
' Talking to Daddy and Mummy and the Fireman , ' came the whispered answer.  
Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked,  'What is that noise?'  
' A helicopter ' answered the whispering voice.  
'What is going on there?' demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive. Again, whispering, the child answered, ' The search team just landed a helicopter '  
Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, 'What are they searching for?'  
Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle¦  
' ME . '