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Words from Sensei
I would like
to start by saying how proud I was of the participation
by all of you at this year’s Super
Saturday event. The AAU
Wisconsin State Karate Championship
tournament in the morning was fun to watch as everyone
displayed such exceptional sportsmanship. Competition
is so healthy when the right approach is taken. Karate
spirit exudes the values of fair play and giving one
hundred percent. I believe in
Karate. The morals and principles that are so much
a part of Karate study transcend all aspects of life.
When is it ever wrong to do your best and set your ego
aside? Sometimes, the hardest person to be honest with
is you. Let Karate remove that obstacle. Thank you to
all of the Black Belts that volunteered to
officiate-great job. Special thanks to Henri
Long, Angie and Oma Herrmann,
Laurel Llanas, for the excellent job at
registration and with the
food service. Those were
some good brats!
Training at
Super Saturday is a time
when all of the Authentic Ancient Arts instructors and
students can meet and greet dojomates from our
organization and appreciate the value of our
association. It feels good to know that people with
like-minds also have the same questions, the same
bruises, the same difficulties, the same triumphs, and
truly enjoy what they do. The promotion exams were a
treat for me to facilitate. The younger students held
up fine thru the long day. Parents-trust me;
this is valuable experience they will draw from as they
mature. From our Michigan branch, Sensei Julie Keil’s
granddaughter, Giang Le and Tommy Nebel from Waukesha
both proved our junior program to be successful by
attaining their fourth level of Junior Black Belt.
Shodan (1st degree Black Belt) is not
attainable before age 16 in authentic Karate. We have
two new Kobudo Black Belts at Sensei Bill Martin’s
dojo. Mr. Francois Auradon and Mr. Tim Kledhans both
shined during their test. Mr. Bill Lee and Mr. James
Campbell from the Waukesha dojo showed poise and promise
as they were accepted into our elite Karate
fraternity. Congratulations on a job well done! Now
gentlemen, please share with your junior ranking
dojomates. They want what you have earned.
The physical
exercise your body receives when training Karate/Kobudo
is second to none. You are certain to improve your
stamina, cardiovascular capacity, flexibility,
strength, and your ability to maintain a healthy weight
if you abide by a disciplined training schedule. So,
why don’t you train more often? Work, school, and
family commitments, are all legitimate reasons.
Let me tell
you a secret. When
you train regularly, work, school, and family
commitments are more enjoyable and disappear from your
detractor list. Why? Obviously, I am not a
psychiatrist, but I do know the mind is healthier when
the body is healthy. Karate is a wonderful gift. Let
it work for you. Sometimes, we get in lazy moods.
Don’t let that mood carry over. Go to the dojo. You
know you will feel better after training! Let
Karate and Kobudo improve your health, your mind, and
your life. It works.
The
2008
Warrior
Gasshuku
Karate
&
Kobudo
Training
Camp
is right around the corner. Early registration ends May
1st, please register at your earliest
convenience. This year we have several special guest
instructors from the Shorinkan Kyoshi-kai as well as
Kyoshi Blake Burgert of Ryu-te heritage. I will be
teaching some exciting new developments from the Okinawa
Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai as well. Please check out our
events page for in-depth information and registration
information. These people are the best of the best.
Don’t miss it, take advantage of this opportunity. It
is very difficult to assemble a group of martial artists
of this caliber. I thank them.
Always do your best-Neil
Stolsmark |
