APRIL NEWSLETTER
FUNDRAISER
Last month we did a fundraiser to raise funds for martial arts window graphics. These graphics will keep the school cooler in the summer months while giving us some added advertisement from drive by traffic. There will be more information in the coming weeks. Our goal was $2,500.00 dollars. Orders are being tallied up as well as the funds that were collected. There will be incentives prizes for the most orders sold to the top three sellers. Thanks to everyone that participated!
TOURNAMENTS
Mickey Gomez Wichita Open
Saturday, March 8th, 2014 Results
Everette Gould
Adult Novice Kata 1st Place
Adult Novice Kumite 1st Place
JoLea Wheeler
Musical Kata 1st Place
Youth Intermediate Kata 1st
Youth Intermediate Kumite 2nd Place
Natalie Williams
Adult Intermediate Kata 1st Place
Adult Intermediate Kumite 1st Place
Seibukan Karate Invitational
Saturday, March 22nd, 2014 Results
Alex Johnson
7-8
Intermediate Kata 1st Place
Intermediate Sparring 1st Place
Dakota Douglas
11-12
Intermediate Kata 2nd Place
Intermediate Sparring 1st Place
Intermediate Weapons 1st Place
Shayla Johnson
9-10
Advanced Weapons 2nd Place
Advanced Kata 1st Place
Advanced Sparring 2nd Place
St Jude Hospital Benefit Tournament
Saturday, March 29th 2014 Results
LoXau Kiatoukashy
Adult Novice Sparring 1st Place
Yvonne Pearman
Adult Novice Sparring 1st Place
Chance Barr
Youth Team Kata mixed 3rd Place
7-Under Novice Kata 1st Place
7-Under Novice Sparring 1st Place
Dylan Kiatoukashy
8-9 Novice Kata 3rd Place
8-9 Novice Sparring 1st Place
Brandon Kiatoukashy
8-9 Novice Kata 4th Place
8-9 Novice Sparring Honorable Mention
Alex Johnson
Youth Team Kata mixed 3rd Place
7-Under Intermediate Kata 1st Place
Dakota Douglas
Advanced Team Kata mixed 1st Place
10-11 Intermediate Weapons Kata 1st Place
10-11 Intermediate Kata 1st Place
10-11 Intermediate Sparring 2nd Place
Shayla Johnson
Advanced Team Kata mixed 1st Place
8-9 Advanced Weapons Kata 1st Place
8-9 Advanced Kata 1st Place
8-9 Advanced Sparring 1st Place
WOMEN’S SELF DEFENSE
Each April the Office for Victims of Crime helps lead communities throughout the country in their annual observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year, NCVRW will be observed April 6–12, 2014. We will be having our free workshop for Women’s Self Defense. This class will be Saturday, April 12th from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. This workshop is open to ladies ages 13 and over. Ge the word out and let your friends and family know.
KANSAS SUNFLOWER STATE GAMES
The Sunflower State Games is the largest amateur multi sport event in Kansas conducted annually three weekends in July. The martial arts games are tentatively the second weekend of July. This year we want as many of our students to attend as possible. Continue warming up at local area tournaments now so we can all make the trip to Topeka in July.
--Mr. Williams, Chief Instructor
PROMOTIONS
Saturday, March 15th, 2014
GOLD BELT
Yvonne Pearman
Purple Belt BELT
Natalie Williams
ONE STEP AT A TIME
Most of you know I had major reconstructive surgery on my left ankle right before Christmas. The surgery went well and I just recently received the final “ok” from the surgeon that all is healed up. Not back to normal yet, but healed. Now begins the real and tough recovery – getting back up to speed in terms of training.
I’ve noticed similarities between the 12 weeks of healing I spent after surgery and my journey in martial arts.
First, the hours immediately after waking up from 90 minutes of my ankle being torn into to remove an extra bone, tighten up a major ligament, and remove 25+ years of scar tissue reminds me a lot of the first 6 months of martial arts training. My brain was fuzzy, I was exhausted mentally from trying to wrap my head around my “new normal”. My body hurt in places I didn’t know existed. Nine million people were trying to tell me what I should and shouldn’t do. All I wanted to do was sleep but sleep was uncomfortable. I had to learn how to move my body in new ways that defied what I instinctively knew to do. “They” kept saying “it will get better”. I didn’t believe them. Of course, “they” were right …!
Second, as I moved into a walking boot and was able to put full weight on my foot and start to walk, I was reminded of my first belt test and the months afterward. I didn’t really believe I’d ever get there. I wanted it so bad I could spit but time moved soooooo slowly. I knew intellectually I couldn’t rush things but I was so terribly impatient. Then “it” happened – I was able to walk, I passed my first belt test. The euphoria and excitement were beyond belief. I was on cloud nine and knew I could take on the world. A tiny part of my brain said “this is only one small step” but I didn’t care. Nothing could tear me down; no one was going to rain on my parade. I had more than enough energy and fuel to carry me through the next round of challenges.
Third, as I walked out of Dr. Shields’ office on March 18 I thought of when I was awarded Shodan. Getting the “ok” on my ankle was like the day Mr. Williams moved me out of probation to full Shodan. I knew recovery/training was nowhere near complete. I also knew that I could move forward now. A major transformation took place both days in terms of looking at long term goals and how to achieve them. I learned (although I always knew, I didn’t *really* know) that my recovery / training was in MY hands now, and I had to power and choice to make or break it. That is really scary but at the same time incredibly freeing and still terribly burdensome as it really IS all up to me.
Lastly, as I sit and write this, I’m not up to par yet in terms of black belt level training. But I am a long way from where I was December 20th at 11:00 am when I woke up. I’m also a long way from where I was when I started martial arts in March 1983. And I will get where I want to be one step at a time.
--Cristine Warring, AKMS Black Belt
Traditional Karate vs Sport Karate
What is the difference between Traditional Karate and Sports Karate?
On a technical point of view there is hardly any difference between “traditional karate” and “sport karate”. Whether it is Shotokan, GoJu Ryu, Wado Ryu, Kyokushinkai, Isshin Ryu, Shorin Ryu, or any style, the basics are pretty much the same. The difference starts in the performance of the techniques. I do not mean the body, but actually the mind behind the performance. Traditional karate is focused on self-defense, the killing blow, or survival. Every move in traditional karate has a meaning…to survive. The mind controls the moves, while the action itself is purely self protection, or self-defense. Sports karate is set on scoring a point in order to become a champion or to get a trophy. The traditional idea of self defense is gone. Ego and “winning” take first place. Reality and survival gone and trophies are the priority.
This may sound aggressive in today’s modern and polite world, but if traditional training is the focus, then a traditional karateka will react more quick on various daily life events than a sports karateka will. A traditional karateka will go more directly to his goal in order to survive. A sports karateka will not react, as he does not know that his karate is about training the “human spirit” to survive in the first place. I do not mean in fights, but more like a job, with family life, etc. Reaction practiced in the traditional dojo can also be used in daily life. It teaches you to assess situations and make solid decisions quickly and with commitment.
The major downfall for traditional karate is the lack of the need to “survive” in the world today…life has become too easy, especially in the Western World. The major downfall to sports karate is “the show” it is not about survival, but rather “Show Time”.
--Jeremy Hass, Chief Instructor
NWLA Martial Arts Academy
