A Time for Reflection

One of the reasons Martial Arts training brings so much satisfaction is that it teaches a way to look at things as well as a way to do things. To be sure, our complete training program involves all the technical moves you’ll need to advance through your training to Black Belt and beyond. On the other hand, a true Martial Artist cannot expect to make much progress without changes in character to complement physical training. The development of strong character has come to be known as the development of a Black Belt attitude.

Courage

What then, are the qualities associated with Black Belt Excellence? Let’s begin with a familiar (though rare) character trait: courage. You may think of courage as daring, or the ability to do things that people find scary or dangerous. Some dictionaries even define courage as “the ability to disregard fear.” Courage within the definition of Black Belt Excellence is something else entirely. It is the capacity to overcome fear. It’s one thing to pretend you’re not afraid of something (to “disregard” it), it’s quite another thing to face a frightening situation and do what you can to overcome the fear and follow through to do what must be done. Also, it takes real courage to tell a friend that you don’t want to join them in an illegal, unethical, immoral or inappropriate activity just because they think it would be a “cool” thing to do.

Self Control

Another quality of Black Belt Excellence is self-control. Self-control is the ability to stay on top of your emotions when it might be tempting to get mad or frustrated. When you lose control of your emotions in a sparring match you give power to your opponent. Even when you’re so mad you can barely hold yourself back, remember that losing self-control is exactly what your opponent hopes you will do. When you lose control of your emotions in any area of your life you become vulnerable to forces outside yourself that may be beyond your control. Sometimes our only chance of overcoming an overwhelming situation may rest on our ability to control ourselves. Self-control allows you to respond consciously to a situation, rather than just react to it.

Respect

Finally, Black Belt Excellence includes the essential quality of respect. Respect is the attribute by which you honor yourself and demonstrate that you honor others. Bowing to your opponent, and treating a weaker opponent with compassion are two ways to demonstrate respect during a sparring match. You’ve probably already noticed that respect is partly about how you treat others. Being respectful will earn you the respect of others, and will help you to develop a lasting respect for yourself. You may have also noticed that the three attributes of Black Belt Excellence are related. For example, it takes courage to maintain self-control, and at times it takes self-control to show respect for others. This is why we say that Black Belt Excellence is about the development of character. When you achieve Black Belt Excellence, you’ve built a foundation that’s an appropriate blend of courage, self-control, and respect.

Learning to Adjust: Schedule Changes

With the start of the new school year many of our young students and their parents are dealing with a new schedule. Recently one of our parents had a question about her child’s Martial Arts schedule because he had entered Middle School and was now only able to attend classes from 5:15 pm. After explaining to her the best ways to fit her son’s new schedule into our own I thought that other parents may face similar challenges. Since we offer quite a lot of choices for students the parents may not be aware of all the training opportunities that exist at our Martial Arts Academy. Most karate schools are open for only four or five days a week and offer only one or two classes a day for students. Ever since 1983 we have offered classes every day, seven days a week. Additionally we often offer three or four children's classes per day based on different age groups and belt ranks. This wide range of choices is designed to help parents work out the best schedule for their child, given suggestions by the Sensei of the optimum training opportunities for their age and rank.

All students may attend Level 1 (L1) classes as this is where the Basics are the primary focus. All students benefit from regular practice of the techniques basic to their rank. Many parents do not realize that all of the adult Black Belt students regularly attend L1 classes, even though there are often beginners present. Just because we have classes on the schedule for more advanced students does not mean that advanced students should only train at their highest level. Rather, advanced students should look to train at least once every week on their Basics, Pairs and Kata. Sparring classes, Weapons and Grappling can also be added in for their value as contextual training opportunities.

If you take a fresh look at your Class Schedule with these points in mind I’m sure that you’ll see plenty of training opportunities for your youngster at all levels of proficiency. Remember that if your child has achieved the rank of Purple Belt or higher they also may qualify to attend classes as Sempai (instructor assistants).

Win Double Grading Credits

Tournament Team

Private Lessons

DVDs for all Ranks

Strikeforce on CBS

ISKA sanctioned “Strikeforce MMA” will air live on the CBS Television Network 9:00pm on Saturday Nov. 7 , and will include four bouts. Showtime, Espn2 and Sunshine Network also air ISKA events. Shihan Mason is the World Commissioner and Chairman of the ISKA. www.iska.com

Science Channel - Green?

A series of programs called EcoTech, shown on the Science Channel, featured scientists and

entrepreneurs from all over the world who had devised practical solutions to many of the major energy problems nation now face.

Baby visit a Highlight

“You must have long-range goals to keep you

from being frustrated

by short-range failures”.

It is difficult to assert yourself appropriately if you cannot defend yourself physically. Having training in self-defense skills gives students confidence to be appropriately assertive. Where bullying is concerned we all need to consider the following:

*Parents and teachers must recognize when bullying is happening and confront it immediately

*Do not support bullying by passively watching it you must intervene or seek assistance

*Girls bully emotionally by threatening to withdraw attention or not be friends. Boys are more physical

*Always try to avoid violence (walk away or talk it out if possible). In a physical interaction emphasize blocking rather than hitting back if possible

*Bring the situation to the attention of a parent or other adult as soon as possible

Children who do not have strong family support tend to be less skilled in how to handle conflict.

A number of studies indicate that incidents of bullying and youth violence are increasing because many children do not have appropriate outlets for their emotions or people to help them work through issues. Training in Mudokai Martial Arts develops emotional balance.

Many studies indicate that children show more aggressive acting-out behavior after watching violent films and playing violent video games. Disciplined Martial Arts practice is an outlet activity for every students energy, while strict enforcement of Dojo etiquette does not permit violence at any time and constantly reinforces the development of self-control.

Because Martial Arts practice emphasizes self-control, and allows children to be systematically desensitized to the initial panic response that is common when an aggressive attack is launched at them, they are more prepared to deal with bullying. Reflexive training will bring blocking skill into play without having to think about it. This physical preparedness builds confidence in students and lessens the likelihood of an attack occurring. As young Martial Artists children can learn to be in control of themselves physically, emotionally and psychologically. This gives them the best opportunity to be in control of a situation where a bully might threaten them or actually attack them.

Bullying and teasing is unfortunately still too common. By helping youngsters prepare to deal with it, we can help to diminish one of the most upsetting childhood experiences.

“There are those who make things happens, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what’s happening.” You have no reason to be in the latter groups. Set your sights on your goal; focus your intention; maintain your discipline and you will earn stripes and achieve your belts.

© Shihan Robert H. Mason & Sensei Matt Bergstresser 2008

"Those who have lived out their days

have had a long life"

There is an old Chinese saying, “The stalk that carries the most grain, bows the lowest.” I think this carries into the martial arts philosophy in that most of the time, the best warriors of all, are usually the most humble. This follows a natural principle called “The Law of The Farm”. Everyone knows that a farmer plants his crop in the spring, works it all year and gets to harvest in the fall. This natural law is true in business, personal relationships and basically anything you want to achieve in life.

The truth is that you need to pay in advance, full price for anything you get. Many people are raised today thinking they can get things now and pay for them later based on the way our society has become, but in all important things, you must give first and then you get.

This is especially true with respect. Respect is something you must earn, not demand from others. Once you start showing respect to others, then respect will start coming back to you. In traditional martial arts, the senior students respect and take care of the beginning students as well as the senior students because they know that each position is very important in the overall scheme of things. The teacher respects the students, because without them, he would not have any position to teach and the students respect their teacher because they know what he is teaching is priceless and will change their lives forever. This mutual respect is the foundation of black belt excellence and what each martial artists should strive for.

Respectfully, Sensei Terry Bryan

Sometimes parents, especially the parents of very young children, mention to us that the kids complain about coming to class. The parents acknowledge that the kids like the class once they are there; yet they think maybe the child is losing interest.

In many cases, the child is not telling you they doesn’t like their classes. Often, they are demonstrating that they are “present focused.” At early stages of development, kids are not always able to project their thinking into the future, or weigh the potential for future enjoyment. For example, if you offer a young child a dollar now, or five dollars in a week, they probably will choose the dollar now, and the immediate gratification.

To deal with this, first of all, understand that the child may be delighted with the lessons, and still demonstrate this “complaining behavior.” Secondly, talk with your child… not when they are complaining, but at a later time. Explain to your child that you will no longer accept complaints about this commitment to karate… that if they have a specific complaint, they should speak to their instructor. By doing this, you are eliminating any complaining that is just complaining; at the same time, you give your child the opportunity to address any real issues.

Next, follow through! If your child complains again, hold up your hands and say, “Wait! If you have complaints about your classes, let’s set up a time for you to speak to Shihan Mason!” And when your child does come without complaining, let them know how much this pleases you.

Sensei Max Balzano's love of fire companies began in preschool, when a field trip took him to a Florida volunteer fire department. "I was impressed by it," Mr. Balzano remembered. "I said to myself, that's what I want to do." Now 18 and a senior at St. Mary's High School, the Annapolis resident is a firefighter and emergency medical technician at the West Annapolis Volunteer Fire Company Station 40. "I like to be able to help people; I've always liked doing it," he said. "It's a great feeling to know that you made a difference in someone's life."

Understanding where the boundaries are is fundamental to comprehending almost any situation. I have recently taught several self-defense classes, some at our Dojo and others at facilities like BCC and St. Gregory's school. Some of the classes were restricted to adults, while others were specifically for Girl Scout groups. One of the key concepts covered in all of these classes was the idea of “establishing and maintaining boundaries”. When someone approaches us in a way that we perceive as menacing or inappropriate we must establish a boundary for our safety. If we yell “STOP! BACK OFF!” while thrusting our palm heel towards their chest we define a boundary. Should the “attacker” continue to advance, we are under attack and must respond.

During my classes with the Girl Scout groups I talked about how their parents established boundaries at home, and how, while respecting those boundaries, they should recognize that they will be involved in ongoing discussions with their parents to redefine theses boundaries as they develop as young adults and assume more and more adult responsibilities. The point under discussion was, that while we must understand where a boundary lies at the moment, we must also be prepared to negotiate for recognition of a new boundary, based on changing circumstances. With children the obvious times for such discussions may be birthdays, i.e. “now that you’re eleven years old your bedtime will be 9:00 pm rather than 8:00 pm. Another obvious time would be at the start of a new school year, i.e. “now that you’re attending High School you could look for a part- time job on the weekends”.

In nature some boundaries seem absolute, though we are constantly striving to push them back. The space program is an illustration of this as we strive to explore beyond the confines of the Earth. What sometimes makes self-defense difficult is that the boundaries are not always absolute or obvious. Predatory attackers don’t always dress up as Ninjas and attack us with swords. More often they dress up to look like a harmless neighbor, then sidle up to us while we’re putting groceries in our car and try to abduct us without warning to do us harm. That’s when it’s useful to have some basic practical skills. Many of us saw the video a few years ago of a teenage girl in Sarasota who was abducted in broad daylight while walking home from a friend’s house. As she walked through a gas station the security camera picked up her attacker grabbing her by the wrist and dragging her off. An awareness of boundaries and some basic self– defense skills could have saved her life.

Many students took the opportunity to demonstrate their skills at the Open House and Shiaii on March 1st. In Basics great performances were turned in by Rachelle, Eduardo and Jaiden with first runner-up awards going to Matthew, Nathan, Tony and Isaiah and second runner-up awards being won by Luca and Nadia. Oscar won the Grand Championship in Weapons, with Heather and Tyler as runners-up. In Kata competition Heather won the Grand Championship, followed by Oscar, Luca and Jendayi. Winners for the Sparring event were Jendayi, who won the Grand Championship, Rachelle who won first place, followed by Kyle, Cameron and Tyler who all gave every match their best effort.

The Shiaii is a tournament style seminar which gives students of all ages a chance to gain some performance experience in the supportive atmosphere of the Dojo. For students seeking to follow up, the US Open World Martial Arts Championships will be held at Disney World in Orlando over the 4th of July weekend.

One of the principle qualities for which a Martial Artist should strive is the quality of leadership. However, leadership ability is not a talent that can develop in a vacuum; it comes from the internalization and practice of other qualities. Sun Tze, the ancient philosopher and tactician said, “leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humanness , courage and sternness.” To be a leader does not mean to boss others around, to be obnoxious or impolite, but rather to exude confidence in yourself and demonstrate the qualities which Sun Tze recognized so long ago. It is not enough to be proficient in one aspect of leadership while ignoring other elements that are involved in being a leader. The ability to lead - that is getting others to follow you - comes from a careful balance of all the essential qualities of leadership. There are plenty of people who are very intelligent, and an equal number who are confident and courageous, but only a very few who can temper their courage and intelligence with trustworthiness and compassion. These are people who don’t just dictate, but lead.

As stated before, being a leader means that others have a desire to follow you in the things that you do. In the words of Confucius “there is a good leader when those who are near are made happy, and when those who are far are attracted.” As you develop your leadership skills, you may find that you are not the natural leader in all aspects of your life. Being a leader does not mean that you always have to lead, but that you have the ability to lead when necessary. In fact, one of the principle aspects of leadership and intelligence is a quality that lets you know when it is time to lead, and when it is time to follow.

Students and parents sometimes ask me how I feel about karate tournaments. They wonder whether or not it is necessary to compete to progress in karate. Let me offer some insight into the sport of Karate and how it relates to Martial Arts (MuDoKai).

Some students do well in tournaments and have fun, while others are less happy with their performance. Florida enjoys a very high standard in Martial Arts, and competitions often attract the best practitioners from the schools around the state. Not all events are well run and not all officials do a good job. Sometimes opponents are not well controlled. All of these possibilities lend an element of reality to tournament sparring in particular, that can make it more like a real fight than it is supposed to be.

In addition to the positive media attention that results from tournament success, the sport aspect of Martial Arts also serves to inspire some students in their training. Sometimes the goal of entering a competition in Forms or Sparring encourages a student to train harder and more frequently with the result that their practice improves. Motivation is a major factor in the training regimen of most students. If tournament performance inspires good training habits, it is obviously a plus.

While the UKC students, who choose to compete, generally do very well, the majority of those who train here never enter a tournament. Much of the training that we do for self-defense does not have a legal tournament application, being too dangerous to be permitted in a contest; and we are not specifically a tournament oriented school. Beyond the sport and self-defense applications of Martial Arts principles, the deeper purpose of the MuDoKai style is in training for personal growth and development. To quote from the Tao Te Ching (Lao Tzu), “He who overcomes others has force he who overcomes himself is strong.” The idea of learning to overcome, or be in control of oneself through Martial Arts training, provides a major reason for students to continue to practice, even beyond the Black Belt level.

Allowing children to quit before they reach their goals, is a course of action that some parents unfortunately take these days. It seems a convenient way out for those parents who do not want to struggle with the challenging behavior of a child who does not want to follow through on what they have started. Not all learning experiences in life are easy, and some children may rebel when they are required to confront what may seem to them to be a very challenging situation.

Unfortunately, what we teach children when we allow them to quit something that they have started, is that quitting is okay. We send a message that quitting is acceptable and that quitting is a viable option. This is not a good lesson for life.

In the movie Apollo 13 there is a scene where the Mission Control Coordinator has to figure out what to do in response to the Apollo capsule malfunctioning in a way that will prevent re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. Unless the ground crew can accomplish what seem to be impossible tasks, and solve the problems that face them within a very limited time frame, all will be lost. What did the person in charge tell his anxious and flummoxed staff? To quote the movie, he said that “failure is not an option”. This man was not a quitter.

Many years ago a junior student had been given three red stripes on his belt and was ready to test. The child was given his paperwork stating this and then a very strange thing happened, he told his mother that he had lost interest and that he wanted to quit karate. He was actually just scared to take the test. His mother let him quit. At the same time another student had also been given his third stripe and was ready to test. He also wanted to quit but his mother insisted that he finish what he started and even paid for a set of lessons that would take him through the testing date (his membership had expired one month before the date set for graduation) so that she could support his following through to his goal, achieving the belt that he was ready to test for.

The different between these two similar situations is crucial to the development of each child’s character. In the first instance the mother allowed her child to quit before he completed the process of graduating to the next belt, thereby ensuring that quitting became an established habit. He subsequently carried this habit into his teenage years when he also quit high school despite being a gifted student.

In the second instance, the mother used her parental influence to insist that her child complete what he started, so that child not only took his belt test and passed it, but went on to achieve Black Belt, having faced the challenge before him with appropriate parental support and guidance and succeeded despite his performance anxiety.

Not everyone will necessarily train in karate throughout their life, though some students will. Most students however can achieve the goal of Black Belt. We are a Black Belt school. Aim for your goals and practice hard to realize them and you will succeed. Just because you are afraid of having to perform, or otherwise feeling foolish or humiliated is no reason to give up. You can succeed with a winning attitude, and your Sensei will help you gain that attitude with the assistance of your parents bringing to your classes.

© Shihan Robert Heale Mason 2008

In February Shihan Mason celebrated 28 years of continuously teaching Martial Arts in Plantation. Among the four students who participated in that initial lesson was Sensei Tom Clark who went on to achieve Nidan, 2nd degree Black Belt.

“Everything that has been achieved is merely a preliminary exercise for the achievements to come, and no one-not even one who has reached perfection-can say he has reached the end.” This quote from Eugene Herrigel touches on an important theme for martial arts students. The experience of perfection, or completeness in martial arts, often only occurs after many years of practice and thousands of repetitious movements. Sometimes, however, it can be experienced by a complete beginner. Herrigel wrote “Zen in the Art of Archery,” and years ago I remember taking a girlfriend to practice archery with me. I showed her how to draw the bow and loose the arrow. Her first shot went straight to the center of the target, the gold. I was thrilled, as she was, at the experience of everything going “just right.” The moment was complete, perfect. Of course, this joy of the novice at a flash of perfection, while wonderful, does not mean that mastery has been achieved. Mastery requires consistent high level performance over time.

Repetition often leads students to feel bored. Getting just as excited about a punch or kick on the twentieth repetition, as you were on the first attempt is often difficult. Repeating the move for the five hundredth time is often a rote performance, containing little of the zest, intensity and quality necessary to achieve perfection. Yet, only after many thousands of such excellent repetitions can the move become so smooth, relaxed, reflexive and energized that it feels perfect.

Within the Mu-do-kai curriculum, I have done my best to disguise the repetitions. I have placed the fundamental exercises into different contexts at each belt level, in order that the students may see them with fresh eyes. I understand that new gold belts usually think that when they can roughly get through Pinan Nidan, that they “know” the Kata. These students find it incomprehensible that a Black Belt student, having been many times a champion, is performing the same Kata now, as he attempts to win his next title, as he was when he won his first. What is more, he is getting the most out of it now, and performing at the highest level. For Black Belts, this is the way to mastery, not just of karate, but of themselves.

1. Basics and Combinations – Make sure you have practiced and that you know your basics. You should also rehearse your combinations until you can do them repeatedly without missing a step.

2. Attitude – Realize the value of a positive attitude. You must always strive to impress your Sensei with your winning and positive attitude.

3. Kata – Practice your kata, and take time to perfect each move, within the context of each combination of moves. Visualize the whole routine.

4. Self Defense – Again, during routine practice, you should practice your moves and make sure that you understand them. Stay on task in class and be sure that you are are doing all of your pairs techniques properly. Ask the Sensei if you have any questions so that you can be sure you are practicing correctly.

5. Energy Level – Make sure you are well rested and have had a high-energy, healthy snack (fruit, granola bar, etc.) before going to the Dojo. Keeping your energy level high will ensure that you perform to your highest potential.

6. Focus – Focus is extremely important. As all Martial Arts experts know, the body cannot work alone. To maintain focus means keeping your mind sharp and concentrating on the task at hand.

“Fortune favors the prepared mind”, so prepare yourself using these steps before your graduation, and keep them in mind while you are in the learning process. This will make your journey to Martial Arts Excellence a consistently rewarding experience.

When we are learning anything it is fundamentally important to develop a winning mind-set. While it is often assumed that “superior ability” is a key to success, over thirty years of research has indicated that an overemphasis on “talent” or “intellect”, along with the implication that these are fixed, innate traits, leave students feeling fearful of challenges, vulnerable to failure and unmotivated to learn. All of the research indicates that our abilities are not fixed and can be developed and improved upon throughout our lives. Even geniuses and the most talented people have to work hard and persevere to accomplish their goals. What we endeavor to teach students at the Dojo, is the “growth mind-set” that asserts that abilities are developed, intelligence is malleable and that, with persistent hard work, skills will improve and problems can be solved. In short, students of Mudokai learn how to learn, and develop the learning skills that will enable them to use this mind-set to utilize hard work and their love of learning to work towards success in all of their endeavors.

When people have a “fixed mind-set”, they get upset every time that they make an error. They “feel dumb” perhaps because they could not perform the move the Sensei showed them. This attitude leads to a lowering of self-esteem and will likely be reflected in their job, at home, or at school in the case of young students. One of the benefits of training in Mudokai is that we can address this issue directly. All students are encouraged to see the acquisition of skills and techniques as something everyone can learn. Our curriculum is designed so that all new beginners will be able to learn the blocks strikes and kicks through the process of instruction, practice, correction and improved practice. As students achieve higher ranks and learn more advanced skills they realize more and more that, just as they can improve their balance, flexibility, strength, agility and fitness through persistent effort, that same effort applied to their job or their schoolwork will allow them to improve their skills in those areas. A major consequence of the development of a “growth mind-set” is improved confidence. When we realize that we can learn anything we set our mind to, and achieve results by virtue of hard work and effort, we see any errors we make as useful feedback that will allow us to hone our skills. We see the development of new skills as a challenge, to meet with energy and enthusiasm. Because Mudokai training is so technically specific, the Sensei can offer praise for the students accomplishments at every stage of the development of each new skill. By focusing students on the actions that lead to success we can foster motivation and confidence.

In 1982 when the University Karate Center moved into its first permanent studio space Sensei Neal Fleisig had already been training with Shihan Mason for two years. Having trained in Japan and received his Black Belt in Shorin Ryu Karate prior to beginning to train with Shihan Mason, he was on hand to help out with teaching classes as soon as the school opened. Shihan Mason was teaching a full schedule of private lessons at the time, which meant that he was frequently out of the Dojo. Sensei Fleisig, who is also a Psychologist, was able to step in and teach classes at a critical phase of the Dojo’s development.

Sensei Fleisig is a “Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He is also trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy and biofeedback techniques and has worked as a clinical therapist. Mr. Fleisig serves as a consultant to hospitals, schools, and community based facilities that work with individuals who exhibit severe aggressive and self-injurious behavior.”

In addition to his training in Shorin Ryu and MuDoKai Mr. Fleisig is an accomplished student of Tai Chi Chuan, and taught this class at the Dojo for several years. “These combined experiences have provided Mr. Fleisig with a unique blend of highly refined skills in body mechanics and movement. In addition, his training has resulted in a heightened sensitivity to issues that emerge when one individual physically intervenes with another.”

One of the hallmarks of Professional Crisis Management is that it “does not involve the use of pain to control or de-escalate aggressive behavior. All of the procedures in the system have been carefully developed and selected so as to avoid joint manipulation or awkward positioning. Professional Crisis Management procedures are eloquent in terms of body mechanics and are all physically "painless." Nevertheless, the procedures are powerful and effective and sufficient to contain and control even the most dangerous behaviors.” For additional information visit www.pcma.com. Shihan Mason wishes to thank the Professional Crisis Management Association for their contribution to this article.

At the karate school we teach children self-discipline, self-confidence and self-esteem as part of our program of personal growth and development by letting students learn how to do these tasks themselves. The Junior level is distinguished from the Dragons and Tigers by the degree of independence that we expect from the children.

For example, in the half-hour Little Dragons class the staff fills out the attendance card for the child and the parents are allowed to bring the child into the facility and to shepherd the child to and from the classroom, helping the child put away shoes if necessary.

In the forty-five minute Junior class the child is expected to be capable of doing these basic tasks, or of learning to do them, on their own. As parents and educators it is important that we all work together towards a common goal: providing opportunities for the children in our care to learn how to be self-sufficient.

Abraham Lincoln was once quoted as saying that “we don’t help others when we do for them what they could and should do for themselves.” At times people are confused about how children learn competence and confidence and how this relates to self-esteem.

Children can pick up on adults’ anxiety and learn to fear “failure”. Their natural ability to learn, which is fostered in a relaxed environment where trial and error is nurtured and encouraged, is shut down under the well-meaning guise of parental protection and involvement. Self-esteem is based on, and built through, learning how to be competent in life skills, according to Dr. Martin Seligman, a leading pioneer in the field of competence and depression. He says that we teach our children to be helpless when we prevent them from learning life skills, whether technical, emotional, financial, physical or intellectual in nature, for themselves. As parents we can give our kids opportunities by placing them in structured learning situations (with appropriate supervision) and supporting them in their efforts to learn, by letting them go through the process on their own.

Seligman’s book “Learned Optimism” explores this topic in detail, with research and empirical data compiled through years of observing the American process of child rearing. As adults we need to make the proffering of “rewards” (praise is a reward) contingent upon the delivery of reasonable, correct behavior from the child. Self-esteem is best developed when the child actually learns how to do something correctly, and that happens only through the process of trial and error on the part of the child.

I encourage you to view our classes at any time through the windows. Many parents bring chairs to sit and watch their children train. Since the repair work is now finished on the roof of our neighboring building, the wood partition has been removed and we can once again enjoy the bright outlook, as well as use the parking lot to the rear of the center if we wish. This is a big improvement as I personally found the wood partition rather oppressive.

While visiting the world-famous Hippocrates Health Institute recently in West Palm Beach I listened to a short talk by its Director Brian Clements, who has studied health and diet and exercise for over forty years. His speech was interesting and informative; it was surprising to hear him say that the most important element in recovery from an illness is the patient’s belief that they deserve to get well. Similarly, a young person’s belief that they deserve to be safe and strong is important in defending themselves in a close encounter with a potential assailant. “I am safe; I am strong” was imprinted on the front of the special tee shirts that Girl Scouts wore at the Jamboree and it makes a good motto for our young students too.

Who is the boss? Who is in charge? This is often how we perceive who has the power in a situation. We don’t want to be bossed around. In a society where “the customer is always right” there is often the idea that the consumer of a product or service is “in charge.” In Martial Arts it does not work that way. The Sensei is in charge. He is dominant. The students, starting from the most senior among them, form a hierarchy beneath the Sensei, based upon their rank. Where that rank is equal, they are encouraged to be modest, humble and deferential towards each other. The real test of their ability to be respected as dominant, lies after all, in their ability to perform rather than push.

While Martial Arts teaches respect for everyone, it also teaches the importance of winning, of being dominant, where issues of real importance are concerned. Additionally, self mastery is held to be of more value than dominating others. Respect is a by-product of this dominance hierarchy. For example, if a lion cub does not respect a male lion, he may end up being hurt, or even killed. Similarly, if a person does not respect a judge in court, they may end up going to jail for their attitude of contempt. Judges rule in their courtroom.

September is the start of the new school year, a time when parents and kids have to regroup to deal with busy schedules, changing schedules, and priorities. There is only so much time and energy in one 24 hour day so the question really becomes: what are the most important things that must be done each day. There are obvious choices such as school, homework, job, eating, sleeping and travel time; then there is what we do with the time that we have left, assuming that there is some leftover time. Often this is where things get tricky as this is the area that is not mandated and so this is the area of free choice, such as it is. This is where our values determine what choices we will make-an indication of what is truly important to us, where the rubber meets the road.

In talking recently to parents of new students some issues have come to my attention. Many parents are initially fearful of enrolling their children into our program. Usually this is because they have never had any experience themselves of a karate school before. Sometimes it is because they have had a previously negative experience with another school. Some karate schools at the present time, and many in the past, were set up on a para-military basis, with the goal of teaching students "blood and guts" fighting skills. Since I began teaching in Plantation in 1980 my goal has always been to make personal growth the major focus of our program. This is based in my belief that if students acquire their martial skills within a context of healthy physical, emotional and psychological development, they will derive the greatest all-around benefit. In the last few years in particular, martial arts studios around the country have finally begun to adopt the language of approaching martial arts in this fashion; however, the University Karate Center remains, as far as I know, the long term pioneer in this method of teaching martial arts to students of all ages.

It is often a good idea for concerned parents to come and watch a class first to see how we train. I appreciate the efforts that all the students make to refer clients to the school, and would encourage you to tell your friends and acquaintances about our program. We anticipate that "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" and that by seeing what we are doing, and by experiencing our program first hand, they will be convinced of its merit.

All students, but kids in particular, can use their martial arts knowledge to resolve conflicts peacefully, by talking rather than resorting to violence. The training gives them the confidence to be able to speak with someone who may be threatening them physically, rather than cave in to a bully’s demands, or lash out in panic as an untrained individual might. Since they have developed their practiced skills, they can remain cool calm and confident, while opting for the civilized solution. Essentially, Mudokai Martial Arts teaches practical peace.

Martial Arts is both a discipline and an art form. It is martial, therefore it lends itself well to regimentation, as does the military. It is an art, and as such requires the students to explore the mental and emotional aspects of themselves. Karate Do, the way of the empty hand, balances the right and left hemispheres of the brain by engaging the rational and the intuitive aspects of the mind simultaneously. This is the function of regular training in basics, strategy, and kata, essentially simple actions, that are developed through repetition and practice, to crystallize into a profound understanding. It is this reconciliation of discipline and freedom, of structure and creativity, that allows for the development of a mature integration of being. This self-knowledge develops a touchstone within, a capacity to do the “right thing”, and also the wisdom to realize the discipline of freedom through practice.

© 2007 Shihan Robert Heale Mason

When I was growing up I went to bed at 7:00 pm every night and got up at 7:00 am in the morning until I was about eight years old. My bedtime was extended to 7:30 pm from age eight to ten and then extended again to 8:00 pm from age ten to twelve.

When I went away to boarding school, right before my twelfth birthday, I recall complaining in letters home to my parents that I was not getting enough sleep. Lights out was at 9:00 pm and we got up at 6:45 am, just nine and three quarter hours, rather than my usual eleven hours. Of course, I got used to the schedule which was extended again when I was about fourteen to lights out at 9:30 pm, which was my bedtime until I left school at age sixteen. This regimen allowed me to get through my growing years with plenty of sleep, and as a result plenty of energy for my daytime schedule.

In order to train properly it is important to have the pant leg hemmed just above the ankle. This insures the student’s safety, so that they do not trip over their feet, and also gives a better overall look to the student’s appearance. In Japan students often wear karate pants hemmed to the mid-calf to keep them completely clear of the ankles for kicking.

A clean, wrinkle-free uniform is considered essential by none other than Sensei George Sfetas, who was my teacher when I was at University. Mr. Sfetas was famous for ironing his own uniform, a heavyweight Tokaido, and also for turning students away from class if their uniform was unsuitable, wrinkled or dirty.

So be “fashionably fit” for class by planning ahead. A second uniform is always a good idea, (one for the wash and one ready for class). Also, always remember after class to hang up the uniform (rather than stuffing it in a bag for the next time).

Martial Arts came originally from the Military Arts, where a well turned out, clean, sharp and complete uniform is always considered essential. Looking good in every respect is all part of our Martial Arts form.

(L) Sensei George Sfetas sparring with Mr. Mason (R) in 1980   World Forms and Weapons Champion Sensei Jeff Liotta demonstrates stillness in action

~Zen saying