KDA Today Fall 2011

Karate Do Academy, Westlake and Bay Village karatedo.net “A punch should stay like a treasure in the sleeve. It should not be used

indiscrimately”~ Chotoku Kyan

Christmas Party The annual Christmas party was a success as usual.

For the first time, we held our party at the Westlake Recreation Center. In addition to the many familiar faces, I also saw many white belts come. We started out with a great workout. The class started out together with warm-ups. Then, we did line drills, but the white belts split off and did their own line drills. Then, we split into groups. Afterwards, we saw many great demonstrations. Of course, we had our usual katas. But a few students were creative in their demonstrations. Dani, Sydney, and Hayelee did karate moves mixed with dance moves to a Michael Jackson song. Cate and Elyse did a skit about a girl getting robbed and fighting the thief. Sensei Randy and Sensei Sandy did a stick versus stick drill. There were some good laughs caused by some of the demonstrations. After filling ourselves with the numerous foods, it was board breaking time. Sensei Bert even broke one with his head! Many parents were standing by and watching. I think it is time for them to join! Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

- Navi

Campus Crime

Throughout fall quarter, Ohio State’s main campus was hit by a fairly high robbery and crime streak. Crime rates usually increase when students return to campus, but this fall, most of the activity was occurring closer to campus. Avoiding the bad areas will keep you safe, right? Some of the armed robberies occurred mere feet from High Street, a main thoroughfare on the east side of campus. Traveling in groups will keep you safe, right? One of the robberies involved an attack on a group of three female college students.

So how do you avoid this potential danger?

• Use Student escort services: On OSU’s campus, Student Safety Services provide rides home from campus from sunset until 3 AM year-round. The service area boundaries cover all conceivable locations a student could need to travel to without commuting to class.

• Remain aware of your surroundings. This involves not stumbling home after a long night of drinking. To a potential thief, a group of noisy and clearly inebriated individuals must look like winning the lottery. Also, avoid listening to your music so loudly that you can’t hear what’s happening around you.

• Avoid shortcuts through dark alleys. This one’s pretty self-explanatory.

- Sensei Kelsey

Bob’s Corner: December

2011

If you're just learning escapes or have forgotten a

few, they can be found in past issues of Bob's Corner.

You'll find our escapes step by step starting with the Fall

2006 issue.

How To Roll

A few issues ago, I covered how

to properly get up off the ground

without using your hands. In this

issue, I would like to cover another

basic, yet important skill˗‒ how to

properly do a forward shoulder roll. If shoved from

behind, a front roll will provide distance from your

attacker and permit you the opportunity to turn and

defend yourself. This is an introduction to the forward

shoulder roll, so I'm starting from a static position.

Eventually, work to a point that you can do this from an

upright walking position.

Find a padded area large enough to practice your rolls.

It may be a matted workout area or carpeted room. Do

not practice on a hard surface! I'm going to divide the

technique into separate pieces for you to practice. Just

practice the technique specified in each step and we'll put

them all together in the end.

I'm right footed, so switch the sides in the directions if

you're left footed.

Step 1: If you are a new

student, start by getting into a

horse stance facing your

padded surface. As a more

experienced student, you may

just face the mat with

feet should width apart.

Step 2: Step your right foot forward about two

lengths of your foot. Turn your waist and feet so you're

now in horse stance facing left at a 45 degree angle from

where you started. Place your right hand on your right

shoulder than place your left hand on your lower left

waist. Now imagine you have a line that connects the

two points diagonally across your back. This is the path

your body will travel along the floor.

Step 3: Open your hands and touch the pointer fingers

together and the thumbs together to form a triangle. Keep

the other fingers extended. The experienced student will

be able to skip steps 3 and 4, but as a new student please

follow each step with the help of a parent at home or

instructor in class.

Step 4: Bend over and place your palms on the mat. If

you can't place your palms to the mat you may need to

widen your horse stance. If this doesn't help, just touch

your finger tips.

Step 5: Tuck you chin against your

chest.

Step 6: Pick you right arm up and

place your forearm in front of your

belly button, your right palm pointing

up at your left side. You'll need to

bend at the elbow.

Step 7: Keeping your head and

right arm tucked against your body,

bend over contacting the right

shoulder/lifting the left leg off the

ground. The forward motion will

bring the rest of your body along.

Step 8: When you land, slap the

ground with your left arm. Keep

your slapping arm close to your left

side. Extending your arm straight

out may damage the elbow.

Step 9: From step 8, you need to follow the

steps of getting up without using your hands

and rotate your body to face the attacker

behind you.

Mistakes:

A common mistake I've observed are

students rolling along an imaginary line

running from the top of their head to the

middle of the lower back. Don't do this!

You're putting the weight of your body on

your neck and will slam your back on the

mat as you come over.

Another mistake I see students doing is a

barrel roll instead of the forward shoulder

roll. If you lay on your padded area belly

down and roll to your left or right, this is

what I call a barrel roll.

If additional questions or you can't get the technique to

work for you, ask one of the black belts for help.

- Sensei Randy

Why Karate Helps Me

Karate helps me because I can defend myself. If

a person sneaks up behind me I can use my karate to

escape people that try to hurt me. My brother wanted me

to show him what I learned in my Karate Do class. He

came up behind me pretending to attack me. I was able

to escape. My brother is a senior in high school and I’m

a sixth grader. I was proud and my brother thought that I

did an excellent job.

- Derek

Kajukenpo

What many people don’t know is that what we

learn isn’t just karate, but many different types of martial

art. The first is called Kajukenpo, it was formed in

Hawaii. It consists of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, and Kenpo.

We also train in Korean Tang Soo Do, it cannot be

traced to a founder but is formally known as Korean

karate. Shaolin Kung Fu, formally called Chinese

boxing, was founded by an Indian monk, that came from

South India, and on his way to found this form of

Martial Arts, it was said he did not speak for 9 years.

Chito Ryu and Shorin Ryu, Chito Ryu was actually

formed from Shorin Ryu in Japan. We also perform

other styles of martial arts such as Toy Gar Kung Fu,

Chinese Kenpo, Uechi Ryu, Tai Chi and Shaolin Chin

na. So the next time you are in karate, you can think of

all the different forms of martial arts formed what we do

now, and its rich and diverse history.

- Alex

Staying Healthy Through the

Winter Months

Most people find it hard to stay healthy and feeling good throughout the winter months. Even though the temperatures are dropping, outdoor activities can still provide a fun break from school or work. I love hiking year-round, including the colder months. With enough winter gear, you’ll be able to enjoy the nearby Cleveland Metroparks. http://www.clemetparks.com/recreation/hiking/index.asp

). Hiking is also an excellent way to get out of the house and burn some energy. Winter months can be never-ending for those karateka who may deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Symptoms can include increased appetite, increased sleepiness during the day and night, less energy, loss of interest, and irritability. Like many other forms of depression it is more common in women than in men. The symptoms of SAD can be mitigated with getting plenty of sunlight, exercising and maintaining social relationships. To counteract the seemingly inevitable weight gain of the holidays, use portion control when consuming food and alcohol. In my opinion, I eat what I want to eat. I stay healthy by choosing appropriately sized portions for my activity level. I also enjoy working out, so getting to the gym is never an issue for me. Dependent on your age and activity level, choose portions wisely!

- Sensei Kelsey

Fitness Beyond Karate

We are constantly reminded during karate class

to practice what we learn. Besides the Karate techniques

we are taught, it is also important to practice the warm

up stretches and exercises we use during class. Along

with these exercises, it is also important to use other

physical fitness disciplines mixed in with your Karate

routine, so you have a variety of activities to help you

keep fit.

One of the most important things I have found is to stay

aerobically fit, which is to keep your heart and stamina

strong. As you work more in Karate class in Line-Drills,

or if you have had the good fortune of attending Shugyo,

you’ll know endurance is key to staying strong and

mentally focused. Your physical endurance will also

help you increase your mental endurance, which is key

to maintaining focus.

It helps to choose a sport or physical activity that you

enjoy, to help keep your interest. One of my favorite

ways to keep my endurance up is to ride a bicycle. I like

to use the bicycle to as a tool to push myself to increase

my endurance and mental capacity forcing myself

through perceived physical limitations.

I typically ride a road bike, which some refer to as a

“Ten Speed” to keep aerobically fit. I usually try to ride

3-4 times a week as time and weather permits and each

time I head out on a training ride, I focus on riding a

little bit harder than the last time. I find it helpful to ride

familiar routes, which helps me track my performance.

My goal is to increase my endurance, which means

riding at a pace that is fairly quick for my ability and to

ride a lot of miles. We have a great resource in our area,

the MetroParks, which has many miles of trails that cater

to cycling. I often use the MetroParks and typically log

about 40 miles or more on a ride, trying to increase my

speed and ride harder each time.

Our family is a “Bicycling” family. We frequently ride

together throughout our neighborhood and through the

MetroParks, at a pace that is comfortable for all. It’s a

great way to spend time together and to also stay fit. Just

like practicing Kata, any amount will help.

Bicycling is not for everyone, so find a physical activity

that will help you build upon your Karate training and

increase your endurance. Push yourself mentally and

physically and I’m sure you will see it pay off the next

time you are working through line-drills, or find yourself

sparring. If you do choose to ride a bicycle, stay safe by

obeying traffic laws and always wear a helmet.

- Jerry

From Sensei Jim.........

I would first like to welcome Navi Baskar as our new KDA Today editor. Since this is his first issue, I hope all the students will congratulate Navi and help him by contributing articles in future issues. Being editor is a difficult, but rewarding job and I would like to commend Navi for taking it on. Next, as some of you may know, after 15 wonderful and spirited years, the decision has been made to discontinue Shugyo as of 2012. As difficult as it was, after much consideration, it was decided that there are currently not enough dedicated upper belts in KDA to organize and conduct a successful Shugyo. To be sure, we DO have a some very dedicated and capable purple and brown belts, but not enough to handle everything it takes to make a successful Shugyo. It takes much work, preparation, expertise, and a driving spirit not only at Shugyo, but all year round to pull it off. Furthermore, It would not have been fair or proper to ask past blackbelts, many who

have moved on to other goals in their lives, to come back and handle the responsibilities. In addition to this, our school now consists of a large number of younger and beginning students. KDA Shugyo was originally created mainly for upper belts with a deep dedication working toward blackbelt. These younger students will hopefully develop into these karateka down the road, but Shugyo is currently not for them. So on the positive side, Shugyo will be replaced with a new event geared especially for our younger students. This will also be a free event for all KDA students as was Shugyo. It will be held at Rocky River Memorial Hall on February 18th 2012 from 9:30AM to 12:30 PM. It will be called KDA Kime (Japanese word for focus), and will consist of teaching and practicing martial arts skills from many systems. It will be fast moving and demand a "focus" from all participating. Students will move from one activity to another "learning and doing". More to come regarding KDA Kime in the following weeks. Finally, in this article I would like KDA students to be aware that Sensei Bert has graciously offered his time to give extra instruction to students during the week days, He has reserved a room at the Rocky River Rec center at Hilliard and Wagar on Mon, Weds, and Friday evenings from 7 to 10. You can come on an "as can" basis and stay for all or part of the time. He will help you with all KDA belt requirements as well as some Sensei Bert specialties. Check with him before attending as he may not be available on every day. There is a $5 fee to cover the cost of the room and Sensei's time. Hope to you take advantage of the opportunity. It has been an exciting autumn season and indeed successful 2011. Continue to work hard toward your goals and remember the ultimate goal of karatedo. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

KDA Promotions Fall 2011

Westlake Recreation Center

Will – Yellow Belt

Mary – Yellow Belt

Kelly - Yellow Belt

Bay Village Youth Center

Greeshma – Purple Belt

Navi – Purple Belt

Note from Editor I am honored to be the new editor of the KDA newsletter. If you have an idea for an article, tell me or tell a sensei to tell me. Remember to check out our website for information on the karate classes at both the Westlake Recreation Center and the Bay Village Youth Center. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this edition of the newsletter. The articles are amazing. Also, thank you to all the students who are taking the time to read this. I hope everyone has a great holidays. And while enjoying the holidays, remember to practice, practice, practice!

- Navi