Merry Christmas – What a year!!

 

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Wow the end of the year is here. We just want to say a big thank you to everyone of you. We have really enjoyed bringing Martial Arts to the community and being able to pass our knowledge on to you. It has been an amazing year for us, opening a new club, grading new students and seeing them conquer their fears and nerves. Seeing our young kids develop throughout the year has been a real privilege.

We are looking forward to 2017. There are many things underway to make your training even better and to grow the club. New classes, changes to our website, visits from masters overseas, tournaments, more gradings, family fun days etc it is going to be an exciting year.

Classes resume as normal from the 09th January 2017 from 4.30pm, Parklands Community Lounge.

Unfortunately we do have one sad bit of news. Queenspark School has increased their hire fees for the hall. This has made it to expensive to keep using that facility. So from the new year all Wednesday classes will be at the Parklands Community Lounge where we have our Monday classes. Same times as before just a different location. However this is also a bit exciting as it gives the club a solid home for the next year for all classes.

You have all done so well this year and we hope you have enjoyed the classes. Have a great Christmas break and Happy New Year. Be Safe and have fun.

Most of all Keep Practising!

Osu!

Sensei Chris & Sensei Mike

a-year-in-review

Mid year update

Hi everyone,

Well it has been a busy few months. Lots of you have graded or are getting close to grading. Well done to everyone who has achieved the first step on their martial arts journey. Remember to keep practicing and use the website where you will find videos and a list of what you need for your next grading. If you have forgotten your password you can reset it on the website. If you have not got a login then please contact Sensei Chris and he will sort this out for you.

You may have seen some of the students wearing some stylish Shizoku hoodies lately. We only have a few left so if you would like one for you or your family members please let Sensei Chris or Paula know your sizes and we can see if we can get some more.

Wednesday nights growing fast

The club continues to expand with Wednesday night classes growing in size quickly. Don’t forget you can switch between Monday and Wednesday if you are unable to attend either class.

Tell us about your experience so far.

We want to know what you think of things so far. Help us to give you what you want by answering our short survey for us.

Click on this link and tell us what you think: http://goo.gl/forms/jNngJqYuRr

Staying in touch

Currently we are posting information about classes etc on our Facebook page. As we grow we will bring on other channels of communication. Like our Facebook page to stay in touch: www.facebook.com/senshishizoku . You never know you might find a picture or video of you training. :)

Some questions you have asked.

When is the first grading? Everyone always wants to know when they will get their next belt. As you progress through the ranks this can become longer and longer as their is more to learn. However you can expect to grade for your Yellow belt within about 3-4 months of beginning your training if you are attending regular classes. From there it is up to you.

It is important to remember that everyone learns at different rates and depending on how hard you practice your grading may take longer or less time than others. This is your journey and yours alone and it will happen at a pace which you set.

Don’t forget that practice make perfect.

Coming up…

As spring approaches we can start to think about outdoor training and some extra seminars on techniques or weapons. Stay tuned for updates on things coming up.

Osu

Sensei Chris
“Always use common sense before self defense – Osu”
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Are self defense classes worth it?

Millions of people across the world take self-defense classes every week. But are they just wasting their time and money? Wouldn’t you rather spend this with your friends, family or go out on a date instead? And after all this sacrifice – does it even work?

No-one can deny that there are a lot of charlatans involved in Martial Arts. Instructors with fancy names who ensnare students with belts, grades, titles and certificates. Maybe self-defense classes aren’t necessary at all. Maybe you can greatly increase your odds of survival without bowing down to an instructor with a funny name in an even funnier uniform.

All in all here at Shizoku Martial Arts we feel that you should give yourself the best chance you can in today’s world to survive. It is amazing how one little thing can be the difference between life and death or serious injury. In saying that there are some great ways to add to your training and increase your odds out there in the real world.

1. Get Fit!

Being physically fit has so many advantages and is vital to your survival. The best form of “Self-defense” is literally not being there.

“Running” is a great solution, and is always put forward by the more sensible instructors.

Being physically fit will help you live longer. It reduces stress – another “Master Killer“. It also increases your mental acuity. And let’s face it. A lot of self-defense situations are caused by stupid people making stupid decisions.

Finally, another benefit of getting fit is you look and feel fit. This is very important when thinking about why people are targeted for violence. They are not picked out at random. Usually, predators are looking for those who won’t fight back. Looking fit and strong can make them think twice.

2. How do you strut!

Research shows that walking shows how vulnerable we are to an attack. By changing our walking style we can significantly increase our personal safety. Amazing huh.

 

Walkers rated “Easy to Attack:

  • Had Short Stride Length relative to height
  • Had a “Gestural Walking Style”, a low-energy style with limited
    arm swing and lifting of the feet.
  • Weigh relatively little
  • Wear restrictive clothing like high heels and skirts

Walkers rated “Difficult to Attack”

  • Had a “Postural Walking Style”
  • Has Long Stride Length with Swinging Arms
  • A Swinging Foot Position
  • Energetic, Fast Walk
  • Weighed More

What the would-be muggers were looking for were snapshots of powerlessness. A victim. Somebody who offers sufficient reward for relatively little effort.

Self defense classes are great at giving you the self belief and confidence in your self to stand tall and walk proudly.

3. Learn How to Back-Down and Say “I’m Sorry!”

There is a theory on how violence happens and it has been outlined in “The Monkey Dance” theory, which has the following order:

  1. An aggressive, hard stare
  2. A verbal challenge, e.g “You got a problem with me?!”
  3. Closing to within arms-reach with increased signs of adrenaline (arms gesturing, chest puffed out, face turning pale)
  4. Escalating Violent Threats which are usually monosyllabic.
  5. Eventually, one of the participants will make contact with their index finger on the other’s chest. This can rapidly escalate into pushing and shoving
  6. Finally, one of the participants touches the other’s face, usually the nose with an index finger. This leads to a large, looping overhand punch being thrown, and the fight begins.

Sound familiar? If you’ve not been in one, you’ve probably seen plenty in the school-yard, outside bars and clubs or most places where alcohol’s consumed. And sadly, most men (and due to the differences in how adrenaline affects the sexes it’s almost always men) haven’t progressed emotionally beyond the school gates.

It’s not all our fault thought. The “Monkey Dance” is hard-wired into us. We also find it difficult to say “You’re right. My bad. I was being an ****hole.” It’s really hard when we ARE actually being an ****hole. Close to impossible when you’re “In the right”. Being “right” offers scant consolation if you’re beaten right into the local intensive unit…

Never underestimate the power of good people skills. By keeping a cool head when confronted by intense situations you stand a better chance of simply apologising and walking away intact.

Good empty-hand skills can allow you to create space to either get to a weapon or get the hell out of there. It also easier to prove “reasonable force” in a court of law. If you shoot or stab somebody (even in “Self-Defense) there’s a good chance that’s where you could end up. Again, this is something that is rarely considered in self-defense classes…

The Bottom Line

Remember, the best defense isn’t a good offense. The best defense is using your common sense not being there. Period… but why not give yourself a chance in case the worst happens.

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Martial arts is good for the mind, soul and especially the body for kids!

1 in 9 children (aged 2–14 years) are considered clinically obese in New Zealand. Learning healthy eating habits and engaging in enjoyable physical activities can counteract hereditary and metabolic tendencies.

What causes childhood obesity?

Learning healthy eating habits is the first key to a lifetime of physical wellbeing. The average teenager eats fat-and-calorie-laden fast food at least twice a week, while only three of ten high school students report eating green vegetables nearly every day or more often.

The second key to a healthy life is frequent aerobic exercise. By converting at least half of a child’s sedentary time (watching TV, playing video games, working on a PC) into daily, fun physical activities, the obesity epidemic can be greatly reduced.

How martial arts can help

One of the strategies experts recommend for reducing childhood obesity (in addition to serving sensible, healthy meals) is to increase daily physical activity. Taking martial arts classes is a great way to do this because with martial arts, the activities don’t feel like chores or laborious exercises. They’re all fun!

As children learn new martial arts skills – how to focus, how to think and act responsibly, how to think like, and evolve into, a life-long champion – they develop an awareness of themselves and others that fosters respect and a sense of independent accomplishment that is hard to match in any other way. With the martial arts belt system students remain motivated, encouraged, and positive because they’re always moving forward in measurable and emotionally satisfying ways.

For parents there is very little more satisfying than watching their beaming martial arts student achieve physical dexterity and a passion for daily activity that’s certain to promote a future bright with promise.

Why is fighting childhood obesity so important?

Increasing numbers of youngsters are developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, trouble with bones and joints, sleep disorders, and other weight-related issues that were formerly seen only in adults. Should this trend continue, our own children may become the first generation of Kiwis to have shorter life spans than their parents!

Obesity is also detrimental to the human spirit. Overweight and obese children often suffer from bullying and teasing by similar-age classmates, causing many to develop low self-esteem and depression.

At Okinawa te Karate, children learn skills and lessons that benefit them for the rest of their lives. By encouraging discipline of mind and body, martial arts go a long way toward providing children with esteem for their own bodies, respect for others, and a passion for achieving excellence in all they choose to pursue.

*excerpts from urbandojo.com

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Why kids need to learn Karate

There are a number of different things to look for when looking to study Martial Arts.

  1. Confidence: When you’re confident you can defend yourself and don’t come across as an easy target that most bullies look for. Also, if you have accomplished something a little difficult then you have confidence that you can move onto a new level, not just in martial arts, but in any area of your life.
  2. Defense: Learn techniques to help them defend themselves in hostile situations.
  3. Learn How to Take a Punch: The best defense in most situations is to run, flee or remove yourself from the situation. If there is some reason you have not left the situation it usually means your opponent has thrown the first punch and is on top of you or has attacked you in some way. If you know what it feels like to take a punch and keep your wits about you, you’re chances of survival are much greater.
  4. Discipline: This is another point that ripples throughout a child’s life. However, to master the different levels of any martial art you’ve got to have physical and mental discipline. Martial arts give children practice using the body and mind in harmony.
  5. Endurance: Martial arts is a sport, you build strength and endurance.
  6. Leadership: Part of becoming a yellow, purple, blue, green, brown or black belt, and higher is teaching beginning students. Senior belt students are the role models of those below them.
  7. Health: We have an epidemic of childhood obesity in this country. Martial Arts is a great way to get moving and burn off calories.
  8. Fight in a Controlled Environment: Kids get the experience of fighting in a controlled environment where they don’t get hurt (too much). This makes them safer outside the dojo if they get into a fight as they understand fighting and how to control themselves and their opponent.
  9. Situational Awareness: Studying martial arts requires that you always be aware of your environment. This is an invaluable skill to have later in life for any number of daily adult tasks.
  10. Ability to Assess an Opponent: If you can determine that your opponent is weak in an area you can use that to your advantage in any hostile environment. This is an invaluable skill.

Getting your kids into Karate and Martial Arts is one of the greatest things we think you can do for your children. It gives so much to them that they can take with them when the leave the dojo or into their adult life. Contact Sensei Chris at the dojo to find out about our kids classes and give your child a head start in life skills.