Shinjin Karate

Personal Safety and Self-Defense Classes

2011-07-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

Staying safe in a sometimes unsafe world: that will be the main topic and goal of a series of personal safety and self-defense classes we are starting for girls and young women in our community.

There is a lot of false information circulating on the internet about self-defense and safety. We want to make sure that girls and young women are fully prepared, that they will be able to determine what poses a real danger to them, and that they will be capable of protecting themselves.

On Tuesday, August 16, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, we will be holding a personal safety class for high school and college age young women. We will be covering a wide variety of topics about dangers and issues that participants of the class might be facing, or might face in the future. Each participant will receive a folder of all the information covered in class as well as supplementary material. Since the last part of the class will involve some hands-on training, we are asking that everyone wear loose, comfortable clothing.

On Thursday, August 18, from 10:00 am to noon, we will be holding a similar class geared especially for junior high age girls. Again, there will be class handouts and training that will require loose, comfortable clothing.

On Saturday, September 10, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, we will be holding a special safety class for teenage girls and their mothers.

Due to the sensitive nature of the material covered in these classes, and so that the participants will fee safe and comfortable, we are asking that men and boys not be present unless they have made prior arrangements with the instructor. Mothers of the participants are welcome to stay and watch the classes in August; the class in September will be limited to participants only.

Please call 805-931-0683 to register for more information. Spaces are limited and participants need to register in advance so that we can make class materials available to them.

Good values at great value

2009-02-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

One can't turn on the TV or radio without hearing some bad news. Recently a friend of mine asked, "Where is our country headed? What sort of world are we leaving our children?"

As parents, we can't help but ponder these sorts of questions. Will our children be equipped to overcome the challenges facing them in the future?

At Shinjin Karate, these are not rhetorical questions. We believe strongly in empowering all of our students, children and adults, to deal with all that life might dish out. We believe that our Keichu Ryu program teaches not only excellent martial arts skills, but life skills as well.

True karate is this: that in daily life one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility, and that in critical times, one can be devoted utterly to the cause of justice. - Gichin Funakoshi

As a neo-traditional dojo, we endeavor to teach true karate in a way that is most beneficial to the student of today.

RESPECT • ULTIMATE FOCUS • HARD WORK

It takes three things to be a good student in our dojo: respect, ultimate focus, and hard work. We don't expect our new students to be fully proficient in these things, so we teach them how to be respectful, how to focus their eyes, ears, minds, bodies --- and how nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without good old-fashioned diligence. Our students soon discover a wonderful secret: the harder they work at karate, the more they enjoy it.

We also introduce our students to our core values, and we encourage them to make these values a part of their lives:

DEDICATION
DISCIPLINE
RESPECT
HONOR
HUMILITY
THE KEICHU ATTITUDE

The last one encompasses all five of the previous core values and more. We describe the Keichu Attitude with these words: "I will train hard. If I fall down seven times, I will get up eight. I will never, never, never give up."

That sounds very old-fashioned. Dedication, discipline, respect, honor, humility, determination and perseverance --- these things have fallen out of style. But I believe that today and tomorrow, these particular values are more needed than ever. They are not optional for parents who want their children to be able to face the future with confidence, fully equipped to succeed. They are not optional for people who want to be able to stand firm and do what is right. These values are necessary.

In our dojo, you will learn to punch and kick. You will learn to defend yourself. You will learn a wonderful, cohesive and comprehensive martial arts system that you will be able to continue practicing throughout your entire life, even into old age.

But you will learn far more than that.

You will learn how dedication to your physical training can help you become strong and unshakable physically, mentally, and spiritually.

You will learn how discipline and hard work will stregthen your character.

You will learn how to be courteous and respectful and how to refrain from violence.

You will learn the importance of honoring what is important with your conduct, loyalty, and integrity.

You will learn the value of humility.

You will learn that quitters never win and that winners never quit. You will learn how to persevere in the face of difficulty and discouragement.

In other words, you will learn some of the most important life lessons and skills that you could possibly learn. You won't just learn those things. They will become part of you.

You will become strong.

Training in Keichu Ryu karate is one of the most important investments you can make for you and your family. It is an investment that will never fail and that will never lose its value.

Call 805-931-0683 today and invest in your future. We offer excellence in instruction at a great value.

Resolve today: hit the "re-boot button"

2009-02-21T13:55:00.000-08:00

February is racing by. Are your resolutions long forgotten, left in the dust? Or are you going strong?

Today is the day to re-evaluate, whether you are enjoying great success, partial success, or not much success. Of the seven goals I set for myself this year, I'm right on target for three of them, having met my daily, weekly, and monthly goals without fail. I can't begin to tell you how great that makes me feel, and how much making those new habits has improved my life.

For the other four goals...well, life has happened and has gotten in the way of my best-laid plans.

But, all is not lost. I'm reworking those four goals, making them a bit more realistic given my current circumstances, and I'm starting over. Resolutions can, after all, be made and kept every day. We don't have to give up and wait until 2010.

Today, I'm hitting the re-boot button on those four resolutions I've been struggling with. I'm not giving up.

Resolve today: get the right tools, part 1

2009-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

I am a firm believer in using the right tool for the job. At least most of the time. Once in a while, I can't be bothered with finding a particular tool and I attempt some sort of jerryrig...which never seems to work as well. But that's not as bad as having no tools at all, and trying to face a task completely unequipped.

Keeping your resolutions and goals usually requires some tools. There are the intangible tools, of course --- the sorts of things our series of articles have been about. But, in this particular article, I'm going to talk about some real, concrete tools.

If you are in our martial arts classes, or thinking of joining, here are some tools that will help you achieve the highest level of success:

Uniform - A basic, beginner uniform is good enough for a child just starting out; however, the right karate uniform can make a big difference. Serious students quickly discover that, unless they want to do laundry quite frequently, several good quality uniforms are essential. Ask Sensei which uniforms would be best for you.
Water bottle - Our special dojo sports bottle comes with a lifetime supply of drinking water.
Healthy energy snacks - Starting a workout hungry will not help you train hard.

As you advance in rank, you will be adding more "tools", such as sparring gear, weapons, etc.

For our fitness classes (including Fight Class) the following tools will maximize your success:

Hand wraps
Good quality bag gloves
Jump rope sized for you
Suitable workout clothes
Grappling gloves (especially for green belts and above in Fight Class)

Ask about our Fitness, Grappling, and Fight Packages. These will provide you with everything you need to get the most out of Fight Class for 2009.

For parents who want to make sure they are doing their best in helping their children succeed in our karate program, we now offer our Parents Package, which includes:

Child's square target
Child's kicking shield
Black Belt Parenting book
Mesh duffle bag

At Shinjin Karate, we want to make sure you have the right tools to succeed, whether it's martial arts training, fitness classes, martial arts supplies, uniforms, or more. Call us today at 805-931-0683.

Read more about having a successful 2009.

Resolve today: cut yourself some slack

2009-01-10T13:39:00.000-08:00

No one is perfect. We all know that. But why are we so hard on ourselves when we fall short? It's good to hold yourself to a high standard, to push yourself to achieve --- but it's not good to beat yourself up should you suffer a setback or fail to meet your expectations.

Today, be kind to yourself. Celebrate your efforts, even if they were not as successful as you had hoped. Don't succumb to all or nothing thinking; don't give up in the face of setbacks. Tomorrow will be another day. In fact, you don't need to wait until then to "start over" or "reboot". Take a deep breath, regroup, and start over 5 minutes from now.

And, while you're cutting yourself some slack, be kind to yourself in other ways. Get some rest. Enjoy life. Refuse to be a martyr or slave to your self-improvement program but, at the same time, refuse to make excuses for failure. Be real. Relax and enjoy the process, the adventurous journey, towards an improved, healthier and happier you.

Resolve today: set yourself up for success

2009-01-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Too often we set ourselves up for failure. Perhaps we resolve the same thing year after year, without bringing about meaningful life change that will help us finally succeed at our resolutions. Or perhaps we set impossible goals. Or perhaps we suffer from all-or-nothing thinking, as in, "I resolve never to touch another piece of chocolate again as long as I live."

Today, resolve to set yourself up for success. Review our past articles to find ones that will especially help you. Surround yourself with positive people who will help encourage you to meet your new goals. Be real about what you can or can't do. Don't be sidetracked by lapses or discouragement. Plan to succeed.

At Shinjin Karate, we want to help you keep your New Year's Resolutions! Read all of our related articles here.

Resolve today: make sure my resolutions are meaningful to me

2009-01-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

It should go without saying. Why on earth would we commit to a change in our lives that is not meaningful to us? Would anyone really do that?

Many of us do that all the time. We get caught up in the "shoulds", as in, "I should lose weight" or "I should try to learn to like my husband's strange hobbies" or "I should bake cookies for every school bake sale". But, if our new resolutions seem like punishments to us, if they do not fill us with anticipation, it will be almost impossible for us to succeed. If it's a goal you really don't want to reach, why work for it?

Go over your resolutions. Make sure you are committed to every one. Don't be afraid to abandon or modify those that you do not truly believe are worth your efforts. Be excited about your resolutions and goals!

Resolve today: don't despise small beginnings

2009-01-06T07:38:00.000-08:00

It is not unusual for new students to tell me that their goal is to earn their black belts. Often they are very excited about the idea of being a black belt. However, sometimes they are far less excited about being a white belt.

Once in a while, a student asks me, on his first day of class, if he could just "skip all that stuff" (meaning, learning the basics) and go right to sparring the other students. Then I point out the importance of learning incrementally. First, he needs to learn how to stand, to make a proper fist, then how to punch and block, etc. Sometimes I will remind that student that, as a baby, he learned a progression of skills that led him from crawling to standing to walking to running.

Sometimes it's hard not to despise the small beginnings. We want to rush past the beginner stage. Sometimes we want to skip it entirely. Who wants to crawl when they would rather be running?

Seasoned black belts recognize the value of beginning small. Sometimes they will train in another art entirely, just so they can recapture what is called "beginner's mind". The martial arts are full of sayings about emptying one's cup so that it might be filled. No matter how long we have trained, we still work on the basics that we learned as white belts. Sometimes it is not until we've trained for years, even decades, that we realize how valuable and rich, how essential, those basics are.

Today, resolve not to despise small beginnings. Instead, celebrate them. Take your first steps, no matter how small, to becoming a better person, a healthier person, in 2009. Don't be afraid to start small. Everyone is a beginner sometime.

One important step you can take is to enroll in our beginner course. Call 805-931-0683 to sign up. It may seem like a small beginning, but it's an extremely valuable one, and one you will continue to find worthwhile for years to come. Get started today.

Resolve today: start small, finish big

2009-01-05T06:58:00.000-08:00

For many of us, today is the first day of 2009 that we are headed back to work or school --- or just back to the old grind. It's a day that can be discouraging. We might discover, for example, that the daily goals we set yesterday aren't quite so easy to achieve today. If so, we may need to re-evaluate.

Today is the day to learn to take baby steps towards our goal, to start small so we can finish big.

A friend of mine decided to lose weight last year. As many people do, she set some lofty goals. She was going to reach her healthy weight by the end of the year. When I pointed out that this meant that she would have to lose about 10 pounds per week, a goal that was not only unrealistic but unhealthy, she shrugged off my concerns. What was the point of going to all the trouble of changing her lifestyle, she insisted, if she couldn't achieve what she really wanted by the end of the year?

Her lifestyle change lasted exactly a week and a half --- the time it took her to realize that losing ten pounds in a week was impossible for her. Unfortunately, she didn't see the benefit of making incremental, realistic changes towards her goal. It seemed too much like the pace of a tortoise and, if she was going to move at all, she wanted to do it at the pace of a hare.

Slow and steady is what will win a long race, because it's the pace we can keep up until the end. If your daily goals prove to be too difficult, modify them. Be willing to take baby steps. For example, if you now get up at 7:00 am and your daily goal is to get up at 5:00 am, you might find that sort of change to be too difficult to adjust to. Why not get up 5 minutes earlier each day, until you reach your goal?

If 20 minutes of exercise each day is proving to be too difficult, scale it back. Or perhaps set the goal to be 20 minutes of exercise three times per week. Once that becomes a habit, you can begin taking bigger steps.

For today, resolve to take one step at a time, whether it's a baby step or a more ambitious step. No matter what, make sure you set out on a pace that you can continue for all of 2009.

At Shinjin Karate, we want to help you keep your New Year's Resolutions! Read all of our related articles here.

Resolve today: set daily goals

2009-01-04T08:44:00.000-08:00

2009 is the year to keep those resolutions! In order to succeed, we've chosen our resolutions wisely (by looking back to look forward) and we've set monthly goals that are measurable, attainable, purposeful, and specific. We've begun taking actions that will help us form good habits.

Now it's time for another important step, one that will help us turn our actions into habits: set daily goals. By this, I don't necessarily mean a to-do list for each day. What I mean is to take the resolutions you've already expressed in the form of monthly goals, and break them down into what you specifically need to do each day in order to reach your short-term goal --- and your long term goal of succeeding at whatever you have resolved to accomplish this year.

For some resolutions and/or monthly goals, your daily goal may be the same each day, such as "Exercise for at least 20 minutes" or "Stay in touch with friends by calling or emailing at least one each day" or "Replace potato chips with a healthier snack".

At other points, your daily goals may be a series of action steps. One day, you might call us (805-931-0683) to sign up for your beginner course (it's a gift you can give yourself all year long!). The next day, you might go for a brisk walk. The day after that, your goal might be to show up for your first intro class on time, ready to work out. Etc., etc....

Like your monthly goals, your daily goals should be measurable, attainable, purposeful, and specific. At the end of the day, you should have no doubt whether or not you met that particular goal.

Let your daily goals, your action steps, help you form the good habits you need to succeed at your goals and resolutions.

At Shinjin Karate, we want to help you keep your New Year's Resolutions! Read all of our articles here.

Resolve today: just do it

2009-01-03T07:35:00.000-08:00

When I was in my teens, a pastor I knew was fond of saying, "Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny."

Today, join me in taking action on our resolutions and goals. Exercise today. Eat well today. Do a kind act today. Spend meaningful time with loved ones today. Sow an action. Sow it again tomorrow. Eventually, you will reap a habit...then a character...then a destiny.

In many ways, that is what martial arts training is all about. We spend each class sowing actions, whether it is working on specific techniques, bowing, lining up in order, sparring with a partner, working on self-defense, hitting the heavy bag, training kata, or whatever. Those actions eventually become habits. Our techniques, if trained well, become more effective, and become second nature. So does bowing and other forms of etiquette. And eventually those habits mold our characters. We become more disciplined, more respectful, more confident, more strong, more self-controlled. And our destiny becomes so much more, so much better, than it would have been otherwise.

So, for today, just do it. If you aren't one of our students already, sow the action of calling 805-931-0683 and registering for classes. Reap a lifetime of good habits, of stronger character, and of a great and wonderful destiny.

Resolve today: make monthly goals

2009-01-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

Most New Year's resolutions are about broad, sweeping reforms. Lose weight. Stop smoking. Become a nicer person. Spend more time with family and friends. These are all very well and good, but without a specific game plan, too many of them are doomed to failure before January is even over.

Enter the monthly goal --- the road map that will get you from New Year's great ideas to actual success at the end of the year.

When it comes to goal-setting, many successful people follow something similar to what is known as the MAPS principle. A good goal is Measurable, Attainable, Purposeful, and Specific. That way, you will be breaking down general resolutions into monthly goals --- your road map to success.

How it works...

One of my resolutions is "Exercise regularly and improve fitness". That all sounds well and good but, without a specific plan, I'm pretty much doomed to go on with my current habits and, at the end of 2009, be telling myself that 2010 will be the year that I really become more disciplined in exercising. And I'll feel like a guilty failure, berating myself for not keeping my resolutions. Or, even worse, I'll have completely forgotten what I resolved at the beginning of the year.

With monthly goals, I will have a workable plan. So, for January, my goal is to get at least 20 minutes of some form of exercise every day. This will help me form a habit for the rest of the year. It also fits the MAPS principle.

Measurable: I will measure my progress towards this goal by keeping a fitness calendar (more about that in days to come). It's easy to measure whether or not I exercised for at least 20 minutes.

Attainable: This is a realistic goal. I've looked over my calendar and determined that each day has at least 20 minutes in it that I can set aside for exercise, even if it is only taking a walk with the dog.

Purposeful: Having a purpose for this goal will motivate me in keeping it. Actually I could list a number of motivating factors. Any health or fitness website will detail the many benefits of daily exercise. My main motivation, besides those benefits, is to establish a daily habit that will help me be successful in my resolution.

Specific: This goal is quite specific. I've discovered that the more easily measurable a goal is, the more specific it tends to be, and vice versa.

Today I am looking at all of my resolutions and, if I haven't yet done so, am formulating my monthly goals for January. If I feel especially ambitious, I may go on to map out monthly goals for February and beyond.

Resolve today: celebrate new beginnings

2009-01-01T07:34:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Remember that trite saying, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life"? Like many such sayings, it has some truth, even wisdom, to it.

Use the energy and excitement of a new year, a fresh page on the calendar, to motivate you to change and renewal. Now is the time to embark on adventure, to recommit to old goals even while setting new ones, to try something you've never tried before, to take on projects, to commit deeper to what is good in your life as you discard what isn't.

Celebrate new beginnings. Even if it seems as if there is nothing new in your life, celebrate turning over a new leaf as you embrace life with fresh enthusiasm.

Read more about having a successful 2009.

Resolve today: look back to look forward

2008-12-31T07:19:00.000-08:00

It's the last day of 2008. If you're like me, you'll find some time, amidst whatever is keeping you busy today, to reflect quietly over the past year. In doing so, I encourage you not to look back with regrets, but rather to look forward with hope as you plan to overcome any defeats and build on your successes.

What did you do well in 2008? How can you continue and even improve on that?

What could you have done better? What can you do, today and tomorrow, to set new habits and to stop those habits that do not serve you well?

What goals have you or will you set for 2009? And how can Shinjin Karate help you with those goals?

The time that I plan to spend training in the dojo will directly help me achieve a number of my goals and resolutions for 2009, not just the obvious ones like improving my health and fitness. I know that when I train well, a lot of the other things in my life tend to fall into place. Maybe it's the increased confidence, the endorphins from exercise, the extra level of energy, the self-discipline, the stress-relief --- all I know is that the hours I spent on the mat are always well spent and reap great rewards in the rest of my life. I'm sure you'll discover the same thing.

Happy New Year!

Read more about having a successful 2009.

Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift?

2008-12-23T10:05:00.001-08:00

...or just a great value for martial arts & fitness classes?

Start out the New Year right! For only $50, you can choose one of the following:

Our Karate Beginner Course. This includes intro classes PLUS one month of regular classes. We have classes for ages 5 - adult.
One month of fitness classes. Choose from Combat Fitness (ages 16 - adult; meets Mondays & Wednesdays at 7:00 pm) or Women's Fitness (ages 14 - adult; meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 am) or Family Fitness (ages 12 - adult; meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 am)
Our Fitness Pack. This includes what you'll need for all of our fitness classes and for our Friday Fight Class. Deluxe bag gloves, elastic hand wraps, and an adjustable jump rope all come in a tote bag. This is a $60 value.

For an even better value: Your first month of fitness classes PLUS the Fitness Pack is only $80!

How to get started:

Call 805-931-0683 and schedule your first class. If you are interested in karate classes, your free intro class will be held outside of the regular classes, and will cover the basics and what you need to know to participate successfully in our regular classes.
Attend our FREE workout on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 9:00 am --- and kickstart your New Year's Resolutions. This workout will include what is usually covered in our karate intro classes, as well as giving you a good flavor of what our fitness program is all about. It should be a fun and exciting workout, and a great way to start 2009. Call now to reserve your space.

It's fun, exciting --- and FREE!!!

2008-12-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

Start the New Year out right by joining us for a great workout on Saturday, January 3 at 9:00 a.m. to noon. This will be like our Fight Class, Family Fitness, Combat Fitness, basic training, intro course, and regular classes all rolled into one exciting morning!

Our New Year's Workout is for:

1. Current students at Shinjin Karate. Get back into the swing of things after the holiday break, and get a jumpstart into getting into the best shape of your life this year.

2. Former students thinking of returning to class. Polish up on your karate skills and review the basics, plus find out what some of our new bonus classes are all about.

3. New students. If you are starting your Beginner Course in January or February, this would be a great introduction to our basic techniques.

4. Friends and family of current students. Why not join them out on the mat for just one day? Who knows, you may discover you've been missing out on more fun than you thought!

5. Anyone interested in our martial arts and/or fitness classes. This is a great FREE way to discover what we're all about.

What to wear: workout clothes or gi. If you wear a gi, you will probably want to bring a t-shirt to wear for part of the workout.

What to bring: water, healthy snack, bag gloves, hand wraps, jump rope. [Call today to order your "Kickboxing Fitness Pack" for a special reduced fee of only $45! Contains elastic hand wraps, boxing/bag gloves, adjustable jump rope and a tote bag]

CALL 805-931-0683 TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE WORKOUT

SEE YOU THERE!

Calling all homeschoolers!

2008-12-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

Recently a homeschooling mom shared her dilemma with me. It all started after the birth of her youngest, when she gained more than she intended...and those extra pounds refused to budge, even years later. Then her husband began putting on weight. They turned from a healthy, trim family into what she described as "couch potatoes who only got up to go look for more potatoes to eat".

They tried bicycling as a family, but it was hard to get into any sort of routine. Plus, they seemed plagued by flat tires, lost helmets, loose chains, outgrown bikes, poor weather and other problems that, while not insurmountable, made bicycling into more of a bother than they had anticipated.

Then they decided team sports were the way to go, so they headed down to the local Recreation Department. Next thing they knew, they were spending weekends shuttling back and forth between two or three different sports fields and juggling a schedule that kept them running during the week.

And Mom and Dad? They were so busy driving their children to sports activities, that they had no time for exercise.

One evening, after yet frantic afternoon, the father asked, "Didn't we homeschool so we could do stuff together as a family? How is having our children in all these separate activities and on all these different teams really helping us bond better? Besides, I don't think the kids are in all that much better shape, especially since we eat so much fast food while we're rushing from one thing to another." Then he sighed and said, "Wouldn't it be great if we could all join a gym together or play some sport that we could all do as a family?"

And they both laughed over the silliness of his idea...until the mom shared her story with me. By the time we finished our conversation, she was convinced I had the correct solution to her dilemma, and she was ready to sign up. The only reason she's not at Shinjin Karate is because she lives out of the area. But, last I heard, she's looking for karate schools in her area that allow parents and children to take classes together.

If her story resonates with you, I'd like to encourage you to call me today at 805-931-0683. For January 2009, I am putting together a special "Homeschooling Fitness Package" that will be tailor-made for your particular family and your schedule. To get started, all you need to do is call to set up your first FREE introductory session, during which we'll get to know each other. I'll briefly assess your family's level of fitness; we'll talk about your goals; we'll go over schedules; I'll guide you through a sample workout (either fitness activities, martial arts, or both, depending on your interest) and I'll help you set up the best program for your family.

We have morning and evening fitness classes, and afternoon and evening karate classes. I'm sure we can put together a Fitness Package that will help your family become stronger, not just physically, but relationally --- and mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well.

And if you're not a homeschooling family? Ask about our "New Year's Resolution Success Program". Both programs offer reduced class prices for new students who begin in January 2009.

More ways to stay in touch

2008-12-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

If the website, blog, and dojo calendar/handouts aren't enough, or you want more up-to-date info, here are two new ways to stay in touch with us:

1. Shinjin Karate is a Facebook group. Check it out.

2. We're also on Twitter. Supposedly all the cool people are into this. Or maybe it's just the techno-geekish sorts.

How to succeed at keeping your resolutions in 2009

2008-12-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

Many of us make them. But do we keep them? Not as many, at least according to the online articles I've been reading.

New Year's Resolutions...how often have you made them with all the best intentions in the world, only to abandon them before January was even over? Don't you want 2009 to be different?

As I've discovered via some quick online research, these are some of the most popular resolutions:

Lose weight
Start exercising
Quit smoking
Enjoy life more
Spend money more wisely

I think those are great resolutions. In fact, I am so excited about them, that I want to be your personal success coach for keeping them in 2009. And I have desgined a program that will address those five resolutions and even more.

Here are a few keys to your general success:

Begin early. Don't just make your resolution on December 31st.
Prepare for success with a realistic plan.
Find someone to encourage you, hold you accountable, and coach you through the tough times.
Make measurable short-term goals, mid-range goals, and long-term goals.
Don't just rely on will-power; make the process of reaching your goals an enjoyable one

What about specifics, the nitty-gritty how-to of succeeding at keeping those New Year's resolutions?

I believe strongly that our martial arts and/or fitness programs at Shinjin Karate are designed for success in all five of those popular resolutions. In fact, I would like to tell you in person --- and even show you --- how our individually tailored fitness classes and our Keichu Ryu karate program (or even a combination of the two) can put you on the road to success.

Call me at 805-931-0683 and ask about our special "New Year's Resolution Success Program". Let me introduce you to our fun and effective programs that will increase your energy level, reduce your stress, boost your confidence and self-discipline, help you be more focused, empower you for success...and more. Plus, all of this will be available for you --- and your family --- at a great value.

Make 2009 your year for success. Get started now. Call today.

In 2009: Resolve to be strong

2008-12-08T19:35:00.000-08:00

No matter what New Year's resolutions you come up with over the next month or so, it will take discipline to achieve them, right? Discipline, determination, self-control, will power --- in short, it will take a certain amount of strength.

Maybe weight loss will be on your short list of resolutions. Or maybe it's to become more fit, or to break a bad habit or two. I'm convinced that, even if your resolution is something like "Be nicer to my spouse", a good fitness program will help you keep it. Why? Because, as you get stronger, improve your energy level, and handle stress better, you will be more capable of actually keeping that set of resolutions this year.

Ready to succeed? We have three fitness programs that will help you get a handle on stress, make you stronger, and improve your level of fitness, whether you are a couch potato or a seasoned athlete...or somewhere in between.

Call 805-931-0683 to find out which fitness classes are right for you. Here is the rundown:

Combat Fitness: Train like a fighter, whether you are a martial artist or not. This high energy workout is taught by "Mr. Isaac", and will definitely get your heart pounding, your muscles working, and the sweat flowing. Classes are currently in session and meet Mondays & Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. New students may start at any time. For ages 16+. (Younger students may enroll at instructor's discretion.)

Women's Fitness: This is the class to get you started in the morning. All levels of fitness are welcome, because we will tailor this fun, stress-busting workout to meet your needs and your personal goals. Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 a.m. and will begin again on January 6, 2009. New students may start at any time. For ages 14+.

Family Fitness: If 6:00 a.m. is just a bit too early for you, or if you and your spouse would like to exercise together before work, or if you are looking for a physical fitness class for your homeschool family, this one is for you! Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. and will begin on January 6, 2009, provided we have enough interested students. For ages 12+.

No uniforms are required for any of our classes, just workout clothes.

Our "blog special" will end on March 1, 2009.

Shinjin Karate Blog Special!!!
Mention this blog post and receive...
First month of fitness class AND Kickboxing Fitness Pack for only $80
Kickboxing Fitness Pack contains the equipment you'll need for our fitness classes:
Boxing/bag gloves, hand wraps, adjustable jump rope, and tote bag (a $60 value)
If you already own gloves and hand wraps, first month of class is only $50

Current Shinjin Karate students: ask about your discount price!

Are you ready to make 2009 your best and most successful year ever? Let us help you! Call 805-931-0683 to begin your fitness program.

Reminder: martial arts trainingweekend!

2008-11-20T07:24:00.001-08:00

Yes, it's this weekend, and it's not too late to sign up! You don't want to miss this exciting weekend of karate, self-defense, physical conditioning, ground fighting, and more.

Call 805-931-0683 for more info.

-- Post From My iPhone

Life can be tough...

2008-11-13T13:45:00.000-08:00

...but you can train to be tougher.

Training at Shinjin Karate offers more than just kicking and punching. Like many of the "old school" practitioners of karate, we have discovered that the benefits of training go beyond the physical. We truly train mind, body, and spirit. Yes, you'll get stronger physically, especially if you train hard. But you will also achieve a new mental toughness and a new strength of spirit.

One of our students described her training as "re-inventing herself". Another student remarked how bullies at school gradually stopped bothering him, even though none of them knew he was training in the martial arts. Somehow he found himself no longer reacting in a way that was rewarding to the bullies. Now he's standing up for the other kids who are being picked on. Another student commented that her new-found confidence not only makes her less afraid to be alone at home, but has made her more willing to take greater risks, whether it's asking for a raise at work or being her child's advocate at school.

Other students have found the focus and mental toughness they needed to do better at school or work. They have learned to stand up for themselves. They have discovered that they are stronger and tougher and more capable than they ever thought possible. They have learned to live their lives with confidence.

Yes, life can be tough. But the lessons you learn on our dojo floor will help you face life head on. You'll learn how to persevere. You'll learn to get up when knocked down but, most importantly, you'll learn to win.

Training Weekend is ALMOST HERE!!!

2008-11-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

It's almost here! Sensei Danny Gilliland, 6th dan in Keichu Ryu Karate, will be coming all the way from Louisiana for this exciting weekend of seminars. You won't want to miss it. We are offering a variety of seminars that will improve your skills in karate, self-defense, ground fighting, and all-around fighting skills.

Click on the above image for a larger, more readable version.

EDITED to add corrected flyer.

Give yourself the gift of fitness

2008-11-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

Our next 6 week women's fitness course will start Tuesday, January 6, 2008. Here is some info:

If you are a woman or teenage girl (age 14+) and you want a fun, exciting workout - Do we have a class for you! We are offering six week women's martial arts fitness classes, meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 am. It's a great way to lose fat, gain muscle, become more flexible, and all that good stuff --- and it's a terrific stress-busting workout that will leave you energized for the rest of the day. Our next session starts on January 6 and runs through February 12. No uniforms required; just wear workout clothes. Our fitness classes are open to Shinjin Karate students and non-students alike. The cost is only $100 for the entire six weeks [ask about coupons, specials and reduced rates for current students] and includes, as a bonus, our Friday Fight Classes at no extra charge! (To enroll, call 805-931-0683)

If you are a current Shinjin Karate student looking to ramp up your workout - You can enroll in either our Combat Fitness or Women's Fitness classes at a reduced rate OR you can attend our Fight Class OR you can become involved in as many of our fitness classes as possible!

It all starts here

2008-11-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

COMBAT FITNESS!

It all starts here.

This is more than a workout. Much more.

Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

Ages 16 through adult.

Be there.

Shinjin Karate
720 S. Frontage Rd. #106
Nipomo, CA 93444

Coming soon to Shinjin Karate: Combat Fitness!

2008-10-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

Combat Fitness, which will meet Monday & Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm, is the latest addition to our small but growing number of fitness classes. This is not your run of the mill, boring, same old same old fitness workout. This class, designed for ages 16 and up, and is best suited for you if:

You are looking for a challenging, hardcore workout
You are looking for a way to get fit quickly
You've never trained in any sort of fighting style, but you have always been interested
You are training in the martial arts, but want to add an additional, more rigorous workout
You once took a cardio kickboxing class and thought it was kinda wimpy
You think our Fight Class is just for kids
You prefer taking fitness classes from a young, tough, extremely fit instructor

For more details, and to enroll in this exciting new class, call 805-931-0683

In addition to our new Combat Fitness class, we also offer the following:

If you are a woman or teenage girl (age 14+) and you want to be more fit - Do we have a class for you! We are offering six week women's fitness classes, meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 am. It's a great way to lose fat, gain muscle, become more flexible, and all that good stuff --- and it's a terrific stress-busting workout that will leave you energized for the rest of the day. Our next session starts on September 9 and runs through October 16. No uniforms required; just wear workout clothes. Our fitness classes are open to students and non-students alike. The cost is only $100 for the entire six weeks and includes, as a bonus, our Friday Fight Classes at no extra charge! (To enroll, call 805-931-0683)

If you are a current Shinjin Karate student looking to ramp up your workout - You can enroll in either our Combat Fitness or Women's Fitness classes at a reduced rate OR you can attend our Fight Class OR you can become involved in as many of our fitness classes as possible!

Our tournament was a success!

2008-09-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make our tournament a success.

Our competition team --- or at least most of them. Some had not yet arrived in time for the picture, and at least one was already working hard getting our snack bar up and running.
(By the way, the food was GREAT! And our snack bar crew was the best ever!)

Sensei Maria Evans, our USKA California State Representative, co-sponsored our tournament.

Mr. Crothers, aka "Mr. Mr.", helped keep the tournament running smoothly and got all of our scorekeepers and timekeepers up to speed.

My Sensei, Danny Gilliland, came all the way from Louisiana to help out. I don't quite recall what it was that made us all laugh here, but it must have been funny.

Sempai Miriam was our main bracketing person.

Chuck Cody was our announcer and brought his own special flair to the event.

And then there were all my wonderful tournament volunteers who shopped and cooked and built trophies and made signs and handled registration and served as medics and hauled stuff and set up and cleaned up and worked and worked and worked. Thank you all!

I am also grateful for all the wonderful people who judged the competition.

And then the competitors --- you all did GREAT!

Thank you, each and everyone, for all that you contributed to make our first tournament such a fun and successful event!

Tournament: full speed ahead!

2008-09-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that, by this time next week, our tournament will be a thing of the past!

I have been blessed beyond measure by all of you who have, in many different ways, been so quick and eager to show what our core values mean to you. So many of you --- students and parents --- have been helping out, and have promised to be of support in whatever way you can.

Our students have shown that they are ready to meet the challenge I set for them. Almost everyone on the list of eligible students has demonstrated their eagerness to compete by pre-registering early. What has truly amazed me is how many of our new white belts have been working so hard to learn their kata. Last night we had our Competition Class, and our dojo was full of students who wanted to make sure they will be as ready as possible to do their absolute best next week. I felt that it was a personal triumph for some of our very little ones, and some of our most shy students, to perform in front of so many people. I just know they will do well in competition!

If you are one of the handful of Shinjin Karate students who has not yet pre-registered, all is not lost. Although you've missed out on the discount, you can still register in the dojo this coming week and avoid having to wait in a long line to register at the tournament.

Today, a number of you showed up at our house to help build trophies. What a great crew we had! You were undaunted by the last-minute time change and by our lack of experience in trophy building. Very quickly, we had an assembly line going. If it weren't for the fact that some of the bases we needed weren't shipped, we would have all the trophies done.

Assembling the 1st Place trophies

1st Place trophies ready to be taken to the dojo

Previously assembled components

Our efficient assembly line working on the 2nd Place trophies

Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving up a big part of your Saturday to support your dojo!

All of the 1st & 2nd Place trophies are now in the dojo, awaiting transportation to the tournament next Saturday. I'm sure they will serve as an inspiration to all of our hard-working students as they spend next week training hard to prepare to compete. Our "factory workers" did a great job!

And, judging from the sounds I'm hearing right now coming up from my husband and sons in our garage, I expect that the Grand Champion trophies will be quite something...

IMPORTANT DOJO MEETING!!

2008-08-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

DOJO MEETING THIS FRIDAY
AUGUST 8, 2008 AT 7:00 PM

THIS MEETING IS FOR:

ALL PARENTS
ALL STUDENTS AGES 14 AND OVER
ALL RESPONSIBLE YOUNGER STUDENTS

PIZZA WILL BE SERVED AFTERWARDS!!

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED FOR THE TOURNAMENT, DON'T PROCRASTINATE TOO LONG OR YOU'LL MISS THE SPECIAL STUDENT DISCOUNT!

What to bring to Fight Class

2008-08-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

If you haven't read "Are you getting stronger?" please do so now. It will give some necessary info on Fight Class.

Now, on to the nitty-gritty practical stuff. Here's what to bring to Fight Class:

1. Your gi, belt, gear and everything you bring to a regular class.

2. Water or a dojo water bottle for free refills (We still have dojo water bottles available.)

3. A t-shirt or workout top. For the first half of the workout, this may be much cooler and more comfortable than your gi top. (Women's fitness class members --- just wear your regular workout clothes.)

4. A judo top if you enjoy the idea of dressing the part of a real judo/jiujitsu person. Trust me, you'll only want to wear this during the ground fighting portion of class.

5. Hand wraps and/or bag gloves. This is not mandatory, but it's highly recommended, especially if you want to be training hard on the heavy bags and improving the power of your punches. I used to think this was kind of wimpy and not a karate-like thing to do, but several things have changed my mind (e.g, my sensei, my bouts with carpel tunnel syndrome, watching other people train, etc.). What finally convinced me was working out with wraps. Now I won't go back. We have some wraps and glove available and can order more. If you need help wrapping your hands, be sure to come early.

6. A light, healthy, high energy snack for afterwards.

Make sure you've eaten a light meal sometime before class, so that you have plenty of energy!

Are you getting stronger?

2008-08-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

At the end of class, I've been doing a series of "Sensei talks" about self-defense. On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I talked about the importance of training hard in order to be prepared physically, emotionally, and spiritually to defend oneself.

To follow up, I'd like to offer two suggestions:

Suggestion 1. The Push-Up Challenge.

As many of you know, my biceps tendinitis and related shoulder issues have prevented me from being serious about doing push-ups for quite some time, but I've decided to see how well I can handle the challenge. As of today, I'm on Week 3. If you are interested, click on the above graphic to go the website for more info.

Suggestion 2. Fight Class.

I know, I know --- you're all probably tired of hearing about how important Fight Class is! But that's only because it's the truth. Fight Class is that important! You'll get a terrific workout and you'll learn some things you can include in your home training sessions. You'll learn far more grappling and sparring techniques than we can teach in our regular classes. You'll gain strength, endurance, and confidence. You'll be better able to defend yourself.

But, wait a moment, someone may ask, what does that have to do with self-defense? Isn't Keichu Ryu designed for smaller people to be able to defend themselves against larger and stronger attackers?

Good questions. And you're right; Keichu Ryu was designed just that way. But it was also designed to be more than just an assortment of self-defense techniques.

If you had three months to prepare yourself for being attacked, how would you prepare? Would you sit on the couch eating junk food and watching TV, hoping that you'd be able to pull off the front choke defense you rarely practice? Would you attend the fewest classes you could, and expend the least amount of effort in those classes?

Or would you train hard and train smart, making sure you were in peak physical condition? Would you dedicate yourself to your training, and to living out our core values?

We have no idea when we may face that "moment of truth". Real martial artists train for years and years for something that they hope will never happen.

Training hard and training smart will make you stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually. It will prepare you for the hard times in life.

Are you getting stronger? Are you as strong as you could be?

If you have to fight, are you ready?

Let me know how you're doing with the push-up challenge. And I'll see you at Fight Class!

Edited to add:

Sometimes students wonder if they are "ready" for Fight Class, or if it would be appropriate for them. As long as you are in our Keichu Ryu karate program, or our women's fitness program, you would benefit greatly from attending Fight Class. Our women's fitness class members, and our students who are not yet sparring and grappling, will not be required to do any drills involving contact. However, if you are already grappling and/or sparring, you will also be learning and practicing techniques that will help you improve.

What about fitness level? No matter how fit, or un-fit, you may be, Fight Class will provide an excellent workout. All of the exercises can be modified to meet the needs of each student.

Fight Class is included free of charge in your BasicPlus membership. If you have not yet upgraded to BasicPlus, now would be an excellent time.

How long does it take to earn a black belt?

2008-08-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

One of the questions I'm frequently asked is, "How long will it take for my child to earn a black belt?"

My answer is always, "That depends." And then I talk about what it takes to earn a black belt at Shinjin Karate.

The truth is that belts do not come easy at our dojo. We make no secret of the fact. For students ages 8 through about 16, even a white belt has to be earned (via a fairly easy to do homework assignment, but still!) We don't hand out "attendance belts" every three months or so. Our belt tests are cumulative, and increase in length and difficulty. We expect effort and quality from ourselves as teachers, and we expect it, to a lesser extent of course, from our students.

One of the things that I tell parents, and students, is that they should not consider how many years it will take to earn the belt, but that they should consider how much effort and time they are willing to dedicate to their training. That will determine how long it will take.

Recently I read the following on another karate school's website, referring to children training in karate:

"In a quality martial arts school, a student should be able to reach Black Belt in 2 to 3 years training two days a week."

Obviously, this karate school owner and I differ on the definition of "quality martial arts school". I know a number of quality schools that I would highly recommend. No child could possibly earn a black belt in two years at any of them, especially if they were attending only two days per week --- and especially if those classes were only a half hour or forty-five minutes in length (another practice this particular karate teacher recommended). In some of the schools I consider quality schools, students below the age of 14, 16, or even 18 cannot even earn black belts.

We have a set curriculum. We do not water it down for any of our students in our Keichu Ryu program, no matter what the age of the student. Those students who train harder and more often, who attend extra core classes and bonus classes, and who practice diligently at home on a consistent basis, will naturally take less time to earn a black belt. Students who only want to attend two classes per week will, naturally, take longer. I'm not saying that it will be impossible to earn their black belts; I'm only saying that their road will be considerably longer.

Some of our students, or their parents, see themselves as customers. It is understandable, especially at first. They view themselves as a customer buying a product --- martial arts classes. And that's fine. They also view me as a business owner, selling my product. That is certainly true...but only up to a point. It's really not the whole picture.

Along the way, those that are more serious cease to be customers. They become students. There is a huge difference. They no longer think that "the customer is always right". They appreciate the benefits of effort and hard training. They see themselves as karateka. They are serious about what we teach, and about our core values of dedication, discipline, respect, honor, humility and the "Keichu attitude".

I recall a friend of mine, someone who had never trained in the martial arts, who could not figure out why I would spend Saturdays organizing and painting my instructor's dojo, or why I would give him things that I knew he needed or would appreciate. "You're already paying for lessons, aren't you?"

The martial arts are more than a business. At least, they should be. My instructor was, to be frank, not a businessman. Not by any stretch. After all, he was my instructor. More than that, he was the founder of our system. What he gave me and taught me was priceless. I was only behaving as I thought his student should. After all, how many students have the privilege of training directly under the founder of their system?

That's an old-fashioned way of looking at things, to be sure. And it doesn't make sense to those who think of themselves only as customers, rather than as students and as karateka.

Well, yes...we do sell karate lessons. But rank? Never for sale. That has to be earned.

And the rank of black belt? Yes, I suppose a customer could earn one. But it will be much easier, and far more rewarding, for a karateka to earn one. But, if you are a customer, don't worry. The good news is that, somewhere along the way, if they train hard enough and long enough, most customers will be transformed into karateka --- true students of karate --- and they will become real members of the Keichu family.

Edited to add the following:

I discovered an interesting blog which featured an article titled "Why Your Child is Not a Black Belt", written by Ann-Marie K. Heilman, Kyoshi. That name was familiar to me. Kyoshi Heilman has been on my judging panel at a number of tournaments. I've also had the privilege of participating in several of her and her husband's weapons seminars. I have a great deal of respect for the both of them. This article lends a needed perspective to the topic of earning one's black belt. It's not just for children; adults interested in earning their black belts would gain from it as well.

Then there is this, from 24FightingChickens:

In most Shotokan circles, a black belt is considered an advanced beginner rather than an expert. One is not truly considered an expert by his peers until he has a third or fourth dan rank. In such schools, the time to get a black belt usually averages around 4 to 7 years tops. In a Japanese University setting where students train every weekday for around two or three hours each time, the hours of training pile up much faster and people receive black belt rank usually in no more than two or three years.

So, yes, there are quality dojos that will have you earning your black belt in 2-3 years --- but that's assuming you train in the dojo about 10-20 hours per week, not one to one and a half hours!

Tell your friends!

2008-07-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

Back-to-school time is a great time to either come back to training at Shinjin Karate, or start training. Here are some special opportunities we have planned for the next few months:

If you have taken a break of more than six months - we would love to welcome you back to train with us! In fact, we're offering two free private lessons to bring you back up to speed, plus a discount price on a new uniform. If you enroll before September on our auto-pay system, we'll keep you at your last tuition price for the next year --- even if you last trained with us several years ago at our previous dojo!

If you have never trained with us before, and are ages 8 through adult - we would like to offer you, at no obligation, four free introductory classes with a special gift after completion of all four classes. Our intro classes are about a half hour each, and are held outside of our regular classes. For more information about our program, visit our website.

If you are a woman or teenage girl (age 14+) and you want to be more fit - Do we have a class for you! We are offering six week women's fitness classes, meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 am. It's a great way to lose fat, gain muscle, become more flexible, and all that good stuff --- and it's a terrific stress-busting workout that will leave you energized for the rest of the day. Our next session starts on September 9 and runs through October 16. No uniforms required; just wear workout clothes. Our fitness classes are open to students and non-students alike. The cost is only $100 for the entire six weeks and includes, as a bonus, our Friday Fight Classes at no extra charge! (To enroll, call 805-931-0683)

If you are a current student - Don't forget to pre-register early for our tournament in order to get your special student discount. Also, check the current calendar for special classes, meetings, etc. to help make our tournament a success for you, our dojo, and our guests. Remember, it's important that we have 100% participation!

Some other opportunities for our current students:

Don't miss Fight Class! We are trying to schedule 2-3 Fight Classes every month. If you can only attend one bonus class per week, this should be it. If you aren't attending any bonus classes, you should start attending this one. Why? This class will offer you one of the best workouts around. If you attend regularly, you will become more fit and more strong than you thought possible. You will become much better at sparring and grappling, because we are able to cover techniques and drills that we just don't have time for in our regular classes. We use some of the same training methods used by the best amateur and professional MMA fighters; however, we make sure each workout is safe and effective for each individual participant. Fight Class will do more than just hone your competitive fighting skills --- it will also make you much more capable of defending yourself. (Because of the nature of this workout, t-shirts or workout tops may be worn in place of gi tops.) Fight Class is included free with a BasicPlus membership; Basic members pay only $10 per class.
Don't miss the special tournament meeting on Friday, August 8 at 7:00, right after Fight Class! This is open to all parents and responsible students. We'll be taking sign-ups for volunteers. Sempai Miriam, our scorekeeper/timekeeper expert (yes, she's actually certified!) will be teaching everyone 14+ the ins and outs of this important job. And we'll have pizza!
Don't forget Sempai Miriam's going-away beach bonfire on August 9! Yes, she'll still be in the dojo the following week...and she'll be back for the tournament and for all the other special events she can!

Our Tournament!

2008-07-23T15:40:00.001-07:00

Our USKA tournament is coming up on Saturday, September 27, 2008. Today we received our first pre-registration from an eager competitor.

Hope to see you there!

Click on the images to view the flyers in a larger format.

February Specials

2008-02-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

If you have been considering enrolling in classes at Shinjin Karate, now is the time to do so. We are offering an incredible FREE month of classes for new students ages 8 - adult, with no obligation to continue. Students must begin their free month in February.

If you are a current student, check our our current student specials, and let your friends and family know about this excellent opportunity to try out our program.

Click on the image below to see the flyer in full size.

Annual student awards & dojo celebration!

2008-02-12T13:53:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again --- time for us to celebrate where we've been and where we are headed as a dojo...and time to celebrate the achievements of our students!

Click on the image below to see it in an easier to read size.

Dedication

2008-02-05T06:20:00.000-08:00

The first core value of our dojo is dedication. In fact, "Keichu Ryu" can be translated as "the art of devoting oneself entirely". On one very important level, this speaks of the level of dedication to training that sets apart the true Keichu martial artist from the person who does not take their training as seriously.

Certainly dedication is the key to success for any endeavor. In our dojo, that dedication can take many forms. Your dedication will be seen by your attendance, by how hard you train in class, by how well you practice outside of class, by your respect, by your focus, and by your hard work.

In our dojo that is only the first level of dedication. What is most important for those of us who follow Jesus is that we always remain, first and foremost, totally devoted to Him.

Are you dedicated to Keichu? How do you know? How can you become more dedicated?

If you are a Christian, how dedicated are you to Jesus Christ? How can you increase your devotion to Him?

Upcoming USKA Tournaments

2008-01-21T18:08:00.000-08:00

Our dojo is planning to participate in the following USKA tournaments this year. Ask Sensei about which tournaments would be best for you. Make sure you train hard and attend as many Competition Classes as you can in order to do your best! [Click on the graphic below in order to see it in a larger format.]

January Training Weekend

2008-01-16T16:30:00.000-08:00

We are very excited to announce our upcoming belt test and training weekend. Here is the flyer (click on it to see the full size version):

The belt test is mandatory for those seeking All Keichu Koryu Karate Do Kai ranking at green belt level. It is also open to our other qualified students as well.

We are recommending very strongly that all students attend, at the very least, the first Systematic Basics session on Saturday. Orange belts and above should also attend the second session.

The grappling session is open to all ranks, and should be lots of fun! The Weapons Workshop will cover a variety of weapons and is open to yellow belts and above.

Students outside of our dojo are welcome to attend; however, the Systematic Basics sessions would probably be most beneficial to those training in Keichu Ryu.

Hope to see you there!

Christmas Greetings

2007-12-20T10:38:00.000-08:00

Click on the image of the Christmas letter in order to see it in a larger, more readable format.

November Belt Test

2007-11-17T16:19:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to our newest batch of striped yellow belts --- they all did great on their belt test!

Mika, Clara, Ian, Kyle, Mrs. Reilly, and Cooper proudly wearing their new belts

Saturday's Belt Test

2007-10-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday's Belt Test went very well, and everyone testing deserves hearty congratulations for their accomplishments!

Zach, Sensei, Jared, and Mr. Gordon proudly display their new striped yellow belts.

After the technique portion of their test, Patrick and Cory sparred five matches. Cory was definitely putting to use the techniques and strategies he had learned at Fight Class the night before --- he won the majority of the matches. Then it was on to grappling. This time Patrick won.

After all that, it was back to kata. Cory and Patrick had good reason to look happy, sweaty, and tired by the end of their test. Congratulations to our newest full orange belts!

Belt test anxiety

2007-10-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

Parents sometimes ask how they can help their child(ren) overcome anxiety and fits of nerves prior to and during the belt test.

At Shinjin Karate, our rank promotions are designed to reward respect, ultimate focus, and hard work. Our belt tests are not easy. However, we want our students to be successful and we have carefully designed our tests --- and the preparation process --- to help our students achieve their best. We believe that the best way to overcome test anxiety is by giving our students the confidence that they have done everything possible to be fully prepared.

Here are some suggestions for how parents can help their children:

1. At least a month prior to the test --- for white and yellow belts --- or three months prior to the test --- for orange belts and above --- make sure that your child knows how to prepare for the upcoming test. Our blog contains a number of articles on belt testing, and our website has an important article that everyone should read.

2. Make sure your child attends as many Test Review classes prior to the test as possible. These are scheduled the Monday before each belt test. Don't just drop him off --- by observing this class, you will have a good idea of what will be covered during the test, and you will be able to guide your child in his practice at home. Another benefit of the Test Review class is that it is somewhat of an informal pre-test, getting the child ready for the testing experience. This is also a time for us to coach him as to final preparations that will help him to be even more successful.

3. Encourage your child to practice those techniques at home that he/she can safely practice without a partner.

4. If you have any questions, or your child doesn't fully understand some aspect of test preparation, don't hesitate to ask!

5. Make sure that your child fills out the Belt Test Application as soon as possible, so that there is enough time for her to do all the necessary preparations. If your child is testing for orange belt or above, try to schedule the talk with Sensei, about the privileges and responsibilities of rank promotion, well in advance of the final Test Review class. You may wish to be part of that brief, but important discussion. This is also a great time to bring up any potential concerns about the upcoming test.

6. Help your child through the preparation process and praise him/her for every step he/she takes, especially if your child is doing more than the minimum suggested preparations.

New poll: why do you compete in tournaments?

2007-10-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: The poll was not working correctly, so if you answered it on October 18 or before, please answer it again. Thanks!

Please take part in our latest poll in the sidebar. Let us know why you compete in tournaments, or why you would consider competing if you haven't yet done so.

I've listed some of the more common reasons that competitors have given me for their involvement. A number of students, for example, have found that tournament competition helps them set short-term goals (or even long-term goals, if they are point chasing and hoping to place first in the national standings in at least one division). Others find that upcoming tournaments help motivate them to train harder. Some enjoy the healthy competition offered by the USKA circuit. Some students want to support their "team", and help their dojo place well in the national standings. A lot of students just think it is fun to compete!

Some instructors require students to compete in at least a minimum number of tournaments, because it is one of the safest ways to test and improve the ability to perform under pressure --- and this is valuable and necessary for self-defense. Tournament training and competition is also an excellent way to prepare for the kata and sparring portion of an upcoming belt test.

Parents often appreciate how tournament competition has helped their children improve their focus, gain more self-discipline, practice respect and proper etiquette, gain self-confidence, prepare for upcoming belt tests, and become better karateka.

If you are eager to reap the many benefits of tournament competition, please talk to Sensei. The USKA State Championships are going to be held in Riverside on November 3, 2007. Are you ready?

Preparing for an upcoming belt test?

2007-10-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

Even if your next belt test is a few months away, if you want to do your best, begin preparing now! Be sure to follow the link to the article on our website about belt testing. Don't forget to read our updated guidelines for belt testing.

Practice a lot. Attend as many Test Review Classes as possible. Be at every Fight Class that you can.

Train hard and train smart and make your next belt test an exciting success!

Website revamped and overhauled!

2007-10-05T01:46:00.000-07:00

Our website has just gone through a dramatic overhaul. Check it out. It's still a work in progress, so keep checking back for more content.

More pictures of our new facility

2007-10-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

Students in our "Family Class" enjoy training in the spacious, air-conditioned dojo. I've started telling them that they are all getting spoiled.

Sensi gives the intermediate and advanced students some pointers before they begin training kata application drills.

Sempai Miriam leads one of our newer students through the kata Heian #1.

First classes in our new facility

2007-09-18T07:05:00.001-07:00

On Monday, classes began in the new dojo. Our Kid-Karate class had the privilege of being the first students to train in our wonderful facility.

Our youngest students enjoyed grappling in the judo area, while their parents watched from the comfortable lounge/waiting room.

It was great to have lots of room in our Chanbara class.

Ready for classes

2007-09-17T13:08:00.001-07:00

Here is how our new dojo looked on Saturday, as we were putting the finishing touches on it:

In order to set up a karate dojo, it really does not take much more than some empty floor space. For centuries, people have trained in small rooms and even in backyards. However, as my instructor often reminds all of his students, "good enough is not good enough". It has always been our desire to provide our students at Five Cities Keichu-Do and now at Shinjin Karate with the best training environment that we possibly could. We believe that our new facility reflects our dedication to excellence, and we are very thankful for our new dojo home.

If you have not yet seen the dojo, please drop by 720 S. Frontage Rd. #106 in Nipomo. For directions, call 805-931-0683.

Today's accomplishments

2007-09-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

Getting the dojo ready!

2007-09-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

Putting up trophies
Working on the lights

Newest dojo space is shaping up

2007-09-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight (Wednesday night after class) we finished putting up the lights!

We're moving --- NEXT DOOR!!

2007-09-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to announce that we signed a lease yesterday on the space next door to us. This means that our dojo will be doubling in size, with a larger waiting room and lots more training space. As if that isn't wonderful enough, we will now have air conditioning!

Yes, it's true. All of us at Shinjin Karate may just get very spoiled.

I know it seems hard to believe that we will be moving for a third time this year, but this opportunity was too good to pass up. We think all of you will be very happy with our new dojo!

Our family spent some time today getting the space ready to turn into our dojo home:

Convenient payment options

2007-09-07T06:43:00.001-07:00

In response to your requests, we are now accepting Visa and Mastercard.

Also, ask about how easy it is to set up convenient, automatic monthly tuition payments!

Online class enrollment

2007-08-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

For your convenience, you may now enroll in our Keichu Karate classes online.

Poll

2007-08-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Check the sidebar for our poll and let us know why you train in the martial arts.

NEW! Fight Class!

2007-08-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Fight Class is now included FREE in our BasicPlus membership! It also offers an even better workout. If you have not attended Fight Class recently, be sure to attend the next one!

We are excited to announce a new bonus class that we will be offering once or twice a month. Here is the info:

$10 for Intro, Basic, and BasicPlus; FREE for BlackBelt Track.
Class lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes.
This class provides an excellent workout while improving sparring and grappling skills. Open to all ranks, including white belts. No previous sparring or grappling experience required!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Students planning to test for orange belt or above should attend as many Fight Classes prior to testing as possible, in order to be ready and in shape for the sparring/grappling portion of their test.
Class may cover sparring, grappling, or both. Drills, bag work, technique training, partner work, and free sparring, grappling, and "scrappling" will be part of the ongoing curriculum.
Bring a t-shirt to wear for grappling.
Students without gear may participate in all sparring drills that do not involve contact.
Class meets once or twice monthly on scheduled Mondays and/or Fridays.

If you can only make it to a few select bonus classes per month, make sure that Fight Class is at the top of your list. It should definitely be a must for anyone who is planning on competing or testing for orange belt and above within the next four to six months. If you want to be a lean, mean, fighting machine --- or you want to be fit enough for your upcoming belt test --- or you want to win at tournaments --- this is one bonus class you will not want to miss!

New Class Schedule

2007-08-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

Beginning in September, our class schedule for our Keichu Karate program will change somewhat. This will not effect the Kid-Karate or Chanbara programs.

For more information:

Training Weekend in June

2007-06-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

Come on, come all! This is a training event that you will not want to miss. If you are having trouble reading the image of the flyer, have questions, or want to register, please call 805-931-0683. [Note: click on image of flyer to see it in a larger, more readable size.]

Many of you have enjoyed and greatly benefited from Sensei Gillilnd's training weekends in the past; this one should be even better, and will cover a broad range of topics including weapons, sparring, kata bunkai (applications), self-defense, effective judo throws, and more.

While this seminar is primarily designed for students and instructors in the Keichu system, students of other styles are welcome as well.

FREE Summer Program

2007-05-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

Due to popular demand, we are once again offering our FREE summer martial arts program.

What: FREE martial arts classes during July and August!

Who: This offer is for all new students, ages 8 through adult.

When: July and August. Students may attend up to two classes per week. (See below for class times.)

Where: Shinjin Karate in Nipomo, located at 720 S. Frontage Rd. #108.

Why: We are making this unusual offer to our local community as a way of introducing them to the benefits of our martial arts program.

Our quality program is taught from a judeo-christian perspective and teaches excellent karate skills along with respect, ultimate focus, and diligence. Our unique self-discipline homework is very popular with our students --- and even more popular with their parents, who are reaping the benefits of children who are showing more initiative and responsibility at home.

Even more special offer: Sign up by June 15 and also receive, in addition to two free months of excellent martial arts instruction, a FREE uniform, $40 off our Martial Arts Fitness Camp (July 16 - 20), and a $50 enrollment discount for September.

Call 931-0683 today to reserve your space in our free summer program.

Ask about which two classes per week would be the best fit for your family:

Youth only classes, for ages 8 - 14, meet Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 5:00 pm.
Women/Youth classes, for ages 8 - adult, meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 pm.
Adult/Youth Classes, for ages 10 - adult, meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 pm.

Note: as long as age requirement for class is met, you may "mix and match" between categories. For example, an 11 year old could attend Monday at 5:00 and Thursday at 6:00.

Don't miss this great opportunity! Spaces are limited; sign-ups are on a first come, first served basis.

Learn sword-fighting and more!

2007-04-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

Starting in May, we will be offering a new and exciting program: Samurai Sports! Otherwise known as Chanbara, this fun martial art teaches sword-fighting and other forms of combat weaponry using specially designed safety weapons.

Up to this point, we have sometimes done a little bit of Chanbara at the end of some of our weapons classes. However, we think it's time that we design a whole separate program so that more people (ages 8 through adult) can get in on the fun and fitness benefits of Chanbara. What this means is:

Chanbara will now have its own class, meeting Mondays at 6:00 - 6:45.
We will be using an exciting curriculum that teaches basic sword-fighting skills using drills, sparring, and games. As students advance, they will be able to use other weapons as well.
The Chanbara program will be open to students outside of our dojo.
There will be a price reduction for students enrolled in Keichu-Do classes.
The Chanbara program will be free for BlackBelt Track students!

Tell your friends! Anyone interested in our Chanbara program can enroll by calling 931-0683.

New program for younger students

2007-02-19T11:35:00.000-08:00

Beginning Monday, March 5, Shinjin Karate will begin offering "Kid-Karate", a special 8 week, age appropriate martial arts course designed for children ages 5 - 7. We are really excited about this and, if we have a good response, will continue offering additional 8 week courses for this age group.

Classes will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00 to 4:45. Tell your younger friends and relatives! This is a great opportunity for younger siblings of current students to try out the martial arts. It's also a great way for younger students to get ready for our regular classes.

Updated Belt Test Guidelines

2007-02-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

The following has been updated, yet again, to reflect the most current guidelines as of June 2008.

Here are some important guidelines to help you prepare for your next belt test:

Review our belt test information, beginning with our article on belt testing and including our blog posts on belt testing.
If you are testing for yellow belt or above, you will need to arrange for a classmate to be your uke for your test. This person should preferably be close to your rank or above. (In some cases, size may be a more important consideration than rank.) You may want to set aside some practice time to work with your uke, both in and outside of class, although this is not required. Try to attend at least one Test Review class together prior to your belt test. Open gyms are also important. In addition, if you are a BasicPlus or BlackBelt Track member, you can arrange with Sensei to schedule additional practice times in the dojo.
If you are testing for blue belt or above, prepare yourself for an increasingly long test that will include sparring and possibly grappling as well. It is highly recommended that you attend as many Fight Classes prior to your test as possible.
Make sure your uniform is in order. If your gi is beginning to look shabby or small, you will need to have a new one in time for the test. Everyone should arrive looking sharp, with the proper patch in place, and the gi clean and pressed. If you are testing for an intermediate or advanced rank, please wear the appropriate gi.
Know what is expected of you at each rank, and prepare accordingly.

In addition to the guidelines on our website, here are the special testing requirements at each belt level:

Striped Yellow and Yellow Belt --- Student needs to demonstrate all required material at the proper level and with confidence.
Blue Belt --- In addition to testing on all requirements, candidates will be required to spar and may be required to grapple. (This also applies to Jr. Orange belt candidates.)
Green and Purple Belts --- Candidates for green belt will be required to test in front of Sensei Gilliland. All candidates may be asked to spar or grapple, and may also be asked to demonstrate a weapons kata. (While weapons training is not required below black belt level, it is included in our optional/bonus material and can increase test scores as well as earn gold/silver stars.)
Brown Belt Candidates:

Sankyu --- All brown belt candidates will be tested either orally or in writing on the basic history of Keichu Ryu and general martial arts knowledge. Sparring and grappling is required at all brown belt tests. Students should be prepared for a long test that will require them to work hard. They should also prepare for surprises. Some of those surprises may be more fun than others. In preparing to advance to this rank, students need to demonstrate a high level of dedication and a readiness for leadership and service. Sankyu candidates will be required to test for Sensei Gilliland.
Nikyu --- Students should be prepared to spar, grapple, scrapple, work hard, and demonstrate everything that they know to the best of their ability.
Ikkyu --- Be prepared for a long test...a very long test. Once the candidate begins testing on the ikkyu requirements, the test will be closed to anyone but family. Testing for ikkyu is a huge step and requires a great deal of commitment. This will not be an easy test by any stretch of the imagination. Be prepared for anything. If you have ever heard any rumors about Sensei being "old school", you will discover that they were all understatements.

Black Belt Candidates --- You will be informed at or after your ikkyu test about how to begin the final preparations for black belt. You will be required to write a thesis. During the last six months of preparation before the pre-test, you will be working many long hours. Sensei will give you a checklist of what needs to be accomplished before setting the date for your test, which will take place with Sensei Gilliland on the panel.

When you are preparing for a belt test, know that we will evaluate more than just your technique. The correct attitude is essential, and becomes even more crucial as you advance in rank. Your physical appearance at your belt test communicates your level of respect for the testing panel, the importance you place on advancing to the next rank, your degree of self-discipline, and your dedication to Keichu.

Remember that it takes three things to be a good student at Shinjin Karate. It takes respect, ultimate focus, and hard work. That is also what it takes to do well at a belt test.

We've been busy!

2007-02-03T19:37:00.000-08:00

This morning...

We finished putting the second coat of paint on the walls.

Sempain Miriam washed windows.

This afternoon...

We began installing the mats.

By evening...

We were cutting the last of the mats to fit. (Sensei's husband got to use some of his favorite tools.)

The mat brigade quickly stored away our extra mats.

Moving day

2007-01-31T17:48:00.000-08:00

Last day of classes in Arroyo Grande

2007-01-30T22:40:00.000-08:00

Tonight's efforts

2007-01-29T20:39:00.000-08:00

This afternoon's efforts

2007-01-29T15:02:00.000-08:00

Here is what we have accomplished so far:

Training Weekend

2007-01-29T06:57:00.000-08:00

As expected, we learned a lot, and we had fun. Those of you who weren't there have no idea what you missed out on. Next time I'm sure you will not want to be left out.

A few pictures:

Here we go again!

2007-01-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

On Friday morning, we signed the lease on our newest dojo location. Sensei Gilliland, here to teach our special training weekend, inspected the place and pronounced it good.

Here is how to get there:

The front door of Shinjin Karate

The inside, awaiting our renovation

Special Training Weekend

2007-01-21T23:28:00.000-08:00

Don't forget --- next weekend is our special training weekend with Sensei Gilliland. You can download more info and the registration form here.

What's this about "Shinjin Karate"?

2007-01-19T08:57:00.000-08:00

As we were exploring different new locations for our dojo, it struck us that having "Five Cities" as part of our name was somewhat limiting. Also, the name sometimes led to confusion when potential students couldn't figure out what sort of art Keichu-Do is. So we felt that a new name was in order.

At the same time, we are not ready to give up the name "Five Cities Keichu-Do". After all, it is the name we have taught and trained under; it's the name on our dojo banner and patch; it's the name under which we compete.

So our new dojo will be known as Shinjin Karate, the home of Five Cities Keichu-Do. If that seems confusing, think of Shinjin Karate as the place, and Five Cities Keichu-Do as the people and the program that we teach.

The word "Shinjin", which refers to devotion, belief, and faith, captures so well the essence of Keichu-Do. We were glad to find such an appropriate new name for a dojo that teaches an art that can mean either "the way of total dedication" or "totally devoted to the Way".

UPDATE: A number of changes have made this post slightly out of date. We are no longer "Home of Five Cities Keichu-D0", but "Shinjin Karate School of Keichu Ryu". We believe the name change better reflects our dedication to the true meaning and style of Keichu.

Belt Test

2007-01-14T23:55:00.000-08:00

Congratulations, everyone --- you did GREAT!

The dojo is ready for classes!

2007-01-06T12:43:00.000-08:00

The front door of the dojo

View from the doorway

Waiting area

View from waiting area

View from workout area

First kata in the new dojo

2007-01-06T12:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, as the sun was setting, Sempai Miriam performed the first kata in our new dojo: Keri Zuki Waza. She may not have been dressed for training, but she did a good kata anyway.

We're almost done

2007-01-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

The workout area is pretty much ready, awaiting our students.

There is still the pile of tools and stuff in our "waiting area", but that should be ready by next Monday at the latest.

Our new dojo is shaping up!

2007-01-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the mats arrived at the dojo, via a huge truck driven by a small, but cheerful and helpful man. He was almost buried in an avalanche of mat boxes when he opened the back of his truck, but we managed to get the boxes stacked more or less neatly.

Thankfully, the Steens had come to help. They not only helped move a lot of stuff from Bethel to the new dojo, but Caroline and Elizabeth cleaned floors and carried in mats. Tony Burd also came to help and, with Sempai Miriam's assistance, moved almost all of our big stuff (judo mats, storage cabinets, punching bags, etc.)

By evening, I'd started putting down the mats.

Sempai Benjamin helps his father cut molding for the front wall of the dojo.

Today we finished installing the mats. Josh and Matt Hickman helped move the hanging bag stand. Here Isaac is seen putting it back together.

Isaac and Sempai Benjamin cut the mats to fit the workout area.

And here is the workout area, almost finished!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T18:12:00.000-08:00

After watching the Rose Parade on TV, we headed to the dojo to do some painting and a bit more cleaning.

Wishing everyone the best year ever in 2007!

New dojo update

2006-12-31T14:03:00.000-08:00

We have been able to put in some work on the new dojo. Yesterday, along with cleaning, we took care of sound-proofing and drywalling. Things should be ready for painting on Tuesday.

The picture below is the "lobby area". Flooring has presented quite a challenge. It was no easy task to put linoleum down on the uneven floor. Our best efforts at prepping the surface accomplished quite a bit, but didn't fix every flaw. Installing the mats in the workout area should be a lot easier!

New location for Five Cities Keichu-Do

2006-12-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

End of an era; beginning of a great new adventure

2006-12-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

For almost five years, Five Cities Keichu-Do has operated as an outreach ministry of Bethel Baptist Church. Our faith-based martial arts program has not only produced champions on the tournament circuit, but has been involved in a number of projects and events such as charity fundraisers, community outreach events, Vacation Bible Schools, community projects, church ministry efforts and more.

The Prewett family has considered it our privilege to teach our students and run this ministry on behalf of our church. It has also been our desire to be able to impact the community even more effectively. We believe strongly in the numerous benefits of our martial arts program, and we have always wanted to make Keichu-Do more visible and more available to our community.

During these past five years, all of our involvement in Keichu-Do has been a labor of love. As our students know, their tuition payments have gone to the church. Our family has been reimbursed for class expenses, but we have not benefited financially from teaching, and we have always had to cover our own personal expenses (e.g., gas, tournament registration fees, travel expenses, and the costs of our own training, continued education, memberships in martial arts organizations, journal subscriptions, and more). We have been more than happy to do so, because we believe so strongly in not only offering our students the best that we can, but improving our "best".

It is because of this commitment to our students that we have been so excited about the opportunities that we will be able to offer everyone at our new location. This is a big step for all of us. While we look back with nostalgia and gratitude for the years we spent at Bethel, we are also looking forward with anticipation to being able to offer a lot more to our students. To be honest, this is somewhat of a scary step for our family, especially from a financial standpoint. We are leaving the security of the nonprofit, church world and entering out into the "real world". Suddenly we have to deal with tenant improvements, rent, utilities, insurance, etc. --- on top of all our personal expenses. However, we believe that the benefits outweigh the risks. We also believe that now is the time for us to offer our valuable martial arts program to more members of the community. We are excited to see Five Cities Keichu-Do grow, in excellence as well as in numbers.

Here are some pictures of our last classes on Thursday, attended by the dedicated bunch who didn't let the upcoming holidays keep them away from training:

And now for some pictures of our new dojo!

Sempai Miriam looks at the outside of the new dojo, located "upstairs" in the Oak Park Plaza (K-Mart shopping center) in Arroyo Grande.

The inside obviously needs some work!

We are excited about how bright and inviting our new place is. Can't wait to start training!

New Convenient Payment Options

2006-10-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

For the convenience of our students, we are offering some new payment options, in addition to cash or check in the dojo. Please visit our online ordering page for more info.

So far, we've set it up so that you can pay for sparring gear (either Sets A or B) and for Keichu Kai Lifetime Memberships. You can also opt to pay your monthly tuition by PayPal subscription, or you can donate money to cover the traveling costs of our competition team, or you can give gift certificates that can be redeemed for tuition, goods, or services at our dojo.

In the future, we hope to add the following to our Online Store and Payment Center:

Registration for special training seminars
Tournament pre-registrations
Uniforms
Equipment
Weapons
and more...

Preparing for belt tests

2006-09-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

[Please see the most recent guidelines here.]

Friday at Worlds

2006-08-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

The events we competed in on Friday were weapons, Chanbara (Samurai sports) and team sparring.

Hanna Vise - 1st in weapons (9 & under Advanced Division)

Jesse Prewett - 2nd in weapons (9 & under Advanced Division)

Trevor Maas - 3rd in weapons (9 & under Intermediate Division)

Jesse - 3rd in Chanbara (8-9 year old division)
Trevor - 4th in Chanbara (8-9 year old division)

Trevor Maas' team took 1st in team sparring.

Sempai Benjamin's team took 1st in sparring in his division.

Daniel Prewett's and Peyton Maas' team took 4th in sparring.

Everyone did GREAT! Sempai Benjamin and Daniel faced some really tough competition in their weapons division, which brought together National and World Champions as well as National and World Grand Champions. The important thing is that each student prepared beforehand and came fully prepared to do their best.

World Championships begin!

2006-08-04T06:03:00.000-07:00

Last night was the first event in the 2006 USKA World Karate Championships here in Dallas, Texas. Continuous Sparring is a small event as many of the competitors are not arriving until today. It is also done a bit differently than the way we do iri kumi in our dojo. Instead of judging who dominated the match and fought most effectively, the judges kept track of individual points using clickers.

From our dojo, only Trevor Maas and Daniel Prewett had chosen to compete in this event. Both sparred quite well. Trevor was in the intermediate/advanced division and demonstrated that he could hold his own against brown belts. He won his first match and lost his second one by a small margin. Daniel fought his way to third place in his division.

We're off to a good start!

We're in Louisiana

2006-08-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

We arrived yesterday evening and headed to Sensei Gilliland's dojo just in time to observe his mixed rank adult class. Today has been a relaxing day for us; he's been busy getting ready for the trip to Worlds. We leave tomorrow for Dallas.

Keep watching for tournament updates.

We'll be seeing you back in the dojo on Tuesday, August 15!

Summer events

2006-07-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

REMINDER: There will be no classes during the first two weeks of August, because of the USKA World Championships.

We are planning, in addition to our regular classes, some special ways that you can make the most of your training during the rest of July and August.

Rewards for summer attendance:

If you are a new student, you can earn the coveted special striped white belt for attending all 13 regular classes in our Summer Program. (July 6 through August 13)
Board Breaking Extravaganza — Everyone can earn boards with your Summer Program attendance and learn how to break them on August 31! One board is earned for every three classes attended. Those with perfect attendance (all 13 classes during the Summer Program, without arriving late or leaving early) will earn 5 boards.
Remember: all summer attendance — whether it is regular classes, weapons classes, open gyms, Fighting Fridays, workshops, or special training sessions — counts towards Student of the Month and Student of the Year points. (Hint: in February 2007 we will be celebrating five years of classes at Five Cities Keichu-Do. The Awards Ceremony will be something you will not want to miss!)

Chanbara Workshop — Orange belts and above can enjoy the excitement of “samurai sports” during this fun, fast-paced seminar. Get ready to rumble on July 19 from 9:00 to 11:00. Location: Soke’s Dojo in Santa Maria

Fighting Friday Series — Don't miss the last two, on July 28 and August 18, from 6:00 to 7:30. We probably won't be having another Fighting Friday after this for quite some time. On August 18, we will be having the Finals and will also be handing out special prizes and awards.

Special training opportunities — are you gearing up for the belt test in September, for tournament competition, or just want to get in some extra training time? Contact Sensei about Monday, Wednesday, and Friday training times at Soke’s dojo.

Beach Bonfires — Take a break from training hard and join us for some relaxing down time. Bring family, friends, snacks, drinks, etc. We will be having on on Saturday, July 22, beginning at 4:00pm at Grover Beach. For the next one, we will join Bethel Baptist's church bonfire at Avila Beach on Friday evening, August 25.

Information about all upcoming events can be found on our website.

Find the information you need

2006-06-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

Reminder --- our website is a great source of information about Keichu-Do, martial arts training, our dojo, upcoming events, belt testing, requirements for promotion, and much more. Check it out!
Five Cities Keichu-Do: Family-Centered Martial Arts

Countdown!

2006-06-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

Get your own countdown at BlingyBlob.com

This year we are excited to have Peyton and Trevor Maas competing at Worlds, along with the Prewetts. It should be a lot of fun!

About your karate-gi

2006-06-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

As everyone in our 6:00 class knows, we've been having some problems with uniforms. Without wanting to embarrass anyone more than they have already embarrassed themselves, I think it is important to spell out some of the basics about uniforms and training, so that we can prevent things from ever again getting so out of hand, remedy the current situation, and encourage students to a higher level of discipline, training, respect, and dedication.

I've written the following, an updated version of our old guidelines, and will be making copies available in class. I've added a few additional comments at the end of this post.

Your gi, or uniform, is essential to your training at Five Cities Keichu-Do. It keeps you comfortable and safe. It also reflects your concern for martial arts etiquette, your level of self-discipline, your respect for your instructors and fellow students, and your dedication to training.

Choice of uniform. Students are required to wear a white karate-gi, which they may purchase from us. For most children who are just beginning, the basic student uniform is adequate. However, larger children may be more comfortable in a better quality uniform. Adults will definitely want to order the heavier weight karate-gi. Once a student begins competing, or advances in rank, it is advised that he or she purchase a better uniform as well. We have a number of options available for order. When a student is at the intermediate or advanced level, his or her uniform should reflect a higher level of discipline, training, and dedication, and should set the example for other students. That is why we strongly advise that these students replace their student gi's with a heavier weight gi that is a better reflection of their rank and achievements.

Care of uniform. In order for the uniform to stay in good condition, it is important to launder it as often as possible. Stains should be treated quickly. We've found that it helps to keep "Shout Wipes" in your gear bag. Before laundering, we recommend pre-treating the lapel area and any stains with liquid Shout. Blood stains can be treated with hydrogen peroxide, but the gi should then be washed soon afterwards to prevent yellowing. Bleach is not advised, nor is using a dryer. Pressing the uniform goes a long way towards looking sharp in class, at tournaments, and at belt tests. Some students may prefer having at least two workout uniforms so that they can always have a clean one for class, and can reserve their third, better quality, uniform for tournaments, demos, belt tests, etc.

The uniform should be carefully folded and stored when not in use. Even our younger students are encouraged to be responsible for the care of their own uniforms and belts.

Placement of patches. The Keichu-Do patch should always go on the left side of the karate-gi, over the heart. Students may choose to wear the Keichu Kai Lifetime Membership in its place. Ask Sensei about placement of any other patches.

Care of the belt. There are a number of martial arts traditions surrounding the belt. It is important to learn to tie it properly as soon as possible. The belt is similar to a flag in that it is a symbol of you and of the art you are studying. Because of that, it is important to treat your belt and the belt of others with respect. The belt should not be worn outside the dojo except when training, competing, or engaged in a Keichu-sanctioned event. The belt should not be dragged along the ground, carelessly tossed on the ground, or used for play. While belts may be laundered if they get really dirty; however, be advised that the stripes will probably need replacing.

Student responsibility. Each student is responsible for his/her karate-gi and appearance in class. It is each student's responsibility to look sharp, neat, and clean for every class. When uniforms no longer appear sharp, neat, or white, or when they become too small, it is important that they be replaced immediately.

Remember, your uniform reflects you. It demonstrates to your fellow classmates and your instructors how seriously you take your training, as well as how much you respect yourself, your classmates, your instructors, your Sensei, and your Soke. Looking sharp is part of training hard.

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A few other comments:

We realize that it is only fair to have a higher standard for our students who are older and/or more advanced in rank. Just as we expect that an advanced student's kata will no longer look like a beginning student's kata, we expect that an advanced student's appearance should not be that of a beginner.

When you compete at a tournament, know that you do not represent just yourself. You represent your dojo and the Keichu Kai. Your appearance should reflect that. So should everything that you do and say.

When you are preparing for a belt test, know that we will evaluate more than just your technique. The correct attitude is essential, and becomes even more crucial as you advance in rank. The condition of your karate-gi at your belt test communicates your level of respect for the testing panel, the importance you place on advancing to the next rank, your degree of self-discipline, and your dedication to Keichu-Do.

Also, we recognize that, in the past, we thought that friendly hints and reminders would be enough to remedy problems. We now realize, of course, how wrong we were. I apologize to my students for allowing things to go on as long as I have. I should have taken direct action much sooner. From now on, we will take this issue far more seriously.

FREE Martial Arts Summer Program

2006-05-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

If you are ages 8 through adult, and have never trained with us before, do we ever have great news for you! This summer is the perfect time for you to try out our unique and exciting martial art — for FREE! Yes, we are inviting you and your family to take part in our special Martial Arts Summer Program, with over six weeks of free martial arts classes. Here are a few things you need to know about this fantastic, no-obligation opportunity:

When: July 6 through August 31, with classes meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays

Where: Bethel Baptist Church, 1935 Newport Ave., Grover Beach

Who: Anyone ages 8 through adult who has not taken classes from us before

What: Over six weeks of FREE martial arts classes, special events, and fun!

Cost: The only cost involved for the entire program is a uniform fee of just $25.

Needless to say, class space is limited, so we are asking that you contact us to reserve your space as soon as possible.

Are you, or your child, especially proud of his/her latest report card? If so, let us know! The first 10 people to call or email before June 16 are eligible to get a head start on their free Summer Program by enrolling in two weeks of free introductory classes starting June 20.

Why are we offering our classes at no cost to you? We believe that our martial arts school is quite special. We could tell you why we believe that — or we could show you. We’ve decided to show you. We also believe that you will be so excited about what you learn that you will want to continue training with us long after this summer is over. In fact, our hope is that you would join us for a lifetime adventure, all the way to black belt and beyond.

Sign up now by emailing sensei@keichudo.info

Make it real!

2006-03-25T08:52:00.000-08:00

Our students have heard me say, "Make it real!" during training time. What do I mean by this? Obviously, we can only make our training real up to a point, in order to stay safe from injury. It is important that we train hard and train smart.

If we don't train hard, we will never be able to fight hard, should we need to defend ourselves.

If we don't train smart, we will never be able to fight smart, should we need to defend ourselves. Furthermore, if we don't train smart, we might end up plagued with injuries that interfere with training.

There are, of course, numerous other benefits of training hard and training smart. Our students gain focus, control, and discipline. They become more fit as they train harder. They gain the self-confidence that comes from being involved in a worthwhile activity that is rebuilding them from the inside out and the outside in.

Sometimes training hard can become discouraging or even a bit scary. There are days when you just don't feel like getting hot and sweaty. There are days when you just don't feel like being hit or being thrown to the mat. It is important to persevere in the face of that, no matter what. The same grit and determination that it takes to keep going when you feel like quitting is what you will need, God forbid, should you ever be attacked.

Training hard will toughen you up. It will prepare you for life. It is the best use of your time and efforts.

So, when you practice, make it real. Don't let laziness and self-consciousness get in your way. Give it your best effort. Focus every technique. Be intense. Make every technique as powerful as you can. Be a good training partner: control your techniques, but make them effective. Don't be afraid of a few aches, bangs and bruises. Train hard. Train smart.

A special guest at our dojo

2006-03-18T06:27:00.000-08:00

At Five Cities Keichu-Do, we encourage our students to "train hard and train smart". One of the things that I have noticed from observing classes at other karate schools, from watching martial arts instructor training videos, and from conversing with other students and instructors, is that there is a lot of "martial arts fluff" out there. We believe that Keichu-Do is an excellent, effective system, and that it should be taught and practiced effectively.

Over the four years that we have been teaching in Grover Beach, we have had a number of students transfer to our dojo from other styles. The majority of them have been surprised to discover how much more we require of our students, and how much more our students learn. Some of them were not at all used to the concept of "training hard" or "training smart"; their previous training had never taught them to do techniques effectively; sometimes they had zoomed up several belt levels without learning a single kata or without even learning to kick and punch correctly.

This past Thursday in class, our guest instructor, Sensei Gilliland, helped show us that there are some areas where we need to train harder. That is, in many ways, what Keichu is all about: we are constantly seeking to improve our dedication to training and, most of all for Christians, our dedication to Jesus Christ. I've met few students who want to be mediocre martial artists. If we want to be the best, we need to train the best that we can.

Sensei Gilliland instructs the 5:00 class.

Horse stance training!

If you think the 4:00 and 5:00 classes were hard, they were nothing! You should have seen what we had to do in the 6:00 class. We decided not to post the pictures of us kicking over chairs, or trying to kick with our partners' belts tied around our legs, or any of the other stuff we had to do. If you missed it, you missed out on the fun.

Fourth Anniversary Celebration

2006-03-18T06:09:00.000-08:00

If you weren't there, you missed a great time. The highlight, of course, was recognizing our students' achievements with our annual student awards. Daniel Prewett, Trevor Maas, and Peyton Maas swept several categories. Each year, we recognize our Student of the Year, as well as giving awards for perfect attendance, excellent attendance, homework, tournament competition, parents of the year, and more. There are some awards which we do not give every year, but only when a particular student really excels in some area, such as the Courage Award, the Spirit Award, and others. This year Joe Irwin got the Spirit Award.

Before the awards and prizes, we put on a demonstration of some of the karate skills that our students have been working on during the past year. Then there was the "Fighting Friday moves to Saturday". We also heard from our special guest, Soke Marx.

We were hoping to show a video slide show of highlights of 2005; however, due to technical difficulties, I was unable to do so. Instead, each student who participated should have received their own private copy of this exciting DVD. Let me know if you want one as well.

Our demo team bows in.

Grappling!

Jesse wins the Sparring Grand Championship!

Soke Marx and Ian

Yellow Belt Test

2006-03-18T06:06:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to everyone who earned their yellow and junior yellow belts last weekend!

Exciting buzz about upcoming events

2006-03-08T08:50:00.000-08:00

Our dojo is all abuzz about two exciting upcoming events:

Anniversary Celebration!

Yes, it has been rescheduled to this Saturday, March 11, at 2:00 p.m. Mandatory demo practice is this Friday at 6:00 during open gym. (See our old announcement for more details.) Remember to invite all your friends and family --- and Keichu students from all dojos are welcome to join us for our "Fighting Friday moves to Saturday".

But wait, there's more...

Special Training Weekend!

Adding to the excitement for March is a thrilling training opportunity at our dojo on March 17 and 18. We are encouraging all students yellow belt and above to join us for some training sessions that promise not only to be fun, excellent workouts, but to have you learning more than you thought was possible in such a short period of time.

If you are a current or past Keichu student, don't miss this opportunity. Email sensei@keichudo.info for more details.

Updated info about Keichu Kai memberships

2006-02-27T19:25:00.000-08:00

UPDATED TO READ: The following is outdated and is included only for its "historical value". The organization mentioned no longer exists. All Keichu Kai Lifetime Memberships have been updated to AKKKDK lifetime memberships. For more information, call or email.

There has been a slight change to the Keichu Kai Lifetime Memberships, which are available to students of all Keichu styles: Keichu-Do, Keichu Ryu, Keichu Hoshin Jitsu, or any other recognized Keichu style.

From now on, membership in the Keichu Kai will be required of all Keichu-Do students in order to advance in rank. Soke has announced that there will be no more dojo rank certification, but that all rank certification is to come directly from him.

What are the benefits of a Keichu Kai Lifetime Membership?

Membership certificate
Required for Rank Certification from Soke Marx, Founder of Keichu
No charge for rank promotions (except black belt fees and any dojo/material costs)
Lifetime Membership Patch
All monies not used for membership materials directly benefit the founder of our system, Soke Marx, who has labored tirelessly on behalf of Keichu for over 45 years.

What this means for Five Cities Keichu-Do:

New students will pay the $75 Keichu Kai Lifetime Membership Fee as part of their enrollment fees.
Current students who are not yet Keichu Kai Lifetime Members may wait until their next belt test to pay the fee.

Free intro program

2006-02-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Five Cities Keichu-Do is now offering a new free intro class program for all prospective students. Our next session will begin Thursday, March 2. Please contact us to schedule your intro classes!

We will also be having another session of intro classes beginning Tuesday, March 14. There will be two time slots available for these introductory classes:

3:30 for ages 6 - 14
7:00 for ages 10 - adult, as well as families wishing to train together

This intro session will consist of two weeks of classes, meeting each Tuesday and Thursday for a half hour. You or your child will be prepared for successful participation in our regular classes. Email us now (sensei@keichudo.info) to reserve your space in our upcoming intro classes.

Hope to see you soon!

Classes will resume on Tuesday

2006-02-20T09:16:00.000-08:00

We will be back on schedule again for Tuesday's classes.