Up Coming Exams!

It is with pleasure that I announce the testing of three mudansha (those without black belt..yet!) Jamie McLean, Jason Beale and Walter Woolman IV. All three students have been training hard and I am looking forward to watching them tie on their yellow belts. Jamie and Jason will be testing on 16, June while Walter will be testing on 20, June. I am excited for my students as they take their first steps on this rewarding journey of self discovery and mastery.

Up Coming Events at Broadkill Martial Arts Academy

The film "Kung Fu Panda" will be shown free of charge for members of the dojo and community. Please bring a canned good to donate to our local homeless shelter. Beverages and healthy snacks will be provided as well as a brief program overview of classes.

Abbott's Mill Nature Walk and Arrow Making Craft Project. This event will be held in early July. Cost is free and everyone is encouraged to bring a beverage and a small snack or dish as we will be having a cookout!

Children's EDGE class book of the month will begin in August. Titles of books will be reviewed and selected by Sensei Mike and Jamie. Parents are encouraged to read along as well.

Basic Vocabulary Review:

Sensei- Teacher, or one who has gone before.

Dojo- Place of the way, the room in which we train. The whole world is your dojo, there are teachable moments at every turn. Look, listen, feel!

Gi- Pronounced, "Geeee" the uniform you wear for training.

Obi- Pronounced, "Oh-Bee" the belt that ties around your waist.

Nage- Pronounced, "Nah-Gaay" Person performing a technique as assigned.

Uke- Pronounced, "Yoooo-kaay" Person receiving a technique, or posing as the attacker etc.

These are Japanese terms very often found in Japanese martial arts. More phrases and key words will be taught and reviewed as training continues.

Now for a quick note on the basics of technique and their role in mastery.

A very well known sword teacher was invited to give a seminar at a local dojo. Being in his eighties and having been a student of the sword since childhood, he was a renowned master and sought after teacher. Upon his arrival, several eager students were seated around the mat waiting to see what gems of advanced concepts he would reveal. Carefully getting dressed into his gi, tying his obi and retrieving his wooden sword; the old man gently walked to the center of the mat. Bowing deeply, he took up his sword and began to move through several overhead strikes. He performed the same strike again and again. This was the first aggressive strike students learn when studying the sword. The old man relaxed his weapon, bowed deeply and turned to the students with a bright smile.

"I never could get that one right!" With this gem of wisdom, he whisked himself off the mat leaving a very confused bunch of students!

We must never neglect the basics either on or off the mat.

Have a safe and wonderful summer,

Sensei Mike