KDA Today Fall Chin Na Seminar. Karate Do Academy, Westlake, Ohio. Working out the kinks today will make for a better tomorrow.

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1 KDA Today Fall 2007 Karate Do Academy, Westlake, Ohio Karatedo.net Working out the kinks today will make for a better tomorrow. ~Anonymous Chin Na Seminar On September 22 and 23 several KDA members attended a seminar at the Zen Dragon Dojo in Chambersburg, PA on Tai Chi Push Hands techniques and Chinese Chin Na. These seminars were given by Dr. Yang, one of the most prolific authors of books and DVDs on traditional Chinese styles of White Crane Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and Chin Na. Push Hands is a style of Tai Chi that involves intercepting your opponent s attack, utilizing their energy, and deflecting them away from you. It also involves the principle of sticky hands -once you have come in contact with your opponent you never lose it and stick to them until they are neutralized. This style is a soft martial art and takes a great deal of time to learn and sense your opponent s energy. If performed effectively, the spine, hips, and upper body must be able to flex easily, as those areas are the centers of power. Dr. Yang demonstrated this technique on some of the largest and fastest karateka there. We were all amazed with his skill. Chin Na is joint manipulation to subdue an attacker. If done correctly, no matter what size opponent you encounter if aggression occurs you can utilize one of the 80+ techniques to cause excruciating pain and neutralize

2 the attack. KDA incorporates some of these techniques in the purple and higher belts. Master Yang demonstrated one of the techniques on our own Black Belt Sensei Bert: add to the KDA toolbox. If you would like to learn them, ask Bert, Connor or Kerwin how a little twist of a finger can make you fall to your knees! We will be happy to demonstrate! ~KN and CN Results of the June Tournament: Name Competition Rank Lynn Kata 1 st Amy Kata 1 st Ilia Sparring 1 st Dr Yang believes that a true comprehensive fighting style should contain the following elements for fighting: Kicking Striking Wrestling Seize and Control As you examine the history of martial arts and the different styles you will see that some have each of the above techniques. As Dr. Yang stated The more tools in your toolbox the better your chances. The seminar allows us to bring home some new ideas and tools to

3 Results of the August Tournament: Name Competition Rank Sensei Black Belt Bert Kata Sara Kata 1 st Congratulations to all of our contestants! 4 th From Sensei Jim... In this issue of KDA Today, there are a few thoughts which I would like to discuss. One is why our school has recently decided to participate in local Martial Arts tournaments. The other is what I consider the most important part of warrior training. I feel these topics are here related. As our long time students are aware, KDA did not participate in competition tournaments prior to We did not train for tournaments nor did any of our senior students have a working knowledge of the scoring system. Our training has always, and continues to be geared around the fundamental and the traditional. This will never change. However, we have lately been invited to compete in well run and well monitored tournaments. They have given many of our students the opportunity to 1.observe other forms of martial arts. 2. Meet martial artists from other schools. and 3. To perform their skills under pressure. All of these opportunities, I believe are valuable in a karatekas' advancement. Notice that the winning of trophies is not mentioned as a valuable tournament pursuit. The entering of tournaments solely to win trophies is a weak and shallow goal for a karateka. It is one of self aggrandizement and not worthy of a honorable person. True, the trophy is a symbol of your hard work and accomplishment and should be well received should it be awarded to you. But, it should not be the goal nor a source of disappointment should you not receive one. So I encourage you as KDA students to participate in a local tournament once or twice a year and enjoy the experience for the reasons I've mentioned whether or not you win a trophy. The second topic deals with the purest form of warrior training, and that is Kata. Classic kata training will likely and ironically never win a trophy in

tournaments where flashy movements are usually rewarded. But the traditional and tireless practice of kata will build the body, hone the spirit, and discipline the mind.

4 tournaments where flashy movements are usually rewarded. But the traditional and tireless practice of kata will build the body, hone the spirit, and discipline the mind. These are the pure goals of a karateka and can be achieved through years of kata training. I will have more on this topic in future issues. But until then continue to practice kata with focus and power...and of course with the loudest of KIAI!!!! Recent Promotions These students have shown their dedication to KDA and have achieved an additional belt on their journey. ~GL & CN Ikkyu Connor Haley Kerwin Sankyu Chris Sara Nathan Lucas Lynn Alyssa Jillian Shamus Jerry Rich Maddie Rich *We missed our last Recent Promotion section, so they are included in this issue. Bob s Corner: Karate Check Up In this edition of KDA Today, I would like to do a karate check up. I m going to discuss common errors with our basic stances, and a front kick. Whether you just started karate or are well on your way to a black belt, take the time to do a self check. Horse Stance Bend both knees as if riding a horse, pointing both feet forward and parallel to each other with about 3 feet between them. Keep your upper body straight with your weight distributed equally on both feet. Common Errors: Knees straight with body hanging over the feet, feet turned so that your toes point outwardly, and uneven weight distribution. Have a friend film you performing your kata. Does your head pop up with the first move (too wide of a horse stance),

5 is your back straight, toes straight? While in a horse stance, have a friend push from either side. Are you stable or falling over? Forward Balance Stance Bend front knee forward over the front foot (knee over the toes so that you can t see them), lock back knee and place heel on the ground. Move your feet apart and parallel to each other to about a shoulders width, hips and shoulder are facing the front. Body weight should be 70% on the front and 30% on the back foot. Common Errors: Shoulders and hips facing sideways; front leg straight; rear leg bent; rear heel off the ground; and upper body leaning forward too much. I m in a perfect forward balance stance, but where do I point my feet? Get a friend to help you do this simple test. While in a forward balance stance with both feet pointing forward have your friend face you and push. Did you maintain a stable stance or forced backward? Try this again with your front foot pointing forward and your back foot angled at about a 45 degree angle. What were the results the second time? Do a series of strikes while moving forward in a forward balance stance. After completing each strike, raise your back foot. Did you have to shift your weight before raising your foot? Back Stance Feet and knees form a 90 degree angle, knees bent evenly, body is facing sideways to offer a smaller target to the opponent. About 70% of your body weight is on the rear foot with heels on the same line. Your body leans slightly backwards ad feet are flat on the floor. Common Errors: Bending rear knee or twisting rear foot outwards cause strain on the rear foot and make the position awkward. Body facing forward or weight on front foot or evenly distributed between both feet. Do a series of knife hand blocks from the backward balance stance. After completing each block, raise your front foot a few inches off the ground. Did you have to shift your weight before raising your foot? Front Kick Get into a front stance with the kicking leg back. Bring the kicking leg up so that the knee is brought into your chest.

6 Snap the lower leg out straight, toes curled back, hitting with the ball of the foot. Return to the starting position. Common Errors: Hitting with the toes, heel, or the entire bottom of the foot. Not bringing the knee up high enough. Stand in front of a mirror and do a series of front kicks. Are you hitting your opponent with the ball of your foot? Turn sideways, while supporting yourself, do a front kick and hold at the moment of impact. Does the front of your thigh, shin, and top of the foot almost line up? If you need help improving your stances or front kick, please ask your instructor during class. I m sure the students in line next to you would also benefit. ~Bob Sprains Sprains are common injuries in the martial arts. The speed, quickness, power, and contact nature of the martial arts make sprains commonplace. A sprain is defined as an injury to a ligament (the tough tether or band connecting two or more bones, cartilages, and muscles which support the joints) when the joint it is supporting goes beyond its normal range of motion. Fractures and dislocations are more serious injuries for which emergency care is necessary. Sprains are graded as first degree if the ligament is stretched excessively but not torn. They are second degree if there is a partial tear of the tissue. And they are considered third degree if there is a complete tear. Third degree sprains frequently require prolonged immobilization and possibly surgery. The symptoms of a sprain are immediate feeling of a pop or tear at the moment of injury. Pain, swelling, bruising, and the loss of functional capacity, ie inability to fully move the joint or bear weight on it. Symptoms vary in severity according to the severity of the injury. Treatment of sprains is first and foremost preventative. Prevention begins by good conditioning and training the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the body to be flexible and fit by a consistent exercise program. Next, at the time of a workout warm-ups and cool-downs with proper stretching are necessary. Slowly training the joints with the supporting structures and knowing your own limits are necessary to minimize the chances of a sprain.

7 If a sprain occurs, treatment should begin immediately. The acronym RICE is frequently used: Rest the joint immediately and for the next few days. Ice the area with a cold pack (bag of ice, chemical cold pack, dousing with cold water, etc (but do not apply ice directly to the skin as this can cause skin injury). Icing is done for approximately 30 minutes per 3 hours for the first one to two days after the injury. Compress the area with an ace wrap or elastic bandage or sleeve being careful to not impair blood flow to the limb. Elevate the limb over the level of the heart for the next few days to minimize swelling. After approximately 3 days slow rehabilitation of the joint can begin if pain is minimal and swelling has subsided. The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or the like can aid in reducing inflammation and pain. Warm compresses after 3 days may be helpful in improving mobility in sprains that have improved quickly. Professional medical attention should be sought if there is doubt about the degree of injury; there is an inability to place any weight on the joint; the area has extreme tenderness; there are tender deformities not seen on the normal joint; the joint buckles, locks or collapses with movement; there is persistent numbness; red streaks starting beginning from the site of injury (could mean infection); or it is an area of previous injury. ~SL

Summer Picnic This year s summer picnic was a memorable event. A day filled with a light Karate workout, fun and games, and delicious food made it unforgettable.

Thank you to Sensei Jim and his wife for providing the food and facilities for the picnic. ~GL Black Belt Interview: We have run out of black belts for our black belt interview.

8 Summer Picnic This year s summer picnic was a memorable event. A day filled with a light Karate workout, fun and games, and delicious food made it unforgettable. The volleyball game in which almost everyone participated in was comical and filled with laugher throughout the game. that was provided was wonderful and tasted delicious. Thank you to Sensei Jim and his wife for providing the food and facilities for the picnic. ~GL Black Belt Interview: We have run out of black belts for our black belt interview. So starting next issue, we will have a new section called Brown Belt Interview. Sorry for the inconvenience. Our Staff Connor- Editor ~CN Genevieve- Editor ~GL Isabelle- Field Reporter ~IL Jeff- Part-time Storywriter ~JH Bob- Councilor ~Bob Randy- Advice Giver ~RT Kelsey- Part-time Storywriter ~KT Kerwin- Chief Designer ~KN Our bocce ball tournament with the Italians vs. the Irish was filled with light heartedness and jokes. Even though the Italians were sadly defeated by the Irish, they will be back next year with more vigor and determination to win at next year s picnic. The food

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