July 2014 Newsletter Events & News You Can Use June 30-July 3 - Martial Arts Buddy Weeks - Bring your friends to the dojo!! July 4-5 - ** DOJO CLOSED ** Enjoy Independence Day! July 19 - Level One Handgun Safety Course - Familiarization course for those new to firearms. 10AM. Register today! July 19 - Adult Tip Testing and Orientation Graduation - 4:00PM July 25 - Attention Parents! We ll spend the evening with your kiddos while you spend a night out on the town! 6PM - $20 per child. Page 1 - July 2014
A Message from Sensei Chugi Loyalty in the context of Bushin Ryu (Part I) Dear Deshi, Chu (Chugi) Duty and Loyalty The warrior knows that he is accountable for his actions and words and accepts all consequences that may result from them. The warrior is intensely loyal to those he is responsible to and those he is responsible for. Trust and unity are the backbone of what Bushido represents. Chu is a very typical and important rule for any person among the traditional Japanese martial arts world/ society. There is no equivalent word in English that truly captures the meaning of this type of fidelity between the student and teacher of Budo. For a non- Japanese speaker, to truly grasp its meaning, he/she has to deeply understand the uniqueness of Japanese culture. The pursuit of duty, justice and correct action, is the best way to conceptualize this character trait. As a teacher of Budo (martial arts and disciplines), I chose this typical term within the traditional Japanese culture to show the beauty, the educational values and the benefits of understanding and following the rules of Chu. Joining an authentic Dojo or school of martial arts such as the Budo Shingikan implies much more than taking an ordinary course. A serious Budoka (martial art student or practitioner) should know the tradition of Japanese martial arts and specifically that of Bushin Ryu, our history and heritage, and especially, the goals, disciplines and expectations. In classical Japan, learning a martial art was a sole privilege for the warrior class. Each martial art school not only kept its techniques, strategy, and knowledge jealously secret, but was also strict about accepting students. It was impossible for any student to be accepted into a Dojo unless he was strongly recommended as a serious and good-natured person, worthy of becoming a member of that school. Now days, almost any school of martial arts all over the world is open to anybody. Many of them became extremely commercialized, concentrating in the physical parts only, abandoning the tradition, neglecting the mental, moral, and spiritual training and hardly dealing with the education of the individual. Page 2 - July 2014
A Message from Sensei (continued) The Budo Shingikan Dojo has not done this and none of the Bushin Ryu schools will. I mostly blame the Budo teachers, product of the present world, of the social and educational systems in which they have almost lost all ideals and values or have been willing to compromise those for financial gain. Even in Japan, only few classical schools still keep that tradition and the quality of Chu is slowly dying, hence why I am so adamant about keeping these traditions in our schools. There are many schools which have their regulations written and displayed on their walls at the Dojo, or printed on paper for newly arriving students to receive upon joining the school. But there is nothing more important than the instructor teaching and educating, and above all his teaching through personal example. If the teacher goes into this relationship giving the student must mirror and match this behavior. I remember in my youth that among the most valued and respected profession was the teacher. Now-a-days, to become a teacher is not a profession young men or women desire. Very few idealists, good and dedicated teachers still continue today, swimming against the current to fulfill the important mission of teaching and educating. There is a lack of appreciation and respect by society which mostly bows to richness, but not to the true quality of the person or the importance the teacher has in bringing up the new generations. In martial arts it goes even further in which students make a very big mistake and that is they treat quality teachers as if there are no differences. As if their education and by extension their teacher is a commodity, and they can get what they want anywhere, in fact they can get it cheaper, with no attachment or relationship what-so-ever. These days are sad. A real teacher of Budo is not a lecturer that passes information to his students. He teaches knowledge, passing long years of wisdom educating his students, strengthening and polishing them to become not only warriors but also better people which can confront the difficulties of life not only with strength but with wisdom which will enrich their life and also contribute to society. ~Sensei Next Month - Loyalty in the context of Bushin Ryu (Part II) Page 3 - July 2014
The Kids Corner Here we are in the middle of the Arizona summer, and all the kiddos are no doubt enjoying their summer activities, including, I hope, lots of physical activity. Getting the kids off the video games and out to play is important, but so is making sure they protect themselves from the sun while they are out there. Sun burns that occur while your kids are young increases their chance of developing skin cancer later in life. Here are a few guidelines from the CDC that will help keep kids safe: Seek shade. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it's best to plan indoor active ties then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Use these op tions to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it's happened. Cover up. When possible, long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts can provide protection from UV rays. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing certified under international standards comes with information on its ultraviolet protection factor. Get a hat. Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Baseball caps are popular among kids, but they don't protect their ears and neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen. Wear sunglasses. They protect your child's eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible. Apply sunscreen. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection every time your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going out doors. Don't forget to protect ears, noses, lips, and the tops of feet. Remember, there s no such thing as a sun tan, just varying degrees of sun burn. Please keep em safe! ~Shannon Sensei Page 4 - July 2014
A Note From Senpai Training - Expanded Definition Do you think of your training in Bushin Ryu as limited to learning technique? It is true that our martial system requires us to learn a wide range of technique, and making them your own will require commitment and dedication. But training goes beyond merely learning physical technique, and it even goes beyond the reading material that comprises our black tips. How will you train yourself to be fully present in each moment? Are you present in each moment while you re on the mat? Even a simple thing like sitting in seiza is an opportunity. Yes, it hurts. Yes, after a while, your feet will fall asleep. But isn t this training, too? How do you deal with minor discomfort? Does it control you? Does it take your attention away from what is going on around you? How quickly do you give into this minor pain? Do you switch cross-legged at the first sign of pain? How do you relate to pain? No one is asking you to stoically endure agony. We are asking you to explore and extend your limits. This is real training. Learn to welcome these small tests - they prepare you for the larger ones that come later! Everything is an opportunity to be present, to train. Don t miss out! See you on the mat! ~Senpai Page 5 - July 2014