Dear Randy, Hannah, Caity, Timmy & Melissa -
The initial goal of every Martial Arts student is to become a Black Belt. This is because being a Black Belt is something very special. Only one out of maybe 100 students who start Martial Arts stay with it to earn their Black Belt.
Through dedication and effort, the Black Belt has mastered many of the techniques of Martial Arts. One is able to defend themselves and has become very strong- both physically and mentally. However, just like there is much more to Martial Arts than punching and kicking, there is much more to being a Black Belt than being good at punching and kicking.
Wearing the Black Belt means the wearer has dedicated a substantial amount of time and effort directed towards a specific goal. The Black Belt proves you have met a goal. But you will need to continue and set a new goal so you will continue to grow as a martial artist and a person!
Becoming a Black Belt is certainly a great honor, but with it comes much responsibility. When you become a Black Belt, the reputation of your Martial Arts Instructor, your school, the art, and, most importantly, yourself, all depend on your good behavior. Other people, in your school and outside of the Martial Arts school, will think of you as a very important person. You will have accomplished something great, and people will try to copy your behavior. Accordingly, you must act in a responsible and respectable manner at all times.
This means that you must do what you think is right or best all the time. You must not be swayed by others who would have you do otherwise. You must set an example for other students in your Martial Arts school by doing your best 100% of the time. You must treat everybody with dignity and respect, and you will find that you will gain their respect in return.
At its core, Karate isn't about self-defense, but instead self-completion. It teaches people how to learn, how to work, how to live. In martial arts it is necessary to always work with control in order to bring out the best in oneself and one's partner; if partners are too aggressive with one another, someone is likely to get hurt, but if the partners do not challenge each other enough, neither will improve. This principle also applies in life. One must find a balance in how aggressive one should act in "real life" relationships. I found that everything I learned in the dojo was applicable outside of it as well.
One principle philosophy in our style of martial arts, is a balance between hard and soft; people should be "hard" enough so that they will stand up for what they believe in, but "soft" enough to compromise and be open minded. Throughout my teenage years this has proven to be one of the most important qualities to master, for temptation is lurking around every corner. Another important philosophy from karate is the eight virtues of Black Belt: modesty, courtesy, integrity, compassion, self-control, gratitude, perseverance, and indomitable spirit. These virtues are what martial artist strive to attain in their lives, and I do my best to apply these attributes in my everyday life.
Although the outward benefits of being a Black Belt may at first seem materialistic and superficial, an extra line to fill on your college applications or an achievement to brag to your friends about, its real significance goes much deeper. The Black Belt encourages you to set a good example, to be a role model both in and outside of class. Having a Black Belt adds a responsibility of acting like a Black Belt, of behaving responsibly, working diligently, and outwardly projecting and living by the eight virtues of Black Belt and the student creeds.
I could continue listing these philosophies, but that would be rather hypocritical to what karate is really about. As my Sensei often reminds my fellow students and me, "Karate is not a talking art, but a doing art." Listing off countless philosophies and each one's meaning would be futile, without "doing" these philosophies, without living by them. A deep and potentially meaningful statement on paper is weak and feeble, but when applied in life, it has supreme power and importance.
Studying martial arts has not simply taught me how to rattle off creeds and codes, even a parrot can do that. Karate does not spawn parrots, it creates people, real people, meaningful people, people who can think, learn and discover for themselves. Just as life can not be learned from a book, the secrets of Karate can't be revealed in a one page essay. Only through living, through taking risks can its real meaning be found. It is interesting that the majority of Karate's lessons aren't learned in the dojo at all. So I continue studying Karate each and every day I live, I learn. This is the true study of Karate, living and learning
To wear the revered Black Belt, you must do your best and be your best because you are a winner and a leader!!! Congratulations for getting to this point! This is a point where most never get to and in itself is an accomplishment. The work, however, is yet to come - first to get to the Black Belt level as this will be the most tested and difficult time of all the years of your training. We are going to push you to levels that you have never been and never thought you could achieve. You may at times think that we are not your friend but trust me we are and we want you to be the best you can be. Secondly you will need to not feel like you have done it all once you receive the rank. With humility you MUST take on the responsibility and understanding that Black Belt indicates that you have mastered the basics and NOW the real learning begins.
I can honestly say that I am truly proud and honored to have you call me your instructor. You have worked extremely hard for this day and I have pushed you over and over again, sometimes to the point in which you had no idea why or whether this is what you truly wanted. Along the way you have had pains, aches, frustration, tears, some blood and aggravation. Like all good things they do not come easy. Well next week, because of your work and dedication you will shine. You will achieve a realm that you could have never dreamed of just a few months ago. Understand that the each of you and those who have gone before as well as those that you will inspire to go after are the only ones that will ever experience the awakening and growth that you have in the past few months and more importantly on test day. You see for next week at the test you will endure it all again - one more time with witnesses in family, friends and loved ones who will be in awe for what you have accomplished.
You will have crossed a threshold! A threshold of will, resilience, perseverance, heart and life, never to look back again. You will now realize how much greater potential you have and this is only a scratch in the surface. The next time you find yourself thinking you can't do something or that you can't make it - come back to this place, and find the will and the heart to keep going as you have done here. You are truly amazing individuals and I will be proud to have my signature on your certificate! Remember, "Do not let your circumstances dictate your destinies!"
May your journey be much more fulfilling than your goal and may it be as enlightening an experience as mine has been! - Sensei Abraham
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Filed under Blog, Character, Child Development, Psychology of Success, Self Defense, Training by MelHA
In the past, many students have shown a great concern in regard to testing for their next level. As an instructor, I have no greater joy than to see students advance. However, I want to take this opportunity to explain the depth of what testing is, and is not.
What Testing Is?
- an opportunity to demonstrate improvement in form,
- an opportunity to evaluate where you stand among your peers, and most importantly,
- an opportunity to challenge yourself against yourself.
There are many practitioners of various martial arts who believe that testing, using the colored belt system as a form of rank designation or reward is not a good thing. I must confess that, to some degree, I agree. We live in an age where we are taught to perform for rewards and public recognition as a means to advancement and monetary gain. Whereas there is a measure of truth to all this, it has been my experience, as a martial artist and as a businessman, that rewards and public recognition are only part of the needs we have for enduring life long fulfillment.
I have heard many seasoned instructors say that it is not unusual for many naturally skilled students to drop out long before reaching the peak of their ability. It seems that those that are training solely for the momentary reward (such as promotion to the next belt level, a 1st place trophy, or even perhaps the ever coveted black belt) never receive the real reward of all their sweat and labor. This reward, an enrichment of your character molded by the pursuit of excellence, is truly the reward that will serve you all your life.
Testing yourself against yourself will always have the greater value in the overall picture. What does it matter that you're as good as the next guy if you're not in pursuit of being as good as you can be. Ultimately, you must be true to yourself. Standards imposed by an instructor, organization, or even peers, should be viewed as markers for peer competition, not as markers in the pursuit of excellence.
Clearly, when it comes to testing, there is a need to make a distinction between physical performance (form), peer comparison (competition), and self-evaluation (the personal pursuit of excellence).
You also need to understand that testing is your choice not mine. For you will decide how hard you try, how much you practice, how focused you are in class and how prepared you will be. Bassed on these choices that YOU make will determine when you are ready to test. In other words if you want to test, if you want to improve, if you want to grow in your life - make the right choices on a consistent basis!!
Happy training and continue to flourish in the dojo and life!
Sensei Abraham
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Filed under Blog, Character, Child Development, Psychology of Success, Training by MelHA
The following video explain one way to defend against someone attacking you with a club. the key in any unarmed defense against a weapon is decisiveness, movement and redundant attacks until you are safe. Your positioning will also be key in getting the takedown and arm bar correct.
To watch the video Click Video
Happy training,
Sensei Abraham
Enclosures
- quicktime (audio)
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Filed under Blog, Child Safety, Pressure Points, Psychology of Success, Self Defense, Training by MelHA
I recently had a parent ask me about some of the challenges they were having with coaches and mentality of the many of the after school sports. As I spoke with her and reflected on the nature of after school sports these days I thought about a recent experience I had as one of the track & field coaches at Royal High School in Simi Valley.
I have had the honor and opportunity to be a coach for one of the local high school's pole vault squads for the past four years. Many have asked with my schedule, why I would take on such a commitment. The answer is simple - it's about kids. There is no greater sense of accomplishment than to see a young woman or a young man glowing with the joy of success. Success, not in the spirit of winning, but in the spirit of conquering their own limitations that they've placed on themselves within their mind. This is the joy that comes from knowing that they were the best they can be for that moment. But having known that moment, they will always have the opportunity to be there again. It is my belief that this is where the true winning is - in our own mind, not based on the medals or the trophies we were given.
Unfortunately, there are those that do not have the same belief. I recently participated in a track meet, where I was told by another coach that they wanted to rush the event along to get to the top three to five competitors. And when asked about the impact this had on the other 20 that were also there to experience the event, he simply shrugged it off and said, "call it what you will."
What values do we teach our teens and children when we act this way? Is it really a matter of being on top, being elite, being the winner or is it more about the road, the effort, the growth, and the developing of a mature mindset that has character and integrity. I would submit to you that it is the latter. That is what coaches are charged with as their responsibility. In the end, if in the process of developing that character and integrity there are losses or defeats along the way, have we not still served the greater good? And I would submit to you an emphatic "YES".
Although I did not understand this at the time, I was fortunate that my coaches, and my martial arts instructors were more concerned about developing my character, my integrity, my focus, my determination and my belief in myself than a simple win that came from a place of ego and significance.
Mom always said that I would be judged by the friends I keep. I would say that it goes further than that and that we take on the values of those that we surround ourselves with. As a result, it is important to look at what is being taught to our children not only in our schools but in the after-school programs we have them involved in. We need to realize that the lessons (typically the more important lessons) our kids learn go far deeper than the mere physical activity. As such, consider the values, the respect and the integrity that is being communicated in these programs to our children. The benefits of an appropriately focused after-school program can go far beyond what meets the eye. Just the same, the negative impacts can also go far beyond the eye.
Quality after-school programs can have far-reaching benefits. Though not always immediately evident, the benefits for students include increased learning, improved health, increased exposure to career choices, and enhanced social and psychological development. (U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice, 1998).
Some of the benefits that can come from the right program with the right coach or teacher include:
Improved Student Performance. Properly structured after-school programs can play a large role in improving student esteem and achievement. By actively engaging the child in structured after school programs you provide a nonacademic vehicle to further develop the child's focus, determination, respect and independence. A martial arts program at a school that focuses beyond simply taking the children through punches and kicks and has an instructor that comes from the traditional roots that created the arts creates a fertile environment for our children to grow. Other benefits that we have found to be a result of the proper martial arts training include:
- Enhanced ability to stay on task - especially with the increasing kids being diagnosed with ADD;
- An outlet for kids to move and stretch, not only their bodies but their creativity and minds too;
- Increased ability to co-exist and integrate with other kids in a safe environment instead the increasing trend of isolation that has come with the technological advances of the day;
- Increased respect for others and their accomplishments, which in our school is continually modeled, beginning with bowing onto the mat, lining up in order of belt rank, not age, paying tribute to the accomplishments of each student, and ending each class by thanking the teacher and the other students.
Healthier Children. Properly structured after-school programs promote healthier habits for our children who would otherwise be home playing video games or living a more sedentary lifestyle. There has been much press about the nature of obesity and physical activity with our youth. A martial arts program provides a great vehicle for the physical development of our children through the structured approach to the training. Further, with the proper focus placed on respect you will find that your children will grow to not only respect others more readily but learn to respect themselves. With this respect will come a variety of other benefits including:
- Decreased likelihood of substance abuse
- Enhanced nutrition and wellness
- Increased opportunities to engage in fitness activities
Development of Leadership Skills. In addition to direct academic and school-related benefits, after-school programs can be beneficial to students in many other ways. For instance, we have the kids at our school get involved in various community service activities and events we also require our students as preparation for their black belt testing to perform a "Community Service Day". This day is meant to bring focus to the fact that our children need to be grateful for the gifts life has given them. It allows them to understand that giving back to the community makes the community a better place for all and gives them the gift of giving or the feeling of being able to make a difference in someone's life beyond themselves. We view our students as they develop as leaders and to be a leader they need to be an example as well as set an example. With this focus we can develop a more compassionate nature within our children which leads to less sibling problems, fewer behavioral problems and a greater level of social skills.
Give the gift of growth, character and integrity to your child by looking beyond the physical activity before choosing the after-school activities to place them in. Remember some of the most important lessons are those that we don't see on the surface! If you have any questions or comments please contact me or come in and visit us. Until next month remember - "Ordinary Things Consistently Done Create Extraordinary Results!"
I welcome your thoughts, comments and questions.
Here is to your success!
Sensei Abraham
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Filed under Blog, Character, Child Development, Psychology of Success, Training by MelHA
This BLOG is dedicated to your child's as well as your growth and personal development. I will be providing various tips, techniques and guidance to the readers through my many decades of experience in the martial arts, as well as a coach, author and speaker on peak performance, achievement and success.
I welcome your questions, comments and remarks. I want to make sure that this is a dialogue (two-way communication) instead of monologue.
In gratitude,
Sensei Abraham
www.MelAbraham.com
www.BusinessSuccessSensei.com
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Filed under Blog, Character, Child Development, Child Safety, Pressure Points, Psychology of Success, Self Defense, Training by MelHA
