Ivan Acosta; Kelsea Besaw, Jim Ferguson, John Hurdle, Dennis Imhoff, Raymond Kelso, George Guthrie, Danny Koerner, Russ Rose, Steve Turner.
Each student testing submitted a paragraph on karate as part of the testing requirements -- these are included below.
Ivan Acosta
I'm writing this paragraph as part of my request to test for my second green tip (go-kyu).
This past few months have gone by fast but I've learned a great deal about karate and about myself. I'm looking forward to learning more katas and different karate techniques. It is amazing how much I've learned. I was thinking the other day that I used to want to get involved in karate but I was afraid that it may be too difficult. I've enjoyed the repetitive practices of all basic moves and first katas. It has helped me feel comfortable with karate.
I enjoy telling friends and family about karate and how much fun and interesting it is. I've certainly enjoyed the challenge so far and look forward to testing for go-kyu and all other upcoming tests.
Kelsea Besaw
Submitted a drawing of Shorin-Ryu Karate patch
James (Jim) Ferguson
My name is Jim Furgerson. I have 44 years old. I am testing the 29 June. I am taking karate again after 30 years. I enjoyed karate when I was a teenager, and now I am enjoying karate in my fortys. I am interested in karate because of the physical and mental conditioning. Karate builds charactor and self-disciple. I need both of those more now than ever. I want to use body parts I have long forgotten about. Des told me that karate helps him feel young. I want to feel young again.
John Hurdle
Karate training utilizes and trains the whole body. The disciplined stretching and poses in the katas benefit joint health and mobility. As the body moves through the katas, muscle tissue is invigorated by the action of the muscular pump mechanism, removing extracellular wastes such as carbon dioxide and ammonia, and replenishing the cells with oxygenated and nutrient laden blood. This encourages the muscle fibers to be tone and supple, improving range of motion and strengthening the structure surrounding the joint capsule. This results in functional biomechanical movement and eases stress in our daily lives. Many eastern regimens have incorporated whole body conditioning as the basis for inner harmony and a relaxed state of mind.
George Guthrie
Training in Karate has been a great experience for me. It has taught me to
pay attention to direction before reacting. It has given me a sence of
security that I could defend myself in a situation that would require such
action. Karate gives me a couple of hours each week to concentrate on
nothing else and forget my problems for the day during the training period.
I look forward to continuing my training with Shorin Ryu Karate.
Dennis Imhoff
Fukyugata I is the first kata learned by the white belt student. Once learned, the student advances to the rank of ro-kyu, one green tip. Fukyugata II is the second kata used in the advancement of the white belt student from ro-kyu to go-kyu, two green tips. From here, the student hopefully advances to green belt, yon-kyu. The physical training is excellent and I am looking forward to learning the many new kata ahead.
Danny Koerner
Karate is something I can take with me outside the Dojo besides self defense. From time to time I would pull muscles at work (construction). Karate has shown me about stretching. Now I stretch before and after work. It also is helping me keep my back straight and that cuts down back pain. I am aware of where my eyes are and I try to keep them up. I now have a new confidence that I did not have before karate and I have made freinds that stick with me.
Raymond Kelso
Karate is a wonderful thing. I am indeed fortunate to have the honor and privilege of studying with Hanshi Scaglione. In addition, I have enjoyed studying with the many good instructors on the training schedule. While I am only seeking my green tips currently, I know that further development of Karate-do for me will entail improving my mental awareness while strengthening my mind and body. I look forward to many happy but physically exhausting sessions in the dojo.
Russ Rose
Show up and show the balance, lately this seams to be the solution to all my Karate and life problems.
I can't tell you how many times in the past few months I have shown up at the Dojo and told the Sensei "I'm not feeling well I don't think I'll stay" after a bit of stretching and some encouragement from Sensei and deshi I stay for class and work out, every time, I leave feeling better than when I walked in and usually have more energy and enthusiasm for what ever is next. I've heard it said "Showing up is half the battle"
We are told when testing "show speed and power." Yesterday a visiting deshi past on some wisdom for testing "Go slow, Stay Low and breath." Are these statements contradictory? or is it about showing balance? Show power and speed, pause, breath, do it again.
In the Dojo I often hear "show the balance" yin yang is this what Hanshi is talking about? He probably means don't stumble and flay but...maybe!
A few thoughts from a white belt ... with a green tip.
Steve Tanner
Two months have passed since I was awarded the rank of Ro-Kyu - a first step in a long journey.
What has changed in that time? Well, I have become better conditioned and more focused physically and mentally, I am learning and refining my katas, bunkai, and kumite training. And of course I have met some very fine people (deshi and instructors alike). Day by day I am feeling more confident in, and proud of my abilities and those of my fellow students. I eagerly look forward to my time in the dojo every day!
When I first came to the dojo my definition of karate was a form of self-defense using all parts of the body, which by hard and systematic training would become effective and powerful weapons. I confess to looking in Hanchi’s Question and Answer book early on and calculating how long it might take me to become a skilled fighter. Of course in the beginning I didn’t really have a clue what the essence of karate-do was all about.
It’s obvious that becoming proficient in the martial arts doesn’t happen over night. But more importantly its becoming clearer that being able to win a fight is not the point of karate in the first place. Karate, practiced solely as fighting techniques against an opponent ceases to be karate because the real opponent in a fight is always ones self, not the other person.
I find myself becoming more absorbed by the true meaning of "karate-do". Hanchi’s book, "Building Warrior Spirit" was a wonderful starting point, full of spiritual as well as practical guidance. My deepening interest in the martial arts has expanded beyond its' fighting aspects. Of course, should the need arise I wish to be prepared but what captures my interest is the "essence of karate-do". I don’t pretend to understand it yet and maybe I never will fully comprehend it, but when I see a kata performed with power and precision I can appreciate its’ beauty and spiritual quality and aspire to the fusing of mind and body that’s responsible for it.
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