Snapkick Dojo student newsletter

“The ultimate aim of lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants ” ―

“Protect your enthusiasm from the negativity of others.” ~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Sensei Gichin Funakoshi - Father of Modern Day Karate

O’Sensei Gichin Funakoshi is known as the Father of One was that he adapted the training methods so Modern Day Karate and is probably the best known name that they could be more easily practiced by everybody, in karate history. regardless of age, ability or sex. He was born in the city of Shuri on the island of He also made karate more accessible to the Okinawa in 1868 and by the age of 11, Funakoshi was Japanese by changing the meaning of the word ‘Kara’. training with the great Okinawan teachers Anko Itosu and Originally, the words kara and te meant ‘Chinese’ and Yasutsune Azato. ‘hand.’ However, in Japanese the characters used for At this time it was illegal to learn martial arts, though kara could also mean ‘empty’ in Japanese. As this fitted that did not stop him and many others practicing in secret. the style so well and since karate had developed to be Around the turn of the century the art came out into the very different from the Chinese styles, ‘empty hand’ open and began to be taught in public schools, thanks became the new meaning of the word. largely to the efforts of Anko Itosu. Amongst his more prominent beliefs was By the time Funakoshi was an adult he excelled in Funakoshi’s conviction that the best martial arts karate, so much so that when the Crown Prince of Japan, exponents should be so confident that they had nothing Hirohito, visited Okinawa, Funakoshi was chosen to to prove about their fighting prowess. The true art was perform a demonstration for him. found in subduing an opponent without fighting, echoing When the Japanese Ministry of Education held a the teachings of the legendary samurai Tsukahara demonstration of karate in Tokyo a year later in 1922, the Bokuden from over 400 years previously. Okinawan Department of Education who he worked for as Funakoshi was always a humble man. He didn’t a school teacher asked him to be the one to perform it preach the humility of virtue but a basic humility of a man and introduce the art to Japan; when he did, a new era in who is rooted in the true perspective of things, full of life the history of the martial arts was born. and awareness. He lived at peace with himself and with The Japanese were so impressed that he was asked his fellow man. He placed no emphasis on competitions, to stay in the country to further demonstrate and teach his record breaking or championships. Instead, he art. This began with an invitation from Jigoro Kano, the emphasized self-perfection. He believed in the common founder of Judo, who asked Funakoshi to demonstrate decency and respect that one human being owes karate in front of over one hundred of his students. another. He was a master of masters. Funakoshi died in After this, the requests kept coming so Master 1957 at the age of 88, after humbly making a Funakoshi decided to move to Japan permanently. He tremendous contribution to the art of karate. quickly gained students in the universities in and around Tokyo and soon he had enough interest to start his own This month, all youth and adult students dojo. Sensei Gichin Funakoshi earned the title the Father will learn Master Funakoshi’s kata - of Modern Day Karate in a number of ways. “Funakoshi ”

Author Unknown This month we will be teaching students chanbara. Chanbara, in simple terms, is padded weapons training. In deeper terms, chanbara is a fast paced martial art that helps students develop lightning fast reflexes, distancing, and timing. Chanbara will also develop courage, self-control and good sportsmanship. Training at our dojo will allow students to learn these qualities in a safe environment without the fear of injury.

We will hold a fun, low-key competition on Thursday and Friday, January 10th and 11th during regular class times. We will bring out the long swords as well as shields and make sure students have a great time!

This month we will continue with our Jiu Jitsu curriculum. We will teach more advanced techniques and drills in all of our classes. The goal is to continued from front help students feel more confident when dealing with This month we will be teaching students chanbara. an opponent on the ground. Chanbara, in simple terms, is padded weapons training. In deeper terms, chanbara is a fast paced martial art Parents: Mat Chats that helps a student develop lightning fast reflexes, distancing, and timing. Chanbara will also develop We have set our 2019 summer Good Self Control courage, self-control and good sportsmanship. Training at our dojo will allow students to learn these qualities in camp schedule! Week 1. Mind over emotion Theme of the Month: a safe environment without the fear of injury. Week 2. Body over emotion Jiu-Jitsu!!! We will hold a fun, low-key competition on Thursday These camps are available for students of all Week 3. Balance over emotion All month long in our classes and Friday, June 28th and 29th during regular class skill levels ages 7 and up. Week 4. Words over emotion we will be practicing Jiu Jitsu. What times. We will bring out the long swords as well as is Jiu Jitsu? Jiu Jitsu is a martial art, shields and make sure students have a great time! All camps run from 9:00am - 3:00pm* Socialize WVMA on Yelp, combat sport, and a self defense Facebook, and Instagram system that focuses on grappling and Search: West Valley Martial Arts June 17 - 21 Special Black Belt Kata: Ananku especially ground fighting. Jiu Jitsu promotes the concept of a smaller, July 15 - 19 Special WEAPONS Kata: Kama (sickle)** . weaker person that can successfully Theme of the Month: On Saturday, April 27th, there will be Zen Bei August 12 - 16 Special Black Belt Kata: Matsumora Rohai defend against a bigger, stronger Striking and grappling!!! Butoku Kai (ZBBK) exams held at Rod Sanford’s assailant by using leverage and $299.00 *Please note new-extended times this year Traditional Martial Arts located at 4626 Soquel proper technique. All camps will include: special camp t-shirt, snacks, Dr. Soquel, CA 95073.

and lunch on Friday. This month we will continue to focus on Many of our students will be invited to attend. escapes from grabs and holds. We will teach ● Camp sizes are limited. This is a great opportunity to earn an how to get out of headlocks, ● **This camp will include a set of wooden sickle international certificate from the ZBBK. wrist grabs, chokes, bear hugs This month we will be focusing on the and so much more! Sensei Dan Wakefield has been running youth summer karate These exams are only held twice a year. The striking arts. We will work on all kinds of . camps for over 20 years. These camps always prove to be a fun, organization recognizes ranks from Green belt strikes, from punches and to knees Students will learn not to panic rewarding experience for kids. and up. So if you or your child have that rank and elbows. Through proper practice, Theme of the Month: when someone grabs them, look for an invitation soon. students will gain confidence, because with proper practice coordination and power! We will Bunkai (分解?), literally meaning "analysis" or they will develop confidence "disassembly", is a term used in Japanese martial to deal with it quickly and effectively! (408) 871-8180 incorporate many drills, games and bag work exercises to help develop these arts referring to process of analysing kata and skills extracting fighting techniques from the movements of a "form" (kata).

Kata competition This month we will be studying the Bunkai of some of IF IT Leadership Yoga Yoga our katas. We will go into detail with the movements Class in Soquel 10-11:15a.m. 10-11:15a.m. and show how each move has a real world application for self defense. We will have many Adult Chanbara different techniques, drills and exercises to build Leadership IS TO Advanced these skills. This should prove to be fun and Dates and times to remember: competition Class Class Open for spring break NO Yoga this week educational!

July 1st - 4th: Closed during Fourth of July NO Leadership Yoga From 7:00pm - 10:00pm Yoga This month we will be teaching students chanbara. Class BE, IT Testing Movie Leadership Ages 6 and up July 25th - 29th: Summer Camp Same Regular class times Chanbara, in simple terms, is padded weapons training. Class 10-11:15a.m. Night! July 28th & 29th: Testing, regular class times time Thurs & Fri $25 (Price includes pizza and drinks) In deeper terms, chanbara is a fast paced martial art Closed that helps a student develop lightning fast reflexes,

Adult Space is limited to the first 50 students! distancing, and timing. Chanbara will also develop IS UP ZBBK Advanced Yoga Yoga courage, self-control and good sportsmanship. Training Closed at our dojo will allow students to learn these qualities in Class 10-11:15a.m. 10-11:15a.m. EXAMS Practice a safe environment without the fear of injury. at home! Closed for We will hold a fun, low-key competition on Thursday Leadership Yoga TO ME! Thanksgiving and Friday, June 29th and 30th during regular class Practice Class 10-11:15a.m. wvmadojo.com times. We will bring out the long swords as well as at home! shields and make sure students have a great time!

OPEN (408) 871-8180 WVMADOJO.COM wvmadojo.com (408) 871-8180 (408) 871-8180