The Observer

Brought to you by Renshi Robyn Rush-James THE OBSERVER Volume 1, Issue 6 Sept 1st, 2008 A quick glance at what is inside this issue: Weapons Wisdom : Tonfa The tonfa, also known the reign of Okinawan ruler Shō Shin, holding the shaft and the handle of Role of the Parent; Book 2 restrictions were placed on the use of the tonfa together, one can use it for Review—Readers Cor- as tong fa or tuifa, is a weaponry in order to stabilise the coun- holding or breaking techniques. ner , Misconceptions & traditional Okinawan try after a period of civil war. This re- Tonfa are tradi- striction is said to have favoured the tionally wielded in Myths Con’t weapon from which the development of unconventional agricul- pairs, one in each modern side-handled po- tural tools as weapons of self-defense. hand. This is Meet the Masters; Mike 3 According to Okinawan and Malay unlike police Ericksons’ Dojang hamp- lice baton is derived. folklore, the tonfa was developed from nightsticks, which a wooden handle originally used as a are generally used penings; Jhooo Rhee 4 History: The origin of the Tonfa is tool to fit into the hole on the side of a alone. As the tonfa Daily Affirmations millstone, giving the user the ability to can be held in debated but experts believe it either grind rice, as well as other grains.[1] many different originated in China or Indonesia.[1] The Chinese on the other hand believe ways, education in Tenents of Tae Kwon do 4 [2] It is used in both Southeast Asian it to have evolved from the crutch. the use of the tonfa Part 5; Why Kids should and Chinese martial arts and was often involves probably brought to Okinawa through study Martial arts Part 4 learning how to their influence. A similar weapon Technique: There are numerous switch between called the mae sun sawk is used in ways to defend and attack with the different grips at Thailand. Tradition holds that during tonfa. In defense, if the handle is Maricopa Seminar hap- 4 - 5 grasped then the shaft protects the fore- high speed. Such arm and hand from blows from the techniques require penings; Gary Alexander great manual dex- & Isshinryu Karate opponents and the knob can protect the thumb. If both ends of the shaft are terity. held, the shaft can be used to ward off blows and the handle can be used as a http://www.geocities. hook to catch the opponent's weapons. com/cbfisher2000/ Tales from the Island 6 - 7 shihan8/tonfa2b.jpg Chapter 5; Kenpo Forms: In attack, one can swing the shaft to strike the target. Large amounts of mo- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tonfas.jpg Seisan; Tae Kwon Do mentum can be imparted to the shaft by Forms: Won-Y=Hyo twirling the tonfa by the handle. The tonfa can also be wielded in such a way Arnold Martial Arts Festi- 8 - 9 as to use the knob as a striking imple- val; Instructor Spotlight, ment, held either by the handle or by the shaft. One can also stab one's oppo- Purpose and Contact nents with the shaft of the tonfa. By school Information Misconceptions and Myths: Women Can’t Do Martial Arts Well Excerpts from February 2006 issue of Black Belt Magazine, Part 1 - Vol 44 No. 1 (http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/452) by Jonathan Maberry That old myth is ready for the But let’s take a quick stroll back who became the only female scrap heap. Aside from the fact through history. About 2,000 years student of the legendary Bodhid- that women like Cynthia ago, during China’s Spring and harma. A century later, there was Rothrock, Karen Sheperd and Autumn Period, a woman named Mulan—yes, the one they based Michelle Yeoh have proved Yu Niu competed in a seven-day the Disney cartoon on—who’s themselves to be compelling ac- sword contest organized by the considered a heroine in China. tion heroes of the cinema, at the king and was chosen as the cham- tournament and dojo level, there pion over 3,000 swordsmen. And don’t forget that wing chun have been thousands of superior was invented by a Buddhist nun female fighters and practitioners, Then in the fifth century, there was for use by women. and with each generation there a princess named Ming-Lian, the are more. daughter of Emperor Liang Wu Di, —– Con’t page 2 —– PAGE 2 THE OBSERVER VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6 The Role of the Parent: Tips and guide to helping your child excel in the martial arts To maintain high standards and levels of sat- with which we can help, let us know. gives up. The encouragement of your child's isfaction, there must be communication be- efforts takes on a new significance at this tween parents, students and instructors. To Invitation to rank test is the decision of the time. help your child develop self-control, disci- instructors. The student typically will have, pline and respect, instructors will need your already, individually demonstrated the skills to Any parent can directly help with their child's full support. be tested previously during class time or dur- progress by assisting with memory work. We ing reviews. The parent should assist the child don't spend a lot of valuable class time with Always refer to the instructors and staff by (especially a younger child) in deciding wrote memorization of facts/history, since their titles; ex: do not call Mr. Purvis, whether of not to accept the invitation. Testing this can easily be done at home - especially "Billee." This will reinforce the level of re- is based on the individual students capabilities. with loving parental assistance. spect we expect our students to show adults in general, and especially, those in positions of Please do not compare your child to another. Help and remind your child to keep a martial authority. It is important for you to set a good Look only at the progress your child is mak- arts journal and take notes of the class par- example for your children. ing. ticulars of the day or questions they may have throughout the week to bring to the next class. Parents should double check to make sure that Talk to your children about martial arts and their children come to class prepared. Make it share in their progress. As your child pro- Finally, one of the best approaches to helping clear to your child, however, that the primary gresses, it is important to encourage their ef- your child with his/her training is to put on a responsibility for his/her equipment is their forts in training. As their rank increases, the uniform, jump right in and learn about the own. training becomes more challenging and some- Martial Arts first hand. Not only will you get times they may become discouraged. It is im- a lot out of it, but also the bonding between If you need to see an instructor, please make portant as parents and instructors to make the child and parent grows stronger. an appointment, so we can give you our full difference between a child who meets and Excerpts taken from :http://www.lifeforcekarate.com/more.asp? attention. If your child is having problems overcomes challenges and one who merely BOOK REVIEW — Readers Corner! Featuring the most effective meth- fenses taught are proven against the ods of karate, judo, aikido by a for- most common attacks made against mer Marine Instructor, 10th Dan, everyday people. In addition to ef- Black belt hall-of-famer, and first fective defense moves, there is ad- american champion. Anyone can vice on how to protect your home, learn to defend and protect them- how to minimize the possibility of selves using the step by step instruc- attack, and how you can avoid dan- tion in this book. The defense ger and survive physical confronta- moves require no previous experi- tion or attack. ence, and can be practiced in the privacy of your own home. The de- 130 pages copiously illustrated. Misconceptions and Myths: Women Can’t Do Martial Arts Well ***Continued from page 1 *** In the 20th century, there have been hun- It’s a silly statement to make—like say- neither can a 120-pound man. Weight dreds of female champions, fighters, demo ing short people can’t do the martial arts and body mass are what matters in com- experts, competitors and instructors. as well as tall people, or that thin people bat sports. Women like Graciela Casillas, Cheryl can’t fight as hard as heavy people. Wheeler and Kathy Long have kicked se- Remember that the majority of martial rious holes through the women-can’t-fight This argument barely holds water when arts were developed specifically to allow myth. discussing full-contact martial arts be- smaller and weaker people to defend cause they’re weight-class-based. Sure, themselves against larger and stronger A variation of this myth is that women a 120-pound woman can’t effectively attackers. can’t do the martial arts as well as men. fight a 235-pound man in the ring, but VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6 THE OBSERVER PAGE 3 Mike Ericksons’ Dojang happenings Every Monday night we have Schedule: riculum each Monday to meet an open Dojang. Every Monday Night starts at the needs of the group. If 8 PM till 9 PM you are interested, send us Class participates: Brown your e-mail address and belts, Black Belts, and Agenda: we'll place you on our special invites.

Load more