Easter & The Five Animals

Legendary Kung Fu is system that relates to five animals:

1) Tiger

2) Leopard

3) Crane

4) Dragon

5) Snake

These animals allegedly noted by Monks to be apex

predators for striking method and speed.

Two Cats make the list , the Dragon combines styles.

The Dragon leaps, seizes and scowls.

It's Easter weekend here in the states.  One can notice how high

the water levels are. Further, creeks have a blue-green hue

from the sunlight. Guess what appeared? Turtles! Not the huge

Tortoise of the Hare and Tortoise speed race fame. Cute, quick ones.

As one nears the creek bank to observe the sunning turtles

they scamper back into the creek. About as swift as our

Five Animal star strikes.

 Thus ends the Five Animal story

Happy Easter!

Teacher-Well, Aint Easy Being Green

 "Ain't easy being green" was famous quote of Kermit the Frog of Muppet Fame.

The program was designed to be entertaining yet educational for youth via

the television.

Many Black Belts are teachers. So lets discuss. One teacher had several years

experience . In commenting for a interview, Why  students having stuck with his Martial Arts expertise  and classes "I do not know why they still come?"

Perhaps he was being modest?

Another one, Ms. J loved teaching.  Her situation was she would go blank during

lectures. She had evidence of Cognitive Issues. Her student body thought

she should retire.

Students still bring their favorite teachers apples. This implies they are not

"Striking" or fussing over Class sizes but present always to get their treats.

Teachers have their favorite students. Just as students have their

favorite teachers. Teachers job is teaching one how to think. As Martial Arts

teachers,our students may get sent home for fighting. All they done is protected

themselves in most cases as they have been trained to do. So as teachers we must be supportive and linked in to our students.

Then there is this,

One thinker once said. "beware of giving advise, the wise do not need it-

fools will not heed it". Teaching ain't easy. But Kermit said it first and foremost "It ain't easy being green."

                                       

Kermit attributed to Marcela Rogante

Goldfinger & The Missing Digit

 Last time was story about the Karate Chop. Often one can allude to Hollywood with

influence  across T.V. and 40 foot theater screens.

Of the many characters we  hate -but- love to watch are Odd Job (Goldfinger) and Darth Vader

(Star Wars).

Goldfinger, the movie had a Karate Chopping character described in Ian Flemings book called

Odd Job. The James Bond themed story has a antagonist called Odd Job played by  wrestler Harold 

Sakata. What makes things interesting is Sakata is related to the Grand Toro wrestling team

family. Japanese infamous for Karate Chops in wrestling matches.

In Ian Flemings Goldfinger, the book describes Odd Job as having a lethal trained hand

with a digit missing on the Distal -little finger . The final movie cut focused more on Odd Job's  

de-capitating Top Hat.

Viewers go to movies to escape. There was no need to paint the actress's body  gold for the

Golden Girl Scene.Reports were she nearly perished from the stunt (suffocation). A mannequin could 

have  convinced viewers all the same. Besides we view life-like mannequins every day at Disneyland  

and in better department stores.

Goldfinger is the name of the greedy villain (Gert Forbe). The missing digit on the Knife Hand of

Odd Job  in the book is a lethal weapon. On the screen, the minor detail was not apparent after all.

                                                 

Chop Chop

 Last article we talked about Mike Tyson .One notorious and ;powerful of this era. There are many others

before and since. Name one, and soon another has grown and appears.

This brings us to the magical Karate Chop. From most accounts this mythical strike came from

1950's Wrestling Promoters. Then as now, we had a love-hate relation with Asia.

We hated them. We loved to watch them and be part of the culture.

The Karate Chop is a strike that descends downward on a persons neck.

By itself it is a respectable maneuver The neck, as well as the side of the head is not naturally

built for such trauma.

Chop Chop

Cody's story

During one of our early years Cody showed up  as a guest. He did not shine performing the

pre-arrangement routines . These we required time be spent on. He did not have much memory. He

stated he had a surprise for us at the end of class. He had toted some blocks into class.

These were the roofing tiles seen on expensive roofs. Then came his showtime.

He positioned his support pieces. Laid his cross tile piece then he struck downward yelped,  in

Karate Chop fashion. The tile broke. But Cody's hand bled from the broken glass like been at

a butchers shop. The tile , after all becomes sharp glass when broken.

What should have been a fun class turned into a catastrophe. because he bled everywhere.

The Karate Chop was like a new Dance Craze. every one wanted to try it .

No thanks to Hollywood for making appear so cool.

If it were the end-all it would have been mentioned historically one can argue.

For allowing Cody  to perform such a stunt. We were as dumb as he was.

                                                    

Judo Joe

 Chicago is famous for it's size, diversity and politics. This makes it interesting and a challenge.

Judo Joe was a native of the Chicago area.  Many of us start out on Wrestling teams and find

Judo. Judo preceded Karate here in the U.S. at the wholesale level. Matter of fact many Y.M.C.A's

would not let Karate-ka use the name Karate but preferred Judo name

The Army used Sawdust pits to practice Hand-to-Hand with recruits. Judo is a respectable art

because the recipient lands on the ground. If un-trained the impact can be devastating ,at most and

dizzying ,at least.

Judo Joe was a Heavy weight. He had wide hips. This means when he tugged, his opponent

yielded. He was fast. He would start in a Karate position then ensnarl  his opponent. Whop!

The Major Hip throw was his trademark. Many a Karate-ka was obliterated from his Hip Throws.

Judo Joe should have been disqualified and forgotten about in Karate Tournament history.

He was big, skillful. Would he have faired at the Kodukan World Mecca of Judo in Japan?

We don't know. We do know and stated earlier ,Chicago and every place else has its politics.

The other point is ,why not is incorporate some breakfall training in the gym. One needs a

trainer and mats of course and make sure one is healthy enough for the workout. Thank

Judo Joe.

                                 

http://thunderhead20216.wixsite.com/pro-amkarate-union

Hooked On Tyson

 Schools desperate for student bodies overstate things. This may be their style is superior to others.

Others can  argue that point. The point here is it depends. Angie wowed us at a tournament once.

She had vertical kicks and long Blond hair wrapped into a Bun. She had long legs. Beneath her

exhibition was a background in Ballet, she admitted. It was Ballet not Tae Kwon Do that got her

prepared. It was those long legs with Ballet training in her growing years that we  witnessed.

In Tae Kwon Do Fighter ,our guide book we discuss Lanky vs Stocky body types.

Many westerners (Lanky) will never be as good as Jackie Chan of Bruce Lee. They do not have the body 

build. Angie is lanky and talented in her own way-not her schools. The school is the beneficiary.

Then there' Mike Tyson. retired Boxer. He can still knock out a man. This can be stated with

assurance because the side of the head (temple) does not thicken as chest, abs or glutts.

That means Tyson's hook punch from those stocky arms- upside the head is as devastating now as 20 years 

ago..

No one style is superior to another. "Come join our school because our style is better" is incorrect.

What is correct is how we differ and use that to our advantage. Tyson's stockiness , Angie's lankiness 

are natural talents .

Most of us are average Joe's (Jane's) 

1.Average height

2. Average weight

3.Average I.Q.

We don't have Shaq O'Neal's or Yah Zee or seven footers in our gyms or for sparring partners. They 

do practice our arts as a side line but do the heavy lifting in Football and Basketball.

The advantages  to being average, "Diddle in the middle"

Most recent  is WNBA Star  Britney Griener. She is a superb athelete with remarkable body build:

6' 9" height

size 17 shoes

7-foot wing span

Who lives the longest, healthiest life?

A) The giant at over 7 foot

B) Joe or Jane average

C) The Dwarf  - excludes Yoda at 24"  tall and 800 years old-pun intended

                                                                    

http://thunderhead20216.wixsite.com/pro-am-karate-union

I'll Be Back

 "I'll be back" is the famous Terminator story line. Restrictions seem to be lifting on masking

so we should be seeing more of our children attending Martial Arts classes. Encourage members

to get their annual check-ups and keep up practice.

Children may grow up living in fear. Both real and imagined. The Martial Arts instills confidence

and pride as they proceed through the ranks. We're human, still fearful  but overpowered by.sense of pride 

and well being. Often parents tell us of the difference they see in their child after accomplishing Martial 

Arts . 

Prospects should visit 2-3 schools before enrolling.

1. Look for experience of teachers including First Aid Certification

2. Class discipline-Are things chaotic or running smooth?

3. Is there a contract or Escape Clause if not happy?

4. If I drop off my child will others be present?

5. It may take a year or more to get Black Belt. Does one have the commitment ?

   Commitment means in the heart not because of the Contract.

Our heroes tell their story with Weaponry. So forgive The Terminator for his weaponry.

Lest we forget or Martial Art theme is basic-Empty Hand Self Protection.

"I'll be Back"  from that thick voice, will always drum.

 Meanwhile, welcome back our kids to the gym.