Congratulations to the newest crew of Yellow and Blue belts!

Youth Karate Test 2/28/13

Fight...Flight ....or .....Freeze!

This post is an amazing story about JG, the1st degree Brown Belt Karate-Do student above, who is practicing defensive Hook Kicks against the stretching bar.

JG has studied at JRRMAS since he was a very small child. He has just successfully completed his first year at Deerfield Academy. He was also fortunate to get job at DA this summer as a life guard for the DA pool.

Now for the 'amazing' part; Last week was JG's second week as a life guard. He was guarding a 6th grade class swimming in the DA pool. All of a sudden he notices a 6th grader sinking below the surface. Much to JG's amazement the 6th grader was sinking below the surface without struggling at all! Simply sinking below the surface with limbs limp and the boy was taking water into his lungs. In that very instant of recognition.....Without panicking......or freezing....JG leaped into action and saved the boy's life. Wow....Amazing!

I only hope that the years of training at JRRMAS contributed in some small way to JG acting decisively in that moment of crisis. Correct Martial Arts training is not merely designed to kick and punch others in self-defense but is more accurately designed to give the practitioner that little bit extra that one needs in such a crisis situation.

JG's ability to use the Life Guard Training, the confidence in his own abilities to swim and help others, that enabled him to act decisively, instead of freezing or panicking! You never know if the training is going to pay off until push comes to shove.

Lesson 1:

In Martial Arts it's moments of crisis...

that the training is designed to prepare you for....

So that you...

Don't FREEZE!

Don't PANIC!

So that you are able to ACT,

able to stay CALM,

to stay CENTERED

and feel STRONG

and CAPABLE.....

So that you may act immediately and decisively!

In a crisis...

Yours or someone else's life may depend upon your ability to...... act!!

Sifu

JG ....All of us at JRRMAS are very proud of you......That SAVE was the 'real deal'. Bravo from Sifu!!

Youth American Karate-Do, beginners class, practice side kicks to body shields

Well...I had much difficulty posting today...three failed attempts to upload other videos and 4 hours later, I finally got this one to upload...whew!

Lesson 1:

The Side Kick is a very powerful kick indeed...

it uses two joints, the hip and the knee, unfolding, as in rising from a squat!

Initially you when you step up, make sure your supporting foot is pivoted!

Then, the best method is to......jump in and..... 'replace the foot'

To advance,

drive the rear knee up,

while in the air,

drive the kicking knee up,

simultaneously land with supporting foot pivoted and kicking foot landing on target

The advance, the landing and the kick........ all in one beat!

Lesson 2:

Remember to drive your kicking knee up high

then, kick from your hip, using your gluts to power-up the kick!

Your kicking leg should be straight 'in line' with your hip and supporting foot

Muscle lock the knee ...do not lock the bones!

Be aware of the 'Line of Power'!

Your supporting foots heel and your kicking foots heel and all that is in between form "One Line"

Remember, to keep your balance after the kick has landed and return to a well balanced and defend able position with your hands up!

Tuesday's Youth Karate-Do Class

A group photograph of the Youth Karate-Do class this past Tuesday. We did an 'open workout' where the students have to use their own initiative and creativity. This was an excellent group....hard working, productive and focused. They were inspiring each other, while researching and examining the 'Art'.... What more could a Teacher look for?
A big congratulations to JS for his recent graduation from High School! All the best luck to you!!

American Karate-Do, Youth Class Stretching

Youth Karate-Do student RH looks good as he demonstrates the flexability that he has earned as a White Belt. He is preparing for his Yellow Belt Testing.

Lesson:

One of the most important things to develop
as a younger practitioner
is a full stretch.....
it will help you
with EVERYTHING
you want to do in life.....
and will help you to stay
healthy
and pain free!!

Young or old...
Don't neglect the
STRETCHING!

American Karate-Do, Youth Class, Jump Rear Leg Roundhouse Kick

Youth Karate-Do student PD demonstrates Jumping Rear Leg Roundhouse Kick for the group.

Lesson:

With 'Jing' in the legs

Jump straight up

in the air,

turn waist 180 degrees....

keep kicking leg chambered until the very end

release the lower leg.....

right before impact

land softly

be prepared to:

follow up

or

block their counter....

Youth American Karate-Do Class - practicing #9 exercise (variation)

The Youth Karate-Do class practicing the #9 exercise from the 10 exercises. This is a variation that combines several postures (and variations) from the Ba Ji set of 8 Stances.

Lesson:

Balance on one leg

Squatting down on the same leg

needs strength

and flexibility

rise up and issue from the same leg

be clear about the 'line' of power

through your entire body

from rear foot

to palm strike

'whole body power'

issue from the ground...

leg to waist

spine to arm

out into the Universe!

American Karate-Do, youth students practicing Seisan Kata

Students from the Youth Karate Program at JRRMAS practicing Seisan Kata this morning. The leader is a graduate of our Little Dragons Program and is in his 4th year of training he is a Purple Belt in American Karate-Do. He attends two classes per week. The other two students are Blue Belts.

Youth American Karate-Do - practicing kicks to focus pads

A couple of Little Dragons (4-6 year olds) graduates working with staff and senior students in our regular youth program.

NOTE: The attention that is paid to them when they are young is invaluable. It allows them to be able to pay that quality of attention to others as they get older and they themselves get in the position of being the 'senior student'. A true 'rite of passage'

NOTE: We often have a one to one ratio of Staff and seniors to junior students at JRRMAS