"The main ingredient for success is PERSEVERANCE, no matter the endeavor."

 "The main ingredient for success is PERSEVERANCE, no matter the endeavor." 

                                                                                                                                            Sifu 

Gratitude Bowl

How do we express gratitude for the gifts of the teachings we receive? We
say 'thank you', with our bow, fist in palm. But sometimes a teacher says
something to change the way we see the whole solo form; for some unknown
reason the monkeys in our mind cease to howl; or, in the midst of
the two person form, we are overcome with softness. If we're lucky, gratitude
punctuates our practice.
You might notice a bowl sitting out with the Chinese word "gratitude". This
is not a suggested donation bowl. You already pay your dues. This is for
when you have a genuine moment of thanks, to give back.

Test post from Sifu

Hi, if you are seeing this please send me an email    jrroysifu@gmail.com     Thanks!!!

American Karate rank promotions Saturday Oct 25, 2014

Congratulations to everyone!!

Black Belts standing in back left to right:

Sifu Roy - 8th Dan, Sensei Chaisson 4th Dan, Sensei Kratz 6th Dan, Sensei Sullivan 4th Dan, Sensei Milcarek 4th Dan, Jack Fox 2nd Dan, Sensei Reid 4th Dan, Colleen Golrick 2nd Dan

Promoted in front row left to right (seated):

Ryan Purple, Tucker Green, Jacob Blue with honorable mention in basics, Zypher Blue, Djbril Blue, Skyler Green

Promoted middle row left to right:

Chris 1st degree Brown, Gorgie Blue w/ honorable mention for sparring, Mike Blue w/ honorable mention overall, Cheri Blue w/ honorable mention overall, Gianna Green w/ honorable mention for sparring, Matthew Purple

True budo knows no defeat. Never defeated means never fighting. Winning means winning over the mind of discord in yourself.

—Morihei Ueshiba, founder of aikido, 1976

Stay Young My Friend

This is a message that was recently sent to me by a good friend and long time student....Thanks for the reminders Lenny!

Stay Young My Friend  

We  all need to read this one over and over  

until it becomes part  of who we are!

 HOW    TO    STAY    YOUNG

1.  Try everything twice.
On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph:
"Tried everything twice.  

 Loved it both times!"



2.  Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning !
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,  dancing,  whatever...
Never let the brain get idle.  

 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
And the devil's name is Alzheimer! 




4. Enjoy the simple things.


  5. Laugh often, long and loud.

Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh,
spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.



6. The tears happen .
Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our entire life, 

is ourselves.
LIVE while you are alive. 




7. Surround yourself with what you love:
Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever..
Your home is your refuge. 




8. Cherish your health:

If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.



 9. Don't take guilt trips..
Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county,
to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them,  

 at every opportunity.
I love you, my special friend.



11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance..

 

Remember! Lost time can never be found.
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.  

Benefits of kids playing outside

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Dr--Copeland-Talks-about-Outdoors-Play-.html?soid=1101730145930&aid=_HOgMn7beLc

A lot of the things mentioned in this article we get to in our Youth Karate Program - The main thing for everyone young and old alike is to keep moving - A body in motion is likely to stay in motion! The simple pleasure of moving your body is one of the secrets of a long, happy and healthy life....better to learn that important lesson early in life!

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.

  - Leo Tolstoy

Sifu diving on the wall at Grand Turk

Thanks to the wonderful Staff at the Studio, I'm able to pursue one of my passions in life. The love of marine life and the oceans. Practice by the sea is alway's a favorite and of course time Ginnie and my dive pals...is soooo terrific, there are no words to describe it.

Happy Chinese New Year - The year of the Metal Rabbit

Traditional Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year period began in the middle of the 12th month and ended around the middle of the first month with the waxing of the full moon. Observance of the New Year period was traditionally divided into New Year's Eve and the first days of the new year.

Traditionally for the Chinese, New Year was the most important festival on the calendar. The entire attention of the household was fixed on the celebration. During this time, business life came nearly to a stop. Home and family were the principal focuses. In preparation for the holiday, homes were thoroughly cleaned to rid them of "huiqi," or inauspicious breaths, which might have collected during the old year. Cleaning was also meant to appease the gods who would be coming down from heaven to make inspections. Ritual sacrifices of food and paper icons were offered to gods and ancestors. People posted scrolls printed with lucky messages on household gates and set off firecrackers to frighten evil spirits. Elders gave out money to children. In fact, many of the rites carried out during this period were meant to bring good luck to the household and long life to the family–particularly to the parents.

Most important was the feasting. On New Year's Eve, the extended family would join around the table for a meal that included as the last course a fish that was symbolic of abundance and therefore not meant to be eaten. In the first five days of the New Year, people ate long noodles to symbolize long life. On the 15th and final day of the New Year, round dumplings shaped like the full moon were shared as a sign of the family unit and of perfection.

American Karate-do rank testing at Sensei John Sullivan's dojo in Springfield, VT 1.29.11

Absolutely awesome American Karate rank testing this evening...wow!

Front row: Peter, (Green belt, honorable mention basics), Lana (Purple belt), Thomas (third degree Brown belt), Colleen (prob. Black belt, honorable mention kata), Mrs. Gobiel

Back row: Sensei Kratz, Mr. Gobiel, Mr. Levesque, Andrew (Blue belt), Scott (second degree Brown belt, honorable mention in all areas), Mr. Milcarek, Teryn (double promotion to prob. Black belt), Ian (Green belt, honorable mention sparring), Mr. Reed, Mr. Chaisson, Sifu Roy

Congratulations to Colleen on her promotion to prob. Black belt. She also received an honorable mention for kata....Incredible forms Colleen. 

Also congratulations to Teryn for his double promotion from second degree Brown belt to prob. Black belt......excellent skill and consistency throughout Teryn.

Scott also had incredible consistency throughout the test...from basics to sparring, SD to kata's.....excellent skill Scott

Peter really rose to the occasion with his first testing with the adult group...really held his own. His basics were outstanding!

Ian was a force to reckon with during the sparring....great poise, distancing was second to none, and fast, fast hands...great cross Ian!

This was the A group all around...from the lower ranks to the upper ranks ...everyone did outstanding! Congratulations to all.....

Sifu

Snow Removal Qigong

Phil just reminded me about remembering good posture when shoveling ( and snow blowing). Thanks for the reminder Phil!!

Note to myself; You can turn snow removal into great training! Qigong even!! (now that's a positive spin..eh?) Just use good alignment, leg power instead of the lower back, avoid twisting with snow on the shovel, using stepping instead twisting (kai bu, bei bu), use longevity breathing, change sides often, drink plenty of water and remember to stretch after the 'snow removal work out'! 

Be safe! 

The Meaning of Life......two

:: Pamper yourself.....


:: Face your fears.....


:: Go to a museum 


:: Exercise


:: Limit television


:: Get in touch with nature.....


:: Lighten up


:: Get a good night's sleep


:: Read books


:: Buy yourself flowers


:: Don't compare yourself with others


:: Don't beat yourself up


:: Be open to new ideas


:: Don't focus on negative thoughts......


:: Focus on creating what you want


:: Make time just to have fun.....


:: Keep the romance in your life.....


:: Make a gratitude list.....


:: Love your mother earth


:: Want what you have....


:: Be true to yourself....

The Meaning of Life......one

 :: Show Up

 :: Follow your heart

 :: Find a new perspective

 :: Have a sense of wonder......

 :: Find people you love

 :: Set goals....

 :: Help others...

 :: Dance

More to come.......

Note: I recently received an animated video from my diving pal Gerri. She posted this video on YouTube. I was unable to link the video to the studio blog....but I really liked what it said.....so here's the first installment's of the text....ponder at will....

Happy New Year from Sifu, staff and students at the J. R. Roy Martial Arts Studio

Wishing you all robust health and prosperity in 2011!

Season's Greetings from Don Miller on the Great Wall of China

Now that's a cool spot to be practicing...talk about a power spot!!

Congratulations to Sensei (Mr. Kratz) on his promotion to 6th Dan "Sensei"!!

Mrs. Gobiel, Alexis D., Sifu, Peter D. and Sensei
Semsei (Mr. Kratz) at his best...mentoring and guiding....a good example is Peter D. to his right...I watched Sensei with him this past Thursday....Wow! And then the other students he worked with, the classes he led...again...Wow!! Leadership like that is hard to come by....Congratulations Sensei!

J. R. Roy Studio Holiday Party - Saturday Dec. 4th - 10am-1pm

All past and present students their family and friends are cordially invited to the

Dojo Holiday Party 

Saturday from 10-1pm 

Pot Luck (sign up in hallway)

bring one small wrapped gift per person

(sign up for 'set up' and 'tear down' in hallway)

Laughter is good for you health - Hope your having a great Thanksgiving Holiday Week End

This is a link to an article from Harvard Medical School Publications (one of my favorite e-publications) about how laughter and joy can positively impact your health. Note that the other side of things i.e. anger, depression, and stress will have a negative impact on your health and well being.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FgnoEXE&h=4f86a