Showing posts with label Shorin ryu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shorin ryu. Show all posts
Monday, April 6, 2009
Karate Exam-Shinsa; Tiny Tots Pass!
I'm very proud of my tiny tot (3-5 yrs) students who recently tested and were promoted to higher belts. I began by asking them if they wanted a quick review before the test and they all said in one voice "NO, now". They exhibited a steadfast discipline and focus. I was incredibly impressed with their demeanor. They didn’t complain once or speak a word out of turn. They demonstrated their curriculum with confidence and know how. No adult or teen class has been so on top.
Naturally, because they were well prepared I made it harder. Still, they pushed themselves and focused beyond any pain or discomfort.
These are young leaders. They naturally lead their class peers and assist them when they need help. They have reached an impressive level. Now, more challenges will come.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Karate Kids Kick at Demonstration
A small group of my students from our Dojo (Tai Crane Karate) did a Karate Demonstration at Mayberry Park's Summer Concert in the Park and was a great success. Students are learning well. This is one way of observing whether students are learning and training at a competent level or whether their Sensei is teaching them correctly. So far so good.
I applaud all my students and their parents for doing a great job! Most, if not all, Parents attended with great enthusiasm.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
"This Game is Full of Cheaters" - Speed
I saw Speed Racer today with my nephews. I enjoyed it more than any kid in the theater. Again, I realized how much I loved Speed and his values.
As a kid, I really took Speed to heart. At the theatre, I had a flood of emotions, thoughts, and visual flashbacks. I now remember singing the theme and doing the standing side gesture at the beginning and the end of the cartoon.
This led me to think. Are Speed’s values good for the youth of today? I don’t know.
The Game is full of cheaters. Isn’t that the truth!
Why didn’t I learn to cheat? Why do cheaters cheat? The best cheaters I know are very smart. I don’t know.
Is it naivety that makes some of us non-cheaters?
Only as an adult did I really realize the working of dishonesty.
When Speed realizes that cheaters dominate and fix to win he continued to fight in a manner contrary to the tactics of the corrupt. He rebels and repels.
The arming of the Mach 5 demonstrates the move from naivety to more of fudoshin. Is it cheating? No, he still plays by the rules (in the grey) for good but aware of the tools-weapons of the cheaters and meets them head on.
Go No Sen to Sen Sen No Sen.
I do beg to differ with the statement that "Cheaters Don't Prosper". Cheaters do prosper which motivates them to win by any means.
There are some of us who believe the ends do not justify the means. Sentimental? Delusional? Perhaps, but the value system of Speed Racer is a Good one that singly stands to defy the Cheaters of the world who will hurt anyone no matter how small or large to serve their selfish interest.
It’s a process in realizing that one must be armed (by the Way) in order to effectively combat the cheaters.
It must be hard to be Speed Racer. It must be hard to do what’s right.
Friday, August 31, 2007
New Karate Kids - Whittier Daily News article 08/31/07
New Karate Kids
Sandra T. Molina. Whittier Daily News. Whittier, Calif.: Aug 31, 2007.
SOUTH WHITTIER - Sensei Gary Mendez wasn't sure whether he was up to the task of teaching a summer karate class at Mayberry Park, let alone if any students would attend. What he got were 50 applications the first week, and two weeks later the total was 150.
"I am overwhelmed at the response of the community," Mendez, 37, said Friday, the last day of the free 12-week program.
The day was spent handing out certificates of completion to the 50 students on hand and demonstrating their skills.
It's been about six years since the Santa Fe Springs resident has taught a karate class, and then, it was only two or three students.
And how did it feel to teach again before such a large class? "I loved it," he said. "It reminded me how much I love karate, and I enjoyed introducing so many kids to the sport, as well as their parents."
Karate is not about fighting, but discipline, self-defense, self-esteem and other life skills, Mendez said.
He said the kids, with the support of their parents and the park staff, far exceeded his expectations.
"They showed me they have it in them to excel, and not only in karate," said Mendez, a public and political affairs consultant in Los Angeles County.
One of those students, 11-year-old Cindy Mora, who is autistic, said she had a lot of fun. She named some of the skills, like stances and kicks, as some of the things she liked best.
Cindy's parents, Ernesto Mora, 33, and Maria Gonzalez, 36, said they enrolled their daughter in the program to improve her motor skills.
What they got was much more.
"The class improved her motor skills and her social skills," Moreno said. "We've seen such a big difference in her."
Gonzalez said she was surprised how well Cindy did memorizing the movements.
"Learning karate has given her more confidence, and shows her she can be like everyone else," said the proud mom.
For 5-year-old Nathan Guerrero, his mom, Sandra Espinoza, 25, said her son has learned to be more patient and more safety conscious.
"He used to run and open the door whenever there was someone knocking on it," she said. "Now, he knows to take his time and let a grown-up answer the door."
And Aaron Navarrete, 11, said the meditation and sense of discipline were the best parts of the class. "I learned to focus on things I am doing, and when I get stressed, I have a way to relax," said the very serious young man, who plans on attending more classes if they are available.
If Mendez and a group of parents have their say, the class will be offered again.
The group is planning to meet with Supervisor Gloria Molina to request she once again give financial support to the class.
"She was so responsive and positive when I approached her a year ago about this program," Mendez said.
Now with the parents behind him, and Molina's dedication to young people, Mendez said he is sure he'll be back, and sooner than next summer.
"There's such a need for programs like this in the area," he said. "We'll be back again for the kids."
sandra.molina@sgvn.com
(562) 698-0955, Ext. 3028
Copyright © 2008 ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved.
People: Mendez, Gary, Mora, Cindy
Author(s): Sandra T. Molina
Section: News
Publication title: Whittier Daily News. Whittier, Calif.: Aug 31, 2007.
Source type: Newspaper
ISSN: 10692819
ProQuest document ID: 1328885151
Text Word Count 557
Sandra T. Molina. Whittier Daily News. Whittier, Calif.: Aug 31, 2007.
SOUTH WHITTIER - Sensei Gary Mendez wasn't sure whether he was up to the task of teaching a summer karate class at Mayberry Park, let alone if any students would attend. What he got were 50 applications the first week, and two weeks later the total was 150.
"I am overwhelmed at the response of the community," Mendez, 37, said Friday, the last day of the free 12-week program.
The day was spent handing out certificates of completion to the 50 students on hand and demonstrating their skills.
It's been about six years since the Santa Fe Springs resident has taught a karate class, and then, it was only two or three students.
And how did it feel to teach again before such a large class? "I loved it," he said. "It reminded me how much I love karate, and I enjoyed introducing so many kids to the sport, as well as their parents."
Karate is not about fighting, but discipline, self-defense, self-esteem and other life skills, Mendez said.
He said the kids, with the support of their parents and the park staff, far exceeded his expectations.
"They showed me they have it in them to excel, and not only in karate," said Mendez, a public and political affairs consultant in Los Angeles County.
One of those students, 11-year-old Cindy Mora, who is autistic, said she had a lot of fun. She named some of the skills, like stances and kicks, as some of the things she liked best.
Cindy's parents, Ernesto Mora, 33, and Maria Gonzalez, 36, said they enrolled their daughter in the program to improve her motor skills.
What they got was much more.
"The class improved her motor skills and her social skills," Moreno said. "We've seen such a big difference in her."
Gonzalez said she was surprised how well Cindy did memorizing the movements.
"Learning karate has given her more confidence, and shows her she can be like everyone else," said the proud mom.
For 5-year-old Nathan Guerrero, his mom, Sandra Espinoza, 25, said her son has learned to be more patient and more safety conscious.
"He used to run and open the door whenever there was someone knocking on it," she said. "Now, he knows to take his time and let a grown-up answer the door."
And Aaron Navarrete, 11, said the meditation and sense of discipline were the best parts of the class. "I learned to focus on things I am doing, and when I get stressed, I have a way to relax," said the very serious young man, who plans on attending more classes if they are available.
If Mendez and a group of parents have their say, the class will be offered again.
The group is planning to meet with Supervisor Gloria Molina to request she once again give financial support to the class.
"She was so responsive and positive when I approached her a year ago about this program," Mendez said.
Now with the parents behind him, and Molina's dedication to young people, Mendez said he is sure he'll be back, and sooner than next summer.
"There's such a need for programs like this in the area," he said. "We'll be back again for the kids."
sandra.molina@sgvn.com
(562) 698-0955, Ext. 3028
Copyright © 2008 ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved.
People: Mendez, Gary, Mora, Cindy
Author(s): Sandra T. Molina
Section: News
Publication title: Whittier Daily News. Whittier, Calif.: Aug 31, 2007.
Source type: Newspaper
ISSN: 10692819
ProQuest document ID: 1328885151
Text Word Count 557
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)