NIJU KUN No.9

            “Karate takes a lifetime of practice”. This statement can be very daunting not just for our students or Beginners but for Black belts as well. Karate practice requires commitment. To continue to pursue this path is a choice that each of us has to make. Some students when they’ve reached a certain level quit because they’ve lost interest or they stopped for a time and they feel they are far behind, comparing themselves to their peers who have advanced both in rank and in skill, thinking they could never catch up; so they quit. Those of us who made it to Black belt Sho Dan rank had to renew 

Practice to become the best athlete 
that you can be.

  that commitment to the path of Karate-do. Earning a Black belt signifies another beginning where one starts to truly learn what Karate-do is all about.     But life catches up with our passion. Got married, started a family, busy with     studies, busy with career. Priorities change, time for Karate and our     organization had been cut down and for some; there seem to be no time at all.   There are some Black belts who lost interest in the art of Karate and found   another passion. Should they decide or find their chance to go back to training,   the JKS-KDA doors are wide open; let them know that we are more than glad   to welcome them home. For those who leave because they lost interest in   Karate and found other passion, we wish them luck on their new path and we are happy to know that their knowledge of Karate will greatly help their lives; also we are glad that they have been a part of our journey as well.

           Those whose passion for Karate still boils like hot water, who choose to continue on the path and those who go even farther and choose to be a teacher of Karate-do, you must remain faithful. Our daily lives challenge our commitment and it is even more challenged during this time of Pandemic.

Master Tetsuhiko Asai is
 one of the greatest Martial
Artist of our time.

 To overcome your challenges you have to stay motivated to practice. We must make the time to practice on our own and to practice with our Karate family. Practicing with our family by attending Dojo practice or Black belt practice enables us to learn from our chief instructor David Lay Sensei and from each other. It also fosters our camaraderie. During this Pandemic we have to adapt. On line classes and Black belt practice is the best that we can do at this time. I myself could not practice as often as when I was still single, I am not as active in our organization unlike before I started a family. I do understand how hard it is to maintain commitment to Karate as a way of life. Can I share with you how I stay motivated to practice? When I was young, competing in Sport Karate motivated me. I wanted to excel as an athlete; now Karate as a Martial art motivates me to practice. Just like other masters of the arts like Levi  Celerio of music or Fernando Amorsolo of  painting, I want to be an excellent artist through Karate-do. Second motivation is self-defense. I want to keep my mind and body always ready to defend myself and the people around me. Third motivation is I want to  be healthy and physically fit to face daily

The journey is personal but its great to have
people travel along with you.

challenges and to have longevity. And there is not a better time to be healthier both mentally and physically than in this time of Pandemic. Fourth motivation is being a teacher. Teaching students entails a greater responsibility. I know I can teach     Karate but I have to keep attending Black belt practice because I   have to keep up with technical updates and for my lessons to be aligned   to our system; also to develop both my teaching and Karate skills   further. Lastly I’m always excited to practice because of the fellowship.   I want to constantly build my relationship with you guys. You are   family. The more we grow our relationship the better we can appreciate one another. We will be more understanding of our differences, we can appreciate each other's negative traits as well as the positive. Our friendship entails mutual trust and respect. 

                For our Karate family members to continue to have a place to come  home to, to continue supporting those who embark on this long journey and to promote this wonderful martial art are my motivation to share time and talent to Dojo service. I hope these can help whenever you face challenges to practicing Karate-do. Do not let it turn cold.

Deeper relationships promote harmony

As One for His Glory.