Every day, there is so much to be thankful for, and often-times, we seem to be too busy to stop and reflect on all of our blessings.  When we pause to reflect, it’s really looking at yesterday, viewed through the lens of the present.  After some close and honest introspection, we are often surprised to discover how the multitude of past experiences, both good and bad, helped to shape so many of the blessings we enjoy today.  While there are some who tend to dwell on the past, many of us are solely focused and working towards the future.  Either approach may be less than ideal and we may not end up where we intended to be. Years ago, in church, the pastor shared an analogy with us that I still find personally meaningful till this day.  It was about aiming a rifle (one’s trajectory in life) at a target (one’s goals in life) and hopefully, hitting (reaching) it.  He explained that atop the barrel are a pair of sights – the front sight at the end of the barrel and the rear sights (you know, the one with the v-shaped groove) close to your eye. The front sight equates [...]

Now, even when you’re not able to make a class of karate-do, remember that it’s not all physical…it can also involve mental, emotional, and spiritual training to strengthen oneself on several levels.  If you take a look at the latest article in the very educational asaikarate.com blog by Yokota Sensei, you’ll see that his latest article discusses the tanden point (what most karateka refer to as, the hara) on the body.  When one trains properly, he/she is improving the awareness and use of a hidden source of power.  In Aikido, we used to call it the “one-point” for Ki development.  In Chinese martial arts, they call it the tan tien in Chi development.  Actually, in this vein, I’m more familiar with it as one of seven points in the body known as chakras by Indians (from India).  In their yogic system, it’s a way to harness natural power coming from the earth, in and out of one’s spine, starting with the kundalini at the base.  Interestingly, the theoretical entry/exit points as this power flows through one’s spine, correspond, not only to the chakra points, but also to various strike points in Karate, as well as Shiatsu healing points along the [...]

In any normal dojo, one always notices the sensei, the sempais, the color belts, and the white belts.  It’s natural; they’re moving and kiai-ing the whole time.  The folks one never really notices are those few who are sitting on the sidelines, just watching class.  You know, the parents or older siblings who drove the kids to practice, or perhaps a student from another class, spouses, or friends, etc.  Anyways, they’ll faithfully come and watch for so many classes and hours that they end up blending into and become part of the walls and furniture.  For example, my wife has watched karate so much, over the years, that by osmosis, she has actually become knowledgeable about many of the techniques and can generally tell if a karateka is any good, just by watching for a moment.  Anyways, I’d like to talk about one of these faithful watchers who was sometimes a member of our dojo’s sparse audience nearly twenty years ago.   Mr. Young was an elderly Chinese gentleman, who would quietly come through our dojo (by weekday, a school cafeteria) doors and take a seat at one of the long dining tables.  I probably didn’t even notice him the [...]