Posts Tagged ‘Family Karate’
Keri Myers our highest ranking student is starting her journey to black belt today. Of course that journey began for all of you when you tied on your white belt. But this is a little bit of a different journey. Keri has completed all of her requirements for black belt. But at this stage she is still the unrefined iron that will be turned into the forged and tempered steel of the katana sword.
Though she knows all of the required material she must be hardened through much pressure. Worked over and over by the fire and hammer. Literally, gallons of sweat must be produced before she will be ready.
After she has been hardened she must still be refined. Like that fine blade she much be honed to a sharp edge. She will learn to strike with precision, to fly through the air like the singing blade of the sword, and she will hit with the force of the guillotine.
Now that is a deadly combination. And that is what it will take to become a black belt. It doesn’t sound easy does it. It isn’t! This is an achievement where few try and even fewer succeed.
Not only is it a test of the body and the mind, but perhaps most important it is a test of the spirit. If the body does not brake and the mind does not fail then the spirit will be put to the test. In her last test we will try to break her spirit and it is not until this last test that we will see a black belt emerge.
There is actually a moment in their eyes where you see it happen. That moment of utter despair when they decide I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED! That’s it, that is the moment they become a black belt. If it were magically possible we would see a brown belt turn black before our eyes. In a way we do.
Keri is beginning five grueling weeks of training. On March 20th we will see if she has what it takes to become a black belt. Keri not only takes this test for herself, but she will be representing Ward’s Family Karate in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She will bear an even greater burden to become the first black belt of Ward’s Family Karate. She will hold the honor of becoming the first black belt in the linage of Ward Sensei that will lead back to Master Funakoshi and even back to Sakagawa.
Keri will be spending most if not all of her time training with the other 12 candidates. So we will not see her around our dojo. So pray for her, give here a call, send her a card. She will need all the encouragement that she can get as she make this very difficult journey.
I will be working with Keri and the other candidates on Saturdays. So I will keep you posted on her progress.
So Keri when the going gets tough “Drop and give me 25 push ups”.
Have a look at Keri’s pretest in this video.
Other videos of the pretest can be seen on my YouTube channel at http://www.YouTube.com/SenseiWard
Photos are also available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34172288@N05/
Sincerely,
Scott Ward, Sensei
Ward’s Family Karate, LLC
Providing the finest training in Karate and Martial Arts in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs martial arts: http://www.wardsfamilykarate.com/colorado-springs-martial-arts/
Web site: www.WardFamilyKarate.com
Email: scott.ward@wardsfamilykarate.com
Blog: www.wardsfamilykarate.blogspot.com
Team Ward brings home medals at the Colorado Springs Traditional Invitational Karate tournament.
Ward’s Family Karate in Colorado Springs was well represented at the 2010 Colorado Springs Traditional Invitational Karate tournament. Our competitors were Ben Jordan, Garrett Cichello, and Keri Myers. Ours students competed in Kata and Kumite (sparring).
There was great competition and this was one of he best run tournaments around. There were 114 competition registered for competition from three states.
That a big division
Congratulation the Garrett for winning Silver in the Kata competition, And congratulations to Keri for receiving Bronze in Kumite.
I heard that Keri was up against some really difficult competitors in Kunite. That is a really great way to get experience when you fight better more experienced fighters.
Garrett and Ben had their hand full in kata. They competed in a division of 14 competitors. I sure am glad I did not have to judge that division. Thanks Shaun and Bret for taking that one.
I had a great day of judging Kata and Kobudo (weapons kata) also mirroring (referring) for Kumite. Boy I was sweating as had as the fighters trying to keep up with them.
Chesk the video below if Keri performing kata Empi:
Sincerely,
Scott Ward, Sensei
Ward’s Family Karate, LLC
Providing the finest training in Karate and Martial Arts in Colorado Springs.
Web site: www.WardFamilyKarate.com
Email: scott.ward@wardsfamilykarate.com
Blog: www.wardsfamilykarate.blogspot.com
I am sorry to say that we will be closing down our Kickboxing class immediately. Our instructor Lisa is not able to continue with teaching this class at this time.
We will still be offering our eXtreme program and this is an excellent class for fitness and self defense training.
Sincerely,
Scott Ward, Sensei
Ward’s Family Karate, LLC
Providing the finest training in Karate and Martial Arts in Colorado Springs.
Web site: www.WardFamilyKarate.com
Email: scott.ward@wardsfamilykarate.com
Blog: www.wardsfamilykarate.blogspot.com
A person goal of mine has been to break a board with a one inch punch. Is the one inch punch a fact or a myth? Bruce Lee popularized the term when he perfected the mechanics of this punch. Many have demonstrated it since that time. But just because it exists does not mean that it is easy to do.
So, what is a one inch punch?
Board Breaking is a good test of your power and technique
Any adult black belt should be able to break a board with a punch. It’s not that hard to do. That is, if you do it right. If you don’t do it right, it hurts. A LOT. You might even break a bone in your hand.
Now a normal punch starts from the chambered position or just pulled back by your ear like a boxer. When you punch you put every part of your body into the punch. Your fist, shoulder, hips and even your foot as you push your way through the board.
A one inch punch is different. The idea is to hold your fist one inch from the board. Then without pulling your hand back (winding up) drive your first through the board. What this takes is a perfect alignment of the body and the proper use of hip torque to drive your entire body wait through the board with very little movement. It is a perfect example of economy of motion and energy used in karate and other Martial Arts.
OK that is the theory. In reality its more like a 3 or 4 inch punch. The way you set it up is to place your extended finger tip right on the board. Then rather than drawing back you simple fold your hand into a fist just before you make contact with the board.
Here at Ward’s Family Karate in Colorado Springs we do not require our students to break boards or bricks. However, I may consider making this available to advanced students. Karateka (karate students) often wonder how much damage their punch or kick could do. Of course the real test is what happens when you hit a person! Karateka are generally peaceful people. Even though karate and other martial arts may look violent, the practitioners of karate seek peaceful solutions over violent solutions. Think of it as “armed deterrence”. We don’t like to use violence but the threat of it is always there.
Breaking boards does provide a non violent method of putting striking power to the test. Let me repeat this here. Done wrong this can be a very painful test!
That being said I have found board breaking an intriguing way not only to test the power of ones punch or other strike but also a valuable tool to refine the striking effectiveness.
One of my goals has been to perfect my technique in order to break a one inch board with a one inch punch. It has always eluded me, ending in my fist striking the board with a very unpleasant and even painful THUD!
Today was different. Today the technique was properly applied and the board broke.
Another goal of mine has been to break a suspended board. That is a board not being held by someone or something. This could be dangled from a string or simply balanced on edge.
Well today I achieved that goal as well breaking a board free standing.
Too make things even sweeter I broke the free standing board with a one inch punch.
Unfortunately I did not have my video camera with me to record this. We did think about this but the camera was at home. However I do have a witness. Chet, one of my assistant instructors was with me. So feel free to ask Chet about it.
I was fortunate that Chet was there. He made an interesting observation. He had positioned himself directly to the side of the board. He stated that my fist did not go through board. This is consistent with what I felt as I hit the board. Rather than driving my hand through the board like I mentioned above as a boxer might do I only drive my hand into the board.
This had the effect of transferring all of the energy of the punch directly into the board. If I had tried to punch through the board I might of actually pushed the board away without breaking it. The end result was that the board essentially exploded.
This is what makes the precision strikes of karate so powerful without a follow through. Learn this technique of transferring power into an object and you will be able to break boards and bricks also.
A word of warning: don’t try this at home. One mistake can result in a very painful injury. Kids, make sure you talk to your parents, and please talk to your Sensei. Breaking must be set up correctly to keep it safe as possible.
It’s good to achieve a goal. Perhaps next time we will talk about setting and achieving goals.
Sincerely,
Scott Ward, Sensei
Ward’s Family Karate, LLC
Providing the finest training in Karate and Martial Arts in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs martial arts: http://www.wardsfamilykarate.com/colorado-springs-martial-arts/
Web site: www.WardFamilyKarate.com
Email: scott.ward@wardsfamilykarate.com
Blog: www.wardsfamilykarate.blogspot.com
Dear Students,
Welcome to 2010. We have the opportunity to start off this new year with a great invitational tournament is January. We will make the week of the 18th at Ward’s Family Karate in Colorado Springs , competition week.
Competition Week at Ward's Family Karate
This means we will take a brake from our usual schedule of classes and all of our classes will be devoted to competition training. So pick out the empty hand kata or weapons kata that you would like to do. Tell me and I will make sure that we address that kata during competition week.
We will also have Sparring training. So be prepared to do some sparring this week. I would like all students to give this a try and if you like it by all means sign up for the sparring competition in the tournament.
This will be a great opportunity to put some polish on your katas or sparring. If you do not know a kata this a chance to learn one for the competition. If you do not know a weapons kata come to the Sushi No Ku Sho Seminar on Sunday the 17th. Sushi is the easiest of our bo katas to learn and perhaps the easiest of all of our weapons katas.
If you have never competed this is a great way to get prepared.
Sincerely,
Scott Ward, Sensei
Ward’s Family Karate, LLC
Providing the finest training in Karate and Martial Arts in Colorado Springs.
Web site: www.WardFamilyKarate.com
Email: scott.ward@wardsfamilykarate.com
Blog: www.wardsfamilykarate.blogspot.com
Congratulation to all of our students that belt tested on Wednesday and Thursday. Now don’t might tonight’s class for Kung Fu Friday. In an on going effect to provide the finest instruction in Martial Arts in Colorado Springs. Colorado, Ward’s Family Karate will be presenting Kung Fu Friday tonight at 6:30.
We will explore the history of martial arts, where Kung Fu came from and how Kung Fu gave birth to Karate. I will show you the difference between Kung Fu and Karate and show you the similarities.
Did you know that many of our self defense and one-step-sparring techniques are taken directly from Kung Fu. We will work with those and help you understand how they work tonight.
Then we will jump in to Eagle Claw Kung Fu. I will teach you a part of the EC3 kata. Time to get your talons out!
So don’t miss it. Don’t be late. Be at Ward’s Family Karate in Colorado Springs, CO tonight at 6:30 for some kick butt Kung Fu!
Stick around for sparring class at 7:15.
See you there!
Sincerely,
Scott Ward, Sensei
Ward’s Family Karate, LLC
Providing the finest training in Karate and Martial Arts in Colorado Springs.
Web site: www.WardFamilyKarate.com
Email: scott.ward@wardsfamilykarate.com
Blog: www.wardsfamilykarate.blogspot.com
On Friday December 18th I will hold a special (after test) class at 6:30 PM at Ward’s Family Karate in Colorado Springs. I have been learning Eagle Claw Kung Fu recently. So I thought it would be fun to teach you some of what I have been learning. I watched some videos on Eagle Claw Kung Fu and was plesently surprised to find out that many of the self-defenses and one steps that I teach you are from Kung Fu. Whether they are Eagle Claw specifically I do not know but beleive they are probably more general to Kung Fu.
We will work on part of an Eagle Claw Kata I am learning. We will also discuss some of the techniques that you learn in our class and show you why they work so well if you let them flow.
This will be fun! It’s always interesting to see Karate men try to do Kung Fu. Kung Fu is soft and flowing. Karate is hard and linear. So lighten up and do some Kung Fu with us this Friday night.
Sincerely,
Scott Ward, Sensei
Ward’s Family Karate, LLC
Providing the finest training in Karate and Martial Arts in Colorado Springs.
Web site: www.WardFamilyKarate.com
Email: scott.ward@wardsfamilykarate.com
Blog: www.wardsfamilykarate.blogspot.com
You have to check this out. This is great.
Who do you think wins?
Sincerely,
Scott Ward, Sensei
Ward’s Family Karate, LLC
Providing the finest training in Karate and Martial Arts in Colorado Springs.
Web site: www.WardFamilyKarate.com
Email: scott.ward@wardsfamilykarate.com
Blog: www.wardsfamilykarate.blogspot.com
Hi, We created a video of the professional photo shoot we did a few weeks ago here at Ward’s Family Karate in Colorado Springs, CO. I am not sure if they put in all of the shots that you saw in your proof sheets but the video looks great. I know the proof sheets were kind of small. If you have not ordered your pictures yet this will help you get a better look at them. Even if you have order your pictures you make see another one that you really want. Feel free to put in another order. I have some pull with the photographer.
So enjoy the video and let us now how you liked it by leaving a comment.
Sincerely,
Scott Ward, Sensei
Ward’s Family Karate, LLC
Providing the finest training in Karate and Martial Arts in Colorado Springs.
Web site: www.WardFamilyKarate.com
Email: scott.ward@wardsfamilykarate.com
Blog: www.wardsfamilykarate.blogspot.com
I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify how our stripe system works here at Ward’s Family Karate in Colorado Springs. Specifically I wanted to talk about our Green Stripe the review stripe. We use a four stripe system. the first three stripes cover the skills that students need to test for their next belt. The green stripe signifies that the student is ready to test. Therefore you can not test without a green stripe.
I set aside one week of class for reviewing students for green stripe. Each student will need to come in twice in order to earn their green stripe. So do a Monday and a Wednesday or a Tuesday and a Thursday and you should be OK.
Now lets discuss what is expected on the review week. You should be thinking of the review week as your test. You would not go into your school on a test day, sit down to take the test and start asking the instructor basic questions about the material in the test. Well review week is not a time to be asking questions (not if you intend on testing the next week). You are there to show me how much you know! I will be watching you and all of the rest of the class to determine who is ready to test.
Don’t ever be afraid to as a question. Yes that may mean you are not ready to test. But you will have proven that to yourself if you are needing to ask how to do some technique just a week before the test. I don’t mind if you are asking for a correction or refinement on a technique. What I don’t want to hear is someone asking “What are my five self defenses?” or “I don’t remember what number two is”. That just shows me that you have not been practicing enough and you really need to spend another cycle learning the material.
If you know your are not testing please ask all the questions you want. This is a review for you to. however, for you it is a review to help you learn the material. Even if you know it by the end of the class, it is probably not a good idea for you to go into the belt test. If you want to come in the very next night and show me the same techiques, well then I might accept it, if you do a good job.
I will be more lenient with our beginner students. That is white belt through orange belt. By the time you reach the advanced class I want you to know your new material well and remember all of your previous material. This may sound like I am being very hard on my students, but I am doing for your own good.
Class changes when you reach brown belt. You will only have one belt cycle to learn what I am teaching. Then with the new belt cycle I will introduce new material and will not teach the previous material until it comes around again in about 9 months. At brown belt I will expect you to show me all of your lower belt techniques at any or all of your belt test. So as I said, I am being hard on you for your own good. I don’t want you having to play catch up at this rank. It’s just better to learn it all now.
So don’t be upset with me if I deny you your green stripe. Karate has always been about earn rewards not about being given things that you do not deserve.
When you come in with your green stripe on your belt to take your test you should not be hesitating or looking confused about what to do. You should be giving all of us a great show of your ability.
I look forwards to seeing you in your next test, and I look forward to seeing you in your future black belt test.
Work hard in class. Practice often at home. Be proud of what you have accomplished.
Sincerely,
Scott Ward, Sensei
Ward’s Family Karate, LLC
Providing the finest training in Karate and Martial Arts in Colorado Springs.
Web site: www.WardFamilyKarate.com
Email: scott.ward@wardsfamilykarate.com
Blog: www.wardsfamilykarate.blogspot.com