Posts Tagged ‘Martial Arts’
Well we are almost there. The Black Belt candidates have been training for weeks now. This is there last week. All their training must come together this Saturday in one impressive demonstration. Keri Myers of Ward’s Family Karate in Colorado Springs Colorado will be among them. The First of our students to test for black belt.
Keri has over come push ups. Achieving her 25 only a couple of weeks ago. She has turned 45 minutes of kihon into a 17 minute work out. And she has cranked out perhaps hundreds of katas. Sbe has even sustained an injury (though not karate related) that she must now overcome.
But that is all part of preparing to become a black belt. It does not matter how long you have trained. It does not matter how many dues you have payed. No one is awarded a black belt with out earning it.
Saturday is it. Friday they will all take a one hour written test. Then at noon Saturday the physical display of their skills will begin. Kihon, then crunches and push ups and right into kata. An hour and a half into it they may be able to get their first drink of water. Just a few sips and then back on the mat for another kata. Self defenses, One steps, and sticks. Then comes the sparring exam. This is it. This is were they will make or break, and a host of black belts will be there more them willing to break them.
If they do not break, 13 minutes later a black belt emerges. Beaten, worn out, drenched in sweat, and victorious. Ah yes VICTORIOUS!
My students are all invited. The Brown Belts to the test. And everyone else to the Black Belt Ceremony at 6:00. You won’t want to miss it. It is very inspiring. You will find yourself looking forward to the day when you can stand in the circle of black belts. I too will look forward to the day for you.
See you there.
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
It saddens me to tell you that a great master of the Martial Arts has passed away. My Arnis instructor Grand Master Federico Lazo passed way this Monday (1/25/2010) at the age to 72.
Grand Master Federico Lazo
It is very interesting as a martial artist at this stage of my career to have met and worked with great masters and to now see some of them passing away. Not only do we loose wonderful people who will be missed very much, but we lose the body of the skill and knowledge that they possess.
Grand Master Lazo is the first of those that I have trained under that have passed away. It makes me realize how important it is that we learn the arts that they know and do our part to pass these arts on for future generations.
I really only meet with Grand Master Lazo twice. I first meet him in a seminar that he taught here in Colorado Springs at Kyoshi Haynes’ school. Not only was I amazed by his stick ability but also by his empty hand techniques with some of the most painful jujitsu like holds that I have every felt.
Last summer I was most fortunate to travel to Florida and visit Grand Master Lazo at his home. I and my son Joshua trained with him for three hours in the Florida heat. What a unique experience. Rather than the air conditioned comfort of a modern dojo this was more like authentic training in the Philippines . We training in large shed (or small barn) in the back yard. Two giant industrial fans hummed away in an attempt to keep us cool. In this 3 hour private lesson I nearly passed out twice from the heat and humidity. I seemed like half of the lesson was being thrown on the floor and getting back up. That will really take it out of you.
Grand Master Lazo taught us great locks, disarms and Sinawali drills. Though in the heat so much of it seems a blur in my mind now.
One thing I will say for sure at 71 years of age Grand Master Lazo did not look like someone who would only live not quite another year. At less than 5 ½ feet tall he was strong. The heat did not even phase him. His grip was like putting your hand is a vice, and he swung a stick far larger that I was use to using.
He also told me how his Luzviminda system also uses a long staff or bo, and that next time we would work with the bo. I was really looking forward to that. He also showed me a wall chart of Kali knifes and swords and said “I make all of these”. He went on to explain that in jujitsu the joint is turn 90 degrees but in arnis the joint in turned 180 degrees (ouch!). I can believe it too.
So as we say fair well to this Grand Master and Grand Man what will happen to his art? Thankfully Grand Master has intrusted his art to his son Ricky (Master Ricky) and his daughter Christine. So perhaps on my next Florida visit I will be visiting Master Ricky.
However I need not travel so far since my instructor Kyoshi Haynes holds a black belt in Luzviminda arnis. He conducts classes in this art twice a week, which unfortunately I have not been able to attend. But in any case he is helping to preserve the art. A number of other black belt level instructors exist around the country as well doing there part.
As a reference point for my students the arnis that I teach in our Kyu belt classes is Modern Arnis the system developed by Professor Remy Presas . At black belt we delve deeper into Modern Arnis exploring a truly effective fighting system. However as I work with it I find parts for Luzviminda and Jay Haynes methods creeping into the stick techniques.
So let us honor the life of Grand Master Lazo and all of those in the martial arts and do our best to preserve these great arts.
Good bye Grand Master Lazo.
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
We will not hold Class in our dojo Friday nights in January. Instead we will visit the Family Karate Center each Friday to prepare for the Inviationtional tournament coming up on January 23rd.
You will be able to practice katas (empty hand and weapons) with judges scoring your kata. Sparring will be available with referees call points and time keeps working the clocks.
Our referees will be practicing too so that they are sharp for the tournament.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be evaluated and receive advised from season judges adn referees that can help your performance.
Class will begin at 6:00 with judges working katas. Sparring will begin at 7:00 with plenty of referees.
Check the map below for directions.
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
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
Tuesday 12/22/09 we will not be holding karate class at Ward’s Family Karate. Instead we will be visiting the Jay Haynes Family Karate Center for the “12 kihon of Christmas”. This will be a lot of fun. We will do our kihon exercises to the song “the 12 days of Christmas”, with just a little change.
We will begin at 7:00 PM so be in your gi and on the mat at that time.
The school is located at:
3617 Betty Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80917
Phone: 574-7557
We will be joining the other clubs and schools of the Family Karate Association there. If you are new to the Family Karate Center just look for me or ask any Black Belt for Sensei Ward, and they will help you out.
Proper attire for the evening is Santa hats, elf ears, christmas lights, you name it.
The class will run 45 minutes.
If you need better directions see the map below.
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