Posts Tagged ‘beginning karate’

Traditional Martial Arts vs. Sport Karate

Originally, and I mean way back, traditional martial arts took their place as the only fighting art. Their usefulness had to do with protecting one’s self, family and community. The martial arts evolved into art forms for people to learn a tradition of life protection while improving their lives. More recently, some martial arts branched…

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Kids’ Karate Mistakes – Top 5

Okay, children, it’s your turn to find out the top 5 kids’ karate mistakes in training. I’m not picking on anyone here. I’m sharing the knowledge from my years of experience as a karate instructor, student, and karate parent. This is in the hopes that we can learn from other’s missteps, grow our wisdom, and…

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You Represent Your Dojo

Our student came directly from school, wearing his camp t-shirt which boldly read “URKA” on the front as well as “Texas Seminar.” I said, “I see you represented the Alliance as well as the Bushukan dojo (in Texas) today. I hope you did so well.” You represent your dojo. As a karate practitioner you consistently…

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Participation Ability in Karate

Students and their parents appreciate the level of participation during class times at East Valley Martial Arts. This is true at many other dojos too. Everybody takes an active role and is expected to use their time on the mat to train. Students do not sit out on the bench during their class. DYNAMIC PARTICIPATION…

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Invite Your Buddies to the Karate Path

“In life, it’s not where you go—it’s who you travel with.” –Charles M. Schulz.  There’s no better feeling than having your buddies join you on the path of karate at the dojo. In the early 2000’s, a young man named Brandon LaBorde heard about our dojo from a buddy in his writing class. He tried…

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KARATE AT GILA RIVER RESERVATION

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger Imagine your teacher from karate at the Gila River Reservation said you could attend your first test and rank up. But you had to travel to a dojo you’d never seen, with new people (except for a couple teachers). Then, when you get there, you find out that you are the only…

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HAVE CLASS WHILE IN CLASS

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger The dojo is a special place where we can all go and feel safe, supported and respected.  There is a certain level of discipline and etiquette that we each must remind ourselves (and our kids) to maintain while at the dojo.  Instead of taking away the special feeling of being at the…

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PRE-CLASS ROUTINE

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger Renshi My blogs and newsletter articles often cover the importance of attending class regularly and the etiquette to use when attending.  Let’s take that a step further.  I recently learned how helpful a pre-class routine can be. Putting specific habits to use before you even leave for the dojo is particularly useful…

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WHAT IS A DOJO? & WHY AM I HERE?

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger I like to say that the people make the dojo, or the dojo is the people (who are working together).  Welcome to the concept of Dojo Family!  When you are part of an organization, it is important to know why that group exists, and to know your own role in it. So,…

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FIRST TIME AT A DOJO

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger I stepped in the door under the big block “KARATE” letters.  A class was going on back in the big, blue-matted room.  They were moving and making noise in this local karate school. A lady introduced herself with a friendly smile.  “My sons both do karate here,” she said.  She told me…

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