In order to avoid or effectively manage interpersonal conflict (including potential violent assaults on your person), it is helpful to develop zanshin, the ability to live fully in each moment so you may be always aware of your environment. Zanshin is the ability to concentrate fully when necessary, ignor-ing all distractions.

Developing Zanshin Through Martial Arts Training:

Focused and consistent training will:

• Improve your self-defence potential when you train hard with total concentration
• Improve your awareness of your genuine skills and limitations: martial arts abilities, age, health, etc.
• Program automatic useful physical responses to danger into your system
• Reduce the panic tendency through the rehearsal of violent scenarios
• Generally toughens the mind, spirit and body

Sensei Otsuka on Zanshin:

No matter how skilled one is in the martial arts, he will find himself unprepared if encountered off-guard. Preparation of one’s mind is necessary at all times. Not to the extent of paranoia; but as a course of habit – Hironori Otsuka

This can also be found on our Words of Wisdom page.

Wikipedia defines Zanshin this way: “Zanshin (Japanese: 残心) is a term used in the Japanese martial arts. It refers to a state of awareness – of relaxed alertness. In karate, zanshin is the state of total awareness.^[6] It means being aware of one’s surroundings and enemies, while being prepared to react.

Zanshin is a critical component of martial arts training; especially when it comes to self-defense.

Over the next few weeks we will be sharing an article written by Sensei Morgan Duchesney called “Martial Arts and Personal Security”.

is what you do when no one is looking.

We have just posted an interesting shindo story on the Words of Wisdom page. Near the bottom.

Have you ever wondered just exactly what it is you are studying in our dojo?

Here’s an answer from the Shintani Wado-Kai Karate Federation web site:

Wado Kai Karate

Well, we just had our first Tuesday without a regular karate class. What a strange feeling not to be grabbing the gi bag and heading out to the dojo.

But don’t feel like you HAVE to stop working out just because the regular classes are over. Keep your Tuesdays open and use the time to go through some basics like dachi, uke, tsuki, and geri. Then finish up by going through all the kata that you know. Can’t remember what all that Japanese means? Just go check out the “Dictionary” page of our main web site http://www.moosemountainkarate.com

Run your own workout like the classes at the dojo. You’ll feel better by staying in shape and be that much more ready when next season starts!

Want a really nice feeling? Do all of this in your back yard, barefoot in the grass! So long as your backyard isn’t flooded with water, that is!! Although that would add some good resistance training!

Thank you to everyone who attended the club wind-up tonight. It was a great time.

Be sure to keep practicing your technique and kata over the summer and keep checking the blog for updates.

Have a great summer.

The club wind up will be next Tuesday, May 31 at 6:00 pm.

Come to the dojo and enjoy a casual supper with the Senseis and other karateka from the club.

The club will be providing the main course of burgers and smokies thanks to the Coffey family! If you could just bring along a non-alcoholic beverage and a bag of chips or salad to share, that would be great.

DUFFLE BAGS will be here by then and will be available to pick up at the wind up. If you are unable to attend, just contact Sempai Kevin to arrange a way to pick up your bag.

Thanks for another great year in the Carlyle dojo.

What a great last class! Congratulations to everyone who participated in last night’s grading. Everyone looked really good on the floor and the many promotions were evidence of your hard work. Way to go!