Mid-America Karate
Greer Golden, Chief Instructor
Martin Vaughan, Assistant Instructor
James M. Nelson, Executive Director
9192 Norbury Dr., Swartz Creek, MI 48473-1167
PHONE 810-635-7841 FAX 810-635-2189 CELL 810-252-7696
E-Mail: MidAmericaRegion@aol.com
http.//members.aol com/cldwdiver/sckc.htm
1st Quarter 2007
WINTER HIGHLIGHTS
Fourth Annual Winter Training Successful
by Kim Weber
Although attendance was lower this year than in years past, it was still considered a success by Sensei Martin Vaughan. Thirty-two karateka traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 13, 2007, to attend the fourth annual “Winter Training,” hosted by Sensei Martin Vaughan, and the Indiana ISKF karate club. There were ten karateka from the Shotokan Karate of Anderson club, eight from the Dayton Shotokan karate club, and seven from the Indiana ISKF karate club. The weather and a long drive discouraged others from attending from Michigan and Eastern Ohio. The topic of the class was Blocking Techniques. The class began by practicing five blocking techniques individually, with Sensei Vaughan explaining the important points to perform blocks effectively. Then the class was given the opportunity to practice the blocking techniques against a partner. In addition the class practiced stationary drills and one-step sparring drills.
For the second part of class, Sensei Vaughan took half of the class and Sensei Oberschlake took the other half and had each person perform his or her individual kata to study the blocking techniques within it. Next, we spent time with a partner and each researched the applications of his or her kata. Class ended with partners being invited to share their kata applications. Our thanks to Sensei Vaughan for hosting this 1st training of 2007!
February’s Regional Training Questionable for 2008
Next February’s regional training may be canceled due to unpredictable weather conditions found in central Ohio, during the winter months. This year, only thirty-two hearty souls braved the icy and snow covered roads to train in Delaware, Ohio on February 17, 2007. A group started out from Dayton, Ohio, but were forced back by the dangerous road conditions. Sensei Vaughan also met his match in Dayton, when he was involved in a fender bender. This prevented him from attending the training with Sensei Bob Hoffman from the Chester County Shotokan Karate Club (PA). Mr. Hoffman, six dan, was our special guest instructor for the day. He is a 2000 graduate of the ISKF/JKA instructor training school. Two of his former students, Debbie Hofman, and Greg Hoplamazian invited him to teach at both the Ohio State Karate club and at the regional training in February. The training was excellent, and students worked on sparring drills and kata.
Whether or not we have a regional training in February of next year will be decided at this year’s annual business meeting to be held on Sunday, May 20, 2007, at the Delaware Hotel, following the dan exam.
St. Patrick’s Day Finds Many Wearing Green at Regional Training
Many karateka from around the region were wearing green belts at this year’s March Regional training. Not because they had been reduced in rank,
but because it fell on St. Patrick’s day. Brown County and Shotokan of Anderson provided over half of the thirty-seven karateka in attendance. The main emphasis of this training was on blocking techniques, including reverse blocks. Sensei Vaughan had students do traditional three step sparring, but also had them use a change in target so the defender was forced to switch from a face level block to stomach level blocks during the three step phase. They also worked on reverse blocks like those found in heian nidan.
Following the training, a number of honorary Irishman went to the Brown Jug for some green beer and nourishment. It was a fun day of celebration for all involved.
Jared Coming Home Soon
Jared Marsh, age 9, and his family will be moving back home soon. As reported in last quarter’s Monitor, Jared was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. At that time, he was given between a 60% to 70% chance of recovery. Since then his odds have gone up considerably due to his ongoing chemotherapy and courageous spirit.
Their home in Fenton, Michigan, was in great need of renovation before Jared could moved back home. The family was faced with a mounting financial burden. Brian (Jared’s dad), had already begun repairs to the house when Jared was diagnosed with the cancer. Both Brian and Tracy (Jared’s mom), took time off work to be with Jared at Detroit’s Children Hospital while he underwent therapy. In the meantime, a group of volunteers, led by cub scout leader Tim Galvin, began developing plans to do an “Extreme Makeover” on the
Marsh-Pry residence. A committee was formed to head the project. Pastor Keith O'Neil at Restoration Net , established a not-for-profit fund to assist the family. It was determined that at least $70,000, was needed in order complete the project. A media campaign began and donations were solicited from area businesses and individuals. The Swartz Creek Karate club hosted a Taco Dinner on February 24, 2007. The dinner was very successful, and a $1,522.00, donation was given to the family to help them pay for their ever mounting bills. On March 22, 2007, the karate club also hosted a Bowl-A-Thon, at the Grand Blanc Lanes, in Grand Blanc. The final figure is not in, but it is estimated that over $4,000.00, was raised.
There have also been several members from the Region who have made very generous donations to the family. The family is most grateful, and have been overwhelmed with the love and support they have received from the community and their karate family.
The karate club is doing another fund raiser in May. It will be in conjunction with Little Caesar's Pizza, in Swartz Creek. Members of the club will be working at Little Caesar's for the day on May 16, 2007. Little Caesar’s will make a donation based on their profits for the day.
The family is looking forward to moving back home at the end of April. They have been staying at Jim Nelson’s home in Swartz Creek since January 18, 2007. Jim has been staying with Richard Kerry Thompson, in Swartz Creek.
So many people have been involved in this story that to mention all their names would be almost impossible. However, Brain, Tracy, Lexie, Josh, Noah, and especially Jared, want to express how very thankful they are for everyone’s support, prayers, and generosity, they could not have done it without your help.
Ashtabula Karate Club Profiled
The Ashtabula Karate Club was founded in 1984, in Ashtabula, Ohio. Frank Baldwin, sandan, is the chief instructor. They train at 1543 Columbus Avenue, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004, on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Beginners class is from 5:30-6:30 PM, and advance class is from 6:30-8:00 PM. The dojo is open on Saturdays from 10:00-12:00 to all levels.
Currently, there are fifteen members in the club. Three men, and twelve youth, of which, three are national champions. The cost of training is $55.00 per month.
Sensei Baldwin has been training since 1976, and has been instructing for fifteen years. He started karate in order to learn self-defense, and has had an opportunity to train at JKA Headquarters in Japan. The most important lesson he learned in karate has been honesty, and his favorite kind of training is doing kihon (basics).
Frank, now retired, is married, has two children and two grandchildren, and enjoys golf and more golf. For more information, please call Sensei Baldwin at, 440-964-2319.
Good Technique
by Dr. Martin Vaughan
Correct fundamental technique is essential for success in karate training. Without correct fundamentals kata is painful to watch, kumite is mostly a disaster and success in testing or tournament is not likely.
As an instructor I spend a great deal of time explaining fundamental techniques and asking my students to practice what I have discussed and demonstrated. The result is often adequate, but not ideal. There is something missing. Good technique! Good technique is different from correct technique. Correct technique has the correct form and outline. This is what is demanded of a beginner. As the student advances s/he begins to apply body dynamics to the basic techniques to make the techniques more effective. This is a pattern that is seen in other sports. The same pattern is also seen in artists and musicians. This does not necessarily make good technique. An artist can draw and a musician can play with precise technique, but the outcome may not be considered “good”. What is missing? Call it heart, soul, or feeling there is an unmistakable quality of good performance that is far more than correct technique or mechanics. Correct technique comes from the body; good technique comes from the combination of the body, mind, and spirit.
Okazaki Sensei gave us a theme for our 2004 national tournament, “Shingi-Ittai, Mind and Body Together”. This Good Technique Continued emphasizes the importance of not just physical technique, but the development of the mind along with physical technique. Achieving the proper mental condition is a more difficult training. Developing a mental state that will allow you to remain relaxed, but ready when facing the most skilled or unexpected opponent is perhaps the most important, yet elusive, skill of karate training. Developing this skill relies on practice. Consistent practice and also practice outside your comfort zone. You need to know the exhaustion and frustration of being pushed to your limit and beyond. It is at this time you develop confidence and metal toughness that welds the mind and body together. This is fighting spirit. With fighting spirit, correct form makes good technique.
In a class environment it is possible to get the type of training to build fighting spirit (depending on the instructor and the composition of the class). It is much more difficult to train your fighting spirit on your own. Okazaki Sensei says that the best tool for the development of Shingi-Ittai is through kata practice. After learning the movements and their application it is important to “find” your opponent. With intent and attention to natural movement, mechanical technique is replaced with good technique. Over time the kata will be transformed and the fighting spirit will be obvious to those that watch.
Therefore, it is important in training to not think only about physical technique, but to think equally about the development of the mind with the technique. In your training, push yourself to your limits and beyond. Find your opponent. This is Shingi-Ittai. This is how you develop good technique.
JKA/ISKF Split
As most of you are already aware, the ISKF will no longer be affiliated with the Japan Karate Association/World Federation. This is unfortunate, but not a surprise to many. Okazaki Sensei has been trying for over twelve years to have his voice heard in Japan, to no avail. The JKA/WF has not been a democratic voice, and Okazaki Sensei feels this is essential in order to continue Master Funakoshi’s intention of spreading karate-do throughout the world.
So, how will this affect members of Mid-America? One of the most notable differences will be the change of chief instructors at this year’s Michigan summer camp. Master Takashina, along with Masters Mikami and Koyama, have chosen to remain with the JKA/WF; therefore, Master Okazaki has agreed to be this year’s chief instructor. We are greatly honored to have him as our special guest instructor. Secondly, dan certificates will now be coming from Philadelphia, PA, (ISKF headquarters), and not Japan. Other than that, most karateka will notice very little difference in the organization. The ISKF has thirty member countries, and that number will continue to grow throughout the world.
There are still some unanswered questions, such as, “Will the ISKF be able to grow in those regions of the United States which have chosen to remain part of the JKA/WF?” and, “Will there be any restructuring of the ISKF/US?”
The ISKF national tournament has also changed locations and dates as a result of the split. The Northwest Region has taken on this extremely challenging task with very short notice. They will be hosting the 2007 ISKF/US National Championships in San Francisco, CA, on October 20, and 21, 2007.
Only time will tell what overall effect the split will have on the ISKF as an organization, but as Master Okazaki has always said, “Just Train!” Karateka in Mid-America plan on doing just that.
Master Camp Support Needed
This year’s Master camp will be held from June 8 - 15, 2007, at camp Green Lane, in Lansdale, PA. This will be the forty-first year that the camp will be held, and is always an exciting time to enjoy training under some of the world’s greatest masters. To register, visit www.iskf.com. Mid-America is committed to have at least ten members in attendance, and your support will be greatly appreciated.
Regional Tournament, Meeting, and Dan Test Next Month
This year’s regional tournament will be held on May 19, 2007, in Delaware, OH, starting at 11:00 AM. All ranks and ages are welcome. The tournament is being held at Willis Intermediate School. The dan test for shodan will be on Sunday morning starting at 11:00 AM, at the Delaware Hotel, in Delaware, OH. The annual regional meeting will follow. All regional instructors or a representative from each club is expected to attend. All senior black belt students are welcome. If you have any agenda items, please send them to Jim Nelson by May 16, 2007.
Newsletter Picture Guessed Correctly
In the last quarter’s newsletter, there was a picture of Master Okazaki, Sensei Golden, senior instructor James Oberschlake, and three other arms raised in a Christmas salute. You were asked to submit your guesses as to who the other three karateka were. Four people guessed correctly, Lexi Weber, Kim Weber, Jeff Weber and Chiho Bare; however, Chiho’s guess wasn’t really a guess since she is one of the people in the picture along with David Talley and Sensei Vaughan.
Congratulations to all of you who were correct, and thank you to all of those who entered the contest. Lexi Weber won a free training as a result of her guess.
Editorial
Building for the Future
As we begin the second quarter of the new year, I find myself wondering, “What will be the future of the ISKF?” I started karate the same year that the ISKF was founded (1976), and didn’t really understand the difference between the ISKF and AAKF (All American Karate Federation), but followed my instructor into the new organization. Since then, I have learned that karate is much more than just punching, blocking, and kicking. These are only part of the whole. Master Funakoshi always stressed the importance of developing one’s character, and that too is only part of the whole. For me, karate has become my way of life. The decisions I make everyday all center around my karate training. My dearest friends are part of my karate family, and many of my fondest memories are of karate events in which I participated.
So, what does the future hold? Does it really matter as long as I can continue to train and practice the lessons I have learned over the last thirty years? I think not, and I hope those of you who are stressed out by worrying about the future will gain comfort from the fact that we still have great instructors and are a well run organization. Let the future take care of itself, and continue to train and follow the principles of karate-do as laid out by Master Funakoshi. Osu!
7 Foods to NEVER Eat!
By Jaclyn Johnson
There will always be those fattening foods that are easy to make, easy to get, and easy to crave. You think “OK, I know this is bad but it can’t be that bad!” Think again. Here are the top seven foods you should never ever feed your family or yourself!
1. Doughnuts It’s hard to resist the smell of a Krispy Kreme doughnut, which is why I never step foot in the store. Doughnuts are fried chock-full of sugar and white flour and loads of trans fat. According to the Krispy Kreme web site, an average 3.5 ounce sugar doughnut weighs in with about 400 calories and contains few other nutrients besides fat. These sugary treats may satisfy your craving but it won’t satisfy your hunger as most of the calories come from fat. "Eating a lot of refined sugar contributes to blood sugar ‘swings’ or extreme fluctuations,” eDiets Chief Nutritionist Susan Burke said.
2. Cheeseburger with fries The age-old classic may be delicious but think twice before sinking your teeth into that Big Mac. The saturated fat found in cheese burgers has been linked to heart attacks, strokes and some types of cancer. “In fact, fast-food portions are gargantuan, almost double the calories per meal compared to 20 years ago," Susan says. "Twenty years ago the average fast-food cheeseburger had about 300 calories. Today’s BK Whopper with cheese has 720. To burn the excess 420 calories, you’d have to run for 40 minutes. For example, in 1985 a medium French fry had 240 calories, 2.4 ounces. Today’s ‘medium’ is 6.9 ounces and 610 calories. "This fast-food meal of cheeseburger and fries has way too many calories and fat grams, not to mention grams of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol and sodium.” Let’s break down this meal. First, take the white-flour bun (refined carbohydrates), then add some processed cheese (saturated fat and trans fat, plus lots of additives and preservatives) and then top off with fried red meat (cholesterol and saturated fats). And let’s not forget about the condiments such as the always fattening mayonnaise.
Not sounding so appetizing anymore, huh? Oh, and let’s not forget about the infamous side dish. Your cheeseburger will most likely come with a side of French fries, which is sadly the most popular vegetable dish in the U.S. Don’t kid yourself, French fries are not vegetables, they are extremely high in fat and contain a tiny amount of nutrients.
3. Fried Chicken and Chicken Nuggets With the recent class-action lawsuit between The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and KFC, the health risks posed by fried foods are becoming more public. The CSPI is suing the food chain for their use of cooking oil containing unhealthy trans fats. The lawsuit seeks to order KFC to use other types of cooking oils and to inform customers how much trans fats KFC’s food contains. Foods cooked in highly heated oils (most notably partially hydrogenated oil) have been known to cause cancer, weight gain and other serious health risks if ingested regularly. A 10-piece chicken McNugget from McDonald’s has 420 calories, 24 grams of fat and 1120 milligrams of sodium. One Extra Crispy Chicken Breast from KFC has around 420 calories and eight grams of saturated fat. So unless you want to super size yourself, it’s best to make a clean break with fried foods.
4. Oscar Mayer's Lunchables Sure they are convenient and easy, but boy are they unhealthy! These kid-marketed lunches are loaded with saturated fat and sodium. They usually contain highly processed meats and cheeses, white flour crackers and sugary treats. Lunchables get two-thirds of their calories from fat and sugar. And they provide lopsided nutrition since they contain no fruits or vegetables. “They insidiously promote obesity by making kids think that lunch normally comes in a cellophane-wrapped box," Susan says. "Parents are promoting their children’s obesity by buying these items. They’re expensive, too. Pack a sandwich and save dollars and health.”
5. Sugary Cereal Not all cereals are created equally. And while your kids might beg for the latest cookie or marshmallow chocolate surprise cereals, it is a safe bet they are about as healthy as a dessert. Keywords to look out for are puffed, dyed and sweetened. Most kids’ cereals are so highly processed they no longer look like the grains they were originally made from. A healthy alternative is oatmeal. Although, if you are buying prepackaged oatmeal make sure to check the label and see how much sugar it contains, you might be surprised. "A little sugar isn’t a problem but when the first ingredient on the box is sugar, then watch out," she said. "There is no fruit in Fruit Loops. But the unsweetened original Cheerios or Rice Krispies are fine, and you can sweeten them naturally with blueberries and strawberries.”
6. Processed Meats. What falls under the category of processed meats? Hot dogs, sausage, jerky, bacon, certain lunch meats and meats used in canned soup products. Almost all processed meats have sodium nitrite added as a preservative. A recent study conducted at the University of Hawaii found that sodium nitrite can act as “a precursor to highly carcinogenic nitrosamines -- potent cancer-causing chemicals that accelerate the formation and growth of cancer cells throughout the body.” So eliminate these meats from your diet before they eliminate you!
7. Canned soup. Sometimes regarded as a healthy food, soups can be very deceiving. You must stay on your guard because many canned soups have high levels of trans fats, sodium and artificial preservatives such as MSG. Just one serving (which is roughly one cup) can have almost 1,000 milligrams of salt. Also, steer clear of soups that are cream-based, they can be high in calories and fat. Susan says it is important to “read labels from back to front. Ignore the health claims, and instead focus on the ingredients and serving size. Watch out for hydrogenated fat (trans fat) and sodium. If you’re buying bread to go with your soup, the first ingredient should be whole grain -- either whole wheat, rye or other grain. If it just says ‘wheat bread,’ that doesn’t mean whole wheat.” We all want our family to be healthy and happy, so steer clear of these foods.
2007 Calendar
- May 19, 2007, 11:00 AM
Regional Tournament,
Delaware, OH
- May 20, 2007, 11:00 AM
Dan Test and Meeting
Delaware, OH
- June 8-15, 2007
Master Camp
Lansdale, PA
- July 13-15, 2007
Summer Camp
Fenton, MI
- August 10, 2007, 6:30 PM
Regional Training
Brown County Karate Club
- August 11, 2007, 11:00 AM
Golf Outing
Friendly Meadows Golf Course
- September, TBA, 2007
Fall Camp
- October 20-21, 2007
National Tournament
San Francisco, CA
- November TBA, 2007
Shiai
Delaware, OH
- December 15, 2007, 12:00 PM
Dan Test and Clinic
OSU Campus
Editors Note
If you would like to make a contribution to next quarter’s newsletter, please forward it to regional headquarters for printing. Thanks to all those who helped with this newsletter. Jim Nelson |
