Throw Like a Girl

"You throw like a girl." "Yup."

Ann Arbor Jujutsu Practitioner Combines Martial Arts and Leadership Research | Andrea Derler

(Below is an excerpt of the interview. The full interview can be found at this link.)

Andrea receiving her black belt from Suino-Sensei

Andrea Derler is a powerhouse. She knows German and English, and has international experience in Austria, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

During the day, she is a consultant associate for LEAD Institute and hosts leadership workshops through Washtenaw Community College. She is a PhD candidate in Economics, with a focus on Leadership and Organizational Development.

At night, she dons her jujutsu gi and black belt.

Andrea teaching during a Chaos to Kata seminar!

The following article is an excerpt of the exclusive interview:
  
Q. You started six years ago?

No, I started four years ago, when I was pregnant. I stopped when I was six-months pregnant, because I was too big and heavy. I remember that at the first test, I was six-months pregnant, but was having difficulty breathing. When I recovered, I came back to the dojo and continued my training. Everyone was very patient.

Andrea during Jujutsu practice

Q. Less than 2% of people who come to the Japanese Martial Arts Center go on to earn a black belt. What has your mindset been as you have done martial arts?

It’s a mindset of passion. If you love something, you just can’t stop. The black belt is not something I’m particularly proud of. It was certainly something to strive for, but I was more interested in the mastery of the martial arts. Getting up to the black belt simply means that I know the basics.

Q. What is the most important lesson you have learned during your martial arts journey?

That I can overcome my glass ceiling. In the past four to five years, anytime I encountered a difficult throw or roll on the mat, instead of telling myself I can’t do it, or I’m too scared to do it… I find that glass ceiling, but Suino-sensei always tells me I can. And I do. It is possible, you just can’t give up.

Andrea doing a Jujutsu throw

Q. How have martial arts carried over into your professional or personal life?

There is always that glass ceiling, like the one that I talked about. You can’t run away. I have figured out that I must approach head-on. For example, the sacrifice throw was very scary for me. I could either back away from it or do it. So, I went at it straight away and worked on it. Encountering these fears has helped me realize that I can’t back away from them. Running away doesn’t help; it makes the fear worse. I have learned over time to become stronger in overcoming these fears.

Q. Your most recent project is Chaos to Kata, a leadership seminar that is a synergy of martial arts and the business world. What was your inspiration for the project? How did it come about?

I always saw benefits in the business world in the way Suino-Sensei teaches martial arts. Everything didn’t click until Sato-Sensei came to the dojo. There was a concept he mentioned. His English wasn’t very good, but he said a word… mushin. It was very short, but you could see that there was a lot of meaning behind it. His translator described it was a word that describes approaching a situation without bias.

Six months later, Suino-sensei and I met over lunch, and discussed it. Suino-sensei developed the kata. The process of developing the project worked well because we work in very different ways that complement each other. I’m very efficient and he is a visionary. I had the basic idea, but he brought it forward with ideas to generate the seminar.

Andrea demonstrating a Jujutsu set-up during a Chaos to Kata seminar

Q. Have you personally used the kata?

Yes! Many times.

I had a first time meeting with a CEO where I worked. He was 65, and we worked in a very patriarchal environment. He was very patronizing. The first thing he said to me was, “You lucky thing.” I physically made space from him, and went back to my seat to collect my thoughts. Eventually, instead of not speaking at all during the meeting, because it is my weakness not to act and withdraw, I began making comments during the meeting. I had to act. At some point, it was a matter of the management of his personality. I started to jump in, summarizing what he said, and saying, “Thank very much for that, and now to add to what you said…” It wasn’t because he was convinced that I was right, but it was more to establish myself as a viable voice at the table.

Q. What was his response?

At the beginning of the meeting, he sat far away from me and was very hostile. By the end of the meeting, he actually came up and sat next to me to shake my hand, not necessarily as friends, but to be friendly.

Q. What’s another way you use the kata?

Generally, when I get worried about things, especially in the long-term, I use the kata. There is a lot of chaos in the future. For example, I am about to move, and I was initially very sad and disappointed. However, I need to create space from my emotions. So, I created space by not thinking about it for a while. I put it in a box and created distance. Then, it came to the point where I could approach it and analyze it without emotions or prejudice. From there, I could begin to act. I looked for schools, analyzed the community. I got a job there. I began to see the good that could come of it.

The kata has helped me overcome the emotional turmoil and approach the situation in a constructive manner.

Andrea during her black belt test and practicing joint locks.

Spring/Summer Events 2014

Iaido Camp
    ⁃    THIS SATURDAY
    ⁃    May 17 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Iaidoka at the Japanese Martial Arts Center

Memorial Day
    ⁃    NO CLASSES
    ⁃    Friday, May 23 to Monday, May 26

Jujutsu Camp
    ⁃    June 21 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

The Japanese Martial Arts Center's 8th Anniversary
    ⁃    After Jujutsu Camp
    ⁃    June 21 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    ⁃    Potluck style! The best dishes mean bragging rights for the chef!

July 4th
    ⁃    NO CLASSES
    ⁃    Friday, July 4 to Monday, July 7

Judo Camp
    ⁃    July 19 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Down and Dirty Mud Run
    ⁃    August 24 at 6:30 am
    ⁃    More information at http://www.downanddirtyobstaclerace.com/event-cities/detroit/

Kids Testing!

The kids karate class is testing May 8, 2014 at 5:00 pm.

5 Health Benefits of Martial Arts

Reasons Why You Should Take Advantage of Ann Arbor Martial Arts Programs

(For a more detailed version, visit this website article.)

(Ann Arbor) Martial arts. You’ve seen it in movies, on your friend’s Facebook newsfeed, and in those “Things to do before you die” lists. Whether you have yet to cross ‘martial arts’ off your bucket list or keep a rack of black belts in your closet, here is a list of reasons why doing martial arts can benefit you today!

You Get Stronger and Lose Weight

One acronym: HIIT. High intensity interval training means doing periods of short, intense anaerobic exercise. It’s good for:

·      Athletic conditioning

·      Improving the metabolism

·      Fat-burning

Depending on your weight and the martial art, you can singe anywhere from 500-1500 calories in an hour.

Compare that to having to run 7 miles at a 10 mph pace or doing three Insanity workouts. Not only will you feel that burning calories is effortless, but doing martial arts targets your entire body, not just certain parts. It’s also fun.

Not only that, but building muscle promotes a calorie burn after you’ve stopped working out. Because martial arts involve a combination of slow and fast twitch muscle conditioning, you promote muscle development.

You Stay Younger

In a study that compared 40-60 year olds who were either martial artists or sedentary, the researchers found that training reduced aging.

This means that compared to their sedentary counterparts, middle-aged martial artists:

·      Were more flexible

·      Had better muscular strength and endurance

·      Could balance with more agility

·      Had a lower body fat percentage

Fewer of the martial artists had heart diseases. The illnesses that normally hit middle-aged people, such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, showed up in much higher percentages for the sedentary group.

You Become More Intelligent

In an article from BotBot, studies showed:

·      Improvement in memory

·      Enhanced problem-solving skills

·      Reduced risk of Parkinson’s or Alzeimer’s

The most effective types of exercises were aerobic and resistance-training methods, both of which can be found in the martial arts. What’s more, it doesn’t matter when you start. Exercise benefits your brain immediately.

Martial arts are different from other forms of exercise, because a lot of it requires tactical thinking. This means an increase the brain’s ability to learn, or plasticity. Resistance training, flexibility or coordination, and aerobic movements all add up to enhanced brain plasticity.

You Become Happy

It’s no secret that doing exercise makes you feel emotionally better. In an article released on WebMD, researchers stated that regular exercise releases chemicals called endorphins. The endorphins affect the way your brain perceives pain and act as sedatives.

Some of the benefits included:

·      Reduced stress

·      Alleviated anxiety and depression

·      Improved self-esteem

·      Better sleep

Also, in Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow, he describes how there is a state where an “optimal experience” or state of flow can happen. He cites martial arts as being a particular type of flow where a martial artist can act with lightening speed without having to think about it. 

You Meet Awesome People

As the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” In a study that looked at how people stay happy, it was found that happy people tend to spend time with other happy people.

You’re also in an environment that often requires trusting a partner. In a study by Desteno, he found that being put under high levels of stress requires one of two responses: trust or distrust. If a group of people can trust one another, the stress augmented the working relationships that martial artists had with each other.

This is anecdotal, but anywhere you go in Ann Arbor, martial arts programs seem to attract well-balanced, like-minded people. The environment at the Japanese Martial Arts Center encourages growth, challenges the individual, and cultivates a rich working environment among its martial artists.

If you’re interested in trying traditional Japanese martial arts, consider visiting our site at http://japanesemartialartscenter.com/, OR email us at info@japanesemartialartscenter.com for more information.

 

JMAC Field Trip!

JMAC trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts to see the Samurai Exhibit on
Saturday April 26 at 3pm.


 I (Stacia Proefrock) have seen the Samurai exhibit and it is pretty cool!
Lots of swords, lots of Japanese household items, a few big tapestries
with battle scenes, some Noh Theater Kimonos, some films, some tea
ceremony stuff. In short, heaven for the Japanese Martial Arts and
culture nerd.


 We are organizing a trip for JMACers and their families and friends. If
you would like to come with us and enjoy the company and discounted
tickets that we can provide, you need only complete these few steps.
Questions? You can email stacia@cornellbox.com or call me at 734 834 5392.


 1. Give money to Kristen Seguin BY APRIL 18. Tickets are $12 for adults
and $8 for kids under 12. You can give money to Kristen at the dojo
(she's often there) or you can send her money via square cash. Go to
squareup.com/cash and send money to nicolas.n.seguin@gmail.com.


 2. Let us know if you want to come to dinner. I'm making a reservation
at Traffic Jam and Snug, which is a pub with a nice, balanced menu and
lots of choices and lots of room. Reservation will be for 5pm. Send me
an email at stacia@cornellbox.com or a text to 734 834 5392 and let me
know how many people will come for dinner. Do this by April 18 if at all
possible as well.  http://www.trafficjamdetroit.com/


 3. Get yourself to the DIA by 2:45pm on April 26. I know that's going to
be a stretch for anyone coming from Judo, so I'm willing to stay in the
front lobby and meet folks who are trying to get there from judo or who
get lost. It's normally about a 40 minute drive from the dojo to the DIA.
There is ample parking there in structures and on the street. You can
call or text if you are lost or are going to be particularly late.


 4. Kids are welcome. The exhibit takes about 60-90 minutes to get
through. Don't forget that i-96 is closed from 275 to Telegraph when
trying to get to the DIA. I-94 is the best route from the Ann Arbor area.
Hope to see you there!

The Right Fit: Martial Arts Ann Arbor Has to Offer

         Whether you are a seasoned martial artist or someone who has never been involved in martial arts, Ann Arbor provides many choices that are of high quality and integrity. It can be difficult to choose which program to start with when there is such a variety. Some questions that you might ask when picking a program are:

“Will I be taught practical self-defense?”

“Can I use these techniques in the real world?”

“Are the instructors up to par with the principles they teach?”

“Do I have to be physically fit already? Will I become physically fit with this program?”

“Is the place safe and clean?”

“Of all the different martial arts Ann Arbor affords, why choose this one?”

            You’ve heard the horror stories of people being taught half-baked techniques from McDojos. You don’t want a martial arts academy that drains your wallet and keeps you there with premature belt promotions. If practicing a martial art is anything like dating, finding the right place can be productive and happy for all parties involved. If it’s a bad fit, you find yourself miserable and poorer than where you started. You just want to find the right fit.

            If your first concern were self-defense, would it help you to know that at the Japanese Martial Arts Center a female in the Judo program successfully fended off an attacker with techniques that she learned at the dojo? You also get a chance to train with several instructors that have specially tailored seminars geared towards self-defense. At the end of the day, you want to leave with the proper skills to protect yourself.

            The benefit of finding the right dojo is being able to learn applicable self-defense techniques. It means feeling confident that what you learn in the dojo is effective and well structured, taught by instructors that are martial arts savvy. It allows you to grow as an individual in physical fitness, mental discipline, and self-efficacy. The right dojo for you will make you feel safe from disease and poor training, and respected.

            Of all the martial arts Ann Arbor presents, the Japanese Martial Arts Center meets all of your standards. The traditional Japanese martial arts can have powerful applications with devastating results. World-class instructors that have not stopped learning, competing, and growing as martial artists will teach you. We are more interested in your growth as a martial artist than using promotions as an incentive of keeping you. You will be in programs that have safe, structured curriculum, which are appropriate for all age groups, including kids, young adults, and adults.

           

            Getting started is easy. You aren’t asked to fork out cash and sign a contract when you enter the door. Instead, you are welcome to watch a class or two in the program that you are interested in. If the training looks like something that would appeal to you, then you can arrange for two FREE private introductory lessons with one of the instructors. In those lessons, you will be taught basic etiquette and enough fundamentals where joining the other students will feel effortless.

FAQs

Are the techniques effective?

Yes! We teach traditional Japanese martial arts, with rankings that are recognized by the Shudokan Martial Arts Association. We have students that go on to compete in national and state level tournaments, often coming away with medals in kata and randori divisions. We also have students that have gone on to defend themselves in life-threatening situations.

Would I be welcomed there?

Yes! It doesn’t matter where you are in your martial arts career, how physically active you are, or your personal identity. As long as you are respectful of other students’ safety, you will get the chance to work in an environment that both challenges and encourages you. We have classes for children, teens, and adults.

Is it a clean, safe facility?

Yes! The claim to fame that this martial arts Ann Arbor dojo has is the spring tatami mat, which ensures safe falls. (There are over 1400 springs in the floor, which makes it bouncy and increases your longevity as a martial artist!) The curriculum is structured with evolving, intelligent techniques and occasional conditioning to create the optimum environment for a burgeoning martial artist.

Are the instructors qualified to teach?

Yes, and then some! For example, the head instructor, Suino-sensei, has a two-generation martial arts lineage that extends to the legendary Mifune Kyuzo. He has published influential material extensively in the martial arts field, including The Arts of Japanese Swordsmanship. He holds positions in several international martial arts committees. You can view other profiles here.

Getting Started with the Japanese Martial Arts Center

            If the Japanese Martial Arts Center sounds like it might be a good fit for you, you’re more than welcome to come in to watch a class. Call us at (734) 645-6441 to arrange a time to visit, or check the schedule and come in when a class is happening. (Advanced courses are not open to the public, however.) If you feel more comfortable with email, you can message info@japanesemartialartscenter.com (or use the contact box at the top of this page) or message Kaily at kaily@japanesemartialartscenter.com.

You can also visit us at 3853 Research Park Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

  

Test Day Checklist at the Japanese Martial Arts Center

Kaily here,

I'm re-posting the old test day checklist Suino-sensei published a couple of years back.

TEST CHECKLIST FOR STUDENTS 

We know how hard you have worked to get to this point. To ensure the appropriate level of seriousness and safety, please follow this checklist when preparing for your test day.

1. Uniforms: You and your uniform must be clean and tidy. Be sure your uniform is washed and unwrinkled. Sleeves and pant legs may not be rolled up – please have them tailored!

2. Jewelry: No jewelry may be worn during a formal test. Be sure to remove all earrings, necklaces, piercings, friendship bracelets, etc.

3. Be On Time: Please be warmed up and ready to go at test time.

4. Dues: Your dues must be current in order to test.

5. Techniques: It is your responsibility to know the techniques required for your test. Check with Sensei if you are not sure.

6. Visitors: Friends and family are welcome to watch!

7. Waiting: Often, the hardest part of a test is waiting for your turn to be called. Please prepare yourself for an extended period of sitting and/or waiting.

8. Uke’s Role: If you are part of a two-person kata, remember that uke’s role is critical. Uke (receiver) has the job of making tori (do-er) look his/her best. Often, uke is being evaluated on the basis of his/her skill, just as is tori.

9. Decorum: At every moment during your performance, carry yourself with confidence. A mistake is not fatal, but an inappropriate outburst may be. Never criticize other dojo members.

10. Donations: You are asked, not required, to donate $10 toward the JMAC building fund when you test.

11. Factors: Many factors are considered for promotion in traditional budo, including time in practice, attendance, dojo citizenship, positive attitude and behavior, ability, and improvement over time. Try to excel in all these areas!

12. Certificates: If you want internationally recognized certification of your promotion, consider joining the Shudokan Martial Arts Association, North America’s most prestigious general budo organization. Check with Sensei for details (JMAC students at sankyu and above are required to join SMAA).

Enjoy the moment! Getting promoted at JMAC is a major accomplishment!

Upcoming Events

Judo Camp

March 15, 2014
11am-2pm

Judo Tournament: Michigan Open

March 16, 2014
East Lansing, MI
Paperwork here.

DIA Samurai Exhibit

Field trip details TBA!

JMAC Anniversary

Celebrating our 8th year at the end of June!
Details TBA!

Merrell Down & Dirty

August 24, 2014
7:30am
Detroit, MI
More details here.

Tough Mudder

September 20, 2014
Michigan International Speedway, MI
More details here.

Japan Trip

End of February, 2015
Details TBA!

Mark your calendars!

Testing Date Reminders:
Kids Karate - March 1
Adults - April 19

Judo Camp:
March 15, 11am-2pm

Michigan Open Tournament [Judo]:
March 16, East Lansing

Upcoming Events!

Hey there JMACers,

It's time to mark your calendars again!

Kids Karate has testing on March 1, 2014.

Adults are testing on April 19, 2014.

There is also a Judo camp on March 15, 2014 from 11:00am-2:00pm.

JUJUTSU CAMP & JUDO CAMP 

Jujutsu Camp

Saturday, February 15

11:00am-2:00pm

Judo Camp

Saturday, March 15

11:00am-2:00pm

Reminder: Iaido Camp 

Special 3-Hour Event for JMAC Members and Select Members of the Public

Saturday, January 18, 2014 - 11am-2pm

"Structure in Japanese Swordsmanship"

How to align your skeleton to get the best balance, strength, and effectiveness in iaido.

How Judo Saved My Life

By Kaily: the following post describes one experience and how martial arts training affected my response. Due to the potentially controversial nature of the topic, I will avoid any discourse on whether what I did would work for everyone.

            I said, “No.”

I said it three times. If not for the verbal warnings, I was also pushing his hands from me.

            On a fall night, my junior year of college, a peer of mine attempted to sexually assault me.  He was a collegiate hockey player with an over 90 pound advantage to my 110-pound frame and at least a foot taller.

            When we met up, he kept touching my shoulders and arms, which didn’t bother me. Throughout the night, he became continually aggressive, until I told him that I didn’t want him to touch me. “Isn’t this what you want?” he asked.

            “I really f*cking don’t. Stop.”

            He shrugged it off and laughed. That should have been a red flag bigger than Belgium’s waving around in my face.

            Later on that night, he picked me up and threw me down. He got into a mount position and pinned my wrists to the floor with one hand, fumbling to undo his pants with the other. It was all happening very quickly, but my mind slowed down to assess the situation, something I had been trained to do during grappling or randori sessions.

            I stretched my arms away from his body and my head, until he was forced to let go. I clenched one arm around his neck and the other around his upper arm, wrenching my shins against his pelvis with the newly created space. He tried putting a hand against my throat to get out of my clench. I locked his thumb, shoved off again, and gained some back control, which let me dig my heels hooks into his thighs. I had his arm wrenched behind his back.

“Do that again, and I’ll kick your nuts back into kingdom come,” I spat. I felt a couple of pops in his finger before I ran out. He didn’t bother to chase me.

            The next day, he texted, “I was drunk. What happened last night?”

            I have yet to respond and never will, but I’ll say this: Judo happened that night. Judo saved my life. 

Happy Holidays!

The Japanese Martial Arts Center is closed on December 22-25 and December 29-January 1.

Make sure to come in the other days of the week for your training!

Amazing Transformation!

My 7 year old daughter and I have been JMAC family members for over year, and within this period I have witnessed an amazing transformation in my daughter.

Although she has always been an exceptional and wonderful child, as anyone would attest to, she has mild ADHD and focus and concentration have always been a challenge for her.  When we started at JMAC, I had hopes that it would help her with these problems, but it would be a gross understatement to say that it met my expectations! 

JMAC is truly a place of holistic self enhancement. All the instructors here are dedicated and professional martial artists. The children’s program is truly phenomenal.  Since my daughter has been at JMAC, her focus has quadrupled.  Her teachers at school have noticed a huge difference in her ability to concentrate, and stemming from that, her reading and math skills have gone from average to an entire grade level above. Every morning she says her affirmations that are taught in class in order to remind herself to “try my best!” 

They spend circle time every class session to discuss issues vital for today’s youth such as strangers, respect, community involvement, and bullying.  The children have a wonderful time, and it is amazing to watch the level of skill they develop in a short amount of time.  Due to the untimely death of my husband, my daughter has lacked a male role model and Sensei Suino has been a Godsend for us.  My daughter adores him and looks up to him; she takes his words very seriously and even at her tender age applies them in her life.  I cannot recommend this place enough.  Thanks JMAC!!

-Tiffanie Alexander

*We can't promise that every child will do as well as Tiffanie's daughter, but we do have a lot of success stories. Stop in or call us at JMAC - we'd love to chat about how we might be able to be a force for good in your child's life!

Martial Arts Ann Arbor - Kids Karate - Japanese Martial Arts Center

(734) 645-6441

info@japanesemartialartscenter.com

Iaido Camp 

Special 3-Hour Event for JMAC Members and Select Members of the Public

Saturday, January 18, 2014 - 11am-2pm

"Structure in Japanese Swordsmanship"

How to align your skeleton to get the best balance, strength, and effectiveness in iaido.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Japanese Martial Arts Center is closed November 28-31, 2013.

Judo Camp

November 23, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Kids classes are still on! No adult classes!

Application of forms and theories to techniques.

No cost for JMAC students. 

WHICH MARTIAL ART IS BEST?

 
 It seems that one of the most frequently asked questions on the budo forums is "Which martial art is best?" or "Which martial art is best for me?"

The truth is, there's no single best martial art. The one you should study is the one that that most suits your goals. Want to compete? Choose judo or a karate style that promotes competition. Want to develop intense focus? Choose iaido (swordsmanship) or kyudo (archery). Want to do really high kicks? Choose tae kwon do.

Whatever you do, find a school and get started. There's no better way to understand what martial arts practice is like than to practice martial arts. Or, as Randy Dauphin Sensei says, "There's only one way to know what it's like to get hit! Want to know what it is?"

But seriously, if you're in or near Ann Arbor, stop in to JMAC to watch a class or visit our website today! 

Judo Camp - Ann Arbor Martial Arts - Japanese Martial Arts Center

Ann Arbor Martial Arts
Japanese Martial Arts Center

Judo camp - Saturday July 20, 2013 - 11 am - 2 pm

1. Core movements
2. Relevance of core movements to curriculum techniques
3. Application of core movements in free practice

No cost for JMAC students. 

Japanese Martial Arts Center Ann Arbor
Judo • Jujitsu • Iaido • Kids Karate

We believe in your potential!

Samurai Qualification Battery
Thursday April 11, 2013 - 6 pm
Friday April 12, 2013 - 6 pm

For JMAC adult students only ... no adult classes on those evenings!

Kids Karate on Thursday, April 11 WILL be held!

This was a fun match. Here's the last couple of minutes. Leo's a fantastic competitor, and we loved the match up between his judo and the unique judo of Mr. Holland.

Check out Mr. Holland's unique approach to judo at the Michigan Open in Lansing last Saturday!

The Drinking Game - a new novel by Nicklaus Suino, Director of Japanese Martial Arts Center

When the young upstart Bob Santoni challenges his drinking ability, the old master, Russell Aldridge, agrees to a contest that will last for six months and end up completely changing both their lives. Filled with "fish stories," social commentary, and wry humor, THE DRINKING GAME is a character study of a man born in an age long past, when honor and dignity were valued and mastery was a way of life.

Destined to become a New York Times Bestseller?



Purchase on Amazon.com.
Visit the webpage.
Visit the Facebook page.

Iaido Fans in Hungary, take a look at the work of Sensei Tamas Nagy.

http://daitomi.5mp.eu

The Martial Arts Social Contract (Reprise)

By popular demand, we're re-posting this with a few tweaks. Thanks for asking!

Between the martial arts teachers at the Japanese Martial Arts Center in Ann Arbor and their students, there exists a social contract. The contract - mostly implied, sometimes written down - goes something like this:

As the teacher, I agree to give you, the student, the absolute best training opportunity I can give you, be it in judo, jujutsu, or iaido. I promise to offer you the complete martial art I know, including all its best aspects: physical techniques, theories of physical power, mental strategies, cultural aspects, and any spiritual benefits that are part of the art. I promise not to deceive you with martial arts mumbo-jumbo, and I promise not to try to falsely build up your self-esteem without providing any basis in real martial arts skill. I promise not to ask you to pay absurd dues rates, but will ask you to pay a fair rate in keeping with the expenses of the dojo and my need to earn a modest living. I won't give you a black belt unless you deserve it, but at the same time, I won't unnecessarily prolong your journey to black belt by making the standards impossible. I will try my best to help you develop yourself - mind, body, and spirit - so that you can excel in the dojo and in life.

As the student, you agree to attend classes as often as you can, putting forth all your effort, and practicing with energy and a positive attitude. You promise to consider the teachings I put forth, taking time outside of class to think about the relationship between my words and the techniques of your martial art. You promise to respectfully raise any issues you may have with your training, and give real consideration for my answers to your questions. You agree to practice safely to help prevent injury to yourself and other students. You agree to pay your dues on time, and agree not to take advantage of our policies to help you avoid paying a fair dues rate. You agree to work hard to learn your art, and to trust my decisions about when you are ready for promotions. You agree to commit yourself to the learning process, and to pass on the positive lessons you learn while at the Japanese Martial Arts Center.

Occasionally, a few students will come along who wish to learn what the teacher is teaching without honoring their side of the social contract. Such students may wish to learn to fight without taking part in the character development aspects of the martial art. They may train selfishly, failing to give due consideration to the needs of other students. They may try to trick the dues system by taking strategic leaves of absence, hoping to save a few dollars but still desiring all that the teacher has to offer.

We are happy to say that the vast majority of the students who have trained at the Japanese martial arts center are diligent, serious, generous, and sincere. They are quick to recognize that their teachers have given a huge portion of their time and treasure to try to master their martial arts, and are supportive in a variety of ways (offering to help with dojo events, helping newer students learn, paying their dues on time, and recommending the dojo to potential new students).

Generally, the closer students adhere to the social contract, the less formal their written contract needs to be. Those who find their dojo implementing strict written policies may consider blaming their dojo-mates who have failed to honor the implied contract.

SATO TADAYUKI & JOHN B. GAGE U.S. SEMINAR

(Reprinted from the Journal of the Shudokan Martial Arts Association, Volume 17 #2)

On August 17, 18, and 19 Nicklaus Suino Sensei, SMAA Judo Division Director, will be offering a special seminar at his Michigan dojo featuring budo experts Sato Tadayuki Sensei and John B. Gage Sensei. Both teachers are coming direct from Tokyo to the U.S., and they’ll be offering instruction in three important Japanese martial arts:

•The Kodokan judo of Kano Jigoro Sensei

•The Shodokan aikido of Tomiki Kenji Sensei

•The Nihon jujutsu of Sato Shizuya Sensei

Sato Tadayuki Sensei - Direct Student of Tomiki Kenji

Sato Tadayuki Sensei is one of the world’s leading Shodokan aikido experts. He was taught by Tomiki Kenji Sensei, founder of Shodokan aikido, in the living room of his house every Sunday before tea, and so he has an in-depth knowledge of Tomiki Sensei’s aikido system. He is also an accomplished judoka. Sato Sensei, sixth dan, was granted the position of Shihan of Waseda University Aikido club in 2007. This position has been vacant since Professor Tomiki’s death in 1979. He is an expert in his field, and in particular, the link between Kodokan judo and Tomiki-style aikido. He also teaches aikido at the Japan Police University, and he lives in Tokyo.

John Gage Sensei - Direct Student of Sato Shizuya Sensei

John Gage Sensei has been studying and teaching Japanese martial arts in Tokyo since 1986 when he joined the American Embassy Judo Club, which was lead by the late Sato Shizuya Sensei. Following the death of Sato Sensei, he became the leader of this well-established dojo, and he has been a member of the Kodokan Judo Institute since 1991. He has earned a seventh dan in Sato Sensei’s system of modern jujutsu, and he has a fifth dan in judo. He has taught seminars in judo and jujutsu in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Romania, the U.K., and the USA. 

Outstanding Opportunity

Contact Suino Sensei soon to get more details about this world-class training in world-class judo, aikido, and jujutsu. He can be reached at info@japanesemartialartscenter.com or (734) 645-6441.

The Endlessness of the Way

There is one transcending level [of study], and this is the most excellent level of all. This person is aware of the endlessness of entering deeply into a certain Way and never thinks of himself as having finished. He truly knows his own insufficiencies and never in his whole life thinks that he has succeeded. He has no thoughts of pride but with self-abasement knows the Way to the end. It is said that Master Yagyu once remarked, "I do not know the way to defeat others, but the way to defeat myself."

Throughout your life advance daily, becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never ending. - from Hagakure.

Do your (martial arts) thing!

Wouldn't you agree that fear of failure is one of the biggest obstacles to staying on track to greatness? And that patience (or a lack of it) is a close second? I think that's why a lot of people stop trying - they're not sure all the effort is going to be worth it if there's no payoff, and real success can take a really, really long time. I've read two books lately that really help sort out these two issues in a way that may help get your ass kicked back into gear.

The first is The Slight Edge, by Jeff Olson. Olson points out how most real success is the result of small, relatively easy actions done consistently over a long period of time. The payoff for those tiny actions is so distant (and invisible at the time they are done) that it's easy not to do them. There are dozens of useful insights in the book, but one point I took from it is that it's possible to study past success, figure out what those small correct actions are, and to stay on track with them even though the benefit is not easily apparent. Keep that perspective helps with all the daily jobs that may not be exciting or highly motivating.

The other book is Talent is Overrated, by Geoff Colvin. Colvin's point is that most extraordinary achievement can be explained by lengthy, concentrated work rather than by the miracle of genius. He advocates a very specific type of practice for virtually any activity that can lead to success. If the overall sequence is done correctly, incredible gains are virtually guaranteed if you keep at it long enough.

We're well into a century of achievement science, and the research is starting to stack up. The best of us are far more accomplished and our skills far more developed than most people were 100 years ago. One reason is that we understand much better how to achieve. Do your thing, do it well, do it often, and do it for a long, long time!

Nihon Jujutsu • Renaissance Judo • Tomiki Aikido

Do you know about the seminar we're hosting at JMAC in August? This is the one martial arts event of 2012 that you absolutely should not miss! You can get more info by visiting our seminar page.

Awesome Kata! - Goshin Ho II

Congratulations, Andrea on your promotion to brown belt! OUTSTANDING work!

Seminar - The Five Realms of the Martial Arts

Saturday, Feb 25, 2012
Time: 10am - 2 pm
Location: Japanese Martial Arts Center

09:30 - 10:00 am - Sign In
10:00 – 10:45 am - Jodo (4-Foot Staff) - Long Distance
10:50 – 11:35 am - Bokken (Wooden Sword) - Long/Middle Distance
11:40 – 12:35 pm - Filipino Knife - Middle/Close Distance
12:40 – 01:15 pm - San Chuan Dao (Chinese percussive striking) -Middle/Close Distance
01:20 – 02:00 pm - No gi takedowns - zero distance

$40 JMAC Students
$50 AOTKD, OHANA, KSK, ITAMA, SMAA Members
$60 General Public

16 years and older
Space is limited - visit us at Japanese Martial Arts Center - or call to reserve your spot today!

101 Ideas to Kick Your Ass into Gear

The latest numbers suggest that the average person spends sixty hours or more a week using their butt as a base of operations. That makes the objective of this book - unplanting your patootie - that much more difficult. How are we supposed to "kick your ass into gear" if you're SITTING ON IT?

Lighthearted but heartfelt, flip but functional, 101 Ideas to Kick Your Ass Into Gear is no garden variety motivational book serving up hackneyed self help ideas. Its tight and punchy chapters are perfect for reading on the plane, on the throne, or at your desk. We provide the ideas, the rest is up to you.

So what are you waiting for? Pick a chapter and put some dare in your derrière, some juice in your caboose, some whoosh in your toosh! After you’ve done a dozen or so of these activities, you’ll look back and wonder how you ever managed to spend so much time parked on your posterior. Check Out 101 Ideas to Kick Your Ass into Gear

The Success Triangle - Skills, Attitude, Effort

Today a client asked me, “how can you run a law practice and an SEO business, teach at your martial arts dojo, consult for businesses, write for several blogs, and still get any sleep?” My answer? I don’t get any sleep!

But seriously, doing that many things without a coherent system would be exhausting. Trying to do that many things well without organizing principles would be insane. So what I want to share with you today is the common vision that helps organize my approach to business. Hopefully you’ll find that this idea helps you carry out your personal mission or missions more effectively.

The vision is this – to be successful at just about anything, you have to have all three corners of what I call the “Triangle of Success” – skills, effort, and attitude. If you’re missing any one of these, it can be a lot harder to reach your goals.

Skills are the special products or services that you offer the world. If you’re a doctor – a spine surgeon for example – your skills are the abilities to diagnose and surgically treat problems with the spine. In my SEO business, my skills include the ability to diagnose websites, blogs, and social media for their effectiveness, and to recommend or take actions to make them more effective.

Effort is how hard you try to when you provide your skill to other people. Over the years, I’ve learned to be really good at looking at businesses and finding the things that are holding them back, but if I never tell anybody I can do it, I’m not making much effort. If I were to just look at a few aspects of a business that hired me and mumble some suggestions, I’d be making more effort, but nowhere near enough to be great at it.

Attitude is your belief that you can succeed and how well you can instill that belief in others. Being able to get a class of martial artists energized and sweating is not too hard. On the other hand, it takes strong conviction to convince groups of people, day in and day out, that what they are sweating for will truly change their lives for the better.

I believe three things are true about the Triangle of Success: (1) each corner is connected to the other two; (2) an equilateral triangle is the best recipe for success; and (3) taking a “learning” approach to building your triangle will really help you succeed!

When I say that each corner is connected to the other two, I mean it’s almost impossible to maintain or improve one aspect of success without employing the other two. Your skills will only improve if you make an effort to improve them, and you’ll have a lot more energy to make that effort if you believe success is both possible and desirable. Your efforts to bring your product or service to other people will be a lot more effective if your skills are obviously good and if your positive attitude shows. Your attitude will be better if you feel good about your skills and your efforts yield results.

When I say that an equilateral triangle is best, I mean your best results will come when you give similar amounts of attention to all three corners. A highly skilled salesman who is lazy and negative will never prosper. A tireless carpenter who can’t make a square joint and who swears at his customers won’t build many houses. The most positive motivational speaker in the world who goes mute in front of a crowd and doesn’t learn to control her stage fright is unlikely to reach many people. On the other hand, a slightly skilled person who gives 100% effort and has a great attitude will usually become very successful.

And finally, when I say that taking a learning approach will get you far, I’m talking about using each corner of the triangle to help improve the other corners. When you make the effort to provide the best possible service (business analysis, for example), it will become obvious when you’re lacking a skill that you need to get the job done. Use the information to go out and improve your skills, or hire someone who knows how to do the thing you don’t. Ask yourself if you have any beliefs that could hinder your ability to build business relationships, and if you do, find a way to discard them and your efforts will be far more efficient. Keep your mind open to learning and positive change, and your triangle will grow in height, width, and weight.

Now remember, don’t just go out and do something, DO SOMETHING!