Issue #3 May 2012
seek perfection of character
be faithful
endeavour
respect others
refrain from violent behaviour
The Trinidad Karate Association -TKAis a non-profit organization and currently one of the largest active organizations in Trinidad and Tobago teaching traditional Japanese Shotokan karate.
Welcome Zanshin newsletter is becoming more and more popular and widely read. We continue to disseminate information on our organization and its affiliates and membership and keep you up-to date on past and upcoming activities and events. We also continue to ask all parents of peewees to go through the newsletter together with them, especially the Sections on Tournaments and Dojo Etiquette. We are introducing our Profiles Section in this issue, in which we will interview some eminent Senseis. This will become a standard feature.
Inside Editorial
We welcome articles, comments and constructive criticism from everyone. They can be sent to Simone via email: kimoy2004@yahoo.com. Thanks to Richie Robertson for volunteering to be the proof-reader. Regards
Profiles Karate terminology 1. TKA Affiliations: IKD and CKC 2. Training Schedules 3. Dojo Etiquette 4. Feature 5. News & Updates 6. Events
Shihan Wesley Dexter Shim Scenes from Karatekas Can Chairman & Cook ChiefZanshin Instructor 1TKA a ne(IKD) wsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
1. TKA Affiliations The International Karate Daigaku (IKD)
With its Motto - The International Karate Daigaku - Tradition in the 21st Century, the IKD is a new non-profit World Karate Organization that is dedicated to the teachings of Masters Funakoshi and Nakayama. Master Funakoshi saw karate as an unfinished art that would grow with knowledge.
IKD’s logo is derived from Master Funakoshi’s pen name “Shoto” which literally means ‘pine waves’. Today it is synonymous with the tiger symbol and Shotokan Karate-do.
The tiger is commonly used as the symbol for Shotokan karate. It is a traditional Chinese design which implies that “the tiger never sleeps”. When Gichin Funokoshi was a young man, he enjoyed walking in solitude up Mount Torao to meditate among the pine trees. Mount Torao is a very narrow, heavily wooded mountain which, when viewed from a distance, resembles a tiger’s tail. The name “Torao” in fact literally means “tiger’s tail. Symbolized in the Shotokan tiger therefore, is the keen alertness of the wakeful tiger and the serenity of the peaceful mind which Gichin Funakoshi experienced while listening to the pine waves on Tiger’s Tail Mountain. The IKD will work to further the instruction and practice of the art by studying the medical and scientific aspects of karate. All aspects of karate shall be studied and analyzed including: philosophy, physical education and fitness, self-defense, and sport. The IKD also has as part of its stated philosophy, the intention to strive to help curb violence and crime by giving direction to youth. Currently no other Shotokan organization in the Pan-american region has a stated commitment to improving the level of instruction through the promotion of research and innovation. At present, there are member dojos in the IKD from the Caribbean, Asia, Australia, North and South America and Europe. Although an international organization, as the founder and current Chairman is of Caribbean descent, there is strong Caribbean support of the organization and the top management team comprise of many Caribbean persons of high repute.
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
2. Training Schedules Rank - Belts
Day (s)
TKA Affiliations cont’d
Caribbean Karate College
Time
TORA- Chinese Association, St. Ann’s Monday & Friday
5:00-6:00am
Tuesday
6.30-8.00pm
Brown and Black Junior team
Tuesday
6.00-7.30pm
Brown and Black Adults and Juniors
Saturday
7.00-9.00am
Brown and Black Adult team
All Ranks Juniors All Ranks Adults All Ranks Adults and Juniors
Monday 6.007.00pm
Tuesday Thursday
UWI Shokotan CLUB, UWI, St. Augustine Monday All Ranks Adults and Juniors
UWI Spec 6:00-7:30 pm
Tuesday Wednesday Fridays
Engineering Undercroft 6:00-7:30 pm
Real Spring DOJO, Valsayn Community Centre All Ranks Adults and Juniors
Sunday
8:00-9:00am
Wednesday
7:00-8:30pm
Saturday
10:00-11:30am
Tobago- Scarborough Secondary School Tuesday All Ranks Adults and Juniors
Thursday Saturday
5:30-7:30pm 9:30-12 noon
See Tips for training under Dojo Etiquette pg. 4
founders of the Caribbean Karate College (CKC) l to r, Shihan Woon-A-Tai, Shihan Shim and Sensei Shim
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The Caribbean Karate College (CKC) is a unique organization which was the brain-child of Dexter and Frieda Shim. It was established throughout the Caribbean in 2007 with Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai as President and currently falls under the aegis of the IKD. It is also supported by the TKA in Trinidad and Tobago and other karate associations in the Caribbean. The CKC was established to integrate the training of examiners, instructors and judges with the high school education system in the Caribbean. As such, the College designs and delivers standardized qualifications for Teachers of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Physical education (PE) Program. These courses will enable suitably qualified students to attain the IKD qualifications as Judges, Instructors and Examiners. CKC also designs and delivers courses in the art and science of coaching karate and co-curricular credit courses in karate at the University of the West Indies and any other recognized tertiary institution. In the near future the CKC will: develop an Internet Distance Learning Program for Caribbean Karate Students; provide trainee instructors with guidance on how to set up a small business in the martial arts; provide instructions on all aspects of karate such as health, nutrition, kinesiology; and legal aspects of the use of physical force and self-defense to the wider community; provide teaching and education a forum for dialogue and research on Karate related matters; reach out into the areas of the community where troubled young people can be helped to take their place in the community. Eg. Orphanages, troubled schools. The TKA facilitates the CKC in achieving its objectives and TKA students regularly participate in training programs offered by the College. The CKC is the source of instruction for the entire Southern Caribbean and is recognized by the Ministry of Education not only in Trinidad and Tobago but in other Caribbean countries, such as, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Barbados and Grenada. Discussions are currently ongoing with respect to the full acceptance of its teacher qualifications.
a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
3. Dojo Etiquette >> We continue from last month’s introduction of Dojo Etiquette and will examine the proper behaviour expected of all Karatekas while in the dojo. Parents are asked to guide their children towards a better understanding of this Section. Proper Dojo Behaviour Lining Up • always line up in grade order. If a fellow karateka is the same grade then (if at all possible) line up in the order of the date graded and age with the eldest first. Always make sure that you are not standing ahead of a senior grade and that your lines are straight (lower grades should look to their left to ensure that this is the case). • stand with your heels touching and toes turned out at a 45 degree angle (musubi-dachi (pronounced moo-su-bee)- informal attention stance) and with your hands by your side. The instructor will then come to the front of the class and usually the senior grade in the line will be asked by the instructor to take the warm up exercises. Thereafter, the instructor will take the lesson. (photo from http://www.keithgeyerkarate.com/stances.html) Leaving and Rejoining the Class Whilst a Lesson is in Progress • Always indicate your intention to leave the dojo to your fellow karateka and then raise your hand to try and attract the instructor’s attention. If you attract the Instructor's attention bow and "oss" before leaving the dojo; if you are unable to attract the instructor's attention, bow and "oss" to the front of the dojo and then in the direction of the instructor before leaving. • If you return to the dojo enter the dojo quietly, bow and "oss" again to the front of the dojo and then in the direction of the instructor and then kneel in seiza just inside the doorway and wait for the instructor to signal to you to rejoin the class. •
As soon as the instructor has signaled to you to rejoin the class bow and say "oss sensei" and then stand up and run quickly and quietly to your place in the class.
Source: Sensei Dexter Shim, 8th Dan
Did you know ? that karateka of lesser rank must bow first and lower than the higher ranked individual? ? If a student needs to speak to, or ask a higher grade a question, then the student must bow before and after addressing them as a mark of respect for their grade. The higher grade will return the bow.
In Karate, when in doubt, ‘Rei’ Bowing is a sign of common courtesy and respect. In karate-do, we use the Japanese bow or rei. When one karate-ka bows to another, the other karate-ka must return a bow. Kei Rei: the formal standing bow used when addressing the instructor, when showing respect to the dojo and respect to others. Feet are together, hands at sides open palmed, bend at waist with eyes down. (Source: http://www.punch-kick.com/the-bow/)
Kei Rei:
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Profiles: Name: Dexter Wesley Shim
Profession: Medical Doctor – ENT Surgeon Position in TKA: Chairman; Chief Instructor Affiliations: IKD\CKC\TKA\TTKU\WKF Karate Dojo & Location: Tora, Port of Spain Number of Years in Karate: 44 Rank: 8th Dan - Hachi Dan Karate Qualifications: Examiner, Instructor and Judge Class A Karate Goals: Research and development of karate; exploring advances in karate teaching methods; to make a contribution towards the development of young people in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Mentor: Shihan Frank Woon-A- Tai – Great Karateka and phenomenal Instructor Ability to make you believe in yourself Personal Philosophy: One must find what fires your passion in life and live it fully in God’s grace. Whatever you get in life it must be shared for the good of community. When you reach a peak in life work toward making yourself redundant- pass it on. Best Memorable Moment: Meeting Frieda In the Dojo; Competing in the finals of Intercontinental Championships in Mexico; a moment when mind, body and spirit were together in the performance. Advice to Young Karatekas: All success comes through commitment and hard work; never give up!
Dexter Shim, TKA's Chairman and Chief Instructor, was recently promoted to 8th Dan:- ‘Hachi Dan’. As such, he is now to be referred to as
Shihan Dexter Shim. He is currently the only Shihan in the TKA.
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Profiles: Name: Frieda Shim Profession: Teacher Position in TKA: Vice- Chairman of TKA(IKD) Affiliations: IKD Karate Dojo & Location: Tora, Port of Spain Number of Years in Karate: 38 Rank: 6th Dan - Roku Dan Karate Qualifications: Examiner, Instructor, Judge Class B Karate Achievements: Female Double Gold Medalist, Pan American Champion, 3-time Caribbean Champion. 3-time winner International Goodwill Tournament, Philadelphia Kumite and Kata. 2-time nominee for Witco Sports Woman of the year. Many times National Female Champion Trinidad Karate Goals: To continue to train, making the necessary adjustments that come with the natural aging process Mentor: Dr. Wesley Dexter Shim Personal Philosophy: Live , ‘Live strong’ and help others live, all through the grace of God Best Memorable Moment: Achieving 6th Dan
Name: Nigel Forde Profession: Engineer Position in TKA: Director, Instructor, TORA Dojo Affiliations: TKA/IKD Karate Dojo & Location: TORA, Port of Spain Number of Years in Karate: 18 Rank: 4th Dan –Yon Dan Karate Qualifications: C Class Judge Karate Achievements: ISKF Caribbean Championship- Gold Medallist, Senior Category, Kata and Kumite Karate Goals: Maintaining health Mentor: Shihan Dexter Shim Personal Philosophy: Whatever I am involved in must be done and done successfully Advice to Young Karatekas: Find something within Karate that you enjoy. Once you find it, you will continue practicing the art form.
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Profiles
4. Feature >> Adjustments for Aging Karatekas This Article is intended to assist experienced Karatekas who are beginning to age as well as instructors who have mature beginner students. Aging Karatekas undergo physical, mental and emotional adjustments. There are adjustments to inter alia, Stances, Senses, Reaction time and Body shifting and rotation Stances One of the factors which affect stances includes the centre of gravity which gets higher as persons age and as such, older Karatekas tend to lean forward. Furthermore, balance is lost exponentially with age and must be practiced daily to maintain it. Instructors must advise mature students to consciously keep the distance between the two feet. A useful exercise for newer students would be to maintain the distance between the feet for as long as possible to maintain stability, balance and mobility.
Name: Deane Avril Profession: Teaching Assistant, UWI
Senses
Affiliations: IKD
Mature students also begin to lose peripheral vision and the ability to focus their eyes. Eye focusing is necessary to maintain balance in certain katas while the loss of peripheral vision makes the aging karateka less sensitive to slight movements. Such Karatekas should therefore practice Sen no sen which means seizing the initiative earlier and attacking at the same moment your opponent attacks and Gen-no-sen or seizing the initiative later and allowing your opponent to attack first so as to open up target for counterattacks.
Name & location of Dojo: UWI Shokotan Karate Club, St. Augustine Number of Years in Karate: 24 Rank: 3rd Dan - San Dan Karate Qualifications: IKD Trainee Instructor Karate Achievements: Gold medalist, National Tournaments, St. Lucia, Kumite; TTKU and TKA gold medalist- Kata and Kumite
Reaction Time As we age, the reaction time is delayed so timing and sen-no- sen becomes crucial for greater effect. Students should also more fully understand the seiken tanden the source of power in the body. If the punch comes from the tanden (center of the body) which is roughly located at a practitioner’s obi knot (center of ki energy or two finger widths below the navel) then its power is least likely to deteriorate. Instructors should therefore explain this. As they become slower in movement, aging karatekas must also focus on understanding targets and reaching their targets. As such they must focus on finishing techniques. Learn to judge how the opponent is likely to react and take the shortest path in getting there before him. What is lost in speed and flexibility can be compensated by timing and experience.
Karate Goals: to reach 7th Dan Mentor: Sensei Andrew Rudder Personal Philosophy: Optimize the prevailing conditions and environment Best Memorable Moment: World Championships, Canada 2008-1st round, team Kumite Advice to Young Karatekas: Train smart not hard
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Feature cont’d>> Adjustments for Aging Karatekas Body Rotation and Shifting Aging Karatekas should also focus on body rotation from the hip if arthritis of the shoulder begins to affect techniques such as Age Uke. Research has shown that the hip muscles are the last to go. Tips for Aging Karatekas Different katas can also be practiced for different benefits e.g. Gangaku is good for the maintenance of balance and Hangetsu for persons with knee problems. For tournament purposes, select katas that are suitable for body type, level of speed, flexibility. Warm up important is particularly for mature students who are most at risk for damaging joints. Warm-ups increase fluids and lubrication for the joints. Remember that modern research has shown you should not do static stretching on a cold body. Always warm up using dynamic stretching and cool down with static stretching. To effectively age: one should Practice kata daily Complete each technique with kime and focus Utilize correct hip rotation and vibration of hip Maintain centre of balance and do not lean Do exercises that ensure daily maintenance of flexibility Remember however: Do not ignore injuries Do not be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the experience Source: Sensei Annette Alexis, 6th Dan, Jamaica
Front stance - Zenkutsu-dachi
Basic Standing “Stance’ Back stance - Kokustu-dachi
Horse riding stance-Kiba-dachi
Photos from: http://www.keithgeyerkarate.com/stances.html
Proper stance forms the foundation of Karate; it must be learned before any of the techniques are mastered. Balance is vital in stances, and the body's balance point, or Hara, is always kept close to the ground to keep it centered. That is why many stances are performed with the knees bent.
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
5. News & Updates >> Syllabus The International Karate Daigaku(IKD) recently released its new curriculum for teaching and grading exercises. For details on the new syllabus, please visit the IKD website at http://internatinalkaratedaigaku.com
Fund-Raising TKA continues its fund-raising efforts to send approximately 35 persons to the 1st IKD World Shoto Cup. The first major fund raising venture:- ‘Karatekas Who Can Cook’ - took place on April 15, at St Mary’s College. Thanks to all the parents who cooked food, the servers and the set-up crew. There was a wide variety of meats ranging from the traditional chicken to the more exotic rabbit and cooked in many ways:- fried, baked, steamed, grilled, jerked, Bar-b-Qued, curried and stewed. You name it, it was there. Entertainment was provided by the ladies team who did a team kata and bunkai demonstration and our own sempai Simone Thorne who did two latin dance numbers with her dance partner Evans John. Kindly remember to return all unused tickets and monies owed to Sensei Ian as soon as possible. Members can also assist the fund-raising drive by obtaining donation sheets from Sensei Ian or Sempai Simone .
Dojo News Tora Karate Dojo All persons who train at Tora Dojo and are not up-to-date with their monthly fees are asked to immediately contact Sensei Nigel to make arrangements to settle outstanding debts. The money is desperately needed not only for day to day expenses such as hall rental and equipment maintenance but also to assist in sending persons to Canada. Remember the TKA and all its affiliated dojos are non-profit organizations that depend on monthly fees and fund-raising activities to sustain themselves.
Black belts entertaining the crowd at the ‘Karatekas can cook’ fund-raising event.
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
6. Events >> 2012 Calendar Month
Day
Event Details
Time
May
Tuesday 22nd
PKF Senior Championships
Mexico
June
Saturday 30th
Grading
tba
Tuesday 3rd – Monday 9th
IKD Shoto Camp and Inaugural International Cup
Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada (See details below)
July August October
Place Chinese Association
Tora Dojo Closed Saturday 13th
Camp with Senseis Paul and Alice Bernstein from Barbados
Saturday 14th
TKA Awards Dinner
Details to be announced later
Tournament Results
Central American and Caribbean Karate Federation (CCCK) Championships The Central American and Caribbean Karate Federation (CCCK) championships were held from April 16th22 in Guatemala. The TKA was represented by Jessie Gonsalves and Adrian Moreno. Out of sixteen countries, Jessie placed 4th in the 14 to 15 age group (Male Junior Category) in Kumite. Adrian also placed 4 th in the 18-20 age group (Male Junior Cadets). JAPANESE TERMINOLOGY Common techniques that all beginners should learn
Blocks Downward block
Rising block
Knife hand block
Gedan-barai
Age-uke
Shuto-uke
Blocks a ‘Mae Geri’ Kick (kick to the stomach)
Blocks a ‘Jodan’ punch Block a ‘Chudan’ punch (punch to the face) (punch to the stomach) Photos: (top) www.lincolnkarate.co.uk/page5.html (bottom): www.karate-dojo-kelkheim.de/Karate_Grundlagen.htm
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
IKD Shoto Camp and Inaugural International Cup July 3 - 8, 2012, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
The Shoto Camp is also open to all Shotokan Karate practitioners, regardless of affiliation. TKA members are advised that all members, even those not taking part in the Inaugural Cup, are eligible to attend the 2nd IKD Shoto Camp which precedes the International Cup from July 3-6, 2012. The Objectives of the Camp are to: receive specialized instruction, utilizing trained and experienced personnel from different parts of the world, on various aspects of Karate. discuss and exchange new ideas, and perspectives on various aspects of Karate, such as new training methodologies keep abreast of new developments in the world of sports such as cardio-vascular fitness and sport medicine allow Karatekas the opportunity to train together, network, foster and sustain friendships within the Karate community Some of the scheduled sessions at the Camp include inter alia: Lectures for example, medical aspects of Karate training, scientific aspects of training Instructor, Judges and Examiners’ practical training programmes and practical and written examinations Practical sessions on improving form and execution of kihon, kata, kumite and bunkai Dan grading Camp attendees are required to self-finance. Camp fees are $US240 for 4 days (a total of 12 hours training), exclusive of airfare and accommodation costs. Individuals desirous of attending the Camp please contact: Sensei Ian Benjamin or, for details, visit the IKD website http://internatinalkaratedaigaku.com Training continues for persons wishing to qualify for the national team that will represent Trinidad and Tobago at this international event.
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a newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association (TKA)
Sights, Smells, Sounds
&
Savouring
the
tastes from
‘Karatekas Can Cook’
Karatekas can Cook!
Karatekas can Eat!
Karatekas can Dance!
Karatekas were all smiles . . .
A monthly newsletter of the Trinidad Karate Association Editor-in-Chief: Simone Thorne Mora Layout: Diana Francis Photos: Sean Powell
In our June ISSUE… in-depth discussion with Shihan Shim on his vision for the TKA\IKD and information on the Grading System being used in the IKD