Congratulations to everyone who successfully graded today.  New belts and grading certificates to be presented in class next week.

12th Kyu – Yellow Belt

• Jude Allett
• Alexander Eckerman
• Hayden Hosking
• Rebecca Lamprecht
• Ethan Thomas
• Will Tuckey

11th Kyu – Orange Belt (White Stripe)

• Talia Lowns
• Brett McRae
• Joseph Purvis
• Peter Thomas ** Double Grading

10th Kyu – Orange Belt

• Bailey McRae
• Marco Strano
• Mikele Strano

9th Kyu – Green Belt (White Stripe)

• Katja Baarslag
• Annie Gagnier ** Double Grading
• Tenaya Grice
• Lachlan Humphreys ** Double Grading
• Abby Kerrison
• Noah Smith
• Tayah Thompson

7th Kyu – Blue Belt (White Stripe)

• Emmett Furner
• Jamie Warren

6th Kyu – Blue Belt

• Lachlan Davies
• Frazer Evett

It’s almost grading time again.  While students are working on their final preparations this week, before the grading this weekend, we get to go through all of the grading application forms and theory tests.  This is always a good opportunity for us to get a bit more insight into what motivates students and see what karate means to them.

While reading everyone’s applications yesterday, I came across this one from Bec, who is doing her first grading this weekend.

The best word I can think of to describe Bec’s journey in the dojo so far is…. transformative.  Bec’s been going through a lot of personal challenges and has demonstrated a lot of personal growth since she started training.  Even in the face of all these challenges, she’s chosen to take the lessons learned in the dojo and make some positive changes in her life.  Like all of us, and I’m sure she’d be first to agree, she’s still a bit of a work in progress, but she continues to take steps forwards.

Good luck with your grading this weekend Bec.  And of course, good luck to everyone else too.

With Bec’s permission, here is a copy of her answers to the questions that we ask all beginners who are grading.  I hope you enjoy reading them and get something out of them for yourself.

Question 1:  Why do you study karate & what are the benefits of training for you?

For me I don’t think “study” is the right word, because it implies there’s a finite amount to learn, and a defined level in which you reach “mastery”.  I don’t think this is the case with karate; and so, the most accurate answer I can give is this:  I don’t study karate.  Learn a lot about myself through practising karate.

With regards to personal benefits, there is the superficial and obvious:  fitness & learning to socialise with others.  But it’s so much more.  At the moment, karate is the eye of the storm:  that one moment when the sun comes out and there’s peace.  When I train, all the chaos in my head stops and all that’s left is movement and joy and just existing.  Karate gives me hope and is teaching me to be kind, patient and forgive myself.

Question 2:  What do you think is the purpose of karate?

 Taken literally, karate is a form of martial arts, it is self defence:  it is learning how to fight and how not to fight.  Karate is a choice instead of a reflex:  it’s learning to control your fight or flight response, your emotions, your choices.  Karate is balance and acceptance:  it is understanding mistakes are as important as triumphs, bad times are as rewarding as the good; because the equilibrium is where the greatest lessons are learnt.  Karate is about respect:  live and let live.

Question 3:  What does the “Showa” mean to you?

At the moment the Showa is part of my daily mental checklist: peace (remember to breathe), perseverance (keep picking yourself up when things go wrong), and hard work (don’t ever give up on yourself).  It is an anchor that reminds me everything is transient, and this too shall pass.

This year’s Easter family picnic and training day was a great day.  After several weeks of rain, the weather was mostly fine and the rain held off.  It’s always great to see the dojo community come together for these special social events.  These events are organised by our local association as an opportunity for our members to come together outside of the dojo and enjoy the Sunshine Coast.

As the dojo membership has grown to over 200 members and training is spread across nearly 30 classes per week, a lot of our members just don’t get to even meet each other, let alone train together.  So, days like this are really important for us to celebrate the diversity of our members and it’s a great chance for us to get to spend some time with other family members and parents who may not get into the dojo themselves (yet).

The day started off with training in the park, with our young brown & black belts leading the groups for the first half of training:  Bailey, Sami, Savannah & Anthony.  Although Bailey the oldest amongst our young leaders is the only one who’s even a teenager yet.  They’re all talented martial artists who been training training for 5+ years.  Even more than showing a commitment to their own training, they continue to prove that they’re all great leaders and role models in the dojo, so it was great to see them leading the way during this special training session.

Normally in the dojo we split the classes by age in order to properly cater to everyone’s needs, but on these special training days it’s great to have everyone jump in together and share a common passion for karate.

After training it was time for a FREE sausage sizzle put on by the committee.  A special thank you in particular to Leanne & Gerard Baarslag who helped organise everything on this front.

After a bite to eat, it was time for the games:  tug-o-war, sack races, egg and spoon races, bobbing for apples and the famous egg catch game.

For us, karate is so much more than just kicking and punching, it’s a way of life.  And it’s wonderful to be able to share it like our dojo community on days like this.  There are a few opportunities throughout the year, the big ones being the Easter Family Day & the Christmas Family Day.  So if you didn’t make it this time, there will be more opportunities.  But until then, we’ll see you in the dojo.

Enter the March 2018 colouring competition.

This competition is open to all kids of the Sunshine Coast aged 4-13 years.  Even if you aren’t a member of Sunshine Coast Karate we look forward to meeting you when you drop in to return your artwork. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

Winner(s) will receive a $30 gift voucher that can be redeemed at one of the following stores:

Here’s how you enter:

1. Download the entry
2. Do your best colouring
3. Return by to Sunshine Coast Karate Saturday 17th March 2018 for your chance to WIN

The winning entry from last months competition came from Na’Ila.

With only 4 days to go until our 2018 Sign on Day, we would like to share with you a few life changing skills that can help you take control of your life.

A few years back we had a member who was a school teacher and he turned up in the dojo for one of our day-time classes.  We knew he wasn’t on holidays, because it was the middle of the school term, so we had to ask…

“What are you doing here at the dojo in the middle of the day?  Aren’t you supposed to be at school?”

He smiled and replied simply,

“I’m taking a mental health day!”

At the time, we didn’t think much more of it, but looking back we can really see wisdom in his approach.  In fact, we’ve come to realise that we have a lot of members who use karate as part of their strategy for managing their mental health.

Whether it’s:  stress, depression, anxiety, or social isolation.  Karate is a great way to help keep you balanced and connected.  Of course the exercise element of the training gives you a natural high through the release of endorphins, you get to do something just for yourself and you get to be a part of a positive, uplifting community of people who are serious about growing themselves.  When it comes to managing your mental health, training at Sunshine Coast Karate really does tick a lot of the boxes.

Getting started can be quite tricky for some people.  New students often feel quite self-conscious and they’re worried that they’re going to make a fool of themselves.  Thankfully the reality is quite different.  Nearly everyone is so focussed on what they’re doing themselves, that they don’t really get to see what anyone else is doing.  It sounds ridiculous, but it’s true.

Recently, one of our karate mums has just started training with her son in the kids class as a way to connect more with her son and also increase her own training.  Before she joined the class, her son said it was “OK, as long as you don’t embarrass me”.

Part way through the class, mum tripped and fell.  She was feeling a little embarrassed and thought she’d made a fool of herself, until she asked her son at the end of the class, “did you see me fall over?”

And the answer… “No.”

We see this kind of thing happen all the time, students just get so caught up in what they’re doing they really don’t see much of anyone else in the class.  Of course there are exceptions, because students are encouraged to train with partners and small groups at times.  But even then, most people are still heavily focussed on themselves.

And if you’re ever feeling stressed out, sometimes simple advice is often the best.

Here’s something we say to students, quite a lot, “Just breathe”.  At least that’s the first step in regaining control of the emotions and releasing stress from the body.  By slowing down the breathing and deliberately working on your mind body connection you can allow yourself to get in the moment, but it all starts with taking time to breathe.

When we see someone getting anxious or stressed out, or when we see unnecessary physical tension, this is always the place to start.  Of course, there’s a bit more to it than just breathing.  Over time you learn how to breathe correctly, and in doing so, not only do you learn how to manage your stress levels, but you also take greater control of your emotional state.

In the dojo you will also learn how to develop good posture by lifting your eyes up, opening your chest and standing tall, while at the same time staying centred and in control of yourself.  Posture is a powerful thing.

But even when when do everything else right, we can still be our own worst enemies by choosing to focus on thoughts and self talk that just breaks us down.  Again in the dojo, you will learn to change the inner dialogue and become your own cheer squad.

Every time you train in the dojo you are learning all the skills necessary to put yourself in a peak mental and emotional state.   When you take any one of these elements you can quickly make a change.  With a little practice, this can completely transform your life.

Here’s a great TED talk covers many of these same topics.  When I first saw this video a few years ago, I thought to myself, “this is exactly what we do in the dojo all the time”.

Of course, we’d love to see you at the sign on day this Saturday.

And we could say, Don’t stress out, Don’t worry, Don’t be shy.

We know, if you are going through some challenges right now, it’s not always easy to do what you know you need to and make the necessary changes or try something different.

But…. if any of this sounds familiar or it sounds like you could do with a bit of this in your life.  Even if sounds scary or confronting.  We really hope you can dig deep and take a positive step forward.

We believe in YOU.

Hopefully we’ll see you at the sign on day this Saturday.