Spring Interdojo Fundraiser Tournament 2008
March 15, 2008
By Sim Ung
The Spring Interdojo Tournament was a huge success, thanks to all of the love and support of all who attended. Competitors, parents, and friends began arriving an hour before the tournament. There was an air of eagerness, excitement, and friendliness, with parents reconnecting with other parents and competitors happily socializing with each other as they stretched and went over their routines. A table was set up for a silent auction of various Seido memorabilia, and the concession stand was filled with hearty and healthy food and snacks.
The tournament kicked off with a heartfelt speech from Kyoshi John thanking all of the attendees for their help in supporting the dojo and the outside programs. Sensei Finten visited from Nevada to be a special judge. The tournament began with the Kata event, broken down into the Childrens, Teen, Adult Kyus, and Black Belts divisions. Once the competition began, it was clear that every competitor focused and wanted to show off what they had learned. Beginning with the youngest competitor who was 5 years old, each participant brought heart and spirit. The smiles on the faces of the parents were so full of pride. The Self-Defense event was open to the children and adults white to yellow belts, with the adults having to explain and demonstrate an additional street self defense technique. The Kumite event began with a demonstration of legal and illegal techniques from Sensei Finten and Senpai Ken. Finally, the Tameshiwari event showcased the skills of the black belts.
At the end of the tournament, all of the memorabilia had been successfully bid on and sold, and each competitor had walked away with a memorable experience. Some competitors had commented about how nervous they had been, but how they were glad that they had just pushed through it and finished. And that was what the day was about -- pushing yourself not for the sake of winning, but for growing stronger as a person. Osu!
Kagami Biraki
Sunday January 13, 2008
Open Mirrors
By Senpai Dee Kulacz
Kagami Biraki- the mirror opening. It is a time to reflect on the past year as well as connect more deeply to the teachers, training partners and the dojo. This year was my first Kagami Biraki since leaving Chicago in 1997. I had a lot of past to reflect upon. Coming into the dojo, I entered as a newly reborn shodan, which made this celebration even more special to me. Kyoshi John and Kyoshi Veronica, along with the other instructors, had been working with me all year to reawaken my training, which had lain dormant many years. Now, as the celebration was about to begin I, too, felt as though I was beginning again.
Other students milled about the dojo, stretching or talking quietly. The dojo filled quickly and I soon wondered if we would have room for everyone, yet I was excited to see so many people arriving.
Starting with basics felt familiar and grounding, like standing on a comfortable patch of grass. Basic techniques are the roots upon which we grow in our Seido art and returning to them gave everyone a chance to reflect on training in their own ‘open mirror.’ It was a chance to just move and feel the strength and grace of these simple, yet powerful punches and kicks. Performing each chudan tsuki, each mae geri, I saw determination etched on the faces of every student as they, too, revisited the old, familiar movements. Each kiai seemed more enthusiastic than the one before. For over half of the students, this was their first Kagami Biraki, yet even the newest white belts gave one hundred percent effort. No one dropped out halfway through.
Once the last kiai had been shouted and the last drop of sweat sent its energy into the hardwood floor, we gathered for a light meal and a lecture from Kyoshi John. Each student listened intently, reflecting on what the story of the Mirror Opening meant in his or her own life. Afterwards, the sincere words of Kyoshi Veronica on her training journey was both enlightening and inspiring. It reminded all of us that everyone -even Kyoshi Veronica - started out as a confused and awkward beginner, and that's okay. Other black belts echoed those sentiments as they encouraged everyone to be patient and determined in their training.
The past remembered, the foundations for new plans laid, everyone left smiling, ready to greet another year. It was an inspiring and energizing day.
Osu!
Dee Kulacz
Kagami Baraki 2008
By J.J.Kawan
This was my first time to celebrate Kagami Baraki having attended the Seido Hollywood Dojo for less than a year. I was told that it was a New Year's Celebration and a time to recommit one’s self to training, but I found it to be so much more.
It is quite normal for me to feel a strong sense of camaraderie during training sessions, but this experience was a hundred times more powerful. Beyond just the increased numbers due to the special occasion, there was a specific and strong energy present that permeated each of us because of our common goal and focus. It was wonderful.
During the time of reflection, we listened to the familiar and heartfelt thoughts from Kyoshi John on patience and persistence. We heard stories about Kyoshi Veronica's karate beginnings and the joy she felt at deepening her relationship with each of us. And I really enjoyed hearing the senior black belts, whose thoughts I don't often get to hear, express their encouragement and suggestions to us.
Afterward, we shared a meal together which further enhanced the feeling community present. This was a truly memorable experience. I cannot think of a better way to begin the New Year and I look forward to another celebration next year where I can look back on the past year's accomplishments and recommit myself once again to my training, my teachers, my training partners and my dojo.
Osu!
J.J. Kawan
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