June Soke Cup Update
- Details
- Published: 18 June 2019 18 June 2019
- Last Updated: 18 June 2019 18 June 2019
June 2019
- Details
- Published: 05 June 2019 05 June 2019
- Last Updated: 05 June 2019 05 June 2019
Soke Cup Update – registration for competitions and the banquet has been extended to June 9. See the Soke Cup web page for more information. Please note that each athlete must register – we are not doing a group dojo registration. If you have any questions about how to register, which category to compete in or the event overall, please contact me.
May was an extremely busy month – congratulations to the Alberta junior team for their excellent effort and very positive results at the recent Junior National Karate Championships. We had a strong contingent from our dojo that included coaches, referees, managers and chaperones, not to mention our competitors, Brooklyn Buckie, Ethan Baker, Diego Ruiz-Silva, Darshleen Singh, Hafid Ben Mahmud and Muhimen Ben Mahmud. Special recognition goes to Brooklyn Buckie as she was selected as Alberta team co-captain and to Diego Ruiz who went into the competition following two podium finishes – gold and bronze in his two kumite categories – at the US Open in Las Vegas in late April. Complete results for the Canadian championships can be found here.
The focus for our training sessions to the end of June will be on preparing for the Soke Cup – all those competing in kata should have two to three katas selected and be polishing them up for competition. Those competing in Bogu kumite, please be sure to come to class on Thursday nights as we will be focusing on techniques and strategies specific to the Bogu competition. Please remember that while the Soke Cup is a competition, it is meant to be fun – a chance to meet, train with and learn from Chito-Ryu karatekas from all over the world.
Announcements
- The last day of classes before our summer break is Thursday, June 27.
- Please kindly check your records to ensure you have paid your training fees up to the end of June.
The most important part of any karate training is spirit. Even when you are a beginner, as long as you have spirit, you will progress. But a person with correct techniques but no spirit will go no where.
Enjoy Your Training!
Gary Sabean
Head Instructor
Classes Cancelled Friday May 3rd
- Details
- Published: 26 April 2019 26 April 2019
- Last Updated: 26 April 2019 26 April 2019
Classes on Friday May 3rd are cancelled as all our instructors will be attending the Junior Nationals in Edmonton. We will be running additional classes in June to make up for the ones we have been missing. Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime please check the schedule for alternate class times.
April - May 2019
- Details
- Published: 12 April 2019 12 April 2019
- Last Updated: 12 April 2019 12 April 2019
Sometimes you might wonder why we focus on the things that we do in class. Killer abdominal workouts, lunges, plyometrics, line-work, technical drills with a variety of partners, you name it. When you are focused on the next competition or grading, you might wonder: why don’t we simply work on kumite or kata? Surely, by this point in the year our fitness is solid and we can curtail the crunches and push-ups? But the thing to remember is that our training builds a complete tool box. And you never know when you might need the whole tool box. For example, in a kumite competition, you might feel overwhelmed by your next opponent. Maybe they are bigger than you. Faster. More experienced. Or maybe this is your fifth match and you’re tired. If your entire training regime has been focused on a few kumite techniques and they are working, congratulations. But if they are not, then what do you do? This is when you get something else out of your tool box – you draw on all the things you learned doing those line drills, lunges or ab work-outs. Yes, we strengthened our muscles. But we also strengthened our personal discipline, just in getting them done. We pushed our partners to work harder, or we drew on their energy so we could work harder. And, even when the drill seemed overly complex, we learned to listen to our Senseis/coaches not only to learn the techniques, but also to learn to follow instructions – very important when you’re on your fifth kumite match and you’re not sure how to proceed.
So, in the end, it’s not one specific technique that’s going to help you succeed – it’s the entire toolbox, including the strength and discipline you gain from all aspects of our training.
Announcements
- Congratulations to everyone involved in the recent Bogu kumite competition with the Calgary Chito Ryu Karate club. Well-done to the competitors and thank-you to all the volunteers who ensured everything ran smoothly.
- Best of luck to our members on the Junior Provincial Karate team as they finalize their preparations for the Canadian Junior National Karate Championships to be held in Edmonton from May 2 – 5. Team members from our dojo include Brooklyn Buckie, Ethan Baker, Diego Ruiz-Silva, Darshleen Singh, Hafid Ben Mahmud and Muhimen Ben Mahmud.
- Registration is now open for the Soke Cup – to be held in Penticton, BC On July 26 – 28, 2019. See the Soke Cup web page for more information.
- Note that classes are cancelled on April 16, 19, 23 and May 17.
- Please check the Events section regularly for updates on class schedules, tournaments and cancellations.
“Grit is not just a simple elbow-grease term for rugged persistence. It is an often-invisible display of endurance that lets you stay in an uncomfortable place, work hard to improve… and do it again and again.” Sarah Lewis
Enjoy Your Training!
Gary Sabean
Head Instructor
How to be a Good Karate Parent
- Details
- Published: 08 March 2014 08 March 2014
- Last Updated: 26 June 2016 26 June 2016
From Karate by Jesse http://www.karatebyjesse.com
Note: I came across the following article and thought our dojo parents might enjoy it. I know I did!
Gary Sabean
Imagine the horror:
- You’ve been driving your kids to Karate class, tournaments and camps for years.
- You’ve spent boatloads of money on uniforms, belts, gradings and equipment.
- You’ve invested hundreds of hours to relentlessly push your kids to the limit.
Then one day…
BANG! They quit. Just like that. You’re heartbroken. Flabbergasted. Why?! You try to talk to them. You try to convince them to continue. You tell them they’ve come too far to quit now – give it another shot, kiddo! But nothing works. When a child makes her mind up, there’s not much you can do really.