KokorO - Seido South Wellington

KokorO
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF SOUTH WELLINGTON SEIDO
ISSUE No. 04
IN THIS ISSUE:
Quadrangular Tournament and June Grading Photos
We Profile Quentin Solomon, Richard Simmonds and Amy Campbell
Secret Ninja - he sees and hears everything!
JULY 2009
CONTENTS
CONTACT US
President’s Report
3
Wisdom From The South
3
Adults’ Grading Photos
4
Profile - Quentin Solomon
5
Quadrangular Tournament
Photos
6-7
Honbu Trip Update
8
Profile - Richard Simmonds
9
Kids’ Grading Photos Children’s Page
Profile - Amy Campbell
A Word from the Secret Ninja
Dojo Timetable 2009
469 Adelaide Road
Berhampore
Wellington
Phone: 04 389 4605
Email:
southwelling@southwellingtonseido.co.nz
www.southwellingtonseido.co.nz
IMPORTANT DATES
North Island Tournament
Saturday, 8 August - Sunday,
9 August; Thorndon Dojo
10-11
General Grading – Kids
Saturday, 12 September
12
General Grading – Adults
Saturday, 26 September
13
NZ Seido Karate National
Benefit Tournament, Nelson
Labour Weekend Saturday,
24 October - Sunday, 25 October
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15
South Africa 1989 – 2009
International Event & Benefit
Tournament, Cape Town
3 – 6 December
Cover photo: Richard Simmonds, Adult’s Grading, June 2009. Photo: Mark Russell
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President’s Report
Osu!
The last quarter has been full on for South Wellington
Seido. The Quadrangular Tournament was a huge success
with placings for our students in all divisions for both
adults and kids. My sincere thanks to those who helped
with the running of both days, especially to the marshals,
scorekeepers and others who gave up their time to help
make the event such a success.
The latest kids and adults gradings again proved to all that
our club has a high level of talent and strong spirit.
With the Honbu fundraising well underway, we were
delighted with the great turnout for our Quiz Night, hosted
by our good friend, and the voice of Sky Sports, Grant
Nisbett. Thanks to all the teams that took part and helped
make the evening such a great success.
I know the last few months have taken their toll on many,
not only from the many events that have been on but also
having to deal with the seasonal illnesses that arise. Yet I
am proud to see the high spirit and determination to train
is still as healthy as ever.
Please take care of yourselves through the winter months
and look forward to, and embrace, the challenges
that lie ahead. Osu!
WISDOM FROM THE SOUTH
and different. Yes it’s ok to want to shed a few kg’s
or become a little more flexible, but be happy with
what you already have. The key is to know and
appreciate what you have that makes you special
instead of focusing on what you don’t have. If change
is what you are after, at least with this positive mental
statement, you are well on your way.
When is a punch not a punch? . . . When it’s a kick.
Now at this point I know you are scratching your head
either trying to work out the meaning behind this
riddle or whether I have lost my mind.
It’s quite simple really. Although some may think
the latter, the simple point is that some things are
different and that’s a fact.
There is no way we can compare ourselves with the
19-year-old standing next to us who can throw his or
her feet around the back of everyone’s head. Nor can
we compare ourselves with the 70-year-old standing
on the other side of us with their mental stamina
which could see them well through any grading.
More to the point, this is directed at us, the Karateka.
We were all made different and were never meant
to be the same. Yes, we learn the same moves,
techniques and so on, and try as hard as we can to
come close to perfect them to mirror our instructors.
But the bottom line is that our moves will never be
like our instructors’. More important is that the moves
that we practice will be our own.
Be proud that although we all practice in the same
style, we can never all be the same. Remember, you
are the special one; the others are just different.
Osu!
Most of us have a real problem with self confidence.
Whether it be weight, age, height or whatever, we all
bring a certain flavour to our Karate which is unique
Sensei Tony
3
Adults’ Grading
4
Privileged to learn
from the tremendous trio
By Quentin
Solomon
My journey in Seido Karate has given me so much,
but the one thing that keeps true is humility. Every
time I think I am good at a certain technique or
kata, the next training I am brought back to the real
world. It makes training a great challenge. Humility
holds true in sparring classes, as it is the ultimate
humbling experience to have a couple of nice little
reminders in the back of the head by Sensei Tony’s
foot. I say this with respect!
I started Seido Karate to experience it first hand
before my babygirl Mila joined. Well as you can see
I stayed on while my babygirl seems to be destined
to do dance, alas. She is only four so she has time to
come around to the idea.
Firstly I just want to say that I love Seido Karate and
the South Wellington Dojo. Sensei Tony you are a
choice teacher. Has anyone told you that you are a
scary man when you give that ‘don’t mess with me
look’ in sparring and yokusoku?
Like Sensei says “there is always someone more
talented, and the further up the ladder you think you
are, the further you have to fall.” Well if you are a
hefty weight like myself, it might be better to stay on
the lower step so it won’t hurt so much. LOL.
Senpai Debbie and Senpai Garry, you both are great
teachers in your own right, and combined with
Sensei Tony you three make a very inspiring team.
All I can say is AWESOME!
Thanks to my wonderful wife who shows a lot of
patience when it comes to Karate, we have an understanding and although I falter sometimes, her
patience for me and Karate shines through. Enough
said, train hard and see you guys at the next class.
I feel privileged to train with the team at South
Wellington Dojo. Although training and giving
everything you have three times a week can be
a challenge in itself, when I hear you guys also
struggle, especially during push ups, it helps me to
‘just keep going’.
Osu! P.S. South Wellington Dojo is AWESOME!
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Quadrangular Tournament
6-7 June 2009
6
7
update: New York 2010
Thanks to everyone who has supported our fundraising efforts - your support is hugely
appreciated.
By the time you read this, the trials and tribulations of grading will no doubt be a fading memory
- but there’s an easy way to remember what you went through on the day - and at the recent
Quadrangular Tournament we hosted. Photos taken at these events are on sale as a fundraiser for
our trip next year. Check out the photo folder at the dojo or visit our website to view them online.
* * *
Thanks to everyone who supported our Quiz Night and
helped make it such a resounding success. We hope to
hold another one before our trip next year – so watch this
space.
* * *
A special thanks to the following companies for providing
raffle prizes and cash contributions to our Honbu fund:
Curtis McLean Chartered Accountants
Kingsgate Hotels
InterContinental Wellington
Wellington City Helicopters
Weta Studios
Radius Pharmacy, Island Bay
Makeup and Nail Studio, Newtown
L’Oreal Professional
Island Bay Butchery
Zuleika Food
Island Bay Video Shop
Bay Foodmarket
Mavericks Pizzeria
Bays Takeaways
Island Bay Stationers
Bunnings Lyall Bay
Patricia’s Original Pies
Hair By Ange
Island Bay Butchers
Artist Kelly Maiden
Tasting Room
Wellington Phoenix FC
General Practitioner
Flying Burrito Brothers
Sony Playstation
Sue B’s Quilting Services
Makeup & Nail Studio
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Art, karate,
Zen . . . and
Chuck Norris
By Richard Simmonds
Daniel and Johnny are tied, both one point
away from victory. Daniel, barely able to stand,
assumes the “Crane Kick” stance, and delivers
a blow squarely to Johnny’s chin, winning the
tournament. Johnny, having gained new found
respect for his adversary, takes Daniel’s trophy
from the MC and presents it to Daniel himself.
I remember this scene from The Karate Kid movie
when I saw it aged five. It was my first introduction
to karate and martial arts. I wanted to be Daniel
La Russo who was “The Karate Kid”. All the kids at
school were mimicking the Crane Kick and people
were quoting Mr Miyagi’s famous quote “wax on,
wax off”.
from my karate training is the power of Zen.
Recently I read a book titled “The Secret Power
Within” by Chuck Norris. He discusses how “Zen is a
calm, clear mind, devoid of unnecessary structures
and preconceptions, meeting The World and its
events at the instant of NOW”. I have learned
through my training that karate is about being in
the right state of mind. Every time I walk onto the
dojo floor I always try to put my mind in a clear
state by giving a really loud osu! This helps ready
my mind to accept the knowledge being passed
down by Sensei and the Senpais.
Martial arts (karate in particular) have always
intrigued me but I had always been fearful that
I wouldn’t be able to do the intense training seen
in a lot of martial art films. I was no Jean Claude
Van Damme or Bruce Lee. In 2008 I decided once
and for all that I was going to take up karate with
no excuses. I had doubts before and after the first
class but I kept pushing myself to go to train. For a
while I questioned what I was doing, had I bitten off
more than I could chew?
When I make art I try to approach it the same
way as my karate training. Karate has given me a
new outlook in creating paintings. Through karate
training I can look at my art with an open mind. I
keep patient and clear my mind while painting as it
better focuses me with the piece of art. Sometimes
I get annoyed when I feel a painting doesn’t work.
What I now try to do is to have a focused mind
to resolve problems in a positive way with the
artwork. If I feel something is not working for me
in a painting I keep trying until the problem is
resolved. Karate has inspired me to do well in my
art and to set goals for my art and other aspects of
my life.
The more I kept doing it, the more I came to realise
that we are all learners and there is always a
beginning. What I found interesting about karate
is that it isn’t so much about the individual being
better than everyone else but it is as much about
building a good team spirit where everyone helps
each other. When I have brought friends and
family to the South Wellington Seido Dojo it is the
first thing they notice. They are amazed at how
everybody is friendly and that people within the
dojo are always ready to help one another.
One of the most important aspects I have learned
Osu!
9
Children’s Grading June 2009
10
11
Dreamer Pat scores quiz win
Our first Honbu fund raiser quiz night was held on Monday, 13 July, and was a huge success. Thanks
to everyone who supported the evening and to the businesses and individuals who donated prizes.
And congratulations to Pat and his Dream Team who sneaked home to cliam first place.
Voirrey good show everyone!
Polly Jane arrived safely at Wellington Hospital at 8pm on 3 July 2009. Weighing in a 6lb 5oz, PJ was soon
introduced to a blue belt Panda by proud parents Voirrey and Russell. Both mum and baby are doing fine.
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New friends and confidence
make the pain worthwhile!
By Amy Campbell
OSU! I’m Amy and I am 11 years old. I
love doing Seido karate and I’ve been
doing it for just over a year. I graded to
yellow belt in June.
I first thought about starting Karate
when I watched my brother grading to
advanced white belt. I saw everyone’s
sense of achievement and wished I
could feel the same.
A few weeks later the holidays came
and Mum said I should give it a go. I
was so nervous when I first stepped
on the floor and there were butterflies
floating around in my stomach the
whole time. I couldn’t understand a
word anyone said and I had no idea
what any of it meant, I just had to copy
everyone in front of me. I came off
the floor sore everywhere, but oddly
enough I just wanted to go to every
class.
My first grading occurred a few
months later, I was so worried that I
would forget something. I had no idea
what was going on and I wondered if
there would be someone I didn’t know
taking the grading. I kept thinking over
what I’d learnt and remembering to
say a loud “OSU” and “KIAI”. It was
so nerve-wracking before the grading
started, but during it I realised it was
just an extra-painful class. I had no
idea how well I’d done and when
Sensei Tony said I had passed, I was like “wow, I really did it!” It was hard and painful but totally
worth it.
I’m glad that I’ve joined Seido Karate and still enjoy every minute of it; I have made so many new
friends and gained so much confidence and inner strength. Thank you to everyone who has taught
me, I am so happy to have got this far.
OSU!
13
A WORD
from
The Secret Ninja
Every release of a new Kokoro is my favourite time
of year as my voice is finally heard.
Lots has been happening and there’s lots of stories
to be told. I know most of you are nervously waiting
to see if what I have to say includes your name.
Is it true that Karen could be starring in the next Cat
Woman movie? Her dress rehearsal after one of the
senior classes could prove this to be true . . .
It’s true that the memory of a Black Belt is a wonder
to behold, filled as it is with knowledge all those
kicks, blocks, strikes, katas, kihon kumites and other
secrets. But forgetting to put petrol into your car . . .
come on Senpai Debbie . . .
For details on how to speed up your kata by missing
sections out please make an appointment with
Senpai Garry.
We try very hard not to get caught with our pants
down, but this is one for the record . . .
For obvious reasons not every member was able to
participate in the recent gradings . . . but surely it
couldn’t have been that boring to watch that Voirrey
needed something else to keep herself entertained?
As always take care . . . but please be careful what
you say, what you do and where you go because
Kokoro #5 is not that far away and you don’t want
your name in my article. It can be very damaging to
your reputation.
Osu!
Rumours are still going around about the night
Senpai Garry and Ginette were not at training but
were spotted by my watchers in town together that
very same night.
The Secret Ninja
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Dojo Timetable 2009
Tuesday
3.30pm – 4pm
Pee Wee / Little Dragons
4pm – 4.45pm
Kids Beginners
5pm – 5.45pm
Kids Advanced (Blue and Advanced Blue Belt)
6pm – 7pm
Adult Advanced (Blue Belt and Above)
7pm – 8pm
Adult Beginners (White Belts)
Wednesday
4pm – 4.45pm
Kids Yellow Belt and Above
3.30pm – 4pm
Pee Wee / Little Dragons
4pm – 4.45pm
Kids Beginners
5pm – 5.45pm
Kids Advanced (Blue and Advanced Blue Belt)
6pm – 7pm
Adult Beginners (White Belts)
7pm – 8pm
Adult Advanced (Blue Belt and Above)
8pm – 8:30pm
Adult Sparring
4pm – 4.45pm
Kids Yellow Belt and Above
8.30am – 9.30am
Adult Kata
9.30am – 10am
Adult Sparring
10am – 10.45am
Kids Kata (White and Blue Belt)
11am – 11.45am
Kids Kata (Yellow Belt and Above)
Thursday
Friday
Fr
Sunday
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465 Adelaide Road
Berhampore, Wellington
465 Adelaide Road
Berhampore, Wellington
Phone/Fax: 04 389 9079
Email: euromode@xtra.co.nz
Phone/Fax: 04 389 9079
Mobile: 021 781 870
Email: ratih@rmgcollection.co.nz
www.europemodes.co.nz
www.rmgcollection.co.nz
Mobile: 027 451 1692
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