We hope that all of you have had a great summer! Congratulations to those of you who continued training throughout those hot days of July and August. Hopefully you did fit in a vacation to rest your mind, body and spirit. For those of you who took the summer off to pursue other interests - Welcome Back! Remember to pace yourself as your muscles and mind get back into karate form and be sure to read this month’s article "It’s Your Race."

Belated Birthday Greetings to		Nathan McIver		August 1
		Thomas Teflissi		August 9
		Sarah Teflissi		August 31
Happy September Birthdays to		Mitchell Jeffs		September 9
		Donald McLean		September 13
		Laurie Winter		September 19

GREETINGS FROM SENSEI JAMES

Hello everyone!! It’s back to school time and a new season of training for us all to enjoy. There are many events coming this fall including some special visitors from Okinawa!! I would like to extend a big thank-you to Sempais Laurie and Russell for keeping things running smoothly in my absence. Make sure you take the time to thank them as well for passing on their knowledge and experience. There will be a grading this month and I look forward to seeing many of you there! Keep up the good work and I’ll see you soon!!

Yours in Budo,
Sensei James

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Fall Gasshuku:
   Unfortunately we will not be hosting the fall Gasshuku. EMAC Executive has decided that it will be held in Napanee. Saturday, October 14^th. More details will follow. Be sure to set that date aside to enhance your training, have fun and make new friends.



2. Terry Fox Run:
   Sunday, September 17^th - Round up some sponsors and join your Karate friends to help support a great cause.



3. Pre-Grading Tests:
   To be held in class mid September. Watch for announcements.



4. Belt Grading:
   Tentative date is Saturday, September 30^th



5. Black Belt Grading:
   Next EMAC Black belt grading will be hosted by us on Saturday, December 2^nd



6. Brown/Black Belts:
   Brown/Black Belt Class at Sensei Mike’s this Friday, September 8^th, 7 - 9 P.M.. Sensei Mike has lots planned so try to make it out if you can! We can car pool if people are interested.



7. Seminar:
   Saturday, September 16^th - Kyoshi Frennette at Sensei Mike’s



8. Seminar:
   November - Instructors from Okinawa at Sensei Mike’s

CLUB FEES
Our club will be switching over to a PPS (personal payment system) this fall. Students who have already submitted post-dated cheques up to December 2006 will be put on the PPS system in January. New students and students who have not submitted cheques will be asked to start on the PPS system as soon as it is implemented.

Other EMAC clubs are using this system very successfully. It takes the time and administrative challenges away from our instructors who can better focus their time and energy on teaching karate. Withdrawal from the club, summer breaks or any other financial questions will be handled directly by PPS staff - just a phone call away.

LUCKY DRAWS
Surprise yourself, your child or a friend by winning a beautiful woodblock print depicting an ancient Sumo Wrestling scene or a Sakura Martial Arts Academy Gym Bag. The print is an imported Japanese print created in the traditional woodblock technique. It would make a unique and handsome addition to a den, office or child’s bedroom. The gym bag is perfect for a birthday or Christmas gift. Tickets for both will be on sale soon. Draw will be held at the Gasshuku on October14^th.

IT’S YOUR RACE !
Experienced athletes learn that in order to be consistently successful they must train hard. Those who compete on teams or who are elite athletes, may be fortunate to have a trainer or coach to guide and push them when necessary. They ‘enable’ the athlete by creating goals and timelines so that whether or not the coach is present, the athlete has a plan to focus on. Ultimately though, there is no one else on the field, in the race or in the competition other than the athlete. They have to "run their own race." And in the end the difference between winning and losing is all in the mind.

When we are new to an art or sport, it is easy to get caught up with what other people are doing. It is particularly challenging for children who see themselves pitted against their peers or siblings and in competition for praise and attention for doing well, from parents, peers and teachers. Adults are not exempt from this tendency to compare - they may however, find it easier to understand how they can get more fulfillment out of their training if they too run their own race.

Ponder this great quote:		"There is nothing noble in being superior to another person.
		True nobility lies in being superior to your former self."

If you catch yourself becoming frustrated at not progressing fast enough or performing as well as someone else - try reflecting on how you have changed or developed since you started karate training. Chances are you have improved. You may even have a new belt. Each karateka has their own path to follow. How long it takes, or how well you do depends on so many factors. Things like - current fitness level, health concerns, injuries (before or during training), time available, self-imposed timelines, focus, commitment, perseverance, other commitments such as school, jobs and family, the very way in which you talk to yourself - the list is endless.

When we train in Goju Karate we are training our bodies as well as our minds and spirits. Those three areas may not all be at the same level of development or refinement. When you see small positive changes in any or all of these areas, then you know that you are becoming superior to your former self.

Over the past month we have discussed goal setting. These personal challenges are what keep us moving forward in our own race. They allow you to become successful on your own terms. Be patient. Improvements may be slow at first - sometimes even backslide a little - but they will come. Don’t be surprised if you see improvements in other areas of your life too - at school, in other sports/hobbies, your jobs and relating to other people.

Gushin Funakoshi said that, "…those who remain true to warrior ideals realized that constant training in the martial arts developed in them, qualities that helped them to excel in endeavours totally unrelated to combat." In his book, The Martial Way, Forrest Morgan stated that, "The Martial Way does not start and end at the door of the training hall…it is a holistic discipline aimed at the pursuit of excellence…It’s disciples strive to apply the Way in every vocation and its adepts tend to be achievers in any field of endeavour…"

Keep on working on those goals that you have set. Remember that they may need to be modified to suit a more realistic timeline or elevated to accommodate your achievements. Good things are worth waiting for. How will you feel when your race is over? Will you have spent your time wisely and will you be superior to your former self? Continue training and my guess is that your answer will be yes.

FINAL SUMMER ACTIVITY
We were fortunate to have a guest from Japan visit us and train with the adult class. Saeko Imagawa from the Kyoto area of Japan was a great sport and worked out with us and in spite of a two year absence from her own training showed us a few moves from Kenpo. This past Wednesday she returned with three friends, Shino, Izumi and Kana and together they helped the junior class and some interested adults learn a bit of Origami (Japanese paper folding). Thank you so much! The junior class then created special cards for their parents, thanking them for bringing them to karate class. There were some very creative results!

FALL READING
"the five people you meet in heaven" by Mitch Albom "Walking the Path of a Sensei" by Eric P Klein "Thinking Body, Dancing Mind" by Chungliang Al Huang and Jerry Lynch "The Sacred art of Bowing - Preparing to Practice" by Andi Young "The Saint, The Surfer and The CEO" by Robin Sharma