AKS Quarterly Newsletter

"The Punchline"
Editorial – December 2011

As we draw to the close of another year, I find myself reflecting on Sensei Lieb's dream of a truly American style of karate.  Though he is no longer with us his dream lives on.  This is truly a tribute to each and every member; both here in the US and in Germany.

As the first person to succeed Mr. Lieb as Chief Instructor, I want to thank you one and all for your support, patience, and dedication in working together to keep the AKS alive and vibrant.  None of what has been accomplished would have been possible without such a collective effort.

As we go forward into the New Year, I'm asking each of you to renew your efforts on behalf of the AKS and Mr. Lieb's memory.  His dream has become ours, his goals ours.  The desire to teach those who want to learn and grow in the martial arts, in both excellence of ability and knowledge, will continue to drive each of us to strive for greater heights on both a personal level as well as a professional one.

With my trip to Germany last June, I've now had the opportunity to visit our clubs and members at various locations here in the States and now Europe.  I can't begin to describe the pride I have in the knowledge that the AKS has become a recognized style on a truly international level.  We may be small in numbers, but as an organization we represent dedication of excellence in both our desire to learn and grow, as well as in sharing with others who are willing to learn from us.  This has earned us the respect of many from all parts of the world.

From the Sullenger family to yours, we want to wish you one and all a blessed and Merry Christmas.  It is our sincere hope that the New Year will find us all enjoying a better prosperity and continued good health.  I look forward to seeing as many of you as is possible during our training seminars in 2012. God's Blessing to you all.

Mike Sullenger, 9th Dan
AKS Chief Instructor

Remember to Breathe

“Breathe Yellow Belt!”    Many of us have heard that [phrase], and if you are like me you also got to hear, “Breathe green belt!” and “Breath brown belt!”   Sigh!

Remember to breathe.   I have heard this any number of times from running partners, martial arts instructors, and even movie sensei. Yeah sure, just breathe.  It is easier said, than done.

I think I first heard it in high school.   It was time for the 1-mile test.  Note that the gym teacher had done nothing to prepare us for the test other than give us one line of advice on the day of the test.   “Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth.”    Ah… now I had the key for breathing and would ace my 1-mile test.

Right.   So there I was with a deviated septum trying to get enough air through one nostril to run a mile fast enough to get an A.   After a quarter lap, I knew I would never be a great runner, and also that I could kiss my A good-bye.

Some years later, I learned to cheat and breathe through my mouth, so I could run at least a short distance without passing out.   However, I still struggled with never getting enough air, partly due to asthma and other breathing issues we will discuss later.

When I got into Karate, I never got enough air when doing kata or sparring.    I always finished gasping for breath.   Needless to say, the comments above were well justified.

When stressed, people have a tendency to hold their breath.   This is well documented.   However, we need oxygen to function at all times and at high speed movement we need a lot of oxygen.    I was reminded of this recently when I had a problem with my lawn mower.   I tried a new spark plug, changed the oil, filled it with new gas, and it continued to sputter, choke and die.   I replaced the air filter even though the old one looked good.   Once the lawnmower had access to enough oxygen, it ran better than it had in years.

Sure, we need energy to run fast or to spar and energy comes from burning carbs.  However, how well we eat, means nothing unless our bodies can burn those carbs quickly.  To burn those carbs you need oxygen, and yet there are many restrictions to getting enough oxygen:

Practice/Style  ~  Deviated septum  ~  Allergies  ~  Blocked sinuses  ~  Asthma   ~  Posture

Practice/Style   An article in Runners World a few years ago stated something like 40% of your oxygen comes in through your nose.  This came as a challenge to me since I either breathe through my mouth or my nose but not both.  I have since found many people are in the same boat.  I had to learn to breathe through both at the same time.  To practice breathing through your mouth and nose at the same time, try this:

Hum.
You should feel air going through your nose.
Now open your mouth while you hum.
You should feel air going through your mouth and nose.
Now hum while inhaling.  Open your mouth.
You are now breathing through your mouth and nose.

You may want to practice this alone.  People will look at you oddly and move away from you.  This did not come natural for me and still, when I am not relaxed, I fall back on breathing only through my mouth.   It takes a concentrated effort to relax and get as much air as I can.

Practice Breathing During Kata.  Something else I practice is a Kiai on every technique.   In kata, we have designated places to Kiai.   However, because I have a tendency to hold my breath, I do a micro kiai on each technique.   I do not shout, but I try to make enough sound that I am conscious of the exhale.   This forces me to also inhale.   Then, as I run through the moves, I mentally also place breathing points for a good deep breath; i.e. “double block, high punch, turn head, BREATHE, turn, double block.”

The micro Kiai on all techniques has the added benefit of making my techniques more powerful.   While we are on the topic, I frequently see a kiai done by lower ranks after the punch.   The exhale is supposed to be during the punch - with the emphasis when it lands.   Those of us who have tried to lift something extremely heavy are familiar with the exhaling as we lift (and the shout when we drop it on our foot).   This is just like the exhaling while we punch and the shout when we hit.

Deviated Septum.   “But I can’t breathe through my nose, I have a deviated septum!” you cry.   Ever watch a pro football game?   You see those black stripes on the players’ noses.   Those are Breathe Right strips.   Wash your nose and stick one of them on your nose (you can get them in clear for karate class or race day).   It opens up that deviated septum wonderfully.   I don’t wear them when I run my daily runs or at karate class, but I wear them on race day and when we spar.   I will never set any style records, but I can breathe!

Allergies.   I will mention two things that were life changing for me.   Allergy shots.   When you are fighting with allergies your sinuses are swollen and you cannot get air.   I bet you knew that.  I cannot give you world population statistics, but I can say I averaged two sinus infections a year.   In the past few years, since I have been getting allergy shots, I have had one total.   It might be coincidence, but if tight fisted insurance companies are willing to pay for it, there must be something to it.

Blocked Sinuses.    Related to allergies, is the problem of clogged sinuses in general.   I stumbled across a fix a few years ago (read “my wife told me 50 times I should try it”).   Her doctor told her to rinse her sinuses with a solution of warm water (think baby formula warm) mixed with NON iodized salt (found next to the regular salt at your grocer) and baking soda.  [Note: if you are interested in the "recipe and procedure," please contact Mark for the specifics.]

You MUST talk to your Doctor about this before you try it.   My internist doctor said, “A saline flush is always good.” This solution (pun intended) was life changing for me. I do this before races, and before an evening of sparring to flush out any dust, pollen or excess gunk that might be irritating and inflaming my nose.

Asthma.   Speaking of doctors, when I went to my doctor for my asthma, he gave me an inhaler and told me to drink lots of water, avoid caffeine blah blah blah…   Yeah okay, but my mom had bad asthma so I knew I was destined to have the miserable issues the rest of my life as she did.

A few years later, I realized I had an asthma attack after drinking copious amounts of caffeine loaded beverages.   So I tried an experiment.   I drank lots of water whenever I felt the asthma coming on and I avoided caffeine (just like the Doctor said).   I have had asthma twice in the last ten years.   My mother’s asthma disappeared when she was entered into a nursing home and they did not let her drink the multiple pots of coffee every day that had been her lifeblood.   Don’t you hate it when the doctor is right?   It turns out most Americans are chronically dehydrated due to the bad eating habits.   This can drastically impact asthma.  I wish I could cure all the cases of asthma that easily.   It is a horrible condition caused by a variety of issues, but I had to mention how easily mine was cured if I just ate right.

Posture.   In her book “Jumpstart Your Metabolism,” Pam Grout states that most of us could breathe in 17 pints of air with every breath, but instead, we take in two or three.   Why?

“Look up!   Remember to breathe!”    In Karate, we all seem to have a tendency to look at our feet to see that they are positioned correctly.   When I run I have a tendency to look at the road right in front of my feet to make sure I do not step in something unpleasant or on someone who might become unpleasant.   However, when I look down, I close off my windpipe, and close my mouth, making it harder for air to get into my lungs.   I also decrease my lung capacity when I make my chest cavity (read lung capacity) smaller by hunching over and pushing my organs up into my lungs, but I keep doing it.   So I continue to get 10% to 20% of the oxygen I should get, and I hear, “Lift your head up, Black Belt!”   Sigh.   Old habits die hard, but I am working on it.

Remember to breathe.

2011 AKS Fall Seminar

The AKS Fall Seminar was held on November 4th & 5th, 2011 in Clarksburg, West Virginia.  This fall's seminar was co-hosted by the Salem Karate Club under the direction of John Folsom, and by the Mountaineer Karate Club under the direction of Brian Greynolds and Jude Gore.

Instructors and participants attending from out of state were: AKS Assistant Chief Instructor Fred Reinecke, AKS Assistant Chief Instructor Dave Thomas, Chi Do Kwan Karate Do Founder and Chief Instructor Tom Twining, Dave Hayes 7th Dan Kobayashi ShorinRyu, Kristyn Reinecke, Alexis Gerstenfeld, and Robin Thomas; all from Michigan, and West Toledo YMCA Assistant Instructor Andrew Eckhart from Ohio.   We were privileged to have as a special guest, a Black Belt from Germany, Fietje Menne.

Friday evening started the seminar with an Official Black Belt Testing.   The Testing Board consisted of AKS instructors: Fred Reinecke, Dave Thomas, John Folsom, and Jude Gore and guest instructors Tom Twining and Dave Hayes.  The candidates were asked to demonstrate AKS techniques, AKS katas, katas from other styles, Kobudo, and self defense techniques for various holds and weapons.   They were also tested on their knowledge of AKS history, philosophy, and knowledge of the martial arts in general.  All the candidates performed very well and were awarded their promotions.

Brian Greynolds, Co-Chief Instructor of the Mountaineer Karate Club was promoted to 5th Dan.  Sandra Gore, Assistant Instructor of the Mountaineer Karate Club was awarded her 2nd Dan.  Lenin Leon was promoted to 1st Dan.  Mr. Leon joined the MKC around a year ago.  He is originally from Venezuela and studied Shotokan for nearly 14 years.  Kristyn Reinecke was also tested and promoted to 1st Grade Brown.  Although it is not required to test at this level belt at a Black Belt testing, Kristyn courageously did so in order to better prepare herself for her future Black Belt test. She performed very well and we are confident, that due to this experience, she will be well prepared for her Black Belt Test.

Saturday morning ceremonies began with the presentation of black and brown belt promotions and awards.  The 2011 West Virginia Student of the Year Award was presented to Miki Gain by her instructor, Sensei John Folsom, 7th Dan.   Miki is a member of the Salem Karate Club.

Saturday's seminar centered around the favorite self-defense techniques of the instructors. Techniques against punches, hay makers, grabs, chokes and weapons were demonstrated in turn by each instructor.  John Folsom, Head instructor of the Salem Karate Club, and long time police officer, gave us an insight on how law enforcement investigates crime scenes and incidents of violence.  What to do after you have had to defend yourself was also discussed; along with the importance of reporting the incidence clearly, accurately, and timely.

Tom Twining provided an excellent and well received seminar on Women's Self-Defense. This seminar always provides positive and appreciative feedback from the participants.

In addition, Mr. Twining provided a great seminar for the younger participants in the afternoon. The kids are still talking about how much they learned and how much fun they had in the process.  In fact, the kids liked it so much that I am thinking about taking one of his kids' classes - all I need is to shave my beard, find a wig, and I think I’ll fit right in.

Saturday afternoon, Dave Hayes instructed and assisted us in our Kobudo training and techniques.  His skills never cease to amaze us.  His willingness to help and share is always truly appreciated.

Andrew Eckhart gave a seminar on grappling techniques.  His application of these techniques, as adapted to self-defense on the street, was given earlier in the day and was very well received.  It was enlightening to see how these techniques are applied for self-defense.

The seminar concluded Saturday evening with a social gathering, dinner, and surprise birthday party for Dave Hayes.    Not only was there great instruction and training during the seminar, but a great camaraderie among friends was shared.   We are extremely lucky to have good friends with whom we are able to share something we all love to do.

A copy of the Seminar's techniques will be available for purchase in mid January.  Please check the website   Mountaineer Karate Club  in January for details.

Do You Have a Question?

We invite you to send in your questions regarding karate and the A.K.S. so that we may respond here in our newsletter. If you have a concern, question or suggestion, please let us know and we will address it here in the Punchline.

If you don't want your name published, please let us know and we will be happy to withhold that information from print. However, please be respectful when submitting your queries or suggestions to us by including your name so that we may understand your questions and/or circumstances.

Please send your questions to Laura Werner, and I will forward them to the person who can provide the appropriate response.

We look forward to hearing from you!

PROMOTIONS!!

Muskegon Community College Karate Club
Muskegon, Michigan 49442

American Karate Club
Ross Park Elementary - Muskegon, Michigan

West Toledo YMCA Karate & Self Defense Program
Toledo, Ohio

Mountaineer Karate Club
Lumberport, West Virginia

Tri-Cities Family YMCA AKS Karate Club
Grand Haven, Michigan 49417

All-Star Karate Club
Livonia, Michigan

This is the 4th in a series of articles by Sensei George Kirby. Sensei Kirby is a 10th dan in Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai and has become friends with Sensei Mike Sullenger. Mr. Sullenger has had an article that he wrote published on the Budoshin website. Feel free to browse  this site  to become more familiar with who George Kirby is and his style.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT |   [BJJY KOKORO 8/12]

Note: A couple of sensei have asked me to start a series on how to improve teaching skills and student learning—as it applies to the dojo. So I’ve decided to launch this idea, with the hope of seeing it become a regular item in future issues of Kokoro.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT   Older, more experienced teachers can be a wealth of knowledge. That's how, as a junior high school teacher, I learned that if I didn't know an answer to a question presented to me by one of my students in U.S. History [aka U.S. Mystery], I could respond to the student with, - I don't know the answer, but why don't you research the answer and tell us tomorrow - or would someone else like to do this - for extra credit? There were always takers, usually the student who asked the question. This was one of my first lessons in student involvement: Students have tremendous resources you need to tap to help you run your classroom -- aka your dojo.

Do you think I produced the last few editions of the Student Handbook on my own? No way. I came up with some guidance on what I'd like to see and provided materials as necessary, but then I'd turn a couple of my upper belts loose to produce the final product that you see.

Did I revise the 4th kyu test in the 1980's [students had to take it 2-3 times to pass] so that it became todays 4th and 5th kyu mat exams on my own? No, I had a brown and blackbelt do it. I gave them some initial guidance and turned them loose.

Did I come up with the software program used in tournaments to compute scores several years ago? Fooled you again? 1-2 of Sensei Mark Jordan's students came up with that incredible timesaver.

Do I take attendance or issue receipts for payments made in my dojo? Nope. I have a student do it.

Do I set up the mats before class or tear them down at the end of class [we hold classes in a multi-use park facility]? Only rarely. Students do it — and I make sure I periodically thank them in class.

Do I teach the new students for the first 4-5 weeks until they can be integrated in with the more experienced students? No. I have a great upper brown belt and two very reliable shodans do that for me.

These are just examples of what I don't have to do. So what do I do? I get to spend more time with students on a 1:1 basis. Perhaps you thought I was going to say ?spend my time teaching. Teaching is more than presenting techniques and watching the students work on them as a group. That's -presenting. Teaching is helping students learn as individuals based upon what their skill level is. It means talking informally with students before class, helping them with techniques on a 1:1 basis during class, and always encouraging them to do better because you have confidence in them.

I'm able to -teach- because I have involved my student in the process of running the class. I even have higher ranked students work with and pre-evaluate lower ranked students for belt rank promotions. Sometimes if you make students partially responsible for their peers success it is mutually beneficial to both of them.

Your students [and sometimes their parents] can have valuable skills that can help you run your class better. If you can get someone to video students during testing, those videos are better evaluation tools than anything else you have — and the videoed student will be more ciritical of himself than you would ever be — even if he does very well.

Sometimes students can even come up with better ways to teach a technique. Uke-otoshi used to be a real pain to teach, and had a high frustration level. Then, one day, three of my jr. high brown belts came to class with a new way to teach it. Bang! Students were being successful with the technique after 3-4 tries. If students see that you're receptive to their ideas, it's amazing how much effort they'll put out to make your teaching easier.

Other examples: The first year I taught Economics [and to an honors class] I was challenged with that classic phrase, -this is boring. I put the challenge into their court by saying to them, ?Come up with something better and I'll try it. They ultimately designed a long-term simulation in which everything in the class was bought and sold, right down to the electricity coming out of the plugs and potty passes. They were relentless.

However, that simulation became an institution at my high school, and my kids learned more than I could ever hope to teach them. If students [adults or kids] see that they're part of the process, they are more inclined to stick with your program as they know you're dependent upon them to make your program work. They also know you realize that they have something to contribute to the dojo. That commitment builds self-confidence, pride in doing a good job and helping others, and it builds a positive culture for your dojo. You, as the sensei of your dojo, need to take the first step. You need to decide what you must do and what others can do for you. You have to have faith in your students' willingness and ability to help strengthen your program because that is what they're doing. Ask for volunteers. It may be awkward for both of you at first, but once you get the bugs worked out you'll end up with more time to help your students learn and that's what teaching is all about.

A.K.S. Web Address(es)

Our "Official" web address is now:  www.aks-usa.com

We also own:   www.aks-usa.org  and  www.aks-usa.net  which will direct you to our website as well.

Our original:   www.americankaratesystem.org  is no longer in service.

You can also type in    www.aks-usa.info   and you will be taken directly to our "About Us" web page.   Please check us out!!