Ocala Karate and Fitness

Posts Tagged ‘Confidence’

So here they come. I just got all the pictures loaded from this weekends training session with Sensei Smith here at Ocala Karate & Fitness. www.ocalashinbukan.com Special thanks again to Sensei Smith for taking the time to come and share with us all that he did. Everyone had a great time and got the chance to learn about Okinawan karate and Seibukan history from an expert. Having been training is Seibukan karate for over 43 years, Sensei Dan Smith is one of the highest ranking men in Seibukan karate holding the rank of 9th dan or 9th degree black belt. Below are a few of the pictures taken during training. I will continue to post more pictured throughout the week. Thanks again to everyone who came and got to experience something truly special.

Training to get it right!

I would also like to add that all those that attended I think have a better understanding now of what Okinawan Karate can mean to an individual.  It is not only practicing self defense, but it is changing your entire out look on life in general.   Through all the drills and training, Okinawan Karate will start to not only change the way others view you, but begin to actually change the way you view yourself.  You see all these drills have a unique way of not only building stronger muscles, toning muscles, building cardio, and flexibility, but it also builds self esteem and confidence.  This is where the big changes begin to happen.  By building mental strength and confidence,  our members begin to carry themselves better.  They begin to change all the little things.  Walk with confidence.  Talk with confidence.  Move with direction and focus. And just as importantly, they begin to take pride in their art.  This is what Seibukan Karate also is about.  Making ourselves stronger from the “INSIDE” out.   I hope everyone is having as much fun in their training as I am.  I’m also excited to to say that here over the next 60 days we will be launching our Intermediate/advanced Karate Classes.

Can’t wait to see everyone on the floor tonight!

It's all about the PUNCH !

Gambatte    

Robby Bray

I was talking some of my members the other night in class and they were all asking me different questions of how Karate has helped change me over the last several years.

Let’s see . . . how has Karate effected me over the last say . . .20 years?  This much I can tell you.  Everyone lists all the positive things that Karate can do for us.  The list always looks something like this:

-Learn Confidence

-Learn Balance

-Learn Self Defense

-Build Strength

-Learn to focus

-Build reflexive response time.

… and the list goes on and on and on.  While all these benefits are without a doubt learned and developed through a GOOD Karate Program, the reality is this.  Okinawan Karate teaches each one of its students everything they need to know about THEMSELVES.

Hard work and sweat go a long way.

A top notch Okinawan Karate Program will help build all the above mentioned AND More! !  Through a very well structured system, Okinawan Karate starts with what we call the basics.  These basics are designed to slowly build strength, Speed, coordination, Balance, and here’s a big one.  Structured Focus.

What many perceive as just punching or kicking or jumping up and down the floor, is actually a simple way of showing each one of us EXACTLY what our strengths and weakness’s are.  These drills systematically show us what, and then HOW to improve these areas.  By revealing our weak areas, we then know exactly what we need to work on.

Yes these stances make strong legs!

Okinawan Kobudo Adds a Whole New Challenge!

This is why so many people start a Karate Program and eventually drop out.  Why?  Because it is very hard for each of us to realize how unbalanced we are.  And when we are showed this . . . its really hard for some people to swallow.  That is why the ones that stay, and WANT to improve themselves both physically and mentally experience all the rewards that they hear Karate can provide for them.

Case in point.  I have a handful of members now that on a routine basis tell all my new members that start out.  “Its okay.  Don’t get frustrated or disappointed you are not able to do a particular thing as well as the senior members.”  They say this because each of my seniors are now able to see just how far they have evolved since they started.

This is the part I enjoy most as a teacher.  To be able to see these  guys and gals really begin to glow in class.  You can almost physically see there Self Esteem begin to radiate from them.  And the best part about it is this.  There is no limitation to Okinawan Karate.  The MORE you train, the better you will get at whatever that particular exercise is teaching.

I’ll have more on this next time.

-Robby Bray

Self Defense Black Belt Program

 We’re rolling into week #2 in Ocala Karate & Fitness’s Self Defense Program and everyone in class is going to notice the pace pick up a bit.  Now I know it’s only week 2 in our Self Defense Class, but everyone attending is going to notice the steady progression every week of this class.  We are beginning at the ground level with very basic fundamental drills that will take our Self Defense members from not knowing how to throw the first punch or kick in a self defense situation to being able to strike an opponent with the right power and authority needed to end a violent situation.

     This week’s class is going to build off of the basic punching combinations learned last week, by adding two new ones into the series.  As the class moves on, these combinations too will help build striking speed and power in our members.  Also this week we will be adding defensive measures against different choking attacks.  Like the striking drills, these drills will also begin basic and then build into more complex and more intense drills that will increase our members strength and confidence over the course of the program.

  The other great thing about this class is that it is a complete THREE year program.  Now you might ask yourself just what exactly does all that mean and how does that benefit our students?  For starters:  This is not a limited or set program, so just when you start to understand what is going on, the class won’t end.  This will allow our Self defense members to continue becoming more comfortable, more confident, and more capable of defending themselves from just about ANY situation that he/she might find themselves in.

      The other thing this means is that our Self defense members get to advance physically as well.  This means that by staying in the program they will be getting more exercise and becoming more fit.  The drills will continue to increase over time and in intensity to help our Self Defense defense members tone up and lose weight at the same time too.  It’s only common sense to realize that ultimately, being able to defend yourself also means you have to be in better shape.  One more reason why this program is becoming as popular here in Ocala as it has. 

  Ocala Karate & Fitness’s Self Defense Program is held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00.  For more information on this amazing new progam, check us out at www.ocalaselfdefense.com or www.ocalakaratefitness.com .  Or just stop by in person and see for yourself why every week we continue to position ourselves as Ocala’s Premier Martial Arts School.

                                                                                                 Hope to see you soon

                                                                                                      Robby and Jaime Bray

Now this is FUN ! !

This is what it’s all about.  Classes here at Ocala Karate & Fitness are not only exciting high energy classes, but so much fun at the same time.  I think you could ask any of our members here just how great of a time they have, and how do they actually learn, and all would tell you with big smile.  A LOT ! !

    And honestly, the big smile speaks more than anything else.  That’s why we’re growing, and growing, and growing.   As more people are finding out about us here and what we are doing www.ocalakaratefitness.com , our student base continues to grow every month.

   When we first started our youth class, ages 10-13, 2 months ago we only had 4 members in the class.  As of last night we now have 10, and 3 more are joining classes the first of the year.  Why I think we are doing so well here is because we are giving everyone exactly what they want.  1.  REAL KARATE.  Not after school day care, where the kids play games.  We are teaching them REAL life building skills which include but are not limited to: Balance, coordination, strength, flexibility, confidence, stamina, focus, and the list can go on and on. 

    Wrapping up the 2009, Ocala Karate and Fitness will be closed from the 17th until Jan 3rd.  We will be taking phone calls though and answering any questions anyone might have about 1 or all of the many programs that we have to offer here.  So don’t hesitate to call us at 352-694-6304 or email us so we can get you started the first week of the New Year. 

    Also new in 2010, Ocala Karate & Fitness is showing once again why we are Ocala’s Premier Martial Arts School by kicking the year off with our Self DefenseProgram.  This new program is a non traditional class that deals with only REAL Street Self Defense situations.  It’s easy to learn curriculum makes it a great class for beginners off the street that REALLY want to learn how to protect themselves.  www.ocalaselfdefense.com  So check out the website and see for yourself why we are expecting this class to fill up very quickly, and be one of our most popular programs. 

    So do the research over the Christmas break and start the Year of 2010 off right at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  We ARE Building a Better Tomorrow . . . Today.

   I just wanted to remind everyone of our upcoming events for the rest of the month.  First off, testing is scheduled for Friday, November 20th from 5:00-7:00.  All members that have met all their requirements, including class time, are eligible to test on Friday for their next rank. 

    Class time is a crucial element in training.  Karate is a very intricate and complicated system to learn, and putting in the hours on the dojo floor is a must !  In order to really get the most out of your Karate training, its essential that you put the class time in.  Its the only way that you will truly develop an understanding for the techniques. 

     Have you ever wondered how when watching a black belt move on the floor, they seem to generate so much power?  Or they just have that fluid movement that gives off the aura of total control over their body? 

   These are the foundations or Kihon that Okinawan Karate is built upon.  Proper foot placement leads to proper weight distribution, which in turn leads to proper balance and body control.  It’s a feeling that can only be appreciated by those that have achieved it.

     How is this learned?  Through hours of practice on the dojo floor. 

   Really want a challenge?  Schedule an appointment so we can get you on the floor, and show you all the benefits of learning how to properly control your body weight distribution.  Not only does it build balance and agility, but it gives you a new sense of confidence that can only be described as mastering yourself.  Click here to learn more. www.ocalakaratefitness.com

     Also the Dojo will be closed next week from the 26th through the 27th for Thanksgiving.  There will be no classes open on these two days.  Class schedule will resume on Monday.

     Well tonight was the official start of Ocala Karate & Fitness’s Youth Karate Class.  This class has been designed specifically for young Karate students between the ages of 11 and 14 years of age. 

     I would like to tell everyone JUST HOW WELL THEY ALL DID !  Everyone ramped up and made this class awesome.  Between the more advanced techniques that were covered, and the extra time spent on their stances and body weight transitioning, the guys and gals are really going to be good.

     The primary focus in this new class is: 1.  To continue moving forward with harder more complex drills focusing on their balance.  2.  To ramp up the pace of the class creating much more of  a cardio workout.  This helps them to stay fitter during their teenage years when they are growing.  3.  Introduce them to more Self Defense type drills and applications building their confidence and awareness.  4.  Developing more CORE strength, which is such an important part to everyone, but seems to slip to the way side in most sports today.  5.  And most importantly, to help them all transform into HEALTHY, more AGILE, and FIT adults.

     Also I would like to mention that anyone interested in our morning Cardio Kickboxing/Circuit Fitness class, you really need to call now and reserve a spot.  With 12 people now attending, the available spots are filling up for this AWSOME, fast paced, Calorie Smoking class.  New drills will be coming in on Friday too as we rotate a new set of exercises in, so everyone rest up over the next day and get ready !