Ocala Karate and Fitness

Posts Tagged ‘Pride’

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

To reach the top . . . you have got to climb.

You know I get members asking me all the time how I make all this stuff that we do up here at Ocala Karate and Fitness look so easy. I really think that some believe it just came naturally to me. Well I think tonight that I’m going to spill the beans and let the cat out of the bag.
Okay, so I’m going to tell everyone my secret. Here it is in a nutshell, so read it all very close and try to unlock the secret that I’ve kept hidden for so many years. Here we go.
It all starts and is fueled by this one little element that each one of us is born with and ALL can use if we are capable of reaching it.

But to do so takes a great deal of courage and discipline. It takes pride and the desire to do something positive about not only yourself, but to those around you as well.
To make not a change in just the way you walk or carry yourself. But to make a change in the way you approach things.   The way you look at things, and go about daily life. Most people don’t realize how good positive, and confident people make OTHER people feel.  All these and more can be accomplished through Okinawan Karate.
All the secrets are right there in front of you the entire journey. Waiting for you to discover them one by one. And make no mistake, that there is no greater feeling than to discover one if these little treasures all by yourself. You see, Karate teaches us more about ourselves than anything else. It is the key to all your hidden strengths, ideas, and  talents.
It is also however, the key to all your hidden or unrecognized weaknesses. So how does Karate produce these truly amazing attributes and mental discipline.   It does so in a way that limits the amount people that will ever be able to see and experience these truly amazing things.
So many people come to me, and really want to find the secret. And it really is frustrating for me to have to sit back and watch them slowly fade away. So why is it only 1 in every 5000 will make it to Black Belt?
The secret to it all is called Dorrokyu. This is a Japanese word that does not really translate exactly to English, but the closest meaning we have to it is this.   Effort ! !
That’s the secret ladies and gentleman. If you want to experience a level of understanding that cannot be fully expressed in words,  you simply have to Want It!  To Believe in yourself. You have got to make an effort to reach it. Not just showing up a few times a month. Not just trying to remember a few punches or kicks. Or to count to 10 in Japanese.  Don’t get me wrong.  All that stuff is fun too, but . .
You have to walk out on the floor every night and push yourself a little harder than the night before. Think about why your foot needs to be right there. I promise you it does not need to be there because that’s where Sensei told me to put mine. It’s there for a reason. A purpose. And every time you push yourself to figure out why,  you will suddenly find yourself trying to understand a few more things that you never noticed before.
This is what Okinawan Karate teaches us. Look at what you don’t see, and try to see it. Then try to figure out why you never saw it before. And  Dorrokyu is the key that fits the lock. We all have it with us. We all CAN  utilize what makes us the dominant species on our planet.   But unfortunately, only a small group of people have the spirit to use it. And the ones that do, will hopefully read this one day and smile. Because they too will at that time have found “The Way”. And for those of you that didn’t know this, Dojo means   Place of The Way.
Hope to see everyone in class tomorrow. And for those of you that have not started remember, the hardest step forward is always the first.
Robby Bray

To Learn REAL Karate Takes PATIENCE ! !

 EVERYONE TESTING SHOULD BE PROUD ! ! !

  I’d just like to start this out by saying I have never been MORE Proud of a group of our members during testing.  You guys, and gals, did GREAT! !

  Okinawan Karate is something that takes SO much dedication that most people don’t realize how much time and focus it takes to learn everything required to advance to the next level.  Everyone had a great test and should wear there new belts with PRIDE. 

  Testing started and 6:00 and last about 45 minutes.  We had around 14 members testing, and once again, everyone did a fantastic job.  Remember, at the early stages of our training only limited knowledge is demonstrated.  So if you mess up a little or step with the wrong foot, it’s a big concern right now.  Later on in your training as you advance to intermediate and advanced levels, it becomes a different story.  At that point in your training the foot work and technique is much more critical and REQUIRED in order to advance.  Www.ocalashinbukan.com

   Afterwards, we had 4 of our members stay and test for their next rank in Ryukyu Kobudo.  For those of you not familiar with this, Kobudo is the use of ancient weapons.  Ryukyu Kobudo is an incredibly difficult art to learn and takes many, many years of hard work and dedication in order to properly utilize these Okinawan weapons with a basic level of proficiency.    However,the rewards and benefits that a regular student of Kobudo learns from this practice are PRICELESS.  

All it takes is a little "Effort"

    Through Kobudo, the student learns more about themselves and their body than anything else.  Once one understands themselves, and how to make their own body generate these incredible levels of power, their Karate is then amplified.  It’s a feeling that only someone practicing this art is capable of understanding.  Before I started studying Kobudo, I had no idea that I could get so in tune with the way my body works “together” to generate power.  Learning to make many muscle groups work together, without exerting too much energy is the key. 

  For more information on Ryukyo Kobudo and the Ocala Tesshinkan, feel free to contact me anytime. 

    Lastly, I just want to say thanks to everyone in our Self Defense Program for really turning this class into what it is becoming.  For those of you that have not seen it yet check out the video.  This Class is AWESOME ! ! www.ocalaselfdefense.com 

 Hello Everybody,

  I just wanted to say how excited we are here at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  www.ocalashinbukan.com  Next week marks our FIRST official Year in business and man are we growing.  Ocala Karate & Fitness is Ocala’s Premier martial arts school.  If you don’t believe it just stop by anytime and see for yourself. 

  We offer more variety in our programs and have more to offer than anyone else in town.  We teach AUTHENTIC Okinawan Karate and Kobudo, but also offer if not the best, one of the best Cardio Fitness classes available.  New this year, Ocala Karate & Fitness has introduced its Self Defense Black Belt Program and what a class this has turned out to be.  www.ocalaselfdefense.com

  This class has really turned into a popular class as it hits on “real Life” self defense skills and situations that could really make the difference between a bad situation, and a really, really bad situation.  We’ve been going for 1 month now, and everyone in this class needs to really buckle their seatbelt, because next week we really start turning it on!

Ocala karate & Fitness Self Defense Program

  Our Juniors class now has hit about 12 members and is growing at a rapid pace too.  This class is for ages 11-13 and is really a fun class.  These junior guys and girls are not only benefiting from all the core principles that Okinawan Karate and teach, but also are beginning to learn some real Self Defense skills that will always be available to them if ever needed. 

    These are some of the life building skills and benefits that can only learned at first class martial arts training facility.  At Ocala Karate & Fitness we specialize in doing just that.  Teaching Karate and Fitness.  We are NOT an after school pick up or daycare center.  We take pride in doing what we do best, and that is teaching Okinawan Karate to those who truly wish to learn some of these amazing Life Changing exercises.

  So whether your looking to learn yourself, or to put someone you care about in class, call us today at 352-694-6304 and find out for yourself just how we can help you create something special. 

                                                                                                      Until next week

                                                                                     Robby and Jaime Bray

     Well tonight was Ocala Karate & Fitness’s last Kids Karate Class and Our last Adults Karate and Okinawan Weapons class until Jan 3rd.  I would like to start off by saying  just how proud of everyone I am right now.  The accomplishments and personal achievements that our members have made this year is something to really take pride in. 

    All the hard work and drills are really starting to pay off now.  I am watching our members in class do things now that 3 and 4 months ago were totally unobtainable.  This is when you know that we’re doing something right.  The combination of our Shorin Ryu Karate classes, accompanied by the Cardio Fitness classes is not only getting our members in shape, but strengthening all the areas that matter most.  In the last week I have had two separate members come up to me after class and say that they no longer have any back pain. 

    I’ve had another tell me that over the last 10 years they have had terrible chronic neck pain and limited range of motion.  Now, she says that for the first time in as long as she can remember her neck does not hurt or feels stiff when she turns.  This is what Okinawan Karate is all about.  It’s about not only strengthening our bodies, but building strong posture and alignment.  The motions and postures or stances that our Karate was built around was designed for this very purpose. 

To allow us as practitioners to live long and healthy lives.  By building strength around our spine and core, it develops or re-develops our bodies in ways that allows us to benefit the most.  And these are just the things our members are noticing over the SHORT term.  We have not even been open a year yet, so these our members that have only been training for less than 12 months.  Imagine what you would feel like if you practice for say 3 years.  Or 5 years.  Or better yet, an entire LIFETIME. 

    This is what Karate is really about.  Not only learning how to defend yourself against physical attacks, but to defend yourself against life itself.  The longer you train and practice, the more you realize you need to practice.  It is a very humbling but at the same time enlightening experience.  So start your NEW YEAR off right and give us a call at Ocala Karate & Fitness or check us out on the web at www.ocalakaratefitness.com  and see for yourself why everyone is saying that we are Ocala’s Premier martial arts studio.  

  Stop by and see for yourself what we can do to help you.

    Happy Holidays from all of us.

   Sincerely

  Robby and Jaime Bray

Stop by and see us!

Well here we are wrapping up our first year at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  www.ocalakaratefitness.com Jaime and I just want to start out by thanking our members for ALL their continued support and effort that each and every one has put into our programs this year here at Ocala Karate and Fitness.  Nothing makes us happier than to see our members making huge achievements in their programs.

When I say achievements, I am referring not only to losing weight, getting stronger and more toned, or developing better balance, but being able to do things that 4-6 months ago they could not.  These are the HUGE advancements in our programs that really makes us smile.

Even though I tell our members, especially new ones, not to get disappointed if they are having trouble with certain things, I can tell after time it starts to wear on them.  But the truth is, this is each member’s unique learning curve that EVERY one of them has to go through.  Then Suddenly without warning that night comes.  Out of the blue as class starts and that particular member has got it going on!

It's hard to get it right ! !

What I mean by that is this:  Suddenly these people are moving up and down the floor with authority and purpose!  Each step is fluid with proper balance, and strength.  It’s like somebody flips the switch and all the lights come on.  There faces light up with self confidence and pride as they can feel they are doing something a little differently now.

These are the times that make it all worth while.  All the hard work and dedication.  The frustrating moments trying to get your foot in that spot, or to remember to pull the load hand back.  These are the times that make it all worth while.

To understand this feeling is something that you have to experience first hand.  That’s when you realize as a student of Karate you are making one HUGE step closer.

I had one of my 10 year old’s mother call me this morning and told me something that made me write this article tonight.  She said before he started, which was about 4 months ago, he was really quite, shy, and unsure of himself.  But suddenly over the last few months his self confidence and attitude towards things have changed 100%.

She told me that if she had known a year ago the difference and over all impact that this would have on him she would have started him then.  (Of course I wasn’t open a year ago so it must have been fate right?)  But this is just one story of many that I have heard through out the year.  It just really motivated me to write this article tonight on this subject.

So if you or your loved ones really need a self confidence booster, don’t wait around wasting any more time.  Life is much, much to short to be walking through it unhappy or insecure with your self.  And the really great thing about this is that self confidence is only ONE of the many, many things that we as students can learn from Karate.

This is because the most important thing that Okinawan Karate teaches us as individuals is how to TRULY get to know and understand OURSELVES ! !  Once you really understand who YOU are and WHAT you are, life is pretty easy.

So check us out online at www.ocalakaratefitness.com and don’t miss our NEW Self Defense class we are starting January 4th 2010.  www.ocalaselfdefense.com

Thanks again and keep up the hard work.

Robby and Jaime Bray