Text Box: Congratulations to Christen Spruiell Jr. Sho-Dan. Christen is the daughter of Master Chris Spruiell. She received her jr. black belt April 2006. The presentation was made by her father and Grand Master Phil Little. Receiving their Ni-Dan were Dwight Shults, Malissa Behm, and Alex Kandilakis. Black belt promotions were Ben Goodman and John Clark. John Clark will be joining the US Army Special Forces in May. He is a valued member of the dojo and will be sorely missed. We wish him the best of luck. Congratulations also to all members of the dojo for their advancement Text Box: in rank. Master Spruiell announced that by unanimous decision Jay Hocutt was elected to the position of Operations Manager for the Academy. “His expertise and attention to detail will help the Academy to become a model for other Dojo’s to emulate” Said Master Spruiell. Jay Hocutt recently received his Shichi-Kyu and his grand daughter received her Hachi-Kyu. Text Box: Promotions Text Box: Sensei Says “Slow Down…” Text Box: The more you separate a technique the more you emphasize the technique. Many Karate students rush their techniques in their Kata’s. This causes a Kata to look sloppy and rushed. The first step in performing a crisp Kata is to slow down. Next is to remember to slow the transitions and then explode at Text Box: the end of the technique. A pause as you set into the correct stance followed by a slow and defined movement into the next stance followed by and explosion into the technique will make any Kata a thing of beauty. Even the technique itself can begin slow as you explode at the end. When punching watch your extension. When kick Text Box: ing emphasize the four steps to a good kick. Watch the placement of your feet in every stance. But most of all SLOW DOWN... Sensei Says. Text Box: Special Thought for the day. In life knowing what to do is almost as important as knowing when to do it. Knowledge is the key to success if we act in a timely manner. Remember, “To Strike when the opportunity presents itself “ applies to more than just martial arts.

April 21, 2006

VOLUME I, ISSUE 1
Text Box: Did You Know?

                 A shipwrecked Chinese sailor named Chinto was washed ashore. He hid in caves by day and at night would sneak into the villages to steal food for survival. The villagers complained to the king who sent his best samurai, Matsumura, to capture the sailor. Matsumura tracked Chinto to the cave where he was living. When he confronted him, Chinto refused to surrender. In the pursuant fight, Chinto blocked and out- fought the samurai. Matsumura returned to the king and reported that there would be no more trouble from the man. Then he went back to the cave and befriended Chinto, who in turn taught him his system, including the kata now known as Chinto.

From The editor:

 Jay Hocutt

                 I want to take this opportunity thank each member of the dojo for their support and vote of confidence. There is no greater honor than being selected by your peers for a position in the dojo. I appreciate all the friendship and training I have received at the academy and look forward to many more years of martial arts training and fellowship. Domo Arigato Gozaimashita

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