The Great Bell Chant

One of our challenges, as members of the Ultimate Black Belt Test, is to meditate every day and work on developing what Thich Nhat Hahn calls "MINDFULLNESS". Learning how to meditate has been more difficult than I expected. Not that it's hard to sit, it's hard to "unclutter" my mind and to focus on nothing but my breathing.

The below video, offers breath taking images as well as beautiful chanting to music and bells.

Take a moment to watch it and see if it helps to bring yourself to a place of mindfulness?

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

Looking For The Unconventional!

The DOG POUND, below, is a unique structure. 

Unconventional. 

I am working very hard, to create A school that is unique and unconventional!

I am looking for students who are unique and unconventional; and willing to participate in my journey to personal excellence, in and OUT of the dojo!

This is work of a master instructor!  Yes?

 

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

Sam Mockbee: Master Teacher

Meet Samuel Mockbee!

He would be considered a master teacher.

He is the man who started the Alabama Project by bringing in college students into Greensboro, AL where they use their architectural skills to make a difference in the lives of many families in Greensboro.

The students interview the families that need help, decide who gets picked for the project, then construct the house from top to bottom using recycled materials and money raised through donations, from corporations, grants and organizations like the UBBT.


It's an amazing story of someone who cares!

I am proud to be a member of this group!



Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

Intelligent Curriculum

I’m involved in a rather revolutionary project involving a change in the what, when, why, and how of teaching people of all ages about self-defense.  The project has been launched by my martial arts teacher’s association, The One Hundred (The 100),  and involves a concept coined Intelligent Curriculum. Intelligent Curriculum is a process where web-technology is applied to teaching people about the depth and scope of self-defense as it applies to today’s world. For example, there isn’t a kick, punch, block, arm-bar, leg lock, or other martial arts maneuver on or anywhere close to a list of top 10 killers of men, women, or children in the Western world. But Diabetes is on the list. With Intelligent Curriculum the martial arts teacher brings a Diabetes disease primer into his or her curriculum, using the Internet, so that the student doesn’t go through years of “self-defense” training without addressing the topic. That’s an intelligent direction for the way we should be addressing self-defense in a world where Diabetes affects more than 25% of all Americans.

Some of the other issues Intelligent Curriculum is seeking to address include the media; bullying; anger; emergency situations; diet; care for the environment; and community involvement.  While all of these issues may not, at first glance, obviously relate to self-defense, they will in martial arts schools of the future. From a teacher’s perspective and from someone who has more than just a passing interest in self-defense, I find the approach to be refreshing and valuable.   There isn't a school in the Columbia area, that offers the curriculum that I do!  I don't say this to brag, but clearly to demonstrate that my school believes self defense is more than just kicking and punching.  My school is focused on fostering change and personal development, skills that will last a life time!

For more information on how I’m implementing Intelligent Curriculum in my school and in our community, contact me here;  Sensei Chris Feldt, Samurai Karate Studio, 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229, 803-462-9425, samuraikarate@bellsouth.net.

Ms. Georgia's House

As a member of the UBBT, one of our big projects for the year, is to serve the community of Greensboro, AL, one of the poorest sections in the United States.

This year, we are going to Alabama, to build Ms. Georgia, a home that will be warm and inviting; and perhaps most importantly, SAFE.

Take a look at the below video to see the home that Ms. Georgia currently lives in. It is NOT SAFE and has dirt floor and lacks quality running water.

This is what the martial arts is all about! Serving ourselves by getting fit and learning how to defend ourselves if necessary; as well as serving our community.

NOW, that is REAL self defense!

We are asking for donations in order to build Ms. Georgia's new house. If you can spare a few dollars, we sure would appreciate it.

Make your tax deductible check to HERO and send it to my attention, Sensei Chris Feldt, Samurai Karate Studio, 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229.

On Respect and The Martial Artist

If you’re a senior or high-ranking martial artist (and, of course, I am speaking to --and about --myself), you have to, first, ask yourself why you need someone to show you “respect.” Do you think you deserve it? Is it important for you to be acknowledged?

When I am thinking clearly, I let go of my own expectations and needs with regards to respect, and I stand in a place where I don’t need anything, any “signs of respect” from people around me.


When I was younger I demanded it. The customs in my school included having everyone stand up when I walked in the room. Everyone was required to bow and give me a polite greeting; and I was addressed with a title before my name, always.


But as I looked more deeply at what I was doing, I began to shed my own need for outward signs of respect from other people. It’s not that I don’t like to be treated like a king, as I don’t mind that at all, but what I don’t want any part of is the attachment to what it means when someone does --or does not --acknowledge my superiorness, rank, experience, good looks, or whatever it is about myself that I personally hold in such high esteem.

I am better, more centered, more whole, and more in the moment when I bring my own respect with me, instead of looking for it from others.


As an exercise (a practice), I now try to only give respect. I acknowledge others, with a bow, with a Wai, with a smile, with a handshake or a hug, with some kind of recognition that in body language is designed to make them feel cared for and/or important.


I don’t ask to be called anything but “Tom.” I don’t expect a bow or any acknowledgment, as I am seeking to shed my need for it. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want or like to be treated like someone special, it means that I am looking deeply at what’s behind that kind of thinking / need.

On the other side of that, I feel it is a very important part of my own practice, for my own mindset, to show people around me respect, especially my seniors. When my teacher walks into the room, I stand up. I bow. I give a polite greeting --and I try to say, non-verbally, “I love you and am grateful to have you here today --and in my life.”

For me, at this time in my life, this is my practice.

Tom Callos


Tom Callos is my mentor and team coach for The Ultimate Black Belt Test and The 100, both are programs for master instructors and school owners.

The Little Green Book

I just finished reading The Little Green Book, 365 Ways to Love The Planet, by authors Joseph Provey and Owen Lockwood.  This is a neat book with lots of suggestions on how we can conserve our natural resources and protect our planet.  The author's main idea is that we ALL can take small steps and make a difference.

The authors present 365 ideas, one for each day of the year, that can be implemented to help save the environment.  I would highly recommend this book for children, as it provides simple and clear choices to act upon.

For those of you that are not familiar with my karate school, environmental self defense is key part of our curriculum.  Beginning with my beginner belts, students are expected to complete a certain number of self defense acts for the environment and must they lead and participate in a clean up project for their green belt.

Occasionally, I will have a new student or parent ask, "what is doing a clean up project have to do with karate?"

My response is EVERYTHING!

Self defense is more than just kicking and punching!  We are stewards of our planet and EACH of us is responsible for protecting it's natural resources and conserving as much as possible.  This is my role as a master instructor....taking what I do and know, out of my dojo and applying these same principles into the world!

Why?

Relax, I am not some environmental wacko!  Regardless of  whether you believe the world is getting warmer, or whether it is man made or natural; I just believe we owe it to future generations to do everything we can to preserve our world so that they too can enjoy the beauty and the bounty that our planet presents us with every day of the year!

At Samurai Karate Studio, our curriculum includes environmental self defense, Diabetes awareness, anger management, peace education through acts of kindness, anti bullying, stranger danger and project based leadership; along with a traditional style of karate that will improve your fitness and help you to defend yourself if necessary.  If this sounds like something that "speaks to you", then give us a call and come visit our school and take a class.

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

A Warning to the Consumer About Martial Arts Schools

Some martial arts schools subscribe to business practices that are either flat-out dishonest, near dishonest, or at the very best, what you might call a “win-lose” proposition. What I’m warning you about has to do with membership contracts and pricing. If a school (like a person) you’ve just met asks you to drop a significant amount of cash into a long term relationship with them, well, unless you have it to lose, look for an acceptable alternative. It’s like this: If I know and trust you, I might be more apt to invest in you. But in that we’ve just met, I think I’m going to take some time to evaluate your credibility. If a martial arts school owner or his/her representative can’t get their head around that idea, then put your hand on the exit door, quickly. Martial arts schools often have a 90% drop out rate, which, contrary to some what some might say, is NOT a sign that they teach “real” martial arts.  On the contrary, it usually means they are self-absorbed, arrogant, and provide sub-standard service.  

Schools that charge a lot of money up-front ($600 or more) are doing that because they’re stacking the deck in their favor. If you don’t like the service they provide, they’re not as concerned about your opinions as they might be if they hadn’t already been paid for a good deal of their time --in advance. If you know the school and trust the school owner, then helping the school financially is not an issue. But beware the unscrupulous school owner who’s all about cash up front. There is a martial arts teacher who works as a national advocate for transparent and sustainable pricing in martial arts schools. 

His name is Tom Callos and he actually offers his cell phone number for any parent or potential student of a martial arts school who need information or help in deciding if the school they are in --or thinking about being in --is operating with a fair and equitable pricing policy. Tom Callos may be reached at 530-903-0286. His website is www.tomcallos.com.  

I’m happy to say at Samurai Karate, we have very fair pricing. We have structured our programs to meet most everyone's budget AND, we never turn anyone away for lack of money.  Together, we can be creative and figure something out. If you’re considering a look at our school, here’s how you find us:

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

803-462-9425

samuraikarate@bellsouth.net