Yes I Can!

As a martial art's school owner and instructor, one of the many challenges I have is motivating my younger students to have courage and perseverance, to keep pressing forward, no matter what and to never give up! Unfortunately, in today's society, I find too many children give up very quickly and many parents just let their children quit. I am not just talking about martial art's, I am talking about other sports, playing a musical instrument or getting good grades.

One of my instructors, Tom Callos, who is the creator and team coach for the UBBT and The 100, reminds me all of the time, "that nothing in life that is worthwhile, comes easy!"

Sure, getting a Black Belt takes many years, hours of practice and dedication and overcoming the many obstacles that life throws your way. The same goes for never missing a day of school or work, or getting good grades or that well deserved promotion.

So, I am always looking for ways to inspire and found a great one!

I love the short video below! Why?

Because it's from the heart and even better, it's from a little child.

Watch this and be inspired.....

Oh, and be prepared to smile!

"Experience is the child of thought, and thought is the child of action."

Benjamin Disraeli

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

My Life Is My Dojo!

“My life is my dojo.”

“Dojo” means “school” in Japanese — literally, “the place where you find the Way.” And while every country has its own name for school (it’s a different word in Korean, Chinese, etc.), the important part of this statement is that your life is your school — your LIFE is the place where you find the Way.

Should you ever decide to take martial arts lessons, of any kind, I hope that you would be lucky enough to find a teacher who understands and practices the idea of my life is my dojo.

When a student is on the mat, executing punches or kicks, rolls or break-falls, leg locks or arm bars, and/or blocks and parries, all sorts of things are learned, such as the patience required to polish the maneuvers, the control you have to exercise to do it right, the teamwork it takes to participate with your partner and classmates, and the understanding of the return one gets on effort and consistency. What a shame it would be if we failed to take those lessons “out of the dojo and into the world.”

The real lessons in our school, the valuable ones, are the ones we practice on the mat, but fully understand that we’re practicing for the purpose of making something in our life work better, smoother, and with more mastery. We practice in our school, what we wish to see in our lives. That’s what we know to be the most valuable aspect of what we do in our school.

By the way, if you’re not a student, but you’d like to see what it’s like to be one, just mention this post, and we will give you a pass to come in and try a class. Every great journey begins with some small movement in a new direction, yes?

And here’s a secret: I think, “My students are my dojo.” I learn what I need to learn by helping others to do, well...all of the above.

Sensei Chris Feldt
Owner/chief instructor
Samurai Karate Studio
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425