A look back-

I ran across this article recently and I was struck by two things.  First, how Sensei Don put himself on a mission to make his life about "doing good." Second, this account is just a snapshot of how he spent all the years since. 

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20011225/NEWS/312259987&cid=sitesearch

Embracing the Warrior Spirit

 

I celebrate today and am holding on to it as the last I had to share the Earth with such a noble and gifted human being, a mentor and friend to so many.  I am breathing every breath with full appreciation for how it connects me to him on this day.  

Attitude . . .

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

 

 

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Training and the Brain

Brain research of the most recent ten years is gathering incredibly precise information about how the human brain learns but also about the incredible variability from one brain to another.  That old hunch about each person being unique can be verified by a growing body of research.  It also shows how creative the brain is in forming itself and how wildly interconnected it is.


Aikido, it turns out is incredibly good for your brain.  Research shows that varying challenge, exercising all parts of the body in coordinated movement, and off-loading working memory with automated stress response strategy is incredibly good at stimulating neuro development and minimizing cortisol exposure (stress hormone that's good to have when you're face to face with a lion, but not so good for extended periods).

The video below is interesting for a lot of reasons but I post it here for how Jill Bolte Taylor speaks about energy and how we perceive our surroundings.  Fair warning, the video includes view of a real human brain.

Shadow Training

The Sword Maker

Handmade Portraits: The Sword Maker from Etsy on Vimeo.

A Message From Sensei

Every year I say how thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It still is.

I am thankful for the parents who bring the kids,the kids who come and have fun and learn. I am thankful for my staff that help keep the WRC together and all the other adult members,clients and people that support it from flowers to helping out. It is a special year in we are celebrating 25 years. I have had great friends family and support over that time. Our members continue on all levels to do community service to make our world a better place. Random acts of kindness. 

Thanksgiving is one of the holidays that happens year round. What are you thankful for? Who in your life could use a little thank you any time of the year? It doesn't have to be for something big but an act of kindness, a show of respect, a hug or hand shake. When we look at being thankful in our lives we appreciate our lives more. When we don't, we feel everything is owed to us. Nothing is owed to anyone, hard work and caring helps us and the world around us become a better place. This is the way of the Martial artist. 

So if you are reading this Thank you, you are special to me.

Sensei Don and Carole

photo by:  ocean.flynn's photostream (200)