IKKF Kobudo Seminar

On Sunday, May 3rd, our dojo hosted Hanshi C. Bruce Heilman and Hanshi Ann-Marie Heilman for a seminar on Okinawan Kenpo Kobudo.  Over a little more than 5 hours, participants received instruction in Bo, Tunfa and Sai – several of whom learned new kata.

This was the Heilman’s third year attending the Shidokan tournament and offering a kobudo seminar the following day.  It was their first visit to Rising Sun Martial Arts.  We are pleased to announce that the seminar was full, with 22 students on the floor – 12 of which were from our dojo.

Many thanks to the Heilmans for a great seminar, as well as to all the participants who came to train and learn – especially those from our guest dojo:  Focus Karate Academy, Porter Karate Academy, and Alpha Martial Arts Academy!

34th Annual ShidokanUSA Tournament

Let is Let it be known that the following students represented our dojo well at the annual Shidokan tournament on Saturday, May 2, 2015. They all performed well, and each was a credit to our school. I am proud of each and every one of them.
-Kyoshi

Calla B.
Evan M.
Fran R.
George D.
Jacob R.
Joseph R.
Karrie W.
Kendra B.
Walter A.
Zach B.

Altogether, our dojo brought home…
• 3 First Place Medals
• 4 Second Place Medals
• 2 Third Place Medals
• 3 Fourth Place Medals

Spring 2015 Black Belt Promotions

(l-r) Sempai John Cunningham, Zach Belisle, Shidoin Tim Cunningham, Evan Miller, Shidoin Griffin LaBrie, Shidoin Susannah Colby.

 

Last Saturday, March 28, saw three young men complete an exhaustive examination of their knowledge of traditional karate.  Timothy Cunningham, 16, of New London, Zachary Belisle, 12, of Sunapee, and Evan Miller, 12, of Bradford were awarded Black Belt ranking on Saturday, April 4th.

Tim Cunningham has trained in karate at Rising Sun since he started in late 2004.  In 2009, he earned his Junior Black Belt.  (International standards prohibit anyone below the age of sixteen from holding the full Black Belt certification.)  At this ceremony, Tim transitioned from 4th Degree Junior Black Belt to 3rd Degree Adult Black Belt, one of only a handful of students to reach this level.  He was also awarded the title of Shidoin (Apprentice Instructor), in recognition of his work as a teaching assistant.  When asked what earning his Black Belt meant to him, Tim responded, “Black Belt, to me, is a symbol of growth in a positive manner.  Through my eleven years of training, I have been taught to use karate not only as a method of self-defense, but as a tool to enhance one’s character.  Self-control, mental discipline, respect – all things that were previously unattainable to me – are now embedded in my lifestyle.  Where once I had problems with anger and motivation, I now find patience and positive spirit – taught through physical conditioning and learned through mental honing.”

Zach Belisle and Evan Miller were promoted to the level of 1st Degree Junior Black Belt.  Between them, they have almost a decade of experience in karate.  As Zach put it, “A Black Belt is more than just a belt on you; it shows how much hard work you have put into karate and that you are disciplined.”  But, while earning a Black Belt means attaining a long-term goal, neither of them see this as the end of their study.  “To me,” explains Evan, “being a Black Belt is a symbol of how far I have come and how far I will go.”  Both young men are regular fixtures at the school, and often assist in teaching the lower belts.

Also recognized at the ceremony were Griffin LaBrie and Susannah Colby, who were awarded the level of Apprentice Instructor, and John Cunningham who was promoted from Shidoin to Sempai (Assistant Instructor).

Rank Test Weekend!

This weekend saw some great performances on the dojo floor.  Friday night was the Kyu-Rank (below Black Belt) Test.  Everyone did well; all present passed their tests.  Beth and Fran Renaud were awarded their Rokyu level (Green Belt) in a special ceremony at the end of the night.  Other kyu-rank levels will be awarded in class this week.

Saturday afternoon was the semi-annual Black Belt Test.  We had three individuals test: Zach Belisle and Evan Miller tested for the level of Joshu-Shoban (1st Degree Junior Black Belt).  Tim Cunningham is in the process of transitioning from Junior Black Belt to Adult Black Belt, and tested for the levels of Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan-ho (1st, 2nd and probationary 3rd Degree Black Belt).  All three gave impressive performances – most notably on their kata bunkai (analysis of selected forms) – and passed with flying colors.

The Black Belt promotion ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 4th, at 10am.  Families and friends are most welcome to come and be part of the celebration, as this event is open to the public.

Green Mountain Open – Tournament Champion

Congratulations to Sensei Jill Chastenay, who took two first place trophies and won the Female Black Belt Grand Championship at the Green Mountain Open in Rutland, VT, on Saturday, March 28th.

For a complete list of our dojo’s tournament champions, click on the “Trainers of Champions!” link on the front page of our website.

Kobudo Cook-Out

On Saturday, August 2nd, we held our annual Kobudo Cook-Out.  Kobudo students gathered to perform maintenance on both their personal kobudo equipment as well as the dojo’s.  Bo, tunfa, and nunchaku were sanded and oiled; sai were polished to a shine.

Many thanks for those who participated.  Kobudo class credit has been awarded for this event, as care of your equipment is part of the program!

Summer Class Hours

Starting in July, we will be moving to Summer Class Hours. This will affect some classes, but not all, and will run through the end of August.

Summer hours will run as follows…

Mondays
o 5:05 – 5:35pm Junior Beginner
o 5:40 – 6:40pm Junior Novice/Intermediate
o 6:45 – 7:45pm Teen/Adult Novice/Intermediate
Tuesdays
o 5:30 – 6:45pm Kobudo
o 6:45 – 7:15pm Teen/Adult Beginner
o 7:15 – 8:30pm Advanced
Wednesdays
o 5:05 – 5:35pm Junior Beginner
o 5:40 – 6:40pm Junior Novice/Intermediate
o 6:45 – 7:45pm Teen/Adult Novice/Intermediate
Thursdays
o 5:30 – 6:45pm Advanced
o 6:45 – 7:15pm Teen/Adult Beginner
Fridays
o 5:05 – 5:35pm Junior Beginner
o 5:40 – 6:40pm Junior Novice/Intermediate
Saturdays
o 10:00 – 11:00am Kobudo
o 11:05 – 12:05pm All Ages, Purple Belt & Above

Congratulations, Sensei Gallione!

Congratulations to Cathryn Gallione upon earning the teaching grade of Sensei (instructor) and the rank of Yondan-ho (probationary 4th Degree Black Belt).  This is a dojo record, and is the highest level that Kyoshi Baker has promoted any student to in all of his 25 years of teaching karate!

When an individual approaches this level, they are asked to write a “Black Belt Thesis” – a reflection of their journey in the martial arts and what it has meant to them.  With her permission, Sensei Gallione’s essay is as follows…

Through the years I have learned so much from karate – from the time I first walked into an intro with my parents as a seven-year old till now, over ten years later. Martial arts has taught me many important lessons, like not to give up easily – to keep fighting, no matter how difficult it is to fix an issue with my technique, to stay down in Shikodachi, to do one more push-up. It’s taught me to respect the teachers and higher ranks in authority positions over me –  to just shut up and listen whether I agree or not, to do as I’m told whether I want to or not without arguing or making excuses. It’s taught me to be strong – to take a hard hit without making a big deal about it, that it’s totally fine to sweat a little (okay, maybe a lot), that I really can keep going when I feel like I just can’t. There’s always a little more in me that I can give, and I’ve got to give it. It’s taught me that it’s all right not to be perfect at everything but that I always need to try. I’m going to make mistakes; the important thing is to have a good attitude and give it my best. It’s taught me to be humble and that I should work as hard as I can no matter what I’ve earned because hard work is what helped me get there in the first place, and there’s always the possibility of a person in the row behind me showing me up if I don’t stick with it. It’s taught me how to be a leader – that sometimes the best way to lead is just by example, by being an example of a good student, respecting the one teaching and practicing hard and that sometimes I need to step up and take the teaching position. Teaching can mean different things at different times: it can mean being firm and correcting a student when he’s out of line; it can mean being gentle and encouraging to someone who’s learning; it can mean taking the initiative to be strong and make decisions.

Beyond all that karate has taught me though, is a world of things it has given me. It’s given me, most of all, a dojo family that I’ll always treasure in my heart, a whole group full of guys and girls, men and women, who’ve all given to me in their own way, whether it be inspiration, instruction, challenge, encouragement, friendship –  all these things that have been so essential to my karate life. Karate has given me the thrill of feeling power surge through me as I send a technique rocketing through the air, the satisfaction of feeling the thud of a punch or kick landing squarely on a sparring partner’s stomach, the joy of nailing a kata at tournament, the fascination with all sorts of partner-work, joint locks, and take-downs, just all the great things I enjoy about the art itself. It’s given me a challenge – a drive and an opportunity to compete, not only in tournament but in every class – competing with myself to get that stance low, that punch strong, that kick fast, that technique right – and competing against others in class, which, though silent and possibly only known by me, is so important. Karate has given me goals to work towards, to try to reach. It’s stretched me and helped me grow in determination and resolve.

I know I’ve got a ways to go. There’s always room for my effort, attitude, and technique to improve, but the experiences I’ve been blessed to have with Rising Sun Martial Arts have played a major role in helping me to get to where I am today.

New England Classic Tournament Results

Congratulations to all who participated in the New England Classic tournament (2/1/14) at Franklin Pierce University.  Results from our dojo are as follows…

  • Sensei Amelia Gallup – 1st Place Kata / 1st Place Kobudo / Grand Champion Kata
  • Sensei Jill Chastenay – 2nd Place Kata / 2nd Place Kumite.
  • Michael H. – 4th Place Kata.
  • Aiden K. – 5th Place Kata / 5th Place Kumite.

You have represented our dojo well, and we are proud of you all!