Women’s Self-Defense

Free Session

On the second Friday of every month, Shihan Baker and Sempai Cote teach a one-hour Women’s Self Defense class.  The concept of the class is to provide a few techniques each session that people can take home and practice - then come back, review, and pick up some new material.

This month’s session, on February 12th, will feature a video presentation covering internal and external awareness, verbal and physical boundary setting, and predator profiling.  There will be no cost for this session.

This session is open to the public - moms and sisters or students (as well as teen and adult female students) are most welcome to attend.  There will be some chairs available; or you are welcome to bring a cushion and stretch out on the floor.  (Please, no shoes in the gym or dojo areas.)

Made the Grade Night

On Friday, March 5th, classes will be cancelled so that we can celebrate those students who “Made the Grade” on their report cards.  We will start at 5pm with some special training, followed by pizza and a movie.  (The movie will be announced.)

In order to participate in this event, students must earn Honor Roll-caliber grades.  This means all A’s and B’s (Shihan will allow one C, if it is balanced by an A).  Since some schools don’t use letter grades, all school-aged karateka will be given a “Made the Grade” ticket.  Here’s what you do with it…

· If your report card uses letter grades, show your report card to a member of the dojo hierarchy and they will sign it.

· If your report card uses a different scale , ask your teacher to sign your ticket IF you have made “honor roll” grades (as explained on the ticket).

If you plan to attend, turn in your ticket to the office no later than Wed., March 3rd.

Groundhog Day(+1)

Family Cook-In

RSMA is proud to invite students and family members to a Groundhog Day Cook-In Celebration.  What better way to enjoy the cold winter weather that a fun-filled day packed with family activities and food?  Please join us on Saturday, March 13th from noon until 3pm.

Flyers will be distributed in classes.  Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 10th, so that we’ll know how much food to buy.

See you there!!

The Great Backyard Bird Count

Bundle up the family and head outside this February 12-15 for the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, organized by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Ornithology Lab.  For more info, go online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc/kids.  Email questions to citizenscience@audubon.org.

Black Belt Testing &

Doshi Kai Inductions

March 27^th is the date of our annual Black Belt Evaluation.  This is a major milestone in the martial arts careers of several of our students.  The evaluation will begin at 1:00pm sharp and will run for several hours.  It is an exhaustive cumulative test in which the participants must demonstrate a strong working knowledge of all that they have learned here.

Students who are not testing may be asked to serve as Tetsudai.  Students fulfilling this role for any of the Black Belt candidates should plan on being at the dojo and warmed up by 3:00pm.

The Black Belt Promotional and Doshi Kai Induction Ceremony will take place on April 6^st at 1:00pm.  This ceremony is open to all RSMA members, friends and families.  Come and support those individuals who will receive either their Black Belts, their Doshi Kai membership, or both.

RSMA  T-Shirts

We are now taking orders for RSMA T-shirts.  T-shirts show the kanji for “Goju” (our style of karate) on the front and the dojo emblem on the back in full color.  Cost is $15 per shirt.  Orders may be placed in the office through May 12^th.

Please note that, during the summer months (June, July, and August), students are allowed to wear their dojo T-shirt instead of their gi jacket.  Only the RSMA T-shirt will be allowed for dojo use. 

Special Offer:  Order two T-shirts, and get a $5 discount on our training DVD:

Karate Basics for Parents and Children

This DVD is designed to help parents support their children’s karate practice at home.  It covers most of the basic techniques taught in the Beginner/Novice curriculum, with emphasis on the major details and how to apply them.  This is a good resource for Beginner and Novice students of all ages. 

KidsFest Demo

Each year, we participate in the KidsFest event on the Newport Town Common.  This is a great way to show the public what karate is all about.  Keep an eye out for more info as June draws nearer.

Kobudo Testing

Rank testing in Kobudo will be held by invitation.  Kobudo students will receive testing invitations in the mail.

Attendance Policies

In order to ensure optimum training conditions, RSMA has the following attendance policies:

Students arriving 5 minutes late to class will not receive attendance credit for that class.  Students arriving 10 minutes late to class (5 minutes for Little Ninjas) will not be allowed to enter the class.  Absolutely no one will be allowed to enter a rank test late.

Students are encouraged to attend at least two classes per week.  Attending less often than this will hinder a student’s progress.

Shorin Ryu Testing

Rank testing in Shorin Ryu will take place in Doshi Kai classes and Extensions during the months of May.  Doshi Kai members who have the material required for their next ranks are welcome to sign up with Shihan.

Class Cancellations

Classes are cancelled on the following days:

Dojo Rules

Students are asked to be aware of the Dojo Rules.  You are not permitted to practice techniques which have not been formally taught by an instructor.  In other words, no one should be attempting to imitate techniques which they have not been taught.  Failure to comply may result in a reduction of rank!!

Making Payments

Just a reminder on making payments:

§         Make testing fee checks out to Shidokan International and bring them to our office.

§         For all other payments, checks should be made out to Rising Sun Martial Arts (unless otherwise specified).

o   Students who do not have active memberships will not receive class credits, and may not be allowed to participate in class.

When in doubt, feel free to ask any of our office staff.

Reminders

Tardiness – Any students arriving 5 min late to class will not receive attendance credit for that class.  Students arriving 10 min late will not be allowed to participate in that class.

Jewelry – The only jewelry that is permitted in the dojo are wedding bands and new earrings (which must remain in for several weeks – these must be taped!).  Cloth wrist and ankle bracelets are considered jewelry and are not allowed.  This is for your safety!

Rank Test Standards

The secret to success in the martial arts is consistent training.  Ideally, this means twice per week.

Please note that students who have completed the requirements for their next rank, but have not been training consistently may not be invited to test.  Inconsistent attendance affects technique.  Hopefully, this policy will help to raise the standards that we set for ourselves in our training.

Water, Water, Everywhere…Then Why Aren’t We Drinking Enough?
By Marge Pagliuca

Water is the most vital fluid for life.  It is important for homeostasis, or balance, within our bodies.  The more water we lose, the more we need to take in.  As karate students, it is important to hydrate ourselves well, before coming to class both in the cooler and warmer months.  However, it is equally important that we stay hydrated throughout our training.

Ever hear the words, “If you can’t hold off getting water for a one-hour class then you shouldn’t be training in this class”?  Not true!  It is a myth that training without water will condition you and makes you tougher.  When we exercise strenuously our muscles work harder, more heat is generated and more water is lost.  If we do not drink water throughout our workout, we run the risk of becoming dehydrated - even in winter.  While most cases of dehydration occur during physical activity at higher outdoor temperatures, dehydration also occurs during strenuous exercise at lower outdoor temperatures.  The result to our bodies is a feeling of thirst, cramped muscles, dizziness, upset stomach, and severe headache.  Being thirsty is annoying when you are in the middle of an intense workout, but becoming dehydrated, even mildly, has far more serious implications.

Thirst is the body’s signal that the water level is getting too low.  But only drinking when you feel thirsty is often too late.  When you sweat a lot, or the humidity is low, then you must drink often.  Children and older adults have an especially unreliable thirst mechanism.  So should frequent water breaks upset the dynamics of a class?  Definitely not!  It is essential for all students to stay hydrated, so frequent water breaks can be an important part of training.

Well-organized karate instructors plan their classes ahead, including spaces for water breaks.  Truly conditioned and focused karate students know that they can increase their levels of intensity and give their maximum effort once their bodies are in balance.  This is an important part of finding the balance between the body, mind and spirit that we all seek.

Note to Kobudo Students

As the Kobudo class grows, I will need some assistance in helping to keep it running smoothly.  All Kobudo students to please note the following:

• Privately owned weapons which have not been labeled with the individual owner's kanji will no longer be allowed on the weapons rack.  Please either label them or take them home.

• Any weapons students of the rank of Jukyu or above may opt to purchase a Bo.  Students must purchase their own Bo by the rank of Hachikyu.