Karate Thoughts Blog

Demonstration Things to Remember

2009-07-09T21:42:00.003-10:00

Our demonstration at the University of Hawaii is this Sunday (July 12th). Here are some things I have been saying to our students as we prepare. Our dojo demonstrates very rarely -- only about 3 times in the last 12 years. So we are not very experienced at it. And honestly, we do not like to demonstrate because we prefer to concentrate on kata and body mechanics/dynamics.

Demonstration Things to Remember:

Arrive early.
Make sure your gi is clean and neat. Make sure your strings are neatly tied and the ties of your gi bottom are tucked in (not hanging out).
Do not wear any patches or labels on your gi.
Make sure you are familiar with the program so that you will know when you must get ready and perform.
You must be on your best behavior at all times -- not only when you are on stage.
If you are on stage in a group, and must observe another student perform, stand neatly and pay attention. Do not let your eyes wander, fix your gi, yawn, etc.
When you perform a kata, try your best.
If you make a mistake, just keep going. The audience will not know that you made a mistake and even students or instructors of other styles might not realize you made a mistake because their kata may differ. Also, if you stop or make a face when you make a mistake, this could disrupt other students who are performing. Making a face tells the audience that you made a mistake.
Bowing politely is very important. When you bow, do so neatly and completely. Don't "half" bow or start walking when you are on the way up from a bow.
When you leave the stage, do not turn your back to the audience.
It is good to practice hard so that you will do your kata properly during a demonstration. However, you should always practice hard whether there is a demonstration or not. You should not need a demonstration, testing, promotion, a visit by a senior instructor, etc. to try hard. Just try hard all the time.
Remember that other people performing may be junior to you or very senior to you. Each person performs at his or her level of ability. If you do better than someone else, don't feel good. If you do worse than someone else, don't feel badly. Just do your very best. The main thing is to try to improve each and every day.
You cannot let me down. If you do well, I am happy. If you make mistakes, I am happy and hope that you do not feel badly. The test of Karate is in daily life and in surprise attacks, not in demonstrations. Just try your best.
I mess up kata too. I think everyone does. For years, I would start off with Pinan Yondan and switch into Pinan Godan without realizing it. I gave a demonstration of Gojushiho at a friend's dojo. I ended up facing the wrong direction!
Observe other dojo's performance of kata so that you can get an idea of their method of moving. Even if you do not know the sequence of their kata, you can "catch" or "feel" their movement. In my experience, there are few styles that move in a more natural and relaxed manner than our Kishaba Juku Shorin-Ryu (and in Matsubayashi-Ryu generally).
Even if you are not performing in a demonstration, come out to help your dojo and fellow students. There are many things that need to be done.
Don't leave your valuables laying around. Sadly, wallets and even weapons such as sai are stolen at demonstrations and even tournaments.
Don't come to the demonstration if your are ill. You will just get sicker and could make other people ill too. Please call me if you will not be able to attend so that I can have another student take your place.
When you perform in a demonstration, you will be "amped" up and move faster than you think. So you have to hold back a little. This is especially true if you will use sai or nunchaku. I tore my rotator cuff during a sai demonstration. One of my senior firends also tore his rotator cuff using sai. So be especially careful with sai!
Do not move too close to the audience. If your kata moves forward too much, you might have to step in place or even back step. Practice this.
I believe that Chojun Miyagi said that a Karate instructor should be prepared at any time, without notice, to give an 8 hour Karate demonstration. Can you? Can you do all your system's kata and techniques, explain them, pair off the applications, and narrate? That's a pretty hard thing to do.
Remember that the audience, generally, does not know Karate. What impresses the audience may not be good Karate. And, in fact, many Karate students exaggerate or even change kata techniques to impress the audience. Don't do this. Do the kata correctly.
Remember that some really "impressive" people can't fight worth beans and some people with really ugly kata are tough as nails.
When I see a kata done really, really well, I am not impressed, I am frightened. I think, "I would not want to stand in front of that person."
Do not look at audience members in the eyes. Either look over their heads, between them, or don't focus your eyes on the people. If you look at someone in the eyes, they might make you laugh of lose your composure.
If you are going to kiai, do so strongly.
Do not wear any jewelry at all! Personally, I feel that it is OK to wear glasses.
Don't smile or look smug on the stage. Just look focused.
Don't rush. You will probably move faster than you intend. This will make it hard or impossible for you to "set" your movements (to have proper kime).
When you perform kata in a group, you have to follow the timing of the leader or senior. It is not a race. You don't get points for finishing first.
Remember that you represent your dojo and your Sensei. So always be on your best behavior.
Be aware that there may be senior Sensei and students in the audience, or the families of current or former Sensei. You might not even know that they are Karate people. So always be very polite.
If for any reason you have a problem during the demonstration, let your Sensei handle it, particularly if it involves other dojo.
Someone in the audience might be motivated or inspired by you. So try your best. You might be changing the course of someone's life!
Remember that no matter how perfect, strong or good you are, the audience will clap the most for the youngest child and the oldest person.
Have fun and learn from the experience.
Drive home safely.
After the demonstration, don't criticize other students or dojo. Just try to improve yourself. We are all trying to learn. A kind word can inspire and a cruel word can cause others to stumble.

I'm sure that there are many other issues. Again, I am not very experienced at demonstrations.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my own students for their hard work preparing for the demonstration, and to all the members of the Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai who will perform. I have been so focused and overwhelmed with the exhibit (Karate: From Okinawa to Hawaii) that it has been hard to focus on the demonstration.

I hope that you can come to the demonstration! It is open to the general public and free of charge.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Flu Masks

2009-07-08T15:47:00.002-10:00

Yesterday I went shopping for flu masks... just in case things worsen (which I suspect they will). It is not flu season here in Hawaii, but it seems that many people are catching the flu (or something).

Just for the sake of argument, I assumed that it would be nice to have a "N95 respirator" type mask. So I started calling around. To make a long story short, I could only find one supply company here in Honolulu that had any for sale. One store said that they had sold out. Another said that they stopped carrying such masks because people were not buying them. I probably missed some stores, but the masks simply were not that widely available.

I went to the store I found and purchased 100 individually wrapped N95 respirator masks for about $120. I also purchased 120 more (better ones) online.

I am giving 5 masks to each of my family members to put in their cars. These are for unexpected use. I also have more at home and work.

Here is my point. I am just one person. If everyone suddenly starting looking for these things, I think there would be a problem. I don't think that the government will just hand them out. And regular masks that you can get at the hardware store might not be good enough. (See the cdc.gov website for its guidelines.)

And one mask can only be used once. They are not good for repeated use. Let's say I have a family of six. In one month, if each person used a mask each day, that is 180 masks! So buying 100 does not sound like that much.

The main thing in Karate is to be prepared (just like Boy Scouts). The time to look for something is before you need it. I have a feeling that buying the right masks if the swine flu pandemic worsens will be like trying to buy a generator during a hurricane. In Hawaii, we know how hard that can be!

Plan ahead.

A last thought. Paying $120 for 100 masks sounds like a lot. But some of the toner cartridges I buy for work cost that much. When you need them, you will probably be willing to pay a great deal... if you can find any. Cost is relative... think about your relatives.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Exhibit Photos Posted!

2009-07-08T13:30:00.002-10:00

The Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Hawaii has posted photographs from our exhibit, Karate: From Okinawa to Hawaii. Please see:

http://www.hawaii.edu/cjs/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=45%3Anews&id=216%3Akarate-exhibition

and

http://www.hawaii.edu/cjs/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=219:karate-photos&catid=45:news

The photos came out very nice. When I took photos, I had problems with reflection and glare.

Our demonstration and reception is this Sunday. Almost there!

I hope that you can attend! Just a note. Video will not be allowed at the demo. We are having two professionals and an events crew from a local program.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

2 Right - 2 Wrong

2009-07-01T15:19:00.002-10:00

I have noticed that when a new student performs a kata and does 2 things right and 98 things wrong, I am very happy for the 2 things.

But when an advanced student performs a kata and does 98 things right and 2 things wrong, I am very upset about the 2 things. By upset, I don't mean mad -- just that I really want to fix those things.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Drinking Theme in Music

2009-07-01T15:09:00.002-10:00

I am rushing getting ready for all the exhibit events, but wanted to write about something I've noticed. I'll bet you have too.

Lately I have heard many songs on the radio that have an alcohol theme. Basically, they are songs about drinking and getting drunk. The obvious implication is that this is a cool thing to do.

Remember back to the Cheech and Chong movies? They were always smoking marijuana... as if that was a cool thing to do.

Children have a hard enough time growing up without songs and movies showing them exactly what "not" to do.

Drinking (to excess) and taking illegal drugs are not cool -- they are stupid and harmful. I think that those of us who have the opportunity to speak to children in our Karate classes, should make this point.

Karate is about personal responsibility (among other things).

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Exhibit, Demonstration & Lecture Flyer

2009-06-19T11:56:00.002-10:00

Aloha,

The University of Hawaii has prepared a flyer for our upcoming Karate Exhibit, Demonstration and Lecture. I have posted it at:

http://museum.hikari.us/karateflyer-uh.pdf

Please feel free to share the flyer with anyone who you think might be interested. The auditorium where we will give the demonstration can hold 300 people, so everyone is welcome!

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Upcoming Hawaii Karate Museum Events

2009-06-18T10:36:00.002-10:00

Here are four upcoming events involving the Hawaii Karate Museum. All events are open to general public and are free of charge.

Karate: From Okinawa to Hawaii
An exhibition featuring historical images of Karate in prewar Hawaii from the collection of the Hawaii Karate Museum
UH Manoa Hamilton Library Bridge Gallery
July 1, 2009 through August 28, 2009

Map showing the location of the Hamilton Library
Karate Demonstration by Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai
UH Manoa Art Department Auditorium
Sunday, July 12, 2009 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Invitation to the Demonstration

Map showing the location of the Art Building and Hamilton Library
Karate Lecture by Charles C. Goodin
Director, Hawaii Karate Museum
The Transmission of Karate from Okinawa to Hawaii with a Focus on the Pre-War Era
Hamilton Library, Room 301
Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 3 p.m.
Karate Exhibit at the Okinawan Festival
An exhibit of historic Karate photographs and artifacts
Kapiolani Park
Hui O Laulima Cultural Tent
Saturday, September 5, 2009 & Sunday, September 6, 2009

Please contact me if you have any questions about these upcoming events. Everyone is welcome!

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Facebook

2009-06-18T10:33:00.001-10:00

Aloha,

I have a new Facebook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/charles.c.goodin

I am just starting, but I am hoping that it will be a good way to notify people about Hawaii Karate Museum events.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Demonstration Invitation

2009-06-08T22:07:00.003-10:00

Here is the text of the invitation:

You are invited to a free

Demonstration of
Karate and Kobudo

Sunday, July 12, 2009
10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

At the Art Auditorium
Art Building, Room 132
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2535 McCarthy Mall
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

By members of the
Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai

To celebrate an Exhibit
by the Hawaii Karate Museum

Karate: From
Okinawa to Hawaii

At the Bridge Gallery
Hamilton Library
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2550 McCarthy Mall
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

July 1 through August 23, 2009

Reception at the Exhibit to follow
at noon after the Demonstration.

Light refreshments served

For information contact:

Charles C. Goodin
Hawaii Karate Museum
98-211 Pali Momi Street, Suite 640
Aiea, Hawaii 96701

Tel: 808-488-5773
Email: goodin@hawaii.rr.com

You can see the actual invitation at http://museum.hikari.us/invitation.pdf.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Exhibit and Demonstration

2009-06-08T21:57:00.002-10:00

Aloha,

I am still alive and well (for those who were concerned).

I have been overloaded and totally consumed by preparations for an upcoming exhibit at the Bridge Gallery of the Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaii entitled Karate: From Okinawa to Hawaii. In connection with the exhibit, I was asked to also arrange a demonstration and to give an academic lecture.

The demonstration will be on Sunday, July 12th at the Art Auditorium in the Art Building, and the lecture will be the next Sunday, July 19th, at the Hamilton Library. The demonstration will feature members of the Hawaii Karate Kenkyukai, who were kind enough to help me.

I have uploaded an invitation which gives basic information. If you are in Honolulu, you are welcome to attend, as are your friends and relatives. It should be an enjoyable day. Here is the...

INVITATION

The URL is http://museum.hikari.us/invitation.pdf

I hope that some of you will be able to attend. For those who cannot, I plan to film the exhibit and put it online after the exhibit finishes (about the end of August).

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

High Def Karate

2009-04-16T13:26:00.003-10:00

The other day I went to my mother's house. A few months ago she bought a new 42 inch, flat panel, LCD, high-def television. Well, when I went over, she was watching a high def broadcast of American Idol. I actually went over to check on her because she had been hit on the leg with a golf ball (she is fine) but I was captivated by the television. IT WAS SO CLEAR!

I mean it was really, really, really clear. Her television is high def and the show was high def. The two together were awesome. You literally could see individual hairs on the performers' heads. I watched for several minutes and then asked, "So how is your leg?"

My mom is an avid golfer. Her friend hit a ball that ricocheted off a tree and hit my mother on the side of the knee. Luckily, my mom only seems to have a bruise, but because she loves golf so much, I am sure that she will wear the bruise with pride.

Back to the television and the reason for this post (I'm sure you were wondering where I was going).

Well, when I started training with my Sensei in Okinawa is was as if my Karate reception suddenly went high def. It all became so clear! The fine details were there to see. It was awesome. The same things I had "known" for so many years suddenly became clear, sharp, bright, and full. It was like watching American Idol on my mom's television -- same show but what a difference.

Everything is there in traditional Karate. You just have to have a clear reception. Your personal television has to be able to receive a high def signal.

Hurray for high def Karate!

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Practice Control

2009-04-13T23:19:00.003-10:00

Many Karate students engage in kumite, or sparring. However, very few students invest time and effort in developing control. Students should be required to develop a high degree of control before they are allowed to engage in free kumite.

A student should be able to punch the flesh without hitting the bone. That is relatively easy.

A student should be able to punch the skin, without hitting the flesh. That is pretty hard.

A student should be able to punch the hair on the arm without hitting the skin. That is pretty easy.

Hitting a gi without hitting the skin should be very easy.

When I strike a student, I usually do so with a loose fist and also hit with the flesh of my fingers between the knuckles and the first joints, rather than my knuckles. When I block, I tend to do so with the fleshy parts of my forearm, rather than the bones. When I strike with the elbow, I actually hit with the forearm or the back part of the upper arm.

My point is that I have many ways to avoid injuring students... and I practice control. Sometimes I practice hitting the surface of the leather pad on the makiwara (the surface skin of the leather). Still I miss sometimes. For certain techniques, I tend to demonstrate on one of my sons... just in case.

Another thing. When you hit from far away, it is harder to control the punch. It is easier to control a punch or strike that is thrown close. I tend to get in very close before I hit, and often apply joint locks or throws before or with a strike. Again, it is easier to control a short hit.

Practice control. When you can strike with surgical precision, it is a simple matter to change the focus to target that have a greater effect.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Privates Lesson $5

2009-04-13T23:13:00.002-10:00

This is a joke.

A karate student saw a sign in front of a dojo: "Privates Lesson $5". He figured that the sign must mean: "Private Lessons $5."

That sounded like a good deal, so the student went inside and paid his $5, whereupon the instructor promptly kicked him in the privates. Lesson over.

There are always people willing to take your money and hurt you. Don't fall for it.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

A Day in the Life...

2009-03-26T21:47:00.002-10:00

I recently went to the funeral of a family friend, a man who was 101. He led a full and rich life, so the funeral was really a celebration.

Like many funerals, the family had made a photo collage showing photographs from the man's long life. A caption read: "A day in the life of a great man."

A life is made up of so many years, so many days, so many hours, so many minutes, so many seconds. When we get caught up in the day to day pressures and deadlines, we tend to lose sight of this. We let time slip by.

If a photo was taken of your life today, would the caption read: "A day in the life of a great man"?

Or would it read, "Too busy," "Not enough time", or "Maybe tomorrow"?

What would the caption read?

We can't change the captions for our yesterdays, but we do have editorial control of our tomorrows. We can try our best to make each day, "A day in the life of a great man!"

... like my family friend who lived to 101!

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Most Important Weapon

2009-03-26T13:12:00.002-10:00

Various weapons arts are practiced in Karate. They include arts covering the use of the bo, sai, tonfa, nunchaku, tinbe, tekko, and many other weapons. Some of these are improvised type weapons (such as the bo and nunchaku). But others are weapons per se (such as the sai, which was a policeman's weapon).

The idea, in Karate, is to be able to use whatever is at hand as a tool for self defense and escape.

In this regard, one of the most important "weapons" we can carry is a cellular phone. I made sure that my children had them so that they could contact me, or emergency personnel, in case of a problem.

If you are driving and a stranger is following you, you can call the police and drive to the nearest police station. Or, if someone was lurking outside you house, you could call for help.

We often think about weapons as things we can hit or cut with. But they are also things that help us to avoid or escape danger. A cellular phone is an essential weapon.

In a strange coincidence, my cellular phone is a Katana. Ha!

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Not A Good Fighter

2009-03-26T12:04:00.002-10:00

This is a story.

A hot headed Karate student asked a senior about the fighting skills of a particular person. The senior replied, "He is not a good fighter."

Filled with confidence, the student went up and challenged this person. When the person refused, the student launched an attack, sure that he could beat him. But with a single punch the person dropped the student and knocked him out.

When he awoke, the student protested to the senior saying, "You said he wasn't a good fighter!"

"He isn't," answered the senior. "He's a great fighter!"

Actually, I have heard about this kind of thing happening. Such a hot headed student is really lucky that he wasn't killed. But this was just a story.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Belts and Rank?

2009-03-26T11:52:00.002-10:00

If you have read this blog for a while you know my view about belts and rank. I probably sound like a one note song on this subject.

Krista De Castella, a student at Sensei Morio Higaonna's Naha dojo recently wrote about this subject at her Memoirs of a Grasshopper blog. See:

What's in a Belt?

I remember that when Higaonna Sensei visited my dojo, he asked why so many students wore white belts. When I explained that I give no kyu ranks and that all students wear white belts until they become shodan, he gave a big happy smile.

Last night at our dojo, we used belts in an excercise to "twist and wind" when beginning a block. Two people held belts and a student pulled on the belts using his lats and back muscles. This is almost like lifting weights with a cable machine... but with belts and partners instead of weights.

Now to me, that's a good use of belts!

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

How Long For Black Belt?

2009-03-25T13:44:00.003-10:00

A prospective student met with a Karate Sensei and asked, "How long will it take for me to become a black belt?"

The instructor thought about it and replied, "It really depends, but it could take about 10 years."

"But I have already practiced another style of Karate for 5 years and have a black belt in that style," clarified the prospective student.

"In that case it could take 20 years!" declared the instructor.

It can take 10 years to undo the bad habits formed in 5 years. In other words, it might take 10 years to get the student back to zero.

Besides, who asks about belt issues? There are so many more interesting and important issues to discuss. When I am asked about belts, my eyes glaze over. Perhaps that is why we often wear no belts at all in our dojo. Students can train in a gi bottom and T-shirt, in which case they wear no belt. If they wear a gi top they really should wear a belt, but my second son, who is in charge of the dojo, doesn't care.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Could Have Done Better

2009-03-24T23:33:00.003-10:00

A student was taking video of his Sensei performing kata.

"Sensei," the student asked, "May I put video of you doing kata ten years ago on the internet?"

"No," answered the Sensei. "I am not satisfied with that video because I have learned since then."

"How about film from last year?"

The answer was the same.

"How about the film I am taking right now? Surely that must be OK."

"No, tomorrow I will have realized that I could have done better."

Some Sensei -- the best ones in my experience -- never seem to be satisfied with themselves. They are not satisfied even with what they are doing right now... it could be better.

Other instructors, I have observed, seem to talk and talk about their accomplishments from years, even decades ago. Looking back too much, one might strain his neck!

There is no end to learning in Karate. One step leads to another and another. But this requires constant work.

Don't be satisfied. Everyone can do better.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Kvetch Your Lats

2009-03-24T23:01:00.002-10:00

I am taking a little break from Karate literature and reading a book on Yiddish. Perhaps we could say, "Your lats you might kvetch!" or "Too much would it be for you to kvetch your lats now and then?"

I actually am quite fond of the tried and true "squeeze your rats."

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Getting More Students

2009-03-24T22:39:00.002-10:00

This is a story.

An aging Karate instructor -- a master at that -- called his senior students together to discuss a grave problem. "Our enrollment is declining," he reported. "I have called you together to discuss what we can do. I have also asked a business consultant to sit in our meeting."

Various suggestions were made by the senior instructors but the consensus was that having fewer students was actually better in that more time could be spent with each student. Quality was preferable to quantity.

The instructor looked disappointed and asked the business consultant for his opinion.

"Well, I have observed your dojo for several weeks. You have an excellent product. Your Karate is top rate. In fact, that is the problem. Your standards are too high and you are too tough on students. That is why so many students quit after only a few weeks."

"So what are you saying?" asked the instructor?

"Cut your standards in half and you will double your enrollment and your retention rate."

The seniors erupted in outrage! It got so bad that the instructor had to ask them to leave the room. Finally he was alone with the business consultant.

"Let me get this right. We cut our standards in half and we double our enrollment?"

"Definitely."

"What if we cut our standards by 90%?" asked the instructor.

"Why then your enrollment will increase tenfold and hardly any students will quit before they earn their black belt, which you could offer after just 6 months of training, for a hefty fee, of course."

"But what about the seniors? They would never go for this."

"Fire them all. Expel them from the dojo and promote lower black belts to higher ranks. They will be happy and won't know any better. Of course, you can charge them hefty fees too."

"Let me get this straight," said the instructor, "the more I lower my standards the more successful I will be?"

"Exactly right. And you can charge higher tuition and belt fees too. People like to feel like they are improving. You will be helping them to do that."

So what do you think that the instructor did?

This is just a story, thank goodness! What would you do in this situation?

Many years ago, one of my good friends was encouraged by other instructors to increase his tuition. He promptly cut his tuition in half!

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Okinawa Survey -- Please Help

2009-03-19T22:25:00.002-10:00

Aloha,

One of my Sensei's students is conducting a survey on behalf of Okinawa Prefecture to ascertain overseas people's interest and the availability of information on Okinawa. The survey is at:

http://www.my3q.com/home2/264/benson_jp/49299.phtml

It should only take a few minutes to complete. Can you please help by taking the survey and passing on the address to anyone who might be interested? It would really help my Sensei's student.

Thank you very much!

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Replace A Bad Habit With A Good Habit

2009-03-13T14:54:00.002-10:00

This is very important (at least it is to me).

I have a student who raises his shoulders too much. This is a very common problem, especially among men who tend to put too much strength into their movements. They raise their shoulders in an effort to generate more power -- but in the process, actually slow themselves down and generate less power.

I am always telling this student, "lower your shoulders," "lower your shoulders," "lower your shoulders," ... I must seem to say it all the time.

I had the same problem so I can sympathize. My shoulders were always raised.

But it suddenly dawned on me -- when I was working in my son's yard -- that I should not repeat "lower your shoulders" over and over. That would be like picking weeds but not planting grass.

You can pick all the weeds in a yard, but unless there is good grass to grow in its place, you will just get more weeds. You have to also plant good grass.

So instead of saying, "lower your shoulders," I am now saying, "squeeze your lats."

When you squeeze your lats, it is just about impossible to raise your shoulders. Try it. And when you raise your shoulders, it is also just about impossible to squeeze your lats. The two are mutually exclusive.

So the point is that you have to replace a bad habit with a good habit -- you have to dig out the weeds but also plant grass. You can't just say "stop, stop, stop". You have to also teach the student how to do the correct thing.

Instead of stopping the bad habit of raising the shoulders, you should encourage the good habit of squeezing the lats. One is negative, the other positive.

Like I said, this is important to me, because I do not like being negative.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Charles Goodin Promoted!

2009-03-12T19:54:00.003-10:00

Read about it here:

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090311/GETPUBLISHED/903110429/-1/neighborhoods04

(Scroll down)

That is my second son, Charles, who is the head of our dojo. I am his proud assistant.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin

Annual Sugar Cunsumption

2009-03-11T13:52:00.002-10:00

How much sugar do you think the average person consumes in the United States each year:

7 pounds
25 pounds
150 pounds
1 ton

Actually, I could not find a current answer, but in the 1990s, the answer was about 150 pounds! Remember that just one Pepsi each day would add up to about 33 pounds in a year.

And I am not sure if that 150 pound figure is for total sugar (including sugar naturally occurring in foods) or just added sugar.

How much sugar does your body need to be healthy? Have you ever thought about it? Think back to the food charts you had to study in school. I don't think that sugar was one of the food groups.

I also understand that carbohydrates, such a bread and rice, are converted to sugar in the body. I don't think that such converted sugars are included in the 150 pound figure.

I have tried to cut out all sugar in my drinks -- except for a little fruit juice, which I dilute. But that was just the start. Last weekend I did a strange thing (for me). I did not put syrup on my pancakes, because it just tasted too sweet. I used to pour the syrup on my pancakes all the time. Now it is too much.

So less sugar is my new motto. There has also been an unexpected benefit -- we have less soda cans to recycle. I brew my tea, which means there are no bottles to deal with. And that means that fewer cans or bottles have to be made in the first place.

For me, it all comes down to control. As a Karate student, I try to become skilled and get into good shape. Controlling my diet is just as important as training regularly. If I can't control my sugar intake, then how strong am I? Am I just a victim to a sweet tooth? If I can train hard in Karate, then I can watch my diet too.

By the way, if the 150 pound figure is right, that means that an average person would consume 1,500 pounds in ten years. I don't know about you, but at my age, 10 years seem to go by pretty quickly.

Respectfully,

Charles C. Goodin