World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self Defense has posted this notice in very clear language that anything contained on the WDK site and newsletter is deemed a “trade secret” to our members. As such it may not be reproduced or copied in any manner without the express written permission of the management of WDK.
Visit the following link to our most recent newsletter and World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self Defense information.
In Feb '06 Coach Pfeiffer received certification through the Greater Illinios Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation to teach Sun style Tai Chi. Specifically Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi For Arthritis. On June 4th an additional certification was received from Dr. Lam at the workshop in Terra Haute, IN. "Tai Chi for Back Pain" Visit Dr. Lam site at www.taichiproductions.com
SLAYER NEWS About Dragon Kenpo Karate 15 June 2008: The Heart
"The heart of a wise man should resemble a mirror, which reflects every object without being sullied by any." --- Confucius
Table of Contents
June Exams and School Trip by Coach Ron Pfeiffer Featured Article: You're Being Admitted by Reverend Ray Mann (A very interesting look how Dragon Kenpo techniques were utilized in a hospital setting). Anatomy of the Heart by Steve Amoia Closing Comments by Coach Ron Pfeiffer Staff Biographies Link
June Exams and School Trip by Coach Ron Pfeiffer
The weekend of June 7th was our annual "camp trip." It wasn't real camping though as this year we elected to go to the Great Wold Lodge, which is a major Dells resort with indoor water park. Students from the Lake Geneva Self Defense Club and Ronin Martial Arts participated in exams on Saturday morning and waterpark fun the rest of the weekend.
There were some torrential rains along with tornado warnings. At one point, we had a good number of our group in my 1st floor motel room due to the upper floors being cleared by the management. When I looked out into the hall way, it looked like a scene from the Titanic! The hotel staff were very accommodating, passing out water, soda and games for the kids. All together between the two tornado warnings, people spent over 4 hours huddling in the hallway.
If anyone saw the news in the Wisconsin Dell, Lake Delton was almost completely drained due to the washing out of a section of land and road. The water, about 600 million gallons, went into the Wisconsin River and major damage was done to flooded out homes and businesses. Since the tourist season is just starting, it will be a bad year for the folks in the Dells.
Due the the rain, we had to cancel our flag retirement ceremony and awards presentations that were planned. Our big announcement at our camp trip is the new Parent of the Year. This year the honor went to Bill and Sonya Murray. They have big shoes to fill as Tim and Maria Starck have set the bar quite high with a great job of chairing the Parent committee. New ranks will be handed out in classes. Make up exams will be held the next couple of Wednesdays at 5:30pm at the YMCA.
And finally be sure to get registered for the upcoming Tai Chi Instructor training being held the first weekend in Sept at the Y!
September and Another Tai Chi Weekend!!
The first weekend in September is scheduled for our 3rd Annual Tai Chi Instructors Training Seminar. Now even if you are just interested in improving your Tai Chi skills, this would be a great weekend for you. Although the focus will be on the 31 movements of Tai Chi for Arthritis, there will be some advanced work on the 73 Forms as well as testing opportunities for our World Dragon Kenpo members. This is an intense weekend of training, and according to past participants, a life changing event. I sincerely hope to see many of you there, and if you need lodging or other information you know how to email for it. If you don't know, just click on wi_ron@yahoo.com and put Tai Chi Weekend in the subject line.
And Finally,
Just because World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self Defense is on track for another great year is no reason to get lazy!! Talk to at least one person per week about your (remember this is your school) membership in WDK and the benefits of our program. If you are at least at the Orange Belt and want to start a training group, email your request for Assistant Instructor status and get to kickin'!
All the Best,
Coach Ron Pfeiffer
Reminder
Occasionally, our members have asked what's the best way to help others learn about our school and program. K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Students! Just refer them to one of our websites, as some of you know we have a few. Also, our school depends on member referrals to grow. Our tuition is the lowest of any school because we don't have advertising expenses, etc. Use these links for referrals:
You’re Being Admitted by Pastor Ray Mann, WDK Orange Belt
Editor's Note:
Our theme this month is about the heart. Both in a physical sense, and in terms of personal character. In this featured article, Reverend Mann demonstrates the true meaning of heart.
“You’re being admitted” are words you dread hearing when in a hospital emergency room.I had come into the emergency room in February of 2008 after seeing my doctor for a backache and a stomach ache. What I did not realize was that the two issues were not separate, but related to the same thing, an attack of pancreatitis.Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas which can be extremely painful and even possibly life-threatening.The treatment, though, is simple.After finding me a room, I was given an IV with morphine for the pain and a saline solution to keep me from being dehydrated.To rest the pancreas, I was allowed nothing by mouth… No food, not even water. For the next six days, I had the pleasure of watching daytime TV hosts cook wondrous meals and not be able to have even a bowl of jello!
Over the next two months, I spent 20 days in the hospital with three separate incidents of the same illness.To this point today, the doctors still do not know for certain what triggered these episodes.Early in the course of this adventure, I realized that I was in danger of growing weaker physically, a state the doctors called “de-conditioning”.Each day spent in bed meant at least two days recovery time after release… In my case, over 40 days of recovery time! In November of 2007, I joined World Dragon Kenpo and began training.I am a minister in the Church of the Nazarene in my mid-forties, and started down this road with the thought of starting a Martial Arts Ministry in my church, as well as getting into shape myself.Having had prior experience in Aikido, I advanced quickly to Yellow Belt.When I was in the hospital and realizing the problems I was facing with de-conditioning I asked my wife to bring in a set of resistance bands for me.I began walking up and down the corridors trailing my IV stand like an old friend, and practicing the routines from WDK in my room. I had some access to the Internet in the hospital and was able to go online a few times to the WDK site. With these resources available I was able to maintain some degree of an exercise program.
It is now a little more than two weeks after my release from my last stay at the hospital, and I can say that the conditioning that World Dragon Kenpo afforded me before I was admitted, and the routines and techniques I was able to practice while actually in the hospital have allowed me to recover much quicker than I otherwise would have.I have now advanced to Orange Belt two months behind schedule, but I’m here!
Moreover, the benefits of WDK are not simply physical.The benefits of concentration, focus, assertiveness and prioritizing which WDK teach also were qualities that became very important in the hospital setting.“Make the most of every opportunity” is not simply a nice saying or Bible verse; I found that WDK was a way for me to open bridges to people that I would not otherwise have had much in common.It was a way for me to help other people as well, in the middle of what I was going through.
I also know that WDK is keeping me in shape, so that if this should happen again and I hear those dreaded words, “You’re being admitted,” I will be ready physically, mentally and socially.Hooah! Go WDK!
As we can see from the above detailed diagram, the heart has four chambers:
Left Atrium
Right Atrium
Right Ventricle
Left Ventricle
"The left ventricle is the largest and strongest chamber in your heart. The left ventricle's chamber walls are only about a half-inch thick, but they have enough force to push blood through the aortic valve and into your body."
Source: Copyright Texas Heart Institute, www.texasheart.org used by permission.
Four Valves
To complement the four chambers, the heart has four valves. To view more detailed images, please click here. But if we look above, we can see the valves in the highlighted diagram.
Tricuspid
Pulmonary
Mitral
Aortic
In a Hearbeat
We often hear that phrase. But did you ever wonder how many times your heart beats during your lifetime? According to the Texas Heart Institute:
"By the end of a long life, a person's heart may have beat (expanded and contracted) more than 3.5 billion times. In fact, each day, the average heart beats 100,000 times, pumping about 2,000 gallons (7,571 liters) of blood." Source: Copyright Texas Heart Institute, www.texasheart.org used by permission.
To learn more about the heart, please visit the Heart Information Center Page at the Texas Heart Institute. I would like to thank Mr. Ken Hoge, Manager, Visual Communications Services, of the Texas Heart Institute, for his kind assistance with this article.
If you have an article that you would like to submit, you may respond to me or Steve Amoia. Just send your submission within the body of an email. Comments and questions about our publication are encouraged, and you can direct them to me by email. Please proofread your submissions, and shorter rather than longer articles are preferred. WDK reserves the right to edit any submission.
Important Notice To All Members
All Student/Instructor members are reminded that advancement and promotion are not automatic. Contact Coach Pfeiffer or your local instructor if you have questions or to request advancement information.
Is your school having an event? Let the Dragon Kenpo community know by placing it in the Slayer News! We are here to help you and your students get the most out of your training.
Please remember to keep your information updated so that the World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self-Defense can serve you in the best way possible!
The articles within this newsletter are the views of the writer and not necessarily the views of World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self-Defense.
SLAYER NEWS About Dragon Kenpo Karate May 2008: The Brain
"Men ought to know that from the brain, and from the brain only, arise our pleasures, joy, laughter and jests, as well as our sorrows, pains, griefs, and tears." --- Hippocrates
Table of Contents
Opening Comments by Coach Ron Pfeiffer Featured Article: Your Brain on Endorphins by Phoebe Nelson Oshirak, RN Mindset by Ed DellaCroce The Brain and Bodily Movements by Steve Amoia For the Love of Forms by R. Michael Sweet Closing Comments by Coach Ron Pfeiffer Staff Biographies Link
Opening Comments by Coach Ron Pfeiffer
It's Been Busy! Dragon Kenpo Info and Updates...
As we informed our members, World Dragon Kenpo in association with the Lake Geneva Family YMCA sponsored our first World Tai Chi and Qi Gong day. With the wind and cooler temps we moved our event indoors.
Students from our mini course at the University of Wisconsin Parkside joined with our YMCA Tai Chi and Self Defense students. Additionally, we had a good group of spectators who showed their appreciation for the efforts of our Tai Chi students.
Our demonstration included Tai Chi for Arthritis and the 73 Forms as well as forms and self defense demos by our "Karate Kids"!
We accomplished our goal of raising the awareness of people to the benefits of Sun style Tai Chi.
One School Ends Another Begins
As many of our members know, I am actively involved with the University of Wisconsin Parkside in a mini course offering of Tai Chi and Self Defense. These usually are put on twice a year in Tallent Hall on campus. Our last session (and oh yea they already invited me back due to the rave reviews the students submitted) ended on April 29th and the students were glad. Oh glad you say, and why? Well we had agreed a couple of weeks earlier that if there was enough interest in continuing that I would find us another venue. Since we had at least 20 students between the SD and TC, we have been able to rent space at the Lakeview RecPlex in Pleasant Prairie and the training continues. Our first night, Jill Leable brought a cake which had the name of the new school, Midwest Tai Chi and Self Defense Club. All the students who attended that first night are being recognized as Founders of our new school.
Founding Members
Paula Carson, Kristina Edstrom, Charlie Edstrom, Kathy Falcon, Giulia Hoke, Gina Hoke, Nina Jaras, Jill Leable, Dale Malsch, Lynn Moore, Jesus Quevedo, Cecilia Quevedo, Mark Reitman, Kate Renwick, JoAnn Schwart, Brenda Sherman, Mike Sokolski, Joseph Tobin, Sona Thomas, Barbara Vass, and Diane Wilcox.
A big congratulations to them and thanks for the faith they have placed in me. I will endeavor to live up to their expectations. We may change locations, we do have some options but for now we're gonna go with the RecPlex. If you're wondering how much fun this is just go for it and see what happens.
Time for another Family Camp!
After taking the Lake Geneva Self Defense Club on a primitive camp trip last year, the parent committee has taken over and through fund raisers made enough to take about 30 families to the Wisconsin Dells and the Great Wolf Themed lodge. The dates are June 6th and 7th with some of us going up a bit early and others staying a day or two extra. We will have registration at 9am and exams are to begin at 10am. When completed, we'll break for lunch and then have some fun at the indoor water-park and perhaps a group of us will hit the go-carts like we've done in the past. That evening will we have a Flag retirement ceremony and present student rank awards as well as presenting the annual Parent of the Year Award. If this sounds like fun, you better start making your plans for next year!
September and Another Tai Chi Weekend!!
The first weekend in September is scheduled for our 3rd Annual Tai Chi Instructors Training Seminar. Now even if you are just interested in improving your Tai Chi skills, this would be a great weekend for you. Although the focus will be on the 31 movements of Tai Chi for Arthritis, there will be some advanced work on the 73 Forms as well as testing opportunities for our World Dragon Kenpo members. This is an intense weekend of training, and according to past participants, a life changing event. I sincerely hope to see many of you there, and if you need lodging or other information you know how to email for it. If you don't know, just click on wi_ron@yahoo.com and put Tai Chi Weekend in the subject line.
And Finally,
Just because World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self Defense is on track for another great year is no reason to get lazy!! Talk to at least one person per week about your (remember this is your school) membership in WDK and the benefits of our program. If you are at least at the Orange Belt and want to start a training group, email your request for Assistant Instructor status and get to kickin'!
All the Best,
Coach Ron Pfeiffer
Reminder
Occasionally, our members have asked what's the best way to help others learn about our school and program. K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Students! Just refer them to one of our websites, as some of you know we have a few. Also, our school depends on member referrals to grow. Our tuition is the lowest of any school because we don't have advertising expenses, etc. Use these links for referrals:
The other day I watched a public service commercial on television. It showed an egg being dropped into a hot pan and frying. The commentary was: “This is your brain on drugs.”
During my years in the nursing profession, I learned a good deal about drug and alcohol addiction. It is all about getting “high” and feeling better. It is about escaping pain and the unpleasantness of our reality. It makes me wonder why we don’t choose the natural drugs our body produces that have the same effect without the consequences.
These drugs are free, legal and readily available. They are called “Endorphins.” The word endorphin is a combination of words that mean “endogenous morphine.” Endogenous (Phonetically:N-dodge-en-us) meaning self-made or produced within.Endorphins, a natural form of opiates, are chemicals that have morphine-like effects. They are found naturally in the brain in very small amounts but they are powerful nonetheless.
Perhaps you have heard someone comment on the rush or natural high they feel after a rigorous workout. Often referred to as “Being in the Zone,” once experienced, athletes seek this experience again and again. It can be addictive. Exercise is only one method of triggering the “glow” of our natural endorphin production. We have all heard the expression “No pain, No gain.”Pain is an endorphin producer. Pain causes the body to produce endorphins which in turn help block our pain receptors. Physical stress, women in childbirth, marathon runners, acupuncture, exercise and having sex are only some of the activities that trigger endorphin release.
Unfortunately, not all of us can be Olympic athletes or endurance runners, and there is definitely a time and place for lovemaking.However, exercise in many forms is ours for the taking almost any time and anywhere.Generally we exercise to maintain our bodies and minds, not because we particularly enjoy it. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to enjoy the benefits of endorphins.15 to 20 minutes of moderate activity can release these endogenous drugs into your system. Some of us have had the good fortune to experience a nearly-euphoric state during a workout which changes our attitude about exercising. From that moment forward, we aspire to recapture that euphoria. From my own experience, Tai Chi and power walking can produce a natural high. Believe me, I have had some “soaring” moments walking on the treadmill at the local YMCA. Usually, at a very low point in my workout, when I literally have to “will” my body to continue, I suddenly shift into what I describe as overdrive. I feel as though I am lighter, almost floating. There is a wave of new-found energy, my mood elevates and fatigue wanes. I am awash in a feeling of well-being. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a Natural High. Unfortunately for me, it is not an every day experience. But when it happens…well, there isn’t any drug I can think of that could make me feel better.
As Aldous Huxley wrote in his 1931 novel, "Wanted, a New Pleasure."
“If we could sniff or swallow something that would, for five or six hours each day, abolish our solitude as individuals, atone us with our fellows in a glowing exaltation of affection and make life in all its aspects seem not only worth living, but divinely beautiful and significant...then, it seems to me, all our problems (and not merely the one small problem of discovering a novel pleasure) would be wholly solved and earth would become a paradise."
Well, folks, you don’t have to sniff or swallow anything to experience the “novel pleasure” Mr. Huxley longed to find. We simply have to start moving… and keep on moving… until our amazing mind and body delivers our own “paradise” in the form of endorphins. Call them what you will.I call them my drugs of choice. Phoebe Nelson Oshirak can be contacted at Ophoebe0077@aol.com
Mindset by Ed DellaCroce, North Carolina State Director for WDK
In the past, I have written many articles concerning mindset. This subject will never become outdated. To this day, Martial Artists continue to die on the streets because their survival attitude has been altered.
By nature, humans are survivors, capable of doing whatever is necessary in a given situation. Unfortunately, our present day litigious society has slowly re-conditioned us to become the opposite. The mindset which once caused us to react instinctively now causes us to pause and ponder. After all, we are a civilized society, aren't we? Faced with a robbery on the streets, an average person attempts to mentally reason the situation. Since no one we know would kill for a wallet, we assume the dirtbag holding us up would not, either. It is at this point many find out they were wrong, dead wrong. Folks, today is the day to examine yourself.
How do Police officers make a life or death decision to shoot in three seconds or less? Simply answered, they train. Pistol range practice is meaningless if an officer is not mentally capable to react. At some point, they had to make a decision that they would perform in a certain way when faced with danger. Officers interviewed after shootouts have remarked, “I don't even remember pulling the trigger.”
Many Martial Artists train and fight under controlled dojo conditions. While sparring, we would never think of crushing our partners trachea. The conditions we train and fight under become our second nature. If we are not able to fight realistically, then what is the solution? We can start with our mindset. We must learn to develop a new thought process. If you are not mentally willing to, then keep believing in Santa Claus. The world of do or die reality does not exist for you.
These writings are my opinion based on my own personal experiences. I have been there and done that. I now have over thirty three years of Military and Civilian police experience. As a teenager, I was also mugged. The ______ who robbed me told me to co-operate and he would not hurt me. That's funny, I kept getting punched in the stomach as he said it. The nightstick looming over my friends head also made me cautious. At one point, I said to myself, run or die. So I ran. Both muggers chased after me. My so-called friend ran for his life. I was not caught because mentally I made a decision to survive. Soon after that, I reevaluated my mindset and studied self-defense techniques.
Forty years ago, it was uncommon for a child to murder their own parents. In today's society, for some, it is a normal event. The world has changed and for survival we must too. Practice "What if?" scenarios with yourself. Sit down with a friend and ask, what would you do in this situation? For some this may be difficult, especially, in moral terms. You have an obligation to yourself, family, and friends to survive in a bad situation. Without the mental drive, your training is useless. You must believe in yourself. Your will to survive must be far stronger than your attacker's drive to harm or kill you. Consciously be aware of your surroundings. Don't become paranoid, but learn to become wise. The reality is bad things happen to good people. Friends tell me, “If it's my time to die then so be it.” I know death is a part of life. That does not cause me to tempt faith and cross a major highway blindfolded. Use common sense. An automobile seatbelt is a safety precaution. Your mindset is your survival precaution. We must mentally be able to do whatever is necessary. Would you be able to use deadly force against an attacker, or hesitate because of moral values? Rapist and muggers have no rules, yet when it comes to self defense, many citizens do.
To use deadly force is a decision each person must decide upon.
Personally, I still live by the rule, “I'd rather be tried by twelve than carried by six.”
"Motor" is an apt term for the part of our brains that controls bodily movements. The Motor Cortex, or Area 4 of the precentral gryus, was discovered by the American-Canadian neurosurgeon, Dr. Wilder Penfield. During operations to assist patients with epileptic seizures, Dr. Penfield stimulated areas of the cortex with electricity to determine which areas could not be removed. This special type of brain surgery was called the "Montreal Procedure." When he stimulated the precentral gryus, he noted localized muscle contractions on the opposite side of the body. Hence, the right brain controls the left side of the body, and vice versa. For example, when we suffer a stroke, only one side of the body is affected.
Map by Dr. Penfield
"The most striking aspect of this map is that the areas assigned to various body parts on the cortex are proportional not to their size, but rather to the complexity of the movements that they can perform. Hence, the areas for the hand and face are especially large compared with those for the rest of the body. " What Happens When the Motor Cortex Becomes Injured?
"If someone's motor cortex is destroyed (by a stroke, for example), he or she loses the ability to make precise movements, especially of the hands and fingers. Learning of new movements is not strongly affected by damage to the cerebral cortex."
The Role of Dopamine in the Basal Ganglia
This part of the brain is often where movement disorders begin. It is also one of the areas of the brain with the least amount of scientific research with regards to its overall functions.
"People who have Parkinson's disease, characterized by trembling and by difficulty in initiating movements, show a deficiency of dopamine in their basal ganglia. Because these structures play an important role in determining various aspects of movement, their malfunctioning results in the motor problems associated with Parkinson's disease."
The Cerebellum
This area is similar to a thermostat. It regulates functions of movement and muscle memory in the brain. When we learn a technique in Dragon Kenpo or Tai Chi, the procedural memory is stored in the Cerebellum.
"The cerebellum also acts as a learning and memorizing machine, thanks to its modifiable neural connections that continuously compare everything they are programmed to do with the results that they are actually achieving...
The cerebellum therefore apparently learns how to calibrate its commands to the muscles in terms of strength and duration in order to correct in advance for the effects of these interactions along the path of motion."
Activation Sequence
There are three steps that occur to produce a voluntary movement:
1. Selection of an appropriate response.
2. Physically planning the movement.
3. Execution of the movement.
"For example, suppose that you go to pick up a glass of water that you think is cool and refreshing, but is actually boiling hot. As soon as you touch the glass, you pull your hand back immediately, by reflex, without thinking about it. But suppose that next, your child tries to grab this glass, which you already know is hot. In this case, because your child's safety is so important to you, you can consciously overcome the reflex to pull your hand away. Instead, using your voluntary motor control, you grab the glass yourself and put it where your child can't reach it."
Please Note
"The concept of "copyleft" is a method of providing free access to the results of original work and of encouraging people to reproduce and even modify this work on an equally free basis."
Due to this concept, World Dragon Kenpo was able to reproduce the detailed images, along with subject matter expert quotes, for this article. A debt of thanks to Bruno Dubuc and The Brain From Top to Bottom.
For the Love of Forms By R. Michael Sweet, Certified Instructor
Dragon Kenpo does not require forms (pre-arranged sets or routines) to be performed for promotion. It is, however, understood that the techniques of Dragon Kenpo are a starting point of our study of the Martial Arts. Like many DK practitioners, I enjoy practicing forms on a daily basis.A brief Internet search will show that there are almost as many forms as there are martial arts schools.I thought it might be useful to newer martial artist, to have some general idea of what forms are out there, and how they may be used to enhance and enrich your martial arts training.
The word “Kata” is frequently used interchangeably with the word “form.” The word “Kata” is of Japanese origin and should really be used to refer to Japanese sets. One very popular set of Kata are found in the Shotokan tradition. These Kata consist of the Heian, Tekki, and other individually named Kata. The Pinan series is essentially the same, but I have seen stylistic differences in the schools teaching the Pinan and those teaching Heian series. The historical relationship of the Pinan and Heian sets are a bit much for this short article. They are essentially the same thing and both can provide an excellent form of training the bodyfor speed, coordination, and cardiovascular strength. I personally enjoy practicing the Heian series, Tekki Shodan and a few others from this tradition.
The Korean based Tae Kwon Do forms are referred to as Poomse and consist of the Palgwae, Taeguk, WTF Black Belt, and ITF forms. Like the Kata of the Japanese arts, the Poomse can provide an excellent supplement to training and conditioning the body in the physical movements required in the Martial Arts. They are particularly good for training the legs. I personally practice the form “Koryo” (sometimes referred to as “Korea.”) It took me a while to learn, but it is an excellent form.
The Chinese martial arts, commonly referred to as Kung Fu, include many interesting and (sometimes complex) sets. Technically, Tai Chi is a type of Kung Fu but, in the common vernacular it is generally thought to be a soft style, and Kung Fu is referred to as a hard style of Chinese Martial Arts. Like most DK students, I use the Tai Chi for Arthritis exercise of Dr. Lam. I also practice the very popular 24 movement Tai Chi set, and a set designed by Bruce Tegner called Circle Tai Chi. They are all excellent for training in coordination and balance.
American Kenpo sets are also available for viewing on the internet. Ed Parker himself can be seen doing some of the routines as he taught them. American Kenpo Long Form 4 is considered to be his signature form. Although I greatly admire, and have played around with the American Kenpo sets, I do not regularly practice them. The American Kenpo sets are designed to be practical self defense sets. For this type of training Ipractice theDK techniques, as well as sets which I designed on my own.
Remember that all martial arts forms are supposed to mean something. When you learn them they will be easier to remember if you understand what each movement is supposed to represent.Don’t try to learn too many.It is better to work on a fewforms and do them well than to do many forms without understanding.Also, since DK doesn’t test forms, it frees you up to practice them without pressure. If you try them, I think you will eventually do them for the love of forms.
If you have an article that you would like to submit, you may respond to me or Steve Amoia. Just send your submission within the body of an email. Comments and questions about our publication are encouraged, and you can direct them to me by email. Please proofread your submissions, and shorter rather than longer articles are preferred. WDK reserves the right to edit any submission.
Important Notice To All Members
All Student/Instructor members are reminded that advancement and promotion are not automatic. Contact Coach Pfeiffer or your local instructor if you have questions or to request advancement information.
Is your school having an event? Let the Dragon Kenpo community know by placing it in the Slayer News! We are here to help you and your students get the most out of your training.
Please remember to keep your information updated so that the World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self-Defense can serve you in the best way possible!
The articles within this newsletter are the views of the writer and not necessarily the views of World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self-Defense.
This blog was designed and is maintained by Steve Amoia for the World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self-Defense. Coach Ron Pfeiffer is the publisher, and Steve Amoia is the editor for Slayer News.
Since December 2007, Slayer News has been published exclusively on this blog.
Spread the Word
At the bottom of each post, you may email the article. This is the best way to share the contents of the Slayer News blog.
Whether in Lake Geneva or around the world, we should always make time to practice our techniques.
Every once and a while it’s important to look at choices and make course corrections to help ensure that the larger long term goals will be met. World Dragon Kenpo training is helping many of our Student/Instructor members to first develop those goals then set about getting into achievement mode. That means new goals, mini goals that help us to keep our sites on the prize. If we’re not speaking to our students about this single important concept that may mean we’ve forgot to use the process ourselves.
Here is where you may make the decision to become a more effective WDK member or just a better instructor or even a more diligent student.
Continuous Improvement, this is the goal for our school. We can always improve and do things a little better, ranging all the way from how we conduct lessons to how we should train as we get older to the basic model of how a school operates. So lets hear from those of you with ideas and thoughts about our C.I. project.
Coach Ron Pfeiffer
George Washington;
There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.
Q&A HEY, JUST ASK....
Commentary from our various members concerning their feelings about the martial arts usually include a question or two. Here’s a couple of recent Q & A’s.
Hello Ron,
Yes that is the book (The Tao of Jeet Kune Do) I am talking about. I also have another book by Kevin Seaman its called Jun Fan Gung Fu seeking the path of jeet kune do. I have learned a few things from this book, I will look into the book (Striking Thoughts) you mentioned by Bruce Lee. I went ahead and ordered your CD on Nunchaku. So what are your thoughts about Bruce Lee's martial art Jeet Kune Do.
Allen,
Thanks for ordering the cd, should get that out to you shortly.
My thoughts on BL's JKD... By doing such a simple thing as allowing his students to speak their own language he started a martial arts revolution that allowed so many more people to be exposed to eastern thought. His most basic advice was "simplify" and don't get wrapped up in the fancy and ornate. There are "techniques" in JKD of course but many people consider it more of a idea or method than a martial art. I often wonder how his efforts or ideas would have changed (evolved, as they do with all of us with time) if he had a chance to live to a ripe old age. Let me know if you have checked the Daily Tips link in the members area. There you'll find 2 exercises that I recommend be practiced regularly, check them out.
Thanks for asking...
Coach Pfeiffer,
How's it going? I've got a question about printing the certificates. When I print them it cuts off one side and leaves some white squares in it. How do I get it to print the whole thing? I wanted to hang them up in my make shift "dojo" (which is really in my attic). My other question or two is: Is there no intro's for orange belt?, why do only some of the intro's and self defense moves have lesson text and some don't? I find them extremely helpful since dial-up download is so slow. I can begin to figure them out while it's downloading, and can refer back to it for a refresher instead of constantly redownloading the video. Thanks for the special recognition in the newsletter. I really appreciated that.
Thanks again Coach!
James,
Things are going well. Try the setting for landscape in the printer preferences, also in your browser select from View the smallest print.
Some have intros some do not. Most of the higher ranks do not. One way to work it is to watch the clip with a note pad and write down what you see, practice the technique a number of times reviewing the notes you made while downloading the next one, the notes become your "dragon kenpo manual". Your right, dial up is so slow, as I suggested use that time to practice. Please stop me if I seem to be repeating myself :)
Most Sincerely,
Coach Ron
Buddha;
Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true. [paraphrased]
AS REQUSTED BY OUR MEMBERS, IT'S NUNCHAKU TIME...
Learning to use weapons, and defend against them is a natural progression for many martial arts/self defense practitioners. The nunchaku is one of the more difficult traditional choices and has been for me an excellent coordination builder over the years.
A while back I received a number of requests from our members who wanted, either for themselves to offer their students, nunchaku training so now finally the program is available on a CD ROM. The 47 minute program includes a demonstration, breakdown of the basic movements, a form or pattern from these movements and then several more separately taught techniques. You can find the CD from the main page www.dragonkenpo.us Members> Online Store link.
END OF THE 4TH QUARTER
December 10th at the Geneva Lakes Family YMCA is the date for student exams. The program will begin Saturday at 9AM with pre-exam interviews of all testing students and parents, and a vigorous warmup.
This is also the Collection Date for our annual adopt a Christmas Family in association with Love Inc. Distance member are also invited to participate in this charity event. We would like to ask all our associated members to take a little time to direct a bit of our energy to community service and help those who are less fortunate. Once again Chris Miller has taken the lead on this and we’ll have more info shortly.
LOOKING TO 2006
Plans are already in place to return to Mirror Lake State Park next summer. We may extend camp an extra day this year because it went so quick last year! Make your plans for a Fathers Day weekend karate camping trip in the Wisconsin Dells.
Edwin H. Friedman
The colossal misunderstanding of our time is the assumption that insight will work with people who are unmotivated to change. Communication does not depend on syntax, or eloquence, or rhetoric, or articulation but on the emotional context in which the message is being heard. People can only hear you when they are moving toward you, and they are not likely to when your words are pursuing them. Even the choices words lose their power when they are used to overpower. Attitudes are the real figures of speech.
Communication and coordinated effort.
Send your articles, questions or school information to wi_ron@yahoo.com to be included in future editions of the Slayers News.
World Dragon Kenpo 2005
SLAYERS NEWS
About Dragon Kenpo
Oct ‘05
Schools Back in Session!
As school has started I’m sure that many of our instructors have experienced a spike in new returning and inquiring students. Some are back after summer break. "I practiced all summer Coach!". Others never left and wonder what the fuss is about. Still other new students are introducing their friends to our humble practice.
A hearty and sincere thanks to the many active parent and adult members of our local club. These great people are the ones who make a lot of our success possible. It just shows what can be done when we work together.
MEMBER PROMOTIONS AND ADVANCEMENT
The following is a list of student/members local and distant who have requested and received a promotion. Distance learning members are reminded that advancements are not automatic either for rank or status. Contact Coach Ron Pfeiffer for more information.
Some of the persons below already hold high rank (Black Belt) in other styles or systems. Regardless of rank with all share the same commitment to continous improvement.
Jacob Mendiola, Ryan Carteret, John Michael Flores, Cameron Nguyen, Cory Nguyen, Angela Reilly, Roberto Rios, Andrew Rios, Christian J. Rincon, Jacob O. Rincon, Victoria Rodriguez, Lucas Villalon, Joshua Whitley
All of the above students of Gabriel Mendiola’s at St. Matthews in San Antonio, have completed the White Belt.
Dewi Rhys Arwel Orange Belt
Alun David Maylin Orange Belt
Stephen Payne Yellow Belt
Craig Anthony Mahoney Orange Belt
Martin Richard Patrick Bardsley Orange Belt
Christopher David Roberts Summerfield
Orange Belt
Dragon Kenpo Europe Strikes Again, the students listed above train with Thor Sulland.
Jacobi Adkins 3rd Dg. Brown Belt
Cornelius Mathews 3rd Dg. Brown Belt
Ben Lewis Probationary Orange Belt
Tyler Odell Probationary Yellow Belt
Elizabeth Venteicher Probationary Blue Belt
Erik Martinez Yellow Belt
Chris Venteicher Green Belt
Alexander J. Mueller Blue Belt
Wyatt Starck Probationary Purple Belt
Salim Zafar Yellow Belt
Dillon Samonig Probationary Purple Belt
Angeli Soto Probationary Orange Belt
Christian Martinez Yellow Belt
Monica Starck Yellow Belt
Nadia Smale Yellow Belt
Bradley Anderson Yellow Belt
Matthew Murray Yellow Belt
Claire Kinder Yellow Belt
Oksana Smale Probationary Yellow Belt
Arhum Zafar Probationary Yellow Belt
Yusra Zafar Probationary Yellow Belt
Austin Brandenburger Probationary Yellow Belt
Megan Brandenburger Probationary Yellow Belt
Eric Shane Probationary Yellow Belt
Richard Lee Probationary Green Belt
Kurt Zitta Blue Belt
Robert Miller Blue Belt
Charles Humble Orange Belt
Michelle Collette Yellow Belt
William Tate White Belt
Anthony Thompson Blue Belt
Steve Amoia Orange Belt
Nick Fletcher Purple Belt
Rick Collette Orange Belt
Jesse Trejo Blue Belt
Justin Earhart Orange Belt
Raymond L. Plumley Jr. Orange Belt
James Alexander Orange Belt
Ralph Trejo Orange Belt
Anthony Ventresca Yellow Belt
Richard Shepard Orange Belt
Jacob Patus 3rd Dg. Brown Belt
Jim Patus 3rd Dg. Brown Belt
Keith Noe White Belt
If you should be listed here and are not contact Coach Ron Pfeiffer at wi_ron@yahoo.com
ANNUAL EXAMS AND BANQUET
By the time 9am rolled around the gym was full and everywhere you looked it was nothing but practice, practice, practice as students prepared for the their testing.
The day begins with pre-exam interviews where the students are asked a variety of questions. There are questions about the reasons for a students continued study. We ask about school and how it’s going. Fielding rare questions from the student about how to handle difficult situations are part of the interview process as non-violent methods are emphasized. Student on the asked to explain how they are helping out at home.
Testing is done by ranks beginning at white belt. Finishing by a little after 11 am.
The Wet and Wild pool time was at 2pm and we got some great shots of the fun and games. A big thanks to our YMCA partners who supplied 2 very professional Lifeguards for the safety of all.
Things were just getting warmed up now as preparations for the evening banquet moved ahead smoothly. Our meal was catered by Stowell’s in Burlington and they even helped with our cake that was donated by newly promoted Instructor Ken Hansen. Our other new Red Belt Jeff Hansen (no relation) handled the rental and coordinated the set up of the many tables for all our guests. And of course our Event Coordinator Christine Miller did a great job and is to be commended for pulling it all together.
Fred DiUlus made a timely arrival just as I was about to go to plan b. Freds talk was inspiring and thought provoking which has made for some interesting discussions. I also learned that he has a 2nd Dg. BB in American Kenpo. Also Fred was the presenter of my promotion. Thanks again Fred for your ideas and support. We presented Mr DiUlus with a Lifetime Membership in the World Dragon Kenpo Black Belt Club as well as our hope that next time he could bring Sally and Michelle when he visits.
Also an announcement of the January launch of the Sports Management Degree Program. This program includes a focus on martial art using our program at www.dragonkenpo.us. This is a private label accredited degree program for your local university/college. More in the next Slayers News...
A NOTE FROM RODNEY LACEY
Lake Geneva Dragon Kenpo
Greetings to my friends and Dragon Kenpo family in beautiful Lake Geneva and their families and friends. First my apologies for not being with again this year. I wish to express my gratitude to Coach Ron Pfeiffer for his friendship and my joy at the innovations he has made in Dragon Kenpo specifically and the martial arts in general. Coach Pfeiffer has a true love of the martial arts and a desire to provide well rounded instruction and feedback to his students – both local and international. His approach is much more than that of a coach to a student; it is as one family member to another. It is with sadness that I am not able to be in Lake Geneva this year but also with great joy that I announce the promotion of Coach Ronald Pfeiffer to the rank of 5th Dan in Dragon Kenpo Karate and confer upon him the title of Master of Dragon Kenpo Karate as of this the 18th day of September 2005. May God continue to watch over you and richly bless you and your families. Sincerely,
Rodney M. Lacey
8th Dan Dragon Kenpo Karate IDKA Director of Operations
Fred DiUlus read the presentation and assisted with Student Awards.
JOIN OUR FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER By Drive Coordinator Ken Hansen
We would like to thank everyone who donated to our local food drive that was held during our third annual exams and banquet on September 24, 2004. Our local members donated four boxes and four grocery bags of food and $70 to the Lake Geneva Food Pantry. This food will go to the family’s that need it the most in the area. The money will be used to buy the perishable items on an as-needed basis.
Unfortunately, there are still many people in this world that need help. It is because of this I’m issuing a challenge for everyone involved in Dragon Kenpo to help feed those in need. This can be done in several ways. I would suggest first to find a local Donation center in your own community. (Though there are many people in need all over the world especially with the current tragedies, we must not forget about the people in our own backyards.) Then, try to organize a food drive either at your own martial arts school, at work, or with friends and family. I think that this is an excellent idea for those that have classes with kids; a local food drive will help teach moral responsibility and develop a good sense of community. And finally, I’d like everybody to send a short article to the newsletter explaining what they did and how it worked. Let’s make this a worldwide effort by all members of Dragon Kenpo.
Once again, thank you to all our local members. If anyone would like more information or has any questions feel free to e-mail me Whitedragon_wi@hotmail.com
MY STICK FIGHTING TOURNAMENT
By: Kenneth C. Hansen
The story behind this started around the beginning of summer. I realized that I had some free time that needed to be filled. Okay, not really, I just wanted to fill free time that I didn’t really have. I decided I wanted to find the time to pursue other avenues besides Dragon Kenpo that would fill the gaps that training under only one style tends to leave. My search led me to a small school in Roscoe, IL called Ronin Martial arts. This school offers many different classes to choose from including filipino arts (knife and stick fighting), Jeet Kune Do, Kick Boxing, and Competition Stick fighting. It took me a little while to free up the time needed, but finally at the beginning of August I made the time. I started taking classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the Competition Stick Fighting Class on Saturday. After about two weeks the program director, Peter W. Hetrick, who is also the head instructor of these classes, started mentioning the WEKAF Midwest Regional Tournament on October 8th. After much debate, I decided to see how well I could do, based on the decision that the tournaments are only every two years.
We arrived in Milwaukee at 8:30 am for weigh in; traditional weapons forms at 10:30, then sparring started that afternoon. I participated in three events: single stick, double stick, and a team competition. I placed first in single stick, second in double stick, and we placed second in the team competition. All together the group of six that I went with from Ronin took a total of six first place medals, and four second place medals; both of which qualifies the recipient to compete in the national competition on February 17-19, 2006. Then, a first or second place in nationals gives the participant a place on the US National team.
The basic concept of stick fighting is that two participants square off in a twenty- foot by twenty-foot ring. Both participants wear padded body armor and full headgear with a face shield. Then, depending on the event, each participant either has one, or two sticks. Starting with one stick crossed, the referee breaks the sticks apart to start the match. At this point, the opponents are in full contact combat for three rounds of 60 seconds a piece with a 30 second break between rounds. Scoring is based on a ten-point "must" system. Points are lost for illegal contact, (illegal contact is determined for the safety of the participants) loss of defense, or losing your stick. In the end, if opponents are still even after all point loses, then the winner is based on aggressiveness, defense, variety of tactics, and most importantly, the greatest number of effective hits. (Ex. If you tap somebody many times with light fast hits you will be scored less than if you hit somebody once or twice with a full-powered shot.)
I really enjoyed the competition and it helped me see how sport martial arts can really help develop the necessary items needed for self-defense: reaction time, mobility, and speed. I’m looking forward to the tougher competition at nationals in February. For this, I will be spending a lot more time training in the art of stick fighting and inproving physical ability. I’ll be keeping you informed of my progress
Best of Luck to Ken at Nationals!
nce again we feature on of our newer members. As I’ve said before the serious members of World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self Defense are of a rare quality. We are indeed in good company.
SPECIAL FEATURE NEW MEMBER PROFILE
CHRIS BARELA
Honor, Respect and Integrity:
These are base principals of most martial arts. I am Chief Master Instructor Chris Barela, with more than seventeen years of martial arts training and holding multiple certifications. I continue to learn and seize new and old styles of martial arts training. You can never stop learning. Someone, somewhere will always have a style or technique that works. Some may even modify older styles with new age material. Whatever the case may be, martial arts have been around for many years and will continue to be around for many more to come.
Every style has its own history. Every instructor has his or her own way of instruction regardless of the style. Each brings their own theories into play. Even if they are teaching the same style and forms as each other, each instructor will teach the same movements in their own way. Some are faster than others, some teach precision, and others teach take-downs. There are many different angles of martial arts. Whatever the case may be, there has always been one piece of history that remains tight in most martial arts. Bowing. Each culture has its own history as to where and when bowing became an intricate part of martial arts. Some styles will require students to bow to instructors, senior ranking members, at doors and to flags. Others bow only at certain times. Some martial arts do not require that their students bow. Is this wrong? There is no right or wrong answer. Each and every instructor will have his or her own way to teach their students. Each and every style will have its own format. Bowing consists of honor and showing one’s respect to another. Bowing to someone while staring into their eyes can be a symbol of distrust. Bowing at the waist with one’s hands at their side and eyes looking downward is one proper way of bowing. Whatever the case may be, it is up to your instructor and the style that you are learning. It wouldn’t hurt to bow to your instructor unless he or she absolutely forbids it.
"Live as you train and train as you live." Take the time to understand your form and practice it often. Do not think that just because you have learned it, you know it. Like most things we learn by repetition. Keep training. Keep learning and don’t be afraid to ask someone in your program for help. Some students are really hesitant because they feel that the other students will look down on them. This can also occur among adults, not only in children and adolescents. Please remember, everyone was where you were - and most are trying to obtain a similar goal in reaching for their black belt.
