15th June 2007  Gardens, Game Plans & Discipline

This week has been one of consolidating a range of shared knowledge from some excellent instructors who have taken the time to pass on their wisdom.  Of special note, is a visit from Harold Baldry Sensei, who was one of Shihan Tom Slaven's students and Yojimbo (Body Guard).  Baldry Sensei will be coming to Gladstone on the 9th of August and we have a big day planned so look out and keep the day free.

I will be canvassing the Seniors for their thoughts during week. Then liaising with Baldry Sensei to set an agenda for the day.  It will be an excellent day.

We have been focusing on our weapons work over the last couple of weeks and it is paying dividends.  Small progress in handling skills are often difficult to detect but the increase in confidence is obvious for most of our students.  Karate means "empty hand," so karate weapons may seem like a contradiction in terms. But though weapons are not obligatory in this martial art, their use can double your strength, enhance your coordination, and make you a superior empty-handed fighter.

"Okinawan karate and weapons are like brother and sister, they complement each other". - Tadashi Yamashita (karate and kobudo -Okinawan weapons) expert.

The physical conditioning that weapons offer karate stylists has increased their popularity in recent years, and people are eager to learn more about their history and current applications. You try different foods, you must also try different weapons to see which are best for you. If you don't try, how do you know?  This has been our approach.  Allowing experimentation across a wide range of traditional and non traditional weapons without the restriction of rank and curriculum.

This week we had an opportunity to dust off the Kendo gear and add it into our play.  We had the opportunity to share this wonderful training with a friend from Brisbane.  Randi received a great induction from Sempai Kate and sparred with 4 senior students.

Randi got to share his first kendo experience with us and had a ton of fun.
Well done Randi San, you trained with heart and great spirit.

 
This video is a terrific introduction to the world of Kendo

This story was posted on our discussion site by one of our senior students Sempai Nigel Clements, this week. It is from a book called Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams.  Here is a section on knowing your limitations that the author had in discussion with Bruce Lee in the 60's. Has implications for all of us young and old.

Bruce lee and Joe were having dim sim in L.A when Joe told him he was discouraged, at 45 felt his body was too old & stiff to achieve any real ability. Bruce Lee replied "You will never learn anything new unless you are
ready to accept yourself with your limitations. You must accept the fact that you are capable in some directions and limited in others, and you must develop your capabilities.

I became a Martial artist in spite of my limitations. My right leg is almost 1 inch shorter than the left dictating best stance left foot forward for me. I found I had an advantage with certain types of kicks. I also wear contact lenses, being near sighted since childhood and I originally started to study Wing-chun, because of it being an ideal close-in technique". "I accepted my limitations for what they were and capitalised on them and that's what you must learn to do. You say you cannot kick over your head without a long warm-up but the real question is ,is it really necessary to kick that high? the fact is that until recently martial artists rarely kicked above knee height. Head high kicks are mostly for show, so perfect your kicks at waist level and they will be so formidable you will never need to kick Higher." "Instead of trying to do everything well, do those things perfectly of which you are capable." "Although martial artists spend years mastering hundreds of techniques and movements, a champion may actually use only 4 or 5 techniques which he has perfected.

"Stop comparing yourself at 45 with the man you were at 20 or 30.The past is an illusion. You must learn to live in the present and accept yourself for what you are now. What you lack in agility and flexibility you must make up with knowledge and constant practice"

It is a wonderful story with a powerful lesson for us all.  Thanks Nigel San.

Before I go ......

How good have the Manly Sea Eagles bounced back .... with a win of 56 points  to nil last weekend and 34 to 4 this weekend.  They had a couple of off weeks, but didn't drop their bundle and get all depressed.  They didn't make wholesale changes driven by emotional context and panic.  They stuck to their game plan and applied a little discipline, which as martial artists is something that serves us well to remember.  I think it is a mighty show of strength and puts them in good stead for the NRL Premiership in 2007... Hey, just my 2cents worth.

To me they are more than belts.  They are more than symbols of progress.
They serve a purpose higher than self gratification.
Rank and Ego are irrelevant ..... it's all about your Character development.

Keep training with integrity ... you reap the results of your physical, mental and spiritual effort.

Yours in Zen

Peter

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan - Zen Chi Ryu

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30th June 2007  Winter is Upon Us

The rain washes everything clean. 

The cold makes us focus on the basics of life.

The wind brings change and past glories

Winter is upon us and our training schedules must adapt to the cycle of the seasons.

This week I made the effort to get back to some research for our weapons curriculum.  I'm keen to incorporate a lot more Bokken and Katana work into our training.  When time allows I have been enjoying the lessons of a Juttee Kata taught to me by Shihan Tim on his last visit.  The Juttee is an interesting weapon and is closely linked to the Sai.

Late last week I received an email from Sensei Harold Baldry Chief Instructor -  Kempo Jutsu Sydney, Australia.  Baldry Sensei trained with Kyoshi Tom Slaven and is a long time friend of Shihan Tim.  Hopefully he will call in for a visit on his travels.  His website can be found here.  Please take the time to read his page on our founder .... here is an extract ....

"At one stage we were training with the weapon called Bo (long staff) and to our amazement Tom’s Bo, instead of being made of wood like ours, was 5’11” of solid steel bar. It must have weighed 25 kilograms. He would twirl and thrust this thing like it weighed absolutely nothing. He got me to try it one night and as I passed it around my waist, it just kept going, I couldn’t stop it".

On another note, Sempai Nigel's foot is on the mend thanks to some good old HTFU spray supplied by Sempai Brad.  As many of you know Brad is always happy to give anyone a spray and I'm sure he will order in heaps of HTFU for the Warrior Way in October.  I have been adapting a couple of new flow drills for Nigel to work on while seated on a Swiss ball.  Rest, time and patience are the keys for his journey over the next 6 weeks.  However, I'm sure he will find a way to get the rest of his body physically fit and in line for the Warrior Way in October. 

The 2007 Warrior Way is shaping up strongly with a solid contingent expected from Sydney.  We will have over 70 Zen Chi Students attending over the course of the weekend.  Marcel Ringuet has offered to assist us all in our preparation with some interesting cross training in the pool when the weather warms a little.  Marcel has plenty of tricks up his sleeve and a very infectious passion for fitness and Zen Chi Ryu.

The Warrior Way will be conducted over the weekend of: 

•  Friday 26th October - evening (6.00pm Start)
•  Saturday 27th October – all day (Kids Grading 10am)
•  Sunday 28th October – (1pm Presentations & Power Breaking)

All Warrior Way will be conducted at the Tannum Beach Caravan Park which is about a 25 minutes drive south from Gladstone Airport and set within a short walk from the beach and tidal creek.  The cost per person for shared accommodation is $120.00 inclusive.  For those who will be grading at the Warrior Way – Grading Fees will be $50.00 and will be managed by each instructor as applicable.  Accommodation will be in shared, self contained, air conditioned cabins with microwave, ensuite and TV.  There is a communal laundry and BBQ area available for use and a pool which closes each evening at 7.00pm.

The Queensland Vs NSW Zen Chi Ryu State of Origin Challenge will be held on Saturday the 27th October and the Zen Chi Ryu National Power Breaking Competition will be staged after 1pm on Sunday 28th October.  We will have WIN news in attendance to capture some of the highlights of the Tameshiwari.  Students. Invited guests and parents only will be able to attend.

Over the last 12 months or so I have been fortunate to communicate with Master Brian Mable 8th Dan Tang So Do from Colorado USA.  Master Mable is the President - Western Tang Soo Do Federation and looked after Sempai Nigel on his two visits to the States.  It has been very helpful to discuss dojo and training matters with an objective and experienced Sensei.  Everything happens for a reason.  When I wrote an introduction letter for Sempai Nigel to present to a dojo when he travelled, I had no idea that it would lead to the opportunity to interact with such a insightful person. 

Master Brian Mable 8th Dan (3rd from left) with some of his senior Black Belt Students

We hope to find a way to tempt Master Mable into a trip to Gladstone in 2008 for some Barrier Reef scuba diving and a little cross training with our dojo.. I am sure that there are many Tang Soo Do students who would also welcome his visit and love to share his teaching.

Last week in class we had the opportunity to use a range of everyday items as self defence weapons.  It is always interesting to watch people think outside the box and discover ways to utilise a wide variety of everyday items in a very simple, brutal and effective way.  This week we focused on more traditional martial arts weapons.  After a solid warm up and basic blocks and punches the adults got to play with a wide range of weapons. After random weapon selection including, Katana, Knife, Bokken, Sai, Kama, Short Sticks, Jo, Bo and one of Nigel's crutches, each student developed a series of attacks based on the 1st elbow Kata. They then swapped weapons and worked on moves with a new weapon focusing on the 2nd elbow Kata.

The adults finished off with a set of defence moves from an impending frontal attack which leads to the attacker grabbing at mid level. As part of this Bunkai the Ladies of Zen got a chance to try out their double palm heels on all the males with some good results.
 

For those of you have not found this on another part of my site.  I have relocated a word document of SUN TZU ON THE ART OF WAR  to the martial arts article section.  It is one of the oldest military treatise in the world.  The version posted was Translated from the Chinese work of Sun Tzu by LIONEL GILES, M.A. (1910).  It is a thought provoking document and one that takes many years to master.  It is well worth the effort and will reward those who are willing to be patient and glean its teachings.  Those who try to utilise this document in a negative way show a failing in their ability to head its teaching.

Keep training hard, smart and with passion for what you do!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan - Zen Chi Ryu

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20th June 2007  Heroes & Leaders

Where do my actions stack up and contribute to mans journey?   Am I adding real value for future generations or am I surviving selfishly?  These questions haunted me as I moved quietly around the Australian War Memorial and the home of our nations parliament, Canberra.  It was great to get away and spend some reflective quality time with Kate.  We made a conscious effort to leave the laptops at home and go nowhere near emails or internet access.  This might sound strange to some but it was very liberating for us.

Unfortunately our balloon flight was cancelled at the last minute due to the wild weather, which included 40 knot wind gusts, snow and -10 degree temperatures just outside of Canberra.  Balloon Aloft has been conducting flights over Canberra for more than 20 years.  They established commercial ballooning in Canberra and also instigated the Canberra Balloon Fiesta in 1986, the biggest annual balloon fiesta in Australia.  Balloon Aloft has won many awards including the 1995 Australian Tourism Award for significant regional attraction and 11 Canberra Region Tourism awards between 1995 and 2005.  With all this in mind we hope to get back and take the flight when the weather settles.

Our Mid Year Grading went off like a dream with over 31 students grading for their next belt level.  Shihan Tim spent an amazing session with the seniors on Friday night working Master Form.  It was just brilliant and my jaw hit the ground when he took off his shoes and hit the mat to demonstrate Master Form for us all.  The grading had commenced as Shihan Tim presented us with an enlightened understanding of all the subtleties of our Master Form.

 

On Saturday we graded students from white belt beginners to Brown Belt Sempai's in a 2.5 hour session for the kids and 4.5 hour ordeal shared by all the adults and teens.  The rhythm went from intense to relaxed learning to very intense sparring, followed by a moving belt ceremony and annual trophy presentations.  With bruises and lumps carried by many, the prize for the best war story goes to Sempai Nigel Clements who rolled over on his ankle and has a fracture in his right foot.  In true Zen courage he insisted on standing to receive his new brown belt.

After the grading a large number of senior students and their partners accompanied Shihan Tim to a local restaurant for a traditional Chinese meal.  It was a chance to unwind, retell war stories and be a part of a rare moment as Shihan Tim awarded Sempai Kate a female Zen Chi Ryu Gold Ring for her work as the Dojo Mother for ZCR Queensland.  On Sunday I got to spend some one on one time training with Shihan Tim and working on a very special weapons Kata after we debriefed the grading performances of the kids, teenagers and adults.
 

2006-2007 Zen Chi Ryu Award Winners - Zen Chi Ryu Gladstone Qld
 

This fortnight I have been reflecting about the information age of Cyber Dojo's.  I wonder if we are in danger of losing real knowledge in the pursuit of speedy learning and a quick profit.  The access to instant on-line information on all forms of martial arts is staggering.  But at what cost?  We can download all the video we like and read all the articles we can acquire.  But nothing compares to time with a real teacher who can help you turn information into knowledge.  Of course the rest of the journey is up to you.  This is what I know to be true......"Data becomes information.  Information becomes knowledge.  When knowledge is applied and changes observable behaviour we have created learning.  When learning is leveraged to create change, we have experience.  When experience is shared we grow. This in my humble opinion, is wisdom." -P.J. Reilly

Teacher opens the door.  Student chooses to enter.
- Chinese Proverb

"Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?"
-T.S. Eliot

"We're drowning in information, but starved for knowledge."
-John Naisbitt

I ask my students to keep notes and learning journals after each formal class or informal learning session.  It is what they write down that will form the foundation of the martial arts knowledge they will pass onto the next generation of searchers who choose to let them open the door.

As requested by some of my students I have started a video gallery to house our activities in the one location.  At this stage I have decided not to use a provider like YouTube as I am happy for people to download these and watch them in their own time.  However we might consider a host at a later stage to share these visual images.

Yours in Zen and still learning................?

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan - Zen Chi Ryu

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10th June 2007  Ready Steady go!

I’m always amazed at the amount of energy shown as a dojo heads into a grading weekend.  There is a palpable buzz in the air and all of our dojo students seem to be pumped and ready to perform to their best, even those not grading for rank.  I admire those who grade with their friends in a supporting role.  It is a true sign of respect and a big part of Zen Chi in our dojo’s culture.

In my opinion grading tests serve many interesting purposes in the Karate ka’s learning journey.

•  they serve as a progress milestone

•  a reward for achievement and advancement of skills

•  a focal point for relationship building

•  feedback for instructor and student

•  an opportunity to safely place yourself beyond your perceived capabilities

•  a chance to sweat & spar in a traditional way

In class we continued to polish and hone skills for the grading.  The kids kicked the roof down and sweated it up big time as we pushed the boundaries of their patience with a variety of kicking drills and games.  I bet they slept like angels on Saturday night.  Sempai Kate’s little puppy dog description/metaphor has been just the trick to help some of the kids with pivoting and raising their knees correctly for round kicks.  I’m just not sure we can write it down in the curriculum.  But, boy it always gets a giggle and a wry smile from even the straightest kids.  Congratulations to Jakob san who was judged as the best kicker on the day.  His prize was a life size cardboard samurai warrior for his bedroom.

The adults and teens worked hard in their last hit out before confronting Shihan Tim.  I was very impressed by our new students who are moving with improved grace and balance each week.  We polished Kata and worked on a few interesting multiple attacker defences.

This week I travelled to Mackay and spent 2 days at Rosslyn Bay Yeppoon, assisting a leadership team hone their teamwork skills.  Yeppoon was excellent as the resort is situated directly opposite the beach and as any martial arts tragic will tell you; there is nothing better than Kata practice on the beach and rocky foreshores.  I think the practice of Kata outdoors truly opens you up to the concepts of active meditation.  I love the feel of the sea breeze in my face when flowing through a Kata.  It is a very Shinto experience, in that you feel nature as the divine deity.

I also had the chance this week to have breakfast and catch up with Sempai Matt Adlam from our Blackwater study group.  He is now in a position to open the Zen Chi Ryu Dojo in Blackwater as he has secured his own accommodation in conjunction with his mining job.  So at our grading next week we will officially open two new Zen Chi Ryu Dojos.  This should provide much ceremony, excitement and bring an easy smile to Shihan Tim’s face.  Matt is an old friend and as I think about our times training & grading together I recall he is the man who’s original shoulder throw (over 4 years ago) has me struggling with injury today.  It was a great throw and a very poor breakfall from memory.  I’m so looking forward to seeing Matt progress trough the Zen Chi Ryu curriculum and spending time back on the mat wrestling with him.

Next week Kate and I will spend some quality off-line time in Canberra.  I hope to find someone to help digitise the 16mm film footage I have of Kyoshi Tom Slaven training in the early days of Zen Chi Ryu and Kempo.  I’m also just looking forward to time alone with my life partner.  We lead busy lives and sometimes fail to connect enough between projects and events.  I am so glad that she is an active part of my martial arts life now and enjoying her own journey and challenges.  Kate is tough, courageous and an absolute delight to train and train with.  She brings much balance, empathy and leadership to our dojo.  Oh, and of course I love her dearly.

I have also posted a new article to stimulate your thinking and tackle negative thoughts & actions that keep us down.  Nana Korobi Ya Oki (if you fall down seven times, get up eight times) Posted - 10-6-07
 

Conceive - Believe - Achieve! .... and be ready to grade at any time....and keep getting up!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan - Zen Chi Ryu

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4th June 2007  Starting to Feel Like Home

The pace and intensity has picked up a little more this week as we surge towards our mid year grading, supported by the visit of Shihan Tim.  The ZCR Kids are all looking strong and ready to grade for their next level within our belt system.  I'm always amazed at how the kids can lift and focus when a grading is on the horizon.  This week we worked on their focus skills, group synchronising and forceful Kata as well as sparring (stand-up and groundwork).  It was also a treat to hand out Zen Chi Ryu badges and study folders to our two new students.

The adults put in a long tough session of sparring (traditional stand-up and grappling takedowns).  I know a few of us have some lumps and bumps from the session.  But it's always worth having solid hit outs before the classic Zen Chi Ryu grading.  As a reward for a solid sparring session I covered a little ninjutsu technique that is taught as part of Masaaki Hatsumi Sensei curriculum.  This sneak take down is a ripper and surprised all in its effectiveness, speed and stealth.  Our Kata performances continue to improve.  This week we focused on;

•  completing each technique before allowing the mind to wander to the next

•  redefining primary targets for each primary application

•  thinking about the space (time & distance) that exists between each technique

•  how many techniques/movements in each kata

How Many Movements in a Kata?

The answer is "one." The only movement that counts in any Kata is the movement that you are doing. The one that you just did is over. The one that comes next has not yet begun. Only the one you are doing counts. It requires 100% of your attention and effort. Thinking back or ahead only subtracts from the movement at hand. Doing any movement with 100% of your attention and effort is the practice of Kata. Kata is not simply the sequence or pattern. With one perfect movement, the Kata is perfect.

Kata is not a question of how many but of how well. - Inspired by Sensei Gooden
 

We will officially open our new Dojo on the day of the grading, but it is already starting to feel like a very comfortable home.  Special thanks to Sempai's Kate, Nigel and Brad who helped give it a big clean and hung pictures, whiteboard and a notice board.  All buildings have a specific feel and a history.  This place captures an excellent breeze and allows the early morning light to dance all over its aged wooden floor.  Our commitment to training of mind, body and spirit will add to the feel of this building in a very positive way.

I have taken a few new shots and some video footage of our dojo. 

Alternatively take the video tour Grasshopper ....... Click Here! Remember to bow in ........ please.

On Monday of next week Sempai Kate and I celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary.  Not a bad run and a hell of a lot of patience shown by Kate.  We have a trip planned to Canberra for an early morning hot air balloon flight and four days of site seeing planned in our nation's capital next week.  As a small gift I have given Kate a Jo to master as her personal Zen Chi Ryu weapon.  I have managed to acquire a very special Japanese white oak Jo with a lot of history in its making.  I'm sure Kate will embrace the spirit of this weapon and become a teacher of it's many uses to all in our dojo.
 

The jo can be used to strike like a sword, sweep like a naginata, thrust like a spear (yari). Its two ends can be used, unlike the single point of a sword, and its ma-ai (fighting distance) can be varied according to the hand grip you take. Because of its speed and changeable ma-ai, it is a formidable weapon.

As part of our trip to Canberra we plan to visit the Australian War Memorial.  It has been close to 25 years since either of us has been there.  Kate's dad Ken has asked us to deliver a number of old photos he has found in his collection.  The photos were taken by a Soldier friend of his sister, Ruth Stobie and are of the Occupation Forces in Kobe Japan during 1945.  Ken has given me permission to post them here as they may be of interest to some of you.  He is also hoping to find out more about these photos.

I'm looking forward to catching up with some personal training and research this week.  As a gold member of the Straight Blast Gym in America I have the opportunity to review and research a range of new ground work techniques and training regimes.  With this in mind we will be moving to a more formal learning plan for our Friday night sessions for the senior students and invited guests.  We will alternate weapons and groundwork sessions each week, while keeping our informal midweek group sessions focused on specific student needs in grading preparation.  This will help us all dust off the wide range of skills our curriculum offers.

Quotes to assist your training this week......
 

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. ~ Confucius

Remember... you are expressing the technique, not doing the technique ~ Bruce Lee
 

Conceive - Believe - Achieve!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan - Zen Chi Ryu

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27th May 2007  A Tough Week

This week the adults & Teens focused on working through their Kata in front of a panel who could provide feedback. The level of each performance was excellent. It is very gratifying to watch the improvement our students are making to their interpretation of the ZCR Katas. It was also a week to focus on the seniors as they continue to learn Master Form.  Some of the Bunkai being extracted by our senior students shows a depth of understanding and practical street application that Kyoshi Tom Slaven would be proud of.  Each technique contained within this Kata has a direct application in a street style self defence application.

It was a battle of the Teen Sempai's as Sempai Jessica and Sempai Tomas performed Master Form in a battle royal.  Sempai Brad not be outdone, demonstrated a very solid and powerful interpretation.  However, no one was left in any doubt as the Queen of the Dojo shone through and left us all in awe of her Kata performance.  Outstanding Jessica!  I can't wait to see you tackle Fudo Shin with your Zen Kid partner Madison at the 2007 Warrior Camp.

I'm looking forward to an exceptionally strong performance from our Dojo at the upcoming grading.  Shihan Tim will officially open our new Dojo and is keen to spend time with all of our students.  We will organise a dinner after the grading, and everyone is invited regardless of rank (no children).  No pretence here, just a wonderful opportunity to be with and share with the leader of Zen Chi Ryu.

On a personal note I had the pleasure of an MRI Scan on my left shoulder last Friday in Rockhampton.  What a turn out!  I suffer claustrophobia at the best of times, so this was a real test for the old Zen Meditation.  My left shoulder injury (impingement syndrome) has been slow to improve.  Still no excuses, I just need an answer as I have been doing all the right things with little or no progress.  It is sure teaching me a lot about injury management and its effect on motivation and training regimes.  As with all things, it will run its course and I will triumph stronger than before.  In my mind it has nothing to do with age, it is merely a hurdle and a learning opportunity.

This week I would like to leave you with the following quote from an old Martial Arts friend .....
"The only accurate assumption in budo is that your assumptions are never 100% correct".
I share this with you as I hope it raises the question about what assumptions you are making in your training and in your life.  It is a wonderful Koan to assist with Meditation.

If you're looking for a little inspiration take a look at this website for Team Hoyt who were featured on Sixty Minutes this week.  WOW, these guys are unbelievable.  Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who together compete just about continuously in marathon races. And if they’re not in a marathon they are in a triathlon — that daunting, almost superhuman, combination of 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of bicycling, and 2.4 miles of swimming. Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America. It’s a remarkable record of exertion — all the more so when you consider that Rick can't walk or talk.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan - Zen Chi Ryu

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20th May Purification & Character Development

This week has presented a number unique challenges.  It is easy to turn your back on these challenges, but I have decided to tackle them head on.  Every single day we are faced with some life challenge, and often several. Sometimes the challenges defeat us, and we suffer. Sometimes we are victorious, and from our experience, we learn and grow.  I have tried to help two friends grow this week and hope the path forward is a positive one.

"The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of character of its participants" - Master Gichin Funakoshi (Shoto)

On Friday we headed uptown to our new Dojo location next to the Apostolic Church Hall in Auckland St.  It is an excellent building with a great feel.  We have heaps of room and a terrific sprung wooden floor for our matts.  Our first lesson will be there next Saturday and I'm sure we will shake the dust of the rafters with a few solid Kiai's and breakfalls.

We have had some excellent feedback from our parents over recent weeks as school report cards begin to hit home.  The feedback indicates that our Karate training is having the following effects;

•  energises the kids and teaches them to control their anger,

•  helps them do better at their studies,

•  sleeping better and greater levels of focus,

•  they feel safer and more confident,

•  doing their homework on time (I never did as a kid),

•  seem to be more cooperative in their behaviour, not only at home but also at school,

•  appear calmer and less likely to shy away from a difficult situation.

For these reasons, I believe that karate training has no parallels in focusing a child’s energy and building their character.  So a big congratulations to all the Sempai's who give so freely to helping with the kids class.  You are making a difference in all of their lives.  Proof of this exists within the essays submitted in the ZCR essay competition.  This competition will be judged and prizes awarded at our next class.  There were some amazing essays and Sempai Brad and I were tickled by their insight and genuine love of our classes.

I have learnt heaps this week regarding the management of my injury, listening to others and accepting what you cannot change.  The biggest lesson came from Sempai Don, whose strength of character and insight, I can only hope to emulate.

I'm looking forward to seeing Shihan Tim here for our next grading and providing an opportunity for all of our students to showcase their skills and love of Zen Chi Ryu.  It will no doubt be an exciting and action packed weekend as always.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve! .... and check your selfish ego at the door.

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan - Zen Chi Ryu

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14th May - The Gathering

They came together as one, to learn as one, to be as one.  Never forgetting our journey or the beauty of the individualistic character of each others journey.  Their bond strong, forged through mutual respect, understanding and Zen.

In a very fitting way, the very last session to be held at the Dojo before our move was our Sempai Do.

It has taken quite a while to get this session off the ground as we had to work in with work rosters and family commitments.  We started with a casual lunch for all the senior ZCR students after our regular class, then hit the mat with passion. 

Theory Topics took the stage first up and included, martial arts history and the theories of Karate & Kenpo, including Hanshi McCarthy's HAPV's and ZCR Attack/Defence strategies.  We then moved onto a long Kata session covering Master form (ZCR Black Belt Kata).  Tasks were set for the upcoming grading and each Sempai spent time developing their personal Bunkai for Master form.

We finished off with a review of reaps, sweeps, and takedowns.

Click to see the first images of our new Dojo.
 

She needs a little love but there is heaps of room, a kitchen, toilets and plenty of storage area and car parks.  We have started to move in and will hold our first class there on Sat 26th May 2007.

This week we will be training at the beach while we set up the new home of Zen Chi Ryu in Queensland!

It was sad to pack up where we have been welcome, sweated and learnt so much over the last 2 years.  The owners have sold the gym to retire.  So we wish them all the best for a happy, safe and healthy retirement.

The enabling arts dojo takes it's next step forward...............exciting & energising!

Conceive - Believe - Achieve! .... together in mind, body & spirit.....

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan - Zen Chi Ryu

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10th May 2007  Time with my Sensei

This week has been a blur of travel, excitement & learning.  More importantly it was time to be with my Sensei.  Sydney was wet and cold ..... and bloody busy.  I managed to get myself lost on numerous occasions.  It's been 20 years since I lived in Sydney and my sense of direction and road knowledge was well out of date.

In class this week we had a great session with the kids focusing on their groundwork skills through the game of "Sensei's Socks".  We modified the process this time and added a sock to opposite hand & foot combinations.  There were some great matches and displays of innate wrestling skills.  The tournament winner on the day was Jakob San.  In the last 2 seconds of the final match he secured his objective over Aden San. 

This video showcases the skill determination of both students.  Without realising it our kids are developing their skills in limb isolation and evasion.  It also assists them to cope with contact with larger opponents and control skills with smaller opponents.

The adults and teens put some polish on what at times seems like a simple drill - The ZCR Blocking & Punching Kihon.  Then they moved to working on their new belt level Kata.  It was a pleasure to watch our Sempai's grapple with Master Form (Black Belt Kata).  It is a Kata with a mountain of applications, beauty and challenge for all who learn and embrace it's lessons.  Kyoshi Tom Slaven speaks to us all in this Kata, and all he asks is that we listen, learn and experiment.  We also worked a number of highly effective techniques from close range throat grabs or strangle holds.  As Sempai Dan says "I love the simple and brutal things that make Zen Chi Ryu so effective".  In fact it is also one of Hanshi McCarthy's formula SIMPLE & BRUTAL = EFFECTIVE.

On Tuesday I flew to Sydney to spend some quality time with my Sensei, Shihan Tim Reilly.  I have been breaking my neck to get down south and work on a number of Kata and sparring techniques with the driving source of Zen Chi Ryu.  As usual Shihan Tim gave freely of his time, skills and love of Zen Chi Ryu.  He moves with the speed and grace of an athletic man in his twenties. He smiles broadly and laughs easily, defying the sombre stereotype of a martial arts master. His warmth, humility, and understanding of the human condition are obvious to all who encounter him. I love spending time with him and his family.

During this trip I also took the opportunity to sit in on his Kids, teens and adult classes.  As an instructor I learn a lot from watching others teach.  When I watch Shihan Tim teach, my head goes into a spin with ideas, concepts and links to deeper applications.  Talk about fun, energy and excellent sparring.  I was amazed with how much material they covered as they mixed weapons and empty hand techniques to a wide range of contact partner drills.  I also had a chance to meet the mystery fighter who is training directly under Shihan Tim.  This ZCR full contact fighter will make a raid on the Australian titles in 2007-2008.  He will also be attending the 2007 Warrior Camp to assist with our senior grading.  It was also good to catch up with a number of ex Zen Do Kai students who have moved to Zen Chi Ryu.

Click on images to enlarge

Some of the treasures that were shared at the Hombu Dojo were .....

•  Exciting new techniques & real world applications

•  New teaching methods for Adults, Teens & ZCR Kids

•  Rare handwritten notes from Kyoshi Tom Slaven (WOW)

•  Unseen photo sets of Kyoshi Tom Slaven

•  Unseen 16mm film of Kyoshi Tom Slaven (can't wait to get this digitised)
  ............................................. and heaps more!  (all to be shared with my Sempai's)

On Saturday we will be holding our first 'Sempai Do' for the senior students.  The purpose of this session is to share news from Shihan Tim and polish techniques & Kata as they head towards their Black Belt grading.  We will do further work in the lead up to our next grading which will take place on the weekend of the 16th & 17th June.

My left shoulder injury (impingement syndrome) has been slow to improve.  No excuses, I just haven't rested it enough.  I tried a steroid injection and am attempting to restrain myself with a sling.  There is no doubt a lot to learn when we have an injury.  It truly tests the patience and the ego.  It has also given me another view to some of our applications and self defence strategies with only one arm operational.  Yes, there is no doubt I'm a Martial Arts tragic.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve! .... train hard, but have fun always!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan - Zen Chi Ryu

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1st May 2007   Bricks Alive

As this week unfolded we entered our 3rd year as a fully functional Zen Chi Ryu Karate Dojo.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY everyone, and thank you for all your hard work, sweat and support in getting established.  We have all put in a lot of work to create the positive and challenging atmosphere we love in our dojo.  It still remains the highlight of my week, every week, and I’m honoured to be able to pass on this great tradition to you all.

At our next grading we may have students grading for their full brown belts (2nd kyu) and Shihan Tim Reilly (5th dan) will be attending and working closely with us all in preparations for the Warrior Camp in October.  It will be great to have him back in Sunny Queensland putting us through our paces.

This week we also had the opportunity to conduct a catch up grading with two of our talented Zen kids who were on holidays when we had our last grading.  Their performance was excellent and showed true Zen Chi spirit...Well done Jack & Darcy!  Also well done to Sempai Brad who conducted the belt ceremony.

This week we also welcomed 2 new members into our dojo and worked on our basic kicking techniques with angular adaptation principles applied.  The kids spend most of the class revising footwork and sparring.  Their ground work has improved heaps and always remains great fun.

In an awesome display of Zen Chi and courage Sempai Dan Rowe has qualified for the Zen Chi Ryu power breaking competition, performing a 5 Brick Break with a palm heel strike.  This break was made more difficult as Sempai Dan was impaired significantly with back spasms.  (Click to View Video)  I love watching people overcome their limitations,  stand up and conquer the beast within.

Various demonstration breaks were also performed by;

Sempai Brad Hall - Click to View Video

This was a very strong 1st elbow break for Sempai Brad.  We will see many more stacked up in the future.  Anyone who has had the opportunity to do 2 person drills with Brad will know he has forearms as hard a granite.

Sempai Don Anderson - Click to View Video

This was a very fast elbow break.  Sempai Don generates heaps of speed with this elbow.  Just watch the brick halves fly.  Don has been hindered by injury of late and it was great to watch the smile as he cracked this puppy with speed and precision.

Sempai Nigel Clements - Click to View Video

This was Sempai Nigel's first palm heel brick break and he did it with style.  Nigel will not take a back seat and gives this shot his all.  Your first brick break hangs with you for a long time, and this will be a nice memory for Nigel San.

Sensei Peter Reilly - Click to View Video

I also had another crack at getting through 3 freestanding 75mm Hebel Blocks.  Unfortunately it's alluding me at the moment.  But not for much longer I can assure you.  It's all in the follow through...........

More information on the disappearing art of power breaking can be found here.  We will post a number of articles on the how, when and why of TAMESHIWARI - The Art of Breaking, soon!

After a short planning session we have added a few items to our 2007 calendar of events .....

Calendar of Upcoming Events

•  Saturday 12th May – Sempai Do for Senior Students 12.30pm to 5pm.

•  Saturday 19th May Training will be held at Spinnaker Park (Marina) near the little beach.  Class times will remain as normal.  Bring a hat and sunscreen please.

•  Saturday 16th (Kids) & Sunday 17th June (Adults/Teens) - Grading Weekend.

•  Kids Kata competition 23rd June 2007.

•  Sunday 15th July – Mount Larcom Climb – Teens and Adults only.

•  14th, 15th, 16th September – Practice Run for Warrior Way (Adults & Teens).

•  26th, 27th, 28th October – Warrior Way – Tannum Beach Caravan Park.

•  2nd December – End of year Function.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve! .... work hard on who you really are, and harder on who you want to be!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu

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25th April 2007  The ANZAC Tradition

The ANZAC tradition and ANZAC Day hold a special place in my heart......

A time to be thankful to those who sacrificed and remember old mates..........

ANZAC is not a martial festival. The men who will march together today are not all soldiers, sailors or airmen, but civilians who became soldiers, sailors and airmen (some only for a very short period of time) to answer a particular need. When that need passed many returned to their civilian vocation of building a Nation.
 

The idea of Nation building is inherent in the ANZAC theme for April 25th, more than any other. It is Australia's National Day. This gains emphasis because the lesson of ANZAC is that the worthwhile things can be attained and freedom and peace assured only if men and women are prepared to believe in and defend them.

 
Click to view larger image

Conceive - Believe - Achieve! .... Be thankful they served & sacrificed!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu

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20th April 2007   True Karate

Deep thought and lots of reflection this week driven by the terrible news out of the USA this week showing another random school shooting at Virginia Tech with multiple fatalities (32 killed, 29 injured), I wonder why and what causes these things.

On a more positive note we received our first letter from Elias our World Vision sponsored child from Ethiopia.  It can be viewed here.  We have also sent a parcel of gifts and sporting goods to Elias courtesy of Marcel and Coby Ringuet.

Karate training has been a mixed bag this week as we explored lots of activities with Swiss & Medicine balls.  It certainly gives your core strength areas a blast, which is great for your ground work and stand up grappling.  These tools also assist with proprioreception.  Proprioreception is a sense of position and movement of the limbs and the sense of muscular tension. It gives you awareness of the orientation of your body in space, direction and time.  As soon as you begin any movement on a ball or disk, your core must activate to keep you balanced.  It makes your body more adaptive or if you like "smarter".   You might like to check out the 4 corner balance drill found here - http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/sonnon8.htm.

The Reality Based Self Defence (RBSD) devotees have been posing questions for challenging the mind set of martial arts practitioners and teachers with increasing volume over the last 5 years.  I think it's great to have people challenge our position of how we train and push us to check the validity of what we practice.  However, it is a little annoying when they start standing on everyone else's shoulders to make themselves look taller.  By that I mean the subtle bagging of every other style in what is merely marketing hype.  Guys, you don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.  Kata is, and will always be an excellent tool for teaching a large range of martial art techniques, footwork and movement concepts. 

Zen Chi Ryu is a 'real' Karate style (as are all styles that practice self defence and Kata).  By that I mean we train in a real way, underpinned by positive character development.  The Zen Chi Ryu way was founded by Kyoshi Tom Slaven and is tested regularly by all of our Shihans and Instructors.

Zen Chi Ryu sparring in our school promotes the full use of all standard attacking tools (kicks & punches) and we train head butts, elbows, bites, eye gouges, throat attacks, groin strikes, hair pulls as part of our standard curriculum.  These techniques were not created by members of RBSD schools of thought.  They have been in Kata since your style's Kata was born.  The RBSD devotees did not invent ways of training these techniques in a 'live' way.  Heaps of Martial Arts styles have been doing it for decades if not centuries.  Zen Chi Ryu has been doing it in the following way since it hit the Dojos and streets of western Sydney in the '70s.

Our training includes:

•  Control & safe application (physically & psychologically).

•  Understanding of the moral and legal obligation that comes with these tools & skills.

•  Solo practice techniques - Kata & Kihon.

•  Technique extraction - Bunkai (Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Application Theory PST).

•  Passive (submissive) partners practice - to learn base techniques & targets - 2 person drills.

•  Resistant partner practice (at increasing levels of resistance)- to apply all techniques in as real an environment we can achieve whilst balancing the safety & moral obligations we have to all of our students.

•  Contact sparring - with & without protective equipment (optional for each student).

•  Character assessment as a major component of grading for promotion.

Remember, no matter what any RBSD devotee claims,  you cannot train 'fully live' unless you become a monster and hit the streets and night clubs with the intent of hunting and harming victims.  Karate is about SELF defence first and foremost.  Defence against your own ego and habits.  NOT becoming a member of society that contributes to the woes of society.  Be careful and ever vigilant that you do not become the thing that you are supposedly training to protect yourself from.

I find that some of the RBSD practices are completely inappropriate for children and  I believe that in some instances parents may take their kids to these RBSD instructors/schools looking for the character development and discipline found in traditional forms of Karate when in actual fact - this may not be what they are receiving.  Certain parallels can be drawn between the teaching of 'live techniques' to children and teens and the illegal practice of "Blooding Greyhounds" for performance improvement as this practice, in essence is 'live training'.  You don't have to test an atomic bomb to know that it works!

This is my 2cents worth expressed honestly and without prejudice against any club, school or instructor.

On a more positive note I have also added a few more references and ides to the Kata Thoughts Page.  I will continue to add material to this as I explore and challenge the need, reasons and benefits of Kata (forms) practice.  To the other Senseis who have sent me emails relating to their Kata practice, thanks for sharing.

   
(L to R - Sempai's Nigel & Brad - Mark Wooler - Beau Budak)

Work this week has been frantic (but planned), it gave me the opportunity to work with a professional IT team on their personal and team development and conduct a number of leadership coaching sessions in Gladstone & Rockhampton.  I also had the opportunity to facilitate a Time Management workshop for Riotinto Yarwun.  This topic is always close to my heart, as I struggle at times with our busy lifestyle.  However, I know that if I apply the principles of planning to my everyday activities I can beat the procrastination monster within.  We have also secured a couple of additional large projects which will keep us very busy in 2007 - 2008 and moved to a position of evolving our business to the next level.

How good are Manly going in the NRL.  Top of the ladder folks!  Go the Mighty Sea Eagles 2007 NRL  Premiership Favourites.  On the other hand in the AFL, Collingwood need to lift their game .... and they will.  Go the PIES!  I'm also looking forward to the State of Origin series this year.  As a long time Blues supporter I cop heaps living in Queensland.  Of course I get the most flack at home from the family.  The State Of Origin Dates are;
 

•  Game 1 - May 23rd

•  Game 2 - June 13th

•  Game 3 - July 4th … not that the mighty Blues will need this one.

This week I'm road testing a couple of new products;

1 - Stretch-a-Flex.  As many of you know I'm not the most disciplined stretcher in the world.  So let's give this a go and I will report any real progress.

2 - A shake replacement addition to my diet.  So far so good.  Kate, Sam & Jess are also giving this one a go.  So we should be able to supply some good feedback on the positive & negative effects of this plan & formula.  I guess we have all been inspired by Sempai Nathan's efforts losing 15+ kilos for his last grading.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve! .... Stay True.

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu

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13th April 2007   Courage and Sacrifice

We had a terrific break over Easter and caught up with a range of family members and of course the chores that needed a few days to complete such as concreting new paths and remulching gardens.

We have had some excellent news relating to a possible new dojo location.  We may be able to take up full time residence in August this year.  Thank-you Tracey N. for hunting this for us, it is greatly appreciated and I hope it works out.  I'm super excited about the concept of having our own home and setting up our mats full time.  It will create a lot of training opportunities and flexibility for all of our students, family and friends.

Work this week had me back in Mackay with a series of management coaching sessions, while the rest of the week was spent catching up in the office and spending some time with the kids while they are on school holidays.  I was slowed down a little this week with a recurring shoulder and back injury.  However, I have a plan to prevent this from recurring and continuing to deny my age limitations.

Sempai Nathan turned 18 this week.  What a great time in a young mans life.  We celebrated at Scotties Restaurant on Friday night and caught up with his sister and ZCR student Chantal.  We were even graced with Chantal"s infectious energy at training on Saturday.
 

During the week I had a chance to watch The movie "300" about the Spartan Warriors at The Battle of Thermopylae with my Father in law and Sempai Brad and Nigel San.  It was well worth the effort and I can highly recommend it.  I can remember as a young boy listening to my Grandfather Jack tell me stories about the Spartans and he loved the lessons of courage and sacrifice that encase the Battle of Thermopylae.

The Battle of Thermopylae

If you're feeling down or out numbered with the worries of everyday living, or a number of negative events have you battling the Black Dog.  Go and watch this movie, then take the energy and plug it into your training and everyday battles.  You WILL feel better Spartan!

At karate this week we had an unexpected guest turn up to watch us train – Renshi Jason Griffith (Koryu Uchinadi).

It was my pleasure to award Nigel Clements the Title of Sempai. He has been with us since day one and as many of you know was the first to trek with me to the Warrior Way in 2005. He has proved himself on numerous occasions in solo gradings and is an asset to our dojo. He now joins the seniors in preparations for their Brown & Black belt gradings. 

Our focus this week was centred around aerobic fitness and helping those on the injury recovery path along.

Adults/Teens worked on;
* Kata Revision - warm up
* Fitness Circuits - 9 station sets.
* Power Elbow review - a signature ZCR technique.
* Snatch & Grab Sparring - speed, cunning and fun.
* Discussion on the student progress ratio of physical & mental development over time.
 

For those looking for a little more I have posted a few new articles.  They can be found here.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve! .... Spartans.

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu

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6th April 2007    The Easter Break

Easter is here at last and so is my broadband connection.  Man we have hit the fast lane at last and it is terrific.  Portable, wireless and as fast as lightening!  Why did I procrastinate on this decision?

Karate

We have taken the chance to have a break from our formal classes this week and I hope to catch up with several of my senior students over the break for some private training and hopefully a little Kendo.  The search for our new Dojo continues.  We have had one very generous offer to house our facilities, however, this option will see the need to change our training times to later on a Saturday.  So we will continue to look for another option, with the safety net of this offer to fall back on.  To me a dojo is anywhere I choose to train.  If I only practice my Karate in one formal location I fail to get the best from my training.  The values and character development aspects of our tradition extend beyond any walls.  In essence the world is your dojo and life's journey is one big training session.

We will train hard over the 7 weeks we have left at our current dojo location.  We will seize each day as though it is our last and trust that the universe 9and a little networking & planning) will provide.  I'm reminded of one of my favourite Sanskrit proverbs.................

Ancient Sanskrit Proverb

Look to this day, For it is life, The very life of life,

       In its brief course lies all The realities and verities of existence,

The bliss of growth, The splendour of action, The glory of power.

For yesterday is but a dream, And tomorrow is only a vision.

But today well lived, Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness

And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this day.

Kate's recovery has been ahead of schedule and she is working very hard with her Physiotherapist Nathan to get back into top gear ASAP.  She will need to modify her kicking style a little and focus on her supporting foot placement & pivot.  One of the interesting items to come out her physio session is the concept of starting the physio session prior to the surgery to strengthen the surrounding muscles which aid in recovery.  Something to remember for next time.

For those who are working on their weapons Kata, here are a couple of videos that may be of interest to those of you who are working Bo with me at the moment.  Some nice links to our 1-12 & 1-16 strike and block drills/patterns.  You may be able to draw a few more concepts from these performances to add to your personal weapons Kata development...Enjoy!

Bo-jutsu
http://tinyurl.com/vvdlx

I have also posted a few new articles that may be of interest to you --- they can be found here.

Work

In a rare moment I worked last Sunday with the local branch of the engineering firm Monadelphous.  I was engaged to assist their management team with some team enhancement concepts.  We had a great day and made significant progress.
 

On Monday & Tuesday I headed to Brisbane to work with a terrific client on the redesign of a series of four management workshops and also took the opportunity to meet with several colleagues from AIM (Australian Institute of Management).  I met an interesting taxi driver in Brisbane on Monday.  He was ex-army Combat Signals Intelligence who's last posting was Germany.  He had just retired after serving 25 years.  Our conversation focused around settling back into civil life after the military.  Man, it made me reflect on the last 20 years of my life.  I found leaving the forces very difficult and could really appreciate his story, and had empathy for the situation he had found himself in.  I hope our conversation will help him find his new direction and forge ahead to an even more fulfilling life.

The latter part of my week was spent in Rockhampton to facilitate a workshop on Effective Communication Skills and conduct Coaching sessions with several MPP students from Queensland Rail QR.

Easter is an amazing time in Gladstone.  We have a huge festival for families and the whole city seems to get involved in the enormous array of activities.  The energy is always very positive and there is lots to keep everyone amused and involved.

Well, it's time to get stuck into the weekend and spend some catch up time with the family and hook into a few chores........Home, Work & of course Karate chores in that order.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu

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28th March 2007    Forward ever Forward

Some weeks we move forward, other weeks we stumble backward .... it's the dance of life.

This week I feel I've moved forward in leaps and bounds in areas that have been holding me back for some time.  I had an interesting discussion with an old Teacher and look forward to creating a ceremony which I hope will bring closure to an event I wish to move on from.

Kate had her knee tuned up this week (right lateral menisectomy ).  So the major focus of the next few weeks with be assisting in her recovery and picking up a bit more of the workload at home.  Hopefully she will hit the mats again in a couple of weeks and begin her preparations' for the 2007 Warrior Way (Our Annual Camp).  I'm not sure she is all that keen on my cooking and ironing skills, but we will get there.

The Gym which houses our Dojo will be closing in May.  So we need to find a new home for the Enabling Arts Dojo.  We have had one excellent offer, but we will take a little time to look around and contemplate a new home for Zen in Central Queensland.

We need a room with floor area of approx 12m x 18m for our mats and equipment.

So if you have any ideas give me a call on 0414558306 or email me.

This week we started lifting the bar on our weapons training.  Firstly focusing on short stick (Eskrima) work during our midweek training session.  Then working on Bo with my Ushi Deshi Sempai Nathan.  I love the Bo and it is just the greatest fun helping someone come to terms with how it and you can move in unison.  I find that short stick and Sai fit perfectly into ZCR Kata's, and as all of our Sempai's lift their training in preparation for the Warrior Way we will cover off with more weapons integration into our weekly training sessions.

The lights are coming on (brightly) for one of my technically brilliant Sempais.  We had a great exchange on Thursday night about reading and understanding Kata.  We were working on a Goju Kata together when our dialogue turned to the sequence of understanding techniques contained within the Kata.  I believe and teach that techniques in various manifestations can be found in every inch of every movement within any Kata.  I believe that these techniques can be categorised into the following levels;

1. Primary Applications - obvious interpretation of the actual technique shown

2. Secondary Applications - Alternative applications (inside the mirror)

3. Tertiary Applications - Hidden applications (pressure points, datum's, set-up's, etc...)

I will publish an article on this process of Bunkai extraction in coming months.  I call it PST Theory and I hope it helps other unlock some of what my Shihan has helped me unlock.

Yes we even found a chicken wing in the ZCR first elbow drill.  We also found a couple of additional wrist locks and an Aikido throw in the Goju Kata we were practising.  There is no doubt that live practice with a partner can help unlock the enigma of our Kata.

After a little modification, I have commenced uploading a number of the martial arts related articles that I promised to publish.  They can be found here.  I have a great collection of Zen Stories that I will add over the next few weeks.  Easter looks like the first break in traffic, so most will be uploaded then.  If there are any topics you are particularly interested in shoot me an email and I will add it to the job/article list.

Work this week has been extremely busy again with the promise of some very interesting consultancy projects. I had fun on Monday facilitating one of my favourite seminars "Dealing with Difficult People & Situations".  It is always a great topic and I love hearing people's horror stories and helping them discover improved strategies.

The rest of my week was taken up with coaching sessions and an interesting Team Enhancement session using MBTI Step II, which is a terrific tool to enhance self understanding and improve team dynamics.  Next week I head back to Brisbane and Rockhampton ..... hopefully stay in Rocky for a Kendo Class with Sensei Frost.

It would appear as though things may hot up politically in the upcoming Federal Election for the seat of Flynn.  A great mate of mine is considering a run for this seat as an independent member.  Nothing like a cat amongst the pigeons!  I hope he takes up the challenge as he would make an excellent Senator.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu

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23rd March 2007    Recovery & Challenge

Another challenging week of balancing family, work and training.

It has been interesting to watch everyone recover from the efforts of last weeks intense grading.  Shihan Tim was impressed with everyone's efforts and the extra rounds sparred by many.  He has stated that the 2007 Warrior Way will be intense and a big step up on the efforts of 2006, so be ready!  There are major changes on the horizon at our dojo.  Confidentiality prevents me discussing it until, after Monday.  However, we will embrace the change and no doubt benefit from the challenge and take advantage of all opportunities....Stay Tuned!  Never fear change, embrace it as if your very existence depends on it.  I always take solace from that great text "Who Moved My Cheese";

The Writing on the Wall - From "Who Moved My Cheese" - Dr Spencer Johnson

Change Happens - They keep moving the cheese.
Anticipate Change - Get ready for the cheese to move.
Monitor Change - Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old.
Adapt to Change Quickly - The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy new cheese.
Change - Move with the cheese.
Enjoy Change! - Savour the adventure and enjoy the taste of new cheese!

My gym work has been on track this week with free weight work gaining momentum.  Had two awesome gym sessions at the Mackay fitness centre, which I highly recommend if you are ever in Mackay.  It's great to get the pump going again.  However, after a few weeks of no heavy weight work my arms are screaming.  Sempai Dan has me focusing on super sets and drop sets.  I'm looking forward to seeing the results over the next couple of months.

As we draw close to our 2nd year anniversary I have reached a wonderful point of liberation in thinking about the ugly breakaway from my previous Sensei.  I feel that the time has come to completely put the past to bed.  Kate has been a great counsel over the past week as I know we are ready now to forget, and I mean forget.  So to those past events I say goodbye forever from my conscious and subconscious thought processes and actions.  Liberated at last and looking forward without being influenced or interrupted by the past.

Work this week has seen me travel to Biloela & Mackay conducting Time Management workshops and management coaching sessions.  Wednesday morning was great fun facilitating a panel discussion at the AIM Breakfast on Generation "Y" theories.  Plenty of differing opinion and common ground to be found for those who attended.  I thought that the panel members did a fantastic job and gave freely of their time, opinions and thoughtful experience.

(The "Gen Y" Panel Members)
 

Thursday and Friday gave me a chance to catch up with seven of my management coaching participants in Mackay.  It is a real buzz seeing people take a major proactive step in their own self development.  It's an honour to work with these guys and I'm looking forward to their eventual graduation in August and a continued friendship as they progress their individual careers.  Mackay is still abuzz with development and the mining boom, but a least the accommodation issues are settling down and motels are a little easier to find.

The Security shortfall at Gladstone airport continues to be a problem.  Each time you fly north you need to disembark at Rockhampton and go through the security screening process.  Four years now this has been occurring and wasting valuable time for Gladstone business people and tourists alike.  It's high time the Airport Board secured funding to house our own security services at the Gladstone airport.  Surely Gladstone is busy enough!  Why the delay and complete lack of action?  I hope it is sorted soon.

Have a great week everyone, and keep your eyes peeled for the Easter Bunny.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve! - - - - - and practice your Kata.

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu

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18th March 2007    What a Terrific Grading

Well what an outstanding weekend of Karate.  Our dojo held it's March grading in hot conditions.  We had 19 kids and 10 adults perform their next belt level grading.  On Saturday the kids show cased their skills. Shaylah Rowe lead the kids with an outstanding performance for her purple belt.  It was just terrific to watch this little pocket dynamo tear up the mat with her Kata and sparring, especially when she got to spar her father Sempai Dan in the last round.  A number of the kids had to overcome obstacles and nerves in this grading.  A highlight for me was receiving a hug  from one of the kids who lost his father late last year.  I will honour his dads request to help his son wear a Zen Chi Ryu Black Belt. 

  
(Our ZCR Kids were on Fire all weekend)

There were of course heaps of smiles at the belt ceremony and when it was all over there was not a dry eye in the house amongst the parents and a few of the senior helpers.  It was a grading to remember - Congratulations Everyone!

Best at Kids Grading Award (Kids) - Alex Ogilvie (well done Alex! - picture below)

On Sunday the adults hit the mats completely inspired by the performance of the ZCR Kids class.  We had 10 students perform their grading with 2 senior students stepping up to grade for their Brown Belt White Stripe 3rd Kyu.  Sempai Kate Reilly & Sempai Nathan Marshall put in one of the strongest performances we have seen to date.  Kate's efforts were as good if not better than any Female Black Belt grading I have witnessed (with respect to all the female black belts I know).  Nathan stripped over 15 kgs in preparation for his grading and it paid off big time with an outstanding performance.  All of the adults were successful and showed true Zen Spirit as they forged their efforts into each technique. 

We finished off and packed up with the great background sound of Marcel playing his didgeridoo.  It is rare that he plays in public and it is a sign of his respect and admiration for his new found dojo and friends. Thanks Marcel!

Thank you to my Sempai's (Brad, Don & Tomas) for helping out and keeping the pressure up in the sparring.  Also a big thanks to Lani Clements for the photos.

It is great to watch the level of camaraderie between everyone in dojo, especially under pressure.  As we approach our 2nd year anniversary I feel completely on track with the culture we have set out to develop in our dojo and Zen Chi Ryu family. Respect, trust and empathy underpinned by the true spirit of giving are the hall marks of our success.

(The ZCR Belt Tying Ceremony for our new Brown Belt Sempai's)

Work has had me extremely busy this week.  Travelling to Mackay & Brisbane to work with some excellent managers and emerging leaders.  I had a great time in Brisbane and had the most amazing conversation with a US Marine Major who had recently retuned from the Middle East.  I was enlightened by the realistic views this person had about leadership and reality based self defence in a live military environment. 

I hunted through a fabulous second hand book shop and discovered 6 excellent martial arts books to add to our library.  One in particular has blown my understanding of Sanchin Kata totally out of the water.  It throws tremendous new light on the history, performance and applications of this excellent Kata.  I can't wait to contact the author and seek further information and chase up some of the original sources.

On a personal note, I have rediscovered Caesar salad ..... not too bad.  Yep, the diet is going well.  I also found a great gym in Brisbane to burn up heaps of energy and sweat this week.  I will be hitting the free weights and push back into bag rounds to burn the calories this week.  My goal weight is 83kg and a 33% increase in my flexibility.  My next break will be focusing on 3 x 75 mm freestanding bricks with a palm heel.

Sorry for the delay on finishing off the articles.  I should get most of them up over the next week.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve! - - - - - It's the Secret.

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu

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The Bad Haircut Boys ...... thanks Marcel & Mark San

11th March 2007    Grading Preparation

Man is 2007 flying by or what!  Our first grading for the year is less than 7 days away and everyone is looking hard and sharp.  Nerves have kicked in along with self doubt for a few.  All natural emotions and part of the learning journey that is Zen Chi Ryu Karate.  This week in class we covered off on last minute grading preparation and did stick work partner drills.  It was a ton of fun to watch everyone try out their blocks at near full speed and incorporate their weapons handling into the first elbow drill.  We will have two students grading for Brown Belt White Stripe (3rd Kyu) on Sunday and a number of students carrying injuries.  This mixed in with the current heat wave should create a real fun time for everyone involved.  All up we will have over 22 kids and 10 Adults grading for their next level within our system.

The kids spent 90% of their class playing Poke Môn Sparring with 6 teams of 4 competing for points.  They had a ton of fun and it was a joy to watch.  I was really impressed by some of the skill shown by the newer kids as they stepped up to tackle larger opponents.  It is all non-contact, but it still requires a lot of courage for a 6 year old white belt to face off against a 12 year old green belt.  We ended up the day with one of their favourite games "Stuck in Zen Mud". 

Some of our kids and adults have already started writing to Elias our World Vision sponsored child from Ethiopia.  It is only a small difference we can make to the overall picture of world poverty.  But I'm sure we will make a huge difference in the life of Elias and his village.  It reminds me of the Star Fish story.....

The Star Fish Story - Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977)
'It made a difference for that one'

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out 'Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?'

The young man paused, looked up, and replied 'Throwing starfish into the ocean.'

'I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?' asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, 'The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die.'

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, 'But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!'

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, 'It made a difference for that one.'

So, can I encourage you to take the time to do something that will make difference to someone else's life ... and it doesn't have to be much and they don't need to know. Just take a moment, do something special ... the universe will know and that's enough.

The Warrior Way details have been finalised and posted on the Zen Chi Ryu website.  October will arrive sooner than most of us think.  I have started my preparation for the Warrior Way early by commencing a diet (yes DIE with a "T" on the end) and clocking up a few road running miles.  We will have between 40 and 60 quality martial artists mixing it up and sharing their experience over this weekend.  WW07 - Queensland will be one to remember for all those who take the challenge that is the Way of the Warrior.

Kate's trip to swim with the Dolphins at Sea World went off like a dream.  It was a terrific experience and worth every cent to see the joy it brought to us all.  The dolphin that was assigned to be our host was called "Speedy".  She was every bit a lady of the ocean and lived up to her name.
 

Work last week consisted of another time management session for an accounting firm and a series of management coaching sessions.  Next week has me travelling to Mackay, Brisbane and Rockhampton for a series of coaching sessions and a 3 day Management Workshop.

Bring on the grading and bring on the travel this week. Not so sure about the diet!!!!!!

Conceive - Believe - Achieve!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu
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5th March 2007    Who is the "Way of the Strong Mind"

What a great weekend.  On Saturday I had the opportunity to grade Nigel San for his Purple Belt before he flies back to the U.S.A. for a 6 week working stint.  Nigel is one of my original students and one of the only people to complete a Zen Chi Ryu Warrior Camp as a Yellow Belt.  He is a proud Martial Artist and exemplifies to Bushido ideal of true character development.  He will grow into a wonderful Sempai for our Dojo.

With our Dojo commitments taken care of we headed for the Gold Coast.  As part of Kate's grading preparation for Brown Belt White Stripe we will be swimming with the Dolphins at Sea World on Monday.  We all prepare mentally for challenges in our own way and I think that Kate san has selected a very special activity to help her get in the zone for her grading.  It will also be a nice break for the family and a chance to spend a little quality time together.

My creative juices have been flowing lately, which is always a problem for my sleeping patterns.  So I have harnessed them into writing a number of specific martial arts related articles.  I will post them on this site over the next week or so for my students, and the Zen Chi Ryu website for others who may be interested. 

Conceive - Believe - Achieve!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu
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2nd March 2007     Ego, Fear & Responsibilities

An interesting week full of challenges.  Last week closed off with a unique offer from the Liberal Party.  I fielded a phone call late in the week from a sitting Federal Liberal Senator offering an opportunity to run for the Liberal Party in the Federal Election for the seat of Flynn.  An honour I declined after checking my ego, disregarding my fears and reconfirming my responsibilities to my family and my karate students who are preparing for Brown and Black Belt gradings this year.  To those who put my name forward, thank you for the unexpected compliment.

Work this week has me facilitating a "Time Management" workshop in Gladstone and a three (3) day Advanced Management workshop (Business Systems & Improvements) in Rockhampton.  Friday allowed me to spend a little time in the office and around the house before heading to a grading preparation session Friday night for one of my students who is heading back to the U.S.A. for a 6 week stint with his work.

My Reading this week has been provided as a loan by one of my students - Nigel San.  All great titles are worth the effort and lack of sleep.

•  Tameshiwara - breaking bricks and boards with your hands and feet (Renardo Barden)
•  Zen in the Martial Arts  (Joe Hyams)
•  The Zen Way to the Martial Arts (Taisen Deshimaru)

ZCR Training this week .........

The Kids have continued to impress us all with their increase in focus and the effort they are putting into their grading preparations.  The small teaching & dojo improvements we made over the last month have really paid off and have helped keep the ZCR Kids class a buzz.  It is excellent to see the ZCR kids tuning into their Kata.  Their stances and transitions between strikes have improved significantly over the last month.  The chance to give a public performance of their new belt level Kata in class seems to switch them all on to a higher level.  Also a big thanks to Wayne Franks who dropped in to talk to the kids about his learning and study tips.  Wayne recently completed his Cert IV in Business Frontline Management with the Australian Institute of Management.  It was a treat to award his qualification in front of the Kids class.

As part of our ongoing commitment to our kids class development we have sponsored a child with our class fees through World Vision. Elias is Age 9 and lives in one of the poorest countries in the world - Ethiopia.  He enjoys group games such as soccer and we are sure he will love Zen Chi Ryu once the kids start to write to him and send him cards.

The Teens are enjoying working with the adults on the "Reality Based Self Defence" RBSD Bunkai (applications) extracted from their Kata.  The ZCR Kata may not be the prettiest, but they are up there with the most effective in the martial arts world.  The teens stamina during sparring is also on the up, as they learn to manage their way with some of the larger & stronger adults.  I'm looking forward to watching them grade later this month.

The Adults - ZCR Training this week in the dojo presented challenges for many as we stepped up the pace to increase fitness levels for the upcoming grading on the 17th & 18th March.  The purple belts are burning the mats up and will give a strong performance in their quest for Brown Belt White Strip.  All the ladies have increased the power in their kicks and look great sparring.  It is tremendous watching the BFI's (Blinding Flashes of Insight) as our students continue to unlock the secrets of our Kata.  It is always interesting watching them test the technique and then the ego battle as they want to "Go Live" for the real test.  Then watching them control their ego's as they uncover the potential impact of each technique.  It was also good to see Sensei Roger back this week.  He is keen to share some "JO" training with us in the future.

We have two new items going up at the dojo.  A large notice board and white board which will be used to house newsletters and explain some of our grading material with drawings for the visual learners.  We have also ordered a few extra thick kick shields for the big boys as they work on their power kicks for the warrior camp and breaking (tameshiwari) practice.

It is only two (2) weeks until our next grading.  So keep training hard.  The more you sweat now the less you panic on the day, and the more you can enjoy showcasing your skills to family & friends.

Conceive - Believe - Achieve!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu

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22nd February 2007     Let's Get Started!

Why do this, when we already have a Yahoo discussion site and a website for our style?  It's an interesting question. I guess in short I see communication as one of the major keys to success.  As an instructor I need to communicate to a diverse audience which may include readers of this page such as:

With this in mind I will be as honest and as careful as I can with what is posted here.  Please do not judge INTENT if I make error.  Just give me feedback and I shall modify as required.  I will still post news on the Zen Chi Ryu website and private material on our Yahoo discussion site.

This week has unfolded in an interesting way and lead me to spend a couple of days in Brisbane working on a management development program for Queensland Rail, consulting work for council, a time management program for an accounting firm and a series of executive coaching meetings.  I am currently working on new grading sheets for the purple belts and re-engineering our stretching routine for class.  However, my mind has been distracted off both of these tasks as I try to digest a host of learning's from two great books I'm reading

"The Book of Martial Power".  It is awesome, mind blowing and will no doubt become a key component of the ZCR study program for our senior students.  I wish I had of read this book as a brown belt.  It would have helped immensely with understanding and developing Bunkai, and interpreting Kata.

"Generation Y" by Peter Sheahan. Wow this book has really opened my mind to how we approach our teenage students and younger adults.  I have resisted reading this book for a while, when obviously I needed to.  After grappling with the Gen "Y" concepts I believe that we can create a dojo that is Gen "Y" friendly and will attract a larger proportion of this sector when we want to grow to the next stage.

My personal training this week has focused on devouring theoretical information & practical application Kendo 剣道 .  As you know I have been taking Kendo lessons with Kate under the guidance of Frost Sensei.  You know you are a martial arts tragic when you buy your wife kendo amour (Bogu 防具) for Christmas.  We have both found Kendo heaps of fun and certainly a challenge.  One of the immediate advantages in practising Kendo are the skills involved in entering and leaving the combative engagement zone.  There is direct translation here for our use of "8 Angles" in Zen Chi Ryu.  Once you get over the noise, pace and feel of being struck, it is a real adrenaline rush!  Claustrophobia has been an issue for me with the Men (Helmet) especially after you have been working hard.

Our new mat set up at the dojo has made the world of difference to the kids class.  More room and less distractions equal greater learning retention and of course plenty of fun.  We have capped the number as they are and have 9 people on our waiting list and each person waiting has been referred to other Martial Arts clubs/schools in Gladstone.  In my mind it is better they start than lose interest and never get on the mat.

I'm aware of two new martial arts clubs operating in Gladstone.  The Silat club under Michael Banks and the Choi Kwang Do club who's instructor is David Drinkwater.  I wish them both well and hope to see their schools grow and add value to the martial arts community of Gladstone.  I have also been communicating with Sensei Rob McIntyre from Zen Bushi Ryu regarding a kids tournament later in the year.  We will support this tournament and seek to provide another positive experience for our kids.  The past should not hinder the future!

On another note, a local ex-martial artist (I think he trained freestyle for approx 18 months) Anton Guinea is holding a motivational seminar and book launch in Gladstone next month.  You can get information from the Gladstone Entertainment Centre or visit his website: www.gamotivation.com for more details.  Anton is an interesting guy, always exuding high energy and is breaking into the motivational speaking arena.  I will be supporting his efforts by attending on the night.  So if your interested give me a call and we can book multiple tickets.

Well that's a good start.  Let's see where we end up with this.  Have a outstanding week and keep training even when you find excuse not to!

Conceive - Believe - Achieve!

Yours in Zen

Sensei Peter Reilly
Ni Dan Zen Chi Ryu

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Past Reflections

20th June 2007
Heroes & Leaders

10th June 2007
Ready Steady go!

4th June 2007 
Starting to Feel Like Home

27th May 2007
A Tough Week

20th May
Purification & Character Development

14th May
The Gathering

10th May 2007
Time with my Sensei

1st May
Bricks Alive

25th April 2007
The ANZAC Tradition

20th April 2007
True Karate

13th April 2007
Courage and Sacrifice

6th April 2007
The Easter Break

28th March 2007
Forward ever Forward

23rd March 2007
Recovery & Challenge

18th March 2007
What a Terrific Grading

11th March 2007
Grading Preparation

5th March 2007
Who is the "Way of the Strong Mind"

22nd February 2007
Let's Get Started!

Hot Links

 Peter ABC Radio Interview
(mp3 4mb - 8th Feb 2007)
Black Belt Strategies for Leadership

Articles By Sensei Peter

 Zen Chi Ryu Web Site

 ZCR Yahoo Discussion Site

Volume 1 Past Reflections Found Here
22nd Feb to 15th Jun 2007

Volume 2 Past Reflections Found Here
21st June to 20th Dec 2007

Volume 3 Past Reflections Found Here
30th Dec 2007 to 31st Aug 2008

Volume 4 Past Reflections Found Here
28th Sept 2008 to 1st Jan 2009

This is what I know to be true......"Data becomes information.  Information becomes knowledge.  When knowledge is applied and changes observable behaviour we have created learning.  When learning is leveraged to create change, we have experience.  When experience is shared we grow. This in my humble opinion, is wisdom." -P.J. Reilly

An education isn’t how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It’s being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don’t. It’s knowing where to go to find out what you need to know; and it’s knowing how to use the information you get - William Feather.

You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. ...The Matrix.

"It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired-you quit when the gorilla is tired.”   Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard.

“The purpose of today’s training….is to defeat yesterday’s understanding.”
The famed swordsman Miyamoto Musashi
(1584 – 1645)

It requires wisdom to understand wisdom:   The music is nothing if the audience is deaf.
Walter Lippman

"It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired-you quit when the gorilla is tired.”   Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard.