1st January 2009   Building on our 2008 Success for 2009

As the new year dawns, my recovery from surgery continues to progress well.  I am aiming now for a very solid and injury free 2009.  I will resume weight training in a few weeks and get back into my fitness regime.  Those 12 bricks are still waiting and are ever tempting.  We will take a much deserved break with a week at Airlie Beach and another week at our favourite place Yamba N.S.W.  Much walking and Kata on the beach at both locations, and a chance to unwind totally.

I have learnt much in 2008 and feel as though I am seeing a whole range of issues with clarity at the moment.  It is a good time to move on in a few areas and let a few worries drift away.  One of life's toughest decisions is to "Know which bridge to cross and which bridge to burn".  I have made a few decisions in this area and will continue to implement actions to ensure the success of our dojo and the well being of all who sail within her.

"The purpose of Martial Arts is to walk with confidence in your own age"  -  Sensei Peter Urban

Now let's set a few Dojo Goals.

1. Build on the successful behaviours of 2008 - (ongoing)
2. Work with the changes to our curriculum based on Shihan Tim's book - (Jan 09)
3. Develop and run a successful Tween Class (Feb 09)
4. Run a successful Open Invitation Kids Sparring & Kata tournament (July 09)
5. Host two world class seminars - BJJ & Tai Chi ( June 09)
6. Compete successfully on the Kyokushin fight circuit (Aug 09)
7. Win best dojo at this years Warrior Way (Oct 09)
8. Learn and adopt Richard Norton's - Black Belt Complexes (ongoing) see video below
9. Design & Build a personal Dojo at our new house (Sept 09)
10. Complete our instructor development program and open a new class (Sept 09)
11. Continue to explore and set Tameshiwari records - (ongoing)
12. Grade our first adult female Black Belts - (Oct 09)

If you're interested in setting a few personal goals for 2009, here is my Brick Goal Setting Method for selecting and writing meaningful goals.  It works well and gives you a process to interrogate the quality of your goals.

Breath-Taking Is the goal audaciously challenging? Does it spark your interest? Will it reignite your lost desire or energy levels? Does it get your adrenaline pumping and your stomach churning with excitement when you think about the outcome? Risk-Assessed Have you looked at what will get in the way and take you off course? What are the dangers or side effects related to attaining this goal? Industrious Will the goal drive action? Is the activity value adding? Is it worth achieving? Concrete Can the goal be clarified and measured in tangible terms? Is the goal realistic, and achievable with effort? Keeper The goal is not easily discarded? It is linked to other important items. It becomes part of the “Critical Path” you wish to tread into the future.

I have posted a new article for those wishing to improve their Japanese Terminology - Posted  31-12-08. It is an area that I'm not too strong in but enjoy exploring and adding to my vocabulary.

I hope 2009 brings you and your family all you desire and strive for.

Conceive, Believe, Achieve ...... the choice is always yours.

Peter

Peter Reilly - Renshi
Zen Chi Ryu

P.S. To my good friend Master Brian Mable 8th Dan Tang Soo Do.  Thank you for agreeing to let me interview you and post it here.  I know my students and many others will enjoy reading it and reflecting on what you have to say.  I have enjoyed our email conversations more than you will know.  Cheers Peter.

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24th December 2008   Merry Christmas to All

With a bit of spare time on my hands of late I have been getting into a discovery channel show "Man Vs. Wild".  The stars of this show are nature and adventurer Bear Grylls.  In the show, Grylls both demonstrates and narrates techniques for wilderness survival in regions around the globe, from ice fields and mountain ranges to swamps and deserts. The general format of each episode is that Grylls is dropped into the region simulating a stranded explorer/tourist. The episode documents his efforts to survive and find a way back to civilization, usually requiring an overnight shelter of some kind. Bear also tells about successful and failed survivals in the particular area he is in.  You can check out Bear Grylls website here http://www.beargrylls.com/index.html I'd love to have dinner with this guy, the conversations would be excellent.  In fact I'm going to send him an email and invite him to the Warrior Camp at Kempsey ... the worst that can happen is that he says no.

I have also finished off a few new articles.  Hope you glean something of interest from them.  There is a lot of information and opinion on the internet.  Some of it good some of it not so good.  I enjoy adding to the mix and debate .... remember if good men do nothing evil triumphs.  The same philosophy applies to opinions and marketing hype.

•  OODA Looping - Revised  19-12-08 

•  Problems with MMA Mindsets  - Posted  22-12-08  (hope not to be too controversial ... but it's worth discussion)

•  I have also updated a number of pages on our website and put a webpage for the Neoteric Dojo for Dai Sempai Jess & Sempai Nathan

As someone who has battled with his temper I found this Zen Story worthy of reflection.  I hope you enjoy it.

The Samurai and the Fisherman

At that moment the samurai realized that his habit of "striking without thinking" had almost cost him the life of his wife and his mother. One year later the samurai again walked down the same beach towards the fisherman. After exchanging the proper formal greetings the fisherman said, "It has been an excellent year my Lord, here is all the money I owe you as promised, and with interest." "Keep your money,” replied the samurai, "you do not know it, but your debt was paid to me long ago."

I hope 2009 brings you all you desire and strive for.

Conceive, Believe, Achieve ...... the complexity lies within its simplicity.

Peter

Peter Reilly - Renshi
Zen Chi Ryu

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10th December 2008   A Smashing End to 2008

What an amazing year 2008 has been for Zen Chi Ryu Gladstone!

Over the last few months we have been preparing for our end of year grading, trophy presentations and break up function.  Everyone put in a huge effort and our final weekend of formal classes for 2008 and end of year grading was a big success.  We did take a little time-out in November to get involved in raising a few dollars for a good charity.  Our Zen Chi Ryu Team raised $645.00 for Movember - this cause raises awareness and much needed funds for prostate cancer research.  Our leading fund raiser was Graeme Smith with $380.00, awesome effort Graeme.  A big thanks to all those who donated to our team.  This year was a tester for Movember, and next year we will be more organised and raise heaps more money ..... perhaps next year some of our teens will actually be able to grow a Mo as well .... te he.

Zen Chi Ryu Kids Grading

The kids grading was a three and 1/2 hour ordeal in hot, humid conditions.  We incorporated a sparring competition into the end component of the grading.  With over 40 kids on the mat, it was like a military operation to get through everything.  All of the kids brought their 'A' game and their focus was excellent.  We had some excellent grading performances with four Zen Chi Ryu kids grading for their Brown/Black Belt after three solid years of training.  The standard of the sparring competition was outstanding with one of the finals going to extra time.

 It was also terrific to see Sempai Joshua grading for his Sho Dan after waiting two years to grade.  His solo Kata performances and self defence applications were extremely solid.  His Black Belt Essay was insightful and the special award in the form of a letter from Mary-Anne Slaven was appreciated by not only Joshua, but everyone else who was present.  To add to the moment, Josh was handed his new belt by his two grandfathers, a moment that he will cherish for many years to come.  After the belt ceremony, all Zen Chi Ryu Kids received a Christmas present to take home and place under their tree.  2009 will be an exciting time for the ZCR Kids Class as we will be creating a 'Tween' class for the older kids.  It was terrific to see students travelling up from the Gold Coast to take part in the grading program - Madison, Amity & Montoya Clements. 

A Picture is worth a thousand words ........

A big congratulations to all 'sparring competition' winners and 'end of year trophy' winners and runners - up.

Zen Chi Ryu Kids - Trophy Winners

Adults & Teens Grading

Once the kids and families cleared the Dojo, the adults and teens hooked in to their grading in what can only be described as oppressively hot and muggy conditions.  Within the first thirty minutes, we had three casualties of the heat.  It took great courage for each of them to work through their recovery and get back on the mat.  The first half of the adult grading pushed through till 5.00pm and continued at Spinnaker Park on Sunday morning where the weather conditions were still very nasty and the sand flies were very hungry.  The sparring on Saturday was of an extremely high standard and our new brown belts worked very hard through their last few rounds.  This was one of the toughest gradings of 2008.  During the grading we had the opportunity to share five Black Belt Essays with the group.  At the end of the afternoon's proceedings, we presented 'end of year' trophies; Sempai Certificates and Yojimbo Badges. 

Black Belt Essays Sempai Brad Hall Sho Dan Ho Sempai Nigel Clements Sho Dan Ho Sempai Nathan Marshall Sho Dan Sempai Tomas Williams Sho Dan Sempai Don Anderson Sho Dan Ho

Yojimbo Badges Sempai Kate - Intellectual Sempai Nigel - Spiritual Sempai Brad - Physical Sempai Don - Emotional

Sunday gave us the opportunity to work through some of the complex grading material in a natural environment.  We ended the grading with each of the brown belts performing brick breaks.  It was great to have Sean Clements join us from the Gold Coast.  We then shared a BBQ brunch with the group before adjourning until 2009.

Congratulations to all those who graded and to all those who received awards and 'end of year' trophies.  A huge thank-you to all those students who did not need to grade, but who turned up to assist and share the grading journey with their friends.  Support is one of the hallmarks of our dojo, it's a real plus and it is one of the attractions that draws people to us.

More eye candy .........

Seniors End of Year Trophies

Competition for the 2008 annual trophies was fierce and all decisions proved to be difficult, however, I am sure you would agree with me that all recipients are truly worthy.  This year we added a trophy to our list - The Mouthguard Award.  This trophy will be selected and presented annually by it's inaugural winner - Sempai Tomas Williams.  This award is in recognition of the biggest mistake/oversight/human moment of the year. 

2008 has been a huge year for our Dojo and 2009 is already looking as though it will be even bigger and even better.  It has been an absolute joy to be involved in the journey with everybody who stands on our mats.  We have forged many solid friendships and enjoyed watching people develop, grow and unleash higher capability.  I will post videos from the grading on You Tube over the next fortnight or so. 

All new years bring change and 2009 will be no different.  I see Zen Chi Ryu continuing to grow and refine our curriculum.  I see new classes started and perhaps dojo's in  Tannum Sands, Rockhampton and Mackay.  News today from Shihan Tim suggests that Sempai Tony will be moving to the Sunshine Coast and is going to get a dojo happening there in early 2009.  Shihan Tim's book has been selling well and I know I have to find time to finish work in this area myself.  Kate and I have had a couple of book projects on the go for few years now, so it's time to complete.

We will attend more sparring competitions in 2009 and have an interesting stable of students who wish to fight train.  New students have been beating a path to our door over the last few weeks in '08 so we will have lots of fresh and motivated learners kicking off in the new year.

Sempai Brad, Nigel and myself will get around to constructing our breaking platform and give that world record a shake in the first quarter.  We may even set up a few speed breaks for fun.  I plan to explore bottle breaks over the Christmas period.

Anyway enough rambling .... I will post reflections of 2008 in a few weeks.

Take care everyone and have a great Christmas.

Conceive, Believe, Achieve ...... and the world is your oyster.

Peter

Peter Reilly - Renshi
Zen Chi Ryu

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11th November 2008   Pushing the Boundaries

Last fortnight, I had the honour to escort 7 of our finest students to Sydney to undertake the challenge of the Warrior Way and grading tests.  A full report on the 2008 Warrior Way can be found on the Zen Chi Ryu website.  However, here are a few personal reflections. We worked hard and were supported totally by our families in the lead up to the 2008 Warrior Way Camp in Sydney.  So a big thanks goes to them straight up.

	We left for Sydney early on Friday morning with a general buzz and excitement racing through the group.  We flew out of Rocky, had a few baggage hiccups in Brisbane and played a wonderful game of Tetris packing six sets of Kendo armour and luggage for eight people into a Tarago.  Thanks to the Navman, we found our way to Sydney Sports Academy.  It was the first time on a plane for some, so it was a delight to watch their excitement as we flew over Sydney. Beau Budak may have been late for the trip to Rocky, but he made up for it with heaps of energy all weekend and his enthusiastic 500 questions a day.  Beau did an amazing job as a secondary student keeping up with the adult material on Friday night and Saturday before performing his own grading.  Beau discovered the joys of 'antiquing' at the Hombu on Sunday night, but that is another story - what goes on tour stays on tour. Yes it's Beau's death stare in the last photo of the montage below.
	Sempai Nathan Marshall graded for his Sho Dan and powered through all of the adult activities presented to him at the Warrior Way.  Nathan is my first adult Sho Dan and I could not be more proud of the effort and honesty that has been the hallmark of his journey thus far.  Nathan was also called upon as an assistant instructor to grade one of Shihan Tim's new students for his yellow belt.  Nathan performed an exciting Nunchukau Kata and an extremely fast and powerful first elbow drill in the Kata competitions.  Nathan's growth this year as a martial artist has been accelerated by his teaching duties with the Neoteric Generation Dojo on Friday evenings.  Nathan was also an exceptional help in keeping everybody organised over the Warrior Weekend.
	Sempai (where's my Bo & Mouthguard) Tomas, showed us again he is a wonderful technician of Zen Chi Ryu.  His Bo Kata and performance of Geri Waza were a treat to behold.  His Bo Kata earned him a solid second place in the weapons division of the National Titles.  Tomas impressed me with his increased strength and spirit this year.  It is becoming very difficult for an old guy like me to hold the pads for him.  Sempai Tomas graded for his Sho Dan as a secondary and performed all activities with the adult students.  It is only age and experience that places his rank as a secondary (teenage) student.
	Sempai Nigel Clements, graded for his Sho Dan Ho over the weekend and had the added difficulty of looking out for his son Lachlan Clements.  Nigel's lead up to this event was difficult as he had been overseas for 6 out of the 8 weeks heading up to the weekend.  So he had to draw on all of his big heart and spirit.  Just the sort of Sho Dan Ho grading I like to see!  Nigel was one of the original students who attended class Number 1 of Zen Chi Ryu Enabling Arts Dojo.  So it is great to see him now heading in to the Dan Ranks.   To quote a mutual friend, Master Brian Mable, "a Black Belt is something you become, not something you get."
	Lachlan Clements (son of Nigel0 grew an extra 6 inches over the weekend.  He performed an excellent brick break and surprised himself no end.  Lachlan continued to join in most of the adult activities and training sessions over the weekend and pushed himself to a whole new level.  He also did an amazing job in the kids weapons kata with a solid performance of a modified Jo kata with a rubber knife.  He overcame his initial nerves and impressed all.  He achieved the rank of 1st Kyu and had his belt awarded to him at the Hombu.
	Sempai Andrew (the head hunter) Ainsworth had a blinder and graded for his 1st Kyu.  Andrew impressed all with his strength and stamina as he powered through all of the adult Warrior Camp activities.  He performed an excellent short stick Kata in the Weapons Competition and a very strong four directional combination Kata in the Kata Competition.  Andrew then stepped up to the full contact sparring where he demonstrated his growth and maturity after competing in the Kyokushin Titles in July.  Andrew delivered an outstanding head kick early in his first bout which nearly took out the overall winner of the day.  Andrew is maturing into a wonderful Martial Artist and a fine young man who is an excellent representative of our Dojo and the style of Martial Arts that we teach.
	Jamie (I want to hibernate) Clements let the cat out of the bag all weekend.  Jamie double graded strongly for his Green Belt and performed the vast majority of the adult activities all weekend.  He performed an excellent second elbow drill in the Kata Competition and surprised many with his strength and the quality of his kicks.  Jamie also displayed a wonderful fascination for walking machines and the art of midnight indoor surfing.  Jamie also passed on to his weary brothers the 'age old' tradition of antiquing.  I was extremely proud of his efforts all weekend.
	There are many hidden stories from a weekend such as the 2008 Warrior Way.  The details of these stories remain with those who were there,. but I am sure if you ask the question, they might relate detail on the following:-  How to lose luggage (Tomas)  The Sleeping Arrangements  The Water Temp @ Curl Curl Beach (Nigel the fair weather Pom)  Antiquing  Treadmill Surfing  All nighters at the Hombu  Office Sparring  How to sleep at an Airport  Magazines that are/are not appropriate for 14 year olds (Beau)

If memories are the pillows of life, then I'm going to be very comfortable in my old age.  These peak moments create a wonderful montage of memories to relive and share with the others who will grace the nursing home I end up in.

 

 

For me personally the 2008 warrior was difficult as I could not take part in all of the activities that I wanted to, due to a cruciate ligament injury to my right knee. I was really there to support my students and witness Black Belt testing.  However, I was not going to let another year pass without having a lash at the brick breaking competition.  I have learnt how to modify my technique to fit my current level of mobility and my weight training paid off. I was very pleased with my nine brick winning break.  It was technically a very nice break.  After 2 breaks (a ,7 and 9 stack) I failed in my attempt at 11.  I think I had an adrenaline dump after winning.  I will tackle a 12 stack in December at our end of year grading with Sempai Brad Hall. I was particularly pleased to have performed well in front of my Tameshiwari Teacher, Shihan Tim.

When we returned to our Dojo we took the opportunity to formally issue successful students with their new belts and ranks.  While these were originally issued at the Zen Chi Ryu Hombu, we had Sho Dan Belts embroidered upon our return and driven by feedback from other class members we decided to conduct belt ceremonies again in our Dojo.

I ask only 3 things from my students; Conceive, Believe, Achieve ...... the rest is up to us as individuals.

Peter

Peter Reilly - Renshi
Zen Chi Ryu

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28th September 2008   Greeting the Dawn

Nothing beats a beach training session.  The feel of nature and the chance to perform and practice our techniques with the supreme audience of nature.  At 5am we congregated at the beach at Tannum Sands (Bearing 092 degrees (T) East). Sunrise was due at 0539hrs and we waited for this timeless event with private meditation and then training began on the beach. 

We ran through a range of items in the session .....

•  Dawn Meditation
•  Kata & Kihon on uneven surfaces
•  Reaps and Takedowns
•  Use of Natural Weapons - (Sand, Sticks & Rocks)
•  Power Breaking
•  Cleansing and Goal setting Ceremony
•  Breakfast Bar-B-Que

Congratulations to Sempai Nathan & Sam San who did excellent breaks.  I was also pretty happy with my 10 brick break.  A big thanks to Sempai Brad who did an excellent job of setting up the breaks in the difficult platform of sloping sand.  Also a big thanks to Sempai Kate, Deb & Andrew for a top job on the BBQ. 

I could describe what we did in depth, but as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

.

My Goal Conceived, Believed & Achieved
27th September 2008 - Tannum Beach Queensland

Our preparation for the 2008 Warrior way is on track and Sempai Kate has organised uniforms for the Queensland Team.  Much to my excitement we have added a Kendo session to the agenda and elevated the pushups & crunches session from 500 to 1000.  Our airfares are booked and we will be ready to represent ZCR Queensland with pride.

Life can be small if you don't make the conscious choice to live large ......

Peter

Peter Reilly - Renshi
Zen Chi Ryu

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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