October 2011
Words from the Grand Master
Hello Dojo Family!
It is exciting to see all of the growth and progress of our Kohai at My B.A.D. Training Center. I am so proud of everyone’s hard work and diligent effort in taking ownership of Nikidokai and developing thier art.
There are many students in the martial arts. Very few will ever become Masters of their selves…very few. They do not understand the Dojo within themselves. This Dojo Within You is not a mere concept. It is life at its fullest.
Your inner dojo is carried with you at all times and accessed at your will. You take it to work with you. You access it on your commute from one destination to another.
This is where the doors close to all the chaos of the world. This is where you gather clarity and tranquility, where, for even a brief moment, you draw the shades and leave troubles and worries to where you found them. You collect inner peace, strength, fuel and knowledge to handle the day to day struggles of life. At anytime and any place your inner dojo will serve you.
In Unity,
Shihan
Dojo Within You
WHAT IS YOUR “DOJO”
Often, I am asked, “What is a dojo?” In Japanese, it translates, “a place of the way.” We all have a “way” or “path” in our lives. Some of us are walking it out, some of us are seaking it out and others had it figured out but veered off somewhere and they are trying to find the way back.
The mistake many of us make is working on the outside to fill the void that is on the inside. We should be working on the inside first and the outside will take care of itself. For example, if you have an anger problem, some would try not to react in anger so that, on the outside, the problem is seemingly gone. If the problem stems from low self-esteem or low confidence, it will surely resurface. Now, if you change your beliefs about yourself and began to build that confidence within you, you wont be so angry anymore and the reactions will just stop. The way to have lasting success with anything, is to work from the inside first.
In Nikidokai, we often say that we will help you create the Dojo Within You. The truth is, it is a process of self discovery.
The “Dojo within you” is already there, inside you. It’s a process of digging away the mess, negativity, fear and insecurity inside you, that weighs you down and controls your reactions to the world around you, to uncover and reveal the purest, untainted version of yourself.
The true you with limitless potential, unstoppable drive and unquenchable passion for life can only be revealed by you. Your Nikidokai simply shows you a way to focus and find what is already there. It is your personal “dojo” that brings you the balance you need to reach your untapped potential. It is the place within you where you put to work all that you have learned, where you focus in on your priorities, where you internalize life and create the vision of your ideal future. It is your center, your peace, your inner-self that is not found in the physical body but in the strength of your will to fullfill your God-given purpose.
Fitness Tips to Live by
Aerobics Anyone?
If the first thing that popped into your head was an 80’s video with everyone wearing spandex and leg warmers, then let me help your mental image of aerobics. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Aerobic exercise is any physical activity that uses large muscle groups and increases your heart rate.”
Why is it so important?
Well, it does many things on the cellular level which result in prolonging your life and building endurance.
The following are just a few of the benefits:
– Strengthens the muscles involved in breathing.
– Strengthens and enlarges the heart muscle, to improve pumping and reduce your resting heart rate (aerobic conditioning)
– Strengthening muscles throughout the body
– Improves circulation and reduces blood pressure
– Increases the amount of red blood cells in the body which helps transport oxygen throughout the body
– Improves mental health
– Reduces stress
– Lowers the incidence of depression
– Reduces the risk for diabetes.
– Burns body fat, while building leaner muscle.
Has your weight loss plateued?
Even though you are exercising regularly, if you are not adding the proper amount of cardio to your life, you will eventually plateau and thats no fun. If you have plateaued on your weight loss, ask yourself a few questions:
1. Am I incorporating enough cardio into my daily routine?
2. Am I drinking enough water?
3. Am I giving my body enough nutrient dense food?
If you can say yes to these questions, then you are on your way to a leaner, fitter body and a richer, longer and healthier life.