MMA Belt Tests/Promotions are coming up!
Week of June 8-12
Parents, there's still time to meet the attendance and morals requirements!
Students need 10 attendances between May 4th and June 8th
AND
a form signed by parent/guardian confirming adherence to the dojo morals
We can't wait to see our hard-working students promoted!
Be on the lookout for further communications from us.
Please note
The Saturday morning Movement & Conditioning Classes are discontinued. There will be no class June 6th.
Other News and Updates
Registration is now OPEN for our Onsite Summer Camp!
Weeks of July 13-17, July 20-24, and July 27-31
Ages 7-11 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am-2:00 pm - $450/week
Ages 4-6 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am-12:30 pm - $300/week
Limited spots available to maximize one-on-one instruction and a fun and safe camp experience!
Moral of the Month: Wisdom
“Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day.”
—Zen Proverb
What does it mean to be wise? A dictionary definition describes wisdom as the ability to think and act based on one’s knowledge, experience, understanding, and insight. However, with wisdom also comes a sense of courage, perspective and humility. We cannot gain wisdom without living, taking risks and being open-minded.
Wisdom then is the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment, and is an immensely important virtue. A child who can stop and think, learn from consequences, understand thoughtful decision-making, or see and practice humility is on a good path to gaining wisdom and making wise choices. This is a lifelong practice.
Consider this story from Zen Flesh Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings:
A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, “I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it?”
The teacher’s reply was casual. “Ten years.”
Impatiently, the student answered, “But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice every day, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?”
The teacher thought for a moment. “20 years.”
We are not born with wisdom and it cannot be rushed. It is first preceded by knowledge, experience and reflection. Wisdom is developed from both action and stillness, from life’s daily trials and perspective. This is why we teach our students technique and form in tandem with mindfulness and meditation. With these tools, children will come to understand there is a time for exploits, achievements and failures, and there is a time for contemplation. Let them fully take part in each as stepping stones on their lifelong paths toward wisdom.