From Emiliano Mazlen San-Dan

Shihan, Boston Chinatown Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate Club

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Onegai-shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei and Fellow Deshi,

Hanshi instructs us in the Red Book that the mirror is the most important piece of equipment in the dojo.

We should take heed of that instruction and use the mirror properly.

When performing kata (or basics) at half-speed towards the mirror, there are a host of details in our techniques

that we may be able to check, including the location of our strikes and blocks, the form and alignment of our fists and forearms,

and the height and direction of the fist in the pocket. Of course, we do not have time to check all these points each time we do a move,

even at half speed. Instead, when working at half speed facing the mirror, we can use the mirror to check, perhaps, one point -

whether the subject of a recent correction in the class, the subject of the technique of the week, or one relating to an old habit that we’re still trying to break.

We do not use the mirror in ways that would introduce errors into the kata. For example, when turning in kata at full speed

to a final angle not facing the mirror, let the eyes sweep to the final angle, rather than having the eyes dwell in the direction of the mirror.

Domo arigato gozaimasu to all.

Emiliano Mazlen

San-Dan

Shihan, Boston Chinatown Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate Club