July 29th, 2018

This week’s TOTW is submitted by Sensei Rob Neff, Shihan
of the Bay Ridge Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate Dojo.

Under the Direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
________________________________________

Hold Yourself to a Higher Standard

Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei and fellow Deshi,

We are our opponent when doing kata. As a white belt and kyu rank I
imagined myself as the person I was fighting with ease. As I have
progressed in karate this has become more difficult for me. I’m not sure
why. When doing kata you should imagine your opponent as a carbon copy of
yourself.

Often in life we can be our own worst opponent, or our biggest ally. This
is especially true off the deck. We often speak of training for a crisis.
How would you react in the best of times? How about the worst of times?
Assess yourself when given these opportunities. If you did a poor job
it’s easy to know what you need to work on. In fact someone is probably
telling you. If you did a good job still ask your self what you could
have done better. Even if you did a great job; what could you have
improved on? There is always something to improve.

Always learn from the real life situations that test you. When the dust
has settled review the experience and gain from it. Be prepared to do a
better job the next time!!!

Domo arigato gozaimasu,
Sensei Neff, Yon-Dan
Bay Ridge Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA