July 2009

In this issue:

Building Leaders and Transmitting Core Values at Camp Kokoro 2009

By Kyoshi Sarah Ludden

Camp Kokoro is a place where 6- 14 year olds gather daily to spend the morning training under the tutelage of young, dedicated and loving black belt instructors, experiencing the challenge and discipline of karate, the mental and physical exertion of intensive training, and the camaraderie of Thousand Waves. Each afternoon we enjoy the lakefront, with a communal lunch under the shade trees, resting before the exciting games of kickball, ultimate frisbee or “jujube.” Kids can go to the beach for a swim, participate in the chess and checkers tournament, create their own games and adventures, read. For 2 ½ hours!

Special martial arts opportunities such as board breaking, circuit training, nunchaku lessons and kata and sparring tournaments, enrich and broaden the students’ karate experiences and deepen their commitment to their training path. Fitness and health are fostered and relationships within the dojo deepened.

Upcoming Events

Nunchaku for Kids:
Saturday, July 25th
Instructor: Sensei Triston Alvarez
Fee: $15
(includes a pair of rubber nunchaku)
1st and 2nd Grade: 4-5pm
3rd Grade and Above: 5-6pm

Nunchaku for Adults:
Saturday, August 1st, 4-6pm
Instructor: Kyoshi Sarah Ludden
Fee: $25
(includes a pair of rubber nunchaku)



Reduced August Schedule
There will be no Tuesday or Thursday 12:30 classes during August.Beach Training: Saturday, August 8th
For detailed information:
Adults & Teens
Little Kicks, Juniors, and Youth


Monday, September 6th & 7th
Thousand Waves is closed for Labor Day

Going "Home" to Honbu

By Jun Shihan Nancy Lanoue

It was 25 years ago when I told my teacher, Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, that I was leaving New York to move to Chicago, with hopes of starting my own dojo. The opportunity to train under Kaicho on a daily basis was at the top of the list of things I sadly gave up in pursuit of my dream. Since then, I have traveled “home” to honbu at least twice a year to train with him, meet with colleagues who run their own schools and bring our black belt students for advanced testing. My most recent trip for the 2009 Black Belt Clinic and Testing in early June gave me a chance to reflect on, and appreciate, both how Seido has changed and remained the same over the years, as well as how my individual role within the organization has evolved.

Communication for Harmony and Safety

By Marie O'Brien

Lights, Camera, Action! Participants in a “Communication for Harmony and Safety” class put on short plays in front of their colleagues, demonstrating the effectiveness of assertive communication in stressful situations. Participants were attending a class through Thousand Waves’ “Alliances for Hope, Healing and Action” project, which provides a series of workshops for staff of agencies that work with survivors of violence.

Seeking Applications for Board Service

By Diane Miller

Would you like to help shape the future of Thousand Waves? Are you currently one of our many active and dedicated volunteers, looking for a way to make your contributions more meaningful? Consider elevating your commitment by serving on the board. Perhaps, you are thinking of volunteering for the first time and are interested in leadership opportunities? Consider committing your time and talents in leading the Thousand Waves community. Our successful organization promotes holistic health, personal empowerment, and compassion for others through the vehicles of traditional martial arts, and violence prevention workshops and courses. We welcome training members, parents, and others with a connection to Thousand Waves to serve on the board.The culture of the board closely mirrors the culture you have experienced at the dojo – supportive, nurturing, and fun! We welcome all interested individuals and are especially looking for those with an interest in fundraising, merchandizing, event planning, business operations, marketing, finance, law, non-profit management, human resources, strategic planning, grant writing, and communication.Do you have questions? Feel free to contact Diane Miller, Chair, Board Development Committee at 312-927-6826 or send her an e-mail to theonedianemiller@hotmail.com. Also, please review the attached Application and Roles and Responsibilities.

You will be contacted for an interview in August. Successful candidates will be slated for nomination in September, and elected in October. The first board meeting for new board members will be in November.

Kyoshi Sarah & Senpai Jo Willis Visit Seido Jamaica

By Kyoshi Sarah Ludden

What an opportunity—to visit Jamaica and be hosted by extremely gracious and generous Seido friends! I have read about Jamaica and been profoundly moved by its history—the brutal colonial injustices, the early economy built on the labor of African slaves, the post-colonial exploitation of natural resources (bauxite primarily) and the unrelenting, courageous and awe inspiring slave rebellions and political struggles for freedom and independence. I love many aspects of Jamaican culture, including the music of reggae—Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh…and have been intrigued by the rumors of how hard Jamaicans work and how hard they play!