April 2012

In This Issue

Not Just For Parents

Take Two: Violence in the News

Increasing our Impact

Connecting with our Seido Family

Member News

Community Partner Spotlight

Upcoming Events

Not Just For Parents

Teaching Children the Value of Perseverance

(photo)
Junior Shodan TJ Nakano,
throughout his martial arts journey.
By Jun Shihan Nancy Lanoue
Co-Executive Director

What do boredom, difficulty learning sequences, fear, too many activities and scheduling challenges have in common? They are all common obstacles can derail your child's karate training and lead to them quitting this healthy, empowering activity before they've gained full benefit from their – and your – efforts.

It's hard for all children to integrate a disciplined, regular training schedule into their busy lives – and sustain it over time! But an amazing number of them do, and almost every single one takes the time in their junior black belt essay to thank their parents for not letting them quit. If you see value in the life skills and healthy living habits your child is learning at Thousand Waves and want to help them persevere when a reason to quit presents itself, here are some tips.

Research into the Impact of Martial Arts on Children

My name is Melanie McNally and I am a doctoral student at the Adler School of Professional Psychology.  I am working on my dissertation, which is examining the impact of martial arts participation on mental health in children.  I have been approved by my school’s Institutional Review Board and by Jun Shihan Nancy and Jun Shihan Sarah to do the research at Thousand Waves.

I’ve always been interested in the psychological benefits of exercise and became interested in these same benefits of martial arts when working with kids at a local school.  There, I found that many parents reported utilizing martial arts programs to improve anything from their child’s self-esteem to their grades.  And what was most interesting is that the parents noticed positive changes after just a short amount of time.  I began doing my own examination and found existing research to be lacking in some areas and thus began my dissertation process in hopes of making my own contribution.

Participation in this research is completely voluntary and whether or not you participate does not impact your standing at Thousand Waves in any way.  Also, all information is confidential and will not be shared with anyone at Thousand Waves.  Participants need to be aged 8 to 15 and just starting martial arts training.  If your child is about to complete his or her 15th class (and become an advanced white belt), then please contact me so we can get going!  Both parents and children will complete forms in a private area at Thousand Waves, which can be done in about 15 to 20 minutes.

Thanks so much and I hope to meet you soon. If you would like to contact me I can be reached by email at mmaxwell@my.adler.edu or by phone at (773) 319-6472.

Take Two: Violence in the News

Justin Bieber's Gentle Giant?

By Kate Webster
Director of Violence Prevention Programs

(poster)Recently, the epidemic of bullying has received lots of media attention connected with the nationwide release of the documentary Bully – chronicling the harassment endured by five lower-middle class students in rural Southern and Midwestern US towns. With bullying on my radar, I was reminded of an incident from last year when a 9th grade student from Sydney Australia, Casey Heynes, fought back against his bully. In a 45 second video clip, viewers see Casey turn his cheek when he is slapped in the head, then block several more punches before he finally reacts, picking up the much shorter and thinner bully, raising him up over his head and slamming him to the ground. When the video clip went viral, individuals all over the world applauded his courage and ability to finally fight back. Some went as far as to call him a gentle giant. The entertainment industry even got into the act. Teen idol Justin Bieber gave Casey front row seats for his concert in Sydney and brought him on stage for an anti-bullying PSA.

Read more about our take on Casey’s response, and common responses of victims of bullying and abuse.

Increasing our Impact

Scholarships Available!

Last year was Thousand Waves’ biggest ever in terms of scholarships awarded, and we couldn’t be happier!  Providing scholarships for all who need them is a big part of our not-for-profit mission – it’s our sincerest hope that fees are never a barrier to participation at Thousand Waves.

If you know of a family, individual, or not-for-profit organization that would require scholarship assistance to participate in our karate or our Violence Prevention and Self-Defense Programs, we hope you will make them aware of our scholarship program.  Potential scholarship karate students should call and make an appointment for a free trial class and state a need for scholarship consideration.  Individuals and organizations interested in scholarships for our Violence Prevention and Self-Defense Programs can contact Kate Webster, Director of Violence Prevention Programs, directly by phone at 773.472.7663 or by email at kwebster@thousandwaves.org.

Announcing the Plum Blossom Society

By Pat Broughton
Fundraising Committee Chair

The work of Thousand Waves is made possible by generous financial contributions from hundreds (maybe even thousands!) of individuals. Now, to honor those individuals who make gifts of $1,000 or more in a given year, Thousand Waves has launched the Plum Blossom Society.

The Plum Blossom Society has three founding members to date: Max Kuroda, Amy Day, and Daphne Scott.

“I am honored to be a founding member of the Plum Blossom Society,” said Senpai Max Kuroda, a third degree Black belt and co-coordinator of Thousand Waves’ Adapted Seido Karate program who has been training at Thousand Waves since 2001. “Karate is a whole way of life through which one develops mind, body, spirit.  We are accepted no matter how limited we feel we may be in one or more of these areas.  So, at the end of the day, we find ourselves on a lifelong journey to give the world the entire package that is ‘karateka.’   I feel privileged to support this.  Osu!”   

(photo)Amy Day, parent of 11 year-old George, an advanced green belt, and 9 year-old Sarah, an advanced yellow belt, said she supports Thousand Waves “because of the tremendous difference the people there have made in the lives of my children, and my family.  I know others feel similarly about the dedication everyone associated with the organization has to improving the community.”

Daphne Scott, a yellow belt, has been training at Thousand Waves since June, 2011. “I’m more than happy to be a Plum Blossom,” Daphne said with a laugh. “I have found the community at Thousand Waves to be incredibly supportive and conscientious. The consistency and the love that people have for each other are profound. I just love supporting it. And I have learned so much about myself through the art of Seido karate. It’s been just amazing.”

Individuals who make a gift of $1,000 or more (or multiple gifts totally $1,000 or more) in 2012 will be invited to a special dinner with Thousand Waves’ Executive Directors, Jun Shihan Nancy and Jun Shihan Sarah, in early 2013. In addition, their names will be displayed on a plaque at Thousand Waves (unless they request otherwise).

Any and all donations – whether to the scholarship fund, to support a participant in Spirit Challenge or the Punch & Kick-a-thon, at the end of the year, etc., – count toward the $1,000 total.

If you have any questions about the Plum Blossom Society, feel free to contact Pat Broughton, Thousand Waves’ Fundraising Committee Chair broughtonp@sbcglobal.net

Connecting with our Seido Family


 Advanced Black Belt Testing in Seido Karate – A Rare and Special Tradition

By Jun Shihan Sarah Ludden
Co-Executive Director

(photo) (photo)

Testing for promotion to 6th degree black belt in Seido karate was a rich, multi-faceted and inspiring experience, every step of the way.  Thank you to my Thousand Waves extended family for your outstanding and completely surprising fundraising for our scholarship fund in honor of my promotion!  Over $13,000 was raised!  I was so moved by all the kind messages, beautiful cards, delicious cookies and candies, and the gifts of love and support I received.  I am encouraged to continue training and teaching the Seido way after the wonderful time I had at Honbu, learning from Kaicho and Nidaime Nakamura and testing with the 40 other dedicated Seido karate-ka I had the privilege of grading with.

Read more about Jun Shihan Sarah Ludden’s testing experience.

Kaicho's 70th Birthday Celebration

By Jun Shihan Nancy Lanoue
Co-Executive Director

(photo)In late February, several hundred Seido students gathered in New York to celebrate the 70th birthday of Kaicho Nakamura, Seido Karate’s founder and grandmaster. To enable the thousands of us who could not attend to be part of the festivities, a video of short messages from Seido dojos around the world was compiled and played at the party.

Although we talk about it all the time, the World Seido Karate Organization remains an abstract entity for our students unless they go to Honbu or visit another Seido dojo and get to meet the people there.

Until you can make the trip yourself, I invite you to check out Kaicho’s birthday video to get a feel for the amazingly diverse, flesh and blood, human face of Seido karate.  It’s comforting to know that so many people with very different life experiences share a passion for the “sincere way” and follow it for their physical, mental and spiritual development.

Member News

Promotion Pearls

"How did my karate training help me deal with these problems?  Did I identify a desired solution and take clear steps to reach it, as I do with concrete karate-specific problems?  Did I look for a new job, new relationship, new cat?  No.  But I did keep training.  Through it all, karate has made my problems seem less severe.  It has been an anchor, a touchstone through these recent unsettled times, and also through many changes in previous years. "
– Sensei Katherine Nichols

"Because of feeling self-conscious and having issue with low self-esteem, when I first started training I wanted to learn karate to be tough.  I didn’t think about it in terms of self-defense or self-reflection.  Today my outlook on karate has completely changed.  I no longer train to act tough.  I train to better my life and to find focus in what I do.  I believe that now I enjoy training for all the right reasons.  The self-discipline that I have developed is tremendous.  I believe that have become a much stronger and better person because of it.  As I have grown and matured in the martial arts, I always try to do the right thing inside and outside of the dojo.  Today I will walk away from an argument.  I know now that it is no longer important to have the last word. "
– Sensei Chris Dyrek

"Through our training we gain the skills and courage to fight back when confronted with violence, and, when appropriate, to NOT fight back.  Martial training cultivates the personal discipline needed to choose our response appropriately, adhering to our “ethic of least harm” when confronted with violence.  This unique element distinguishes karate training from yoga, dance class, and general fitness training.  And this is one reason why “commitment to mental self-discipline” is so important.  We must stay involved with the world, informed and sensitive to the needs of our communities, and serve.  With our skills, we must be active peacemakers.  For this reason, we created the Thousand Waves Peacemaker Award honoring people who interrupt violence in their lives outside the dojo.
– Jun Shihan Sarah Ludden"

Recent Rank Promotions

(photo)Senior Black Belts
Jun Shihan Sarah Ludden – 6th Dan
Sensei Chris Dryek – 4th Dan
Sensei Katherine Nichols – 4th Dan

Juniors
Alex Savkovic – 7th Kyu
Alteja Aniulyte – 6th Kyu
Clayton Baime – 5th Kyu
Cole Harris – 7th Kyu
Danny Horowitz – 4th Kyu
Dylan Wang – 7th Kyu
Elyse Fernando – 5th Kyu
Ethan Lerch – 8th Kyu
Evan Birks – 8th Kyu
Evan Lesperance – 8th Kyu
Finn Bergin – 8th Kyu
Henry Lamitie – 8th Kyu
Isaac Simon – 7th Kyu
Jack Moran – 5th Kyu
Jake Phillips – 6th Kyu
Joey Caruso – 6th Kyu
Johnny Aronson – 8th Kyu
Kealani Mayernik – 8th Kyu

(photo)

Liliana Schommer – 7th Kyu
Lily Baumstark – 7th Kyu
Lucas Frisancho – 5th Kyu
Lukas Maksin – 6th Kyu
Luke Knaack – 8th Kyu
Maddison Church – 8th Kyu
Max Ponder-Freeman – 7th Kyu
Michael Basharis – 8th Kyu
Michael Goodall – 6th Kyu
Nathan Wilson – 7th Kyu
Nina Sharda – 7th Kyu
Noah Holzner – 8th Kyu
Noam Levinsky – 4th Kyu
Sebastian Ponder-Freeman – 8th Kyu
Sevilla Cartagena – 6th Kyu
Shadein Rahman – 6th Kyu
Shira Newberger – 8th Kyu
Sonia Anderson – 5th Kyu
Sophie Dekoven – 6th Kyu
Thomas Hollowed – 5th Kyu
Weil Richmond – 8th Kyu
Zak Shearn – 5th Kyu

Youth
Abad Viquez – 5th Kyu – ASK
Aidan Hartman – 5th Kyu
Ainslie Evans – 4th Kyu
(photo)Alex McBride – 8th Kyu
Alexis Fernando – 2nd Kyu
Allende Miglietta – 8th Kyu
Amber Mayernik – 8th Kyu
Anjali Chandel – 6th Kyu
Aras Aniulis – 6th Kyu
Auden Litke – 3rd Kyu
Ben Hartman – 4th Kyu
Benjamin McBride – 8th Kyu
Brody Schwartz – 4th Kyu
Charlie Brennan – 3rd Kyu
Connor Armstrong – 7th Kyu
Declan Toomey – 7th Kyu
Emerson Toomey – 6th Kyu
Emily Crowley – 7th Kyu
Jack Cummins – 7th Kyu
Jake Hubert – 7th Kyu
Kaius Floyd – 4th Kyu
Keaton Schwartz – 4th Kyu
Keeli Ryan – 4th Kyu
Kit Matthews – 7th Kyu
Kylie Palles – 3rd Kyu
Luka Gebhardt – 8th Kyu
Lulu Daly – 3rd Kyu
Molly Jones – 8th Kyu
Teddy Bahu – 4th Kyu
Tommy Scholle – 5th Kyu

Teens
Destiny Wilson – 7th Kyu
Henry Moskal – 3rd Kyu
Isabel DePaul – 5th Kyu
Joshua Bustos –4th Kyu – ASK
Lucy Cummins – 8th Kyu
Maggie Scholle – 5th Kyu
(photo)Nastasia Scales – 1st Kyu
Patrick Willingham – 7th Kyu
Peter Whitfield – 5th Kyu

Adults
Amy Richmond – 5th Kyu
Dan Applebaum – 1st Kyu
Elizabeth Savoie – 4th Kyu
Gina Omiotek – 3rd Kyu
Janet Lefley – 1st Kyu
June Kirk – 5th Kyu
Katie Speth – 2nd Kyu
Kenji Muro – 8th Kyu
Lauren Schwendimann – 2nd Kyu
Tabitha Balakumar – 5th Kyu
Yun Jin Cho – 7th Kyu

On Returning to Training

By Rebecca Epstein
Development Manager & Brown Belt

I am currently on a break from training, but anticipating my return after I give birth and settle into my role as a new parent along with my partner, Milton. In my seven plus years at Thousand Waves, I’ve seen people leave and return to training long-term, and I’ve seen people leave and make a return that didn’t quite stick. In an effort to prepare for my own return, although it’s still an indeterminate time in the future, I asked several Senpai – whose returning stuck – about their experiences. Common themes in their stories emerged: courage, discipline, and excitement. Courage, since stepping back onto the training floor can be intimating. Discipline, because it takes commitment to reintegrate training into your life. Excitement, because re-discovering the joy of the movements and camaraderie of Seido Karate at Thousand Waves are the most compelling reasons to return.

(photo) (photo) (photo) (photo)

Please read about Sensei Sally Wiggington’s, Senpai Eric Francque’s, Kate Phillipo’s, and Becky Kidd’s returning to training experiences. If you've been wanting to return, their stories will provide you with extra momentum. Jun Shihan Nancy and Sarah welcome you with open hearts, as well as plenty of punches and kicks.

Community Partner Spotlight

Pediatric Dentistry and Landscaping

Community Partners are local businesses that share Thousand Waves’ commitment to creating a more peaceful and healthy world. In exchange for their financial support, Community Partners gain exposure among Thousand Waves’ large community of supporters. Readers, please support them when you’re in the market for services they provide.

(logo)Dr. Christopher Morin, DDS owns a pediatric dental office.  He believes in creating a welcoming dental “home” for even the youngest patients. He knows that when kids develop good dental habits (and a positive attitude) at an early age, they grow up to be healthier adults. 

Dr. Christopher Morin, DDS
811 W. Wellington Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
773.871.4964
www.bigsmileschicago.com

(logo)Greenlawn Landscaping, Inc., owned and operated by long-standing Thousand Waves’ member Sensei Marla Cohen and her partner Dee Busch, dedicates itself to adapting your home’s outdoor spaces to your lifestyle and enjoyment, through the use of thoughtful design, beautiful plants and hardscaping, combined with responsible stewardship.

3915 W. Devon Avenue 
Chicago, Illinois 60659 
773.463.0445
www.greenlawnchicago.com

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