March 2016 Kiai!

If you ask someone off the street whether they’ve used any self-defense skills in their workplace, most will say they haven’t. But ask a Thousand Waves self-defense instructor, and the reply will likely be “I use them almost every day,” because our definition of self-defense is broader than that of most people. But few would disagree that self-defense is called for when a gun comes out. That’s what happened to one of our members, in the incident that inspired her to become a self-defense instructor.

Sensei Susan Barney didn’t wrestle anyone to the ground, or use a single physical skill, when an irate woman pulled a handgun out of her purse and slammed it on the counter in front of her. Susan was working at a doctor’s office, and this very angry woman was claiming that a check made out to her had bounced. “She kept yelling that a check had bounced. I went up and introduced myself and asked if I could help her, but she just kept yelling that the check had bounced – she was too upset to give me any more detail than that.”

How did Sensei Susan deal with an angry woman with a gun and protect her office?

Fitness Feature

Senpai Sam Boyer demonstrates four exercises that improve hip and core strength.

Self-Training: Hip and Core Exercises to Improve Your Karate

By Tabitha Olson
Advanced Brown Belt

Many people take karate classes because it’s an interesting and fun way to get physical activity into their lives. Often though, people reach a plateau and can’t improve their techniques no matter how hard they try. The problem is, while karate is a good physical activity, after a while it’s not quite enough on its own. If you want to improve your techniques, doing some exercises outside of class will help you.

The most important areas to focus on for karate are core and hips. Having a strong core helps you with balance. When we’re doing all those kicking drills with no set-down in between, a strong core will help to keep you from falling over. A strong core will also help you take contact in sparring. When we practice impact drills in class, when that contact comes, you tense up your muscles and release your breath. The stronger your muscles are, the harder a hit you’ll be able to take. Having strong hips will help keep your chamber leg up during those no-set-down kicking drills. Strong hips are also essential for low stances. If you want to improve the depth of your stances, you need to increase your hip strength.

Fortunately, there are some basic exercises that you can do that don’t require much space, and you can do them while watching TV or otherwise relaxing.

Click for Tabitha's step-by-step instructions to increase your hip and core strength.

Taking the Wide View

A Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Thousand Waves Community,

Thank you so much for your support of our Annual Member Meeting, which we held on Sunday, January 10, after Kagami Biraki.

Senpai Ryan, speaking from the presentation he linked to in this letter.

Thousand Waves staff and board leadership used the occasion to thank our community for making 2015 a wonderful year, and to report out to you, our stakeholders, on the ways we deliver our not-for-profit mission. We were thrilled to be able to report robust gains in karate program membership – those gains allowed us to end 2015 well from a financial point of view. We also celebrated the successful funding of our new training floor, and remembered our exciting 30th Anniversary weekend.

Read Senpai Ryan’s recap of the membership meeting.

Not Just for Parents

Henry waits for his score.

Why Thousand Waves has a Tournament

Competition and Cooperation Both Have Valuable Lessons for Children and Teens

By Sei Shihan Nancy Lanoue
Co-Director of TW’s Karate Programs

At Thousand Waves, a primary goal in our children’s karate programs is to foster inclusivity, diversity and a sense of community among members. In regular classes, teachers more often focus on creating a cooperative rather than a competitive environment to spur students’ personal growth. Why then are we hosting a kids’ tournament on March 5th? Is competition congruent with our mission? What positive outcomes might children get from participating?

Read Sei Shihan Nancy’s thoughts on the benefits of participating in TW's karate tournament.

Community

Diane Miller Memorial ASK Fund

Diane Miller’s Yellow Belt promotion photo of July 2008.

We are saddened to announce the death of Diane Miller, a beloved friend, former training member, and stalwart supporter of Thousand Waves. Diane passed after a long struggle with cancer at her home on January 16 surrounded by family, including her husband Robert and sons Alan and Chad.

Diane’s life was full of joy and sharing, and it’s unsurprising to those of us who knew her that in her final days she expressed a wish that any memorial contributions on her behalf go to support Thousand Waves’ Adapted Seido Karate program for children with disabilities. Some will remember that as a training member, Diane served as an active volunteer with the ASK program. In addition to being a generous donor, Diane has also served on Thousand Waves Board of Directors, and was the mother of two Seido Karate Black Belts.

We are extremely grateful to Diane and Robert for their many years of support, and deeply honored by their memorial tribute. Contributions to the Diane Miller Memorial ASK Fund can be made at this link, or sent to Thousand Waves along with any expressions of sympathy at 1220 W. Belmont, Chicago, 60657.

Thousand Waves Member Spotlight:
Ten Questions for Senpai Shelby Donahue

Senpai Shelby Donahue is a 2nd Degree Black Belt training member.

Kiai!: Briefly, how did you come to train in Seido Karate at Thousand Waves?
SD: I had studied Shotokan Karate for many years and was looking for a new art. I checked out Thousand Waves and really liked how it was women-centric and that they had self-defense in their curriculum.

Kiai!: What is one thing you’d like to change about the world?
SD: That everyone would have their basic needs met, and peace in the world.

Kiai!: What is one thing you do well?
SD: I have a heightened sense of awareness and am able to assess a situation or person very quickly.

Kiai!: What is one thing you do not do so well?
SD: I am a horrible speller, which is a tragedy, since I love to play scrabble and do crossword puzzles. I know the words, but get tripped up by the spelling.

Kiai!: Who from history do you admire, and why?
SD: I don’t have anyone in particular, but I tend to admire people who have overcome extreme obstacles.

Kiai!: Other than Chicago, where have you most enjoyed spending time?
SD: I really enjoy the East Coast, particularly Maine.

Kiai!: What quotation have you found inspiring or interesting?
SD: “There are more differences within the sexes then between them.”

Kiai!: What foods do you like best?
SD: I love Mexican and Italian foods best, but to be honest, as long as it is not spicy I will most likely like it.

Kiai!: What is a book that has been significant to you?
SD: God’s Word to Women by Katherine C. Bushnell

Kiai!: What are your musical favorites?
SD: I love all genres except for any music that glorifies violence against women, or violence in general.

“Thousand Waves Member Spotlight: Ten Questions for?” is a regular feature of Kiai!
In the next issue, Cynthia Dieden will answer these same ten questions.

Promotions

Congratulations to our January and February 2016 Promotees

See who advanced in rank:

Junior Color Belts
Youth & Teen Color Belts
Adult Color Belts