[Newsletter] Sage Arts Unlimited Newsletter - September 2004

Thu Sep 23 10:38:50 PDT 2004

____________Sage Arts Unlimited Newsletter - September 2004______________

In this Issue:
- Kuntaw Seminar with Guro Buzz Smith!
- Sifu Rick Faye Seminar!
- Milwaukee Capoeira Encounter Dates
- Daytime Classes
- Self-Defense Workshops (Open to Public)
- WEKAF Tournament Season Coming Up (2005)

The Challenge

         One day a hungry old man entered a small village and noticed a 
sign proclaiming the name of a local Iaido school. Knowing that it was 
customary for a dojo's Sensei to accept all challenges the old man decided 
upon a very dangerous plan. If he could entice the Sensei into a duel and 
be defeated but not killed, he would then by tradition be offered food and 
drink, as well as a place to sleep for the night.

         Summoning up all of his courage the old man approached the dojo 
and then walking boldly in he proclaimed his intention to challenge the 
Sensei to a duel. In response a senior student stepped forward, introduced 
himself, and said that his Sensei was at home resting but that he would 
gladly accept the challenge in his place. The old man refused and instead 
asked that a student be sent to the Sensei's home to tell him of the challenge.

         Upon hearing his students report of the events that had just taken 
place the Sensei immediately put on his swords and hurried to the dojo. 
When the Sensei arrived he and the old man politely bowed to each other and 
in turn introduced themselves, after which the old man reissued his 
challenge, but explained that it was not his intention to challenge for 
ownership of the dojo as was sometimes the case, this duel was merely to be 
a test of each man's skill with a sword. The Sensei accepted and because of 
the nature of the challenge and they agreed to fight using only wooden 
bokken (practice swords) so that if a customary fatal cut was made neither 
man would be killed.

         The old man in truth had no skill at all with a sword, he was 
simply seeking a meal and a place to rest and this plan had seemed to offer 
the best prospect for success and so as he stood facing the dojo's Sensei 
across the tatami mat he just held the wooden sword very casually at his 
side. The Sensei upon observing how open the old man was to an attack and 
how unbelievably foolish his defensive posture appeared, suddenly began to 
believe that this duel might not have been such a good idea after all. 
Slowly in his mind he began to wonder about the old man's skill and in turn 
he began to doubt himself and his own chances for victory.

         He knew, however, that his own reputation and that of his dojo was 
at stake and so he took an aggressive posture. For what seemed a very long 
time the two men just stood there facing one another, neither of them made 
even the slightest move. The old man for his part could not understand what 
was taking so long, but he knew he had no choice in the matter; all he 
could do was wait for the Sensei to attack and claim his victory. The 
Sensei on the other hand had by now thoroughly convinced himself that he 
did indeed face a true Iaido master, but even so he knew that he must do 
something very soon and so he started to move towards the old man, 
determined to press home his attack with all of his skill even though he 
felt sure now that he had no chance of winning.

         The old man seeing the look on the Sensei's face and sensing that 
he was about to be attacked in full force quickly dropped his sword and 
falling to his knees he broke down and confessed that he in fact had no 
skill at all with the sword, going on to explain that he had not eaten in 
days and that he had hoped merely to survive the challenge and then be 
offered a meal and a place to sleep for the night. Upon hearing this Sensei 
was suddenly overcome with the realization that by allowing his own doubts 
to fill his mind and by fantasizing about his opponents abilities he had 
almost defeated himself. He decided then and there to change the name of 
his sword style to "Mu Nen Ryu"  The School of No Thought.

Moral of the Story

         Sometimes the biggest obstacles and threats exist only in your 
mind, only because you give them power. Perception is colored by 
emotion.  Reality and perception are often very different things.  What is 
your perception about training in the Martial Arts?

         Sometimes we put off the most important things in life because 
we’re unsure about what will happen.  If you haven't already begun 
training, don't wait - start today.

Special Thanks & Congratulations

         It has been a long summer, with many great things to 
announce.  Congratulations and luck goes out to Rick Gawronski & Faith 
Gilbertson, getting married on September 25th.      This year’s camp was 
very special, Paul Boyajian was promoted to a Level 1 Instructor under Sifu 
Faye, and Anthony Sell was promoted to Level 2 Instructor.

         Special thanks goes out to the students who participated in the 
Capoeira Demonstration at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, the 2004 
Camp, and the Guro Dan Seminar in Minneapolis.  Our first Healing Arts 
Workshop was also a great success, we will be hosting another in February 
of 2005.

Day Classes Now Available!

         Daytime group classes are now being held on Tuesdays and Fridays 
from 10:30 - Noon.  These 90 minute classes will start with 40 minutes of 
Dhanda Yoga as a warm-up, then go on to cover Phase One material.  This is 
a great way to energize the rest of your day!

Self-Defense Workshops

         Our Wednesday Workshops have been a great success, and many 
students have had a chance to sample a part of the curriculum that they 
otherwise could have missed.   Currently we are focusing on Self-Defense 
skills.  These classes are open to the public, so if you know of anyone who 
would be interested, they are welcome to attend a session free of 
charge.  Our Self-Defense Workshops run for the next three Wednesdays from 
7 - 9 PM.

Upcoming Events

Sep-22-2004
New Wednesday Workshops Topic: Self Defense Skills

Beginning this Wednesday, we will be covering Selfdefense skills in our 
Wednesday Workshops. Each class is two hours in duration from 7  9 PM and 
are always open to beginners. If you have friends or family members who 
would like to develop sound SelfDefense skills, bring them along.

Oct-2 & 3-2004
Sifu Faye Seminar at Northshore Academy  (No Classes this Weekend)

Sifu Faye will be returning to Marc Halleck's school the weekend of the 2nd 
of October, join us for a great training experience in the Arts of Kali, 
Panantukan, Silat, JKD and more. Classes will be canceled for the day, 
allowing all students to attend.

         Schedule of Events:
         Session 1 (Sat): Kali Double & Single Stick
         Session 2 (Sat): Cane & Dagger
         Session 3 (Sat): Trapping
         Session 4 (Sun): Panantukan
         Session 5 (Sun): Knife, Single & Double

Cost with Advanced Registration is $119 for all five sessions (Register by 
9/25/04).  Seminar will run from to 10 am  4 pm on Saturday, and from 9 
am  3 pm on Sunday. There will only be a brief break between sessions each 
day, so students are encouraged to bring a bag lunch or sandwich to eat at 
the school. For registration or more information, contact Marc Halleck at 
(847) 573-1672.

Oct-16-2004
Join us to Celebrate Teacher's Day

The Thai Boxing Association of the USA celebrates Teacher's Day every 
October 16th. On this day students are asked to make a ceremonial gift in 
thanks to their teacher. A typical Teacher's Day present would include the 
following:

     * 1 candle
     * 3 sticks of incense
     * Small amount of uncooked rice (~1/2 cup)
     * A Piece of Fruit
     * Dry natural flowers

Traditionally, these items are put in a bowl and presented to the teacher. 
At the time of presentation the student would face the teacher and assumes 
a kneeling Wai position. Then the student will bow three times in respect 
and thanks to the teacher.

In respect for this tradition, students of Sage Arts are encouraged to give 
thanks in some small way to their teachers for the sacrifices and 
contributions they have made over the past year. A great way to do this 
would be to tell the world about your experience with our school on our 
Testimonials Page (http://www.sageartsstudio.com/testimonial/feedback.html).

Oct-23-2004
Maharlika Kuntaw Seminar with Guro Brian “Buzz” Smith

Perhaps our biggest seminar this year, we are bringing Guro Smith from 
Michigan to Milwaukee for the first time ever.  Join us for a day of 
training in this powerful Martial Art.  Seminar runs from 11 AM - 3 PM and 
only costs $45.  Regular classes will be canceled for this day.

Kuntaw is a Martial Art that was developed in the Philippines. Fighting 
skills were "borrowed" from the many cultures that arrived in the 
Philippines by migration or invasion and were organized into a viable 
fighting system. This fighting system, known as Maharlika Kuntaw, handles 
the three ranges of battle: Largo (long); Sumbrada (short); and Hubud 
(close) ranges as well as the three altitudes of fighting: air, standing 
and ground. For more information visit our website: 
http://www.sageartsstudio.com/upcoming_events/seminars/kuntaw.html

Nov-12 Thru 14-2004
Maculele Group Capoeira Encounter

Harrison is currently organizing a Capoeira Encounter to be held at our 
school this weekend in November. This will include groups from Chicago, 
Madison, Milwaukee and other groups from the Midwest.  Classes for this 
weekend will be canceled to make room for the event, all students are 
welcome to stop by and see the energy and excitement of Capoeira.  Details 
to follow.

2005 - WEKAF Tournament Season Begins!

Students interested in competing in the World Escrima Kali Arnis Federation 
Stickfighting Championships can look forward to an exciting season.  This 
season’s World Tournament will be held in Florida, near Disneyworld, with 
special packages for hotel accommodations and training seminars held 
throughout the event.  Details to follow.

Now on our Website

After an extended lapse in updates, the website has been updated.  Our 
schedule and events calendar are current, and we have added new content to 
our website, check out our latest articles and stories, all found in the 
Student Section of the Website: http://www.sageartsstudio.com/student_section.

New This Month!

HealthKick: Safe, Healthy, & Delicious Barbecues
An article by Jennifer Galea

CranioSacral Therapy (CST)
An article by Kim Juroe, C.A.

Put Your MultiVitamin to the Test! IT MAY FAIL!
An article by Allen S. Josephs, M.D.

The Anatomy of Fear and How It Relates To Survival Skills Training
An article by Darren Laur, Personal Protection Systems Inc.

How Many Missing Children Are There?
Statistic Report

Coming Soon

New Cafe Press Designs!
New School T-shirt Design!
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