Newsletter North Balwyn Dojo April and May Edition

Happy Mother’s Day

I wish all the beloved mums in our Junseikan family a Happy Mother’s Day!  Your unwavering and vital support for our Club is very much appreciated.  On behalf of our members, we would like to thank you for all the ‘’big’’ things that you do for us, and also the ‘’little’’ things you do that we so often take for granted, like chauffeuring us to and from the dojo; washing our sweaty gis and preparing us food after training.

Photo extracted from FaceBook taken by Sensei Sato in Japan.

Bring A Friend Day

We hosted a Bring a Friend Day at North Balwyn a few weeks ago and it was a great success.  It was a pity that I was unable to attend due to an important business meeting.  Fortunately, Shihan John and Sensei Paul took training for us.  Judging by the photos, the newcomers who came along really enjoyed their experience.  Hopefully we will see them join us  on a more permanent basis.

On that note, we always welcome new members at our Club.  We love to share our karate with as many people as possible, because we realise the benefits of learning and practising this great form of martial arts.  As instructors, we are passionate about our training and what we teach and also learn from one another.

Tell your friends and relatives about our Club and your karate experience.  Spread the word and encourage them to join and grow our Club strong.

My absence

I am lucky enough to be joining a contingent of senior Junseikan members to train in Japan, more specifically Okinawa and Osaka, from the 1^st to the 17^th June.

I am looking forward to learning more advanced techniques and further improving myself in karate.  I think this trip will also give me an opportunity to learn more about the history and origins of our Club.

Training will NOT be interrupted during my absence as other senseis and sempais will be arranged to take the classes.

Train to Keep Warm and Stay Healthy During Autumn and Winter

Hasn’t it been cold in Melbourne lately?!  What is one of the best ways to get warm?  Practise your kata!

Practising a kata (form) is the perfect way to increase body temperature and boost your immune system in my humble opinion.  Kata may look like a series of movements only to the untrained eye, but in fact it’s synchronised with deep breathing and internal compression and expansion of the core muscles and diaphragm.  By performing a kata properly, bodily circulation is enhanced and the lungs are utilised beyond normal tidal volume; hence increase in body temperature and immunity.

So if you or your kids complain about the cold weather, instead of turning up the heater at home,  I encourage you to try doing a kata a few times PORPERLY and experience the benefits.

Sincerely,

Sempai Matthew

North Balwyn Dojo