Clear your mind!

When I feel stress, anxiety, or simple have too much going on in my head, I have discovered over the years that kata is a great way to clear your mind. Begin your kata by sitting in seiza, then picture the kata you are about to perform in a real scenario.
Now, perform the kata slowly as each step is followed by appropriate breathe and every movement meaningful. Your stance is strong and your cut perfect. After the visual, while breathing deeply in seiza, stand and do the kata a few times. If you still feel stressed, please repeat.

Zen du jour

"This is one of the mysteries, that the mind can speak, and knows nothing; and the heart knows everything, and cannot speak."

-Osho

Dharma The Cat

Enjoy today's thought from Dharma the Cat.

Today's Challenge: Arms like Musashi!

There will be a prize for the first student who completes this by the end of day today! Here is the challenge:

1. 25 Makko Giri
2. 5-15 Standard Push-ups
3. 25 Hidari-Kesa-Giri
4. 5-15 Military Push-ups
5. 25 Migi-Kesa-Giri
6. 5-15 Delcine Pushups
7. 25 Morote-Tsuki
8. 1-2 Minute Plank
9. 25 Gyaku Kesa Giri
10. 25 Chiburi/Noto
11. Meditation

Please comment below if you complete this!

Small steps!

I have noticed all the New Year's resolutions being made by family and friends and I wonder how many of them will fall short and let it affect their attitude. If you have set some mighty goals for yourself, I invite you to re-evalute them and break them down.

Just like learning a new kata, you must take is one step at a time. The break down can be as small as learning how to breath correctly, footwork, or simply making ure your cuts are proper. In order to truly master the kata everything must be mastered one piece at a time. Do this with any goals you've set for yourself this year and I promise you the outcome will be a lot better.

New location

Thank you for a great year! I'm proud of all of you and the progress you've made. We've had a fickle year with the studio we were at, but this will finally change with our new location. Here is the address:

School of Ballet Arts
55 North 1400 West
Lindon, UT

(Coming from SLC area exit at 1600 N., turn right and pass Timpanogos Harley Davidson, turn right onto Geneva Rd. Northbound, You'll drive under the freeway and stay on the road for about 30 seconds, then turn left onto W. 500 N., turn left onto N. Anderson Lane and follow for about 30 seconds and you'll arrive at School of Ballet Arts. If you get lost call me!

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We are shaping up the way we do things at the dojo! We'll be focusing more on iaido as an art, physical art, and a traditional way of self defense. This will require more from the student physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We'll also be adapting 5 maxims found in most traditional arts in Japan:

1. Character
2. Sincerity
3. Effort
4. Etiquette
5. Self-control.

Let's make 2012 a great year! Here are some things to look forward to:
-Tameshigiri
-Nihon Matsuri participation
-Aikido seminar
-Quick hand-to-hand self-defense seminar
-Annual trip in Fresno
-Zen meditation

***For students who bring a friend and they join Iwayama Dojo, you will recieve a month of free tuition***

メリークリスマス

 Thank you for a wonderful year! I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday break and remember this spoken by The Buddha, "However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?" Go lift someone's spirit, tell a loved one how much you care about them, or do something to make someone else happy. By lifting up others, you lift yourself up as well! -Sorensen Sensei