Dojo Etiquette
- Before Entering the Dojo, Stop and Properly Bow into the Dojo when you arrive at the doorway before even stepping inside.
- Before Leaving the Dojo, Stop and Properly Bow INTO the Dojo just before you step out of the doorway to leave. As you approach the doorway, you stop, turn around so that you are facing the INSIDE OF THE DOJO, you bow properly, you take 1 step backward out of the doorway, you turn around, and can now proceed to leave.
- Salute (bow to) the head instructor if you arrive late or leave early. Bowing is not for worship or debasement, but is an indication of respect or trust, much like the handshake in Western culture.
- If you need to speak to any instructor, you must wait at natural stance until the instructor acknowledges you. You then properly bow to the instructor. Only then do you begin speaking with the instructor. After finishing speaking with the instructor, you say "Thank you Sensei", properly bow, take a 1 step back, then turn around and walk away.
Philosophies
These are only some of the facts and philosophies that are part of Piscataway Martial Arts. We will learn more and more as the year progresses. All students must memorize the following:
- Founder of Piscataway Martial Arts and Piscataqua Dojo: Sensei George Maldonado, 1994
- Founder of Neko-Ryu Goshin Jitsu : Professor Ernie Cates, 1960
- Meaning of Goshin Jitsu: Techniques for Defense of the Body
- Founder of Cuong-Nhu: GrandMaster Ngo Dong; Vietnam in 1965
- Meaning of Cuong-Nhu: Hard-Soft ; Hard style of Karate-do, Soft style of Aikido and Tai Chi, incorporated with hand techniques of Boxing and Wing Chun, and grappling/throwing of Judo
- Three-O's Principle: Open Mind, Open Heart, Open Arms
- Five A's for Self Defense: Awareness, Alertness, Avoidance, Anticipation, Action
- Five F's for Martial Arts: Fun, Friendship, Focus, Fly, Finish
Code of Ethics
These are the Code of Ethics. Students should aim to learn and understand them and take them to their heart.
- Piscataway Martial Arts students should strive to improve themselves and their abilities in the martial arts in order to serve the people.
- All students should be faithful to the ideals of Piscataway Martial Arts and attempt to spread and develop these beliefs within the younger generation so that they too will be morally and physically fit.
- All members of Piscataway Martial Arts are unified in spirit and respect each other and their instructors.
- Only by absolute discipline of mind, body, and spirit do students maintain honor in martial arts.
- All members should respect all other styles of the martial arts and only use martial arts techniques for self-defense and to protect truth and reason.
- Piscataway Martial Arts students, through dedicated daily practice, increase their spirit, stamina, and moral character.
- The goal of Piscataway Martial Arts students is to maintain a pure, simple, sincere, and noble life.
- Self-confidence, self-control, modesty, and a non-defeatist attitude are the mental keynotes for students of Piscataway Martial Arts.
Respectful Terms
- Sensei (pronounced sen-say) means Teacher for all disciplines, this is someone who has reached a Black Belt level. For example: Sensei George, Sensei Ray , Sensei Tracy
- Sempai (pronounced sem-pie) indicates a senior member of the class, who leads by example in certain situations. For example: Sempai Michael, Sempai Nik
- Bowing: Do as you enter and leave the Dojo, as you start and finish working with a partner, before/after you step on the mats, before/after you speak with your Sensei or sempai, before you join a class when you come in late, etc.
- Be On Time for class Behave in a Dojo as you would behave in a classroom, church, temple, or mosque
Kata or Form
A choreographed sequence of moves against imaginary opponents.
Irimi
In typical Irimi, we approach the attacker more directly by approaching his front, or rather to his inside. Primarily, we slide at an angle towards the assailant. This angle can vary depending upon the technique we are performing and other small variables. Basically, we can vary the irimi positioning to fit the need at hand. Sometimes we need to slide in deeply, or drop our body lower when we enter, etc. In nearly all cases, it is practiced as a single movement before the execution of the actual technique (such as Shihonage or Sokumen - Iriminage). The work involved in the irimi entrance is getting your best positioning during the attack.
Ref.: Aikido World © Web Journal
Ref.: Aikido World © Web Journal
Tenkan
Tenkan is an entrance to the attacker that involves a step to the outside of his body and 180° turn and stepping back once again. The difficulty in positioning here is that you need to be constantly aware where your positioning is in relationship to the attacker. Being that both persons should always be moving during the technique – getting the best positioning for the technique takes time to master.
Ref.: Aikido World © Web Journal
Ref.: Aikido World © Web Journal
Atemi
In Japanese martial arts, the term atemi designates blows to the body, as opposed to twisting of joints, strangleholds, holding techniques and throws. Atemi can be delivered by any part of the body to any part of the opponents body. They can be percussive or use 'soft' power. Karate is a typical martial art focusing on percussive atemi. The location of nerve and pressure points, such as might be used for certain acupressure methods, also often informs the choice of targets for atemi.
Ref.: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ref.: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ten Words of Wisdom from Confucius
- I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
- By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
- Respect yourself and others will respect you.
- It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop.
- Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
- A journey of a thousand miles began with one single step.
- Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising every time we fall.
- Learning without thoughts is labor lost.
- Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
- Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.