ABI Dojo Focus:

The Martial Arts Center, Atlanta Ga

The Martial Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia was established in 2000 by Chief Instructor

and owner, Shihan Michael Hernandez (6th Dan – Shuri Ryu Karate, 5th Dan –

Shintoyoshinkai Combat Jiu-jitsu). At TMACenter, the arts of Okinawan Shuri-ryu and

Shintoyoshinkai Jiu-jitsu are the focus of instruction, teaching both children and adults of

all ages. At the Center, we endeavor to teach the understanding of the “Art” in Martial

Arts and not the "Sport" aspect. The instructional staff also focuses on the "Why", which

is imperative to guide a student to a place of willfully learning and complete

understanding of the martial system. Shihan Hernandez is a proud life Member, GA State

Representative and Chief Instructor for the American Budokai International.

In This Issue

ABI Dojo Focus pg 1 Focus Article Acupuncture pg 2

Seminars – Getting your Money’s worth pg 3 Political Correctness pg 4

Martial Science - Balance pg 5 Tai Chi Stress Relief pg 6

O’Sensei’s Corner pg 7 Thoughts on Learning pg 8 & 9

Organizational info pg 10

The Martial Arts Center

2947 C North Druid Hills Rd Atlanta, GA 30329

www.TMACenter.com

(404) 315-1040

AM

T

FEATURE ARTICLE: The Truth about

“The Ancient art of healing”

What can Acupuncture Treat?

Most research has focused on

the use of acupuncture to treat

pain, (especially from muscles

and bones) and nausea resulting

from chemotherapy, anesthesia

and pregnancy. Clinically, its

applications are innumerable.

In 1997, the National Institute of Health issued a consensus statement after reviewing the research on acupuncture. Based on the research, the report said acupuncture is an acceptable treatment in the areas of:

Osteoarthritis Stroke rehabilitation Fibromyalgia Myofascial pain Lower back pain Asthma Carpal tunnel

syndrome Tennis elbow Menstrual cramps

Headache

Acupuncture is a natural therapy that

dates back thousands of years.

Specifically, acupuncture involves the

insertion of very fine needles into the

skin at specific points.

According to traditional Chinese

medical theory, all the body parts and

internal organs are connected by the

special pathways which is called

channels or meridians. Qi (energy force,

pronounced chee) and blood flows

through these channels. There are 14

major meridians in the human body, 12

of which are dominated by the major

organs. Each of these links energy points

across the whole body, which are all

related. The body stays healthy when its

qi and blood are abundant and flowing

smoothly. If energy is weak or blocked,

pain and disease may arise.

Acupuncture, by stimulating the specific

points along the channel, is able to keep

these channels unobstructed, allow qi to

flow harmoniously and thus correct

those imbalances. It may be helpful to

think of this in terms of the electricity

supply to a room. The meridians are the

wiring, the acupuncture points are the

light switches, dimmers and fuses, and

the Organs are the electrical appliances.

This process affects both the structure

and function of internal organs. These

acupoints were mapped by practitioners

in China over 5000 years ago, and in the

past few decades research has

confirmed the existence and location of

these points.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

has been practiced for around 5,000

years while Modern Western Medicine

(MWM) is considerably younger. Since

MWM is very powerful in understanding

the physical and chemical structure of

the body, it has become the

predominant medical system in the

world. However, no system is perfect

and able to solve every problem. The

two medical systems are very different

and they are not a substitute for each

other. Western medicine is purely a

science. It is based on standards and

evidence made from laboratory

examinations. Its methodology is

fundamentally analytical and deductive.

Traditional Chinese medicine is one of

the most sophisticated medical systems

in the world. It has been enhanced

through thousands of years of

experience and research. It is based on

the understanding between the

universe and human beings. In TCM

theory, there is the most important

philosophical concept: holism. All of the

internal organs and body parts cannot

be separated; if one part has a problem,

other parts are influenced. The mind

and body are not separate but one;

emotion plays an important role in

illness. The human body and the

universe are not separate; Human

beings are affected by the change of

nature and environment. So when

Chinese medicine practitioners treat

patients, they will be concerned not

only the symptoms but also the body

constitution and any environmental

changes that might cause the

symptoms.

Whenever I attended a seminar, private lesson, or clinic of any kind, I

always showed up with a pen and a pad of paper at the very least. In later

years, as technology advanced, either I or someone in my group would show

up with a video camera. And it never failed. People would always come up

to me at some point and ask me for either a copy of my notes, a copy of the

video, or both. Sometimes several people would request copies, apparently

assuming I had nothing better to do in my free time. Similarly, when I was in

medical school, there was a guy in several of my classes who would sit

through lecture after lecture and never take notes, but knew that I cataloged

information (as is my nature) and would always expect me to provide him

copies of the invaluable information we received from our professors. I have

always been astounded by this lack of academic maturity. If you pay to

attend a seminar, you should try to get your money’s worth, and that means,

leaving with as much information as you possibly can. Every time I teach, I

find myself looking around so see who is writing things down, or who is

recording what. Incidentally, if you wish to record anything, anywhere in

your lifetime that involves another person, always ask permission first.

Doing so otherwise is not only completely unethical, but is a serious breach

of protocol and even considered stealing by some.

Every time someone has asked me if they might record me teaching

anything over the years, I have almost always given permission with one

stipulation – that I be sent a copy afterwards. I can count the times I have

actually received anything on one hand.

O’Sensei Robert Bowles, the style-head of Shuriryu Karatedo cracked me up

at one of his seminars in Ft. Wayne years ago when he was approached a

guy waltzing in with a professional grade video camera and tripod over his

shoulder who inquired as to the price of the seminar. O’Sensei replied that

the cost of seminar for the gentleman in question was three hundred dollars,

but the cost of the seminar for his camera was one thousand dollars. You

should have seen the look on the guy’s face.

Several years ago I took a newly

promoted junior black belt with us to a

seminar during which I was teaching a

session on martial science. I would give

the first few words of a principle and my

15 year-old junior black belt, who was

standing next to me would, as he was

asked to do, finish the sentence without

the slightest bit of hesitation. For

example, I would say “Force equals…”

and he would finish with “Mass times

acceleration!” He continued to do this

29 more times as he had long since

committed these particular principles of

power to memory. Following that

session, as we were breaking for lunch,

an upper ranking black belt who runs a

school in the area approached me and

offered praise regarding the young

student’s knowledge and rapid-fire

responses. He then asked me “How did

that young man come to know so

much?” I thought the question was a bit

odd actually but I responded with the

obvious. I said “He wrote it down.” He

looked a little perplexed but then

responded with “I want a copy of that

information, will you e-mail it to me?” By

the way, on that day that individual

never wrote down one thing that was

said or done.

Taking a class with the idea of learning

in mind and not writing anything down,

is like going for a walk through a tropical

rainforest and not taking along a

camera.

Become a member of PAMAI

Professional Association of Martial Arts Instructors

Striving to better the Martial Arts community for over 35 years

Founded in 1980, The first PAMAI conference offered instruction in

basic first aid, CPR, fundamentals of exercise science, anatomy &

physiology, public speaking and close quarters combat.

Now, nearly forty years since its inception, the annual PAMAI

conference has become the "think tank" for American Budokai

International member instructors, and the "continuing education"

for certified instructors. Several of the PAMAI instructors host

seminars in their respective regions, as well as travel extensively

teaching throughout the United States, Europe and the Caribbean.

PAMAI is focused on the professionalization of Martial Arts leaders

throughout the ABI network.

Become a member of this elite instructional corps cadre within ABI

and enhance your martial skills, increase your professional acumen

and strengthen your instructor capabilities. All of this “continuing

education” is geared towards professionalization of ABIs Martial

Arts leaders and sustaining the traditions of the Martial Arts at

large. Contact ABI for information on becoming a member and/or

participation with PAMAI functions.

Quotable “Quotes”

“Learn one thousand techniques but master one principle.”

“Common sense is not common.”

“If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.”

“The world is not as it is, it is as you are.”

“Where you mind goes your energy follows.”

In these days of high technology and social

media, it’s commonplace for people to voice

their opinions in a nano-second for all the

world to see and consequently, to comment

on. As martial art students, instructors,

school owners, chief instructors, style heads

or organizational heads, we need to be

careful about expressing our personal and/or

political views because now more than ever

before, our opinions literally transcend time

and space. If you expressed a political

viewpoint in a roomful of people 20 years

ago, perhaps only those people heard about

it. Today, thousands to millions are likely to

know about it record time.

1) Whenever we say anything, there are 4

factors to consider:

• What I said

• What I meant to say

• What you heard

• How you took it.

2) Before we speak (or twitter, text, e-mail

etc.) we might ask ourselves 3 things:

• Is it the truth?

• Is it necessary?

• Is the timing right?

****If in fact we cannot say yes to all three

then perhaps we should say nothing at all.

3) There are 3 other questions we might

ask ourselves before we put information

out there for all the world to access:

• Do I absolutely have to express

myself on this particular subject?

• Are there individuals to whom I

would not want this information to be

made available?

• Can this information ever harm me,

my business, family, friends, or

associates in a personal or professional

way?

*** If you can answer YES to the latter,

perhaps you’d better abstain.

Political Correctness

Kid’s

Corner These are words and phrases, what I refer to as “No-Say-Ums”, which are simply words or phrases that although are quite common, they are actually out of place in terms of meaningful, sincere dialogue.

NOSAYUM

1 - “No problem” (After someone says “Thank you”)

2 - “Pretty good” (When asked how you are feeling)

3 - “How’s it going?” (When making a new acquaintance)

4 - “Can I” (When asking permission)

5 - “Yeah” (When responding)

BETTER TO SAY

1 - “You’re welcome” or “My pleasure” (After someone says “Thank you”)

2 - “Very well thank you” (When asked how you are feeling)

3 - “It’s a pleasure to meet you” (When making a new acquaintance)

4 - “May I please” (When asking permission)

5 - “Yes Mam” or “Yes Sir” (When responding)

Make these simple suggestions a habit and I

promise that they will serve you well throughout your life!

Martial Science

Balance:

There are two kinds of balance: Static and Dynamic. Static balance is just

that--“unmoving balance”. In other words, like standing in a classic horse

stance where you hardly have to think about having to balance in the literal

sense. Dynamic balance implies effort in retaining balance. An example might

be standing on one leg for a period of time and attempting to maintain balance.

There are three parts of balance: Foundation, footwork and posture and all

three of these areas play an integral role in terms of balance. Let’s break them

down in order to better understand the components of each.

1. Foundation – our connection to the earth

Toes grip

Knees soft

Inner and outer tension in the legs

2. Footwork – the job of the feet in training

Seek and establish position

Kick

Sweep

Utilize ground reaction force

3. Posture

Hips tucked under

Back straight

Shoulders above hips

Head above shoulders

Occiput (back portion of the head) elevated

All of the information above relates only to physical balance. There are several

other types of balance listed below which will be discussed in the future.

Physical balance (as discussed above)

Muscular balance (as in the left arm is somewhat stronger than the

right arm)

Mental/Emotional balance

Energetic balance (as is the aim of acupuncture and Oriental medicine)

Spiritual balance

Standing meditation technique

Meditation is an important aspect of doing Tai

Chi because it grounds you, or centers you, both

physically and emotionally and helps you uncover

the stillness within motion. Standing meditation

is the most basic Tai Chi pose. To do this easy

meditation technique:

First stand with your feet shoulder-width

apart with your toes pointing straight ahead

and your knees slightly bent.

With your hips tucked slightly forward, keep

your shoulders down and relaxed and your

head held up.

Slowly inhale and exhale deep breaths

through your nose. You should continue this

meditation technique by keeping your eyes

closed or slightly parted, and begin

meditating.

Focus on your feet and their connection to

the earth.

Use this meditation breathing technique: As

you inhale, imagine that you are pulling

energy into your feet from the ground or

earth. As you exhale, you return the energy

to the ground. Correct breathing techniques

are an important part of Tai Chi meditation

and should focus on the giving and taking of

energy. The premise of this meditation

technique is very easy: when inhaling, you

should think of taking life energy into your

body. When you exhale, release that energy.

This breathing technique can be applied to

almost all tai chi meditations and

movements

Repeat this numerous times, then let the

energy from the ground travel up your legs

and into the center of your inner strength,

which, according to McMullen, is located

just below your belly button. Exhale, ridding

your body of any unclean energy.

Effects of stress on your body

In short, stress is a physical and emotional response to a particular situation.

Headache

Chest pain

Pounding heart

High blood pressure

Shortness of breath

Muscle aches, such as back and neck pain

Clenched jaws

Grinding teeth

Tight, dry throat

Indigestion

Constipation or diarrhea

Stomach cramping or bloating

Fatigue

Insomnia

Weight gain or loss

Skin problems such as hives

Impaired sexual function

balance.

8 proven ways to minimize stress and limit its health effects

1. Think positively- Studies indicate that optimism or pessimism may affect your quality of life. Optimism enables you to cope better with stressful situations, likely reducing the effects of stress on your body.

2. Change your emotional response- Managing stress doesn’t mean eliminating stressors from your life. It means developing positive strategies for dealing with stress to avoid negative consequences. Think about stress as your reaction to an event, rather than the event itself. This makes it easier to identify healthy ways to manage stress. Even though you can’t control some of the stressors in your life, you can control your response to them.

3. Embrace spirituality-Certain tools to reduce stress are tangible, but there is another tool that helps many people manage stress in their lives — embracing spirituality. Exploring your spirituality can lead to a clearer life purpose and better stress management skills.

4. Protect your time-How does your behavior contribute to your stress? Some people find it hard to say no to any requests made on their time. But saying yes to everything comes at a price — more stress and less peace of mind. Learn how to take time for yourself without feeling guilty.

5. Restore work-life balance-Finding work-life balance in today’s frantic world is no simple task. Spend more time at work than at home and you miss out on a rewarding personal life. Then again if you’re facing challenges in your personal life such as caring for an aging parent or coping with marital or financial problems, concentrating on your job can be difficult. Whether the problem is too much focus on work or too little, when your work life and personal life feel out of balance, stress — plus its harmful effects — is the result.

6. Try meditation-Different types of meditation techniques can calm your mind and reduce your stress. Concentration meditation involves focusing your attention on one thing, such as your breathing, an image you visualize or a real you look at – for example, a candle flame.

7. Keep you cool-Feeling stressed is normal. And so are setbacks in dealing with stress. If you lapse into your old ways, don’t give up. Focus on what you can do to gain control of the situation.

One easy way to help yourself keep your cool and lighten your load is to remember the four As of managing stress: avoid, alter, adapt or accept!

8. Maintain a strong social network-To help you through the stress of tough times, you’ll need a strong social support network made up of friends, family and peers. This differs from a support group, which is generally a structured meeting run by a mental health professional.

Although both groups can play an important role in times of stress, a social support network is something you can develop when you’re not under stress, providing the comfort of knowing that your friends are there if you need them. A coffee break with a friend at work, a quick chat with a neighbor, a phone call to your sister, even a visit to church are all ways to reduce stress while fostering lasting relationships with the people close to you.

House rules were also clearly defined. One was “children should be seen and not heard.” I remember my grandmother saying that often if we were making too much noise around the house, especially if other adults were over. Another rule was that “children do not interrupt adults when they are conversing.” Another rule stressed was that whatever the decision my parents made-it was final. There was no whining, no complaining to get your way and no excuses allowed for putting forth minimal effort. It was also stressed to look people in the eye when you spoke to them, especially when speaking to an adult. When we were introduced to anyone, we were expected to make eye contact, to speak up and give a firm handshake. While some might disagree with our house rules, they were what they were, and they helped shape us into worthwhile adults.

When I began training in the martial arts as a teen, what appealed to me most other than the obvious self-defense aspect, was the formality, traditions and respect that the arts offered. The same held true during my time in the military. I learned that respect is a two-way street. If you want to get it, you’d better be willing to give it. You can almost always tell when someone has been in the service by the way they carry themselves, their level of confidence and their ability to communicate. Certainly not in every case, but most of the time I believe you can spot someone who has seen military service. If ever I see someone who is rude, ill-mannered or discourteous, I think how the military or martial arts training may have made a significant difference in this person’s attitude.

My wife was always tougher on our kids than I was. In fact since she was so strict, I was able to take on a more laid-back “life guide” kind of role which I relished then as today, although all five are adults and on their own now. Whenever she would be out in a public setting with some or all of the kids, it never failed that a perfect stranger would come over and compliment her on how well behaved or well-mannered they were. Add that to the fact that they were all raised in the traditional martial arts and you have a pretty solid formula for developing respect, courtesy and self-discipline.

I’m not saying by any stretch that all parents need to crack down, set the rules in stone and embrace the old “spare the rod and spoil the child” mentality. However, as parents, we are our children’s very first teachers and if we establish a strong foundation of respect, discipline and correct behavior, we are insuring to some degree, a more productive and a more positive life for our kids.

O’Sensei Steven J Roensch

O’Sensei’s Corner

Having grown up the son of an Air Force Colonel and pilot, I learned early on

about respect, discipline and proper manners. While I surely didn’t always

appreciate such a strict upbringing at the time, I wouldn’t trade the experience

for anything today. I often joked with my dad years after my own military service

that while most of the guys in my platoon were griping about the pushups and

rigid military discipline, I often commented “Wow, just like being back home!”

Throughout my parent’s lives, my older brother and I never responded to them

with anything other than “Yes Sir” or “Yes Mam”. While our mother didn’t rule

the household with an iron hand like our dad, she was adamant about using

proper language and being well-mannered at all times.

She reminded us often that we were a direct representative of our parents and it was they, who would ultimately be judged by their sons’ behavior. To this day when I speak to children at seminars I always talk about how important these few simple words are:

• Ma’am

• Sir

• May I

• Please

• Thank you

• You’re welcome

• My pleasure

MOTIVATION Before we can learn anything, there must be motivation to learn it.

All individuals who have been in the martial arts for ten, twenty, thirty, forty or even fifty or more years certainly

didn’t lack motivation to learn or to continue learning. Whether your motivation was to learn self-defense, to

compete, to earn a black belt or to open a school doesn’t really matter. It only matters that you wanted it badly

enough to begin and to continue on the path.

GETTING IT RIGHT The first step in learning isn’t getting it right, it’s getting it wrong. Seldom in our lives when

we did something for the very first time, did we do it correctly? Whether it was walking, talking, riding a bike,

throwing a ball or sinking a putt, we usually performed poorly until we had practiced sufficiently as to make it

work for us.

PERFECTLY WRONG If we learn something correctly from the beginning, be it a punch, a kick, a throw or a form,

we usually only improve on it over time. Conversely if we learn something incorrectly, we may in all likelihood

spend the rest of our lives doing it perfectly…perfectly wrong. In other words, we may have perfected the error.

CORRECTING ERRORS Before we can correct an error, we must first be made aware that we are in fact, making

one. This is why finding a good teacher/coach is so important at the outset. Secondly, we must have the physical

abilities necessary to make the adjustments required to improve the particular technique in question. Thirdly, we

must make the improvements or adjustments a “habit.” To sum it up: awareness/ability/ habit.

TEACHING “Teachers are merely bridges over which their students cross, then having facilitated their crossing,

joyfully collapse, allowing students to become bridges of their own.” Teaching is part art and part science. The

science is the understanding of principle, the application of technique, what makes it work and why it’s done the

way it is. The art aspect lies in knowing when, where and how to impart the information. Additionally, it’s how to

reach every type of learner. When teaching, particularly martial arts, it’s useful to understand the proper

progression of information. Many instructors weren’t taught this way so they rely on a monkey-see-monkey-do

approach which unfortunately is quite limiting. First is concept: An abstract thought or idea, like “How do we get

the opponent off balance?” Next is principle: A comprehensive, fundamental law, which would in this case be

leverage, force, momentum or simple gravity. Finally we develop technique: a specific method or procedure, such

as in osoto-gari or “major outer reap.” Keep in mind that anything that is physical is first and foremost mental so

students must be “taught how to learn” through proper analysis of particularly, principle and technique. Then they

must understand practice doesn’t make perfect as the old adage goes---only “perfect practice makes perfect.”

4 LEVELS OF COMPETENCY When new students observe more skilled or advanced student’s movements, they

aren’t noticing the subtleties of any given technique as much as the instructors are because they don’t yet know

what to look for. They only see what appears to be a powerful side kick by sight and sound. They are in the first

stage of competency – “unconsciously incompetent.” In other words, they don’t know what they don’t know.

After training for a while, be it weeks or months, they enter the phase of “conscious incompetence” where they

realize that they know very little about their particular chosen art. After years of proper training and guidance from

instructors they enter the third phase which is “conscious competence.” It is here that they realize that they are

beginning to demonstrate principle and are meeting with success in their classes or competition. This is where the

confidence grows significantly. After a many years of practice (for the sake of practice) there lies the final phase of

competency – “unconscious competence.” Here the practitioner “owns” the techniques. He or she no longer thinks

but rather just does. The movements are comfortable, automatic and effective without hesitation. This is true

mastery.

CONCERN YOURSELF WITH THE “WHY”

There are martial arts instructors, there are teachers of the martial arts, and then there are the teachers of teachers

of the martial arts. You might recall the difference we discussed in an earlier column.

• Instructors give directions much like when you might get when you assemble that new grill you got for

Christmas. You get a step one-step two-step three “guide” to assist you with the assembly.

• Teachers of the martial arts on the other hand tend to stress the intricacies of the technique, and hopefully

the principles governing those techniques.

• Teachers of other teachers stress principle more than anything. In other words, why the techniques are

done the way they are, not just what they might look like.

Years ago as a young black belt attending a seminar, I overheard a student ask a higher grade black belt

why a certain technique in kata was done the way it was done. The higher grade responded with “That’s

just the way it’s always been done!” Later in the day I questioned a different technique and receive a

similar response with “You’re not ready to learn that yet at your level.” Needless to say at the end of

the day’s training, I left the seminar unimpressed and unfulfilled. I’m pretty confident he was a good

“instructor” however, not necessarily a good teacher.

Jeffrey C. Moldovan

Self Defense Instructor / TLM Fighting Chance Training System

(1953 - 2013)

ABI Affiliated Dojos

United States

Iron-Warriors Training Center, Hollywood, FL

The Martial Arts Center, Atlanta, GA

Fishhawk Martial Arts Academy, Lithia, FL

Jacksonville State University Judo/Jiu-jitsu Club, Jacksonville, FL

Miami Beach Martial Arts, Miami, FL

Park Avenue Martial Arts, Winter Park, FL

Florida Karate Center, Naples, FL

Karate Academy of Pembroke Pines. Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Taiseikan Martial Arts Academy, Miami FL

Christian Karate Association of Dothan, Dothan, Al

North Georgia Karate Academy, Calhoun, GA

Crabapple Martial Arts Academy. Rosewell, GA

Sheridan’s Martial Arts Center, Muncie, IN

Bushido-kai Karate and Jiu-jitsu, Ft. Wayne, IN

Columbia School of Karatedo, Columbia, SC

Peru

Escuela De Karate Okinawa, Tarapoto

Germany

K.C. Bushido, Radolfzell, GE

Hungary

Tatami Centrum, Kecskemet, Hungary

Chief Instructors for Shintoyoshinkai

O’Sensei Steven Roensch, Judan Professor Rey Perez, Hachidan Kyoshi George Sheridan, Hachidan Shihan Mike Hernandez,

Rokudan

Shihan Tamas Torok, Rokudan

Shihan John Varnell, Rokudan

International Representatives of ABI

Sensei Phillip Hilzinger, Australia Sensei Mike Csoke, Canada Shihan Bernd Kittel, Rokudan - Germany Dr. Miklos Varga, Shichidan– Hungary Sensei Janos Laub, Sandan, Hungary Sensei Roman Garcia Paredes, Rokudan– Peru Sensei Roman Anthony Garcia Christama, Sandan– Peru

American Budokai International

6517 Lincoln Road Bradenton Florida

34203 (941)525-3506

www.americanbudokaiinternational.com