I was in second grade and excited to begin the new school year. When I tried to greet two new students, both large boys, they stared at me and burst into sarcastic, menacing laughter, taunting me with the derogatory term “chocolate boy.” As days passed, other students took up this taunting, and it later moved to physical intimidation. I had a clear sense that danger was imminent, and I began to feel a terrible sense of vulnerability. It was at this point that I decided, after my parents’ suggestion, to learn some form of martial art as self-defense. I researched many forms of martial arts until I stumbled across a Japanese form known as Daito-Ryu-Aikido (The Great Eastern Art). This is an ancient art of self-defense based on expert …show more content…
application of physics, to direct the aggressor’s actions and internal energy against his own body. I was intrigued by the idea of remaining true to myself, and by a wonderful coincidence, I found a Dojo close by and joined. Master Gomez (Kyoshi), an unimposing older man whose grizzled face radiated an almost unearthly calm with a seventh degree black belt in Daito-Ryu-Aikido, listened to my school incident attentively.
He then explained that this art form originated 1000 years ago in Japan by peaceful farmers and was later adopted by the more spiritual Samurai, or Bushi in Japanese, to protect their emperor. For many centuries, this art form remained a closely guarded secret, until Sokaku Takeda brought it to worldwide fame in the early part of the Twentieth …show more content…
Century. Practicing Daito-Ryu-Aikido for eleven years, I have come to idolize the art and embrace its rich culture and language. I have mastered hundreds of self-defense moves and become proficient using weapons such as Bo, Sai, Kama, and Katana, a curved sword that is the “soul” of a Samurai. Unlike most martial arts where students receive their black belt after two years, Daito-Ryu-Aikido requires at least ten years of extensive training for a recipient to become eligible to test for a black belt. With my determination and perseverance, I received my black belt and Shogun title in eleven years, along with a commendation from my Kyoshi as being his protégé. I also practice and believe strongly in Bushido, “The Way of the Warrior.” Its tenets are justice (Masayoshi), courage (Yuki), mercy (Jihi), politeness (Reigi), honesty and sincerity (Shojikiand/Seijitsu), honor (Meiyo), loyalty (Chusei), and self-control (Jiseishin). I have come to recognize and cherish the value of this art when it helped me through a difficult period in my life.
During my sophomore and junior years, I noticed that I was not feeling well most days because I would be physically tired and mentally sluggish. I realized that my grades were also starting to drop a bit and I did not know what was happening. Yet, through the years of experience of my training, I knew that worrying about what was wrong is not what a student of Daito-Ryu-Aikido worships. Four months ago, I did a blood test and the results came back showing that I had an adverse condition of Hashimoto’s disease, which caused my ill health. Yet, my training taught me to persevere through tough times and improve for the better. From the medical anuales of my condition, the doctor’s reviewed my academic history and were shocked to see how I still kept above average grades and achieve National Merit Commendable status with the condition I was suffering
from. Through my years of training, I have experienced the deeper value of the Samurai’s moral code. My Kyoshi has devoted himself to instilling its teachings in his students, and they have enriched every aspect of my life with a positive set of guiding principles. I believe following the Bushido doctrine has made me the person I am today, and I intend to propagate it, along with teaching Daito-Ryu-Aikido, to guide and empower future generations.
martial arts masters of the 20th century. He assembled his own system of karate, Shuri-ryu,
Have you ever felt stuck? Wherever you are, it’s the absolute last place you want to be. In the book Into the Wild, Chris McCandless feels stuck just like the average everyday person may feel. Chris finds his escape plan to the situation and feels he will free himself by going off to the wild. I agree with the author that Chris McCandless wasn’t a crazy person, a sociopath, or an outcast because he got along with many people very well, but he did seem somewhat incompetent, even though he survived for quite some time.
Throughout History, there have been many different groups or events that are still widely known today. Groups of people such as the Indians or Vikings are popular groups which are referenced constantly in today’s society. However, none of these groups is more known or referenced than the Japanese Samurai. Originating in 646 AD, these Japanese warriors developed from a loose organization of farmers to the dominant social class in Feudal Japan. Along with their dominant military and political standing, the samurai brought with them a unique code or moral belief that became the core of Samurai culture. Because of this, the Samurai and their principles still affect modern day Japanese society with social customs today deriving directly and indirectly from the beliefs of the Samurai.
Aikido was first created approximatly 80 years ago by Morihei Ueshiba, and took a great many techniques from Jujitsu, Judo and Kenjutsu and modified them. Ueshiba focused on forming a martial art that placed a great emphasis on moral and spiritual values as well as a system of techniques that would integrate with the philosophy of Aikido.
The teasing, unfortunately, continued as I tried to get away from them heading to the back of the school. Jacqueline soon began chasing them away but their shouts only grew louder. Notwithstanding to hear their words anymore, I decided to go inside the building and report it to my reading teacher, Ms. Garza. I had cleared my face by the time I reached her room and entered with determination to end my own bullying. The word rushed out of mouth like lighting as new tears appeared in eyes. Ms. Garza’s face turned from concern to anger as she asked me to name everyone who had been teasing me. Reassuring me that my hair was beautiful, she set me off to go home. I kept on with the fear of having to face them the next day.
I was thirteen when it happened. With a broken fist, displaced jaw, and a smug face, I walked into the living room. I was in agonizing pain, but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed every second of it, as it was the day I showed the bully that I wasn't just another flower child, I was a lion who would tear him down if need be. Tears rushing down her cheeks, my mother rushed me to the hospital, worried sick. She asked, “WHY?” to which I proudly replied, “Because it needed to be done”. This was the day I stood up to a bully. Even though I knew I couldn't win, I had nothing to lose. We exchanged blows, we cried in pain, we fought till one of us fell. Since then, neither me or my friends were ever bullied, we were free.
There is more to Japan than kimonos and sushi. This unique and creative culture is only known for the stereotypes media associated with that country. In response to that, a critical question to ponder is “How is Japan influenced by the demographic imperative?”. With that mentioned, I argue that Japan remains culture that focuses on tradition while accepting and adapting to ideologies of Western culture. To begin this essay, a brief history of two major events that impacted Japan will be discussed to get a better understanding of its current ways of living today. After that will follow a section of cultural identity and the basis of Japanese culture. Lastly, an analysis of demographics will be given to conclude the essay.
Unknown Author, (4 Oct. 2000). "What is Wushu?". Electronic Text. (1999) 4 par. Available http://www.uswushuacademy.com/Wushu%20History.htm
Park states that “Taekwondo put priority on the kick techniques as it was related to the Taekkyeon in terms of techniques and this shows that the traditional martial arts of Taekkyeon were passed down to Taekwondo”(Park 979). It makes sense that they would use kicks because Korea is mountainous. Their legs were the strongest part of their body already so they just had to convert that strength they used to climb mountains into strength to kick. Taekwondo is derived from Subak and Taekkyeon which mixes hand techniques with high strikes with the leg. Subak is a Korean martial art that utilizes punches, kicks, and throws. Taekkyeon also uses many of the same techniques as subak, with punches, and kicks. The combination of these two arts is the basis of Taekwondo. Another cultural aspect of Taekwondo is acupuncture and moxibustion. Korean people believed that acupuncture and moxibustion helped the flow of Ki throughout the body and that they were integral to becoming an accomplished martial artist. These two medicinal practises developed alongside traditional Korean martial arts and became part of Taekwondo
The techniques were kept secret and passed down to only specially chosen disciples. It was taught to martial artists after it became evident that it gave them an advantage, but it was still kept secret so that the enemy couldn’t use it.
From the first day I walked in I was a target. I was small, skinny, had big glasses and my two front teeth looked like Bugs Bunny teeth. To make things even more worse I stuttered badly. The kids would tease me calling me ugly and skinny and always pushed me off the slide during recess. I was confused as to why I was being treated this way and I tried my hardest to fit in. I followed behind everything that everyone did, I played the games that everyone else found fun to play and I laughed when everyone laughed even when I didn't think what they were laughing at was funny. I just wanted to fit in. One particular bully I remember well was a girl named Kahdijah. She was the main reason I hated going to school everyday, because of her mean words , hateful stares and the times when she would hit me. I constantly let her walk over me because I was afraid to stand up for myself. I didn't know what to say or how to say it and I was scared to hit her back because she might hit me even harder. On top of that my teacher wasn't any help. She would hear the teasing and just tell the class to quiet down instead of coming to my defense. Well that one day in class is where I had enough of the
Teens are always told, “You’re NOT alone. It’s NOT your fault” when they are dealing with drawbacks (“Are You Being Bullied?”). The quote demonstrates a child’s mindset when they are being bullied. This could be prevented with a self-defense course because the child would be able to have opportunities to physically interact with peers. When students enroll in self-defense, they would have a partner or partners that they practice with. They have to learn different situations and techniques with each other and are also forced to problem solve together. This increases social activity and cooperation which lacks in many classrooms. Moreover, students learn to respect one another and their abilities which is also very useful when working on a classroom project or activity. Dr. Gong Chen, a professor of San Jose’s State University’s department of Kinesiology, and author of five published self-defense books, noted that throughout a study on student training, the students showed respect to the adults and their peers. At the same time, they also improved collaboration in the classroom (Sethna). Learning self-defense not only teaches students to be respectful of one another but respectful of everyone whether it is a teacher, parents, or younger child. Furthermore, learning self-defense teaches children how to be self-disciplined. This can be used for them needing to do their homework or accomplishing life
Have you ever wondered what the benefits of exercise were besides a healthy body? Well exercising helps the brain, decreases stress, and even increases your memory. The article “Exercise Builds Brawn--and Brains” by Esther Landhuis is about exercising just 20 minutes a day to improve your memory and brain skills. The second article “Strong Body helps The MInd” by Stephen Ornes is about exercising for longer periods of time and less frequently to decreases stress and depression. Though long strenuous exercise can build muscle and fight stress and depression, shorter and less frequent exercise is better to help the brain in memory and stress.
Annually in the United States, millions of students are bullied in school with their grades ranging from kindergarten to twelfth grade. In school, bullies will target students who they have perceived as weak. A chosen victim will be most likely unable to defend themselves against a bully. Although a bully may seem confident and sure of themselves, he or she is most likely to feel insecure, jealous, and inferior to others; therefore, they will be continuous pick victims to make themselves feel more powerful. Because of this behavior, victims could be subject to verbal, physical, and emotional abuse for long periods of time. Being subject to abuse over a long period of time, a bully’s victim can develop depression, become socially isolated, and
Bullying is an unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real perceived power imbalance (“Bullying”). Bullying can be extremely harmful both physically and emotionally to any individual. It can be so insensitive to the point where it can make people feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, sad and angry. It can also be painful to the body if the bully attacks the individual causing bodily harm such as bruises, cuts or even broken bones. Studies have been found that bullying may cause depression, absenteeism, poor academic performance, or all of these (“Bullying”) because they are contently over thinking the situation and the possibility of being harmed. Approximately 32 percent of students report being bullied at school, leading students to most likely bring a weapon to school (“School Administrators”) because they think that is the only way they have of...