The Real goal

We don't train on MLK Day.  It's always been a day of rest and reflection in honor of a great man.  The more I read about the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the more I am in awe at his courage.  Stepping into a ring and fighting another person is a piece of cake by comparison.  King fought an entire system and his impact continues to ripple throughout the country today.

King's quote (to the right) informs my philosophy as a teacher.  Teaching the mind only fulfills part of the goal.  To create brilliant minds with weak character would be a disservice to our communities as we would produce half-formed individuals.

Hard training hits both of these areas as well.  In the dojo, we educate the mind, train the body, and strengthen the spirit.  I've often said that our hard training takes weak people and makes them strong; and takes strong people and makes them unstoppable.  When I say that, the first instinct is to think of strong bodies, but those who have trained in Kyokushin for any length of time are likely more aware of the strengthen resolve and determination which permeates into all areas of their lives.  

My goal as a sensei is to produce more that strong fighters.  My goal, our goal, is to produce strong people.

Enjoy this day my friends.
Osu!

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