“The stillness in stillness is not the real stillness; only when there is stillness in movement does the universal rhythm manifest.” — Bruce Lee

Each week we discuss a Black Belt Attitude topic with the kids in our Warrior Talk. The focus of this week is Stillness and Staying Calm. Please pass this on to as many people as you can. Like dropping a pebble in a pond, the ripples can have a significant effect on someone else’s life.

As we get closer to Christmas (hard to believe there’s less than 5 weeks to go!) things somehow seem to get more and more chaotic, so this week our Warrior Talk is on stillness and remaining calm.

5 ways to stay calm and connect with stillness:

Pay attention to the working surface.
Watch the hands in motion.
Just listen without interrupting, meet your friends and family as if meeting them for the first time.
Just say enough, do nothing unnecessary. Resist the urge to comment.
Meditate on the breath. Let it all just be. Don’t try and force it, don’t try and force the mind to be still, just let it take care of itself. If the mind wanders, come back to the breath.

Stillness is always the base state on which everything else is built upon. From stillness you can see situations in action and not in reaction. The martial artist know this.

There is no use studying a martial art if you are constantly reacting to the stress around you. Like getting impatient standing in line or getting annoyed because some one is not moving as fast as you would like them to. Remaining calm under stress takes training. The best way to avoid stress and remain calm is to take a breath and move your attention to something else. Martial Arts should be a mindful experience where you can practice awareness and tap into the stillness of the dojo. From there you have a base line to relate to the rest of your life.

DECEMBER GRADING
The Grading Register CLOSES THIS FRIDAY for our final Grading of the year on Sunday, December 6. If you haven’t yet, you must register yourself or your child for Grading online by clicking here or by filling in the Grading Sheet in class.

All Adults please note your Grading will start at 11.00 a.m.

Grading Times:
Bright Stars: 9.00-9.30 a.m
Super Stars: 9.40-10.10 a.m
Adults: 11.00 a.m start

A reminder that all everyone must have completed (or will complete before Grading) the minimum number of classes to register, while children will also need to receive their green tape before they are eligible to grade. The green tape is awarded based on their technique, behaviour, and attitude in class.

Parents, you can now download a copy of the Grading sheet and notes we use to grade your child. This is directly from our Trainer’s Manual and is great to help them understand what we look for when we grade them.

If you intend to grade please ensure you complete the grading register. If not, you may not receive your belt on the day.

ADULT PRE-GRADING INTENSIVE
Adult students we’ll be having a pre-Grading Intensive workshop on Saturday Nov 28. This will be a purely technical session as we work on your Self Defence and Multiple Defence syllabus to prepare you for Grading.

The Intensive is open to all adults, even if you don’t intend to grade.

When: Saturday November 28, 3:00 p.m
Where: Subiaco PCYC
Cost: 15.00

The session is worth 2 training credits.

Book your place now: stephen@weststarmartialarts.com.au

DATES TO REMEMBER

Please put the following dates in your diary.

ADULTS:
Pre-Grading Intensive: Saturday November 28 (worth 2 classes)
End of year Grading: Sunday December 6
Final class for the year: Thursday Dec 17 (xmas drinks following the class)

KIDS
End of Year Grading: Sunday December 6
Final class of Term 4: Saturday Dec 12

WOMEN’S ONLY SPARRING WORKSHOP
Later this month (date to be confirmed, but between now and Grading) I’ll look at holding a sparring workshop for women. Sparring against another person is a great way to test yourself and your technique in a safe, controlled environment. We will work through the principles and techniques of martial arts sparring (as opposed to fighting – there is a difference!) before facing off against one another. All sparring at WestStar is light touch sparring.

If you would like to attend, register your interest NOW by emailing me stephen@weststarmartialarts.com.au.

The Workshop will be worth 2 training credits and cost 15.00.

If you require sparring gear please let me know so that I can order it in. You will be required to purchase your own mouthguard (available from most chemists or sports stores), you will not be able to participate without one. Women’s Sparring Pack (Grappling Gloves Gloves, Shin Guards): 70.00.

MONDAY MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE