Dear Steve,
I am an old Dad, 62 with two young sons, 11 and 18.
Initially,
we joined your school this summer as a way of bonding before
my oldest went off to college. But we have gotten so much
more out of your methods. We are not just learning martial
arts, but new and better ways to deal with life problems
in general. How to work around adversity. How to turn another's
negative energy into a positive outcome that hurts no one.
These are lessons my children will use as life skills.
As
we have trained it has become apparent that this art teaches
us that we are at an advantage when we act defensively rather
than aggressively.
Thanks
again. |
Dear
Steve,
You have created a
multi faceted program of instruction which combines traditional
martial arts teachings with sound developmental principles.
Educationally, Sensei Says provides practice in psycho-motor
movement and awareness by combining a series of repetitive
postures with calm, clear, and concise explanation and direction.
Interspersed with the kaktas are the true meat of Sensei Says:
the character building teachings of self growth through self
discipline. Fun for children, reassuring for caregivers, and
firmly rooted in a contemporary educational framework, Sensei
Says is an excellent example of entertaining and substantive
children’s programming.
S.R. Jameson
Children’s Librarian
Dear
Sansei Steve:
Thank you so much for your efforts to teach my son more
than just martial arts. I think it is so wonderful that
you try so hard to teach the kids at the Southwest Karate
and Akido Center a balanced outlook. "Courtesy,"
"Discipline," "Patience," "Leadership":
these are just a few of the signs hung in your dojo which
teach children morals that help make them good people and
responsible citizens.
Yes, of course, I am impressed with the karate and akido
skills you teach to the children. But even more importantly
than karate and akido, you are teaching them values and
qualities that will help them during their lifetimes. I
am also very impressed how gracefully and respectfully you
teach such a wide variety of children, some very young,
others older, some who seem to learn the martial arts skills
quickly and easily, others who appear to have to work harder
to learn these skills, and some with learning or developmental
disabilites.
Despite all these differences, the children--with your guidance--accept
each other, respect each other, and yes, make some good
friends. I am so glad that we stumbled upon your dojo, instead
of one that teaches only martial arts and fails to recognize
these other very important values. Thank you!!!
Sincerely,
Donna Yamashiro
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