H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students give a big shout out to the JAC! We hope you enjoy the homemade toys for the animals. And we applaud your efforts with helping the animals who need our love and support.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership, Oral Communication
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students picked the JAC as one the organizations to help out. This time we had the team create tug-of-war toys (braided rope) and chew toys (tube socks filled with a soft chew ball and decorated with Cayola nontoxic markers). A special thank you to Yasmeen who took on the role of Film Director and went around the class conducting interviews to capture the teams volunteer efforts for the shelter.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership, Oral Communication
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students have been practicing the third Kata (Form or Formal Movement Exercise) which will be part of our WOW! performance. Today we had visitors (potential supporters for Citizen Schools) and the students were a bit nervous. I have to say how I am really proud of how all of you stepped up to the challenge and I could feel the difference in your Kias (Shouts) during the Kata. Great job team!
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students had some fun learning how to break boards for their WOW! performance.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools student Henry did a great job going around the class and interviewing his fellow teammates about their morale boosting letter writing campaign to our troops around the globe. Keep up the good work Henry!!!!
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Advanced Literacy
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools student George and Sensei Jim work together putting the finishing touches on his letter to one of the Soldiers. Don't worry George got the the time on the basketball court but only after to putting an actual dictionary to use and not just spell check on the computer!
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Advanced Literacy
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students George and Melissa made the request to please, please, PLEASE! Post this!!!!! Enjoy.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Oral Communication
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students spoke from their heart as to what it means to be in the H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts class. I could not say it any better myself... I am so proud of all of you!
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Oral Communication, Leadership
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students have been practicing the fourth Kata (Form or Formal Movement Exercise) which will be part of our WOW! performance.
The fourth Kata in Japanses is called " Kihon Sono Yon" or Basic Kata Number Four. This Kata differs from the first three in many ways, primarily being a sideways movement Kata, it teaches the students how to work with the Side Kick or Yoko Geri in Japanese.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students have been practicing the third Kata (Form or Formal Movement Exercise) which will be part of our WOW! performance. Little by little the team is getting the third kata down. Keep up the good work! The WOW! is only a few weeks away.
The third Kata in Japanses is called " Kihon Sono San" or Basic Kata Number Three. This Kata differs from the first two in many ways, while the stances and general movement are the same or similar this kata is actually the first to introduce blocking making it a a more defense or counter oriented form.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students worked togehter as a team to help create a three course meal for the Sierra House residents to enjoy. I am so proud of all the hard work the students put into accomplish this meal... we were off to a rocky start but in the end the students and Citizens Schools Team Leaders showed their true H.E.A.R.T.s. A special thank you to:
Miss Amanda
Mr. Max
Mr. Mark
Miss Rokshanna
Sempai Reverend Aaron
All the Students
Miss Mercedes and all the staff at the First Avenue School Kitchen!!!!!!!!
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students are given a glimpse into how the meal they helped to prepare gave so much joy to the Sierra House residents. In addition the Sierra House residents give a big thank you - SHOUT OUT - the the H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts Team and Citizen Schools for all great meal.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students learned how to make a proper hammer fist (Tettsui) in addition to the proper hip alignment and use of the entire body when performing board breaks.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students worked together as a team to plan out the meal that they will create for the residents at the Sierra House, an all women's shelter in East Orange New Jersey.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students watched a video from Any Soldier explaining how something as simple as a letter, written from the heart, can help raise the morale of our troops across the globe.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership, Advanced Literacy
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students Ricky and Shahad did a great job with the sparring portion of our class.Keep up the good work!
Link to Post - To Spar Or Not To Spar?
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students George and Melissa put their heart into the sparring portion of our class. Great Spirit!!! Keep up the good work!
Link to Post - To Spar Or Not To Spar?
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students learn the importance of sparring.
Sparring is a vital part of training, it helps the students to connect the techniques in ways that Kata (Formal Movement Exercise) can never accomplish. Basics (Kihon) help to lay the foundation - each technique on its own. Kata helps the student to connect the basic techniques together - each Kata has a specific purpose or concept that helps the student to grow in understanding of the application of the basic techniques. Sparring/Fighting (Kumite) helps the student to truly understand what works and why... but more importantly what works for THEM and why.
Everyone is different; different size, flexibility, strength, weight, even mind and spirit. This all adds together to form a style that is unique to each individual, while we may share the training hall (dojo) and help each other by sharing the training experience we each will walk away with it "fitting" us a different way.
One thing I/we must stress, even here on our blog/website, is that we do not condone our students getting into fights. We actually teach them how to avoid getting into a confrontation, but as many of us have experienced sometimes even with all the extra effort you may find yourself in a position or situation where you have no choice but to defend/protect yourself.
I sit here now thinking of what it means in the eyes of other individuals who may not embrace the Martial Arts in the same light as I do. While for many close friends and I the Martial Arts have become a way of life some may view what we teach as being a contradiction. Learning how to fight and defend yourself so that you will not have to fight is a difficult concept to grasp. This discussion and philosophy could and has filled many other books and websites, I am sure it has also taken many a hour in the form of debate between those with varying opinions. What I will add to all that is out there is that in my 27 years of training I have only come upon two scenarios where I had to use the techniques aside from my Full Contact Martial Art Competitions (and at times the vigorous training in preparation for these tournaments).
The individuals who I train with help me to become better on many levels; Physically, Mentally and Spiritually. I have, over the years, had the privilege of meeting many great fighters, my teacher Shoshu Shigeru Oyama being one of them. What I have come to recognize in all of them, outside of the competition arena, is the incredible amount of humbleness, humility and compassion that they possess, far greater than most. I could only hope that all of humanity had this level of confidence and compassion combined.
Sincerely,
Sensei Jim
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools student Francisco and Sensei Jim worked together as a team to create signs that will help bring in donations for the Jersey Animal Coalition.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students have been practicing the third Kata (Form or Formal Movement Exercise) which will be part of our WOW! performance.
The students learned how to execute three standard blocks:
1 - Jodan Uke - Jodan mans Upper and Uke means Block - Upper Block.
2 - Chudan Soto Uke - Chudan means Middle, Soto means Outside to Inside, and Uke means Block - Middle Outside to Inside Block.
3 - Gedan Barai - Gedan means Lower and Barai means Parry - Lower Parry or Lower Block
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students have been practicing the second Kata (Form or Formal Movement Exercise) which will be part of our WOW! performance.
The second Kata in Japanses is called " Kihon Sono Ni" or Basic Kata Number Two. While both Kata One and Kata Two are offensive Katas the students learned an important difference between them. Kata Number Two differs from the first with its three kick combination in the middle of the form. The front snap kick (Mai Geri), roundhouse kick (Mawashi Geri) and back kick (Ushiro Geri) combination teaches the students how to connect or "flow" a straight, to a round, to a back technique.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students have been practicing the third Kata (Form or Formal Movement Exercise) which will be part of our WOW! performance.
The third Kata in Japanses is called " Kihon Sono San" or Basic Kata Number Three. This Kata differs from the first two in many ways, while the stances and general movement are the same or similar this kata is actually the first to introduce blocking making it a a more defense or counter oriented form. The students learned how to execute three standard blocks:
1 - Jodan Uke - Jodan mans Upper and Uke means Block - Upper Block.
2 - Chudan Soto Uke - Chudan means Middle, Soto means Outside to Inside,
and Uke means Block - Middle Outside to Inside Block.
3 - Gedan Barai - Gedan means Lower and Barai means Parry - Lower Parry or Lower Block
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools student Henry makes a great message to help inspire people to donate shoes for those in need. We are very proud of of you Henry! Keep up the amazing work.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership, Advanced Literacy
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students made some incredible artwork and signs to help create awareness of the two drives that this class is conducting as a team to help the those in need. Hopefully you have seen the persuasive speeches the students gave championing their cause. After all the speeches and voting the students came into agreement with several organizations including the Jersey Animal Coalition and Soles 4 Souls.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork, Leadership, Advanced Literacy
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
H.E.A.R.T. Martial Arts and Citizen Schools students learned to execute a back kick (Ushiro Geri).
The kick can be broken down into four parts:
1 - Stepping to the side with the lead legwhile turning the hip and raising the heel of the lead leg foot and pointing it at your target...
2 - Quickly turning the head (keeping your arms up to protect your face) and looking over the shoulder of the kicking leg...
3 - Now with your target in view (you should see your target before executing the kick) raise the knee of the kicking leg (what we call chambering or coiling the leg) up to your elbow of the arm that should be protecting your face...
Tip: Your toes of your kicking leg's foot should be flexed upward so that the heel comes to a point, the causes the muscles in the heel to flex making them "hard".
4 - Your leg now chambered, looking out your target, arms up protecting your face you can now
un-chamber/uncoil the kicking making sure that the heel is driven toward your target which is usually the midsection or face of your opponent.
Tip: The back kick is usually setup by a technique that brings your opponent's hands up which leaves the mid-section open. You may try a technique that is an outside to inside such as a hook punch or a roundhouse kick this helps to set the entire body into motion and direction needed to add more power to the back kick.
OSU!
21st Century Skills Addressed: Teamwork
H.E.A.R.T. — Martial Arts — We're Fighting To Make A Difference!
