Keichu Journal

Good values at great value

2009-02-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

One can't turn on the TV or radio without hearing some bad news. Recently a friend of mine asked, "Where is our country headed? What sort of world are we leaving our children?"

As parents, we can't help but ponder these sorts of questions. Will our children be equipped to overcome the challenges facing them in the future?

At Shinjin Karate, these are not rhetorical questions. We believe strongly in empowering all of our students, children and adults, to deal with all that life might dish out. We believe that our Keichu Ryu program teaches not only excellent martial arts skills, but life skills as well.

True karate is this: that in daily life one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility, and that in critical times, one can be devoted utterly to the cause of justice. - Gichin Funakoshi

As a neo-traditional dojo, we endeavor to teach true karate in a way that is most beneficial to the student of today.

RESPECT • ULTIMATE FOCUS • HARD WORK

It takes three things to be a good student in our dojo: respect, ultimate focus, and hard work. We don't expect our new students to be fully proficient in these things, so we teach them how to be respectful, how to focus their eyes, ears, minds, bodies --- and how nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without good old-fashioned diligence. Our students soon discover a wonderful secret: the harder they work at karate, the more they enjoy it.

We also introduce our students to our core values, and we encourage them to make these values a part of their lives:

DEDICATION
DISCIPLINE
RESPECT
HONOR
HUMILITY
THE KEICHU ATTITUDE

The last one encompasses all five of the previous core values and more. We describe the Keichu Attitude with these words: "I will train hard. If I fall down seven times, I will get up eight. I will never, never, never give up."

That sounds very old-fashioned. Dedication, discipline, respect, honor, humility, determination and perseverance --- these things have fallen out of style. But I believe that today and tomorrow, these particular values are more needed than ever. They are not optional for parents who want their children to be able to face the future with confidence, fully equipped to succeed. They are not optional for people who want to be able to stand firm and do what is right. These values are necessary.

In our dojo, you will learn to punch and kick. You will learn to defend yourself. You will learn a wonderful, cohesive and comprehensive martial arts system that you will be able to continue practicing throughout your entire life, even into old age.

But you will learn far more than that.

You will learn how dedication to your physical training can help you become strong and unshakable physically, mentally, and spiritually.

You will learn how discipline and hard work will stregthen your character.

You will learn how to be courteous and respectful and how to refrain from violence.

You will learn the importance of honoring what is important with your conduct, loyalty, and integrity.

You will learn the value of humility.

You will learn that quitters never win and that winners never quit. You will learn how to persevere in the face of difficulty and discouragement.

In other words, you will learn some of the most important life lessons and skills that you could possibly learn. You won't just learn those things. They will become part of you.

You will become strong.

Training in Keichu Ryu karate is one of the most important investments you can make for you and your family. It is an investment that will never fail and that will never lose its value.

Call 805-931-0683 today and invest in your future. We offer excellence in instruction at a great value.

Resolve today: hit the "re-boot button"

2009-02-21T13:55:00.000-08:00

February is racing by. Are your resolutions long forgotten, left in the dust? Or are you going strong?

Today is the day to re-evaluate, whether you are enjoying great success, partial success, or not much success. Of the seven goals I set for myself this year, I'm right on target for three of them, having met my daily, weekly, and monthly goals without fail. I can't begin to tell you how great that makes me feel, and how much making those new habits has improved my life.

For the other four goals...well, life has happened and has gotten in the way of my best-laid plans.

But, all is not lost. I'm reworking those four goals, making them a bit more realistic given my current circumstances, and I'm starting over. Resolutions can, after all, be made and kept every day. We don't have to give up and wait until 2010.

Today, I'm hitting the re-boot button on those four resolutions I've been struggling with. I'm not giving up.

Resolve today: get the right tools, part 1

2009-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

I am a firm believer in using the right tool for the job. At least most of the time. Once in a while, I can't be bothered with finding a particular tool and I attempt some sort of jerryrig...which never seems to work as well. But that's not as bad as having no tools at all, and trying to face a task completely unequipped.

Keeping your resolutions and goals usually requires some tools. There are the intangible tools, of course --- the sorts of things our series of articles have been about. But, in this particular article, I'm going to talk about some real, concrete tools.

If you are in our martial arts classes, or thinking of joining, here are some tools that will help you achieve the highest level of success:

Uniform - A basic, beginner uniform is good enough for a child just starting out; however, the right karate uniform can make a big difference. Serious students quickly discover that, unless they want to do laundry quite frequently, several good quality uniforms are essential. Ask Sensei which uniforms would be best for you.
Water bottle - Our special dojo sports bottle comes with a lifetime supply of drinking water.
Healthy energy snacks - Starting a workout hungry will not help you train hard.

As you advance in rank, you will be adding more "tools", such as sparring gear, weapons, etc.

For our fitness classes (including Fight Class) the following tools will maximize your success:

Hand wraps
Good quality bag gloves
Jump rope sized for you
Suitable workout clothes
Grappling gloves (especially for green belts and above in Fight Class)

Ask about our Fitness, Grappling, and Fight Packages. These will provide you with everything you need to get the most out of Fight Class for 2009.

For parents who want to make sure they are doing their best in helping their children succeed in our karate program, we now offer our Parents Package, which includes:

Child's square target
Child's kicking shield
Black Belt Parenting book
Mesh duffle bag

At Shinjin Karate, we want to make sure you have the right tools to succeed, whether it's martial arts training, fitness classes, martial arts supplies, uniforms, or more. Call us today at 805-931-0683.

Read more about having a successful 2009.

Resolve today: cut yourself some slack

2009-01-10T13:39:00.000-08:00

No one is perfect. We all know that. But why are we so hard on ourselves when we fall short? It's good to hold yourself to a high standard, to push yourself to achieve --- but it's not good to beat yourself up should you suffer a setback or fail to meet your expectations.

Today, be kind to yourself. Celebrate your efforts, even if they were not as successful as you had hoped. Don't succumb to all or nothing thinking; don't give up in the face of setbacks. Tomorrow will be another day. In fact, you don't need to wait until then to "start over" or "reboot". Take a deep breath, regroup, and start over 5 minutes from now.

And, while you're cutting yourself some slack, be kind to yourself in other ways. Get some rest. Enjoy life. Refuse to be a martyr or slave to your self-improvement program but, at the same time, refuse to make excuses for failure. Be real. Relax and enjoy the process, the adventurous journey, towards an improved, healthier and happier you.

Resolve today: set yourself up for success

2009-01-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Too often we set ourselves up for failure. Perhaps we resolve the same thing year after year, without bringing about meaningful life change that will help us finally succeed at our resolutions. Or perhaps we set impossible goals. Or perhaps we suffer from all-or-nothing thinking, as in, "I resolve never to touch another piece of chocolate again as long as I live."

Today, resolve to set yourself up for success. Review our past articles to find ones that will especially help you. Surround yourself with positive people who will help encourage you to meet your new goals. Be real about what you can or can't do. Don't be sidetracked by lapses or discouragement. Plan to succeed.

At Shinjin Karate, we want to help you keep your New Year's Resolutions! Read all of our related articles here.

Resolve today: make sure my resolutions are meaningful to me

2009-01-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

It should go without saying. Why on earth would we commit to a change in our lives that is not meaningful to us? Would anyone really do that?

Many of us do that all the time. We get caught up in the "shoulds", as in, "I should lose weight" or "I should try to learn to like my husband's strange hobbies" or "I should bake cookies for every school bake sale". But, if our new resolutions seem like punishments to us, if they do not fill us with anticipation, it will be almost impossible for us to succeed. If it's a goal you really don't want to reach, why work for it?

Go over your resolutions. Make sure you are committed to every one. Don't be afraid to abandon or modify those that you do not truly believe are worth your efforts. Be excited about your resolutions and goals!

Resolve today: don't despise small beginnings

2009-01-06T07:38:00.000-08:00

It is not unusual for new students to tell me that their goal is to earn their black belts. Often they are very excited about the idea of being a black belt. However, sometimes they are far less excited about being a white belt.

Once in a while, a student asks me, on his first day of class, if he could just "skip all that stuff" (meaning, learning the basics) and go right to sparring the other students. Then I point out the importance of learning incrementally. First, he needs to learn how to stand, to make a proper fist, then how to punch and block, etc. Sometimes I will remind that student that, as a baby, he learned a progression of skills that led him from crawling to standing to walking to running.

Sometimes it's hard not to despise the small beginnings. We want to rush past the beginner stage. Sometimes we want to skip it entirely. Who wants to crawl when they would rather be running?

Seasoned black belts recognize the value of beginning small. Sometimes they will train in another art entirely, just so they can recapture what is called "beginner's mind". The martial arts are full of sayings about emptying one's cup so that it might be filled. No matter how long we have trained, we still work on the basics that we learned as white belts. Sometimes it is not until we've trained for years, even decades, that we realize how valuable and rich, how essential, those basics are.

Today, resolve not to despise small beginnings. Instead, celebrate them. Take your first steps, no matter how small, to becoming a better person, a healthier person, in 2009. Don't be afraid to start small. Everyone is a beginner sometime.

One important step you can take is to enroll in our beginner course. Call 805-931-0683 to sign up. It may seem like a small beginning, but it's an extremely valuable one, and one you will continue to find worthwhile for years to come. Get started today.

Resolve today: start small, finish big

2009-01-05T06:58:00.000-08:00

For many of us, today is the first day of 2009 that we are headed back to work or school --- or just back to the old grind. It's a day that can be discouraging. We might discover, for example, that the daily goals we set yesterday aren't quite so easy to achieve today. If so, we may need to re-evaluate.

Today is the day to learn to take baby steps towards our goal, to start small so we can finish big.

A friend of mine decided to lose weight last year. As many people do, she set some lofty goals. She was going to reach her healthy weight by the end of the year. When I pointed out that this meant that she would have to lose about 10 pounds per week, a goal that was not only unrealistic but unhealthy, she shrugged off my concerns. What was the point of going to all the trouble of changing her lifestyle, she insisted, if she couldn't achieve what she really wanted by the end of the year?

Her lifestyle change lasted exactly a week and a half --- the time it took her to realize that losing ten pounds in a week was impossible for her. Unfortunately, she didn't see the benefit of making incremental, realistic changes towards her goal. It seemed too much like the pace of a tortoise and, if she was going to move at all, she wanted to do it at the pace of a hare.

Slow and steady is what will win a long race, because it's the pace we can keep up until the end. If your daily goals prove to be too difficult, modify them. Be willing to take baby steps. For example, if you now get up at 7:00 am and your daily goal is to get up at 5:00 am, you might find that sort of change to be too difficult to adjust to. Why not get up 5 minutes earlier each day, until you reach your goal?

If 20 minutes of exercise each day is proving to be too difficult, scale it back. Or perhaps set the goal to be 20 minutes of exercise three times per week. Once that becomes a habit, you can begin taking bigger steps.

For today, resolve to take one step at a time, whether it's a baby step or a more ambitious step. No matter what, make sure you set out on a pace that you can continue for all of 2009.

At Shinjin Karate, we want to help you keep your New Year's Resolutions! Read all of our related articles here.

Resolve today: set daily goals

2009-01-04T08:44:00.000-08:00

2009 is the year to keep those resolutions! In order to succeed, we've chosen our resolutions wisely (by looking back to look forward) and we've set monthly goals that are measurable, attainable, purposeful, and specific. We've begun taking actions that will help us form good habits.

Now it's time for another important step, one that will help us turn our actions into habits: set daily goals. By this, I don't necessarily mean a to-do list for each day. What I mean is to take the resolutions you've already expressed in the form of monthly goals, and break them down into what you specifically need to do each day in order to reach your short-term goal --- and your long term goal of succeeding at whatever you have resolved to accomplish this year.

For some resolutions and/or monthly goals, your daily goal may be the same each day, such as "Exercise for at least 20 minutes" or "Stay in touch with friends by calling or emailing at least one each day" or "Replace potato chips with a healthier snack".

At other points, your daily goals may be a series of action steps. One day, you might call us (805-931-0683) to sign up for your beginner course (it's a gift you can give yourself all year long!). The next day, you might go for a brisk walk. The day after that, your goal might be to show up for your first intro class on time, ready to work out. Etc., etc....

Like your monthly goals, your daily goals should be measurable, attainable, purposeful, and specific. At the end of the day, you should have no doubt whether or not you met that particular goal.

Let your daily goals, your action steps, help you form the good habits you need to succeed at your goals and resolutions.

At Shinjin Karate, we want to help you keep your New Year's Resolutions! Read all of our articles here.

Resolve today: just do it

2009-01-03T07:35:00.000-08:00

When I was in my teens, a pastor I knew was fond of saying, "Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny."

Today, join me in taking action on our resolutions and goals. Exercise today. Eat well today. Do a kind act today. Spend meaningful time with loved ones today. Sow an action. Sow it again tomorrow. Eventually, you will reap a habit...then a character...then a destiny.

In many ways, that is what martial arts training is all about. We spend each class sowing actions, whether it is working on specific techniques, bowing, lining up in order, sparring with a partner, working on self-defense, hitting the heavy bag, training kata, or whatever. Those actions eventually become habits. Our techniques, if trained well, become more effective, and become second nature. So does bowing and other forms of etiquette. And eventually those habits mold our characters. We become more disciplined, more respectful, more confident, more strong, more self-controlled. And our destiny becomes so much more, so much better, than it would have been otherwise.

So, for today, just do it. If you aren't one of our students already, sow the action of calling 805-931-0683 and registering for classes. Reap a lifetime of good habits, of stronger character, and of a great and wonderful destiny.

Resolve today: make monthly goals

2009-01-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

Most New Year's resolutions are about broad, sweeping reforms. Lose weight. Stop smoking. Become a nicer person. Spend more time with family and friends. These are all very well and good, but without a specific game plan, too many of them are doomed to failure before January is even over.

Enter the monthly goal --- the road map that will get you from New Year's great ideas to actual success at the end of the year.

When it comes to goal-setting, many successful people follow something similar to what is known as the MAPS principle. A good goal is Measurable, Attainable, Purposeful, and Specific. That way, you will be breaking down general resolutions into monthly goals --- your road map to success.

How it works...

One of my resolutions is "Exercise regularly and improve fitness". That all sounds well and good but, without a specific plan, I'm pretty much doomed to go on with my current habits and, at the end of 2009, be telling myself that 2010 will be the year that I really become more disciplined in exercising. And I'll feel like a guilty failure, berating myself for not keeping my resolutions. Or, even worse, I'll have completely forgotten what I resolved at the beginning of the year.

With monthly goals, I will have a workable plan. So, for January, my goal is to get at least 20 minutes of some form of exercise every day. This will help me form a habit for the rest of the year. It also fits the MAPS principle.

Measurable: I will measure my progress towards this goal by keeping a fitness calendar (more about that in days to come). It's easy to measure whether or not I exercised for at least 20 minutes.

Attainable: This is a realistic goal. I've looked over my calendar and determined that each day has at least 20 minutes in it that I can set aside for exercise, even if it is only taking a walk with the dog.

Purposeful: Having a purpose for this goal will motivate me in keeping it. Actually I could list a number of motivating factors. Any health or fitness website will detail the many benefits of daily exercise. My main motivation, besides those benefits, is to establish a daily habit that will help me be successful in my resolution.

Specific: This goal is quite specific. I've discovered that the more easily measurable a goal is, the more specific it tends to be, and vice versa.

Today I am looking at all of my resolutions and, if I haven't yet done so, am formulating my monthly goals for January. If I feel especially ambitious, I may go on to map out monthly goals for February and beyond.

Resolve today: celebrate new beginnings

2009-01-01T07:34:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Remember that trite saying, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life"? Like many such sayings, it has some truth, even wisdom, to it.

Use the energy and excitement of a new year, a fresh page on the calendar, to motivate you to change and renewal. Now is the time to embark on adventure, to recommit to old goals even while setting new ones, to try something you've never tried before, to take on projects, to commit deeper to what is good in your life as you discard what isn't.

Celebrate new beginnings. Even if it seems as if there is nothing new in your life, celebrate turning over a new leaf as you embrace life with fresh enthusiasm.

Read more about having a successful 2009.

Resolve today: look back to look forward

2008-12-31T07:19:00.000-08:00

It's the last day of 2008. If you're like me, you'll find some time, amidst whatever is keeping you busy today, to reflect quietly over the past year. In doing so, I encourage you not to look back with regrets, but rather to look forward with hope as you plan to overcome any defeats and build on your successes.

What did you do well in 2008? How can you continue and even improve on that?

What could you have done better? What can you do, today and tomorrow, to set new habits and to stop those habits that do not serve you well?

What goals have you or will you set for 2009? And how can Shinjin Karate help you with those goals?

The time that I plan to spend training in the dojo will directly help me achieve a number of my goals and resolutions for 2009, not just the obvious ones like improving my health and fitness. I know that when I train well, a lot of the other things in my life tend to fall into place. Maybe it's the increased confidence, the endorphins from exercise, the extra level of energy, the self-discipline, the stress-relief --- all I know is that the hours I spent on the mat are always well spent and reap great rewards in the rest of my life. I'm sure you'll discover the same thing.

Happy New Year!

Read more about having a successful 2009.

Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift?

2008-12-23T10:05:00.001-08:00

...or just a great value for martial arts & fitness classes?

Start out the New Year right! For only $50, you can choose one of the following:

Our Karate Beginner Course. This includes intro classes PLUS one month of regular classes. We have classes for ages 5 - adult.
One month of fitness classes. Choose from Combat Fitness (ages 16 - adult; meets Mondays & Wednesdays at 7:00 pm) or Women's Fitness (ages 14 - adult; meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 am) or Family Fitness (ages 12 - adult; meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 am)
Our Fitness Pack. This includes what you'll need for all of our fitness classes and for our Friday Fight Class. Deluxe bag gloves, elastic hand wraps, and an adjustable jump rope all come in a tote bag. This is a $60 value.

For an even better value: Your first month of fitness classes PLUS the Fitness Pack is only $80!

How to get started:

Call 805-931-0683 and schedule your first class. If you are interested in karate classes, your free intro class will be held outside of the regular classes, and will cover the basics and what you need to know to participate successfully in our regular classes.
Attend our FREE workout on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 9:00 am --- and kickstart your New Year's Resolutions. This workout will include what is usually covered in our karate intro classes, as well as giving you a good flavor of what our fitness program is all about. It should be a fun and exciting workout, and a great way to start 2009. Call now to reserve your space.

It's fun, exciting --- and FREE!!!

2008-12-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

Start the New Year out right by joining us for a great workout on Saturday, January 3 at 9:00 a.m. to noon. This will be like our Fight Class, Family Fitness, Combat Fitness, basic training, intro course, and regular classes all rolled into one exciting morning!

Our New Year's Workout is for:

1. Current students at Shinjin Karate. Get back into the swing of things after the holiday break, and get a jumpstart into getting into the best shape of your life this year.

2. Former students thinking of returning to class. Polish up on your karate skills and review the basics, plus find out what some of our new bonus classes are all about.

3. New students. If you are starting your Beginner Course in January or February, this would be a great introduction to our basic techniques.

4. Friends and family of current students. Why not join them out on the mat for just one day? Who knows, you may discover you've been missing out on more fun than you thought!

5. Anyone interested in our martial arts and/or fitness classes. This is a great FREE way to discover what we're all about.

What to wear: workout clothes or gi. If you wear a gi, you will probably want to bring a t-shirt to wear for part of the workout.

What to bring: water, healthy snack, bag gloves, hand wraps, jump rope. [Call today to order your "Kickboxing Fitness Pack" for a special reduced fee of only $45! Contains elastic hand wraps, boxing/bag gloves, adjustable jump rope and a tote bag]

CALL 805-931-0683 TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE WORKOUT

SEE YOU THERE!

Calling all homeschoolers!

2008-12-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

Recently a homeschooling mom shared her dilemma with me. It all started after the birth of her youngest, when she gained more than she intended...and those extra pounds refused to budge, even years later. Then her husband began putting on weight. They turned from a healthy, trim family into what she described as "couch potatoes who only got up to go look for more potatoes to eat".

They tried bicycling as a family, but it was hard to get into any sort of routine. Plus, they seemed plagued by flat tires, lost helmets, loose chains, outgrown bikes, poor weather and other problems that, while not insurmountable, made bicycling into more of a bother than they had anticipated.

Then they decided team sports were the way to go, so they headed down to the local Recreation Department. Next thing they knew, they were spending weekends shuttling back and forth between two or three different sports fields and juggling a schedule that kept them running during the week.

And Mom and Dad? They were so busy driving their children to sports activities, that they had no time for exercise.

One evening, after yet frantic afternoon, the father asked, "Didn't we homeschool so we could do stuff together as a family? How is having our children in all these separate activities and on all these different teams really helping us bond better? Besides, I don't think the kids are in all that much better shape, especially since we eat so much fast food while we're rushing from one thing to another." Then he sighed and said, "Wouldn't it be great if we could all join a gym together or play some sport that we could all do as a family?"

And they both laughed over the silliness of his idea...until the mom shared her story with me. By the time we finished our conversation, she was convinced I had the correct solution to her dilemma, and she was ready to sign up. The only reason she's not at Shinjin Karate is because she lives out of the area. But, last I heard, she's looking for karate schools in her area that allow parents and children to take classes together.

If her story resonates with you, I'd like to encourage you to call me today at 805-931-0683. For January 2009, I am putting together a special "Homeschooling Fitness Package" that will be tailor-made for your particular family and your schedule. To get started, all you need to do is call to set up your first FREE introductory session, during which we'll get to know each other. I'll briefly assess your family's level of fitness; we'll talk about your goals; we'll go over schedules; I'll guide you through a sample workout (either fitness activities, martial arts, or both, depending on your interest) and I'll help you set up the best program for your family.

We have morning and evening fitness classes, and afternoon and evening karate classes. I'm sure we can put together a Fitness Package that will help your family become stronger, not just physically, but relationally --- and mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well.

And if you're not a homeschooling family? Ask about our "New Year's Resolution Success Program". Both programs offer reduced class prices for new students who begin in January 2009.

More ways to stay in touch

2008-12-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

If the website, blog, and dojo calendar/handouts aren't enough, or you want more up-to-date info, here are two new ways to stay in touch with us:

1. Shinjin Karate is a Facebook group. Check it out.

2. We're also on Twitter. Supposedly all the cool people are into this. Or maybe it's just the techno-geekish sorts.

How to succeed at keeping your resolutions in 2009

2008-12-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

Many of us make them. But do we keep them? Not as many, at least according to the online articles I've been reading.

New Year's Resolutions...how often have you made them with all the best intentions in the world, only to abandon them before January was even over? Don't you want 2009 to be different?

As I've discovered via some quick online research, these are some of the most popular resolutions:

Lose weight
Start exercising
Quit smoking
Enjoy life more
Spend money more wisely

I think those are great resolutions. In fact, I am so excited about them, that I want to be your personal success coach for keeping them in 2009. And I have desgined a program that will address those five resolutions and even more.

Here are a few keys to your general success:

Begin early. Don't just make your resolution on December 31st.
Prepare for success with a realistic plan.
Find someone to encourage you, hold you accountable, and coach you through the tough times.
Make measurable short-term goals, mid-range goals, and long-term goals.
Don't just rely on will-power; make the process of reaching your goals an enjoyable one

What about specifics, the nitty-gritty how-to of succeeding at keeping those New Year's resolutions?

I believe strongly that our martial arts and/or fitness programs at Shinjin Karate are designed for success in all five of those popular resolutions. In fact, I would like to tell you in person --- and even show you --- how our individually tailored fitness classes and our Keichu Ryu karate program (or even a combination of the two) can put you on the road to success.

Call me at 805-931-0683 and ask about our special "New Year's Resolution Success Program". Let me introduce you to our fun and effective programs that will increase your energy level, reduce your stress, boost your confidence and self-discipline, help you be more focused, empower you for success...and more. Plus, all of this will be available for you --- and your family --- at a great value.

Make 2009 your year for success. Get started now. Call today.

In 2009: Resolve to be strong

2008-12-08T19:35:00.000-08:00

No matter what New Year's resolutions you come up with over the next month or so, it will take discipline to achieve them, right? Discipline, determination, self-control, will power --- in short, it will take a certain amount of strength.

Maybe weight loss will be on your short list of resolutions. Or maybe it's to become more fit, or to break a bad habit or two. I'm convinced that, even if your resolution is something like "Be nicer to my spouse", a good fitness program will help you keep it. Why? Because, as you get stronger, improve your energy level, and handle stress better, you will be more capable of actually keeping that set of resolutions this year.

Ready to succeed? We have three fitness programs that will help you get a handle on stress, make you stronger, and improve your level of fitness, whether you are a couch potato or a seasoned athlete...or somewhere in between.

Call 805-931-0683 to find out which fitness classes are right for you. Here is the rundown:

Combat Fitness: Train like a fighter, whether you are a martial artist or not. This high energy workout is taught by "Mr. Isaac", and will definitely get your heart pounding, your muscles working, and the sweat flowing. Classes are currently in session and meet Mondays & Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. New students may start at any time. For ages 16+. (Younger students may enroll at instructor's discretion.)

Women's Fitness: This is the class to get you started in the morning. All levels of fitness are welcome, because we will tailor this fun, stress-busting workout to meet your needs and your personal goals. Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 a.m. and will begin again on January 6, 2009. New students may start at any time. For ages 14+.

Family Fitness: If 6:00 a.m. is just a bit too early for you, or if you and your spouse would like to exercise together before work, or if you are looking for a physical fitness class for your homeschool family, this one is for you! Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. and will begin on January 6, 2009, provided we have enough interested students. For ages 12+.

No uniforms are required for any of our classes, just workout clothes.

Our "blog special" will end on March 1, 2009.

Shinjin Karate Blog Special!!!
Mention this blog post and receive...
First month of fitness class AND Kickboxing Fitness Pack for only $80
Kickboxing Fitness Pack contains the equipment you'll need for our fitness classes:
Boxing/bag gloves, hand wraps, adjustable jump rope, and tote bag (a $60 value)
If you already own gloves and hand wraps, first month of class is only $50

Current Shinjin Karate students: ask about your discount price!

Are you ready to make 2009 your best and most successful year ever? Let us help you! Call 805-931-0683 to begin your fitness program.

Reminder: martial arts trainingweekend!

2008-11-20T07:24:00.001-08:00

Yes, it's this weekend, and it's not too late to sign up! You don't want to miss this exciting weekend of karate, self-defense, physical conditioning, ground fighting, and more.

Call 805-931-0683 for more info.

-- Post From My iPhone

Life can be tough...

2008-11-13T13:45:00.000-08:00

...but you can train to be tougher.

Training at Shinjin Karate offers more than just kicking and punching. Like many of the "old school" practitioners of karate, we have discovered that the benefits of training go beyond the physical. We truly train mind, body, and spirit. Yes, you'll get stronger physically, especially if you train hard. But you will also achieve a new mental toughness and a new strength of spirit.

One of our students described her training as "re-inventing herself". Another student remarked how bullies at school gradually stopped bothering him, even though none of them knew he was training in the martial arts. Somehow he found himself no longer reacting in a way that was rewarding to the bullies. Now he's standing up for the other kids who are being picked on. Another student commented that her new-found confidence not only makes her less afraid to be alone at home, but has made her more willing to take greater risks, whether it's asking for a raise at work or being her child's advocate at school.

Other students have found the focus and mental toughness they needed to do better at school or work. They have learned to stand up for themselves. They have discovered that they are stronger and tougher and more capable than they ever thought possible. They have learned to live their lives with confidence.

Yes, life can be tough. But the lessons you learn on our dojo floor will help you face life head on. You'll learn how to persevere. You'll learn to get up when knocked down but, most importantly, you'll learn to win.

Training Weekend is ALMOST HERE!!!

2008-11-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

It's almost here! Sensei Danny Gilliland, 6th dan in Keichu Ryu Karate, will be coming all the way from Louisiana for this exciting weekend of seminars. You won't want to miss it. We are offering a variety of seminars that will improve your skills in karate, self-defense, ground fighting, and all-around fighting skills.

Click on the above image for a larger, more readable version.

EDITED to add corrected flyer.

Give yourself the gift of fitness

2008-11-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

Our next 6 week women's fitness course will start Tuesday, January 6, 2008. Here is some info:

If you are a woman or teenage girl (age 14+) and you want a fun, exciting workout - Do we have a class for you! We are offering six week women's martial arts fitness classes, meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 am. It's a great way to lose fat, gain muscle, become more flexible, and all that good stuff --- and it's a terrific stress-busting workout that will leave you energized for the rest of the day. Our next session starts on January 6 and runs through February 12. No uniforms required; just wear workout clothes. Our fitness classes are open to Shinjin Karate students and non-students alike. The cost is only $100 for the entire six weeks [ask about coupons, specials and reduced rates for current students] and includes, as a bonus, our Friday Fight Classes at no extra charge! (To enroll, call 805-931-0683)

If you are a current Shinjin Karate student looking to ramp up your workout - You can enroll in either our Combat Fitness or Women's Fitness classes at a reduced rate OR you can attend our Fight Class OR you can become involved in as many of our fitness classes as possible!

It all starts here

2008-11-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

COMBAT FITNESS!

It all starts here.

This is more than a workout. Much more.

Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

Ages 16 through adult.

Be there.

Shinjin Karate
720 S. Frontage Rd. #106
Nipomo, CA 93444

Coming soon to Shinjin Karate: Combat Fitness!

2008-10-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

Combat Fitness, which will meet Monday & Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm, is the latest addition to our small but growing number of fitness classes. This is not your run of the mill, boring, same old same old fitness workout. This class, designed for ages 16 and up, and is best suited for you if:

You are looking for a challenging, hardcore workout
You are looking for a way to get fit quickly
You've never trained in any sort of fighting style, but you have always been interested
You are training in the martial arts, but want to add an additional, more rigorous workout
You once took a cardio kickboxing class and thought it was kinda wimpy
You think our Fight Class is just for kids
You prefer taking fitness classes from a young, tough, extremely fit instructor

For more details, and to enroll in this exciting new class, call 805-931-0683

In addition to our new Combat Fitness class, we also offer the following:

If you are a woman or teenage girl (age 14+) and you want to be more fit - Do we have a class for you! We are offering six week women's fitness classes, meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 am. It's a great way to lose fat, gain muscle, become more flexible, and all that good stuff --- and it's a terrific stress-busting workout that will leave you energized for the rest of the day. Our next session starts on September 9 and runs through October 16. No uniforms required; just wear workout clothes. Our fitness classes are open to students and non-students alike. The cost is only $100 for the entire six weeks and includes, as a bonus, our Friday Fight Classes at no extra charge! (To enroll, call 805-931-0683)

If you are a current Shinjin Karate student looking to ramp up your workout - You can enroll in either our Combat Fitness or Women's Fitness classes at a reduced rate OR you can attend our Fight Class OR you can become involved in as many of our fitness classes as possible!