What does it mean to be a Black Belt?

 

Being a Black Belt encompasses many things.  Number one, it means you are a hard worker and you don't give up.   Those two entities are extremely important.  

As you approach the level of Black Belt, you will hopefully realize that the practice and discipline are more important than the Belt itself.   Some students ask, "How do I get a 

Black Belt?"   My answer is always the same, "Don't quit."  That's it.  If you attend classes, do the work, learn to help the lower belts learn their material; the Black Belt will come.

A Black Belt should know how to work with and teach different age groups and different belt ranks.   A Black Belt is willing to help others and to share their own knowledge.

In the past, for the Old Masters of Shotokan, training was everything.  They gave up everything to train, including family time and physical wellbeing.   We should not forget those that came before us, they played an important role in our training today.  The people that came before us are an inspiration because their training was so intense.   Some students actually lived with their Instructor and worked for him/her.

In a traditional Dojo, earning the rank of Black Belt definitely means you have put in a great deal of time and sacrifice to reach this level.   It also means you have learned a great deal about yourself as you have traveled the journey.  The journey to Black Belt is fascinating.   You will learn that you are tougher than you know.

I have also heard Instructors describe the Black Belt as a "White Belt who never quit."  This is absolutely true.   A Black Belt will continue their own training and learning beyond the rank.  

The bottom line is, if you are a white belt and you don't quit, the Black Belt will come to you.

Most instructors look for a student's improvement to achieve each rank promotion rather than expecting perfection.  Needless to say, as you spend years practicing, your techniques will become better and better and more powerful.

2025 would be a great year to begin your journey in Martial Arts.  Remember, you can do more than you think you can and you are tougher than you know.  You will learn some very important things about yourself along the way.

Call Guerrero's Shotokan at: 816-224-4447 to begin your journey.  You can find us on the internet at: www.guerrerosshotokankarate.com.  We are located at: 1607 South 7 Highway Blue Springs, Missouri 64014

                                       Karate in 2025

Karate is a great activity for people of all ages.  The training promotes balance, coordination and flexibility.   All of these are important as children grow and as adults age.    You can make the choice to age well by starting Martial Arts training.   Not only will you improve your physical abilities, you can learn to defend yourself at the same time.   

Small children and older Adults can learn low kicks for self defense and can train to perform powerful punches.  Even older Adults with knee or other joint issues, can find techniques they can do.   In other words, Karate can be modified to fit the Student.

Have you ever thought about trying Martial Arts?  If so, let 2025 be the year you step out of your comfort zone and start training.  

Call Guerrero's Shotokan Karate at: 816-224-4447 and learn how you and other members of your family can get started in a quality Martial Arts program.

Guerrero's Shotokan is located at: 1607 South 7 Highway, Blue Springs, MO.

You can find us on the Internet at: www.guerrerosshotokankarate.com.

 Merry Christmas wishes to all!  Guerrero's hopes that all of our families and friends have a blessed Christmas.

To help you and your family fully celebrate the good news of Christ and Christmas, the Dojo will be closed 12/23/24 through 12/27/24 and again on 12/31/25 for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day 1/1/25. We will be open 12/30/24 and all students of all ranks are welcome to come in and train.

We look forward to seeing everyone back in 2025.

 How do we become happier?

As we approach Thanksgiving, one thing all of us can do is take stock of our lives and look at all the blessings we have.   When you focus on all that you have in your life, the problems are less important.   Our ancestors considered themselves to be blessed if they just had enough to eat and a place to sleep.   Most of us have so much more than the bare necessities.

Guerrero's Shotokan is thankful to have been in business for 18 years and are grateful for all of our students.

Since we are approaching Christmas, we are having a Holiday special:

First month tuition of $49.95 and a free Gi!  Call us at: 816-224-4447 to start your own Martial Arts journey.  

Daily Kicks

"The greatest weapon in martial arts is not the fist or the foot, but the mind."

Martial arts will help reduce stress and anxiety.  This is accomplished by encouraging you to practice deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness. Martial arts helps train your mind to keep your attention focused while remaining calm and alert.  When you train, you are training the body, mind and spirit.

Leadership

 What is Leadership?   

Leadership entails a mindset as well as behaviors that help align people to work or go in the same direction.   Leadership will help a group to work together and accomplish shared goals.   Leadership can help us adjust to changes.

Learning to be a Leader is an important task for everyone.   If your parents assign you certain chores at home, doing those chores without your parents having to ask you is a good start.   Being self directed and self motivated is important.

There are different styles of Leadership and knowing which style works with which personality is also important.  Leadership training can help you determine the styles of Leadership.

One way of beginning to train yourself in Leadership skills is to take Martial Arts classes.   At some point in your training you will be allowed to mentor another student or to teach some classes.   Showing Leadership to your fellow students is a tremendous opportunity for self evaluation and growth.

Come to Guerrero's Shotokan Karate and begin not only your journey in Martial Arts, but learn Leadership skills at the same time.   These skills will become life skills that will help you in school and in your chosen career.

We are located at: 1607 S. 7 Highway

                              Blue Springs, MO 64015

                              816-224-4447

                             www.guerrerosshotokankarate.com

The Bushido Code

 The term Bushido originated from Japanese roots and means "the way of the Warrior."  The Bushido Code is a set of rules that Samurai Warriors followed from the eight Century.  The Bushido Code allowed the warriors to balance their lives through the various concepts.

The Eight Virtues of Bushido

1.  Justice: A course of conduct taken with consideration/thought/reason without wavering, "to strike when to strike is right. To die, when to die is right."

2. Courage:  A virtue only if practiced in the path of righteousness.  Confucius said, " Perceiving what is right and doing it not, reveals a lack of Courage." In Martial Arts today, it means to face challeges and adversity.

3.  Mercy:  This is one of the highest Bushido tenets. Even though the warrior may possess physical and legal power, they may show mercy.  In modern times this can be shown by supporting community service or helping organizations that assist the needy.

4.  Politeness:  Respect in its highest form symbolizes love.  Make the effort to display concern for others.  We show this today by bowing to others in the Dojo and showing respect to our Instructors.

5.  Honesty: This means trust and sincerity.  The Samurai were very honest in their dealings and did not sign written contracts. They remained true to their word.  Today, if we give our word, we should remain true to that word.

6. Honor:  This was characterized by personal dignity and worth.  We can show this by doing our best in class and showing up on time in a clean and ironed Gi.

7. Loyalty:  This was of great importance to the Samurai.  They were dutiful and loyal to their superiors, ready to die for them if needed or requested.  We can show this to our Instructors today, by doing as they ask and by assisting them when possible.

8.  Self Control:  The Samurai had strong control over their emotions and they lived according to moral standards.   We must do the same.  We must not disrespect anyone in the Dojo and if we lose our temper, for example, we should remove ourself from the training area.

I think everyone will agree, if our society lived by the above 8 codes, we would have a very different experience in the current era.   There would be very little crime and very little need to lock our homes and cars.  The criminals would be dealt with swiftly and decisively, so everyone else could live peacefully.