USA Martial Arts - Bluff Park Dojo

Message of the week

Jiki Shin Kore Dojo - If your mind and heart are correct, then everywhere is the Dojo.

This is the idea that almost everything we experience and learn through our training can be applied to our everyday life. Our training should be with us at all times in everything we do. When our training becomes a way of life, we are on the right path and this is true budo.

Message of the week

Zanshin - Continued focus; follow through

To finish something we start can be challenging. With that being said, if we continue to stay focused on our goals and persevere, then we can accomplish great things. If you get discouraged, try and break up your goal into smaller goals. Try to dedicate your goal to something larger than yourself. Also, try and remember why you set that goal for yourself in the first place. This can be the encouragement you need to follow through and finish what you have set out to do. Stay strong, believe in yourself, and know that you can achieve what you want in life.

Message of the Week

Masagatsu Agatsu - Victory over self is true victory

True victory lies not in having victory over others but in victory over self. Whether overcoming personal obstacles or maintaining self control in a difficult situation, if we can control our temptations, self doubts and emotions, we can find this victory over self. The moment in which you overcome the struggle within yourself is the truest sense of victory.

Message of the week

Ganbatte - Go for it, do your best

Chinese philosopher and writer Lao Tzu said " The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Starting something new or venturing into a new endeavor can be scary and overwhelming. With that said, one of the best ways we can grow as individuals is to step out of our comfort zone and try new things. Start small, know that anything worthwhile takes time, and your best will always be good enough. Embrace your journey, go for it and take that first step.

Message of the week

Shiai - Competition; Battle

One of the hardest battles we can face in life is the one within ourselves. We are often harder on ourselves than anyone else is on us. We can defeat ourselves faster than anyone or anything. One of the best things we can do when we are having this internal battle is have positive self-talk and self-imagery. Think of yourself being strong and capable. Believe in yourself that you are able to do the right thing. Believe you can succeed and accomplish what you want. In doing so, you are much more likely to achieve your goals and live a happier life.

Message of the week

Koshi No Mawari - Awareness of everything around you

This is the idea of being aware of your surroundings. A major part of our training is being aware if there is a threat around us. This also implies that we should be aware and sensitive to the needs of those around us. If we are too focused on ourselves, we can miss a need that is right in front of us. Be aware and may we all strive to have awareness of the needs that are around us.

Message of the week

Sen Sen No Sen - To take the initiative

In our martial arts training this means to attack before being attacked. In life, it can carry the idea that we do our best to be proactive. Instead of waiting for luck to strike or success to come to us, we should work hard and go after the things we want. Instead of waiting for people, things, or situations to make us happy, we take initiative to create happiness within ourselves just as we are. It's empowering to know that our life is our own. Take charge of it and create the life you want to live!

Message of the week

Ichi Jinga Banji - One things shows everything; First impressions

This is the idea that we can gather a great deal of information about someone or a situation upon our first interaction. Whether it be on a subconscious level or by listening to our intuition, we can discern a great deal of information in a short amount of time. Our intuition may not always be 100% correct, but is worth paying attention to. Our intuition is like a muscle, if we don't exercise our intuition and pay attention to it, it will atrophy and become less useful to us. Cultivate your intuition and listen to your inner voice. It can protect you and help you with many of life's decisions. There may be times that your intuition seems totally irrational and may not make logical sense. With that said, some of the greatest turning points in life are the ones found in that place of following your heart and stepping out in faith.

Message of the week

Shi Sei O Tada Sh*te - Keep your spine straight

Not only does this refer to good posture, it also carries the idea of keeping your life straight and living in a way that aligns with your values and integrity. It is never too late to make changes. If there is something in your life that you feel is not in line with your inner being, you can change that. Start by making small advances toward your goal of change and over time your small advances will lead to big change.

Message of the week

Chakugan - Correct focus of attention

Figuring out what's truly important in our lives is crucial to knowing how we should be spending our time and where our attention needs to be focused. Think about what is important to you, put those things in order from most important to least important, and prioritize your time accordingly. This idea of correct focus can also help us to be more present in our daily interactions. Focus on the right now and avoid living too much in the past or the future. The only true time we have is right now. As we focus on being present in the moment, we will create a better interactions with others and a more meaningful life for ourselves.