Connection

[ Shun-kun and brother Yuu-kun ]

Saturday's Azabu Juban kids class was a special one as it was Shun-kun's last class. I will miss Shun-kun a lot. He was always mature in nature and caring for others. Just like his father, he always took consideration in others and made sure they were never in doubt.

Everyone learns to take care of others when being together after time. Like a family connection, you learn to watch out for people around you after time no matter how different you can be.

Good luck to Shun-kun and we all hope to see him again very soon.

Wayne.

The adults grading test today, like the kids one yesterday was another emotional time for all.

The amount of support given was truly something special.

When you have many people behind you cheering and giving advice, you achieve so much more.

This is why I like doing this so much. No matter how much you try you can always accomplish more when you have your friends and family behind you.

Congratulations to everyone today for trying so hard and thank you to everyone for being there to provide the support.

And thank you to Yamaguchi-sensei for helping us all get to another level.

Wayne.

Azabu Juban/Hiroo Kids Grading Test

The Azabu Juban / Hiro Kids grading test was again another emotional time for everyone.

We saw a lot of effort particularly from those who were being tested for black belt.

So energetic, so courageous and so many tears, the whole event will be one I will never forget.

Such events really bring out the best with all students and their families.

The amount of support you can see and feel is truly something special.

No matter how much you think you can do you can always do more when you have your family and friends behind you.

I look forward to the adults grading test tomorrow in Azabu Juban.

It definitely will be another fantastic time to cherish for a long time.

Wayne.

Responsibility

Training recently has been more intense but the results are obvious. With adults and kids grading tests coming soon, everyone is practicing much harder but safely. This is time I find the most wonderful. You really push yourself and also help others do better.  You can see it clearly with the kids. So many have improved in physical skill and also in spirit. Many of the higher level students are helping the more younger ones, caring for them and encouraging them. They are taking responsibility and to see this is truly amazing. As Yamaguchi-sensei has said recently, you find yourself in Karate in many ways. you do that and he will try to help you along the way but it is all up to you. It is true for all aspects of life. We explore and we make decisions and no matter how good or bad they are, we are ultimately responsible for whatever is the result.

Wayne.