Technique of the Week (December 27th, 2009)

From Sensei Sal Scaglione, Roku-Dan
Ueshiro Karate Club of NoVA


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Generosity

Onegaishimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi (x3), fellow Shihan/Sensei, all Deshi of SRKUSA—

During the holiday season thoughts are focused on giving and generosity. As the season passes this emphasis may diminish, but becomes no less important, particularly if we consider how the combination of the two can apply to strengthening our Karate training. Generosity is a gift or technique that we can give ourselves as we train.

During the black belt workouts several weeks ago, Hanshi encouraged us all to “be generous” throughout each workout. It became the theme of the weekend. Hanshi’s message was to be generous with our stance, be generous with our power, be generous with our form. This of course this translates to doing and giving more of yourself in an effort to move forward. Step in more, get lower, punch faster with more power, kick with greater snap, elbow strike with more smash, are just but a few of the ways of being generous with our training. Incorporating generosity into training will bring the gifts of greater effort, better focus in all techniques, and ultimately greater achievement in our training.

As we transition to a new year, the Year of the Tiger, we each have an excellent opportunity to share a gift with many returns and a gift that will multiply many times over in our lives. Do not be stingy, explore the many ways to be generous on the deck, do not cut training short, do more, be generous, and reap the rewards. Your efforts will impact those around in a positive way and the generosity cycle will continue...

Domo Arigato,
Sensei Sal, Roku-Dan
Ueshiro Karate Club of NoVA