30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves! (30)

Reason #30:  

I am so grateful that Thousand Waves has been around for 30 years! Here’s to 30 x 30 more years! Coincidentally, $30 more dollars will bring my total raised to a nice even number! There is still time to donate! Our overall Spirit Challenge Fundraising goal is at 92%! Click here to donate to me: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/218169/ or click below to help some of my Senpai reach their goals! Osu and grazie!

Teen camp counselor and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/232468/

Staff and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/229444/

ASK teacher and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/241665/

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves! (29)

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP

Reason #29:  “KIAI!” TW bi-monthly electronic newsletter! http://thousandwaves.org/Kiai.htm

“The study of Japanese characters gave me some clue to the meaning of ‘kiai.’ The first character, for ‘Ki,’ is the symbol for spirit, mind, energy, force. The second character, for ‘ai,’ is the symbol for meeting, or coming together. ‘The coming together of mind’ – what could this mean?”  –  from C.W. Nicol’s Moving Zen

We sometimes translate Kiai! – the name of Thousand Waves’ bi-monthly electronic newsletter – as “yell of spirit.” In Seido Karate, we often forcefully exhale with just such a yell at key moments in our practice to gather our energy, ward off opponents, or simply express a non-quitting spirit.  In some traditional Japanese understandings of the kiai concept, the audible utterance itself is entirely secondary – Kiai simply refers to a strong convergence of energy.  We know that staying in touch with our community is a powerful tool for creating a more peaceful world; we think our newsletter’s name accurately captures its purpose!

Kiai! readers vary.  Many are Thousand Waves members and friends, others are self-defenders, martial artists and instructors, colleagues and people interested in our organization.  Subscribers learn about Thousand Waves’ work in Chicago and the martial arts world, upcoming events, community outreach and opportunities for involvement.

If you haven’t already, please consider subscribing to Kiai! Subscribing is free and will keep you informed about Thousand Waves’ work in support of our important mission.

We are inching closer to achieving our overall Spirit Challenge Fundraising goal--we are at 90%! Thanks to YOU, I’ve made my personal goal. Click below to help one of these great volunteers make her goal!

Teen camp counselor and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/232468/

Staff and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/229444/

ASK teacher and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/241665/

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves! (28)

Reason #28: 

The way Thousand Waves does rank promotion testing. Something unique about TW is that the teachers pre-test kids a few weeks before their scheduled tests to make sure that they are ready to test and are on track to be successful during their test! What a great way to boost confidence! Also, we write essays for every level of promotion. TW maintains a library of these essays and members can read them. It is very moving to read these essays.

We are inching closer to achieving our overall Spirit Challenge Fundraising goal--we are at 89%! Thanks to YOU, I’ve made my personal goal. Click below to help one of these great volunteers make her goal!

Teen camp counselor and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/232468/

Staff and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/229444/

ASK teacher and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/241665/

2015 Spirit Challenge Update - the last Challenges

I did it! Thanks to all my supporters I achieved all of my 2015 Spirit Challenge Goals! I accomplished all of the physical challenges and raised over $3,000.00 for my fundraising challenge! :)

This past weekend was TOUGH! I started out on Saturday morning running the Proud to Run 10K race with Sam. She totally rocked it - coming in 1st in our age group (I was 4th).

Then we grabbed a bagel on the run and I went to the dojo for Karate Boot Camp!

From 12:30-1:30PM we punched, kicked, blocked and did various fitness intervals! I was dripping sweat by the end! 

Then we had a 15 min. break before the real breaking began! I assisted the beginner/intermediate breakers by coaching them, helping them practice and holding boards for them (which is tough, by the way).  Then I also helped hold the boards for the Advance Breaking Challenge. The order of breaking was in the traditional martial way with the most experienced (i.e. higher ranked) karateka going first. 

My turn was near the end of the session which meant that I did a lot of holding! We were not just breaking though. Most people gave moving dedications before their breaks: some in remembrance of those we lost too soon be it from violence like the kind that occurred recently in Charleston, from illness or from mental illness-suicide. Others dedicated their breaks to other people or causes. I dedicated my boards to YOU - my supporters, my family, my friends, my students, my colleagues, and to victims of violence and to people who suffer from mental health issues. Here are the boards that I broke. I broke 5 out of 6. The 6th board just did not break on Sat. I plan on breaking it soon. Maybe tomorrow!

Here is link to the videos of the Advanced Breakers. They are very, very inspiring!!! 
2015 Advanced Board Breaking Videos

As you can tell, my Spirit Challenge Saturday was pretty jam-packed with challenging events!

On Sunday, my friend Senpai Pat Broughton picked me up and we went to park near Thousand Waves. We dropped off some food for the pot luck party that was to happen later that day. Then we each carried 4 5-foot staffs (a martial weapon, called "bo" in Japanese) on the Red Line train north to Wilson. We got off and mingled with the large rainbow colored crowd as we worked our way to the designated meeting place. We found the TW contingent and rehearsed our karate demo. We had to wait a long time, but eventually we marched in the Chicago Pride Parade, practicing our karate, doing pushups, breaking boards and showing our Seido Karate stuff! The crowd loved us! We spent 5 hours on our feet and many of us had had a full day of karate the day before, but we did it! It was a lot of fun.

 

Finally we walked from the end of the parade route back to Thousand Waves where lovely TW Board members had prepared a BBQ potluck feast! It was good to finally be able to sit down!

All-in-all, this was one of the most physically difficult Spirit Challenges for me. I wasn't quite as fit this year. But YOU all helped me soar to achieve my fundraising Spirit Challenge. I am so lucky to have all of you in my life! A deep gassho (appreciation) to you all! 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Osu!

P.S. We are getting closer to achieving our overall Spirit Challenge Fundraising goal--we are at 88%! Thanks to YOU, I’ve made my personal goal. Click below to help one of these great volunteers make her goal!

Teen camp counselor and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/232468/

Staff and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/229444/

ASK teacher and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/241665/

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves! (27)

Reason #27: 

Beach training! We get to do karate on the beach and in the water! This is a wonderful tradition practiced by Seido dojos all over the world. Thousand Waves has two beach training days per summer--one for kids and one for adults. The kids’ Beach Training is followed by a pot luck. The adults’ Beach training is preceded by a wonderful sunrise seated meditation. We sit in seiza (martial kneeling position) facing the water meditating in the dark until we feel the first rays of sun on our faces (if we are lucky and it’s not a cloudy day!). Beach training is one of my favorite days of the year!  

We are getting closer to achieving our Spirit Challenge Fundraising goal: we are at 88% of our overall goal. Thanks to my supporters, I’ve made my personal goal. Click below to help one of these great volunteers make her goal!

Teen camp counselor and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/232468/

Staff and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/229444/

ASK teacher and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/241665/

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves! (25-26)

Reason #25: 

Camp Kokoro for kids! Going on right now at TW! It’s a great time for both kids and teens. Our teens gain invaluable leadership skills by being camp counselors.  http://thousandwaves.org/karate-for-kids/camp-kokoro/

It’s still not too late to donate to make sure this camp is available to all! We are at 78% of our overall goal [as of June 30th]. I’ve made my personal goal. Click here to help one of these teen camp counselors reach her goal: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/232468/

Reason #26: 

Thousand Waves has great volunteering opportunities! As Booker T. Washington said, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”

We are getting closer to achieving our Spirit Challenge Fundraising goal: we are at 86% of our overall goal [as of July 1st]. Thanks to my supporters, I’ve made my personal goal. Click below to help one of these great volunteers make her goal!:

Teen camp counselor and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/232468/

Staff and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/229444/

ASK teacher and super volunteer: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/241665/

Some of the ways TW members give back: help deep clean the dojo twice a year, assist kids karate class teachers, assist self-defense (SD) course/workshop teachers, help teach karate and SD to ASK students, set-up and clean-up at dojo potlucks and other events, give Punch & Kick-a-Thon parking assistance, serve on the Board of Directors, the Fundraising Committee or on other committees, help out during rank promotion tests, board-breaking workshops and the kids tournament, and bring chairs up and down the stairs before and after many of these events!

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves! (22-24)

Reason #22: 

Board breaking and karate boot camp! Today! After running Proud to Run 10K! Think of me today as challenge myself. Send me good energy vibes! [originally posted on FB on Sat.]

Reason #23: 

The whole Thousand Waves community. The way we inspire, support, challenge and lift each other up. The board breaking event Saturday was made more memorable by poignant dedications leaving me speechless with gratitude. Below is a version of my breaking challenge. My last attempted break was a super challenge that did not succeed this time. Maybe next time! If you are on Facebook, check out Jun Shihan Sarah Ludden's break. She read a poem dedicated to the memory of those killed in the Charleston church. It is a very moving performance. https://www.facebook.com/michele.curley.735

Reason #24: 

Being able to march in the Pride Parade with Thousand Waves - priceless! As we walked, we demonstrated Seido karate, self-defense techniques, bo work and board breaking. It was tiring (especially after the activities of the previous day) and a ton of fun. 

And now (drumroll please) a huge, huge thanks to all of my supporters who helped me achieve my 2015 Spirit Challenge fundraising goal! I received a total of 50 donations equaling $3000. A super special gassho to Kyoshi Wai-Kwong Kwok who made a second donation to get me my goal! Osu!

2015 Spirit Challenge Update - Midway through the Challenges!

I'm on a mission to get fitter than I am right now. I've been trying to attend as many fitness classes at Thousand Waves as I can. They are offered 6 mornings a week and I try to go as often as I can in the summer. During the school year, I can only go on Sunday mornings. I'm also running, biking and of course, training in Seido karate!

So yesterday I took the fitness class in the morning and then had the Spirit Challenge Fitness Endurance Challenge yesterday evening. Maybe not the brightest idea I have ever had! It was very difficult for me, but I did it! Lots of squats, core exercises, lunges, push-ups, etc. Today, I'm sore, but fitter! Yay!

Now, my mission is to finish strong!

Here is the schedule for the weekend:

Saturday

• Proud to Run 10K race, 8:04 AM, Montrose Harbor
• Karate Boot Camp (a vigorous workout!), 12:30-1:30 PM, Thousand Waves
• Beginning/Int. Board Breaking (assistant), 1:45-3:00 PM, Thousand Waves
• Advanced Board Breaking (my biggest challenge!), 3:15 - 4:00 PM, Thousand Waves

Sunday

• Pride Parade, 12 noon, Chicago - Thousand Waves Seido Karate Demo (#113/200 entries)
• BBQ, 3:30 - 6:30, Thousand Waves

My biggest challenge will be breaking 6 boards in a short amount of time! I will be dedicating each board to all those who have made a donation in support of my 2015 Spirit Challenge!

I am so grateful to all of my supporters. I would not be here without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Osu!

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves! (21)

Reason #21: 

Thousand Waves offers programs called “Meditations on Activism”--educational, inspiring, thought-provoking discussions that challenge us to exit our comfort zones to work towards making the world a better place for everyone.

I need 6 more donations of $100 or 12 more donations of $50 to reach my Spirit Challenge fundraising goal. Can you help ensure that TW will survive and thrive? 

If so, click below and thanks! https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/218169/

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves! (20)

Reason #20: 

Senpai Pat Broughton reminded me of some other reasons why I love TW:

• A family travels twice weekly from a distant Southwest Chicago neighborhood to study Seido karate because they were able to secure scholarships from Thousand Waves for all four children. This makes it affordable for the family, which is living on very limited means.

• Thousand Waves provides more than $30,000 in scholarships, and they have never turned anyone away because individuals or families couldn't bear the cost of tuition.
• Thousand Waves covers the cost for each child enrolled in the Adapted Seido Karate program. $500 covers the cost for one child for one year. Here is a short video about that program: Thousand Waves Adapted Seido Karate Program

Please help support this amazing non-profit school! Here is the link: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/218169/

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves (19)

Reason #19: 

The first two Spirit Challenge events were super challenging and super fun! Sensei Rebecca Angevine led a fast-paced sparring endurance event Monday evening and Sei Shihan Nancy Lanoue led a kata endurance event yesterday that was both physically and mentally challenging. We did kata in traditional and alternative ways that helped us deepen our practice and make sure that we were present - in the moment - striving to keep a beginner’s mind - open to change - forgetting about mistakes as soon as they happened and moving on. Deepest gassho (thanks) to the wonderful teachers of Thousand Waves.

Please help support this amazing non-profit school! Here is the link: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/218169/

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves! (18)

Reason #18: 

I love all of the different components of Seido karate! Last night our spirits were challenged by the Sparring Endurance event. (See photos below.) Tonight we will be challenged by the Kata Endurance event. A “Kata” consists of a sequence of blocks, punches, and kicks performed in a pattern prescribed for defending oneself against one or more attackers. The founder of Seido karate Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura says in his book “Technique and Spirit”: “Kata, beyond its literal meaning, means ‘how one behaves.’ Behavior and attitude are things that we strive to change and improve through our study of Seido karate. The practice of kata is vital for these ends. So many problems in life stem from narrow-mindedness, prejudice, and cultural biases, which limit our understanding of ourselves, the world, and of others. Taikyoku [the name of a form learned at the beginning of one’s study of Seido and some other styles of karate] means keeping an open mind, not restricting our focus, not clinging to a narrow view of a situation, being open to the universe of possibilities. Shunryo Suzuki, a Zen roshi, has said, ‘In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind, there are very few.’” Tonight I will strive to perform kata with beginner’s mind.

Thanks to all of those who have donated, I am at 73% of my fundraising goal! Please support the mission of Thousand Waves and help me reach my goal. Thanks!

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/218169/

The Sparring Endurance Challenge!!! Buckets of sweat but we did it!!!! :)

Please help us reach our fundraising goal! Thanks! https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/218169/

— with Patricia Broughton at Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP.

30 Reasons Why I Love Thousand Waves! (17)

Reason #17: 

Thousand Waves has an awesome opportunity that challenges its supporters in many ways: Spirit Challenge! Today is the first day of Spirit Challenge 2015 and I will participate in the “Light/Middleweight Sparring Challenge!” I will participate in 25 2-minute rounds of sparring! The temperature and humidity will be high, but I’m sure I can do it! Especially with the support of so many family members and friends who inspire me and hold me up! It’s not too late to donate! Here is my personal fundraising link: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/218169/

Thank you so much! Your support means everything to me!

Osu!