Season’s Greetings
“A dojo is a miniature cosmos where we make contact with ourselves-our fears, anxieties, and habits. It is an arena of confined conflict where we confront an opponent who is not an opponent but rather a partner who helps us understand ourselves more fully.
It is a place where we can learn a great deal in a short time about who we are and how we react in the world. The conflicts that take place inside the dojo help us handle conflicts that take place outside.
The total concentration and discipline required to study martial arts carries over to daily life. The activity in the dojo calls on us to constantly attempt new things, so it is also a source of learning in Zen terminology, a source of enlightenment.”
-Joe Hyams, Zen of martial Arts
As the years go by, the hours we have in a week seem to shrink. We get older, more experienced, and the time wheel spins faster forcing us to neglect the gift of the present.
Everyone’s life is remarkable! If we understand and follow Grand Master Carlos Gracie Sr. advice of “looking to everything from to enlightened side”, all moments will then give us a reason to laugh and celebrate.
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, above all benefits, reconnects one with one’s self. The necessary focus on practice transcends the drills on the mats and makes us appreciate more each and every moment.
If we look around we will see that we do have many reasons to celebrate. More then medals, belts, or the pounds lost. Our school’s biggest accomplishment is the joy of all moments lived together.
We wish you happy holidays and a 2010 full of accomplishments and lots of training.
Cheers!
Gracie Barra Santa Barbara
