Peace and Love, to all!  Another year has come and gone, and we continue on our journey of knowledge in the Martial Arts.  We learn to use our basics concepts; of patients and thought process; that we remember that self-defense is, executed in three distinct stages, perception, evaluation-decision, and reaction.

Perception: is the most important stage of self-defense because it can be activated against an attack that is not seen.  Perception comes through the development and utilization of all of the senses.

Evaluation-Decision: determines what happens to the assailant and very possibly, what future actions are against other people.  In this stage, the Karate-ka becomes the judge, jury and in many cases, becomes the defendant.  This stage in conjunction with the first stage will remain on one’s conscious, especially if the final stage results in a tragic termination of the attacker.

Reaction: The final stage of self-defense is the accumulation of many hours of dedication and devotion to training.  We are evaluated on numerous occasions during our martial arts training, i.e. promotions, competition, etc.   The greatest test is one's reaction to an assault or attack,    during the reaction time, every facet of training is tested for its most valued quality and possibly, the quantity that is, produced.  When the student first enters martial arts, training is the ultimate physical goal!  In fact it is the third and final stage of self-defense…reaction:  (Remember this during your examination)!!!
Sat:  December 17, 2011

10:00       -    1130    -      Warm-ups:  Hanshi Ramirez (Kata’s)
Basic H Pattern, Pinan, Naihanshi, etc.
Exam All students
11:40        -    1145    -      Break
11:45        -    1245    -   
(a)    Sifu Lester Figueroa; (Hung Gar Kung-fu) Form is called ”Chin Cheung” translation  “Warriors Palm” Basic Technique & Movement)
(b)    Shihan Joe Rodriguez; (Basic Sweep Front Leg to Front Leg w/follow-up technique from Naihanshi Kata Movement.
(c)    Renshi Marcos Ramos (Teach step-in Front-Leg-Hook Kick w/follow-up hand(s))   

1245        -    1300    -       Cool down end of exam:
1300        -    1330    -       Awards Ceremony
1330        -                        Completion of Exam
1400        -                        Brotherhood Meal