Today I celebrate 51 years as a martial arts student! Oct - TopicsExpress



          

Today I celebrate 51 years as a martial arts student! Oct 12,1963, Columbus Day Holiday! Back in the day, when holidays were observed and celebrated on the actual day they occurred ”On”, not on the Monday’s of the weekday they fall on, like we celebrate holidays these days. I remember having a “SEE” moment. Yes! A “Significant Emotional Experience”, that would change the rest of my life! It was Oct 12,1963, the Columbus Day holiday. My childhood friend (Joseph Diaz) had ask me to accompany him to a dojo were he was taking martial arts classes. He wanted me to check it out and was trying to get me interested so I would join his school. I accompanied my friend and watched a class. After the class, I was invited onto the mat and allowed to participate in what we would call an intro class and I was hooked, what a wonderful discovery befitting the Columbus Day holiday. Today I celebrate 51 wonderful years of martial arts training and being a Martial Arts student! I live a very “Balanced Life”! I have learned that the art of living life is the greatest art of all. Martial Art’s have been a major part of my life and a great companion for more than a half century. My martial arts journey has been challenging and grueling, but the rewards and benefits have been very gratifying. A part of me I would not change for one second and/or a million dollars. I have witness many changes in the martial arts over the years, an evolution, many developments! As I reflect back in time allow me to share one observation. My view of how martial arts have altered with time and the evolution I have participated in and observe. In 1963 there was no KATO (Bruce Lee), had not arrived in the states yet. Nor was there a TV series call Kung Fu, no sparring gear, open Karate tournaments were few, no Little Ninjas, no Mc Dojos and no children’s curriculum! Most of us stated martial arts for one reason and that was to learn SELF DEFENSE! The techniques of those days had to work. The south Bronx, in New York City, at least the area I lived in was a ghetto in the 1960’s. It was a deprived, poverty-stricken place full of intimidation and peril. Many things were different; like intercity gang, Bra burning, free love, and war against the establishment by Hippies and flower children, the draft was on and the Vietnam War was in full swing. There was no affirmative action and racial discrimination was being practice openly. To me it seem that everyone was in conflict and all were at odds. I need to be able to protect myself.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 04:03:37 +0000

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