Introduction: How to use this book

First, there is no right or wrong way to use this book. It is not like homework that has to be done by tomorrow. You can go as fast or a slow as you want and read it in any order you want too; it is totally up to you. Here are a few ideas of ways to use this book that you might like. Like I said, this is all about you and how you want to do it:


• Read the whole book as you please; relax and enjoy it. After you have read it leave it next to your bed, or put it in your back pack and just read a few pages when you want to refresh your memory.

• Read the whole book and then go back and read one chapter and do what that chapter says until you have it. That could be a day, a week, or a month, whatever it takes because you control the speed.

• If some of the ideas are hard to understand, talk with your parents and have them explain what it means. Moms and Dads are always happy to help you get better and succeed.

• Write in your book! Yes, it is yours and it is about learning so if you want you can highlight parts you like, or write in it with a pen or pencil, draw pictures, whatever helps you remember and learn.

• Finally, enjoy the book, relax, and don’t hurry.



The School (Your School is a Special Place)

A friend of mine used to leave trash wherever it lay in his apartment, why he once walked past a pop can on the floor of his apartment for three weeks before his room mate finally picked it up! You know what his karate uniform was dirty too. He didn’t take care of the place he lived, he didn’t take care of his karate uniform and you can sure bet he didn’t take care of the dojo either, in fact he would often watch other clean and prepare the floor for training. He simply didn’t take pride in his own life and it carried over to the dojo. His behavior was poor in his personal life and it showed in the dojo


It doesn’t make any difference if your martial arts school is called a dojo, a kwon, or a studio, it is all the same. It is a special place that needs to be treated that way. If you go to church, synagogue, temple, or some other place of worship you try to be on your best behavior. A martial arts school is not like religion or a church, but it does require you to act your best. This means showing respect to your instructor and to the other students, being a good listener and following directions well. It means following the rules of the dojo such as bowing before you walk on to the dojo floor or putting your shoes in a certain place. It also means thinking of your school’s reputation when you’re out in public because you want your behavior to reflect well on the dojo. When you act your best you learn better and people also treat you better. So best behavior! Always be on your best behavior.



Your Parents

I was pretty lucky that my parents explained to me at a pretty young age that they where my parents and they where going to do the best for me and sometimes that meant that I didn’t get to do what I wanted to do, but it also meant a lot of good things. My parents went out of their way give me, and I do mean give, because I didn’t earn it, a really good life as a kid. They took me to a Worlds Fair and taught me things that most kids didn’t know how to do. I knew how to throw a pot (that means make a clay pottery bowl) on a potters wheel, and use power tools at a young age. We road motorcycles, hunted, fished and I was able to drive a truck on the farm by the time I was twelve. Other kids did different things because every parent has a different set of gifts that they offer to their children in your case you are pretty lucky to have parents that will let you take martial arts. It takes a lot of time, effort and money on the part of your parents for you to do what you do. You can’t drive yourself, so they drive you; you probably can’t even pay for the gas to put in the car or van. Your parents also make sure your uniform is clean and your school dues are paid on time. If you participate in tournaments or demonstrations, they take time off to attend them with you and make sure your permission slips are filled out properly. I mean, really, they could be doing something else, couldn’t they? So the next time you feel like complaining or ducking out of class, remember that your parents have already set aside the time, paid the money, and made every effort to help you succeed. You owe them your best effort in return; it’s only fair.