KARATEDO HONMA DOJO

We are updating our class schedule!  In addition to our current classes, beginning Monday August 31st, we will offer new classes for children, adults and seniors.

For adults we are adding classes dedicated to fundamentals, kata, conditioning and flexibility training.

For children, we are adding a class dedicated to the younger set (3 - 4 years old) and also a conditioning class for the older kids.

For seniors, we are offering two classes per week which will focus on exercises derived from karate.

Please see our new here:  Schedule 2009

I’m not a morning person.  At 3:30AM the buzzer rang and quite frankly, I was growling obscenities in my head.  But, I put my brave face on and by 5AM we were at the dojo.  Around 6AM we arrived at Jones Beach.

Despite my adversity to the wee hours of the day, even I must admit that there is something very special about sunrise.  The weatherman had reported rain, but our luck held fast and the sun edged its way around the pink dawn clouds.

Sensei kicked around some sand on the beach and showed everyone how to make a seiza bench.  As Sensei and the students sat in meditation, I was thinking “donuts…  donuts…  must save the donuts from the seagulls.”  Not a part of the training myself, I could allow my thoughts to wander toward hunger.

The training went very well.  I cannot help but smile when I think of the nervous faces of the students as Sensei leads them in punches toward the water. Are they thinking, “how far out are we going? when is he going to turn around?”  Yet, they carry on.  Brave souls.  Lucky the water was so warm from the rain.

By the end of training, everyone was good and filthy with sand in their hair and salt stains on their gi.  Pangs of jealousy.  I would have liked very much to have been sliding my zenkutsu dachi along the sand with everyone else.  Alas, maybe next year.

All in all it was a great morning.  The rain held off.  With strong determination of spirit, Umid showed up just in time for the donuts.  And we all narrowly avoided arrest for swimming before the lifeguards were on duty.  I guess it’s not a party until you receive a strongly worded warning from a NYC Parks & Recreation officer who hasn’t had his morning coffee yet.

The blindfolded watermelon break resulted in a broken sword (Justin doesn’t know his own strength!) and a bruised bag (sorry, Takeshi!), but amazingly no sand in the fruit!

I would be seriously remiss not to thank all of the drivers who graciously gave their time and service to helping their fellow students get to the beach and safely home again.  Thank you also to everyone for putting together a delicious post-training breakfast (hooray! donuts!).

Next year, we aim to be on the beach BEFORE sunrise!  OSU!

On May 8th, my friend Sensei Hiro Iwata hosted a special training session at his dojo and I went to support.  Six different dojos from NY, CT and NJ attended.  Kumite (sparring) lasted more than 1 hour!  Sparring with karateka from other dojo is always challenging yet meaningful.  Thanks to Sensei Iwata for a great workout.  Osu

On May 2nd, we had an adult promotion test.  Amit Chhabra, Davy Diongson, Justin Klien, Han Park and Umid Adilov took the test.  Everyone did their best and passed.  Congratulations to those students and stay strong in your training!

On March 29th, at Kyokushin Masuda Dojo in Tokyo I conducted a seminar with my old friend Dr. Iku Koyama.  14 people participated and we practiced some basic throwing, sweeping and joint technique.  Even students with experience were eager to learn from me with open mind.  I would like to say thank you to Dr. Koyama and all the participants.  Osu! 

For a traditional Karate dojo, beginning each new year with strong spirit and renewed determination is important for our training.  When the students entered the dojo, the floor was cold as ice.  As soon as we began our training, everyone’s strong energy made us forget our frozen feet.  This year our Kagami Biraki has renewed my energy and humbled me. 

We are thankful to Sensei Miguel and his students from Shurenkan, Sensei Sato and his students from Shinkyokushinkai, Sensei Iwata and his students from Iwata Dojo, and Sensei Chris and his students from Gojuryu not only for participating, but also for building this wonderful karate community.

All the students brought their A-game to the 2008 KHD Bowling Tournament, but only one walked away with the grand prize.  First place goes to Michelle McCabe!!  Second place goes to Cisco Robles and Yutaro Tsujimoto rounds out our winners by taking third place.  

Special thanks to Michelle and Tada for organizing this successful event.  Our deepest gratitude goes to Hideo and Ushiwakamaru Restaurant for hosting our after party and feeding us the most amazing sushi!  Mmmm….sushi.  

We all had a great time. Thanks to Santa for fitting us into his busy holiday schedule.  Special thanks to all the parents who helped make the party such a blast!

Our 1st Annual Karatedo Honma Dojo Kids Picnic was a great success! The weather was hot and humid, but we endured.  Training outdoors is very unusual, but the students did a wonderful job.  Thanks to all the parents and children who brought so many good things to eat and share.

We look forward to having this event again next year!

1st Annual KHD Picnic in the Park

Welcome to the new Honma Dojo Blog! We will be updating the blog regularly with news, events pictures and more. We invite students, friends and family to stop by and leave comments!