Saturday, January 4^th, was the date of our annual Kagami Biraki (first training of the new year). For some it was their first experience and proved to be a bit of an eye opener. Others can try to explain it to you however, until you go through it yourself, you can not truly understand.

    We had a good mix of senior students and a few beginners. The training is as much mental as it is physical. When the body begins to ache and wants to quit, it is the mind that pushes you through. This is how you forge an indomitable spirit. That never give up attitude. It is also very helpful when you embark on this type of training with others. You tend to be stronger as a group and encourage each other to keep going. This type of training is much more difficult and requires extreme mental toughness to complete by your self.

    Blocks, punches, kicks. Again. Again. 10 more. 100 more. Sai kihon waza. Tonfa kihon waza. All the karate kihons. Every Chito-ryu kata. And then, three hours later, it is completed. A sense of relief comes over you. You have survived. You are tired but you are filled with a great sense of accomplishment. You did it, you have succeeded.

    This training has now set the tone for your continued training throughout the upcoming year. Each student has in fact “humbled himself to his training”, and made a pledge to themselves to continue along the path of Chito-ryu Karate-Do, and strive to be better every day.

    I am proud of you and the commitment you have made. For my part, I will continue to do all that I can to guide you along the way. Together, who knows how far we can go or to what heights we might reach. One thing is for certain; we will have become better, healthier, people for having travelled this road.

    I wish you all Peace, health and happiness for the New Year.

Milton Bourque

Chief Instructor- Mukashi School of Karate