Benicia Shotokan Karate Academy

https://theconversation.com/the-right-way-to-breathe-during We continue to be fed by the wisdom of Nishiyama Sensei. I heard this story on the radio driving i...nto work this morning and had to Google it. Sensei always said breath through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Now there is research and science behind this concept that gives good health reasons for this. Check out this article. As we train I encourage you to breathe this way to enjoy the benefits of nitric oxide created in your nasal passages. It might ward off viruses that you might be exposed to. Karate, Breath, Eat, Repeat. Posted by Rick Llewelyn See more

If you and your kids are at home together during the lockdown and need some creative ways to get moving throughout the day, here are some great ideas for kids and adults alike! You could also do kata and technique practice on imaginary makiwara!

ISKA Members and Friends, The Covid-19 pandemic is unprecedented for our times. It has been a couple of weeks since April 1, 2020, that we have been under a 30... Day National guideline to Stay at Home to Slow the Spread and almost a month, since March 19, 2020, that the Governor of California issued a Shelter in Place Executive Order. There is evidence that these mitigating actions have started to flatten the curve of the number of cases and people who have perished as a result of this virus. We hope that you and your families are doing well under the current conditions. The experts suggest that we get more rest than normal during this period to strengthen your immune system. They also recommend regular exercise which can be difficult to achieve with gyms and dojos closed. Karate offers many opportunities for self-training, through the practice of kata and other basic drills. There are several YouTube videos that one can reference for Karate training ideas. Two days after the California Shelter in Place went into effect, the Shotokan Karate Academy, ISKA Hombu, started offering virtual classes via video teleconferencing technology. At least 2 other ISKA Dojos that I am aware of in California and New York are offering virtual classes for their members. The feedback has been very positive for these sessions. A silver lining in this pandemic is the finding that we can deliver classes virtually to reach our current students and possibly more potential karate practitioners, as we practice social distancing. So we urge you to continue your karate practice, even if on your own. I personally feel invigorated and recharged after every virtual session. Funakoshi Sensei said Karate is like boiling water. If you do not heat it constantly, it will cool. So please find a way to include your Karate training in your activities during this period. And if you have others in your household or close friends who are not Karate practitioners, encourage them to find some other physical activity to achieve the benefits that you enjoy through your Karate training. I recommend that you find something positive in your daily life that you are thankful for, especially during this period. Top of the list of things that I am thankful for is the virtual training sessions, not only for the physical exertion, but it is a pleasure to see the faces of our Dojo members, who I am used to seeing regularly. Keep the faith. We will get through this together. Go out (well stay in) and conquer the world through positive thoughts. Stay Safe! Osu Rick Llewelyn

Please help support local businesses during this time! Lots of good stuff!

Due to the global Covid-19 outbreak and the local shelter-in-place orders, the Benicia Shotokan Karate Academy will be closed thru May 7th. *updated* We are exploring providing online videos and some short virtual sessions for you to continue practicing while the dojo classes are suspended. It is important that we continue to practice as much as we can even while on our own and we plan to share ideas on how to do so. Please stay tuned. Please continue diligently washing your ...hands and practice social distancing when you have to go out for essential activities and let's all help #flattenthecurve. We hope to resume classes as soon as it is safe to do so. Sincerely, Rick Llewelyn Benicia Shotokan Karate Academy

I’d like to thank everyone who participated in our Kata Review session yesterday. We had great participation from all. I’m looking forward to our second session on Saturday 1/25/2020. Osu!