Editor's Note: Prior to the 30th anniversary celebration that we had, I asked people to submit to me their thoughts about the school to share with the headmasters. I have gathered these essays and will be adding them to this blog as "IKS Thoughts" over the next several months. Today's submission was made by IKS Black Belt Erica Giovinazzo.
Significant life experiences. We all have them. Those experiences that shape our lives – move us down one path or another. It may not be easy for someone to identify these moments while they are happening, but we all can identify them “when we’re older.” That phrase that we all hear at various points in our childhood and adolescence. We will understand things when we are older. We will appreciate things when we are older. For many things, that is true. My life growing up at the Independent Karate School, however, was an anomaly. It was one of those rare experiences that I realized was significant sooner rather than later. In fact, I remember around the time it happened. I was in high school, and I realized that the IKS, the way of the martial arts, the teachings I was receiving… this was my life. I understood during this time that what I was engaging in was far more significant than just being yet another one of my numerous extra-curricular activities.
Through the patience and kindness of my teachers at the IKS, I came in to the school a shy, young girl and was molded into the outgoing woman I am today. Why did I never smoke? Because my teachers taught me that it was not the right, healthy, or “cool” thing to do. I was respectful and kind to my parents and teachers at school because my teachers taught me why it was important. I gained confidence in teaching because my teachers had faith in me, and guided me to find my “own voice.” I learned how to push myself far beyond the limits of what I deemed possible because Shihan Kittredge believed in me, and brought me to my highest potential. I became efficient and have tried to take challenges with ease because Shihan Nastasia was, to me, a living example of this. I walked away from a potential fight in middle school because I distinctly remembered O-Sensei telling us “fighting was stupid.” I am self-driven because Sensei Pete taught me that it was “better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” The list of lessons learned and qualities gained is endless.
When I was in high school and college and quite dedicated to what I was learning from Sensei Pete, O-Sensei, and Shihan Nastasia, Shihan Kittredge, and others, I would often write essays about how the teachers at the Independent Karate School had shaped my behavior. I knew that I was confident, passionate, focused, driven, and almost fearless because of what I was taught and how I practiced at the IKS. However, that is really only half of the story. Certainly all of these qualities about myself were ascertained through my upbringing at the IKS. However, it goes deeper than that. Because qualities can change in a person. Someone can lose her confidence, focus, and drive. In fact, I have become comfortable enough with myself to say that at some point in the last ten years I have momentarily lost each one of those qualities. What my teachers gave me in addition to these characteristics were abilities I didn’t truly realize until many years later: to always be true to yourself even if it might mean disappointment, to have compassion and empathy even in madness (in my case, the madness of New York City), and to persevere even after life has knocked you down. This all may sound melodramatic, but it’s the truth. Without the strong, deep, and somewhat hidden foundation that was laid within me by the IKS, I would not be able to deal with the tribulations of life as I am able to. And “now that I am older” I understand this better. I am grateful for the confidence, drive, and passion that the IKS has given me. I am also grateful for them being a constant anchor in my life, and for creating strength deeper than I knew or even expected.
2009 marks not only a 30-year anniversary for the Independent Karate School, but also a 20-year anniversary for me as part of its family. I began practicing at the IKS on February 14, 1989, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. And although I’m too far away to regularly practice or teach at the IKS, I know that I still have a family at my home on Lake Street. One that I think about regularly, and teachers to whom I feel forever indebted for having made such an impact on the person that I have become.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Holiday Party
Our school has a tradition of hosting a holiday party for our students every year in December. The party involves food and games. For the past few years, I've had the honor of being the "Gamesmaster", and just wanted to take a few moments to let people know how we usually do things at the party.
We usually start off taking a quick poll of how old the students at the party are... this will allow us to get a reasonable break up based on age. Most games are split into two different age groups.
We've had a number of games that we've done over the years. We do some every year (like "Simon Says"), others happen much less frequently (like "Stand off"). But I think that they're all fun. These are the same games that I played at the holiday parties when I started at the dojo back in 1984. Black belts attending the party act as judges, and prizes are awarded.
We usually start off with a race, where students need to run across the dojo, pick up a 'moon rock' and carry it underneath their chin back to the starting point. At some point we usually have some version of a game that involves throwing moon rocks at the black belts. And every year, we finish the party off with Simon Says.
We do have snacks in the dojo... if anyone is inclined to bring baked goods, please do so. (There's usually a sign up sheet either in the office or on one of the school bulletin boards)
It really is a fun time for our dojo family. This year it will be happening on Saturday Dec. 19th starting at 10am.
We usually start off taking a quick poll of how old the students at the party are... this will allow us to get a reasonable break up based on age. Most games are split into two different age groups.
We've had a number of games that we've done over the years. We do some every year (like "Simon Says"), others happen much less frequently (like "Stand off"). But I think that they're all fun. These are the same games that I played at the holiday parties when I started at the dojo back in 1984. Black belts attending the party act as judges, and prizes are awarded.
We usually start off with a race, where students need to run across the dojo, pick up a 'moon rock' and carry it underneath their chin back to the starting point. At some point we usually have some version of a game that involves throwing moon rocks at the black belts. And every year, we finish the party off with Simon Says.
We do have snacks in the dojo... if anyone is inclined to bring baked goods, please do so. (There's usually a sign up sheet either in the office or on one of the school bulletin boards)
It really is a fun time for our dojo family. This year it will be happening on Saturday Dec. 19th starting at 10am.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
IKS Thoughts: Rich Mohrmann
Editor's Note: Prior to the 30th anniversary celebration that we had, I asked people to submit to me their thoughts about the school to share with the headmasters. I have gathered these essays and will be adding them to this blog as "IKS Thoughts" over the next several months. Today's submission was made by IKS Black Belt Rich Mohrmann.
When asked what the IKS means to me, the answer is both simple and complex. The IKS is a home away from home, a second family, a place of learning, and of fitness. That simple answer does not do it justice. Those are all true about the IKS but it is much more than that. I have no doubt that the IKS played a crucial role in helping make me into the man I am today.
When I first joined the IKS, I had no idea what I was getting into. I was there as a seven year old ready to learn karate and eager to be just like the ninja turtles that I had seen on television. As I went through the ranks over the years, I didn’t realize how much I was learning. The stances, katas, combinations, and kenpos are excellent training tools for being able to defend myself but at the IKS, the actual karate techniques are nothing but a tool for learning what the martial arts is truly about.
As I matured in the art, I was given the opportunity to test for my black belt. Although this day was over twelve years ago, I will forever remember the words spoken to me by Hanshi Nastasia. “You’re going to look like a Black Belt, talk like a Black Belt, and act like a Black Belt,” he said. It was setting the standard of maturity that was expected. We learned that Black Belt was not the goal of a martial artist. It was the beginning of where you really began to learn what the art was about.
The Martial Arts is not about who can do the widest split, or kick the highest, or break the most concrete blocks. It’s about being a person that is a benefit to the society we live in. In my near twenty-one years in the martial arts, I’ve never had to defend myself but I have on multiple occasions used the real world skills that the IKS has helped build in me. I’m fortunate enough to have had two wonderful parents who raised me well and the IKS took what I learned from them and built upon it. Concepts such as respect, dignity, honor, and hard work are what the IKS is built on. The headmasters of the school all embody it and live it in their personal lives. They act as role models to their students.
Even in my late twenties, the headmasters are individuals that I can speak with about decisions and challenges in the real world and they are always happy and willing to offer sound advice about making the best decision. An upbringing of this has found me sitting across the table from younger individuals giving them similar advice that I never could have imagined myself speaking to.
The headmasters at the IKS always want to work with parents to help guide their children. They will act in coordination with parents to help a child learn right from wrong and how to be a better person and will always yield to the parents’ rule. The IKS helps a child not only grow into a good person but a successful person. A lot of the skills I learned at the IKS I use today in the modern business world such as public speaking. I vividly recall Hanshi Nastasia having my take over a class and then sit in the back coaching me from where no students could see him. They also teach the children that college is required to be successful in this world and have developed a scholarship that grows almost every year.
I know when the day comes that I have children; I will absolutely want the IKS to be a part of their lives. The IKS helped me to become the man I am today. Having seen other karate schools, there is truly no other like the IKS. They will take a child and not only teach them to defend themselves, but teach them how to be a benefit to the community. They’ll give you the skills you need to be successful in life and in a professional career. The IKS has been an excellent influence in my life and continues to do so. Anyone who walks through those doors and takes to heart what they learn there will be all the better off for it.
My sincere thanks go to Hanshi Victor Nastasia, O’Sensi Louis Desmaris, and Sensi Pete Desmaris. You have all helped me to be who I am today. Thank you.
When asked what the IKS means to me, the answer is both simple and complex. The IKS is a home away from home, a second family, a place of learning, and of fitness. That simple answer does not do it justice. Those are all true about the IKS but it is much more than that. I have no doubt that the IKS played a crucial role in helping make me into the man I am today.
When I first joined the IKS, I had no idea what I was getting into. I was there as a seven year old ready to learn karate and eager to be just like the ninja turtles that I had seen on television. As I went through the ranks over the years, I didn’t realize how much I was learning. The stances, katas, combinations, and kenpos are excellent training tools for being able to defend myself but at the IKS, the actual karate techniques are nothing but a tool for learning what the martial arts is truly about.
As I matured in the art, I was given the opportunity to test for my black belt. Although this day was over twelve years ago, I will forever remember the words spoken to me by Hanshi Nastasia. “You’re going to look like a Black Belt, talk like a Black Belt, and act like a Black Belt,” he said. It was setting the standard of maturity that was expected. We learned that Black Belt was not the goal of a martial artist. It was the beginning of where you really began to learn what the art was about.
The Martial Arts is not about who can do the widest split, or kick the highest, or break the most concrete blocks. It’s about being a person that is a benefit to the society we live in. In my near twenty-one years in the martial arts, I’ve never had to defend myself but I have on multiple occasions used the real world skills that the IKS has helped build in me. I’m fortunate enough to have had two wonderful parents who raised me well and the IKS took what I learned from them and built upon it. Concepts such as respect, dignity, honor, and hard work are what the IKS is built on. The headmasters of the school all embody it and live it in their personal lives. They act as role models to their students.
Even in my late twenties, the headmasters are individuals that I can speak with about decisions and challenges in the real world and they are always happy and willing to offer sound advice about making the best decision. An upbringing of this has found me sitting across the table from younger individuals giving them similar advice that I never could have imagined myself speaking to.
The headmasters at the IKS always want to work with parents to help guide their children. They will act in coordination with parents to help a child learn right from wrong and how to be a better person and will always yield to the parents’ rule. The IKS helps a child not only grow into a good person but a successful person. A lot of the skills I learned at the IKS I use today in the modern business world such as public speaking. I vividly recall Hanshi Nastasia having my take over a class and then sit in the back coaching me from where no students could see him. They also teach the children that college is required to be successful in this world and have developed a scholarship that grows almost every year.
I know when the day comes that I have children; I will absolutely want the IKS to be a part of their lives. The IKS helped me to become the man I am today. Having seen other karate schools, there is truly no other like the IKS. They will take a child and not only teach them to defend themselves, but teach them how to be a benefit to the community. They’ll give you the skills you need to be successful in life and in a professional career. The IKS has been an excellent influence in my life and continues to do so. Anyone who walks through those doors and takes to heart what they learn there will be all the better off for it.
My sincere thanks go to Hanshi Victor Nastasia, O’Sensi Louis Desmaris, and Sensi Pete Desmaris. You have all helped me to be who I am today. Thank you.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Promoting the School
A special thanks goes out to everyone that attended our 30th Anniversary celebration in November. It was very well received and wonderful to see many familiar faces. Hopefully we will be able to continue our instruction of NH kids and adults well past our 50th anniversary!
Don't forget that to help us get there, everyone has the ability to help! There are so many ways to do it:
~Jeff
Don't forget that to help us get there, everyone has the ability to help! There are so many ways to do it:
- Spread the word to your families and friends about the school, its classes, its values and what it has done for you in the past and present
- Read up on the articles available at the website and share them with others.
- Come back to take a class (mostly for the alumni :-D ). There were definitely multiple mentions at the 30th regarding desires to get back into the school and how much you miss it
- Be on the lookout for public demonstrations on our media outets, help us document them (pictures, news articles, etc) and help us spread the knowledge of them. We're always open to new opportunities for demos as well.
- Find out what you can do to help out the scholarship (I will make a separate post about this one)
~Jeff
Sunday, December 6, 2009
IKS Thoughts: David DiGregorio
Editor's Note: Prior to the 30th anniversary celebration that we had, I asked people to submit to me their thoughts about the school to share with the headmasters. I have gathered these essays and will be adding them to this blog as "IKS Thoughts" over the next several months. Today's submission was made by IKS Black Belt David DiGregorio.
Hello my name is David to those who are reading this. The Independent Karate School (IKS) has meant so much to me ever since I first started over sixteen years ago. From the time I first started at 12 years old it has given me great opportunities and a place that gives so much back to every individual, community and to future generations from values, teachings, memories, traditions and more.
Ever since I first started, my passion has increased from a level of dreams and imagination to a level of actual doing and using other many influences. My creativity has also risen from mature child drawings to writing novels, comic-books and more. Then of course the school gave me a place to get away from the everyday life, stress, responsibilities and other various everyday surprises, problems and issues.
Not only has the school done this for me, but being a place that gives so much back has much more meaning. The many meaningful times consist of many lessons of moral values, teachings and gaining many memories over the years as a student and as a teacher. The one memory that sticks out at the moment is the times Sensei Pete would tell stories with important morals to learn. One such story that popped in my mind now is the story about how to catch a monkey. I recently told this story one Tuesday class. Then either that Saturday or the following one of the highest ranking instructors asked the students if they heard the story from Sensei Pete. Some students said they did while one said they heard it from someone else, meaning myself. The reply surprised me at first but then moved me emotionally. It takes a student that has great dedication and passion not only to remember the stories and material but knowing the time and/or instructor who instructed the material, values, stories and or information. That is why whenever I take a vacation or go to any special events like weddings, graduations and such, I hate to leave.
My parents know how much the martial arts means to me. I remember the times when my mother would hate to pry into my karate life to ask me to go to events. Just recently she asked me to help out at a charity event. However I had given my availability to help out at the annual Rib-Festival, but then I changed my availability for my mother’s personal request. Even though it is hard for me to let karate go, even if it is for a few hours I find it much harder when the family leaves for a day or more. That is why I would sometime feel and think a student would ask while I am gone, “Where is Mr. D.?” or something to that nature, because of the impact and connections I have already made with them.
For these reasons karate is a part of my life. Wherever I am and wherever I go, I find it most joyous when I enter the school after I return. If you leave here with anything or not then remember two quotes, “Life is a journey and not a destination,” and “If you work hard enough and want it bad enough dreams do come true.” My best wishes are with you all. Thank you for your time and patience.
Hello my name is David to those who are reading this. The Independent Karate School (IKS) has meant so much to me ever since I first started over sixteen years ago. From the time I first started at 12 years old it has given me great opportunities and a place that gives so much back to every individual, community and to future generations from values, teachings, memories, traditions and more.
Ever since I first started, my passion has increased from a level of dreams and imagination to a level of actual doing and using other many influences. My creativity has also risen from mature child drawings to writing novels, comic-books and more. Then of course the school gave me a place to get away from the everyday life, stress, responsibilities and other various everyday surprises, problems and issues.
Not only has the school done this for me, but being a place that gives so much back has much more meaning. The many meaningful times consist of many lessons of moral values, teachings and gaining many memories over the years as a student and as a teacher. The one memory that sticks out at the moment is the times Sensei Pete would tell stories with important morals to learn. One such story that popped in my mind now is the story about how to catch a monkey. I recently told this story one Tuesday class. Then either that Saturday or the following one of the highest ranking instructors asked the students if they heard the story from Sensei Pete. Some students said they did while one said they heard it from someone else, meaning myself. The reply surprised me at first but then moved me emotionally. It takes a student that has great dedication and passion not only to remember the stories and material but knowing the time and/or instructor who instructed the material, values, stories and or information. That is why whenever I take a vacation or go to any special events like weddings, graduations and such, I hate to leave.
My parents know how much the martial arts means to me. I remember the times when my mother would hate to pry into my karate life to ask me to go to events. Just recently she asked me to help out at a charity event. However I had given my availability to help out at the annual Rib-Festival, but then I changed my availability for my mother’s personal request. Even though it is hard for me to let karate go, even if it is for a few hours I find it much harder when the family leaves for a day or more. That is why I would sometime feel and think a student would ask while I am gone, “Where is Mr. D.?” or something to that nature, because of the impact and connections I have already made with them.
For these reasons karate is a part of my life. Wherever I am and wherever I go, I find it most joyous when I enter the school after I return. If you leave here with anything or not then remember two quotes, “Life is a journey and not a destination,” and “If you work hard enough and want it bad enough dreams do come true.” My best wishes are with you all. Thank you for your time and patience.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Photo: Angela Recieves Scholarship
Angela Freeman was the 2009 recipient of the Craig Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
IKS Thoughts: Shaun Sullivan
Editor's Note: Prior to the 30th anniversary celebration that we had, I asked people to submit to me their thoughts about the school to share with the headmasters. I have gathered these essays and will be adding them to this blog as "IKS Thoughts" over the next several months. Today's submission was made by IKS Black Belt Shaun Sullivan.
I wracked my heart and brain to try and write you some stories to explain my love for the IKS. I tried to think of all the many great things I have learned from you all and then explain them, and I tried to incorporate all of the wonderful people I have met and practiced with throughout the years and even the people I haven't met. But I failed. I can't do it. I cannot talk that much about it, I am just not that good with words. For that I am sorry.
But I feel I have a very important message for you. This message is mostly for the headmasters of the IKS, but there are countless amazing people involved in different ways that also are included in this. The people are many and the acts are endless, and both are priceless.
If you are reading this, have ever been proud of the IKS, ever been proud of a certain student, or even possibly me, than you must turn that back around and be proud of yourself more so. Now I know you are a humble and modest bunch, but you do not have a choice in this matter. I feel you must pat yourself on the back this one time because whatever it is you have felt proud about, you had a great part in that. You were a necessary piece to the puzzle. So you may look back and think of others' successes and feel them yourself as well. And when you step into the dojo tomorrow, I hope you remember to sit back and look for a moment at the wonderful gifts you give to others. You have done a great job teaching me to be modest and humble, so I felt this was important to convey to you because I know you'll never do it yourself. Be proud of yourselves, it is okay, you deserve it more than you know. I'll see you soon for class.
Thank you in its truest form.
Sincerely,
Shaun Sullivan
I wracked my heart and brain to try and write you some stories to explain my love for the IKS. I tried to think of all the many great things I have learned from you all and then explain them, and I tried to incorporate all of the wonderful people I have met and practiced with throughout the years and even the people I haven't met. But I failed. I can't do it. I cannot talk that much about it, I am just not that good with words. For that I am sorry.
But I feel I have a very important message for you. This message is mostly for the headmasters of the IKS, but there are countless amazing people involved in different ways that also are included in this. The people are many and the acts are endless, and both are priceless.
If you are reading this, have ever been proud of the IKS, ever been proud of a certain student, or even possibly me, than you must turn that back around and be proud of yourself more so. Now I know you are a humble and modest bunch, but you do not have a choice in this matter. I feel you must pat yourself on the back this one time because whatever it is you have felt proud about, you had a great part in that. You were a necessary piece to the puzzle. So you may look back and think of others' successes and feel them yourself as well. And when you step into the dojo tomorrow, I hope you remember to sit back and look for a moment at the wonderful gifts you give to others. You have done a great job teaching me to be modest and humble, so I felt this was important to convey to you because I know you'll never do it yourself. Be proud of yourselves, it is okay, you deserve it more than you know. I'll see you soon for class.
Thank you in its truest form.
Sincerely,
Shaun Sullivan
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Welcome to the IKS Blog
Greetings and welcome to the IKS blog!
We created this blog as a forum for some of the senior members of the IKS community to express their thoughts through an online forum. We hope that this is a useful tool for all of our students. We will be adding much more content in the coming months.
We created this blog as a forum for some of the senior members of the IKS community to express their thoughts through an online forum. We hope that this is a useful tool for all of our students. We will be adding much more content in the coming months.
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