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Presents options to fight

or flee. If you end up beside

your attacker you may want to

keep going out a door or into a

building. If you choose to fight,

you have as many options as

you can think of.

Being out of the line of

attack is good place to be espe-

cially if weapons are involved;

guns, knives, clubs, and so

forth.

(Continued on Page 3)

2016 Camp Sidekick!

Hosted by the AKA, Camp

Sidekick will be March 5th at

the Brentwood, TN YMCA. For

more info and to download

registration forms, visit us on

our FB page at Facebook.com/

AmericanKarateAcademy

The following represents a series of

input articles that have generously

been submitted by IKSA Instructors

to whom we are grateful.

Master Lisa Heitke

Always get out of the situation

as quickly as possible.

Never go with the attacker, they

will take you to a more remote

location.

Use your strongest weapons

against the weakest targets.

The strongest weapon depends

on the person and the situation.

It could be a hard technique,

could be soft, or it may not be

physical at all.

The weakest target also depends

on the person and the situa-

tion. In a self-defense situation,

the most vulnerable target that

you are presented with would

be your best target.

If you think of self-defense in

terms of yin and yang, your

technique would vary depending

on the attack. If someone at-

tacks you with a hard technique,

your strongest weapon might be

your speed and agility to coun-

ter it. If someone grabs you,

your strongest weapon might be

a hard strike to their knee or

nose or any easy painful target,

rather than grappling with them.

Other times your strongest

weapon might be to use your

mind to outsmart the attacker or to use awareness to avoid an

attack.

Master Melvin Stewart

Always know that RLSD in-

volves the primitive brain & not

the thinking / intellectual brain.

There is no time to think

about what if's, It's all about

basic training & muscle memory.

One will do what one has

trained on whether it's complex

or simplistic.

Master Roger Wessel

Always have a plan B in self-

defense situations. Different

body types, pain thresholds, skill

level, and the determination of

the attacker will determine the

most effective finishing tech-

nique.

Never expect your self-defense

techniques to be as smooth and

precise as in the dojo. I can tell

you from personal experience;

real life situations are ugly and

usually unexpected. What

works in the Dojo with your

training partner may not be very

effective against a determined

opponent…Be alert. Be pre-

pared.

As for my favorite technique, I

would say without hesitation is

the parry/sidestep. To simply

parry is not enough; the side

step must be part of the move-

ment. Too many times I see

techniques executed without

footwork. This is a bad habit

that will get you hurt.

Why the parry/sidestep?

It disrupts the attacker’s

line of attack by moving you out

of harm’s way.

Puts you in an advanta-

geous position for a counter.

IKSA Newsletter

IKSA Information

IKSA North Director:

Grandmaster Bernie Fritz

(608) 296-3783

IKSA South Director:

Grandmaster Danny Chapman (615) 794-4330

[email protected]

IKSA Europe Director: Grandmaster Kurt Ørum 011-458-663-9796 or

[email protected]

IKSA Director at Large: Grandmaster Doug Welsh (423) 255-0945 or

[email protected]

Administrative Director:

Master Lisa Heitke

Development Director:

Sensei Jason Chase

Senior Advisor:

Grandmaster Floyd Burk

Website: www.IKSA.com

IKSA Newsletter

Co-Editors:

Sensei Lenny Ramirez

[email protected]

Sensei Rob Bowman

[email protected]

IKSA Update is a publication of the

Independent Karate Schools of

America. We accept stories, edito-

rials, photographs, or artwork for future editions. Submissions can be

made to either of the two above

email addresses. If you are not the originator of the material, please be

certain you have the proper rights

prior to submission.

IKSA Update Independent Karate Schools of America

Spring 2016

Counsel of the Masters: Real

Life Self –Defense Techniques

Master Lisa Heitke

The student learns that martial arts is not an aggression and that reflects in

their generally non-aggressive atti-tude. They learn to keep their wits about them and be calm. The training

is several times a week and this com-fortable and familiar environment creates an attitude that rubs off over

time. If your son or daughter is in karate for 5 months, you will not see much of a difference in their behavior, but if they are in karate for 5 years

and you compare them to one of their peers at school who is not in a martial arts you will see pronounced

differences in their maturity and pres-ence. They will be more diplomatic and not as aggressive as some of their

peers. In martial arts it is generally taught that knowledge is as important as skill and that is reflected in their

school work. They want to learn and they enjoy learning at school and in

their martial arts training. The next thing that is influenced in

the teachings of martial arts is the behavior of the student. As stated

previously the teachings of martial arts is most commonly self-defense

and that learning is very important. The martial arts student will act differently than their peers. They

will act calm and non-aggressively towards others. They are generally kind and don’t try to start fights

with other students. They try to avoid confrontations that can lead to harm. A martial arts student will not try to be cool or fit in but they

will act like they like being who they are and they don’t want to fight or bully other peers. If it is

deemed necessary to bully a peer to fit in, a student will know they should never use their martial arts

for attack and will not. Younger martial arts students will not have this discipline and may be aggres-

sive towards others to show that they are “cool” or better than others but this will fade over time

as they devote more of their time and learning towards the martial arts and this, as they grow older,

The five animals of Shaolin kung fu

are an important concept for many

martial arts systems. These animals

are also sometimes compared to the

5 elements of nature concept. These

elements include wood-fire-earth-

metal-water. I believe that all things

have a natural connection and as

martial artists, we have the ability to

make that connection. Although the animals are presented for their

fighting ability, we cannot forget that

they also represent natural law. They

use techniques that have been pro-

vided them and we can modify those

to fit our style or needs.

Some things like speed, balance and

deception are actually part of the

same. The tiger is provided with

By GM Bernie Fritz

The five animals of Shaolin originated at the Shaolin Temple on China's

sacred Song Mountain during the Ming Dynasty in the mid 1300s. The five animals are the snake, crane, tiger,

leopard and dragon. These five ani-mals made a huge impact on the development of martial arts and still do today. This is because animals, like

nature, offer the same insights today as they did thousands of years ago. Grandmaster Bernie Fritz, who has

always been compassionate about kung fu's five animals, will be discuss-ing them in a five part series. Following

is part three. -Editors

three deadly weapons; claws

(front and back) as well as long,

deadly teeth. They can use all

three weapons at the same time.

We as martial artists, can pick and

choose what works for us. Na-

ture provides us with examples

based on natural law. Native

Americans studied natural law of combat in animals and used exam-

ples that work for them and the

IKSA provides us recognition for

our own creative ideas.

Let your spirit speak to you as

you train.

You are not different…you are

special.

-Grand Master Bernie Fritz Daily Martial Arts

The Five Animals

of Kung Fu

becomes more of a habit than thought process. These students will

commonly also be the more motivat-ed ones in the classroom if they are still in school. These students over

time have learned the value of school

and learning and come to like it. In conclusion, martial arts in daily life can be seen in a student’s attitude

towards learning and defensive and non-aggressive attitude and their calm behavior and their excitement

for learning.

Sensei Alee Winters is a 2nd Dan and

student of Master Burk’s.

Page 2 IKSA Newsletter

By Sensei Alee Winters Martial Arts date back hun-

dreds of years prevailing through many trials and rebel-lions that threatened to wipe

them out. For hundreds of years people of all ages have been taught and for hundreds of years people of all ages have

been influenced in their daily lives through the teachings of martial arts. Martial arts can be

seen in students’ everyday lives through their behavior and

attitude. One of the first things that is

influenced through the teach-ings of martial arts is a stu-dent’s attitude. Instructors like

to teach that the martial arts is for self-defense and not for attack or harm. This is empha-

sized in every class, verbally in some cases and silently in others. This thought process of self-defense gives the students

a calm and aware demeanor.

By Grandmaster Danny Chapman

There is an old saying that “you

only have one chance to make a

good first impression”. So when

you first meet a prospective stu-

dent/parent we want to make it a

positive first encounter. One of

the questions I have been asked is

how to introduce yourself. There

are various opinions on how the

best way is to word the initial

encounter. When introducing

Introductions

yourself to a potential adult stu-

dent or the parent of a child I

would recommend you NOT use

your martial arts title. But then

follow up by letting them know

the title you use in the dojo. For

example: Mrs. Doe comes in and

introduces herself and little John-

ny who is interested in taking

karate classes. An appropriate

response would be “Hello Mrs.

Doe I am John Smith, the instruc-

tor here. The students in the

school refer to me as Sensei

Smith. Hello Johnny, I am Sensei

Smith.” This lets Johnny know

what to call you. Mrs. Doe can

address you as she sees fit.

This response puts the adult

student/parent at ease but em-

phasizes the fact that formality

for the student is expected.

Theme for 2016!

Real Life Self-Defense Techniques

Page 3 Spring 2016

Sensei Jon Graves

Real Life Self-Defense Situations

Always use a straight punch because

the fastest way from point A to point

B is a straight line. (Although it may

not be a knockout strike, it’s enough

to make eyes water or stun the attack-

er to do a follow up attack) Never

turn your back to your attacker; you

never know what he/she might do or be carrying, if possible let him walk

away first.

Highlights!

Continued from page one

Master Jim Bonesho

Thumb to the soft part of the front of

the neck. To execute, make a fist with

your hand but do not bend your thumb.

Leave the thumb on top of your first

finger and point the thumb forward to

the soft lower part of the neck. This

technique may cause serious damage so

please only use in a must situation.

Knife hand strike to side of neck. It is a

very simple move but with this strike

always keep in mind that you may only

have once chance to execute it effective-

ly. Be sure to put all of your power into

the strike. This can cause much pain and

discomfort. Only use when your gut tells

you to.

Martial Arts Techniques

Reverse punch- the reverse punch

works for me because it is a quick

follow up after any block and can be

used as a defense to escape many

holds with enough power that could

break, fracture or bruise ribs or knock

the air out of someone if hit in the

solar plexus/stomach area.

Rear choke/sleeper- when applied it

can be used as an offensive or defen-

sive move, e.g. either putting someone

Participants from the Shotokan Dojo Tournament.

Congratulations to all!

We as instructors must rise to

challenges of Teaching & Train-

ing or we will fall prey to the

consequences.

You as students must rise to

the challenges of Training &

Learning or you will fall prey to

the consequences.

-Master Melvin Stewart

2016 IKSA National Training

Seminar

This year’s seminar will be hosted by

AKA and is scheduled for the last

weekend of Sept. The guest instruc-

tor will be Dr. Jerry Beasley. Dr.

Beasley was a student of GM Joe

Lewis.

Master Melvin Stewart

Sensei Jon Graves

IKSA Milestone Awards and

Black Belt Advancements

Milestone Awards will be presented

to instructors at the banquet who in

2016, celebrate their 25th, 30th (and

up) years of training in the martial

arts as well as Black Belt Advance-

ments.

Those who qualify should contact

Master Chapman at 5re-

[email protected] or 615.794.4330

before August 15th.

Master Roger Wessel

Master Jim Bonesho

If your IKSA charter is up for renewal in

2016 (expiration dates can be found on

the bottom of the charter), please send

in your renewal fees ASAP. Fees for

renewal are as follows:

Two Years—$110

Five Years—$175

Lifetime—$350 (never expires in spirit

or form)

Checks or money orders should be

made payable to IKSA

Renewals should be sent to :

IKSA International Command Center

1171 Lula Lane

Franklin, TN 37064

Remember that IKSA Charter fees are

the principal means of support for the

organization so do not delay.

Charter Renewal

IKSA Directors Grandmaster Chapman, Grandmaster Burk, Master Heitke, and Grandmaster Fritz

Any instructors who wish to

teach for the 2016 IKSA Seminar

please contact Master Chapman

with topic.

IKSA International Command Center 1171 Lula Lane Franklin, TN 37064

Independent Karate Schools of America

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