B eing from the city, I’m very familiar with a game called

kick the can. Kids can find an entire afternoon of fun

and entertainment with simple trash items. However,

those enterprising young kids are building skills that will help

them in many sports and activities as they get older. They are

also building loyal friendships that will last a lifetime. Put the

two together and they are developing a fierce team spirit that

can rival none. Playing sports is an integral part of developing

loyalty among groups of people. That is why many professions,

where one’s life may depend on another, play team sports. No

matter what amateur sport you are watching, you can usually

find a team of fire fighters, police or military troops fiercely

competing. They care for one another, but also the members of

their communities.

Not everyone can

join these elite heroes,

but there is a uniform

that just about anyone

can wear and find that

same fierce loyalty,

friendship and

community spirit; the

local Red Dragon

martial arts studio. In

fact, many fire fighters,

cops and military

personnel are also

martial artists here.

Most Red Dragon

schools are like small

family communities for

their members. We care about our students’ grades, health and

families, along with their skill progression. We want our stu-

dents to do well in all areas of their lives, not just in their

martial arts training.

Something About the Uniform

Continued on page 2

Quotes to Ponder

To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love, are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind. — William Hazlitt Heroes are people who rise to the occasion and slip quietly away. — Tom Brokaw When you arrive at your future, will you blame your past? — Robert Half It is often wonderful how putting down on paper a clear statement of a case helps one to see, not perhaps the way out, but the way in. — A. C. Benson The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong is to let him have his own way. Josh Billings Polite words open iron gates. — Serbo-Croatian Proverb Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others. — Danny Thomas

ISSUE 5 VOLUME 7 APRIL 2018

Why We CompeteWhy We Compete * Competition creates urgency to per-

fect techniques in a student’s move-

ments

* Students gain confidence by trying

something they are afraid of doing

* Competitors feel part of a team as

they compete to make our studio #1

Students gain the confidence to

perform in front of others

* Competition is an excellent learning

tool

* Competition inspires excellence,

giving each student a chance to shine

Every 8-10 weeks, students of The

Red Dragon Karate studios, participate

in tournament competitions. These

daylong events present an excellent

opportunity for martial artists young

and old to show off their abilities in a

safe and controlled environment. As

Americans, we all know the value of

competition; in the martial arts,

competition serves a wide variety of

purposes. The exciting sport setting is

great for developing confidence and a

winning attitude. Tournaments are like

the big game; the team practices hard

for weeks, now here is their chance to

see how good they’ve become by

trying their skills out against the other

team. Tournaments are also a great

time to come out and support the team,

either by participating or simply by

cheering in the stands. In short,

competing at tournaments is great for

boosting self-esteem! Whether the

competitor wins a trophy or not, they

are all winners because they went to

the tournament and tried their hardest.

Continued on page 3

These men, women and kids aren’t insular either. They

know that their community has needs that are not being met,

so they try to help. Some get kickin’. Not by playing inner-city

kick the can, but by collecting pledges for a set number of

kicks in a certain amount of time, or through fund raiser cards.

The funds are then donated to local charities or even one

person in need. If these martial artists aren’t kicking, they’re

breaking. Not bones, but boards with the same purpose; to

raise funds and develop community spirit. Martial arts studios

are businesses, so they don’t have to do this. Red Dragon does

this because we lead by example; we believe so strongly in

what we do, we want to share it with everyone.

So, if you or anyone you know is looking for a place to get

healthier and fit, find loyal friendships and caring instructors

who will challenge you to be your best, call or visit your local

Red Dragon martial arts studio. Oh, and you,

too, get to wear a cool uniform.

H ave you been watching the kids have fun

in their martial arts class and wish you

could join? It may sound scary, especially

when you see a group of 14 year-old

brown belts, but the nice thing about mar-

tial arts is you are never too old to begin. Physical activity

and an active lifestyle can make you feel and look young-

er, and the emotional rewards are as beneficial as the

physical. Activity boosts your blood circulation, which

may give you quicker reflexes and increase your mental

acuity. So what is stopping you or a friend from becom-

ing a white belt?

Red Dragon is for everyone, we all work together to

reach our goals. You can choose a class that teaches a fast

or slow paced style, high kicks or fancy handwork. Talk

to the instructors, because they want you to succeed as

much as you do. Try a few different classes and talk to

the instructors and students. Remember, if you don’t like

it, you won’t do it.

Arrive a few minutes early and have ample time for

warm-ups and stretching. Can’t touch your toes? Don’t.

Know your limitations and work with them, because you

are competing with yourself, not the rest of the class.

Warm up and stretch every day, even when you don’t

have a class scheduled. Flexibility is great for your

joints, bones and muscles, and will make life easier as

you age.

If you see the black belts doing impressive kicks,

punches and falls, don’t let it scare you. They didn’t start

out doing those feats. Look at the white belt class, be-

cause you will be starting with their skills. If you’re the

oldest don’t let it bother you. Age is respected in martial

arts, and you are also setting the example you are never

too old to try something new.

So, are you motivated enough to talk to an instructor?

He or she will be able to answer any questions or con-

cerns you may have about the classes offered. It won’t be

long until you’re touching your toes and enjoying a fun

and healthy activity.

Something About the Uniform

Continued from Page 1

Grow Up and Act Like a Kid

Why We CompeteWhy We Compete

Special discounts are available to parents and family members who

volunteer to be a timekeeper, scorekeeper or security. A special train-

ing class is held 2 weeks before the competitions to become certified.

Because of the widely varied interests and strengths of karate

students, tournaments affiliated with Red Dragon Karate and the

AKKF (American Karate Kung-Fu Federation) offer a variety of divi-

sions. At Red Dragon Karate Palm Desert we pride ourselves on ver-

satility, being able to compete in Open Kata, Weapons, Sparring, even

Musical Kata, Showmanship and Traditional Kata, in the space of a

few hours, and performing all extraordinarily well. Beginning stu-

dents (yellow to orange belt) are encouraged to compete in Kata and

Sparring divisions. Intermediate and up (master orange to black belts)

are encouraged to compete in as many divisions as they can; that

diversity can only make them better at what they love!

On the following page is a breakdown of divisions you will find at

Red Dragon tournaments. “Students that compete on a regular basis excel extremely faster and

more proficiently. Competition is definitely a positive activity and

beneficial experience for all martial artists.”

What Can I Compete In?

Kata- A kata is a routine of self-defense moves put together in a pre

arranged pattern. Competitors are judged by Black Belt officials and

scored based on their balance, focus, power, intensity and degree of

difficulty. Beginners traditionally perform the “Tioga’s” and then pro-

gress to the American forms. The most popular forms performed in

Kata division are the dynamic American forms featuring spin, jump

and flip techniques, fast punch and kick combinations.

Weapons- Scored similar to kata except they add the overall control

of the weapon into the scoring. Another ‘Open’ division, where a par-

ticipant can demonstrate their skills in a kata that features various

martial arts weapons like the knunchaks, Bo staff and Kamas.

Sparring- a special game of tag where martial arts skills are used to

win points. Matches are won when a participant gets five points or the

highest score at the end of two minutes. There are two corner judges

and a center judge or referee to call each match and there needs to be

a majority decision for a point to be called. Score one point for a

punch to the body, two points for a kick to the body and one point for

a kick to the groin. There is no face contact allowed for any of the

color belt divisions, and chest / rib protectors are required for compet-

itors’ age 17 and younger. Good sportsmanship and a high level of

respect are a must for this division.

Musical- your favorite weapon form or kata set to music, a very

dynamic and fun division. Ask your instructor for help on music

selection.

Showmanship- Special demonstrations: team katas; fight sketches

and other special demos with 2 or more participants often performed

with music. Check the tournament flier for additional rules regarding

this division. Traditional Forms- these are the Katas handed down through the

generations from Japan, Okinawa and Korea. They emphasize power,

precise technique, low stances and intensity. Wearing a ‘traditional’

gi or uniform is recommended but not required. See your Sensei for

more details on this division.

We will see you at The RDK TOURNAMENTS!

April 1 – Easter Sunday

April 5— Student of the Month/Stripe Test for MARCH

Mighty Mites 4 pm

All Ranks 6 & UP 5 pm

April 8 — Hike For Education/Booth/La Quinta

April 9 — Tournament Week / Full Gi’s

April 13 — Palm Valley School /2nd Session Begins

Kings School/ School Talk

April 15 — Spring Nationals

April 16 — Review Week / Full Gi’s

April 19 - Belt Testing —5 pm—6 pm / White—Yellow

6:50 pm / Blue belts and up

April 20 - Palm Valley After school class

April 25 — Women’s Self Defense Class / 8 pm

April 26 — Fitness Challenge Weigh– in

April 27- Palm Valley After school class / 3:15—4:15pm

Raymond Cree School Talk / 12:54 — 2:26pm

April 28 — La Quinta City Picnic/Booth

May 5th — Black Belt Showcase

WELCOME FUTURE BLACK BELTS

Cindy Young

Sienna Burnett

Carissa Cortez

Lily Deason

Diego Plata

Manuel Peez

Welcome New Black Belt Club Members Riley Teitzel Gavin Howell

Danny Corti 4/7

Caden john 4/15

Jack Roland 4/19

Have a YOUR Birthday Party

HERE at Red Dragon Karate

See Paul, Stephanie, or Sensei

Dave for Details!!

May 2 - Women’s Self Defense Course Begins / 8pm May 5 - Black Belt Showcase May 7th — Black Belt Promotion 7 pm May 9th — Women's Self Defense Course / 8 pm May 10 - Mother’s Day Class May 16 - Women’s Self Defense Course TEST / * pm TBD- INSTRUCTOR COLLEGE May 25-28 -Memorial Day / Academy closed May 29—Academy Open JUNE 18 — 22 SUMMER CAMP August 6-10 - ACCELERATOR CAMP