A little about our dojo.....

Student Creed of the Mizu Tama Dojo

To fall seven, Rise eight. Life begins now.

What is the Mizu Tama Dojo

Mizu (water) Tama (spirit) Dojo (training hall/ school) Kempo (fist law)

Our kempo is an eclectic blend of Shaolin Kempo Karate, Kosho Ryu Kempo and Tai Chi Chuan. Its concepts and philosophies incorporate those taught in Kosho. By using much of the waza of Shaolin Kempo Karate and Tai Chi Chuan, Mizu Tama utilizes the bunkai and concepts of Kosho. Like Kosho, we aim to incorporate the escaping arts, controlling arts and destructive arts into its martial curriculum and basic philosophy. Mizu Tama teachings also emphases the study and growth of body, mind and spirit through the sub-arts, to include, but are not limited to: spiritual growth (as per the philosophy of the Kokoro Ji); meditation; weapons; healing arts; cultural arts; and personal growth. The Mizu Tama Dojo is not a competition or sports martial arts school. It practices self-defense and self-growth through self-discipline and perseverance based on ancient Asian philosophy and practice.

Concepts of the belt:

White- Punctuality and focus

Yellow- Consistency and effort

Orange- Goal setting and commitment

Purple- Self control and courage

Blue- Leadership and patience

Green- Enthusiasm and self discipline

Brown 4- Determination and follow through

Brown 3- Balance and flexibility

Brown 2- Self awareness and integrity

Brown 1- Perseverance and contribution

Black- Humility and proactive will

Instructor- Creative imagination and peace/love

General Dojo Rules and Procedures:

All Student will be in a clean (black) Karate uniform for each class (unless pre-approved by Sensei), and bathe daily. All students are required to wear a Karate Uniform during practice.

All students will show respect to the Dojo by bowing upon entering or leaving the dojo, as well as be barefoot while in the dojo.

Your Instructor(s) will be addressed as SENSEI or SEMPAI during Kempo classes.

There will be no loud talking or playing during classes. Never use distracting equipment in the dojo (such as weapons or a heavy bag) unless pre-approved by Sensei. Never walk through the dojo while a class is meditating.

No sparring or use of equipment with out Black Belt supervision.

All students will bow to each other, prior to and after working out together.

All students are expected to join in the exercises and drills unless physical problems dictate otherwise.

All students will be on time for classes, if working schedule permits.

Students’ teaching other students new material is prohibited without Sensei’s approval.

Students will not argue with each other or create a disturbance in the class. Any student initiating a fight in or out of the dojo will be dismissed from the school, with no refund.

All Students will give due respect (kneel when a higher rank is putting on or taking off his or her belt- even if they are not participating in the class).

All Black Belts will be addressed by Mr., Ms, Miss, Mrs., Sensei or their title.

All students are required to wear protective gear (headgear, footgear, safe hand pad or gloves, Men; groin protection, Female; chest protector, and mouthpiece) during sparring sessions. (This is mandatory). Groin protection is recommended during classes.

Monthly dues are due on the end of the month.

Jewelry will not be worn during classes, and finger and toenails will be trimmed regularly.

All students are encouraged to practice often at home, especially when unable to attend classes.

After putting on your belt (kneel toward the kamiza when putting on/ taking off your belt) place your attendance card in the basket near the dojo entrance.

All school age students must maintain a C or better and graduate High School or obtain their GED. Those students with grades of a C- or less will not be allowed rank testing until a C or better is reached. Staff and students at the dojo are available to help students with their studies, ... all you need to do is ask for help.

rev. Christopher J. Bashaw, RN, BS, CRRN, CMC is the senior kempo-ka as well as both sensei and bokushi to the school. Bashaw, sensei is a Reiki Master under the Kokoro Ryu Reiki System and holds the title of Renshi. He was ordained by the Kung-Ji Gompa (ULC. 59297). Bashaw, sensei recieved his blackbelt under Rick Wilmott, Jr, shihan, of Keene, NH. Bashaw considers himself a student of kempo, dharma and the healing arts as well as a member of the SKSKI. Bashaw, sensei is available for Reiki classes and sessions by appointment. Bashaw, bokushi is available to perform wedding ceremonies, blessings, baptisms and funerals by appointment, under his ordination.

Samurai Warrior's Creed

I have no parents--I make the heavens and earth my parents.

I have no home--I make awareness my home.

I have no life or death--I make the tides of breathing my life and death.

I have no divine power--I make honesty my divine power.

I have no means--I make understanding my means.

I have no magic secrets--I make character my magic secret.

I have no body--I make endurance my body.

I have no eyes--I make the flash of lightening my eyes.

I have no ears--I make sensibility my ears.

I have no limbs--I make promptness my limbs.

I have no strategy--I make "unshadowed by thought" my strategy.

I have no designs--I make "seizing opportunity by the forelock" my design.

I have no miracles--I make right-action my miracles.

I have no tactics--I make emptiness and fullness my tactics.

I have no talents--I make ready wit my talent.

I have no friends--I make my mind my friend.

I have no enemy--I make carelessness my enemy.

I have no armor--I make benevolence and righteousness my armor.

I have no castle--I make immovable-mind my castle.

I have no sword--I make absence of self my sword.

Anonymous Samurai, fourteenth century

Recently we were honored to have Wilmott, sensei at our school for a seminar. Wilomott, sensei holds dan ranking in Shaolin Kempo Karate under Master Leo Michaud as well as in Kosho Ryu Kempo under Bruce Jucknik, hanshi. Wilmott, sensei holds the title of Shihan (master) in both of these systems. He is also a student of Guru George Santana, Grandmaster of Diestro Escrima and a student of Toshika Phipps, sensei (who was once the official healer to both the King of Korea and Emporer of Japan). He is also a Reiki Master, holding the title of Kyoshi, in the Kokoro Ryu Reiki System of Natural Healing. This outstanding martial artist was also recently inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Master Instructor of the Year. To work with him is shear pleasure and growth. To contact Wilmott, sensei about conducting a seminar at your school call him at:

Wilmott's Martial Arts Center

25 Roxbury St

Keene, NH

603-357-4043

A

B

C

A. Tiny Tiger Jeremy B. reviewing wrist locks with Shihan

B. Shihan instructing our young students in basic kicks

C. One of Wilmott, sensei's Jr Blackbelts, Ms Whitney Bashaw (aka. Spaz), working an escrima drill