The Saturday chosen for dojo cleaning was warm but carried the distinct crispness that comes in September. Many students had come the weekend before so I was able to have the morning with Sensei Barbara and Sensei Brett to myself.

We kicked things off with Mr. Barry's amazing coffee and conversation. Then, we went to work. Sensei Barbara and I started on the floor while Sensei Brett scrubbed sky lights. On the floor on our hands and knees we worked side by side, student and teacher. I got to hear about Barbara's trip to the orient during the summer and her broad sword training in China. We swept, washed and weeded. Sometimes talking sometimes silent, (yes I can pull of silence for a few minutes). Before I knew it I had to leave to get lunch on the table for the Tribe.

It was a wonderful morning. I left with a feeling of accomplishment, ownership and wrapped in the fleeing of closeness and friendship that comes from working as a team.

Blue Heron Dojo is a place of peace and tranquility. It is a place of learning and growth for the mind, body and spirit. My thanks to Sensei Barbara for creating such a place and for sharing it with all of us.

Board Breaking

At my very first Karate shiai (test) I stood in front of the testing panel and announced, "Sensei, I will attempt to... !" Sensei Peeler, the head of our style who had flown in Detroit just for this test stopped me. "You will what" he asked? I realized my mistake as it came from my mouth and now, in front of a very large group of very high ranking Karate masters I knew that everyone had heard it.

Shaking in my gee I announced again, "Sensei, I will break one board with otoshi tettsui (downward hammer fist)".

My first thought was to throw up but that would show a lack of respect in the dojo. As I move towards the board and the cinder blocks holding it up my knees began to shake. Sensei was in front of me guiding my stance and wind-up. The Tribe was behind me cheering me on. I cleared my mind and moved into my stance. Breath, wind up, breath, punch, kiai (yell), BANG! The board was not in two pieces at my feet.

I quickly forgot the tingling in my hand and soaked up the screams and cheers from The Tribe and the rest of the class behind me. This was just the first of many firsts in my journey through the world of martial arts (just wait 'till I tell you about my chi). But, it was a break through (no pun intended) for my mind. I was able to use my mind and body as a tool to do some serious damage to a 1 inch thick board. I was strong and powerful, I am strong and powerful, 1 inch thick boards everywhere fear me.

Saturday my mind and body will again be tested. This time I decided to play Bruce Lee and break with an open knife hand. I poke at the soft flesh on the lower part of my hand that runs upwards towards my pinkie finger. Not very dangerous looking. I wonder, did I take on too much... can I really do this and not do serious damage to my hand? I can do this, I will do this and Saturday evening I will tie my yellow belt around my shattered board and my blue belt around my waist! I am strong, I am powerful!