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The frenzy of the new year has well and truly settled and it is great to see so many students getting into a regular training routine. We have been quite busy in the office changing our data base from a simple access system to our newly developed "Business of Motion" Customer Management Hub. It enables us to give a much higher, quality service to you, but it has had it's problems in it's initial stages. So my apologies if you have been receiving "non attendance" emails or sms even though you have been to class....ugh. It has been 3.5 months since my shoulder operation and I have faced several barriers with rehab. It was hard going from "full on training" to no training at all and at the same time the break has done me the world of good. I was reminded again that the body is a fickle instument and can be easily broken. Keeping the mind strong, attentive and aware , giving just the right amount of attention to what is needed, maintains a centred, measured approach to life, enabling space to deal with painful issues as they arise.

This weeks talk and focus in the children's is "FOCUS". Please pick up the hand out in class. Please read the notes on "The Dojo" below. Grading is coming up so please check the details below. MMA combat on Sunday mornings 8am is a blast, great for students that have the martial arts basics.

I am opening my books for semi private/fast track training. So please email me if you have an interest.

Looking forward to seeing you in class

Andy Dickinson
andy@northstarmartialarts.com.au

Check out my latest post: The 5 Essential Elements of Martial Arts: http://modernmartialartist.com.au

Shinbudo Technique on Youtube: Shinbudo with Daito Ryu foundations.Http://tvmartialarts.com

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Your attention will always go in the direction of what ever you focus on.

When you sign up at Northstar, the trainers will work hard to make sure you have a great and motivating training experience every time you train. Each time you train is like putting a little savings away. It may not seem like you are doing a lot, but it all adds up over time.

As a member the committment works both ways. We can't do it all for you, the real work comes from you and your committment to yourself. It is your responsibility to make sure you don't get too distracted from your training. Most importantly, if you fall off the wagon, just get back on again.

I often have a hundred reasons why I cant train and my teacher always says to me, "yes I know all that"...just get to class.

See you in class this week. Make the start, make the committment, even if we have not seen you this year...its not too late.
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THE DOJO

The room that twe train in is a very unique space. It is not a studio, or a hall or a room, it is called a "Dojo." It is a place for growth and awareness, a place where people come into contact with themselves. As martial artists we view the dojo as sacred.In the Dojo the noise and fuss of our everyday world is quiet and we can let go for a moment our worries, concerns and pre occupations. We can become present and still and be.

So it is simple. The Dojo is for training only. So parents, I know you want to, and love to watch your children, unfortunately we cannot cater for you inside the Dojo. You may see parents in the dojo but as a concession we allow parents in for the childs first lesson only.

SO please understand that for your children to get the most out of their martial arts and to feel the complete experience of martial arts, you will be asked to leave if you are inside the dojo.

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NORTHSTAR FIGHTING SPIRIT SPARRING COMPETITION.

March 18th at 6pm is the date set for our annual competition. We have a number of other schools invited so the challenge has been set. Will the Northstar team be able to win the cup? This comp is open to all students. You will be matched with someone of similar experience and size. Push a little deeper, confront the challenges that you face, look fear in the eye and do it anyway..email your committment: andy@northstarmartialarts.com.au

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GRADING.

CHILDREN: Friday 25th March. Balmain Dojo. Times to be confirmed

ADULTS: Sunday 27th March. North Sydney. 10am (Blue belt and above Friday 25th 7.30pm at Balmain)

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Changes to Children's FEES and SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2011.

* You now have the option to train unlimited during the school holidays.

1. If you signed up prior to 1/6/2010 and don't want to train during the holidays you need to let us know. If you signed up prior to 1/6/2010 please fill in the on line suspension form. the max we will suspend for is 2weeks during the year and 4 weeks over the xmas break.

2. If you signed up after 1st June 2010 your fees are pro rated over a 26 fortnight payment plan so cannot be put on suspend. There are classes during the school holidays. The classes are free and you can attend as many as you like.

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Please note that all students are required to become PCYC members. Please see the front counter at the PCYC.

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NORTHSTAR MMA Combat.

Northstar MMA Combat class: More than just sport and gaining points, Northstar MMA Combat teaches the best of Submission Wrestling, BJJ, Kickboxing and Andy's own MMA style.

MMA COMBAT Sunday 8am Balmain Dojo.

FREE For Northstar Members.

Bring all sparring gear. Worth 1 training credit (sparring or regular class credit)

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STAY CONNECTED.

Stay upto date with all events and news at Northstar. Join the Northstar Facebook page.

**************** ]]> Newsletters http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=265 Wed, 9 Mar 2011 08:12:46 +1100 http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=264
A huge welcome back to all the parents and children this week. We are primed and ready to carry on with your martial arts tuition and look forward to sharing the journey with you. We will be starting the school term off by talking about ‘respect’ in class this week. A good place to begin I think, respect for each other brings about patience and tolerance, a biggie with children starting new classes and new schools. The trainers have been teaching and training in preparation for taking your children to the next level. Classes have been on for all of January and many children were making the most of ‘unlimited’ classes to get ready for grading on 11th Feb at Balmain (Details below). You may see some changes in the trainers this year, but you will also see myself and other senior trainers on the floor a lot more this year.


If you re interested in creating lasting positive change in your life, have a quick read: The 3 secrets that I use for success. I used these when I was working with The Biggest Loser Contestants. For years a worked as a flight attendant. If you want a laugh check out : A flight attendant’s revenge; Fat Pizza. go to http://northstarmartialarts.com.au and click on weekly news.

Though our venue hire has been raised by 10%, we will not be raising the fees. In fact we will also NOT be charging the Northstar annual membership of $30 (though you will still need to be a PCYC member). We have worked hard to keep our costs down and to do that we need your help. Please see the changes to Fee Structure below.

I thank you for continuing to choose Northstar Martial Arts. With other martial arts schools opening up in the local area you can feel,secure in the knowledge that your children are training in one Australia’s most qualified and recognised organisations. Our tried and tested systems for martial arts tuition has got the attention and recognition of major organisations world wide, including Taekwondo Australia, The Australian Ju jitsu Federation, The international Sports Ju Jitsu Federation and the International Budo-Ju Jtitsu Federation. And we are proud of our lineage and association with the elite Daito Ryu Aiki Ju Jutsu in Japan. You are in good hands.

See you in class. If you have any questions please contact me directly on andy@northstarmartialarts.com.au

ANDY DICKINSON

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The 3 words that I use when planning out a new year are:

DETERMINATION: Is a quiet but firm resolve that no matter what gets in your way you will be there at the end. You are willing to go to your edge, and then explore your limitations with a clarity that few have the courage to face.

DISCIPLINE: The ability to remain “at your post” when you are being screamed at by yourself or others to take the easy path.

RESILIENCE: No matter what is thrown at you, no matter how many times you get knocked down, you keep standing up. Discipline, Determination and Resilience are the backbone of the Northstar Black Belt.

All 3 are qualities of a champion. They over lap and support eachother. I hope you can apply them to your own champion list and motivate yourself to follow the path of peace, contentment and present awareness in 2011.

ANDY

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Changes to Children’s FEES and SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2011.

* I am waiving the annual Northstar membership fee of $30 this year. (But you will still need to join the PCYC)

* We have not raised our fees in 10 years.

* PCYC ‘s just put up their venue hire by 10%.

WE DON’T WANT TO RAISE OUR FEES so this is what we are going to do for you but, we need your help:

* You now have the option to train unlimited during the school holidays.

1. If you signed up prior to 1/6/2010 and don’t want to train during the holidays you need to let us know. If you signed up prior to 1/6/2010 please fill in the on line suspension form. the max we will suspend for is 2weeks during the year and 4 weeks over the xmas break.

2. If you signed up after 1st June 2010 your fees are pro rated over a 26 fortnight payment plan so cannot be put on suspend. There are classes during the school holidays. The classes are free and you can attend as many as you like.

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GRADING REGISTER NOW OPEN.

Grading will be at Balmain on 11th Feb. Please send your child’s name, class (mighty mites or junior) and belt level to info@northstarmartialarts.com.au

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Please note that all students are required to become PCYC members. Please see the front counter at the PCYC.

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NORTHSTAR MMA Combat.

Northstar MMA Combat class: More than just sport and gaining points, Northstar MMA Combat teaches the best of Submission Wrestling, BJJ, Kickboxing and Andy’s own MMA style.

MMA COMBAT will commence on Thursday 3rd February at 7.30pm.

FREE For Northstar Members.

Bring all sparring gear. Worth 1 training credit (sparring or regular class credit)

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STAY CONNECTED.

Stay upto date with all events and news at Northstar. Join the Northstar Facebook page.

**************** ]]> Newsletters http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=264 Wed, 2 Feb 2011 09:41:38 +1100 http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=263
New month, new day, new life. This day is a celebration of creation. Breath it, live it and love every second. You CAN create change NOW, each moment has never happened before and is waiting to be experienced in a new way. Take charge, how are you going to take this opportunity to a new level.

Most of our lives are spent dealing with action after the event. Something happens, then we act in accordance with how we are thinking or feeling, ususally not in accordance with the actual truth of the situation. For most that is just too hard. It forces us to confront our inner workings and exposes all kinds of insecurities and pains that may be better left alone. It is only the courageous that dare venture inward. The upper levels of Northstar Martial Arts work on becoming more aware! This awareness re connects you to a stillness that is always present. In this stillness there is space and with in this space there is time, time to see the truth and respond with clarity. This is the essence of my teaching; to respond with calm clarity in accordance with the needs of the situation, with the appropriate effort. Becoming aware in this way will get you closer to acting before the event occurs, elevating you in consciousness, taking you closer to your true self.
We had 3 great Black Belt classes on the long weekend, great to see the ongoing commitment by the Black Belts. Three Northstar fighters are heading to Japan at the end of the month to fight for IBJ titles. Ken Ge is fighting Hawaiin Champion Tommy Lam, Andrew Mugeridge is fighting current IBJ Champion Ohno from Japan and Joe Bracks will fight Canadian Mike Martelle for the Asia Pacific IBJ Championship.

Martial Arts Children's classes are back in full swing from Monday. There is no mid term grading this term, the next grading is on Sunday 5th December at North Sydney. The grading will be followed by the Christmas Party at the Oaks Hotel from 6pm. We have booked one of the upstairs function rooms.

This newsletter is now our preferred method relaying information to students and parents. We would greatly appreciate it if you could pass this onto to fellow students and parents.

Reading WAR by Sebastian Junger and finding more and more inspiration through Tao Te Ching

ANDY

andy@northstarmartialarts.com.au

Great reads:

Men understanding more about themselves and their place in society:

How teaching men to fight makes them a better person.

Join our facebook mens fan page: Biffo and Beer

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Inspiration
One of the Best Motivators: Tony Robbins
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BLACK BELTS TRAINING.












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Why the Dragon?

The Northstar Dragon is a symbol of strength, goodness, courage, endurance, vigilance and security.

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SHINBUDO-ism (a list of quotes by Andy Sensei that you may hear in class).

The first time your opponent knows that you are there is when they feel you.

Don’t be heard, don’t be seen, just be felt.

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BUSINESS OF MOTION

Got a small business? Check out Andy’s facebook page on running and developing a successful small business.

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STAY CONNECTED.

Stay upto date with all events and news at Northstar. Join the Northstar Facebook page.

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Andy’s quote of the week :

No matter how many times you get knocked down, no matter how much it hurts, no matter how badly you are losing, you will always remember your composure and drive to keep getting up and finishing. Do this and you will never think about the loss, only how you handled it…

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NORTHSTAR XMAS PARTY

Sunday 5th December 6pm Oaks Hotel. Neutral Bay
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FIGHTING SPIRIT COMPETITION
This is your last chance for 2010 to compete in our Fighting Spirit competition.
Friday November 12th 6.30pm
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DAITO RYU AIKI JUJUTSU.
Class will be back on again this Friday 1st October. 6.30pm at Balmain Dojo. Cost of class is $20.
]]> Newsletters http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=263 Fri, 8 Oct 2010 10:20:54 +1100 http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=262
SENSEI’S MESSAGE

Men’s sparring went well on Friday night. We had 30 brave souls slugging it out on their way to enlightenment. A few bumps and bruises but nothing serious. Children are now on school holidays but Northstar classes continue regardless. The next “Fighting Spirit” competition is on Friday 12th November. The next grading is on Sunday 5th December. There are no classes on Monday 4th October at North Sydney and Balmain, all other Saturday and Sunday.

Reading Muhammud by Deepak Chopra and finding more and more inspiration through Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

As it starts to warm up and daylight savings kicks in ( Sat 2nd Oct), there is more and more temptation to let your work outs slide. Regular training improves and maintains weight loss and definately replenishes the body leading to more greater vitality and wellbeing.

ANDY

andy@northstarmartialarts.com.au


Join our facebook mens fan page: Biffo and Beer

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SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE LEARNED.

It’s real simple.

* Get healthy, be healthy, just do health.

* Love what you do,

* Have a deep faith that no matter what happens you will be okay.

* Offer service,

* Smile

* Live by design and not decree.

* Opinions are just that. Don’t be swayed by the pack.

* Have the courage to risk failure.

* Never Never waste time getting even. It will come back to you again and again.

* There is help, just ask.

* Even in the most exasperating situations become present and know that this too will pass.

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What does Northstar mean?

North is the way ahead. It is the reference point by which all other directions are navigated. The Star is the giver of life.

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SHINBUDO-ism (a list of quotes by Andy Sensei that you may hear in class).

Shinbudo has no start and no finish. If you knew where the end was you would understand the beginning.

Shinbudo is a way of life not a way of fighting

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STAY CONNECTED.

Stay upto date with all events and news at Northstar. Join the Northstar Facebook page.

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Andy’s quote of the week :

Why do so many martial artists train for so many years learning to defend themselves. They walk around exhuding aggression in their constant state of vigilance. Must be very tiring, but they have no where else to go. Learning new skills and perfecting 1000 moves only fills in the gaps..

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FIGHTING SPIRIT COMPETITION
This is your last chance for 2010 to compete in our Fighting Spirit competition.
Friday November 12th 6.30pm
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DAITO RYU AIKI JUJUTSU.
Class will be back on again this Friday 1st October. 6.30pm at Balmain Dojo. Cost of class is $20
]]> Newsletters http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=262 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:32:23 +1000 http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=261 WEEK COMMENCING 20th September

SENSEI’S MESSAGE

Adults grading was great, Congrats to all students that passed, in particular Peter, Maree, and Gabriel, our new Black Belts. The next adults grading is on Sunday 5th December. The kids martial arts grading will be set over the next few days. We are heading to Japan with 3 fighters; Joe Bracks, Ken Ge and Andrew Mugeridge in October to fight in the International Budo-Ju Jitsu Championships. I am off to see my instuctor Kondo Sensei for a top up..(a painful top up). I am teaching the ‘mens sparring workshop’ on Friday at 6.30pm and SQUAD on Sunday 8am (all welcome).

Don’t forget that the children’s classes now run though the school holidays.

ANDY

andy@northstarmartialarts.com.au

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Enhance the quality of your life 100%.

Commit to make a 10% improvement daily:

1.Commit to at least 1 martial arts class per week.
2.Eat less. The best way to lose weight!
3.Drink less alcohol. Don’t binge drink and have at least 2 booze free days a week.
4.Walk more. Choose the stairs instead of the lift
5.Check your anger. Take a breath and relax.
6.Take 3 by 2 min relax and breath breaks during the day.
7.Forgive quickly
8.Smile as much as possible
9.Be kind and offer service.
10.Look at yourself and constantly give thanks for what you do have.
Further Reading..

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What does Shinbudo mean?

The term Shinbudo is a generic word that simply means “the true and original” path of fighting. It is not “Free Style” system of martial arts, rather, the evolution of martial arts has born the need to rehash, re-think and re-establish martial arts in Australia that cater specifically for the needs of our times. Learning martial arts can empower, but we cannot constantly be worried about getting into fights, it would drive us mad. In fact it’s the emotional skills and the study of how we behave in every interaction that gives us the mental edge to certainly avoid conflict with out ever having to raise a fist in anger. Shinbudo is a work out of sweat and spirit, heightening your awareness of body mind and spirit. The positive and motivating force of all who are involved with Shinbudo supports this unique method of self analysis by which it becomes a reference point to keep balance in your life.

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Make a decision from this day moment on, you will never be less than friendly towards yourself

* No moré treating yourself like a slave.

* No more putting yourself down – ever.

* No more negative assumptions

* No more torment over past events that you cannot change.

* No more putting up with other peoples abuse or unkindness

* No more postponing doing what you love doing most.

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STAY CONNECTED.

Stay upto date with all events and news at Northstar. Join the Northstar Facebook page.

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Andy’s quote of the week :

True martial arts mastery is mastery of self, this is on a constant, minute to minute path of self discovery Andy

Better than the life of a hundred years of the man who perceiveth not the origin and end of all things, is the short life of a single day of the man who perceiveth the origin and end of all things.” (Dhammapada)
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SHINBUDO-ism (a list of quotes by Andy Sensei that you may hear in class).
Your first step in learning physical self defence is learning to brawl better than the brawlers, we will refine everything as we go.

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DANGEROUS MEN SPARRING WORKSHOP.

Men fighting men, regaining and expressing your masculinity using “the fight” as metaphor. Learn how men can use their power of protection with out anger. By men learning to harness this in their lives, they can re assume their other roles in life, calmer and at peace knowing they have felt something inherent to their maleness according to the laws of nature. Andy.

FRIDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER. 6.30PM Cost $30.
Balmain HQ.

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FIGHTING SPIRIT COMPETITION
This is your last chance for 2010 to compete in our Fighting Spirit competition.
Friday November 12th 6.30pm

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DAITO RYU AIKI JUJUTSU.
This is the first time that main line DAITO RYU will be taught in Australia. 6.30pm at Balmain Dojo. Cost of class is $20.
]]> Newsletters http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=261 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:58:06 +1000 http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=260
Thanks to all that have visited by lastest blog posts: What if? and A master’s approach to streetfighting. The comments make for good reading. I try to post as much as I can to draw the relationship between everyday life and martial arts.

Grading is getting close so don’t forget to register your interest. All the trainers are excited and can’t wait to share the experience with your children. I know that it seems that we have only just had a grading, well that’s true…so with over 800 members training at Northstar we will be running grading more regularly.

Don’t forget, the martial arts children's classes now run though the school holidays.

ANDY

andy@northstarmartialarts.com.au



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Live NOW…

For a brief moment I forgot all of my own ideas, troubles, pre –occupations, my own little world did not exist. For a brief moment the life and death struggle of another human being that I had never known or met before became the absolute focus of my life and the focus of the lives of others who were also involved.

Read more
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STAY CONNECTED.

Stay upto date with all events and news at Northstar. Join the Northstar Facebook page.

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PRE GRADING INTENSIVES.

Not quite sure of your grading requirements?
Book into the Pre Grading Intensives:

White to Blue Tip. 11th Sept 3.30pm Balmain Cost $30 (2 training credits)

Register on-line


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Andy’s quote of the week :

Spirituality cannot be compartmentalised. It is the filter through which all actions are guided. Andy

The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.
I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light.
For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and I am free.

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SHINBUDO-ism (a list of quotes by Andy Sensei that you may hear in class).

The technique commences the moment you enter the dojo and finishes when you leave. Everything with in the dojo is designed to keep you present. When you are present in the moment you are living now. This is the essence, this is the truth.

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“Men’s Sparring is Fighting Night”

The date has been set and it is on again. The comerarderie between men that fight is something to be experienced. Whether you are a beginner or advanced martial artist, this workshop will “enable’ you as a man.

Hi Andy, Just wanted to email you and thank you for one of the most amazing experiences of my life on Friday night. I still have a smile on my face. Whilst I have done quite a bit of martial arts throughout my life, nothing has been quite as fulfilling as Friday night. The intensity was incredible! It’s really quite amazing how easy it is to forget everything you know when you are totally exhausted. Fitness is certainly certainly something that I will working on as I noticed how progressively worse I got as the night went on. I started off like a champ and closed, in my mind, slightly defeated due to my fitness and stamina…. Anyway once again, thanks for a great night and I will be seeing you soon. Kind Regards, Mike

Places are strictly limited so register NOW….

Friday 24th September Balmain Dojo (Honbu) 7pm. Cost $30.
Click here to register…

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DAITO RYU AIKI JUJUTSU.
This is the first time that main line DAITO RYU will be taught in Australia. 6.30pm at Balmain Dojo. Cost of class is $20.
]]> Newsletters http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=260 Tue, 7 Sep 2010 15:58:07 +1000 http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=259

I was sure that if it came down to it my fighting skills would get me out of trouble and I was so ready…. naïve but ready.

My first night started and the flow of people in and out of the club was smooth. It was a busy night and I was a little green to say the least. Customers come up to the door, you check them out, if they look okay, you unclip the rope and let them in, hey this is easy I thought, real easy, no trouble here.

There were 3 of us on the door that night, Paul an experienced bouncer, kind of like a De Niro look alike, small but looked like he could hold his own and Robert, who is now a well known actor. Paul and Robert were in the club having a walk through and I was on the door alone for the first time.

With in a second my confident air of invincibility was shattered. I was confronted with several huge Scottish footballers (wearing kilt and all) that were in Australia to take on the Wallabies Rugby Team . Four of them towered over me as I stood behind the flimsy rope barrier, I felt alone and very, very vulnerable. They were drunk, charged up and looking for a fight…..and I was a real easy target…on top of that, trying to understand a drunken Scotsman can be difficult at the best of times….

I said no to their constant demands to enter the club. This just enraged them even more. Paul and Robert were quickly back at my side, checking what all the commotion was about. Paul the shorter one of us quickly became aggressive and started shouting. The last I saw of Paul that night was him being set upon and tossed around like a foot ball amongst the Scots. I turned and looked for support from Robert, and the last I saw of him was his back as he closed the front door behind him, leaving me to handle the Scots myself.

Talk about being thrown in the deep end!! Six of them moved towards me, they picked up the rope barrier and supports and launched them up the street. The large crowd that was waiting to get into the club was silent; okay Andy you asked for it, now let’s see what you have got. I had no place to run, they had me trapped between the inside door and the front door. I resigned myself to have to fight it out.

I readied myself and became still and silent, unemotional as I steadied the terror that was churing with in me. The first footballer came in towards me and just for an instant I could feel the hesitation in him. He came steaming into me with a round kick to my leg. I could see it coming a mile away so just slid back out of the way, as he came through he lost balance and slipped, I moved and he landed in a big heap in front of me. I remained still and silent, nothing needed to be done or said. Two of the other Scots quickly came in, picked up their mate, looked at me and to my surprise said “sorry mate” as they turned and quickly made their way up the street.

The Lesson.

An important lesson. What ever you put out there will come back to you. If you are aggressive, you will get that in return. You absolute best defence is “still observation.” In the face of this assault, I did not need to do anything. My still neutral presence said it all. I was ready to go all the way, yes I was scared, but there was a deeper, presence that came through me which was immediately felt by the attacker.

ANDY.
]]> Andy Dickinson's Power Talk http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=259 Thu, 8 Jul 2010 10:30:42 +1000 http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=258 A FATHER’S STORY ON BULLYING.

This short story is about boys being boys I guess, but as a result of boys being boys, there quickly came a time when the behaviour of one of my sons so called “friends” became really annoying and physically quite painful. I guess you’d have to call it bullying. For whatever reason his friend had been in the habit of walking up behind my son and grabbing him on each bicep, to the point where he was actually in physical pain with bruise marks to prove it. My son had tried lines like “stop it, you’re really annoying me” and “stop it, you’re hurting me”, but his friend simply kept on doing the same thing.

At this point it’s probably worth pointing out that he’s noticeably taller than my son, and I’m assured that he’s significantly stronger than him too.

I knew I had to do something to help my son eradicate this behaviour. His requests for the behaviour to stop simply weren’t working. My son and I needed plan B.

I don’t know the name of this move mate so forgive me, but I started by showing him the move where you clamp your arms tightly into your side, then squat downwards, do a reverse head butt, and then stomp on the attackers toes, but I wasn’t sure that he would be able to clamp the other kids arms tightly enough to perform the move.

The move he ended up using was the one where you twist your body at an angle of about 30 – 45 degrees, enabling you to position one leg outstretched behind your opponent and then do the double knife hand downwards at about 45 degrees across their abdomen, causing them to fall backwards across your thigh. My son must have executed this beautifully, because his attacker fell backwards and in the process of trying to stop himself from hitting the ground he grazed his arm on a concrete pillar and then, before he knew what had happened to him he was flat on his back looking up at my son, muttering the words “I suppose I deserved that”…

There are several points to all of this. Firstly – the Northstar system works. It’s a simple as that. The whole situation that had been dragging on and on, yet it was diffused quite literally “in the blink of an eye”. The second point is that my son has proven to himself that he can put his skills to excellent use – he tried to talk his way out of the situation, but when he needed to use force, he was ready. The third point is that it happened in the school yard and other kids now know my son can look after himself and he cannot simply be pushed around. All good outcomes if you ask me. I hope this short story will remind others just how powerful the Northstar system really is.

Vaughan
]]> Andy Dickinson's Power Talk http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=258 Tue, 18 May 2010 11:27:12 +1000 http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=257 ANDY DICKINSON'S BEST TECHNIQUE
The move on this video is a signature Daito Ryu Aiki Ju Jutsu technique. Many other styles now use as Aikido and Hapkido copy this technique. This move is taught in Shinbudo from Black Belt. http://bit.ly/d9sSuQ

ANDY TEACHING AT BALMAIN ON EASTER MONDAY
6.30-8.30PM. All adult students are welcome. No cost.

A Truly good man is not aware of his goodness, And therefore is good.
A foolish man tries to be good,
And therefore is not good.
Lao Tsu]]> General http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=257 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:27:01 +1100 http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=256
There is a way to slow time down, in fact, we can run our lives as if time does not exist. As simple as it sounds and as much as we need time to stay organised, rather than being a slave to time, we can practice being the master of how we use it! AND it is so simple. We just forget that we can tap into the most basic and at the same time most profound and enlightening "spiritual" practice; being present, here and now.

Being present simply means that you are aware of exactly what you are doing right now with out the dialogue of what you think is happening.

Try this simple awareness exercise whenever you think of it, it will help you to make friends with the present moment, enriching the quality of all action...even things you dislike..like working on a Monday...

1. Say to yourself...I breathe.
2. Then as you breathe in say Breathe in.
3. As you breathe out say Breathe out.
4. Do this for as little or as long as you want...no time limit.

Do this when ever you think of it.

Hope this helps you day. Let me know how you go.

Andy
andy@northstarmartialarts.com.au

ps. join the Northstar Facebook group: http://bit.ly/ak7XBE

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SPIRITUALITY AND MARTIAL ARTS
Read what others say: http://bit.ly/cvbaJM

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SPARRING WORKSHOP
Great session last Friday night. Keen to get your feedback on what you thought.
andy@northstarmartialarts.com.au

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GRADING
It's time to start getting excited about the Grading Super Session on Sunday 28th March.
Check how many classes you are going to need and start planning your program to get where you want to be.

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ADVANCED CLASS GRADING PREP
I am running an advanced Grading Prep class for brown belts and above on Tuesday mornings 7am at Balmain. The focus will be on conditioning and fitness.
Commencing Tuesday 16th March.
Andy.
Email me and let me know if you can come along.
]]> Newsletters http://www.northstarmartialarts.com.au/weblog/index.php?itemid=256 Mon, 8 Mar 2010 10:46:06 +1100