SLAYER NEWS
About Dragon Kenpo Karate
November 2007 Honesty
The World Dragon Kenpo Slayer News and its members, local and beyond, are invited to participate in our annual adoption of a Christmas Family from a local Charity, Love Inc., here in Wisconsin. All our students need to be reminded how lucky we all are, and that there are less fortunate persons who can use our help. Contact us to help a needy famliy.
Train Hard!
Nunchaku Scripted Lessons by Ron Pfeiffer
Nunchaku Scripted Lessons
by Coach Ron Pfeiffer
Chai Tea for Tai Chi
by Phoebe Nelson Oshirak, RN, Tai Chi student
When I attend Tai Chi class, I find shifting gears from the busy work day to the slower pace and focus needed in class, to be a challenge. I often try to prepare myself for the transition by having a cup of Chai tea and taking a few moments to leave the pressures of the day behind. For all you dyed-in-the-wool coffee drinkers, who wouldn’t be caught dead holding a tea cup, consider the benefits of Chai. (Pronounced like “pie”).
What is Chai? Well, it is the word for tea in many parts of the world. Chai is a beverage that consists of rich black tea, whole milk, a sweetener and a combination of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and pepper. Indian Chai produces a warming, soothing effect, acts as a natural digestive aid and gives one a sense of overall well being. It is difficult to say no to a second cup. In the past three years there has been a phenomenal growth in the popularity if Chai. It has become a favorite at over-the-counter specialty beverage shops such as Starbucks and is now available at most of our supermarkets in the tea and coffee section.
Chai Tea is similar to Tai Chi in that both are centuries-old. Each has their particular traditions and variations which have been passed down from family to family over generations. Tai Chi, a form of Chinese martial art, often practiced with the aim of promoting health and longevity, has a very long history. Training forms are most recognized as the slow motion routines that groups of people practice together each day in parks around the world, particularly in China. It is best described as a “soft style” of martial art. There are many styles of Tai Chi, but most modern schools can trace their development to the system originally taught by the Chen family to the Yang family starting in 1820.
Many teachers of modern day Tai Chi believe it is a way for older people or the infirm to reclaim the vigor of their youth and restore health. Recent studies seem to substantiate the merits of Tai Chi, confirming that it does have healing and restorative impact on personal well being; in some instances even reducing the effects of diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes.
Just as there are many variation of Tai Chi, so are there many variations in Chai Tea recipes, each formulated for the purpose of enhancing the well being of the practitioner and consumer. Both Tai Chi and Chai tea impact our bodies positively. They certainly confirm that what we practice in our life-style, what we eat and how much we exercise effects our performance, our thought process and the way we handle the challenges of daily life. Despite the advances of modern science and with new information being discovered about what makes us “tick,” it still appears that a well balanced diet and adequate exercise is the most effective recipe for longevity. Add a pinch of personal genetic heritage to the life-living recipe and the mind and body will respond to the nurturing we give it well into the “golden years.”
Baseball Manager Casey Stengel once said, “The trick is growing up without growing old.” We should remind ourselves that it is never too late to improve our quality of life. Longevity being one goal and the other, of course, more time for drinking tea and practicing Tai Chi.
Now if you will excuse me, I am headed for the kitchen where I intend to treat my own mind and body to a warm, fragrant cup of Chai Tea before my Tai Chi class.
"Every man has his fault, and honesty is his." --- William Shakespeare
Awareness of Self Defense
By Ed DellaCroce
Twenty-five years ago, if the average person were asked what was self-defense, their answer would probably mention the word gun. Today, however, the subject encompasses a vast range ofideas. From guns, we have advanced to the Stun Gun and Taser. Mace has evolved to Cayenne Pepper Spray and so forth. As our products evolved, self defense arts grew right along side of them.Kenpo Karate once was simple in a class all by itself. You could count the various styles on one hand. If you were to perform an Internet Google search today the list would be quite longer. What’s next Donut Kenpo? The art of hitting you with a stale donut and yelling Kiya!The quest for the perfect defense system goes far beyond the variety of names, as it centers around a desire to be safe. We gravitate towards what we perceive as the most effective way to survive.Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs lists Safety/Security. It is innate, plain and simple.Today, there is a growing trend with a desire to acquire survival defensive skills. No longer is it limited to just women. Men have also joined the ranks. With the art of World Dragon Kenpo Karate, you can discover, “size does not matter.” The art teaches technique and application properly applied produces effective results.
While teaching a self defense class, I explained to a student a simple technique to escape from a rear Bear hug. Her response was “There is no way that could work, it’s too easy.” She must have been from Missouri , the “Show Me State.” While explaining the steps in sequence, I was unexpectedly attacked by my assistant. I stand a mere 5' 4" and 198 lbs. (Yes, much of it is muscle). My assistant stood at approximately 6' 5" and 280 lbs. (He is all muscle). His attack was so swift it got me totally by surprise. I reacted immediately to the threat. Here, time is of the essence. To loosen his hold, I quickly pulled downward on his massive arms. I then dropped down onto one knee. (This put the attacker off balance by bending him forward). It also created stress onto his lower back. Applying an elbow strike to the groin, I was able to redirect his attention, which allowed me to escape. I did a follow up by grabbing his wrist and controlling his arm. To finish off my attacker, I bent his wrist and applied pressure onto his elbow joint. To avoid broken bones or torn ligaments, my assistant gladly lowered himself onto the ground.Moments earlier, there was disbelief in the room. The loud gasp let out by our unbeliever said it all. From the onset of the attack to complete execution was approximately 4 seconds or less.Who can benefit from this type of training? Let’s start with you as the reader. Browse our web site at www.dragonkenpo.us, along with our Slayer News Blog. There may be a certified instructor in your area. If not take advantage of our on-line course for distant learning. We have students internationally from all professions. Become a part of our family as we continue to grow from New York to England and beyond.
How to Typeset a Book
By Steve Amoia
All historical learning can be traced to the quest to transmit and record knowledge. Millennia ago, our ancestors painted images on cave walls to pass knowledge to future generations. As mankind evolved, a great value was placed on the written word. Unfortunately, books could only be owned by the rich. One of the reasons was due to the expense to create a book. With the advent of movable type and printing presses, books and newspapers became available and affordable to the masses. From ancient caves to the computer screens of the Internet, the basic theme has remained the same.
Perhaps a greater appreciation for literature and/or writing can be obtained if one understands how a book is produced. In my youth, I worked at a typesetting shop. I began as a delivery driver, and then expressed an interest to learn photocomposition. That was my first exposure to the world of computers. Back then, nobody would have imagined that a laptop computer (the term itself would have been mind boggling) with off-the-shelf software applications could produce in minutes what used to take us days. For example, our Slayer News would have been a major undertaking. Technology no doubt has changed some of the processes since then; however, before a book is printed, it must be typeset according to an author’s specifications. Much like executing self-defense techniques, certain precise actions must occur to produce the correct final result. Typesetting, which is an integral component in the production of a book, is comprised of three distinct stages.
Stage 1
The initial computer input of the author’s manuscript, along with subsequent proofreading, is the beginning of the typesetting process. The typesetter codes the manuscript to comply with the author’s instructions. It is customary to input one chapter at a time into a computer database. A typesetter must possess rapid keyboard skills; however, attention to detail and accuracy are more essential.
Upon completion of a chapter, the typesetter outputs a print-out of the work to the proofreader. The purpose of proofreading is to locate any typographical errors that may be contained within the initial input. Proofreaders must be meticulous; consequently, highly accurate individuals are valued members in a typesetting firm.
Stage 2
After the proofing process, the typesetter updates the computer data file and begins to produce galley proofs. When the typesetter is certain that he has made all of the indicated corrections to a chapter, he transfers the data from the computer to the photocomposition machine. The photocomposition device interprets the computer coding to produce the specified typeset format. Each chapter is typeset upon high-quality film, which is then processed through a rapid developer. When the film exits from the developer, it is divided into sections called galleys, which are copied and delivered to the author.
Stage 3
The final stage in the typesetting process prepares each chapter for delivery to a commercial printer. Upon receipt of the author’s final alterations, the typesetter makes the indicated changes, outputs the corrections to the photocomposition machine, and sends the entire job to the proofreader for final inspection. If everything is satisfactory, the proofreader submits the typeset matter to a paste-up artist. The artist applies a thin coating of wax to the surface of each galley. Adhering to precise specifications, the artist cuts and pastes the type to specially designed page templates, which are called boards. After making a photocopy of each board, the originals are sent to a commercial printer for mass production.
Slayer News as an Archive
Years ago, one of our clients was the National Archives. When I was a driver, I used to deliver the galley proofs to Mr. Doug Stickley, who was the editor of the American Archivist. When you enter the building on Pennsylvania Avenue, there is an interesting quote on the wall:
“What is past is prologue.”
In many ways, our Slayer News project is an archive for future members of WDK.
Do you want to see improvements in this publication over the next year? Send in your ideas! Feedback is important! Let us know what you would like to hear about!
If you have an article that you would like to submit, you may respond to me or Steve Amoia. Comments and questions are welcome too.
All Student/Instructor members are reminded that advancement and promotion are not automatic. Contact Coach Pfeiffer or your local instructor if you have questions or to request advancement information.
Is your school having an event? Let the Dragon Kenpo community know by placing it in the Slayer News! We are here to help you and your students get the most out of your training.
Please remember to keep your information updated so that the World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self Defense can serve you in the best way possible!
