Martial Arts Transforms Lives Every Day
Martial Arts training is a most unique discipline in that it encompasses a coordination of how your mind works, which is based on how your body moves. Your body moves based on what it’s holding in its memory. Proper martial arts training changes that in various positive ways.
Every hour spent properly training transforms what your muscles know. They begin to release old patterns of movement. When the body gets really hot, the muscles can release old emotional memory. All the benefits of this training is for another time. This is about transformation.
This Summer (2013), I held a Black Belt Test, and promoted Marcia Buenafe to 1st Degree Black Belt in our Martial Arts Program.
Her test was completely incredible and it was a great testament to how martial arts transforms lives. She did so well, and worked on this for 5 + years. But what is 5 years, when you and your life are completely transformed? Emotional reactions to micro-aggressions by others was Marcia’s biggest challenge. She nailed it!
Her new calm is impressive
Marcia’s self-confidence has soared! It’s such a treat to see how much change a person can go through when they are willing to get there. Dedication, perseverance, and commitment to the larger picture are what made the difference. This cannot ever be taken away from anyone. She can only add to it. Huge congratulations to Marcia Buenafe, a true Martial Arts Black Belt, living life her way.
Present at her test was my European student
Spain is the European country and my Black Belt is Jose Maria Gomez. Training here, he was able to be on the Board for her test. Needless to say, he was completely impressed, as he’d never seen women move with such intensity. He’s such a shining example of what martial arts is all about.
Respect, confidence, integrity, standing your ground, and knowing how to kick-butt if he had to. He stayed with a local family in Santa Cruz.
Here is a short story the hosts, Shalom & Vito Victor, tell about Jose Maria Gomez:
“Jose Maria was a guest in our home in Santa Cruz, CA. for two weeks. He was here to work with Clara Minor to further his knowledge of Martial Arts; technique, mind set, discipline and fitness. From the beginning we witnessed his perseverance and his dedication to Clara whom he felt was the best teacher there was for him to continue his learning; although he had been an instructor in Spain for thirty years. He spent his entire time here going between Minorsan and our home. Jose seemed to exemplify the mental qualities of the teaching, in the responsible way he behaved in our home. After a training he would rush back to our home to put down what he learned before he was to return to the studio. He was neat and clean, and always left in time to be present for training. He ate simply, a self discipline that was impressive, so as not to be uncomfortable for class. He was and is a devoted and passionate practitioner of the Art of Self Defense. He explained that the purpose of the teaching was to learn to live the techniques that foster non-aggressive interactions with others. If he returns to Santa Cruz for further teachings we would feel happy to host him again.”—Shalom and Vito Victor
Students were lucky to meet ‘Chema’
Some of our members had a chance to meet Chema (Jose Maria), and interact with him away from the studio. I always cherish meeting people whose homes are in other countries, and then getting to know them and their perspective on life, living, and happiness. They have so much to teach us and share with us, and vice versa. He totally understands how martial arts can transform lives.
Martial Arts are truly transforming
I cannot overemphasize how truly transformative our Martial Arts Program has been for many individuals. There is nothing like it on the planet. Learning to kick-butt, and then using your own spiritual guidance in how/when you apply it, is a powerful skill and a true gift to give yourself. You are in control of your own life, and there is nothing better, nor more powerful, than that.
Power ON…
Clara E Minor is the Master Instructor/Trainer for MINORSAN Self-Defense & Fitness in Santa Cruz, CA. You can reach her at THIS LINK