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Season’s greetings,
December is here and the break up and shared lunch of the Warrior Kids Centre for 2010 is drawing closer. I am looking forward to a break over the holidays; and lots of writing. The Warrior Kids Manual is nearing completion so it’ll be great to get it finished and ready for its mid 2011 release. There’s also other writing that I want to get into; then of course there is swimming and lots of other R&R with my kids. I certainly enjoy my children’s enthusiasm at this time of year.
For information on 2011 West Auckland Warrior Kids classes email info@warriorkids.org or telephone Auckland 0-9-810 8268.
There have been a lot of gradings over the last month. Congratulations to all of the students who were awarded grades. Keep up the good behaviour, especially over the holiday period.
Warrior Kids gradings are based on a student’s manner, behaviour and the choices that he or she makes on a day to day basis. The gradings are not based on knowledge of a syllabus or on skill level. This is an important aspect of Warrior Kids to understand as some people have made the mistake of thinking that Warrior Kids is a martial arts class for children. I can quite clearly say that Warrior Kids is not a martial arts class.
Warrior Kids is a high impact, full on, non-stop adventure involving games and challenges where children learn to be warriors in the truest sense. The aim of Warrior Kids is to equip children with the tools and skills to face whatever comes their way, now and in the future.
Over the years I have had a large number of requests to provide martial arts based training, and at times I have obliged and tried to include a stronger emphasis on martial arts within Warrior Kids and the adult classes. Even on the last brochure it states martial arts skills. So I can certainly see why people would expect martial arts from the classes. However the classes have always involved a range of approaches that have nothing to do with martial arts; so any martial arts training has only ever been one aspect of the classes.
I have studied martial arts for many years which has led to the development of Constructive Response; and with this development, the term martial arts is no longer applicable to any aspect of training in Warrior Kids.
Constructive Response is not martial arts. Constructive Response is a peaceful method of dealing with the aggressive conduct of others on a cognitive, emotional and physical level.
This is important to state because as mentioned earlier some families come to Warrior Kids thinking that it is all about martial arts. In addition, adults who have done martial arts make the mistake of thinking that all they need to be a Warrior Kids instructor is more martial arts training.
Parents should question any martial arts schools claiming to provide anger management, emotional development, communication skills or conflict resolution. Where has the Instructor of such a school acquired these skills, where have they trained and what evidence of such training do they have? What are their qualifications? Otherwise students can be set up to fail and pick up strategies that are not constructive, healthy or safe.
I feel partly responsible for influencing such schools as for too long I used the term martial arts. When I started Warrior Kids in 1994 there was nothing else around even remotely similar and there still isn’t. Recently classes have started up that are attempting to follow the Warrior Kids approach. What these schools need to understand is that there is a lot more to it. It is not martial arts.
I would expect the Instructors of these schools to acquire training and experience in the social and personal development areas that they wish to teach, as opposed to reading a few books then simply going out and giving it a go. Otherwise they are at risk of damaging their students and their school.
Even of the people who have trained under me personally, only those with signed Warrior Kids Instructor certification from me should be considered qualified Warrior Kids Instructors. They should have a certificate from me stating that they are a Warrior Kids Instructor. Belt grade certificates are not counted.
When my book Warrior Kids, Empowering Children is released next year it will be aimed predominately at school teachers, youth counsellors and other qualified professionals. Anyone wanting the manual will be able to get it. However, those without qualifications and experience in the various aspects of Warrior Kids will be encouraged to further their abilities. And only the best will ever feature on this site.
From this point onwards I will no longer use the term martial arts to describe Warrior Kids, as it is misleading and irresponsible. Warrior Kids is not martial arts. Warrior Kids teaches Constructive Response, Bodywork, Emotional Awareness, Cognitive Conditioning, Self Awareness, Self Control, Social Skills and Conflict Resolution.
Have a safe and happy holiday
Regards
Tim
Warrior Kids photos courtesy of Paul McSweeny, thank you.
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Hi everyone,
The sun is out and we’re getting some beautiful days here in New Zealand. The birds and their new arrivals are full of song and dance through the trees. I heard my first cicada for the spring, the other day. Cicadas are special. Living underground as a grub for such a long time, to then crawl out and emerge from their skin with glistening wings and rhythmic tune. And as I write this, the sky is a rich blue blotted with puffed up snowy white clouds and the greenery surrounding my rented abode is decorated with shining flowers of all colours. We are all so blessed to be part of such a beautiful world.
This month brings a new Warrior Kids poster. This poster will feature in the Resources part of the site, along with the other posters, which people can save or print. Hopefully it will encourage children and adults to be considerate of the way they treat themselves, others and the world. In a society full of corporate driven consumerism, technology and manufactured, self serving role models, such messages are more important than ever before.
I enjoyed a great visit to Te Kura Kaupapa O Hoani Waititi Marae on the 13th of October. The students were very respectful and had excellent questions. I was made to feel extremely welcome. Sadly, later in the month a suspicious fire was lit at the Kura which resulted in the loss of two classrooms. This was disappointing to hear and my heart goes out to the students, staff, families and local community of the school. It is clear to me that we need a stronger sense of unity and ownership within our communities to lessen such mindless acts of vandalism. Kia ora Te Kura Kaupapa O Hoani Waititi Marae, I’ll send some books your way. It’s a small gesture, but maybe it will help in the rebuilding of resources.
Violence is the problem, not the solution
Having studied martial arts for 26 years I have always been concerned with the morality of the arts. Is it right to teach children techniques of striking and harming? Is it right to teach adults the same? Who is responsible when a student lashes out? Who is responsible when they get into trouble for doing so?
Regardless of how one teaches and the ethos of one’s school,
when a person is taught to hit and trains to hit, they will hit,
when a person is taught to harm and trains to harm, they will harm.
Is there another way?
In an article titled Warrior Accountability, that I wrote for the 1999 April/May issue of the New Zealand Martial Arts Magazine. I said ...
In the area of Anger Management or Stopping Violence, many of those deemed offenders through the courts have had Martial Arts experience, a large number being long term students. This is a reflection on the Arts that could prove to be detrimental to the NZ schools and has already damaged the credibility of the arts being a healthy sport or hobby.
To take it even further, a number of men with murder charges also have links to various schools. We may not have to take on the responsibility of individuals, but we may have to take on responsibility for our contribution to our communities. My sense is a time is coming where Martial Art schools will be held accountable for what they teach.
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And rightly so.
This focus of mine has led to the development of a gentler way of addressing confrontation. It doesn’t involve striking, harmful locks or even using an attacker’s momentum or energy against him. Nor does it involve backing down.
I have called this system of self protection Constructive Response and it is an intricate part of Warrior Kids. It involves postures, forms, soft holds, communication, confidence and self belief which are all achieved through training.
Constructive Response is a system for the real world and real encounters. Along with my experience as a student and a teacher of martial arts, other influences for Constructive Response have come from growing up in a family plagued with violence and abuse, working in the security industry, running Anger Management and Living Without Violence programmes for men and working with people and families who were dealing with violence and abuse first hand.
This clarity of focus has been years in the making and I am very thankful to finally arrive at this point. Constructive Response will feature in the up and coming Warrior Kids book.
Teaching one of the evasive forms of Constructive Response
(Photo by Paul McSweeny) |
Speaking of the book, there are a number of people who are bursting at the seams to provide Warrior Kids to their communities or who are keen to implement parts of Warrior Kids to their existing programmes. It is great that so many people want to be active in their communities and support the lives of children and their families. Some of these people have trained with me in past. I ask that you be patient and wait for the release of Warrior Kids, Empowering Children due out mid 1011. The book is certainly coming together and it lays out clear guidelines for the various activities and challenges of Warrior Kids that will prove essential for successful delivery. Not long now.
Regards
Tim
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Hi everyone,
First up, as promised, some pictures from my recent visit to the Taranaki Children’s Book Festival.
| Talking to the students at Ramanui School |
| The group at Ramanui School |
Announcing the winners of the Taranaki Children's Book Festival
writers competition |
| Signing autographs at the Family Fun Day |
| Speaking to the crowd at the Family Fun Day |
| With Warrior Kids at Patea Area School |
| With fellow artists at the Taranaki Family Fun Day |
| Photos courtesy of Gordon Hope & Jenny Back, thank you |
Over the years people have been asking about the set up of Kura Toa. I started Kura Toa in 1994 as an umbrella for the Warrior Kids Community classes. Kura Toa is not a business, it is a charitable trust. I have never wanted to manage a business, don’t really want to manage a trust either. All I’ve ever wanted to do was to simply run and develop Warrior Kids. Running Warrior Kids is where my strength lies. Give me a group of kids any day!
Any money received over the years for the community classes has gone to the running of them - which isn’t cheap I can tell you - rent, power, phone, printing, etc.
Since starting Warrior Kids I haven’t taken any payment for my role in the Community classes. My time and expertise have been voluntary.
I have been approached by numerous funders over the years willing to support Warrior Kids financially, even took a couple up on their offer. People have thought that it has been crazy of me not to pursue funding, yet I have proved that Warrior Kids can stand on its own feet and pay its own way. I have proved that the community itself wants it enough to pay for it. This has given Warrior Kids an enormous strength from the base itself, the community, and allowed Warrior Kids to remain autonomous.
Further, if I pursued funding then that’s all I’d be doing. The management of Kura Toa and Warrior Kids takes enough time and energy as it is. And administration is not my forte, the management of groups of children is.
Administration constantly threatens to take me away from working with the children. It also threatens my time and energy with my own children and any opportunity to write. My on-going goal has always been to lessen this aspect of running Warrior Kids for myself.
Any payment for me from Warrior Kids has come from providing the in-school programme to schools. I believe that the future development of Warrior Kids will also cater for me.
Speaking of schools, more school visits are planned for the near future starting with a visit to Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Hoani Waititi on the 13th of October. I’m looking forward to it.
On the 2nd of October it will be the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi. Mohandas K Gandhi has been my greatest role model and his life has certainly been an influence on me and my work. I acknowledged his birthday last year and this year I’m doing the same. The following is another one of his great quotes.
For a non-violent person the whole world is one family.
He will thus fear none, nor will others fear him.
- Mahatma Gandi
Regards
Tim
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| Photo by Paul McSweeny, thank you |
Cartwheels, bringing a sense of oneness to the body
Hi everyone,
Welcome spring. As I am sitting down to write this Christchurch is still experiencing after shocks following the earthquake of the morning of Saturday the 4th of September. Everyone down there has certainly had a rough time of it. I hope that things settle soon. Best wishes to all.
 I’ve had a busy month, hence this month’s journal is later than usual. Following my visit to Royal Oak Primary earlier in August I went on to visit Mt Roskill Grammar through the New Zealand Book Council and had a visit to Southern Cross Junior School. Both were great visits.
On Sunday the 15th of August I was interviewed for Maori Television for Warrior Kids and my books. The interview should show in the new year. Keep a watch out.
After spending a night in the Heritage Hotel in Auckland I was put in a van with illustrator Donovan Bixley on the morning of Thursday the 19th of August and driven to Dargaville by the lovely Anne Dickson for the Storylines Northland Tour. Visited Matakohe School together with Tinopai Primary. Then it was Arapohue, a school with a wonderful whanau feeling. It was great to be in my turangawaewae.
 Dargaville Primary was the last school for the day. Got to catch up with Alan Russek, Principal of Dargaville Primary who was previously Principal of Peninsula Primary in Te Atatu where I ran Warrior Kids for a number of years.
After a full day caught up with fellow writers Diana Menefy and Janine McVeagh. Stayed at the Cypress Court Motel, Whangarei then on Friday the 20th I visited Tikipunga Primary School and Whangarei Primary School. A great reception at both schools. Whangarei Primary even had a wonderful display of my books and information about me and Warrior Kids.
Then it was wine and crackers at the Whangarei Central Library in preparation for the Storylines Northland Free Family Day on Saturday the 21st.
The Free Family Day was a great success. I spent the day with Tessa Duder, Chris Gurney, Diana Menefy, Janine McVeagh, Donovan Bixley, Latesha Randall and others. Met many children and their parents, read from my books, answered questions and signed autographs. A big thank you to Storylines and to the Whangarei Central Library. I had a wonderful time. Thanks for looking after me.
 When will we get Warrior Kids up here? was the overriding question from Northland. Well folks, let me get the manual completed first. Not long now.
That evening Donovan and I were driven back to Auckland by Anne for another night at the Heritage Hotel. The following day, Sunday the 22nd, was the Auckland Storylines Free Family Day at the Aotea Centre. What a terrific day. Read my books to an audience in Borders Bookshop, Queen Street. After that it was talking about my work and inspirations for the Heritage Hotels Book Talk. Then it was signing books and autographs at the Wheelers Online Bookshop stand. Finally reading to another audience for Scholastic Books Aloud.
Spent the day with fellow artists Margaret Mahy, Joy Cowley, Tessa Duder, Gavin Bishop, Melanie Drewery, Tracy Duncan, Sarona Aiono Losefa, John Parker, Craig Smith (Wonky Donkey), Bruce Potter, Brian Lovelock, Fraser Williamson, Donovan Bixley, Dave Gunson and others.
 Warrior Kids' families turned up and children who had heard me talk at Royal Oak Primary and Southern Cross Junior School. A big thank you to the organisers, to all the volunteers on the day and to all the other supporters of Storylines.
On Tuesday the 31st of August I had a windy flight to Taranaki to be part of the Taranaki Children’s Book Festival. Once arriving myself and fellow artists Ben Galbraith, Craig Smith, Katz Cowley, Jill Marshall, Nikki Slade-Robinson, Michelle Osment and Trudy Nicholson had lunch at Puke Ariki Library & Museum before getting on to judging the Taranaki Children's Book Festival Writing Competition. Now that was hard.
That evening we all attended the launch of the Festival at Stratford Library where we were connected with another fellow author, Gabrielle Lord, from Australia. Katz Cowley and I announced the winners for the writing competition, then it was wine & nibbles.
 Stayed at Bella Vista Motel then woke early the next morning for an interview with newstalk 1ZB. It was a beautiful sunny day and Mt Taranaki was shining majestically; which was great as I had been told that you can spend a week down there and never get to see him.
Visited St Joseph's School, Frankly School and Motoroa School with its amazing gardens.
On Thursday the 2nd of September I visited Manukoriki, Waitara Central School and Inglewood Primary. Then it was wine and nibbles at Poppies Book Store where I got to connect with Katerina Mataira. Katerina translated my book Hinemoa te toa into Maori.
Friday the 3rd started at Kakaramea School, then it was a Warrior Kids workshop at Patea Area School with years 7 & 8.
How much is it going to cost us to get you down here to run Warrior Kids? - Senior Teacher.
 Why don't you quit your job & come & live down here & teach us? - Student.
Ramanui was the last school. The children certainly enjoyed Hinemoa te Toa and acted it out as I read it. Great fun.
Afterwards it was book signing at Paper Plus, then it was out to the Crowded House Bar & Grill in New Plymouth to have dinner and watch Craig Smith sing and play guitar. Katz Cowley also sang.
On Saturday the 4th it was off to the Hub in Hawera for the Taranaki Children's Book Festival Family Fun Day, and what fun it was. The day was a great success. Well done to Pam Jones who spear-headed the festival. A big thank you to her and to everyone that worked on it and looked after me and my fellow artists. I had a tremendous time and would certainly do it again.
 I have had such an exciting month and met lots of great people, my fellow artists included. The schools were wonderful as were the children and their families. Hopefully I will have some photos soon to show.
While I was away Jonathon Alex Otia took care of the Warrior Kids classes. Thank you Alex.
When I went to high school I was a somewhat delayed learner. I didn't know the alphabet, I didn't know my times tables and I didn't know how to tell the time on clocks with hands.
As an Author I have had loads of rejection, I have won awards and I haven't won awards. If there is something that you love to do, as I love writing, don't give up. Keep going.
Regards
Tim
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Practising with Nunchakus is an exciting and fun way to enhance coordination, improve motor skills and develop self control
Hi everyone,
I had a great visit to Royal Oak Primary on August the 2nd through the New Zealand Book Council. The students were very responsive and respectful. They and the staff certainly made me feel welcome.
During the visit I read from my books Taming the Taniwha and Warrior Kids. We discussed Habits of Mind and the value and importance of establishing constructive habits in our lives. I talked about having to face habits and behaviours early in my life that were not constructive such as inappropriate ways of managing anger and other emotions. And all of this was achieved with a great deal of laughter and fun. A big thank you to Royal Oak Primary for their warm hospitality.
Southern Cross Junior School has been added to my lists of schools to visit in August. I will be visiting Southern Cross Junior School on Wednesday the 11th. My other visits and events this month include…
Monday 9 August
Mt Roskill Grammar – Author Visit through the New Zealand Book Council
Thursday 19 August & Friday 20 August
Storylines Northland Story Tour
Saturday 21 August
Storylines Family Day, Whangarei
Sunday 22 August
Storylines Family Day, Auckland
Tuesday 31 August – Saturday 4 September
Taranaki Children’s Book Festival 2010
When I first started Warrior Kids, I wanted an icon to be a part of the logo. I wanted an animal that would appeal to children and that would also suggest strength and sincerity. I explored a number of options, but in the end settled on an elephant.
Elephants are family orientated. If a baby complains, the entire family will rumble and go over to touch and caress it. Elephants have greeting ceremonies for when a friend that has been away for some time returns to the group.
These majestic animals grieve at the loss of a stillborn baby, a family member, and in many cases other elephants. Elephants cry, play, have incredible memories, and laugh!
 One of my young adult students in 1994, Conroy Young, a magnificent artist, got to work and designed an elephant for Warrior Kids.
This elephant named ‘AL’ was the image for Warrior Kids up until a few years ago when I decided to continue without him. At the 16 year celebration of Warrior Kids in June, Catherine Hannken gave a speech and stated that someone was missing. She then gifted me an original Warrior Kids T-shirt bearing the elephant to hang up in the centre. This of course got me thinking and so I’m pleased to announce that ‘AL’ is now back in his rightful place as the icon of Warrior Kids.
In the last week of July, Tania Lewis of Whangarei was driving her 16-year old son’s Mitsubishi when she stopped to help a woman who waved her down. The pair drove off, but were pursued by a hammer-wielding man who rammed the car with his own vehicle. The two women ended up escaping on foot and hid until police arrived.
Tania is being hailed as a hero and is receiving praise and gifts from people all over New Zealand. There is no mention of Martial Arts experience here. This is just a woman who went to the aid of another and ended up successfully protecting herself and the woman she had picked up.
Tania is an inspiration for all of us and her actions demonstrate that we all have a natural instinct when it comes to survival. Even without a black belt.
The martial arts world is full of ‘what if’ possibilities. These most commonly feature formidable attacks that know no end. Many martial arts and action movies are a reflection of ‘what if’ scenarios, and yet you would be hard pressed to find anything that resembled a real life story among them. They are works of fiction. Statistically you are more likely to be hurt by someone you know than by a stranger. People are also more likely to harm themselves through their own actions, such as reckless or drink driving, poor eating habits, smoking, drug taking, a lack of exercise, excessive risk taking and acts of carelessness or the mismanagement of stress and emotions.
What if the world ends? But what if it doesn’t? When it comes to ‘what if’ scenarios it works both ways. There are endless ‘what if’ possibilities that might occur for an attacker. As demonstrated above with Tania’s story, it can go either way.
Life is full of ‘what if’ possibilities and it is important not to get hung up on them. Otherwise you are more likely to fall victim to depression and poor health. Dwelling on ‘what if’ possibilities generate fear, anxiety and stress. Paranoia also comes to mind. This is very taxing on our health and well being.
When faced with a threat, Tania Lewis responded appropriately. Developing constructive habits of managing our stress and emotions (physically, mentally and spiritually) will prepare us for ‘what if’ scenarios. With this confidence we’ll be able to face whatever comes our way. We’ll have the confidence to simply relax and focus on what’s in front of us, rather than to dwell on ‘what if’ possibilities.
Regards
Tim
Photos courtesy of Paul McSweeny, thank you.
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Kia ora, Greetings,
Last night I went to Warrior Kids. Papa Tim asked us to get a drink but when we were in the kitchen somebody switched off the light. I was a little bit frightened but I felt a little braver with my friends.
Papa Tim said, 'whats wrong?', because he saw the look on my face. I told him what happened and he told everyone to go on the mat and we talked about it.
by Nature, aged 9
The last week started off with a great story from Nature. Thank you Nature for sharing it with us.
Warrior Kids have certainly been demonstrating their strengths. Sebastian has always been one to excel. Recently he attained his Green Belt. Sebastian puts a lot of effort into his school work and into supporting his family. Sebastian has felt the full effects of Cancer in his family and since the age of 10 has been growing his hair with the plan to cut it off when he turns 15 in order to raise money for Cancer Research. Truly a Warrior Sebastian.
Holly is a leader in Warrior Kids, a great role model and puts all her effort into every class. She is now a Yellow Belt. Holly certainly does her family proud. An avid reader she enjoys school and works hard. Last month saw Holly winning her School Chess Championship and as a result was awarded this trophy. Great work Holly. Keep it up.
Clever and creative Jared has certainly had his challenges but this year he has become more focussed and is now putting tremendous effort into his school work and into Warrior Kids. And as a result he was awarded two certificates at his school assembly, and was graded to Green Belt in Warrior Kids. Excellent to see Cartwheels on both sides too, Jared. Now that’s skill.
It is also important to acknowledge the effort and energy of the parents. What a great job they’re doing.
Other Warrior Kids have been continuing to go up in reading levels at school and are improving in their other subjects as well as choosing to behave constructively. Good things take time so let’s keep going. There are plenty more accounts to come of achievements from Warrior Kids, so watch this space.
| A Warrior Kids' photographer in action! |
I will be packing my bags soon and heading off to visit schools and communities around New Zealand. The dates of the visits and events that I will be appearing and presenting at are as follows ...
Monday, 2 August
Royal Oak Primary – author visit through the New Zealand Book Council
Monday, 9 August
Mt Roskill Grammar – author visit through the New Zealand Book Council
Thursday, 19 August
Storylines Northland Story Tour - Dargaville
Friday, 20 August
Storylines Northland Story Tour - Whangarei
Saturday, 21 August
Storylines Family Day, Whangarei
Sunday, 22 August
Storylines Family Day, Auckland
Tuesday, 31 August – Saturday, 4 September
Taranaki Children’s Book Festival 2010
On the 24th of June I had a wonderful visit from touring Professors and students from Salisbury University, USA, who came to speak to me and to see Warrior Kids in action. There have been a lot of requests from America for Warrior Kids and for me to visit there. I look forward to this trip in the future. A big thank you to Ernie Bond and his team from Salisbury University, you are always welcome at the Warrior Kids Centre.
Some of us got together on Saturday the 26th of June to acknowledge the 1 year anniversary of the Warrior Kids Centre. It was also a time to celebrate 16 years of Warrior Kids - and to eat cake, of course!
A blast from the past. Here I am joined by my good friend, author and qualified teacher Catherine Hannken after we had just run a Warrior Kids class at Westmere Primary School in 2003. The Elephant was a part of the Warrior Kids logo at the time, designed for Warrior Kids by Conroy Young.
Enjoy July
Regards
Tim
Photos courtesy of Paul McSweeny, thank you.
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Kia ora, Greetings,
In the interest of keeping everything straight forward Budo Taijutsu has been removed from the site. Kura Toa will still offer training in Budo Taijutsu but the classes will be separated from Warrior Kids and Toatoi.
It has now been a year since I took over the lease of 22 Mihini Road. So much has happened over that time, many changes and certainly a clarifying of direction. I first started Warrior Kids in 1994 up in Helensville, north Auckland. Prior to Warrior Kids and Kura Toa I was Chief Instructor of Go Shintai Kai Karate and Judo and was running classes in Helensville at the Kaipara College Gymnasium along with classes at Kaukapakapa and Orewa.
I was living and working as a support person at Mt Tabor Trust and had commenced training at Unitec in Community Studies. It was through this study that I started looking at counselling, psychology and human development.
I later became an instructor of Bujinkan Ninjutsu, an art I had began studying in the 80s, and changed my classes to this system. However at the time I was also facing a number of issues from my troubled child hood. I knew that I wanted to break the cycle of abuse, and it was at this point that I realised wanting to and doing so were two entirely different things. It would take a commitment and a tremendous amount of hardship and work to change my conditioning.
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu is a battlefield art and this was very much emphasised through the training and the ethos of the school. I enjoyed the art but found that I had to leave in order to pursue a clearer transformation and healing. I continued to train personally, and study and explore aspects of martial arts through my classes, which themselves were adapting in reflection of my own growth and development.
I was going through intense psychotherapy and a number of various courses, which included anger management and stopping violence. When I first went to anger management I joined a large group of men, around 40 all sitting in a half circle in a room in Henderson, west Auckland. I sat on one end of the half circle. The facilitator put out the question to the group, ‘what brought you here?’ and proceeded to go around the half circle eliciting the answers from each man. As the facilitator’s attention travelled around the half circle closer to me it became apparent that all of the men had been sent to the group through either Community Corrections or the Family Court for violent offending.
As the last man to answer I declared that I was attending voluntarily as I wanted to sort out my anger. I number of men in the room were aghast that I was there of my own accord. They encouraged me to go home since I didn’t have to be there.
However I stayed on and after that course the facilitators approached me to join their organisation and to train to become a facilitator myself. I thought what better way to fully address my anger. By being a facilitator I would be working with anger all the time and could keep myself in check.
I started to implement aspects of my training in counselling, psychology, human development and anger management into my classes. I was aware of the enormous amount of shame that the men on the stopping violence courses harboured; shame that prevented them from fully accepting what they had done and prevented them from moving on.
My thought was that anger management should be taught to children. If children learnt the management of emotions from a young age then they would be less likely to make the same mistakes that many of us adults have done as a result of being emotionally immature.
With this focus I named my school Kura Toa and my children’s class became Warrior Kids in 94. I also tried to implement anger management and personal development with my adult class, but after suggesting one night that we sit down and talk about our feelings the adult students never came back.
The children did however and Warrior Kids began to grow. To begin with I had pulled back from running classes in Kaukapakapa and Orewa, and instead focussed on my class in Helensville. The class changed and developed constantly as I explored different ways of implementing the different strains into a holistic, concise method. At the time I had no intentions of growing it. My focus was purely on running a class where I could keep myself in check and deal with my own issues while at the same time assisting students with tools and strategies to address any issues that came up in their lives.
Moving from Helensville to Henderson I started a class at the Henderson Rec Centre and a class at a community hall in Glen Eden. To begin with the classes were small. Sometimes only one child came. But after a short time the classes filled up. The fees I charged for attending were ridiculously low and I supported Kura Toa and Warrior Kids with my own money each week, the little that I had coming in.
Media attention came in 1998 and 1999 with articles in various publications and interest continued to grow. The publication of my first book ‘The Wooden Fish’ occurred in 99 and this brought further attention to Warrior Kids. Also in 1999 some parents whose children had been attending my classes approached their school and urged the school to get me in to work with some of their students. At this time it was becoming apparent to me that Warrior Kids had a life of its own.
From 99 onwards I ran Warrior Kids in the community and schools. A couple of years later I was approached by a number of Community Agencies from around New Zealand for the rights and materials to run Warrior Kids in their areas. Accountants and solicitors got involved and Warrior Kids began running in Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin and a number of smaller areas.
However Warrior Kids was never a franchise and at great cost emotionally and financially I had to shut it all down as a number of issues arose. I underestimated all my years of learning by doing and all that I had come to understand. Instructors would require more in-depth and longer training.
Burnt out I shut down my own community classes and focussed on running Warrior Kids programmes in schools; while at the same time licking my wounds. There were many times that I wanted to chuck it all in and give up. Go back to being a normal martial arts instructor. Yet Warrior Kids had a life of its own and my phone has never stopped ringing with families, schools and communities wanting the classes.
I was hesitate about starting classes again in another community hall. I had always wanted my own space for running Warrior Kids. A space that I could set up the way I wanted. I had always had issues with community halls, double bookings, messy spaces etc etc. But in 2007 I was offered the opportunity to hire a dojo a few hours a week at 22 Mihini Road. I was reluctant at first yet took the space and began providing Warrior Kids community classes once again.
Martial arts schools are notorious for looking down on other martial arts and I have never been considered a real martial artist which has really never been an issue for me. However things were not always amicable with the organisation I shared 22 Mihini Road with. But then of course, a year ago in 2009, after 15 years of running and developing Warrior Kids I took over the lease and Warrior Kids now has a home.
It has not always been easy, there have been many hardships, yet I am glad that I have stuck in there. This year I have pulled back from running Warrior Kids in schools and have instead focussed on running the community classes while at the same time training new instructors and writing a new Warrior Kids manual. The Manual will hopefully help to answer the many requests for Warrior Kids nationally and internationally. Seminars are also being planned for 2011.
A number of special people have been involved with Warrior Kids and Kura Toa over the years. They have come and gone, yet Warrior Kids and Kura Toa remain.
I have never stopped developing my Warrior Kids method and know that I never will. Its possibilities are endless.
 In 2006 my book Warrior Kids was published by Reed Publisher. Warrior Kids is a novel for children that takes them through a part of the school programme.
Warrior Kids is now available for purchase through Warrior Kids for the price of NZ$15. The blurb on the back of the book reads ...
‘You’re such a wimp,’ Mark Thomas said, shoving Sean and sending him stumbling backwards. Mark peered out from under his hood and sniggered with his friends as they bunched up in front of Sean outside the school gate.
Mark’s best mate Eric stepped forward. ‘You always hang out with girls,’ he sneered at Sean.
‘Yeah, you wuss,’ the others cheered.
Every day of school, Sean’s stomach knots and turns. His efforts to avoid the school bully only add fuel to the fire when Mark Thomas and his mates eventually find him. Then the students meet Papa Tim. Some are chosen to join a school programme called Warrior Kids, and he’s their leader. They learn self respect and respect for others, but they also learn hard lessons about truth and consequences.
To purchase a copy contact Warrior Kids.
And remember, you can now find Warrior Kids on Facebook.
naku noa
Papa Tim
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Scenes from Shihan Simon Gaunt's Budo Taijutsu Seminar.
Thank you to Paul McSweeney for the photographs.
More pictures here. |
Kia ora,
I’m pleased to say that the Budo Taijutsu Seminar conducted on the 24th of April by Shihan Simon Gaunt was a huge success. The students who took part are still beaming and their taijutsu will never be the same. The focus of the day was experiencing Budo Taijutsu training as it is done at the Hombu in Japan, and experiencing the feeling within it. There was also emphasis on gentleness.
We were honoured to have members from the Hiryu Dojo in Hamilton who accompanied Simon: Andre Paladin (5th Dan), Jo-Anne Short (3rd Dan) and Rob Burrell (1st Dan). These three also had a lot to offer and share. It was truly a privilege to have their input and participation on the day.
A big thank you to Shihan Simon and to his students for an amazing seminar. We all learnt so much, and the learning continues. I plan to host Shihan Simon Gaunt again later in the year.
I was proud of all who attended the Seminar. The students were respectful, courteous and open to learning; and they certainly put the effort in when it came to training. I would like to acknowledge Paul McSweeny our resident photographer for the amazing images from the day and Wayne Woods who, after being injured a few days before, gave his place on the Seminar to another student, and then filmed the Seminar. A big thank you to you both for your efforts and support of the school.
‘I would like to thank Shidoshi Tim Tipene for a fantastic day’s training!! Tim and his students have a wonderful attitude and commitment to training and we all were made to feel very welcome. A big Thank You to Paul and Wayne who looked after video and the photos. I look forward to seeing you all again in the future!! Best Wishes :-)’ From Shihan Simon Gaunt.
The students and I ended the day with a dinner at the Thai Gardenia Restaurant, in New Lynn, where we enjoyed the usual great food and terrific service. Next on the agenda for Budo Taijutsu training is Shihan Duncan Stewart’s Seminar on the 22nd and 23rd of May in Hamilton. I and some of my students are looking forward to attending this event. Then later in the year I will be returning to Japan.
There is a change to the Adult class. From the 10th of May the Tuesday and Thursday adult classes will become strictly Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu classes. Budo Taijutsu is also known as Ninjutsu and will run at the time of - 7pm-8.30pm. Toatoi classes will run on Wednesdays 7pm-8.30pm.
Currently the plans for our Matariki celebrations are underway. Matariki will mark one year since the opening of the Kura Toa Centre. So it is certainly a time for us to come together, share and reflect on the last year.
The Maori Language Commission website explains Matariki:
Matariki, the star cluster that heralds the start of the Aotearoa Pacific New Year, is important to Maori and Pacific people and other cultures around the world. Matariki is visible to the naked eye in the north eastern pre-dawn sky after the full moon around June each year.
There are many stories about its significance as a navigational star and also as a portent on whether the coming harvests will be plentiful. If the stars in the cluster are clear and bright, it is thought that the year will be warm and productive. If they appear hazy and shimmering, cold winter is in store for us, and all activities during the period of Matariki must take this into account.
Some say that Matariki is the mother surrounded by her six daughters, other stories suggest that Matariki is a male star. These are the Maori names that make up the other six prominent stars of the Matariki cluster: Tupu-a-Nuku; Tupu-a-Rangi; Waiti; Waita; Waipunarangi and Ururangi.
Matariki is celebrated at different times by different tribes. For some, feasts are held when it is first seen. For others, it is the full moon after it rises that is celebrated and for others, celebrations are centred on the dawn of the new moon.
Astronomers generally refer to Matariki as Pleiades. The cluster is a group of many hundreds of stars about 400 light years from Earth and has been recognised since ancient times. The brightest stars are quite easy to see with the unaided eye and in Greek legend bear the names of Seven Sisters, the daughters of Atlas and Pleone: Alcyone; Merope; Asterops; Maia; Taygeta; Calaeno and Electra.
For some tribes, Puanga or Rigel is the star that signifies the beginning of the Maori New Year.
During Matariki, we celebrate our unique place in the world. We give respect to the whenua on which we live, and admiration to our mother earth, Papatuanuku.
Throughout Matariki, we learn about those who came before us; our history, our family, our bones.
Matariki signals growth. It's a time of change. It's a time to prepare, and a time of action. During Matariki, we acknowledge what we have and what we have to give.
Students should consider their growth in the last year and how far they have come in their training and in themselves as individuals; acknowledge any changes that they have made and any changes they would like to make over the next year.
As part of our Matariki celebrations this year, a Seminar on Maori Weaponry. But there will be more on that later. Watch this space for further details.
Often in Budo Taijutsu, reference is made to the saying ‘falling on one’s own sword’. This means someone bringing harm to themselves by their own actions and is usually done unconsciously. Others may refer to this as karma or simply as consequences for one’s own actions. I have written about this before, but frequently I see examples of it in daily life of people making life harder for themselves. And it is an important perspective to keep in mind as insults, acts of disrespect and disregard can be common and are often taken on board and reacted to.
I encourage people not to react to such behaviour but rather to realise that the person with the behaviour is in fact falling on their own sword.
Recently I was accosted by men on two different occasions, and in both incidents it simply involved me walking through a car park and these men feeling that I wasn’t getting out of the way of their car quick enough.
I wasn’t intentionally walking slow or out to provoke anyone. These men were simply in a hurry. And I’m not one to walk out in front of cars without knowing that I have plenty of time to safely cross; even making allowances for if the car should speed up.
These men accosted me when I was out of the path of their vehicles. Hearing them speak to me, I turned to face them, unaware that there was an issue. There are a lot of people who know me and it is common for people to approach and talk to me on the street, so I firstly had to ascertain who I was talking to. I listened to what the men had to say and looked plainly back in response. The men were clearly looking to abuse someone that day, yet were taken aback when I stopped walking and turned to face them with little concern.
It is common for some people to try it on with others. They choose their targets carefully, picking people that they believe they can handle physically and mentally; picking people who they believe they can overpower.
People can offend in all manner of ways, such as pulling in front of others on the road or using their physical mannerisms to intimidate. However it is important to remember that when people behave in such ways, they are in fact falling on their own sword. So it is wise not to respond.
Certainly we may feel anger and want to react and address the matter head on.
At first appearance these men obviously thought that I was someone who wouldn’t respond aggressively, and they were right. But they quickly discovered that in no way was I threatened by them and this caused them to back off.
And rather than follow after these men and confront them, I saw by their actions, appearance and attitude that they were in fact already harming themselves. They were already in a fight, with themselves. They actually made me feel sad for them. One in particular was carrying a lot of weight and I wanted to encourage him to relax as the tension that he was displaying was clearly putting stress on his body. However knowing that this would probably be seen as an insult and do more harm than good, I let it go.
There is nothing to prove by chasing after others and avenging such insults. It is important that we separate our emotions in these incidents and realise that the one choosing to behave in a disrespectful manner is bringing far more harm to their lives than anyone else could.
There are certainly times where we must address the behaviours of others. Yet only when it is clear that there is no other choice and even then we can do so in a considerate manner.
What is also important is that we are choosing constructive behaviour ourselves; and that we are not bringing harm to our own lives or falling on our own sword. This is the true essence of self defence.
naku noa
Papa Tim
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Kia ora,
Hokia ki nga maunga kia purea koe e nga hau o Tawhirimatea
Return to the mountains to be purified by the winds of Tawhirimatea
– Maori Proverb
I started the month with a walk at the Cascades up in the Waitakere Ranges. Sadly it has been some time since I’ve managed to get up there. And I’ve noticed it. The walks there are certainly good for my mental and emotional well being. I used to walk the tracks three times a week; did so for a few years. But being a solo parent has changed that. Getting up there more is something that I’ll have to work on.
As of the 19th of April the Wednesday classes will change to a later time. The Wednesday Warrior Kids class will now start at 5pm and end at 6.30pm. The Adult Toatoi class will start at 7pm and end at 9pm. This will mean that all classes through the week will start and end at the same time. The class schedule is now…
Warrior Kids
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday : 5pm - 6.30pm
Adult Toatoi & Budo Taijutsu Class
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday : 7pm - 9pm
Spaces are still available for the Shihan Simon Gaunt one day Budo Taijutsu Seminar on the 24th April. This is a wonderful opportunity to train and learn from an instructor who has spent a great deal of time in Japan training with Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, Nagato Shihan and other top instructors. This will be the first seminar Simon has conducted in Auckland so it is an honour for Kura Toa to be hosting him.
What: Shihan Simon Gaunt one day seminar on Budo Taijutsu
When: Saturday 24th April 2010
Where: Kura Toa, 22 Mihini Road, Henderson, Auckland
Cost: $135
To register: contact Kura Toa, phone (09) 810 8268 or email admin@kuratoa.com
Registration closes 10th of April
To test a sword crafted by the master smith Muramasa, its owner held the blade’s edge against the current in a stream. A leaf floated by; it touched the blade, and by the force of the current alone, it was sliced cleanly.
The test was considered an ultimate trial of a sword’s quality – until someone thought to try it with a sword made by Muramasa’s master, the great Masamune. The Masamune sword was thrust into the stream, and another leaf swept toward it. Then, miraculously, the course of the leaf changed. It floated around the deadly edge, sailing on intact, as if the Masamune sword possessed a beneficent power beyond that for simply causing destruction.
- from 'Sword and Brush, the spirit of the martial arts' by Dave Lowry, 1995 |
The image of the sword is deeply rooted in our psyche originating from history, culture, myth and story and highlighted today in mediums such as art and theatre. It is an image that the students respond to on a conscious, unconscious and even a spiritual level. It holds numerous representations and meanings.
On a psychological level the sword can represent endings and new beginnings, life and death; the cutting of the past, of old ties, habits, ideas, beliefs and behaviours, and the opportunity for new growth to sprout.
The sword can represent the students themselves, and life and the training represent the sword smith, metaphorically putting them into the fire and trials, and beating them, conditioning them for life, until they’re a blade worthy of respect and honour. And the instructor’s job is to help each student make sense of this and by doing so is in essence polishing the blade till the student shines bright in their mastery of the self, of behaviours and choices.
With this in mind, it is the aim of Toatoi to develop students that are likened to the blade of Masamune. Swords that are not out to cut, but rather to change the direction of all who encounter them. Seeking the win win scenario.
Master Bodhidharma did not leave the cave until the moment he realized the truth of “maintaining emotional tranquillity with movements and controlling movements with emotional tranquillity. Tranquillity and movements benefit and complement each other.”
- from ‘Chinese Shaolin Kungfu’, China Pictorial Publishing House, 2005 |
This was the development of Shaolin Kungfu; Buddhist monks becoming highly trained in martial arts in order for them to attain tranquillity. In other words mastering the body, mind, emotions and spirit; becoming a blade like that of Masamune. Even today they continue to explore and understand survival as the main motivator for mankind and seek to face and tame the shadows within through the martial arts. It would be right to consider Toatoi as a part of the Shaolin lineage, as this focus is the core of Kura Toa.
However Toatoi isn’t confined to a temple; and it aims to support a life lived within society with all of its pressures and challenges. Also instead of being embedded in traditional Buddhism, Toatoi utilises other understandings of present day such as group work, counselling, family therapy and more in order to address social, behavioural, health, developmental, identity and self worth issues.
And intrinsic to Toatoi is its New Zealand flavour; it’s Maori perspective. Such ideals as controlling movements with emotional tranquillity and the life giving sword were not confined to China and Japan. Other cultures have expressed and demonstrated similar understandings. For instance the spiritually connected warriors known as the Na’vi from the James Cameron Movie ‘Avatar’ are based on the Indian cultures of America.
There is an idea of attaining perfection here and now, yet there is no such thing. If one masters an art then there was nothing to master. The pursuit of mastery never stops. The goal does not make us any better. It is the experiences and the learning that we attain on the way to achieving that goal, which makes us better.
There can be an element of anxiousness and desperation to reach a certain grade, however the frustration, uncertainty and fluctuating self esteem that we experience along the way to attaining the grade are as important as and more valuable than the goal itself. It is the difference between something earned and something given.
A student who has earned a black belt will be a very different person than one who was simply given a black belt.
There is no point in life when you’ve got it all. There are numerous points where an individual gains insights, yet the insights keep coming. So really the everlasting pursuit of perfection is perfection itself. In realising this we gain patience, understanding, humility and we just keep getting better at what we do and who we are. It is the experiences and learning along the way that shapes us, not the goals. Even as a teacher one is still learning.
| By the way - you can now find me on |
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naku noa
Papa Tim
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Kia ora,
Over the last month I have been full on writing; and this month won’t be any different. Not that I always get much time some days as I also have to look after my babies and run Kura Toa. However the new Warrior Kids book is taking shape with the first ten sessions being clearly outlined. The book should certainly prove to be a great resource for anyone working or wanting to work with children and adolescents.
I have become more involved with Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand this year. Storylines supports children’s books and literature in New Zealand. I am looking forward to the Storylines' Festival of New Zealand Children's Writers and Illustrators which will take place in August. You can find out more at www.storylines.org.nz. I’m also involved in a couple of other writing events during the year and will highlight them closer to the date.
As you can see from the photo above, my children have always loved books; and I like writing them.
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| Shihan Simon Gaunt with Soke Masaaki Hatsumi |
I am pleased to announce that on the 24th of April 2010, Kura Toa will host Shihan Simon Gaunt for a one day seminar. As explained last month, Simon is a 15th Dan Black Belt and a Shidoshi-Kai Member, (Instructors Association in Japan), directly under Soke, (Grandmaster), Masaaki Hatsumi. Simon is the highest ranked practitioner of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, also known as Ninjutsu, in New Zealand.
It is a great honour to have Shihan Simon conducting a seminar at Kura Toa and I urge those interested to register quickly as spaces are limited.
What: Shihan Simon Gaunt one day seminar on Budo Taijutsu
When: Saturday 24th April 2010
Where: Kura Toa, 22 Mihini Road, Henderson, Auckland
Cost: $135
To register contact Kura Toa
Telephone (09) 810 8268 or email admin@kuratoa.com
Registration closes 10th of April |
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As previously mentioned, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu makes up the majority of the Martial Arts content taught through Warrior Kids and Toatoi.
Warrior Kids is not a martial art. Toatoi is not a martial art. Nor is Toatoi a form of counselling. Instead Toatoi utilises both martial arts and counselling. Toatoi encompasses bodywork, martial arts, emotional awareness, mental conditioning, self knowledge and awareness, interpersonal skills and conflict resolution.
The physical aspects of Toatoi allow the students to put the therapeutic theory into practise.
When students are graded in Toatoi, they are graded in all of the areas mentioned above. A grading in Toatoi is very different to a grading in Budo Taijutsu or any other martial art for that matter.
The Toatoi grading does not involve displays or acts of endurance and combat. Instead it is a very private and personal process with the aim of aiding the student to succeed in all areas of their lives such as relationships, family, home, work, etc.
Toatoi is open to all and receives referrals from government and community agencies. Toatoi has featured in schools and institutions. It has been accessed and evaluated and will always be. This is something that prospective Toatoi Instructors need to be aware of and prepared for; and in so doing they may very well have a career in the form of their own Toatoi practise.
There are many martial arts that I could have chosen to use for Toatoi. So why did I choose Budo Taijutsu?
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, also known as Ninjutsu, has over 3000 years of history and tradition. It is made up of 9 traditional schools, 3 being of Chinese origin and 6 being Japanese. The Ninja were elite Samurai who served honourably for the Japanese Emperor or Shogun throughout feudal Japan, so the art certainly has a colourful past. Toshitsugu Takamatsu was recognised as the last practising ninja. He was employed by the emperors of both Japan and China. He was the previous Soke of Budo Taijutsu before Masaaki Hatsumi.
Sadly, with the Ninja popularity boom in the 80s, through movies, books and television programmes, people got carried away. Instructors here and abroad did not always behave honourably. Many misused their training and their positions. It should be known that these people were not a true representation of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.
The bulk of martial arts schools in the west are only interested in fighting and cultivating a combative and competitive attitude. This is highlighted by the no-holds bars and cage fighting tournaments that are now so common and that these schools tend to take part in. These schools are looking for the quickest and easiest way to take someone out. Not exactly a community minded endeavour. While they spout words such as confidence and life-skills, ultimately their aim is to teach efficient fighters, not to create efficient human beings.
They are teaching their students to solve problems through the use of violence. I know for a fact that any instructors or high ranking members of these schools who read this would be keen to come down to my school and physically challenge me because of it. This is how they deal with their problems.
These schools and the teaching of their arts provoke intense feelings for everybody involved; intense feelings that can escalate very easily. For me I want what is beyond the violence, the aggression and the one-up-man-ship and competitiveness.
What is interesting to note is that the majority of instructors of martial arts in the east have other forms of higher education such as degrees from universities in various areas. This is not the case typically with western martial arts instructors so it is certainly a different mindset.
Budo Taijutsu is what I call a ‘detachment art’. I also include the arts such as Aikido and Tai chi as detachment arts. These arts advocate a relaxed way of being, a relaxed way of interacting and responding to life, not just conflict. They are not about locking up but rather about flowing and the transference of energy.
Budo Taijutsu even takes it a step further, as it is less regimented in form than Aikido and Tai chi. Budo Taijutsu has no set rules in terms of movement and nor does it subscribe to set techniques. It is an open art that promotes flexibility; flexibility physically, mentally and emotionally. This is perfect for the aims of Toatoi, as it means students cannot hide behind structured control. Instead they are encouraged to present their true selves.
Budo Taijutsu advocates living in harmony with mankind and the natural world.
Know that the secret of taijutsu is the foundation of peace.
If you study this, you can walk the path of the immovable heart.
(a Bujinkan guideline)
naku noa
Papa Tim
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| many thanks to Paul McSweeney for these wonderful photographs |
Kia ora,
It has been tremendous to get back into training and to see all the students and their families again. We have a great year ahead with a lot planned.
I have studied martial arts since I was 12 years of age. My first experience of Bujinkan Ninjutsu - or as it is more appropriately known these days, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu - was in the late 80’s at the first ever seminar in New Zealand run by Australian Wayne L Roy. In the early 90’s I became a student and later an instructor of the Bujinkan arts under the late Michael Gent. Michael was the head for Bujinkan Ninjutsu in New Zealand at the time, directly under Soke (grandmaster) Masaaki Hatsumi of Japan.
Michael was a hard teacher with a strong emphasis on reality training. He expected students to be tested in every class and there were many injuries as a result. I had a close and very personal relationship with Sensei Gent and was very sad to hear of his passing a few years back. I am very appreciative of the time and training I had with Michael.
I left Michael’s training to pursue a more peaceful and holistic path and developed Kura Toa, Toatoi and Warrior Kids in the process. These days Michael’s legacy continues through his students at his schools, Maai Hyoshi Dojos, and through the likes of Travis Rapana at Bujinkan Ninpo Dojo Aotearoa.
Simon Gaunt is now the head of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu in New Zealand, directly under Soke Masaaki Hatsumi. Originally from the UK, Simon has studied martial arts for over 30 years, 22 of those solely dedicated to the study of the Bujinkan arts. As a 15th Dan Black Belt he travels to Japan every year to train with Soke Hatsumi, Nagato Shihan and the other top instructors.
I had the privilege of travelling down to Simon’s Hamilton school, Bujinkan Hiryu Dojo, in January this year to train with him and his students. I appreciated Simon’s warmth, openness and hospitality and valued his knowledge and skill of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. We are very lucky to have someone of Simon’s calibre in New Zealand.
Anyone in New Zealand serious about training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu should take the time and effort to train with Shihan Simon. That’s exactly what I was told to do by Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, Shihan Nagato and the other leading Bujinkan instructors when I visited Japan last year. And I will continue to do so.
In May this year, Simon and his Bujinkan Hiryu Dojo will be hosting Shihan Duncan Stewart. Duncan resides in Japan and trains on a regular basis with Soke Masaaki Hatsumi and the Japanese instructors.
You can find out more about Shihan Duncan Stewart’s two day seminar and about Shihan Simon’s classes at www.bujinkannewzealand.net.
The sword is very symbolic in our training and holds numerous representations and meanings. On a psychological level it can represent endings and new beginnings, the cutting of the past, of old ties, habits, ideas, beliefs and behaviours, and the opportunity for new growth to sprout.
| Let the past be the past, and the future be the future |
| Don’t miss out on a great opportunity because of ego or old loyalties |
| We honour our teachers by venturing out and being the best that we can be and by getting the best training that we can get |
| Not by living in our teacher’s shadow |
| My three old son thinks that I am hunting for alligators in this early photo!!! |
Over the years I’ve been approached by various media groups. Many have been keen to produce a documentary type feature on Warrior Kids, such as for 60 Minutes. These I have turned down.
While the exposure might be tempting I had to weigh up the overall benefits of such reporting. The media groups wanted to sensationalise Warrior Kids and show out of control children and troubled parents, and then have me and my Warrior Kids classes coming to the rescue. For me this would be damaging to the families featured and would be labelling all the children of Warrior Kids as troubled and at risk and the families as broken and dysfunctional.
Warrior Kids is open to all children and families and I have strived to keep it free of negative labels. Most parents choose Warrior Kids because it is fun and engaging and can they see tremendous benefits for their children.
It reminds me of one of the first schools that I took Warrior Kids into. The school made the mistake of putting only children with disruptive behaviour into the programme. As a result Warrior Kids in that school got labelled as the ‘Bad Kids Club’. What was really funny was that because those participating were having a lot of fun, there was suddenly a wave of disruptive behaviour throughout the school, in a bid to be allowed into Warrior Kids.
While there may be some benefits to parents, I can’t help but feel that the likes of shows such as ‘Super Nanny’ are doing more harm than good. Children should be protected from such widespread exposure. Their behaviours and embarrassing moments are not only being shown to the world but also being locked in time. No adult’s behaviour should be recorded and locked in time, let alone a child’s (unless we are talking murder or other extreme case). Behaviour should be a fleeting moment that children get to move on from in the privacy and safety of their own home and family. The ‘Super Nanny’ image and her programme certainly makes her look good, riding into town to rescue another family, but it doesn’t do anything for the image of the children and their families.
naku noa
Tim
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| Scenes from the end of 2009 breakup |
Kia ora for the start of 2010,
New Fees structure 2010
Warrior Kids: $15 per class
Adult Toatoi: $20 per class
New gradings price and process 2010
Details available at class
New class timetable 2010
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (no more Monday and Saturday for the time being)
Summer. Everything is glistening bright, cicadas fill each day with song while crickets fill the night. Blessed living in the Waitakere Ranges, I am surrounded by trees that are softly dancing in the breeze and the laughter, play and bickering of my children is a joy, most of the time. I would like to say that my holidays have been relaxing and revitalising, but the reality is that this holiday has been one of work for me. Not work in a monetary sense, but in a personal sense. Such is my journey.
I have faced violence, abuse and addiction as a result of my abusive childhood. I have broken cycles that have plagued those who have gone before me, in the hope that I can have a great future, and that my children also can have a great future and live without fear of their father and can know that they are valued, loved and cherished.
However there is a need to continually explore and delve into the effects and consequences of being abused as a child.
There is often a belief that one is supposed to just get over it and at some point be completely healed. This is not true. Child abuse occurs during the most critical and vulnerable time of life, namely childhood. This is the time when development is at an all time high. The brain, identity, personality, body and so on are growing and forming. You mess with that and you are messing with the initial set up programmes for life.
There is healing from the past, but it is an ongoing process. It is not a simple quick fix plan. It takes years.
The hurt and suffering, as well as the behavioural and attitude effects for adults who have survived abuse as a child can be a challenge for others to accept and deal with. The reality is that survivors need a lot of support to break the cycles of the past and to start to heal. And survivors will never look at life like so-called normal people do.
Addiction commonly accompanies abuse, meaning that the person abusing is also addicted to some form of numbing such as drugs, alcohol, sex, food or gambling etc. And as a result the survivor will continue the cycle and adopt an addiction or two of their own; an addiction that anaesthetises the hurt, shame, guilt and anger of the abuse, the very feelings that they must be with and explore in order to heal. Children brought up with abuse and addiction are predisposed and conditioned to these behaviours themselves. Some try and fight it, but without support, education, insight and clear directions, their attempts, more often than not, prove hopeless.
To face the past, survivors must first stop their addictions. From there it is an ongoing journey where each stage of life brings a different perspective, understanding and healing of the past. This ongoing process does not mean though that the survivor is damaged goods with little to offer. On the contrary, adult survivors of child abuse have a great deal to offer in the way of insight and understanding of the human psyche. They can have a great sense of themselves, great depth and solidarity.
Most offenders were abused as children. The majority of those serving time in prison were abused as children. When I was working with men on Anger Management and Stopping Violence programmes, I became aware of the enormous shame and guilt that prevented them from owning responsibility for their violent and abusive actions. That was one of the reasons I started Warrior Kids. I wanted to get to people earlier. I don’t want children making these avoidable mistakes and taking on more shame than they need to; shame that could drive them to do worse.
While Warrior Kids is a place for all children, it is also a place for children to heal and change cycles and to choose a positive future. Another reason I started Warrior Kids and Kura Toa was to continue to sort my own life out and to heal from the past.
Denial is another obstacle for survivors to overcome. Their own denial of the hurt and suffering that they endured, the denial that families often cling to in order to avoid owning any shame or guilt themselves, and society’s denial. The media prospers from breaking news about another child who has been abused or killed by their family, yet the same media won’t have anything to do with adults who are trying to recover from or are struggling with the effects of being abused as a child, unless they’re wanted by the law.
The same can be said for society as a whole. Very few people want anything to do with someone who is emotionally hurting. That’s why we have mental health ads promoting tolerance to people who are suffering from a mental illness.
It is another fact that most mental illnesses are a direct result of child abuse. So the healing of children is clearly where our government and agencies need to be putting more emphasis. And it would prove cost effective in the long run.
Forgiveness is often bantered around as a necessary part of the healing process. ‘Have you forgiven?’ is the loaded question commonly asked. I think a large aspect of our desire for forgiveness comes from society’s religious heritage. To forgive is divine and so on. It is an ideal that people cling to in the hope that everything will turn out rosy in the end and everyone will just get along. But this in itself is denial.
I have seen many survivors of child abuse suffer from this, being pushed by family, friends and therapists to forgive the perpetrators and move on. In other words, let the past be the past and ‘get over it man’.
Forgiveness is not a necessary step of healing. However, letting go of resentment and anger is. But one never needs to see or speak to the perpetrator in order to do this. Nor do they have to mentally and emotionally forgive the perpetrator. They just have to release the resentment and anger for themselves so that they may have a good life and prevent the cycles from continuing.
The only forgiveness that is required is the survivor’s forgiveness of themselves and the choices that they have made as a result of their abuse as a child. They have to forgive themselves for the consequences of their addictions. Not only for what the addiction has done to them but also what it has done to others, their children, partners and so on. There are also other behaviours apart from the addiction that they may have to forgive themselves for, such as mistreating themselves and others, making destructive choices in their lives, and not valuing and loving themselves.
They also need to wake up to the fact that they deserve good things in their life.
I will continue with the wrestle and struggle of the consequences of my past, and continue to surrender back to the unique, undamaged soul that I came into this world as. Because as much as my past has been a curse, it has also been a blessing. Kura Toa, Toatoi, Warrior Kids, my writing; these things are all a result of my hardship as a child. I am a conscientious father, instructor, author, advisor and human being, who is choosing to have a good life and is supporting others in doing the same.
It is not always easy. I have made my mistakes and continue to do so. Yet when I had my first book published I told myself, ‘I can do it once, I can do it again.’ And this is the attitude that I have when faced with challenges. My past caused me to believe that I was worthless and unlovable. Yet I deserve a good life and good things in my life.
‘If at first you don’t succeed, then try and try again’.
This is the spirit of the warrior, it is the aim of Toatoi, it is the heart of Kura Toa.
naku noa
Tim
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| Warrior Kids was created by Tim Tipene in 1994. |
| Warrior Kids is a high impact, full on, non-stop adventure involving games and challenges where children learn to be warriors in the truest sense. |
| The aim of Warrior Kids is to equip children with the tools and skills to face whatever comes their way, now and in the future. |
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| For 16 years Warrior Kids has featured in schools and communities throughout New Zealand receiving numerous referrals from community and government agencies. The History, Gallery and Feedback pages tell our story. |
Kura Toa Warrior School
ISBN 978-1-877514-02-9 |
Exciting news that Kura Toa Warrior School has now been republished by Libro International right here in West Auckland.
In this novel for young adults, Haki must confront his fears and find a way to answer the challenge to serve his people, to serve his land, to fight a Taniwha and, ultimately, to become a warrior. An imiginative expression of Tim's warrior philosophy.
Selling for NZ$25 + postage and packaging copies can be ordered directly from the publisher at peter@oratiamedia.com or fax +64 (0)9 814 8997.
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Now Available!
This new book by Tim Tipene features the complete ten sessions of the Warrior Kids' in-school programme in a format that instructors can apply to their own work with young people.
It is a rich resource for teachers, parents and those working with children who face emotional and physical challenges in their daily lives.
Warrior Kids is Tim Tipene's pioneering programme that over the past 18 years has empowered thousands of children.
Focusing on bringing out the warrior within, the Warrior Kids programme draws on Maori warrior concepts and Eastern martial arts in a non-aggressive way designed to instill confidence, respect and self-control, leading children to become masters of their lives.
Warrior Kids: Warrior Training for Children is published by Libro International. You can get your own copy of the manual now from Libro International's book distributor Publishers Distribution Limited and on-line from Fishpond.
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For an in-depth look at what Warrior Kids is all about you can't do better than read Warrior Kids.
This novel by Warrior Kids founder Tim Tipene is suitable for all ages 8 years and older.
Selling for NZ$18 + postage and packaging copies can be ordered directly from the publisher by email peter@oratiamedia.com or fax +64 (0)9 814 8997. |
Warrior Kids
PO Box 95-008
Swanson
Auckland 0612
New Zealand
Telephone
09 810 8268
021 525 450
admin@warriorkids.org |
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