This has been a personally challenging year filled with change, loss, and transitions. And stories. This past year I have had the privilege of listening to a lot of stories. Stories that have made me sad, sometimes angry, often inspired, and motivated to make change where I can.

This blog is in response and in support of my friend and theater colleague, Tina Uyeno, who recently wrote an article called “She Speaks.” Here is the link: https://medium.com/@christina.uyeno/i-want-to-start-by-first-stating-that-this-article-is-specifically-for-those-who-are-in-c0a58c4844e3

In her article, she bravely speaks out on the #MeToo movement in our theater community. She has been collecting stories, too. Stories of sexual harassment and assault that have affected dear friends and implicated members of our very own Hawaii arts community– a community that I love.

My response is this: Mahalo. And it’s time.

We must become our own heroes and write a new story. It is time for speaking, it is time for change, and it is time to start healing. We must create spaces that are safe for our artists. Most importantly, we must take responsibility for creating those spaces.

She shared with me that one of her critics likened her speaking out to the “Salem Witchhunts.” Unfortunately, unlike the Salem Witchhunts, the perpetrators are not innocent. I am appalled at this reference. I am a firm believer in forgiveness, but I am also a firm believer in accepting responsibility for the choices one makes and facing the consequences. Choices were made that irreparably damaged members of our community, and their voices should be heard.

I thank those who have been brave enough to tell their story. And I support those who are not ready to tell their story yet, myself included. You are not alone.

I would like to host a forum for discussion of safe theatre practices and codes of conduct at the ARTS at Marks in the near future. Stay tuned for details.

When I say “me too,” it is not because I am also a victim, but because I am in the fight for change. Count me in. Me. Too.

School’s out!  And even though many of us have been out of school for quite some time, summer still holds the promise of beachy days and carefree fun.

I’m especially nostalgic this summer.  My Cade turns 18 and is graduating from high school.  So, this is really the last official “school’s out” that we will share.  No more lazy summer days for him or vacation as he prepares for college and adulthood.  When you are in the thick of parenting, it seems endless– an endless cycle of school days, homework, scheduling, and summers.  And then, just like that, it’s over.

What the heck do I do now?  Time has been such a rare luxury.  I’ve been racing around doing pickups and drop-offs, juggling work and single parenting.  Always worrying. Always wishing for a little more sleep. The thought that I can “take a moment” is both scary and exhilarating.  I’m still too exhausted to fully process it.  But, I will be celebrating Cade’s success at his graduation on May 22nd.  I kind of feel like it’s my graduation day, too. We made it.

Our dojo Summer Schedule starts on June 4th.  Morning classes are back and Friday Fun-days, too.  Our summer bootcamp starts on June 9th.  Let’s have some good, old fashioned summer fun this year.  School’s OUT, people!

(Click the link below for our summer schedule.)

2018 Summer SCHEDULE

Happy New Year!  There is something about celebrating the end of the year and cheering in a new one, that puts us all in the mood for positive changes.  So, we are kicking 2018 off with our annual Wall of Change.

I’ve been baking my way into the new year, because baking reminds me that a few humble ingredients with some time and care can become a bit of lovely, wholesome magic.

Being able to take time and care seems to be a luxury these days as we rush around.  So, I’d like to spend this year focusing on taking some time and care– to do everything with integrity.  This means I will have to prioritize and only say yes to the things that really matter.  My 30-day goal will be to take 10 minutes of quiet every day to decide what is a Yes and strengthen my resolve about the No’s.

What will you choose for YOUR 30-day challenge?

Choose a small goal that you can practice daily that will improve your  overall health and happiness.  You could choose something physical or mental or emotional.  Write your goals and share them on our Wall of Change at the dojo.  We’ll move forward together and inspire each other.

Remember: A goal is dream with it’s work boots on.  Or, in my case, a rolling pin in hand.

Ten years ago, my best friend, Hugh, sent me this card when I told him I was quitting my “real job” and opening up my own martial arts school.  I opened the card and the first line of his note read, “or the net won’t appear, but you’ll never know unless you try.” He went on to express his support of my leap of faith.

Most people don’t know that one of the main reasons I started my own business was to be be at home more for my little Cade who was struggling to transition after my divorce.  What most people DO know is that I had been working toward my dream of having my own dojo for a long time.  I just never felt like I was ready, even though my master and others kept telling me that it was time.

Sometimes, you just have to leap.  And the net may not appear.  I learned that it was me– I was the net.  The dojo would survive if I took responsibility and persevered.  Some lessons were very challenging.  Some were uplifting and unexpected.

What I love best is that we became an ohana.

I could not have done it without all of you.  I would like to express a special mahalo to some very important folks who helped to shape dojo.  Heartfelt thanks to Sensei Linnelle, Sensei Brian, Anjali, Sensei Roy, and Sensei Barbara who were with me from the beginning.  Mahalo to Sensei Kim and Sensei Ben who left an indelible mark on our youth hapkido program.  Emily, Grace, and Tara who helped build the fitness program. And to Sensei Spencer who continues to spread the Red Lotus love to students in Oregon.

And to all our students, from our Kickboxer’s Bootcamp program to our Hapkido program.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  It has been my honor and privilege to watch you grow on the mat and off.

When we opened, I made a quiet wish that we would make it 10 years.  I got to color in the other eye of my daruma this week. We made it!

Happy 10th birthday, Red Lotus.

Hey all!  It’s September which means the Wall of Change is back!

Let me kick off our annual 30-day challenge with a few thoughts.  First, our motto this year is “progress, not perfection.” Life is chaotic and messy. It is easy to get overwhelmed and want to give up. Instead of being overwhelmed, create small, do-able goals and celebrate your successes. Keep moving forward one step at a time, and before you know it, you will be transformed.

What will you choose for this year’s 30-day challenge?

Choose a small goal that you can practice daily that will improve your overall health and happiness.  You could choose something physical or mental or emotional.  Write your goals and track your progress on our Wall of Change at the dojo.  Look out for the special weekly Sensei Challenge…

Remember: a black belt is just a white belt who never gave up.

“What you seek is seeking you.” -Rumi

This past weekend, some of our Red Lotus ohana gathered for the first mind-body workshop of 2016.  We harnessed the power of visualization, meditated, clarified personal goals, and made vision boards!

Creating a vision board can be a powerful tool in manifesting the life you want.  The process will help you put dreams into a tangible form using words and pictures.  It allows you to play in possibilities and open yourself up to receiving your heart’s desire.  A dream board  is a visual representation of what you want and how you want to feel— And if you dream it, you can manifest it.  Think of it as an inspiration board that will empower you.

Here are the steps we took…

A. Meditate  

First release any resistance in your body.  Focus on your breath and feeling open and relaxed.  Meditate on what you want to FEEL to be whole and happy.  What does your highest self desire?  Joy?  Feeling loved?  Triumph over obstacles? Peace?  Imagine yourself feeling this emotion.  Let it engulf you.

B.  Journal

Imagine the emotion that we just meditated on. What makes you feel that way?  If you had no responsibilities, what would you be doing?  Who would you be with?  Where would you be?  Start with this writing prompt:  I would like to feel ___________________.

Now, write down your thoughts with abandon.  No editing.

C.  Vision Board  

Use a cork board or poster board as your base. Write out your emotion on a card and pin it to your board. Cut out quotes, photos, magazine pictures, and colors to create a collage that evokes your inspirational feeling.  Maybe there are specific categories that you would like to include, such as “relationships” or “career possibilities.”

 D.  Action Plan

Do one small thing everyday that makes you FEEL that incredible emotion.  Perhaps,you just look at your vision board and meditate on it for a moment.  Ask the universe for what you want.  You will be surprised at what happens when you live with positive intention.

Happy dreaming!

Oh my goodness. It’s already September– time for our annual Wall of Change challenge.

This past year has been a doozy.  But, I love that we are finally settling in to our new space, and it is starting to feel like home.  I’ve been doing a lot of looking back this year. Sometimes it is immensely hard to let go and move forward.  We become prisoners of our past, harboring resentment and hurt over things we cannot change.  This September, I am challenging myself to keep my eyes on the horizon and my focus on the amazing people and opportunities all around me every day.  I’m going to spend 5 minutes daily meditating on my dreams for the future.

What will you choose for YOUR September challenge?  Choose something that you can practice daily for the month of September that will improve your overall happiness.  You could choose something physical or mental or emotional.  Write your goals and track your progress on our Wall of Change at the dojo.  Look out for the special weekly Sensei Challenge…

And remember:  Don’t look back.  You’re not going that way!

This post is dedicated to the fabulous students of Kickboxers Bootcamp Team 102!

When Team 102 commenced their journey on Oct.11th, I was inspired to set some goals myself.  I decided to detox and refrain from drinking my beloved coffee.  No problem. Until I realized how addicted to caffeine I was.  Wow.

For the first two days, I could barely form a sentence in the morning.  The headaches! Then, poor Team 102 listened to me obsess over coffee and talk endlessly about it for the next week.  My addiction was both physical and psychological.  I walked into Starbucks to meet a friend, and I swear my heart rate went up just smelling the coffee.  I almost gave up right there and then.  I began rationalizing.  Coffee isn’t so bad.  In fact, there are some real health benefits to drinking coffee. Ah, the slippery slope.

Then, I paused.  What kept me on track was thinking about how hard Team 102 was working to clean their nutrition and push themselves during class.  Their daily progress was inspirational. I couldn’t let them down.

Today, we begin week 5, the final week of their bootcamp.  I am actually excited to report that I have not had a drop of coffee in five weeks. I am feeling clearer and more energized.

And I was reminded of how amazing being part of a community that is focused on health can be. Here’s to Kickboxers Bootcamp Team 102.  I raise my glass of un-caffeinated tea to your continued success!  Mahalo for the inspiration and motivation.

See you on the mat,

Sensei Reiko

It’s September!  Kids are back in school, fall is approaching, and the end of the year will close in fast.

September means it’s time for our annual Wall of Change challenge.  We set a goal, practice it daily for a month, and reap the positive benefits.  This year I want you to shake it up and try something new.  Be bold and brave.  Choose something you’ve never done– something on your bucket list. Take a pic when you’ve accomplished your goal and put it on our Wall of Change or post it on our FB page.

Once you’ve done something new, you are changed forever.  And change is good.