From The Black Belt Book of Life: Secrets of a Martial Arts Master.

Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance.

The leader shows that style is no substitute for substance.

CONGRATULATIONS SMASHER, aka Aidan Ligtvoet, on being promoted to Purple Belt! Aidan’s test was on 6 August 2019. Pictured from left to right are his brother, Tristan, aka “Raptor” (the 64th Black Belt of the Kiado-Ryu who currently holds a 2nd Dan ranking); mom Atousa and dad Edward.

Smasher’s journey to Purple Belt was a long one but highly inspirational. Aidan is the epitome of the #1 quality common to all successful people, and especially those distinguished individuals who became Kiado-Ryu Black Belts—persistence. He still has a long way to go but with his innate determination, a KIA Black Belt brother, and highly supportive parents, he will one day join the elite company of the 2% of students who achieved Black Belt status in the Kiado-Ryu system of martial arts.

The goal of sparring is not to beat up our opponent but to learn from the experience. In actual combat, the goal is to win, to defeat our opponent. However, in sparring the goal is to gain valuable knowledge of combat in a controlled environment, bearing in mind that the “Process is the Product,” not victory or defeat.

What does the sparring process teach us? Actually, the more germane question is, “What does sparring not teach us?”

There is an art to the “gun,” just as there is an art to the fist, the open hand, the kick, the knife, the sword, etc. There is also a science to the “gun,” to its usage and application. Thankfully, there are great and generous friends who have blessed Whitefire and the KIA with their tremendous gifts and loving support.

Among the most generous and devout families in the history of the Karate Institute of America are the Griffins. Pictured below are Mountain Man James (in the hat, KIA Black Belt #60) and Ben (in the tie). Not pictured are Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, Anna (KIA Black Belt #55), Joel and Josh. Except for Ben, who is a lawyer in Orange County, the rest of the family has moved to the stunning beauty of Idaho.

The first chapter of The Black Belt Book of Life: Secrets of a Martial Arts Master is entitled, “Martial Arts is Life.” Sparring, which is a fundamental aspect of martial arts, therefore reflects many facets of life, perhaps the most critical of which is “problem solving.”

We all have problems is life. That’s a gimmie. Who is there whose life is devoid of problems? Answer: no one. The issue is, “How do we solve our problems?” Truly, sparring fortifies us with meaningful tools and problem-solving capabilities.

Perks are benefits. Sparring is light contact fighting designed to simulate actual combat for learning purposes but without the full intent of actual fighting, whose goal is to physically defeat your opponent. One of the many critical perks of sparring is independence—a state where the individual is autonomous, free and sovereign.