I believe that transformation comes from experiences that challenge us. Many times we can’t see the growth in front of us as we navigate challenges, but if we allow ourselves, we will grow into something new. Some days training is hard, sometimes we get bruised, sometimes we fall down. Every one of those bumps shape the person we are becoming. 

Fall is a time of preparing for rest. The hard labor of harvest time is behind us, and now our ancestors would turn towards preparing for the long winter ahead. The fields would be put to bed, and preserving food would be in full swing. This is the perfect time to reflect on gratitude.

This month, as we are headed into Fall, I am considering health; my health, your health, and the health of our community.  Many of us come to train because of the incredible physical benefits of martial arts. We train our bodies to be strong and flexible, but health is more than just how well our bodies can move. Health encompasses your body, your emotions, your mind and your spirit. Many people are surprised to discover how training is healthy for all areas of our self if we allow the healing, the conditioning and the growth to happen. 

Today I want to reflect on school. Fall is here and people are back in school. There are many things we could call One With Heart but we call it our ‘school’ because we bring together our Master Teacher Mas Guru Agung Janesa, excellent instructors, and students of all ages and ranks into one place where we all come to learn. School is a place where we come together to learn new ideas and skills, and it is a place where what you put in returns to you tenfold. We do not teach good classes here; we only teach great classes. All of our instructors have ongoing training and Mas Guru Agung Janesa has shifted her role and attention so she can continue to focus her attention on Teaching.