Tigard karate instructor offers an alternative to kids
Bob Ellis says the form of karate he teaches can help instill strong character, morals and discipline in youth
By Barbara Sherman
The Times, Nov 15, 2007
TIGARD – Bob Ellis has a much broader mission than teaching karate to kids. The owner of a business on Main Street called Seishinkan Karate on Main, Ellis of course wants to teach karate, but he also wants to teach kids to aspire to high ideals and standards. “I’m on a mission and want to get the word out,” he said. “There have to be alternatives for kids out there who don’t want to play football or soccer. “I’m very passionate about this. It’s nice to be able to devote this part of my life to doing good. The comments from parents have been rewarding.”

The true focus of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do is to instill participants with strong character, morals and discipline, according to the federation’s Web site. “Moral, intellectual and physical training combine as one to encourage positive development of the human spirit,” stated Higaonna Morio, chief instructor and chairman of the International Okinawan Goju-Ruu Karate-Do Federation. “Through karate training, a student will learn to focus and apply the power of the mind. “Students develop qualities centered on courage, morality, resolve and responsibility... This is what is meant by karate-do. This is what we practice. This is what we teach.”

A former Marine, Ellis said he has more than 25 years of experience as a defense-industry executive. He also said he received top-secret security clearance and worked with the special operations and intelligence communities. On the karate side, Ellis is a personal student of Morio and the founder and chief instructor of the IOGKF, which has more than 80,000 students in 45 countries. Ellis, who has 45 years of karate experience, is a certified IOGKF senior instructor and a member of the IOGKF-USA Executive Committee and National Grading Board. He is disheartened at the state of our society today, which he feels includes lack of character education at home and in school, a win-at-all-costs mentality in sports, and family pressures that lead to broken homes and kids left alone. Ellis uses statistics from “Report Card 2002: The Ethics of American Youth” that he says proves him right. In a survey of 12,000 high school students, cheating went from 71 percent in 2000 to 74 percent in 2002; theft increased from 35 to 38 percent; willing to lie to get a good job jumped from 28 to 39 percent; stealing from a store within the past 12 months went from 31 to 38 percent; and cheating on an exam once in the past year jumped from 61 percent in 1992 to 74 percent in 2002. In sports, Ellis said that coaches don’t always set a good example, and many coaches place winning above honorable competition and condone illegal or unsporting conduct. Ellis also agrees with the national studies that show childhood obesity has become an epidemic and will lead to serious diseases and earlier deaths.
Ellis believes the solution is lifestyle modification and developing character in youth, such as through karate.

“What are we doing to our kids?” he asked. “People are not caring for their kids, and a litany of problems are erupting at the family level. These kids who are left alone are ignored and getting fat. Diabetes will overwhelm the medical-care system. “Schools aren’t teaching these things. What we need is action, not discussion. The problems are addressable by life-style modification.”
According to Ellis, karate is not a sport but a lifestyle. His karate studio currently has between 75 and 100 students, with the youngest 5 years old and the oldest 34 years old.

Ellis starts new students in an introductory, two-month-long class, and he requires the parents to meet with him and go over the curriculum so that everyone has the same expectations.
“Everybody has to be invited to join,” Ellis said. “Our goal is for kids to earn their junior black belt. They all sign a letter a intention to get it.” He also works on personal issues, as exemplified by his leadership and anti-bullying classes and another one on stranger awareness. Another aspect is the physical, and a third one is values. For example, September was respect month.
“Anyone can call himself a karate teacher,” Ellis said. “What makes me a little different is that I had experience in the corporate world, and I had all my (karate) training in one place, and all my records are there.” Ellis said that our culture is one of instant gratification, while his karate training takes dedication and hard work. “It’s not quick and easy,” he added. Ellis and his family have lived in Tigard for 14 years.

Seishinkan Karate on Main is located at 12566 S.W. Main St. in Tigard. For more information, visit www.karateonmain.com or call 503-968-1600

FREE SEMINAR
Dealing With Bullies
Strategies for Kids and Parents

November 21st 7:00 PM

Learn:
Warning Signs
The Bully – The Bullied – The Bystander
Peaceful Conflict Resolution
What You Can Do
How to Stand Up for Yourself

Space Limited – For Reservations – Call
503.968.1600
Karate on Main
12566 SW Main Tigard

A Successful Grand Opening!

A Successful Grand Opening!
A great event was the opinion of all who attended SEISHINKAN's Grand Opening celebration. The dojo received many blessings during the festivities and best wishes were extended for a positive and successful educationl environment for every student. Food was plentiful and the conversation lively. The above photographs captured the mood of this special day.

October 6 2007

Grand Opening
SEISHINKAN
Karate on Main

Grand Opening Festivities
Cultural festivities will abound on Saturday, October 6th with the grand opening of Karate on Main, 12566 SW Main Street, in old town Tigard. The public is welcome with events lasting from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Scheduled activities include:

· Satoko Matayoshi - Okinawan Dance
· Phillip Archambault - Native American blessing
Phillip Archambault is a Traditional Lakota Spiritual Advisor who has provided the blessing to open the US Congress. He is a respected Elder of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North Dakota.
· Aztec Dancers - Traditional Aztec Dancing
Historically, these sacred dancers call the Spirits of the Four Directions bringing honor and blessings to important occasions and places. Their appearance and the sound of their drums signal the blending of Heaven and Earth.
· St Anthony Blessing
· Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Demonstrations
· Face Painting – Kids favorite
· Martial Arts Videos
· And More….

About
SEISHINKAN Karate on Main teaches teach traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do adhering to time-proven methods of instruction handed down from the masters of the past and present. The name SEISHIKAN translates as “The place where we develop our character”. Students learn to set, work toward and achieve goals through dedication and perseverance. Through effort and hard work all worthwhile goals can be achieved.

Owner and Chief Instructor, Robert E. Ellis, 6th Degree Black Belt, with over 45 years of experience, is one of the highest ranking teachers in the U.S. certified by the International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF), one of the largest and most respected martial arts organizations in the world. Ellis, a former high-tech CEO is devoting his time and energy to help build the character of young adults.

Movie Night

SEISHINKAN
Karate on Main

Movie Night

When: Friday, September 28th

Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Film: Shrek

Please sign up at the Office

All Children must be accompanied by a parent

Bring your pillow and Blanket