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Events

Bring a friend to class

It is Solis Ortus tradition to invite a friend to class a few times during the year. Firstly, training with a friend is definitely more fun. Secondly, sharing the experience with a friend makes it more special
than words can explain; and thirdly, they might join your passion….
Your friend: “What are you doing today? “
You: “Going to karate, why?”
Your friend: “Again??!”

There are numerous misconceptions about karate, and what better way to invite a friend to class to delimit the matter. Many would say: “Karate is so violent; or karate is totally ineffective in real life.
Karate is not hard training….karate is… karate is…”
Apart from all the positive and negative commentaries about karate, people tend to forget the WHY we do karate. A short version is: You become more focused; you become more humble; you become more composed/stress-free; you become fit; you become friends with amazing people; and you become more confident. All these aspects equip you with the discipline to encounter your goals with an open mind, and it motivates you to work even harder than before.
All our friends in the various class groups experienced a fun karate training session that varied from teamwork to individual performances.

They worked truly hard with their friends, and accomplished a full but COMPLETE body workout. They practiced several basic punches, kicks and fitness combinations with and without karate
equipment. Just enough to let them taste the effectiveness of dojo training. With good laughs, humoristic moments and tired bodies, we can categorically claim: invite a friend to class training night was successful. Many will remember training in the dojo maybe a day or two later, as the aching bodies will surely remind them. Others will come for more sessions and become obsessed with the aches and pains they experienced. The saying “after action, satisfaction” will
burn in their minds, and some might join karate.

One of the greatest gifts that people doing karate inherit from daily training is the strengthening of the mind, body, and soul. Countless hours of training will forge a warrior spirit within you that is unbreakable. In life, we will encounter adversities, failures, setbacks, obstacles, and so much more. We must also battle our fears, doubts, and insecurities. Karate can help us conquer those fears,
doubts, and insecurities. Above all, karate will teach us to be unbreakable and never to give up on our dreams.

We as karatekas, dream to have our friends to understand the passion we found in our sport.Mentally we are strong, physically we have a conditioned body – equipped with awareness how to
use it when we face adversity, and lastly we enjoy and love every moment of it. “It is only in martial arts, that picking a fight, is a form of bonding.”


Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Events

Valentines Theme 2018

Valentine’s Day

As the story goes, St. Valentine of Terni was martyred on this day in 269 C.E. Thanks to the marital angle of his story, Valentine became the patron saint of love. But this historic day has a much different love story for the karatekas of Solis Ortus.
We celebrated Valentine’s Day for the passion of karate and were all dressed up in shades of red, pink and white. As always sensei Eugene is on target with his class planning. He picked the heart…yes, red heart – cardiovascular; very specific and especially for Valentine’s Day.
With great success and passion our classes consisted mostly to up the oxygen levels, basic training and a combination of both with rest intervals in-between.
Our minis class was so adorable when each one brought their own training partner with. Mostly it was a lovable soft toy or teddy which assisted them in their fundamental skills training. Mr Teddy or Soft toy had to balance on their heads to assist them in some balancing techniques. They also had fun with Mr Teddy in a karate way and so they rewrote the history of St Valentine in their own passionate way.
Our other classes focused more on cardio-respiratory fitness, basics and more complex feet movements of rapid accelerations and dis-accelerations with short duration techniques in-between performed with maximum intensity, and interrupted by small intervals.
The basic technical karate training formed part in building the correct form, stance, kick and the ability to perform the movements fast but accurately.
The oxygen maximum consumption in our karate training is an important indicator of cardio-respiratory fitness and endurance to empower us in our katas and kumite. The Valentine’s theme training was an excellent way to show our passion for karate and a super healthy heart.


Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Events

Open Day 2018

This year, the Open Day exceeded all expectations and left many people with goose bumps whilst
others felt inspirational about the way Solis Ortus projects karate as a life sport but also as a lifestyle.
It is amazing to see how our parents’ family values blend in with the way we teach karate to our
students. As a responsible parent we teach our kids to respond to their ability which defines
responsibility; to be respectful to yourself and others, to always tell the truth and be sincere in
everything, to always do things right, put effort in what you do, and to have self-control. All these
principles form the basis in all human beings which defines their character, a person's essential
qualities. That is the 5 basic principles in life, but also the 5 basic principles in karate. How awesome
is that? You train your brain and get a full body conditioning session with it.
Solis Ortus strives to be the extension from home in a sporty environment.
We started the Open Day with our senior class and Black belts to show the public the growth,
passion and ethics of karate. The hall echoed with the traditional foot stamping and clap ritual and
the roar of “one way JKA, JKA one way”. A performance of a kata presented a plethora of close
combat techniques, which required an advanced understanding of body dynamics to perform their
small movements effectively. The Black belts concluded with kumite, free fighting. The children
applaud verbally “wow, that’s so cool”; “oooh….awesome.”
The minis, all dressed up in their little karate suits (Gi) looked so proud and ready for the day. This
moment was so precious and captured in everyone’s heart when the Black belts walked into the
dojo, hand-in- hand, each with a mini karateka (3-5 years of age). To envision it in your mind gives
you goose bumps. They bravely went through an obstacle course to demonstrate how important
fundamental skills are for karate. With a huge bow to their sensei, they left the dojo with memories
of immaculate promise to become whatever their minds perceived them to be.
The next group worked in belt levels to show the growth between the levels and what fundamental
skills we teach in the dojo to improve balance, core, fast feet, hands, basics and the combination
thereof to eventually perform the 3K’s (Kata, Kihon and Kumite) in karate.
Amongst the group, many of our karatekas achieved Tshwane, Gauteng and National colours. Some
of them also received their Protea colours and had the opportunity to travel overseas. Solis Ortus is
immensely proud of each and every karateka in the dojo and enjoys teaching them not only to be a
good sportsman, but to be an exceptional human being; to become a leader and to excel in their
school work or workplace; to rise above all circumstances; and to be the best they can be.
Open day was a huge success. Everyone who contributed did it with pride and honour. What a
privilege to be part of this incredible karate dojo.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Events

A promising year for Solis Ortus

2018 is big year for Solis Ortus as we are celebrating our 40th year of good traditional JKA karate. 2018 will be the year where we will fill the blank pages in our stable and glorious history. 2018 will be a promising year for our students and our competitors.
Hard work and dedication is the keyword to every success story. Here at Solis Ortus, through arduous training, we will practice to always give our best. We will embrace the 5 principles of our karate code: character, sincerity, effort, respect and self-control; to ensure improvement and to focus our minds to be completely present in each moment. We will live, sweat, laugh, and learn together until we accomplish. We will then celebrate together in all outcomes.
As this season tournaments already commenced, we are looking forward to all the upcoming events this year.
Congratulations to our Tshwane Children/Cadets & Junior Champs, who competed on the 3rd February 2018. We stand immensely proud of these little champs. Solis Ortus entered 14 competitors and received 17 medals in total: 6 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze. Fantastic achievement! Sensei is so proud of this group. Intense hard work resulted in a proud and growing group to reach unbelievable heights.
As Bruce Lee says: “Learning is never cumulative, it is a movement of knowing which has no beginning and no end.”
Excited to announce that out of 17 Dojos Solis Ortus received an overall 2nd place at the Eagles challenge 10 February. Out of 14 entries Solis Ortus succeeded in bringing home 6 gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze medals; a total of 25 medals. Wow, what an achievement, 42 medals over 2 weekends. Well done all!
This coming weekend, 24 February, our junior karatekas will compete to achieve their Gauteng colours in the GKF Children/Cadets and Junior Champs. Solis Ortus wish you all the best of luck and is confident that you will all achieve your goals. Go out and be calm but alert, relaxed but ready, smooth but sharp, humble but confident, and be the best you can be.
Next weekend, 02-03 March, KSA U21/Seniors/Veterans will face their challenge. “Practice like you’ve never won. Perform like you’ve never lost.”
Good luck to our karatekas who will compete in these tournaments the upcoming two weekends. Solis Ortus wishing you all a fantastic tournament. Remember “Everyone you meet, has something to teach you.” Watch and learn, do and achieve. “It’s not about being better than the other. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.”

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Events

KARATE OPEN DAY IN PRETORIA

With the new law passed, parents are not allowed to discipline their children anymore. Most of us are wondering, WHAT NOW??

KARATE at Solis Ortus is the answer!!!!

We planned an open day on Saturday, 27 January 2018 and invite you to witness the positive impact karate has for young and old, big and small, obedient and disobedient. This way we can stand together and win the fight for discipline.

At Solis Ortus everyone is welcome and each individual will get acknowledgement and recognition.

SOLIS ORTUS OPEN DAY – Saturday, 27 January 2018
Address: C/O January Masilela and Serene Street, Magister Hall (behind Putt-Putt), Garsfontein

Competition

Gauteng North JKA trials – 4 November 2017

Solis Ortus hosted the Gauteng North JKA trials, 4 November 2017, at the Magister Hall dojo. Six affiliated dojos from the Pretoria region joined forces to compete in the Gauteng North JKA trials. This joint event attracted many competitors to qualify for the SA JKA Gauteng Regional Championships early next year. The SA JKA Gauteng Regional Championships also serves as trials to select the team to represent Gauteng at the SA JKA National Championships in May 2018.

The tournament was well run and organised, with more than enough qualified referees, judges and table officials to help on the day. Thank you to everyone that gave up their time for our students, for a job well done! We are always proud to host any event and show everybody else why the name Solis Ortus is part of many conversations.

Some of our students competed for the first time, especially in the Novice division. Solis Ortus showed formidable strength and accomplishment during this tournament. It is amazing to see how each one of them stood proud and showed their character in their specific event.

Solis Ortus karatekas did exceptionally well at the trials and therefor qualified to go through to the SA JKA Gauteng Regional Championships early next year. Everyone who competed showed great sportsmanship, competitiveness and achievement. With every competition you will build more strength, stamina and confidence to improve your performance. Remember karate is about building character. Success breeds confidence and confidence breeds success.  It is clear that the confidence level in our students are growing and that makes a huge difference in their performance and personal life.

To those who have medalled, well done, and to those who did not, remember sometimes you win and sometimes you learn. Always take the experience as a learning curve to improve yourself and never ever give up. “The difference between winning and losing is most often not quitting.” – Walt Disney

Sensei Eugene is extremely proud to all our Solis Ortus competitors. You have showed great character and spirit. Remember “It’s not about being better than the other. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.”

Good luck to everyone preparing for the next tournament but most of all preparing for grading.

One way JKA! JKA one WAY!

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Events

THINK PINK

Think PINK – Solis Ortus supports the fight

The history of using a ribbon as a token of remembrance can be traced back to the 19th century. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, red ribbons began appearing to support AIDS awareness, and other charitable organizations and endeavors began following suit. In 1992, according to the breast cancer guide on About.com, Alexandra Penney (then the editor-in-chief of Self magazine) and Evelyn Lauder (breast cancer survivor and senior corporate vice president of Estée Lauder)

“teamed up to create a pink ribbon. … The Estée Lauder Company went directly to their makeup counters with 1.5 million ribbons. Along with those pink ribbons, each woman was given a breast self-exam card, and in return, the company collected more than 200,000 pink ribbon petitions aimed at the White House asking for increased funding for breast cancer research.”

The pink ribbon, the feminine colour so chosen means health, vitality and empowerment of women. Wear it with pride. The global awareness that has been raised through the pink ribbon has helped increase early detection of breast cancer, make women more aware of the importance of doing regular breast self-examinations, and increase funds directed toward finding a cure.

The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness. Pink ribbons, and the colour pink in general, identify the wearer or promoter with the breast cancer brand and express moral support for women with breast cancer during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast Cancer is something that affects friends, families, and loved ones. To support the awareness of breast cancer, Solis Ortus started the pink karate belt tradition about 3 – 4 years back during the month of October. We have marched throughout the night, sing, doing katas as a symbol of fighting against cancer and breaking “walls”. This tradition will carry on in our dojo every year where every karateka of all ages in the dojo will show how they can help kick and punch breast cancer by wearing pink belts in class during the month of October. This symbolises not only our support to Breast cancer but also has become synonymous with karate strength, technique, and empowerment. By introducing this tradition, Solis Ortus also empowers their karatekas to understand the 5 principles in karate. Always have the right attitude, frame of mind and virtues to strive for both within the dojo, and outside.

In addition to shining a light on the importance of annual screenings, breast cancer awareness month also generates funding for breast cancer research. With every new belt bought and a training pink belt fee of previously bought pink belts, Solis Ortus have donated R1 500 to support the cause of Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women, and the second main cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. In 2017, around 252 710 new diagnoses of breast cancer are expected in women, and around 40 610 women are likely to die from the disease.

Breast cancer can also affect men although a rare disease. Less than 1% of all breast cancers occur in men. In 2017, about 2, 470 men are expected to be diagnosed with the disease. For men, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is about 1 in 1 000.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Resources: (https://www.google.co.za/search?rlz=1T4AVNH_enZA767ZA768&q=breast+cancer+definition&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjnlsfTx5rXAhUDI8AKHfOtBtAQ1QIInAEoAg&biw=1778&bih=859)

(https://www.google.co.za/search?q=Slogan+for+breast+cancer+awareness&rlz=1T4AVNH_enZA767ZA768&tbm=isch&source=iu&pf=m&ictx=1&fir=KuCp_5EPd-9k_M%253A%252CayhEokLghtPquM%252C_&usg=__QM4bxsEcqA95mDARtOnsvfx0jq0%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjqtKLK2ZrXAhUIAcAKHSUoC7UQ9QEIQjAF#imgrc=n7MmQMmg5KaV9M:&spf=1509447560688)

Grading

SAJKA Pre-grading 28 October 2017

As a Solis Ortus tradition, we, as karatekas/instructors, endeavor to attend as many events as possible, especially pre-grading. We are highly motivated to grow, expanding our knowledge, thus enhancing our teaching abilities within our dojo.  Five Solis Ortus  Shodan karatekas, Lilian Mynhardt, Sandy Verreyne, Stephanie Kugel, Heilethe Calitz and Liam van Rooyen, led by the ever present  and instructing on the day, Sensei Eugene Oosthuizen(5th Dan, Godan),  did exactly that, braving the cold to assimilate knowledge.

On arrival at the Mandeville Sports Complex, Johannesburg, we realized that the butterflies in our stomachs were not as intense as on arrival to actual grading. Although pre-grading is mandatory to grade to the next level, we at  Solis Ortus attend these to be on the cutting edge of what’s hot and what’s not.

The training was led by the ever so captivating, Sensei Wendy Wannenburg, Rokudan(6th  Dan). Her imposing knowledge and execution of karate techniques  are inspirational and mind-boggling at the same time. With the ability to demonstrate any kick, holding said kick while continuing to instruct.

We at Solis Ortus believes to prepare ourselves until it becomes second nature and can almost execute techniques with perfection. We also do understand that hard work and a lot of sweat will determine our fate the day of grading. As part of a dojo with great history and champs, we strive to be proud of our heritage and will always aim to do our best.

We also would like our Sensei Eugene to be proud of us after the long and hard hours of work he invested in us. As the saying goes: “Practice makes perfect”.

Pre-grading on Saturday only consisted out of the Shodan syllabus no matter to what black belt level you will grade. The reason for that was that the Shodan grading syllabus forms the basis of all gradings above and needs to be executed with the correct techniques, form, stances, effort and strength. Every category Kata, Kihon and Kumite need to be performed exceptionally.

At Solis Ortus we believe in preparing ourselves to the point of it becoming second nature, always striving to perfect  techniques.  We understand that hard work and effort  will determine our fate on the day of grading.  As part of a dojo with a great history, producing many champions, we are extremely proud of our heritage and will always aim to do our best, doing justice to our dojo and validating the heart and soul invested by our Sensei, Eugene. “Practise makes perfect.”

Pre-grading on Saturday consisted of Shodan syllabus, regardless of what black belt level you will grade to. Reason being  that the Shodan grading syllabus forms the basis of all higher gradings and need to be executed with the correct techniques, ie. form, stances, effort and strength. Every category, Kata, Kihon and Kumite need to be performed exceptionally.

Sensei Johan le Grange, Rokudan (6th Dan) and the Chief Instructor of SA JKA, wants South Africa to be of the highest quality, with gradings being strict as these gradings produce future instructors.

Lilian Mynhardt and Liam van Rooyen, have six months to their proposed 2nd Dan (Nidan) grading, May 2018. The rest of us, Sandy Verreyne, Heilethe Calitz & Stephanie Kugel, propose to do said grading towards end 2018. To achieve our individual goals we realise that extensive and intensive training of all that we have learnt, old and new, will have to be undertaken.

By extending our knowledge and qualifications we aim to enhance the training given to all our students.

Remember:
• Be proud, but be humble
• Work on your strengths, but be aware of your weaknesses
• Stay motivated
• Stay focusses
• Be fit
• Enjoy
• Never give up

Good luck to everyone preparing for their Black belt grading.

“Don’t fear moving slowly forward. Fear standing still.” USSD Woodbridge
Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Events

Coen memorial Challenge

Image

Coen Memorial – A historic event

The second Coen Memorial Tournament was held 21 October 2017 at the Solis Ortus Dojo. This historic event created unbelievable confidence in some of the students and great expectations and promises for our Solis Ortus new champs to be. Experience was not the key of the day, but to become part of a great karate history. What an awesome day!

Many eyes shot tears when sensei Eugene spoke with great respect of his late father, Sensei Coen Oosthuizen, and admitted with innumerable admiration that after all these years he is only feeling now that he is getting closer to follow in his fathers footsteps. How great is that? We, as Solis Ortus karate club is so privileged to form part of such rich tradition and history of 39 years. We are an established club since 1978 with enormous heart and soul from our parents, students and instructors.

 

Of over 200 students, 169 students participated at the Coen Memorial. With great joy, goose bumps and happy tears we enjoyed every move of every karateka in the dojo. The little ones were so adorable with their huge spirit and loud kias (screams). All ages had their own personalities that stood out. From more serious to shaking up to the shy one; and then to the more confident experienced ones.

 

Many have new tails to tell of the day, and many have a few bruises and headaches; but no one left the dojo empty handed. We received medals, even though it was only as a participant. But most of all we had fun!

This reminded me of an old Chinese proverb: “If you want 1 year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people.”

 As we grow as a karate club, we also prosper as strong human beings with great tradition, character, self-confident leaders and sportsmanship. We create a healthy lifestyle.

Well done Solis Ortus, our sensei stand proud to be the leader of such an awesome club.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

 

 

Competition

JKA World Champs – 2017

Introduction

This prestigious event was the first to be held in Ireland at the University of Limerick (UL). JKA World Karate Championships attracted about 2,500 competitors and supporters from 58 countries participating in the 14th Funakoshi Gichin Cup August 18 and continued until Sunday, August 20.

There are impressive numbers involved in the JKA World Karate Championships 2017 with 800 fighting mats being used to make up eight tatamis and 2 400 bottles of water.

The JKA World Karate Championships 2017 took place outside Japan just once every six years and has previously been held in Australia and Thailand. This year history was made as it is the first time since 1994 that Japan gave the winning title to Chillie.

JKA Ireland was founded in the early 1970s by Corkman Sensei Noel Casey, 7th Dan JKA; who has played a significant role in bringing karate in Ireland to a world-class standard. Its history is said to date back over 2000 years and involve development in India, China, Korea amongst other countries.

Karate, as we know it today, was introduced to Japan from Okinawa in the early part of the 20th century when Gichin Funakoshi presented a demonstration in Tokyo.

Solis Ortus makes history

What an honour to be selected as part of the South African JKA International Team as karatekas and Coach. PW Pentz and Elmien Viljoen had the privilege to be part of the 14th Funakoshi Gichin Cup World Championships 2017 in Ireland. Sensei Eugene was selected as a South African coach to accompany and coach the team to Ireland.

Sensei Eugene is not only a sensei or karateka but also a role model, motivator, holds strong karate values and is a great achiever on South African and International soil. He believes in the harder you work in your karate the more satisfying is your results.

After 2 months of hard training and long hours of body and mind preparation, the day came to face their opponents. Still convincing your body to let your mind do the work, nerves kicked in and your heart is about to climb out of your throat.

After a long flight they arrived at Shannon International Airport, 25 km alongside the N18, in the spectacular green clean city Limerick, a city of many contrasts, first City of Culture, which managed to successfully blend the modern with the historic. The weather was from shiny the one minute to dripping wet the other.

They stayed in the luxurious hostels at the University of Limerick.

PW Pentz started his karate journey when he was 7 years old. His heart beats karate. He eats, drinks and sleeps karate. He always dreamed to achieve high ranks in his beloved sport. Karate for PW is a lifestyle although he loves to compete and to improve himself. He is a dedicated hard working 12 year old, who is determined to improve and achieve. He practice 2-3 hours five days a week.

His preparation for Ireland consisted of continuous hard work and concentration on faster movements with his feet and strong fast punches. He also trained by improving his kumite techniques such as keep distance, attacking and defending techniques and more effective kicking.

With no expectations, a lot of nerves and guts he competed against 34 competitors in his division. He had four fights. In the first round he fought against Japan, second round Russia and third round Canada. After three successful wins he faced Japan again. He admitted that it was hard, mentally and physically, but prevailed and made history for Solis Ortus.

It is the first time in the history of Solis Ortus karate club that someone achieved a medal in the junior division. Sensei Eugene bursting with pride and is humbled with the fact that to receive a place in an International Championship is a huge achievement. Solis Ortus salutes you PW and stand proud next to you lifting you up to celebrate your victory and achievement. PW got bronze and ranked number 3 in the world in his division!

His parents, Pieter and Iris, are extremely proud of him. In the interview they humble themselves with PW’s achievement and stated they did not expect a medal, being there is already a big achievement.

PW was worried about his father’s reaction if he fails to achieve. Pieter gave permission to publish his message to his son to read on his flight to Ireland as his answer: “Jy het hard gewerk en jy is net so goed soos enige seun van jou ouderdom in die wêreld. Moet nie oorhaastig wees nie, gaan geniet dit en doen net jou beste. Gebruik jou kop en jy sal bo uitkom. Ek glo in jou. Lief vir jou my CHAMP!”

PW, happy and proud and cannot thank his parents enough, especially his father for all his support in his karate journey. He also give thanks to Sensei Eugene his role model and motivator. PW is already planning to start preparing himself for Tokyo 2020. His goal is to achieve the ultimate.

He made a lot of new friends and will cherish his experiences in Limerick.

Solis Ortus formidable achiever

Elmien Viljoen, 1st Dan, 16 year old karateka started her karate journey when she was 7 years old. She is a formidable athlete with high goals and achievements. She won many JKA kumite divisions in her age group over the years. Her biggest dream is to represent her country at Shotocup.

With determination, hard work, focus and a goal like bulls eye, she prepared herself as her dream aroused in front of her. She can touch it for the first time, as number 1 SA JKA Kumite Champ 2017. At last, now she can pack her bags, go to Ireland and represent her country. What an honour.

Elmien worked hard on her fitness, kicks and distance in-between school demands and studies as a grade 11 pupil. Her division was massive with 62 competitors all over the world. It was quite intimidating to see them all standing ready with no tatami in sight. Most of the girls was already 18 and 19 years old, knowing each other as the years passed by, and always meeting as competitors on common ground.

Competition was tough, extremely fast and of a very high standard. Unfortunately Elmien fell out against Argentina in the first round. She was sad and disappointed but luckily Elmien has her eye still on the prize and above the honour of being there for the first time, she will push herself to do better and prepare herself for greatness to be back in Tokyo 2020.

Her desire for greatness is the key to her motivation, but her determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of her goal – a commitment to excellence – will enable Elmien to attain the success she seeks. One of Elmien’s characteristics is, once she dealt with disappointments, motivation kicks in and she can focus on her purpose for the next goal.

Her first goal is to focus on Matric next year and then she will put her body and soul into her preparation for 2020. She wants to show the world she deserves to be there and therefor will give her everything to be victorious. “True victory is victory over oneself.” Morihei Ueshiba

Her mother, Sonja, also a 1st Dan karateka, mentioned that karate is a learning curve for life. As a sport it also has its ups and downs as in true life scenarios. Karate teach you to overcome disappointments, to perform under stress and arise victoriously in every situation.

Solis Ortus stand in awe of Elmien’s strong character and is proud in her achievement as ambassador for Solis Ortus and her country. Well done, you deserve to be part of our SA JKA National Team and looking forward to see you in 2020. It never gets easier. YOU get better!

Solis Ortus believes in you – high achievers, like you, spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately. Follow these principles and you can make your dreams come true – Robert H Schuller

Solis Ortus is exceedingly proud of PW and Elmien that touched the feeling of their dreams. The great future belongs to those who have strong vision and determination. It doesn’t matter where you are now, starting well and finishing strong is all that matters.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. “Teddy Rosevelt

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Competition

16 September Weekend Tournaments

This weekend 6 Solis Ortus karatekas participated in 2 separate tournaments, the Walk a Mile and the Samurai Cup.

Every time our karatekas compete they achieve great rewards for their hard work as competitors. It is fantastic to see how our kids grow with every tournament and get rewarded for their efforts.

In the Walk a Mile Tournament 2 karatekas competed and brought home 2 gold and 1 bronze medal. In the Samurai Cup Solis Ortus achieved 3 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals. What an achievement! In total Solis Ortus received 5 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.

OSS- SOME! Sensei Eugene is extremely thrilled and proud as a sensei of all your achievements and is looking forward to see you compete more and more growing into great champions one day.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Competition

14th Gichin Funakoshi Cup World Karate-do Championships 2017

Participants all over the world will arrive at Limerick for the 14th Funakoshi Gichin Cup in Ireland.
The Championships will be held at the University of Limerick from the 14th to the 20th of August 2017.

We are proud to announce that Elmien Viljoen and PW Pentz will be competing in this Championship in Ireland.  Solis Ortus is also proud that Sensei Eugene will accompany them as South African coach.

Solis Ortus stand so proud to your great achievements and wishes you both all the best. Remember your greatest asset is not only your physical ability, but your mental ability. (Bruce Jenner) You have achieved; now be prepared!

Be proud and always be an ambassador for both your Dojo and South Africa.

Bon Voyage!

Club, Main Club

The reasons why people are doing karate

There are a million ways to answer the question and to explain the reasons why people are doing karate. People tend to think that they are too old to start karate, others might picture karate as a violent sport filled with conflict and aggression. Nothing could be further from the truth, at least for true karate.

There are seven reasons why everyone should practice karate or at least why they do practice karate! Self-Defence, Fitness, Confidence, Coordination, Focus, Discipline and Something Different.

Let’s start with Self-Defence. Karate means EMPTY HAND. Many people relate to self-defence with different kind of weapons like guns, mace, pepper spray, screech alarms, 911, pens, fists, anything that is handy can be referred to as a self-defence tool. In karate your body is your weapon to protect yourself even when someone has a weapon in hand. Karate is the only self-defence tool that is always in hand, why because the only tools in karate are your hands and your feet. Since it is doubtful you will leave home without these you will always have them ready!

 

Fitness is the second most frequent reason for practicing karate. Karate training can be intense as an aerobics class by definition raising your heart rate to 70-80% capacity, however the beauty is that each student can advance at their own pace. You will always leave the Dojo drenched in your Gi (karate suit). Karate exercises your entire body allowing you to find muscles you didn’t know you had. Karate training will improve your stamina, strength, speed and flexibility. Because of the intensity of the training karate will improve your overall fitness and body awareness. Karate training will strengthen and develop almost every muscle in your body. Through proper dedicated training you can expect to reduce your resting heart rate and feel healthier.

Confidence: ““the quality or state of being certain”. Karate instils confidence by teaching each of us our limitations. Karate instils confidence by helping us overcome fear. Karate instils confidence by improving our image of ourselves. Karate instils confidence by placing you in control of your body for the first time in your life. This confidence spills into every aspect of your life, making you a stronger, better person. The confidence karate instils is humble and hard won, it is free of ego. This is the secret of true confidence, knowing without having to say it.” By Mitchell Saba

Coordination: Everything you practice in karate works on both your left and right brain. Karate uses all your senses and develops the student’s awareness of their body, how it functions and how to control it. This process leads to improving the coordination of the student. So why is this so important? Good coordination helps to build confidence and enhance a better performance in your karate style.

Focus: This is a question often raised by parents and the reason why their children starts karate. To focus in karate does not necessarily mean to pay attention as in a classroom, but to focus your consciousness, mind and body on a single task. This requires the student to learn to block out distractions but still to be aware of their surroundings. This teaches them to only register what is important to their current focus. This is not to say that you should be ignorant to your surroundings, however that information should not distract you. Karate is a demanding discipline which requires proper focus to master yourself and the requirements of your training. Through karate training you will learn to focus and this is a powerful tool in all aspects of your life.

Discipline: Karate is all about structure. The structure of karate is hierarchical, there is one head instructor (Sensei) with assistant instructors and then the students at various levels in the hierarchy. You cannot maintain structure without discipline. Only through discipline, trust, respect and structure can we learn to apply these same principles to our lives as self-discipline, confidence, self-respect, and control over ourselves. This is the importance of discipline.

Something different: Karate can be an additional sport towards a sport you are currently doing. Karate can be a family sport, it doesn’t matter how old you are. Karate can be a lifestyle or can be competitive….your choice. Karate takes time, but so does anything that is worthwhile, fun, rewarding and challenging.

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Club, Eugene Oosthuizen, In the Dojo

GET HOOKED ON KARATE IN PRETORIA !!!!

Are your kid struggling with self-esteem, to focus or with coordination or needs more interaction with other kids to improve social skills? Is he/she too bossy, too shy, or perhaps just a little hyper, karate classes can help your child learn many important life skills to improve certain skills or aspects of life.

Solis Ortus Karate Club can help you to help your child to improve in exactly that. Our kids are more on the phones these days and what better way to help them by attending a good workout, get fit, improve their concentration skills, build their self-esteem, teach them respect for others and themselves, improve their behaviour and above all their grades.

Solis Ortus provides classes from as young as 4 years old. We have four class time schedules on a Monday and Wednesday starting with the Minis (45 minutes), White to Yellow (1 hour), orange to Blue (1 hour), Purple to Junior Black (1 hour) and Seniors Brown – Black (1.30 hours). We also have classes on a Tuesday and Thursday.

You are welcome to attend two classes for free and get hooked on karate. We are looking forward to meet you all. One way JKA, JKA one way!

Grading

Solis Ortus Grading 3 June 2017

At last our first Grading for the year was a huge success. To all the students who have graded, well done. You came prepared and really excelled through your grading. The panel had all extremes of emotions with many surprises and pride.

The minis (3-5 years) arrived 6:30 in the morning, looking bravely in their Eskimo jackets, socks and beanie’s full of smiles and eagerness. You are the little stars that show real character and spirit. Solis Ortus is really proud to have such well-behaved and disciplined mini karatekas. From there on the day greeted the rest of karatekas with sunshine and the smell of coffee.

Well done to everyone, you showed what influence karate has in your lives not only as an individual but also in the responsibility of being a karateka. You have grown so much and Sensei Eugene and the Instructors are very proud of each and every one of you. We as a team are looking forward to your next chapter in karate especially with your new belt.

Always be proud as a karateka, frame your achievements, build on the memories and become the best you can be. Stay humble, but proud. Without knowing it, you have learnt so many life skills in karate that you can take throughout your life and become whatever you desire one day as an adult.

To the adults, you conform to so many new abilities and above all a better healthy lifestyle. Well done.

To all the parents, karatekas, runners and Instructors, thank you so much for helping Solis Ortus making this day a success.

One way, JKA! Solis Ortus the karate way!

Written: Heilethe Calitz

Competition

SA JKA Tournament – May 2017

This weekend all the Provinces in South Africa came together to compete against each other to achieve the highest goal they can in their karate journey. More than 3000 competitors entered to compete for their SA JKA colours. Solis Ortus stand proud to have entered 41 competitors between the ages 6 and 52.

On Friday the event was opened with the Special needs division. What a privilege to be part of such incredible talent. They worked so hard to come and show off their karate. After many tears of joy, all three of Solis Ortus karatekas achieved their SA JKA colours. Congratulations to Pieter, Julia and James. We are extremely proud of you and wish you only success.

The karatekas had to face huge divisions but our karate kids excelled through every division. Many received medals and Solis Ortus wants to congratulate everyone. May today’s success be the beginning of tomorrow’s achievements. To those who did not receive any medals, remember you are already winners as it took guts and hard work to get there. The fact that you participated makes you a winner, the fact that you put your feet onto the tatami’s (mats) makes you a winner. A medal cannot determine a winner from a looser it makes you strong in character and gives you a vision to strive higher. Keep on practising next year is on our doorsteps.

“We may encounter many defeats but we must NOT be defeated.”
Maya Angelou

On Saturday the Elite section came from all over the country to compete. Wow, what a day. Many karatekas prepared with a purpose not only to receive their SA JKA colours, but to be part of the 14th Gichin Funakoshi Cup in Ireland in August 2017. The quote “No guts, no glory” really came to impress itself amongst these competitors.

With mammoth divisions and hour after hour of hardships the victory came as a final demand. Solis Ortus wants to congratulate Sandra Erasmus, Elmien Viljoen and PW Pentz for qualifying for this prestigious event. Sensei Eugene is incredibly proud of you and wish you all the best. The sky is the limit.

Apart from our International stars Solis Ortus did well in the Elite group. To all the karatekas who received their SA JKA colours, well done. Solis Ortus cannot stress enough what a proud dojo we are of everyone’s achievement. 

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Teddy Roosevelt

Articles

Self-Defense Course for Remax Agents

Sensei Eugene traveled to Harties on the 16th of May during the morning to teach some brave agents from Remax a few self defense moves. We are blindly unaware of the dangers each agent face when showing a house to potential buyers. You never know who the “client” may be and it’s best to know how to protect yourself, or at least, get away unharmed!!

Grading

A new journey has begun…

For many, the opportunity to become a ‘Black-belt’ still holds great allure, and achieving the rank is seen to be the first pinnacle of the karate journey. For many beginners, it is a goal set in their minds when they first enter the dojo.

Becoming a Black Belt is not only to go through the ranks and get it. No, it is a desire, a lot of compromises, hard work, sacrifices, sense of purpose, wisdom, perseverance and most of all determination. There are great misconceptions when this is your only karate goal. Many think this is the highest they can get. But this is when karate only starts. All the coloured belts you have achieved are only the preparation to actually start your karate journey.

A new journey has begun for two Solis Ortus karatekas who achieved their Shodan in May 2017. Josh and Estiaan, congratulations, well deserved.  You have worked so hard with determination and perseverance, dedication, constant preparation to reap such honourable rewards. Solis Ortus welcomes you as Shodans entering your new exciting karate journey as 1st Black Belts.

From now on you will understand the meaning of the 5 maxims in Japanese and feel a shiver down your spine. You will feel proud to be a karateka and have to pinch yourself when you look down and realise you wear a Black Belt around your waste. It will take time to get used to it, because the honour will humble you.

A quote by Renzo Gracie describes it best: “A black belt is a white belt who never quits!” this speaks of character.

Then suddenly reality will kicks in and you realise you know nothing. Never stop your karate journey even if you think that you have achieved your highest goal. Don’t be part of the statistics of “1-2 of every 100 students reach Black Belt and those only 1 out of every 1 000 achieves 2nd Dan”. Mas Oyama

 

Written by: Heilethe Calitz

Competition

KSL – Bulls Challenge

After a cold rainy winter’s day, Solis Ortus karatekas did well at the Bulls Challenge. To everyone who competed well done; and to those who received medals congratulations. Solis Ortus is extremely proud of each and every one of you. We had 9 karatekas who competed of which 5 have medalled. Well done!