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Message Our Training Approach The entirety of Three Pillars Sword and Staff training can be depicted as a three-legged stool, where the legs are: 1. A clear picture of the end goal, 2. Structured practice, and 3. Adaptive practice First, as was mentioned previously, the end goal of training is the realization of living joyfully. And to accomplish this, we must come to fully understand what that actually means: learning, teaching, and skillfully choosing between them. Next, structured practice refers to the times we work with kettlebells and the times we meditate. Here, there is time to reflect on the thoughts and feelings that inevitably arise • “Can I even do one more rep of this drill?” • “This sitting in the park is so, so pleasant!” • “Why is my mind on overdrive today?” • And on and on (and on). Finally, adaptive practice refers to the times we work with the sword and staff – the encounters that continually challenge the status quo – that demand immediate and appropriate responses. The result of adaptive practice is a better understanding of the notion of spontaneity, which we will come to know as “responding appropriately, naturally, and in a timely fashion…” all so important when you are holding a stick and your partner is swinging a sword. The three-legged stool: knowing the end goal, structured practice, and adaptive practice. To be missing any of the legs means carrying around a stool that just won’t support you. Your Instructors Jim Redel was first introduced to the meditative arts in 1974. In 1988, he began his studies in the grappling art of Aikido, the traditional Japanese sword, and the short staff. In the next year, Jim added the Zen path, eventually attending over a dozen 7-day silent retreats with the late Zen master Joshu Sasaki. These retreats entailed countless hours of zazen, nearly 100 formal talks on stillness and clarity, and engaging in another 350-plus one-on-one meetings with Sasaki. In 1993, Jim’s Aikido teacher relocated to Washington, D.C., and Jim then added formal teaching to the path he continues to walk. Robert Sanchez first saw a kettlebell in 1986 as part of his martial arts study. In 2002, he became a certified instructor, adding both Progressive and Strength Calisthenics certifications in 2014. As a retired firefighter, avid outdoorsman, and martial arts student, Robert has grown to appreciate the effectiveness of kettlebell training. In his words, they are “brutally efficient”. Questions? We’ve tried to cover a lot of ground here and there will undoubtedly be questions. Here is our website: ฀ Website: ThreePillarsSwordAndStaff.com For questions, here are our email addresses: ฀ Jim: zenoptimism505@gmail.com ฀ Robert: rvsanch509@gmail.com Note that from the website, you can find the time and location of the next class and drop by and talk. Observers are always welcome. Seeing Clearly Moving Freely Living Joyfully 2025 Training Runs March Through November

Introducing the Three Pillars The essence of Three Pillars training is something we call seeing clearly, moving freely, and living joyfully… the direct pointing to clarity, strength, and an infectious approach to living. And corresponding to the three pillars are three key areas that make up our training: mind training and meditation, strength training and kettlebells, and the dynamic collaborations that arise from working with the sword and staff. So, for the mind, there is seated meditation – which calls for us to slow the world down, ultimately bringing a sense of clarity and presence to each moment. Learning to genuinely appreciate what lies before us is called seeing clearly. For the body, there is kettlebell training - building core strength, endurance, mobility, and resilience. This training doesn’t just develop physical power—it gives us the freedom to navigate life with ease and confidence. This is called moving freely. For the spirit, we combine clarity with movement - in mastering the sword and staff. At its core, this practice is all about collaboration. As human beings, we must inevitably balance two opposing drives: competition and cooperation… where true growth lies in mastering the art of working together. So, what does cooperation really mean? It is the balance of learning, teaching, and choosing. To only learn is unproductive. To only teach is rigid. But skillfully deciding when one - and when the other - is the key to a productive and joyful life. When we see clearly, move freely, and embrace the balance of learning and teaching, we step into the domain of living joyfully—stronger, wiser, and more connected to the world around us. . Kettlebells Classes start with 20 minutes of kettlebells, led by Robert. Kettlebell training is a great way to start building the strength and mobility required in all martial arts, including swords and staff. Sword and Staff After kettlebells, we move to 90 minutes of sword and staff training. All sword and staff practice combines solo and paired basic skills (kihon waza) with paired forms (kata). For the sword, we study two very traditional forms: • Nihon Kendo Kata - Tachi Kata • Nihon Kendo Kata – Kodachi Kata We also study four paired forms from the Shinkage Ryu school of swordsmanship: • Ai Raito Hassei • Gedan Hassei • Sangakuen-no-Tachi • Empi-Rokko-no-Tachi For the staff, we study both solo and paired forms… commonly referred to as Seitei Jodo. In this tradition - stemming from the 1600s - there are: • 12 solo and paired basic skills • 12 paired forms Meditation Finally, every class finishes with about 25 minutes of seated meditation. There are many (many) styles of meditation, and we will be practicing a Zen style from the Rinzai tradition. This particular style is done with eyes open and does not rely on counting breaths. Can’t make all three sections? Let’s talk.. Training Is… For You Three Pillars Sword and Staff training is suitable for men and women of all ages – and mature teens. No prior martial arts or meditation experience is necessary. (As many before you, you can do this!) When and Where? Sword and staff training runs throughout the year (weather permitting). We believe in taking full advantage of the tremendous southwest weather, so classes are held outdoors at local city parks. Check our website ThreePillarsSwordAndStaff.com for specific dates, times, and locations. Equipment Naturally, this type of training will require some equipment. A typical set of gear includes: • Bokken (wooden sword) • Shinai (bamboo sword, advanced) • Jo (short staff) • Meditation cushions • Kettlebell(s) • Training Uniform (optional) Generally speaking, a few extra sword and staff kits will always be available - on a first-come basis. Participants are expected to provide a kettlebell and a blanket and cushion (or kneeling bench) for meditation. (Folding chairs can also be used.) When in doubt, drop by, show us what you have in mind, and we’ll get you started. Suggested Donations Classes are free for those who provide their own equipment and $10 for those needing to borrow a sword and staff. Again, this is a reminder that we do not provide kettlebells or meditation gear.

Introducing the Three Pillars The essence of Three Pillars training is something we call seeing clearly, moving freely, and living joyfully… the direct pointing to clarity, strength, and an infectious approach to living. And corresponding to the three pillars are three key areas that make up our training: mind training and meditation, strength training and kettlebells, and the dynamic collaborations that arise from working with the sword and staff. So, for the mind, there is seated meditation – which calls for us to slow the world down, ultimately bringing a sense of clarity and presence to each moment. Learning to genuinely appreciate what lies before us is called seeing clearly. For the body, there is kettlebell training - building core strength, endurance, mobility, and resilience. This training doesn’t just develop physical power—it gives us the freedom to navigate life with ease and confidence. This is called moving freely. For the spirit, we combine clarity with movement - in mastering the sword and staff. At its core, this practice is all about collaboration. As human beings, we must inevitably balance two opposing drives: competition and cooperation… where true growth lies in mastering the art of working together. So, what does cooperation really mean? It is the balance of learning, teaching, and choosing. To only learn is unproductive. To only teach is rigid. But skillfully deciding when one - and when the other - is the key to a productive and joyful life. When we see clearly, move freely, and embrace the balance of learning and teaching, we step into the domain of living joyfully—stronger, wiser, and more connected to the world around us. . Kettlebells Classes start with 20 minutes of kettlebells, led by Robert. Kettlebell training is a great way to start building the strength and mobility required in all martial arts, including swords and staff. Sword and Staff After kettlebells, we move to 90 minutes of sword and staff training. All sword and staff practice combines solo and paired basic skills (kihon waza) with paired forms (kata). For the sword, we study two very traditional forms: • Nihon Kendo Kata - Tachi Kata • Nihon Kendo Kata – Kodachi Kata We also study four paired forms from the Shinkage Ryu school of swordsmanship: • Ai Raito Hassei • Gedan Hassei • Sangakuen-no-Tachi • Empi-Rokko-no-Tachi For the staff, we study both solo and paired forms… commonly referred to as Seitei Jodo. In this tradition - stemming from the 1600s - there are: • 12 solo and paired basic skills • 12 paired forms Meditation Finally, every class finishes with about 25 minutes of seated meditation. There are many (many) styles of meditation, and we will be practicing a Zen style from the Rinzai tradition. This particular style is done with eyes open and does not rely on counting breaths. Can’t make all three sections? Let’s talk.. Training Is… For You Three Pillars Sword and Staff training is suitable for men and women of all ages – and mature teens. No prior martial arts or meditation experience is necessary. (As many before you, you can do this!) When and Where? Sword and staff training runs throughout the year (weather permitting). We believe in taking full advantage of the tremendous southwest weather, so classes are held outdoors at local city parks. Check our website ThreePillarsSwordAndStaff.com for specific dates, times, and locations. Equipment Naturally, this type of training will require some equipment. A typical set of gear includes: • Bokken (wooden sword) • Shinai (bamboo sword, advanced) • Jo (short staff) • Meditation cushions • Kettlebell(s) • Training Uniform (optional) Generally speaking, a few extra sword and staff kits will always be available - on a first-come basis. Participants are expected to provide a kettlebell and a blanket and cushion (or kneeling bench) for meditation. (Folding chairs can also be used.) When in doubt, drop by, show us what you have in mind, and we’ll get you started. Suggested Donations Classes are free for those who provide their own equipment and $10 for those needing to borrow a sword and staff. Again, this is a reminder that we do not provide kettlebells or meditation gear.

Introducing the Three Pillars The essence of Three Pillars training is something we call seeing clearly, moving freely, and living joyfully… the direct pointing to clarity, strength, and an infectious approach to living. And corresponding to the three pillars are three key areas that make up our training: mind training and meditation, strength training and kettlebells, and the dynamic collaborations that arise from working with the sword and staff. So, for the mind, there is seated meditation – which calls for us to slow the world down, ultimately bringing a sense of clarity and presence to each moment. Learning to genuinely appreciate what lies before us is called seeing clearly. For the body, there is kettlebell training - building core strength, endurance, mobility, and resilience. This training doesn’t just develop physical power—it gives us the freedom to navigate life with ease and confidence. This is called moving freely. For the spirit, we combine clarity with movement - in mastering the sword and staff. At its core, this practice is all about collaboration. As human beings, we must inevitably balance two opposing drives: competition and cooperation… where true growth lies in mastering the art of working together. So, what does cooperation really mean? It is the balance of learning, teaching, and choosing. To only learn is unproductive. To only teach is rigid. But skillfully deciding when one - and when the other - is the key to a productive and joyful life. When we see clearly, move freely, and embrace the balance of learning and teaching, we step into the domain of living joyfully—stronger, wiser, and more connected to the world around us. . Kettlebells Classes start with 20 minutes of kettlebells, led by Robert. Kettlebell training is a great way to start building the strength and mobility required in all martial arts, including swords and staff. Sword and Staff After kettlebells, we move to 90 minutes of sword and staff training. All sword and staff practice combines solo and paired basic skills (kihon waza) with paired forms (kata). For the sword, we study two very traditional forms: • Nihon Kendo Kata - Tachi Kata • Nihon Kendo Kata – Kodachi Kata We also study four paired forms from the Shinkage Ryu school of swordsmanship: • Ai Raito Hassei • Gedan Hassei • Sangakuen-no-Tachi • Empi-Rokko-no-Tachi For the staff, we study both solo and paired forms… commonly referred to as Seitei Jodo. In this tradition - stemming from the 1600s - there are: • 12 solo and paired basic skills • 12 paired forms Meditation Finally, every class finishes with about 25 minutes of seated meditation. There are many (many) styles of meditation, and we will be practicing a Zen style from the Rinzai tradition. This particular style is done with eyes open and does not rely on counting breaths. Can’t make all three sections? Let’s talk.. Training Is… For You Three Pillars Sword and Staff training is suitable for men and women of all ages – and mature teens. No prior martial arts or meditation experience is necessary. (As many before you, you can do this!) When and Where? Sword and staff training runs throughout the year (weather permitting). We believe in taking full advantage of the tremendous southwest weather, so classes are held outdoors at local city parks. Check our website ThreePillarsSwordAndStaff.com for specific dates, times, and locations. Equipment Naturally, this type of training will require some equipment. A typical set of gear includes: • Bokken (wooden sword) • Shinai (bamboo sword, advanced) • Jo (short staff) • Meditation cushions • Kettlebell(s) • Training Uniform (optional) Generally speaking, a few extra sword and staff kits will always be available - on a first-come basis. Participants are expected to provide a kettlebell and a blanket and cushion (or kneeling bench) for meditation. (Folding chairs can also be used.) When in doubt, drop by, show us what you have in mind, and we’ll get you started. Suggested Donations Classes are free for those who provide their own equipment and $10 for those needing to borrow a sword and staff. Again, this is a reminder that we do not provide kettlebells or meditation gear.

Our Training Approach The entirety of Three Pillars Sword and Staff training can be depicted as a three-legged stool, where the legs are: 1. A clear picture of the end goal, 2. Structured practice, and 3. Adaptive practice First, as was mentioned previously, the end goal of training is the realization of living joyfully. And to accomplish this, we must come to fully understand what that actually means: learning, teaching, and skillfully choosing between them. Next, structured practice refers to the times we work with kettlebells and the times we meditate. Here, there is time to reflect on the thoughts and feelings that inevitably arise • “Can I even do one more rep of this drill?” • “This sitting in the park is so, so pleasant!” • “Why is my mind on overdrive today?” • And on and on (and on). Finally, adaptive practice refers to the times we work with the sword and staff – the encounters that continually challenge the status quo – that demand immediate and appropriate responses. The result of adaptive practice is a better understanding of the notion of spontaneity, which we will come to know as “responding appropriately, naturally, and in a timely fashion…” all so important when you are holding a stick and your partner is swinging a sword. The three-legged stool: knowing the end goal, structured practice, and adaptive practice. To be missing any of the legs means carrying around a stool that just won’t support you. Your Instructors Jim Redel was first introduced to the meditative arts in 1974. In 1988, he began his studies in the grappling art of Aikido, the traditional Japanese sword, and the short staff. In the next year, Jim added the Zen path, eventually attending over a dozen 7-day silent retreats with the late Zen master Joshu Sasaki. These retreats entailed countless hours of zazen, nearly 100 formal talks on stillness and clarity, and engaging in another 350-plus one-on-one meetings with Sasaki. In 1993, Jim’s Aikido teacher relocated to Washington, D.C., and Jim then added formal teaching to the path he continues to walk. Robert Sanchez first saw a kettlebell in 1986 as part of his martial arts study. In 2002, he became a certified instructor, adding both Progressive and Strength Calisthenics certifications in 2014. As a retired firefighter, avid outdoorsman, and martial arts student, Robert has grown to appreciate the effectiveness of kettlebell training. In his words, they are “brutally efficient”. Questions? We’ve tried to cover a lot of ground here and there will undoubtedly be questions. Here is our website: ฀ Website: ThreePillarsSwordAndStaff.com For questions, here are our email addresses: ฀ Jim: zenoptimism505@gmail.com ฀ Robert: rvsanch509@gmail.com Note that from the website, you can find the time and location of the next class and drop by and talk. Observers are always welcome. Seeing Clearly Moving Freely Living Joyfully 2025 Training Runs March Through November

Our Training Approach The entirety of Three Pillars Sword and Staff training can be depicted as a three-legged stool, where the legs are: 1. A clear picture of the end goal, 2. Structured practice, and 3. Adaptive practice First, as was mentioned previously, the end goal of training is the realization of living joyfully. And to accomplish this, we must come to fully understand what that actually means: learning, teaching, and skillfully choosing between them. Next, structured practice refers to the times we work with kettlebells and the times we meditate. Here, there is time to reflect on the thoughts and feelings that inevitably arise • “Can I even do one more rep of this drill?” • “This sitting in the park is so, so pleasant!” • “Why is my mind on overdrive today?” • And on and on (and on). Finally, adaptive practice refers to the times we work with the sword and staff – the encounters that continually challenge the status quo – that demand immediate and appropriate responses. The result of adaptive practice is a better understanding of the notion of spontaneity, which we will come to know as “responding appropriately, naturally, and in a timely fashion…” all so important when you are holding a stick and your partner is swinging a sword. The three-legged stool: knowing the end goal, structured practice, and adaptive practice. To be missing any of the legs means carrying around a stool that just won’t support you. Your Instructors Jim Redel was first introduced to the meditative arts in 1974. In 1988, he began his studies in the grappling art of Aikido, the traditional Japanese sword, and the short staff. In the next year, Jim added the Zen path, eventually attending over a dozen 7-day silent retreats with the late Zen master Joshu Sasaki. These retreats entailed countless hours of zazen, nearly 100 formal talks on stillness and clarity, and engaging in another 350-plus one-on-one meetings with Sasaki. In 1993, Jim’s Aikido teacher relocated to Washington, D.C., and Jim then added formal teaching to the path he continues to walk. Robert Sanchez first saw a kettlebell in 1986 as part of his martial arts study. In 2002, he became a certified instructor, adding both Progressive and Strength Calisthenics certifications in 2014. As a retired firefighter, avid outdoorsman, and martial arts student, Robert has grown to appreciate the effectiveness of kettlebell training. In his words, they are “brutally efficient”. Questions? We’ve tried to cover a lot of ground here and there will undoubtedly be questions. Here is our website: ฀ Website: ThreePillarsSwordAndStaff.com For questions, here are our email addresses: ฀ Jim: zenoptimism505@gmail.com ฀ Robert: rvsanch509@gmail.com Note that from the website, you can find the time and location of the next class and drop by and talk. Observers are always welcome. Seeing Clearly Moving Freely Living Joyfully 2025 Training Runs March Through November