Arnis class notes - Wed. 11.24.10 - Jeff

Arnis - small class 4-6 -  Marcia assisting -  We focused mainly on basics for the class.  We started out running through the forms and then practiced striking styles as well as a couple of block check counter drills.  We ended the class with the pushing excersices that we had done the Wednesday prior.


Jeff

Saturday 11.27.10 class notes - Sifu

Tai Chi - tiny class 3 - Marty led the class - I came in at 9 to do a round with the group - I've posted her notes

Youth Karate 1st class - small class 6-8 - Jason, Teryn, Thomas and Scott assisting - I led the 10 - broke into groups to work on basics ended with Kata

Youth Karate 2nd class - small class 6-8 - Jason led the class and will post his notes as they come in

T'ai Chi class notes Saturday 11.29.10 - Marty

Tai Chi - small class 4, I led the Qigong warm ups and Standing Meditation, ending with the 21, Read led through Master Duan's qigong. I worked with Wess on part one on the receiving side. Read worked with Dale on the dance. It was a good class
Marty

New video from Don Miller sent through email yesterday

I've been looking for a way to upload larger video files so that I can share them with you. I don't want to use YouTube because it's just to public (out of respect for the teachers) and Blog Spot doesn't allow for files larger than 100mb (Tom if your trying to load larger files they will just lock up and not work right) so I've come up with this alternative; Sending a link to my Picasa Web Albums where I can upload and share larger video segments...I'm not sure if I can link them to the blog....but I'll try in the next couple of days. I've got about 8-10 hours in this project...so I hope your all enjoying the lessons with Don;>)
Feed back is always welcomed....I'm especially interested in making it EASY for you all.

Wednesday 11.24.10 Youth Karate-Teryn

Small group today (around 7). Thomas led through the ten. We worked on the basic crescent step, block, punch drill. We then practiced the critical distance with the two person backfist-sidekick drill. We sparred for the rest of class. There was good energy today, and they are getting better!
Happy Thanksgiving!
-Teryn Citino
p.s. I noticed that on the website it says the holiday party is on the 2nd (but it isn't).

Tuesday 11.23.10 class notes - Sifu

Excellent Private Student class - Bob, Wayne, Marty, Read, Sandy and Dale - developed a drill for the end of part 3 of the Dance, practiced several exercises from Don M. starting with the walking forward while being pushed from behind then neutralizing and switching role's - then did the exercis that uses a belt to hold them back while walking forward, then went on to push them over the cliff from behind exercise...FUN!

Tai Chi - small/med class 9-10 - Read, Marty and Dale assisting - I led through the 30 Qigong warm ups, I talked about the the second exercise with weights - discussed the differences felt after the 30 Qigong's and a short Wuji Standing - practiced part one of the solo form holding each posture - Dale worked with Shira and the rest of us continued through the round - we did another round at regular speed

Youth Karate - med class 12 - Colleen and Lily assisting - I led the first few of the 10 - went on to medicine ball work starting with lobbing back and forth, then how to hand it off; Pass it with hands on side and grab it with hands on top and bottom, went on to pass it around the back, then we passed it around the circle, went on to front kicks back and forth to a partner then snap kicks to a pad. Finished with a round of the Kata through Kusanku

Tai Chi - small class 7 - Janee and Dale assiting - I led through the 30 Qigong warm ups starting with a brief Wuji Standing to establish a base line and then again at the end of the set and then we discussed our experiences with the group (great stuff!) - went on to a 15 minute Wuji Standing Meditation with the 5 basic arm gestures - broke into small groups to work on the solo form

Bagua Zhang - Excellent private class - Marica and Janee - we worked on the second change in the animal form "Snake Palm", put an application drill together for the middle section, went on to Wuji Pushing Hands concepts from Don M.

An answer to an inquiry about my criteria for entering the Bagua Zhang program at JRRMAS

Thanks for your interest in my Studio and the Bagua Zhang program in particular. Experience, attitude, dedication, regularity and personal goals are the primary things I base my decision on. 

Bagua Zhang is a very advanced and complicated internal martial art, so it's necessary to have a good 'foundation' in martial arts like T'ai Chi Ch'uan, I Ch'uan and more basic Qigong's it order to be successful. I find that students that enter the Bagua Zhang program after a few years of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, I Ch'uan and Qigong are more apt to be successful in adding a Bagua Zhang component to their personal practice.

Good Chi,

Sifu

Youth Karate class notes Saturday 11.20.10 - Jason

Youth Karate - Morning class assist by Colleen, Teryn and Thomas, good group, two white belts Christian and Luke. Attempted early morning wake up with some blood moving exercises including jumping jacks in between the 10 exercises. Energy is usually low with the group in the mornings. Line work attempting to grasp the combination aspect with the jab/cross/thrust kick. Ended with Kata and SD.  


Second class 10:30 advanced group, lowest rank blue belt. Had a blast with explosive seiuchin squats side to side. Short series of ten exercises. Line work which then turned into a blocking and scooping the kick drill. Trapping Hands, free style SD work and locking series to end. Excellent group to work with.    PO KRATZ

No Formal Classes Thursday 11.25.10 - Happy Thanksgiving!

:: Happy Thanksgiving :: 

Thanks for all your support over these last 32 years! Hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends! 

Saturday 11.20.10 class notes - Sifu

Tai Chi - small class 6-8 - Read led the class - I came in at 9 to do a round with the group - talked about the activation of the back with the push them over the rope exercises before the round

Youth Karate first class - med class 13 - Jason led the class - Colleen, Thomas and Teryn assisting

Youth Karate second class - small/med class 9-10 - Jason led the class - Colleen, Thomas and Teryn assisting

Thursday 11.18.10 class notes - Sifu

Baguazhang - excellent class Bob, Wayne, Read and Sandy - talked extensively about the inner teachings and methods to attain deep learning and get in touch with the Yin aspect of the practices - using Wuji as a baseline and continue to check in with Wuji to sense deep personal experiences and changes and talking to the group about what was their personal experiences. The idea of this talking is for the individual to process their own feelings and for the others in the room to learn from hearing their take, perspective and experiences.....very cool;>)

Tai Chi - small/med class 8-9 - Read, Sandy and Marty assisting - I continued on with the same theme; Using Wuji to establish a base line and then the exercises (with a partner) to facilitate changes in our inner feelings while in Wuji Meditation and later in class, noticing while in the solo form.
I mostly taught the neutralize the sword drills starting with Split adding the Thrust and finally the horizontal and diagonal  slices, checking in with Wuji and talking about our experiences regularly.

Little Dragons - small class 6-8 - Jason and Marcia assisting - I led a energized basics and stance work section - went on to a condensed version of the 10 - reviewed the beginning of Nihanchi Kata - ended with the Running Routine and a short Standing Meditation

Youth Karate - small class 8-9 - Jason, Colleen and Scott assisting - Jason led the class - at the end of class I worked with Shannon on getting the sequence of Seisan Kata

Private Class - Jason, Dennis, Angus and Peter - worked on the Neutralize the Sword and the Knife drills from Don Miller - I also talked about my notes and the Yin side of the training using Wuji Standing Meditation to get a baseline before the drill and then re-check it after the drill then talk to the group about the changes, feelings and experiences internally - Great class;>)

Adult Karate - med size class 9-12 - Jason, Norm, Dennis, Angus, Colleen, Marcia and Jesse assisting - I led the first part of class through the Neutralize the Knife drill and Push Over the Cliff from behind drill from Don, we watched a short video clip from Sunday and discussed our experiences after doing the drill with the group - Jason led the last part of class

Wed. 11.17.10 class notes - Sifu

Youth Karate - med to large class 13 - Teryn and Thomas assisting - Teryn led the 10 - worked basics with a partner (line work) concentrating on moving back with skill, good stance work and blocks at correct critical distance - introduced the push them over the cliff from behind drill from Don Miller (fun) the group did well - reviewed the Kata through Kusanku

Tai Chi - small class 6-8 - no assistance made the class difficult to teach as there were students of several different levels, in such classes I just concentrate on material for the more beginner students and the more advanced just refine detail and principles (not a bad thing) - went on to do various drills from Don Miller and kept checking back in on the standing meditation so 'feel' the changes - reviewed part one three times and added the first part of part two

Arnis - small class 4 - Phil and Jeff assisting - Phil led the warm ups - went on to free style twirling - I noticed they needed work on double zeros and fluid attacks so we worked on that and then went back to free style twirling to see if they could incorporate them - reviewed the first two stick forms -  block check counters with double zero - neutralize the sword and then neutralize the knife from Don Miller - worked the push over the cliff from front and back

Don Miller seminar video clip #4 - pushing over the rope from behind

Tai Chi class notes Tuesday morning 11/16/10 - Bob

Tai chi class Tuesday 11/16 AM

Nice class...shared several of the concepts and drills from the weekend with Don Miller and we did our standing time in the 2 person push hands super slow with movement and periodic stops...feedback was very positive around the room...great stuff...Read assisted and broke off with Shira for form practice and I worked around the room with everyone doing dance practice...fun things to explore...

Tuesday 11.15.10 class notes - Sifu

Youth Karate - small class 6-8 - Colleen assisting - I led the 10 - reviewed and worked on Kata's and SD - I introduced the 'push them over the cliff' drills from Don Miller, everyone did well

Tai Chi - small class 6-8 - Sandy and Janee assiting - short warm up - Standing to check in - I reviewed a bunch of material from Don Millers seminars - fun and upgrades were felt by all when we checked back in with Standing, solo Form and the Dance

Baguazhang - small class 4 - Wayne, Marcia, Sandy and Janee - we worked the sensitivity drills from the back and checked out our progress with standing and form - everyone felt that their chi was activated from the drills;>)  Very exciting!!

Adult Karate class notes - Thursday 11.13.10 - Dennis

We started class with the ten exercises, then stretching, and then Kata.

 

Since I've been working on the Kata corrections you gave me, I thought it would be good if we tried some of the strikes against the pads.  We did the Nihanchi plus the Seiuchin variants of the oriental back-fist and also the sternum strike from Seiuchin.  After that, we did some harmony sparring drills followed by some sparring.

Dennis

Don Miller clip #3

Don Miller seminar video clip #2

Modern Arnis Class Notes - 11.15.2010 - Phil

Good Class (Marcia, Dennis, Colleen, Angus, Scott, Dave)

Started with basic warm up and then tried some variations on Don Miller's warm up the feet drill. Started with having mind directed stance work(offensive/defensive triangles, shuffle, progressive step). Then we moved on to body directed foot work.

Tried a new drill. Two person, one cane each, one leading one following. Keeping the canes connected with attention to the angle of intersection. Leader moves around the room and the follower keeps constant pressure and angle with the canes. We tried this with the right and left hands, and with a couple people. Then moved on to moving sinawali work, keeping attention on footwork and angle of intersecting canes. Again having one person leading, the other following.

Moved to a forward and reverse redunda with the person holding out the canes leading movement and the person doing the striking doing the following.

Tried to use these exercises to work on awareness and connecting of the lower, middle and upper body.

Ended class with a review of the unfriendly handshake locking series. (Ron joined us for locking series)

I finally succeeded uploading a very short video clip of yesterdays seminars..wow was that hard!!

Ron free style pushing hands with Don...He is FUN to work with!

Don 'roll backs' Susan's knife thrust

Don explains and Susan assist in the knife section of the day

Susan M. neutralizes Don's sword attack

Don Miller explaining the 'intention in delivering a proper sword attack"

Lenny looks on as Phil and Thomas practice pushing and getting pushed from the back

I've been trying all morning to upload one simple little video clip from yesterday....after 4 hours not even one second of success...Ugh! I'll try again later today...

Tai Chi class notes - Saturday 11.13.10 - Janee

Class was well attended ( maybe 7 players) and the spirit was sailing along.  There was good sharing, appropriately, serious attention in our stretches, standing, Tai Chi QiGong and 2 person work.  Everyone wanted to do the dance so my reminder for them was to pay attention to the 8 basic moves of Tai Chi (Ward Off, Roll Back, etc.) and identify them while in the process of dancing.  Slow it down and work on those difficult areas till the position and interaction with partner felt right.  Being reminded  to be aware of the new changes in stepping and keeping the rhythm, the form was done to music with count. We acknowlaged the difficulty in making the changes - just gotta practice them over and over.  We all agreed that the class energy felt solid.

 

Sending Chiful energy,  Janee

Excellent day with Don Miller!

Many, many thanks to each and every one of you that were present today, an amazing experience....great chi in the room....many upgrades....excellent practitioners ....so much fun!
More details, photos and vid's coming to the staff blog....soon!

Thursday 11.10.10 class notes - Sifu

Baguazhang - small class 5-6 -  Wayne and Lenny assisting - talked about some new ideas I have on training Baguazhang, the jist is more walking holding various arm positions and using the changes more for resting in-between the 'work' of walking holding the postures - we went on to individually practice with that principle in mind using our inner teacher to tell us when we needed to 'rest' by changing.

Tai Chi - med size class 12-14 - Lenny, Read, Marty and Sandy assisting - worked on Da Lu - two rounds of the solo form without music

Little Dragons - small class 7-10 - Dennis and Marcia assisting - I led the 10, then went on to basics and meditation at the end

Youth Karate - small class 6 - Dennis assisting - Dennis led the 10 - went on to basics, from a spring step, Roundhouse kicks from back and front side, to a bag, from spring step - went on to def side kicks and turning back kicks - reviewed Kata's and SD

Senior student practice - itsy bitsy class 1 - Dennis - worked on corrections and adjustments on Dennis' Seisan, Nihanchi, Seiuchin and Wansu Kata's

Adult Karate - med size class 10-12 - Norm, Dennis, Angus, Jesse assisting - Jesse led through the 10 - went on to practice and work on the first four Kata's - ended with basics with a partner to pads and shields

Saturday Youth Karate 11/13/10 Lily

Ga, I've been forgetting to post, sorry! I'm redeeming myself today hopefully.

First class was all white and yellow belts. We started off with some jogging around the room, followed by backwards, sideways, etc. Then we did the ten. We did some leg stretching and tried out a self defense drill. The upper ranks had a body shield and a padded stick and took on one or two younger students. We tried having the kids block an overhead strike with the stick, and then use some self defense techniques to the body shield. It went okay, but I think they need structure (I made the mistake of trying to let them come up with their own techniques). They got overwhelmed when you gave them too many things to think about. I think it was due to maturity and rank. I think with a little work this could be a good drill for these guys.

The second class we also jogged, etc. around the room, then stretched with partners. We tried some more advances throwing techniques, but I had to sit those out because I fell down the stairs at school earlier this week and got whiplash. I'm okay, just a little bruised. They looked fun though!

Wed 11-10-10-Youth Karate-Thomas

On Wednesday, Teryn, Lily and I split up the class into 20 minute sections and we each led one. Lily did a great job with the 10 and warming up/stretching. Teryn continued with practice of some of the SD techniques that we hadn't seen in a while, (single-handed and double-handed headlocks) which was a good thing to do. I followed this up by returning to the concept of proper knee placement with some linework. We ended with Katas, the yellow belts are looking good, but they all still have some work left on bending their knees. I think it would be helpful if we could get one-on-one for the Katas sometime, it's tough to have a balance because I don't want to give one student more attention than another.

Wed. 11.10.10 class notes - Sifu

Youth Karate - small class 6-8 - Teryn, Lily, Thomas assisting - please refer to Teryn's (and the other Student Leaders) post on this class -
I'd like to say how fantastic the three Student Leaders are functioning in classes this semester....just fantastic!! I can see their teaching maturing right before my eye's - The input and mere presence of these remarkable young adults is having such a positive impact on the Youth Karate program....this generation of students is very fortunate indeed;>)

Tai Chi - med size class 11-13 - Read assisting - I led the Qigong warm ups - talked about a check list for principles, wrote them on the board, went on to part one holding the postures and going through the check list - broke into groups - I took the beginners and went through several rounds of part one - Read took the other group and worked on part two

Arnis - small class 5 - we walked the circle and warmed up - practiced sinawalli, talked about the 'sound' levels with a double sinawalli variation - went on to practice two short joint lock sequences - block/check/counter with striking styles - stick to stick disarms, concentrated on the quick disarm of 1, 2 and 8 - went on to 6,8,10 an 12 count drill

Wednesday 11.10.10 Youth Karate-Teryn

Great class today.
Lily led through the ten with some nice variations. I Instructed the first three SD techniques as well as the single handed headlock with emphasis on being able to do all techniques on both sides. Thomas led us through some step-block-punch line work. Stances are getting better!
I also had a good conversation with Jack about the applications of some of the movements in the forms (Bun Kai). I would personally like to learn more.
-Teryn

Tuesday 11.9.10 class notes - Sifu

Staff Training - Read, Bob, Luke, Marty, Sandy and Phil - reviewed the Tai Chi Knife form, the Double Knife form, worked the Tai Chi Sword (Jian) form beginning and then reviewed the rest, worked the Tai Chi Cane form - talked about safety while doing any free style martial arts drills and the seminar with Don Miller on Sunday

Note: Looks like the 'A' team on Sunday! Very exciting....take a look at the sign up list....GREAT group forming;>) Join us for any part of it that you can make!  (just come and visit if you're unable to participate)

Tai Chi - med size class 10-12 - Bob, Read and Marty assisting - Marty led the Qigong warm ups - then we did three rounds without music...very few corrections....just practiced 3 in a row....felt GREAT!!

Youth Karate - small class 6-8 - Jason, Colleen assisting - Jason led the class - started with the 10 - I worked with the Grote brothers, Colleen and Scott on Wansu, mostly working on the 'shuffle up' while punching, timing the rear heel landing with the focus of the reverse punch - practiced SD and trapping hands for the more advanced

Note: Please feel free to post your own experience in any given class.

Tai Chi - small class 6-8 - Sandy, Janee and Wayne assisting - Sandy and I led the Qigong warm ups - I read from Sifu Fong Ha's book on sitting meditation - we practiced sitting (standing if you wanted to) for 15 min - we did 'round' without music - practiced and worked on the Dance - Wayne and I demonstrated Hwa, Na, Da as related to the Dance

Baguazhang - teeny, tiny 'closed door' class 3 - Wayne, Sandy, Janee - we did an extensive walking practice with individually timed hand posture changes - we practiced the Animal Set with increased walking in-between the changes - worked on Phoenix and Rooster

Arnis class notes - Monday 11.8.10 - Marcia

Arnis class, Mon Nov 8th
Attendance - 7
Warm-up, Sinawalis focusing on the "angle" of the strikes, Redonda focusing on the "flow", Disarms, and forms, focusing on the "stance work".



Marcia

Week of 11/1 - 11/5 classes Sensei/Sifu Tom

Aerobic Kickboxing followed usual pattern of classes, that is Monday Tuesday regular format, 25 minutes aerobic combos, four 2 minute rounds on the bags, 10 minutes bokken stance and cutting, and the internationally famous (some of my students are Canadian) 7 minute ab routine. Wednesday Thursday focus on legs, hip, and butt floor and stance exercises. Friday "Happy Hour" with lots of line work and partner stretching. Self Defense practiced the script for the next scenario, which will be choke and bear hug variations. This is the first scenario where students will be presented with several possible attacks and will have to react with the correct defense. Beginners Tai Chi added the Snake Creeps Down/Golden Rooster left and right sequence (short form) see upcoming video and discussed "Lazy Mind" training and a bit about their performance analysis papers from the mid-term videos. Advanced Tai Chi worked on the "Old" Da Lu and reviewed all weapons forms (Cane, Staff, Sword w/Tassel), along with the normal warm-ups, "21", and rounds. We will be adding the Fan form soon and are beginning Part 2 of the Dance. Mixed Martial Arts Club met Friday and we did a lot of line work with basic sparring combos and my weekly "homily" focused on the great progress the new students have made in the last 10 weeks. I have had a bit of trouble using the upload video tab for the blog and will have to try and figure out if I can embed a different way or just have a link to my YouTube channel instead.

Youth Karate class notes Saturday 11.6.10 - Jason

Sat. AM Youth Class, heavy work on the Ten Exercises with discussion of individual practice. Mr. Perham ran through a nice stretching set. Basics in a circle with inspiration from Teryn, Colleen and Thomas after demonstration of technique. Discussed the skill of watching movements and making a change in your own from sight only. 


Second class brief Ten exercises, partner assisted shoulder stretches and leg stretches. Practiced "Locked Elbows" SD technique, turn trap elbows of attacker then counter. Kata review and ended with circle SD with only sinawalle block to inside or outside of attackers arm to backwards throw to inside of arm and bent wrist lock to outside circle of arm. Was a little tricky, we all could use a little more of the individual technique practice.  


Peace 
Mr.Kratz

Sat 11-6-10 Youth Karate- Thomas

Sifu led the ten and encouraged everyone to try to adjust their own exercises without him having to tell them what to do. The yellow belts picked up on this, and started looking at their stances, knee placement etc. We got into a circle and I led a little bit of stretching, focusing on the split and hip stretches. Then we did thrust kicks and after Teryn showed a great example of one, the whole class showed more effort.

Saturday 11.6.10 class notes - Sifu

Tai Chi - med size class 8-10 - Bob led the class - I came in late for a round with no music and some detail and corrections

Youth Karate - small class 6-8 - Jason, Colleen, Teryn and Thomas assisting - I led the 10 - went on to the running routine - circle stretch led by Thomas who showed the group his daily stretching routine - went on to basics in a circle starting with a good sparring stance and ending with a good sparring stance (good luck on that!)   - went on to review and work on Kata and SD

Youth Karate (Advanced) - med size class of 8-10 - Jason leading - Colleen, Teryn, Thomas assisting - Jason led the 10 - watch for his and the assistants posts for more details

Adult Karate class notes - Thursday 11.4.10 - Dennis

Adult Karate - med size advanced rank class - Angus, Jesse, Colleen, Teryn, Lily, Peter, Ian and Andrew (yellow belt)

 

After the ten exercises, I asked people to stretch on their own while I set up all the punching bags in the dojo.  First we did drills for power with the offensive forward leg inside/outside crescent kick.  Then I opened the floor to other suggestions for things to do while we had all the bags out.  I got some really good ideas from Lily and Teryn.  We did, what I thought, was a good critical distance drill where students moved from bag to bag striking each one in turn.  I asked them to set up their approach with sparring movements so that they were ready to strike as soon as they reached the proper distance.  After that, we used the bags for various types of elbow strikes.  Finally, I held a vote for what to do as a cool-down and push-hands won out over Kata.

 

The crescent kick practice didn't go as I anticipated.  Everyone had trouble getting power out of it.  The problem was always that the hip needed to open up more.  After a few drills and a lot of hard work, Ian managed to get it spot on!  I was so impressed that I had him show it to the rest of the class as an example of what I was looking for.  Andrew also made great progress and had it the second best.

 

(Note:  I'm a bit concerned that the two least advanced students had the most success.  I don't want to be teaching something that's outside the system.  I'll have to show the way I've been doing the forward leg crescent kick the next time I see you.)

(Additional Note:  I'm aware that sometimes advanced students will ignore instructions and do what they want but I'm positive that this was not the case last night.  Everyone was trying their hardest to do what I was asking for.)

 

The level of focus and participation in the room was particularly great.  Not only did I get several great suggestions for drills from the more advanced students, I was also asked many insightful questions that I thought the whole room could benefit from.  Adding to that the amount of progress that Ian and Andrew made on a very difficult technique, I couldn't have asked for a better class.

 

-Dennis

Thursday 11.4.10 class notes - Sifu

Baguazhang - small class 4 - I read from Sifu Fong Ha's book while we stretched at the bar - we then worked on the first change in my personal form (water palm in some systems) with three different 'turn around' concentrating on keeping the momentum while changing direction

Tai Chi - large class 15-17 - Read, Sandy, Marty, Janee assisting - Marty led the Qigong warm ups - I read from Sifu Fong Ha's book - I led the standing meditation with arms relaxed at the sides - we broke into groups to work on the Dance or form sequence - did a round without music concentrating on the detail of Single Whip, Cross Hands, Wave Hands, Kicks etc.

Note: My car broke down on the way in....had to get it to a garage and have them give me a ride to the Studio, got there just in the nick of time to start class.....Ginnie had to cancel a meeting in Brattleboro to give me a ride home.....my car is still in the shop....Ugh!

Little Dragons - small class 6 - Colleen assisting - I led the 10 interspersed with basics - reviewed the beginning of Nihanchi Kata - Skyler and Gianna performed Nihanchi for the group, then Colleen and I performed it - went on to the running routine, I talked about the knee position - ended with lying meditation

Youth Karate - small class 6 - Colleen and Dennis assisting - Colleen led the 10 - went on to work sparring stance, lunging, with and without basics - added the spring step with Roundhouse and back-fist - broke into groups to work on the Kata's - energy level was very low...concentration too!

Staff Training - Dennis, Colleen, Teryn and Angus present - I had to leave 'cause of my car trouble....sorry 'bout that! Before I left I encouraged folks to review weapons forms....please post what actually happened ..ok?

Adult Karate - I had left the class to Dennis and Colleen - please post the attendance and curriculum....thanks!
Note: My plans for this class included an intro to seated meditation.....next time!

Wed-11-3-10 Youth Karate- Thomas

I was very pleased with how much effort most of the students were putting into learning proper sparring stance. I felt it went well with the focus that we've had lately on critical distance and correct knee placement. I got to work with the group of yellow belts, and for the most part they seemed to have the movements. I think it would be good to spend some more time on katas during the next couple of weeks, and maybe get a stripe put on their belts.

On another note, I've noticed a shift in the amount of effort Andrew and Scott have been putting out in class, which I think is great. The overall effort level in Wedcesday's class was good, it seemed like everybody was really appling themselves to the sparring stance. Gabe was having some difficulty with his sparring stance, but his attitude was exactly what I like to see.

Wed. 11.3.10 class notes - Sifu

Youth Karate - small class 6-8 - Teryn and Thomas assisting - Teryn led the 10 exercises - we worked on the sparring stance extensively (something that Thomas talked about in his blog post last week), the sparring stance was explained, worked on by itself, then with movement back and forth, then with a back-fist, then with the forward, backward, backward, forward stance work with a back-fist on every forward lunge. The whole group got better with concentrating on the proper stance, as long as we stayed just with that. We went on to a critical distancing drill using a back-fist touching the shoulder (to make sure they were not too far away) followed by an offensive Side Kick where the defender would go back just enough to get out of the way and use a palm block. The Sparring Stance degraded as we added the kick and the partner....but...the critical distancing got better!
We finished with Kata review and work.

Tai Chi - small class 6-8 - Marcia assisting - I led the Qigong warm ups - I read from Sifu Fong Ha's book, the section on Sitting Meditation - we then practiced a Sitting Meditation, followed by a simple Qigong from the Animal Frolics, Crane breathing - we then went on to practice and work on the form in groups

Arnis - teeny tiny class 2 - Justin and Jeff - they did an open workout....excellently!!! There were to prospective students there, so I talked with them about the Studio and we watched Justin and Jeff training....they were AWESOME!! Great job guy's!!!

An email I received from a parent....names have been blocked out to respect privacy

Hi,

(Student) said that one of your assistants told him that he should have a mouth guard and a cup.  Do we buy those things from you?  Other gear was mentioned, I think, but if you don't mind for now we'd like to continue to use the gear that you have.  If that is a problem, I will try to get him his own things.  We will do the best we can with the mouth guard.  ______ has some sensory processing disorder and sensory defensiveness, much of it centered around the face and mouth.  (This is why we ended up at the hospital for a tooth extraction.  It just wasn't possible to do it without him being completely sedated!)  So he may be unable to hold the guard in his mouth.  If wearing a guard is a condition for being able to continue with karate, I guess I should know that now, because it may affect how I go about getting him to try it. 

Thanks,

(Mom)

My response:

Morning _________,

No problem wearing the studio gear...it's well worn and a bit funky, but, no problem using it, especially until he is promoted to Yellow belt. 

With the information you just gave me concerning ________ issues with his mouth/face...I would say it's a good idea to slowly ease him into being able to tolerate a mouth piece. The operative words being 'slowly ease' him into it.
I'd talk about the safety factor: a mouthpiece is designed to protect the brain..not the teeth so much...but the brain, from injuries like concussions. Besides the benefit that _________ would derive from the desensitization to the mouthpiece, he will likely be required to wear one (and a cup/supporter) in any organized sport that he would like to participate in....protective equipment is a good thing to be able to tolerate. 

 Sparring with the youth group is well supervised and the culture is to help one another...so injury is rare...but they do happen. Students fall, trip, get foot swept, get their foot stepped on.... etc. and in the worst case scenario, they hit their heads on the floor, or they simply get kicked or punched, in the head/face by accident, usually while moving in. A mouthpiece and headgear (not required yet, but encouraged) are helpful in preventing brain injury.

We have several options when it comes to sparring. What we can do initially, is to have him spar with only the higher ranking students and tell them that he is NOT wearing a mouthpiece or a cup/supporter so go slow and easy. The senior student can then do sparring like drills, basics and stance work with him, so that he will still get the exercise benefit from the free sparring time, which is the main point of sparring, aerobic and endurance exercise for your health.

I will communicate with the Staff about all this....please keep me posted on how things are going with _______. I appreciate the communication and feed back.

Good chi,

Richard

Tuesday 11.2.10 class notes - Sifu

Staff Training - Bob, Sandy and Read - Worked on the Tai Chi Jian Sword Form - went on to sword basics - went on two person sword drills, reviewed the cross, coil, press down, palm up slice and the opposite starting with palm down slice and intercept - both with stationary stance work and then with the shuffle back and forth

Tai Chi - small class of 6-8 - Read, Bob and Marty assisting - warm ups - I read from Fong Ha's book that my student Nancy L. brought back from her recent trip to Hawaii - finished with a round to the music

Note to myself: Write your notes on the morning classes when you get home for lunch....otherwise if you wait until the next morning....it all runs together;(   HELP!

Youth Karate - small class 5-6 - Colleen assisting - semi-open work out - talked a bunch about being independent in ones practice - the group did really well with self directing and working with a partner - 10 min of warm up and stretch - 10 min of basics of their choice - 10 min of Kata - finished with SD

Tai Chi - small class 5-6 - Sandy and Wayne assisting - started the class with watching Sifu Hayward perform the solo form to the music with Master Liang counting, with some discussion - we then did a round ourselves focusing on things that we saw when watching the DVD - went on to review the Dance - I worked part 5 with Janee and James

Baguazhang - teeny tiny class of 3, Wayne, Janee and Sandy - I read from Fong Ha's book an except from the sitting meditation section - went on to a 35 min sitting/standing meditation (excellent!) - went on to individual Baguazhang circle walking - added spontaneous changes

Adult Karate class notes - Monday 11.1.10 - Jeff

Monday's class only had six students as well as myself.  We ran through the 10 exercises and did some core strength drills.  We took a quick run through the forms and spent the rest of the class on sparring.  The main focus was paying attention to the timing of your opponent.
 
Jeff

Monday Night Arnis

A small class with Colleen , Angus , Dennis and Jess
After the warm up we worked on the locking series , disarms and forms

Staff and senior student Newsletter 11.1.10

Morning all,

I hope you all had a restful Halloween week end......Boo!

I've been emailing Don Miller about the number of sign ups for his upcoming Push Hands seminars on Sunday Nov. 14 ....he has set the minimum number of participants at 10...we are not there yet....so if you plan on coming, please let me know (email is ok) and also put your name up on the sign up list.  (just inside the Studio door, on the important notice bulletin board).

Please help pass the word to anyone that you know that would be interested, put up flyers etc....ok? 

This is going to be a really, really FUN day.....upgrades and laughter are guaranteed;>)

I'll be meeting with you all again this week on Tuesday morning 7-8 and again on Thursday evening 5:30-6:30  - please come if you can - I always appreciate correspondence;>)

I'm very pleased with the activity on the Staff Blog....thanks so much to all of you that recently made the effort to sign up and author to the blog. Tom Sokol is setting the bar for those of you that are out of the area. One of my main ideas in developing the Staff Blog is to provide a format for those of you that are out of the area to stay in touch with whats currently happening at JRRMAS and to be able to contribute to the overall knowledge of our active group....please participate if you are able to!! 

In the almost 40 year  history of the Studio it's never been possible for those that are away from the area to participate in the day to day activity and curriculum of the Studio.....is it me...or is this something that is very, very special?? 

Finally, Jason and I are working on several rank testing; A youth Karate test on an upcoming Sat. morning, an adult Karate test on an upcoming Thursday evening and a long overdue Arnis test on a Wed. evening.....if you have any input please pass it along to Jason and/or myself...emails ok.....in person too....thanks for participating.

I hope to see you all in classes this week...if not ....stay in touch!

Sifu