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MVKS News, Views, and Clues |
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| Vol 1 Issue 4 |
October 2003 |
In this Issue
| Events Calendar |
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Kenpo News |
- past and upcoming events |
Buddy Week was HUGE!
When I walked out onto the training floor on Mon Sept 15, I saw the biggest class I ever had to teach. There must have been 35 kids in all! I must admit that my first reaction was to run back into my office ( fight or flight ). Instead, we utilized the newly carpeted back room and were off to start the biggest buddy week ever! All week long students brought friends into the Studio to try a week of free lessons in order to increase enrollment and share the Karate experience with a friend. In my opinion, this is the best way to build up a school (from within) - just check out the huge amount of Orange belts in our school from last year's Buddy week!
As you know, this was also a contest with the winner earning $75 for the most buddy enrollments, and everyone getting a buddy to join received a coupon equal to one month's tuition of the new student's enrollment. That's a good deal anyway you look at it. Just as a reminder, any student referral throughout the year will get you that same coupon.
Anyway, at press time, our winner had not been announced as I am still contacting all the buddies. Next month's newsletter will name the winners.
Thanks to all who supported this event . Because of you, your friends will think of MVKS when they think about Karate! Please see me for your blue stars (school support).
Obstacle Course - PT II
On Saturday, Sept 27th 25 hardy Students tested their wills and skills on the now famous MVKS Obstacle Course! Jumping jacks, forms, push-ups, flying side kicks, noodle balance, ball kick and shoot, self-defense techniques, jumping jacks between sticks, rolls, tire run, balance beam, jump rope, ½ squats, and the focus pad weave were the challenges at hand. A very tough course, to be sure, but our Students tried their hearts out and did themselves proud. Did you beat your best time? Here are the best times of the day:
Beginner kids :
Cecilia Nichols 2:30
Intermediate kids:
Tyler Harz 2:27
Black Belt prep kids:
Colin Robb 1:58
Black Belt prep adults:
Jim Rivard 2:17
Beginner adults: Keith
Herman 2:06
BEST TIME: Aleka Chouramanis 1:54
It was awesome to see everybody trying their best and cheering each other on. It was also pretty funny how some balloon breaks were done. A special thanks to Mr Rivard , Sam & Dan Quimby and Mr Berkebile for helping make this event a success. You're all winners in my book!!
Fall Kenpo Camp
On Saturday, November 1st, some of the regions best Kenpo instructors will be teaching at the semi - annual Kenpo Camp in Fitchburg, Ma.
Mr Steven White, 6th Black, Dr. Len Brassard, 5th Black, Mr William Gaudette, 4th Black (his 1st Camp!!), and myself, will be the featured instructors for this full day of Kenpo fun!!
Kenpo Camps are a great way to increase your understanding of Kenpo Karate and train with fellow New England Kenpoists.
As Dr Len Brassard said at the last camp, attendees are "the best and the brightest" in their schools because they choose to do more than what is expected of them in their studies and sacrifice their free time to better understand their Kenpo.
Any junior student Blue belt and above and any Adult student are encouraged to attend.
Ask around - most students who attend these camps end up being regulars at them! They really are fun.
See me for a registration form or got to www.neckf.com and print one out. As always, we will have a "Kenpo Caravan" driving down if anyone needs a ride. Mark your Calendars!!
Costume Classes!
On Tuesday, Oct 28th and Thursday, Oct 30, Intermediate and Beginner kids are invited to wear their Halloween costume to class for a night of fun!! Imagine Frankenstein trying to do Short Form 1! Spontaneous self - defense against Dracula! Austin Powers saying " Yeah Baby!" instead of a kiai!
This has turned into one of the best events at the school, so don't miss it! Classes will end with a piñata break and LOTS of candy! What are YOU going to go as?
T-Shirt Weather Coming to an End
Now that the cooler weather is upon us, full uniforms ( preferably patched) will be required to be worn by all MVKS students in class. You may wear an MVKS sweatshirt as an alternative if you like. This will go into effect on Oct 13.
More Training Videos Available
As a training aid, MVKS has offered form videos for students to borrow to help with the retention of their forms. We originally had ten made and have had a hard time getting students to return them. If you have a video, please return it so that others may benefit. Because of the high number of requests for them, another set of ten has been made and are available. Students may borrow them for a two week period if they like. This will be done on an honor system as signing them out was too time consuming between classes. A special thank - you to Teresa Harz for the additional copies!
| - Kenpo questions to help you along... |
In the Yellow Belt technique Attacking Mace, what is the purpose of the Rt straight thrust punch?
For more questions like this, visit the Techniques of the Month!
| - in my opinion... |
Consistency
Last month I wrote about the "digestive process " that we all go through while training. This is what happens when we learn something new, and in spite of our efforts, mastery of that move eludes us. Justin Leonards' book " Mastery " calls this the plateau.
A plateau in training is when improvement seems to come to a halt . You have worked so hard to get to the point that you're at and suddenly you just can't seem to get any better at what you're doing.
These plateaus are usually short lived for the beginner student and grow longer in time as you progress through the ranks. When they start becoming longer is when frustration sets in and your desire to improve is tested. This sometimes can be a crossroads to a student as to whether they want to continue training. People tend to be very bottom line oriented and when x amount of effort doesn't bring x amount of results like it used to, doubtful thoughts can creep into the mind and dedication to your effort can start to wane. What you have to understand is that EVERYBODY hits a plateau.
The key is to understand that you can't put a time frame on how long it will last. We are all individuals and develop at our own pace. The key is recognizing the "digestive process" and learning to love the plateau for what it is and understanding that it is not permanent.
Think for a moment of all the things you do well in your life on a regular basis. You might be surprised at all the things you take for granted because you have done them consistently for a very long time. If you're a junior student, things like tying your shoes, getting dressed, going to school, riding a bike, etc are all things you probably take for granted, but a number of years ago were a bit of a challenge. If you're an adult, things like driving a car, going to work, cooking that special meal might be an example.
The reason you do all these things well ( and more ) is because you have been doing them consistently for quite some time. So much that you take them for granted. I teach all of my beginner students about self - discipline and " the 100 time rule". Sometimes it's good to remind ourselves of this when we start getting down on ourselves. Until next month - JP
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Kenpo News |
- continued |
Happy Birthday!!!
Another year older and wiser....
Mike
Hayden......................10/08
Sam Quimby.......................10/09
Allyson
Hayden..................10/15
Joshua
Clemens...................10/17
John Coughlin
jr................10/21
John Coughlin
sr................10/22
Eric
Hayden........................10/22
Welcome New Students
Tiny Tigers - Alexia Gorton, Julius van Tassell, Edith van Tassell
Beginner Kids - David Insanti
Mr. Parker Says
"Those who are truly conscious of a need will make every effort to succeed."
Pro Shop Sale Item
Buy two deluxe escrima sticks and get $5. off a carrying case.
regular price: $39.97
sale price: $34.97
New Ranks (09/05/03)
Brown/ Black Belt:
Madeleine Landrum
Brown Belt:
Jim Rivard
Red Belt:
C J Gagnon
Blue Belt:
Frederick van Tassell, Kenny Dobbs
Orange Belt:
Tim Nichols, Evan Macintee
Yellow Belt:
Keith Herman, Alex Girard, Eric Kolb
Keep up the good work!!
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