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MVKS News, Views and Clues |
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Vol 2 Issue 9 |
September 2004 |
In this Issue
| Kids Art of the Month |
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Kenpo News |
- past and upcoming events |
Teacher Appreciation Night a Success!
I would like to thank everyone for supporting the 2nd annual Teacher Appreciation night held at our Studio July 30th.
Lots of delicious food was on hand for our pot luck dinner as many students came to say thanks to our awesome group of volunteer teachers. The night provided students and parents the opportunity to get to know the staff outside of a structured class.
Our teaching staff knows well of the rewards for their hard work and taking the time to say thanks only makes them feel better about the help they provide.
A special thanks went out to Gabi van Tassell, for all the hard work she has done to build and develop our Studio's website. We have a website to be proud of, and it is an invaluable resource for our Students.
A card was sent around for one of our Instructors, John Coughlin, who is currently serving in Iraq. The card was scanned and e-mailed to him and helped lift his spirits. Godspeed, Mr. Coughlin, on a safe and swift return.
We'll Miss Them!!
Two of our Instructors, A. M. and John Coughlin, jr., have left for college. Good luck !!
Family Week = FUN!!
During the week of August 30th to Sept 4th, MVKS Students invited family members to join them on the mat to share the Karate experience.
It didn't take long for the Moms, Dads, Sisters, Brothers ( and Grandmothers! ) to gain an appreciation for the hard work our Students do. Also quickly discovered was the fact that Karate training is FUN!! Thanks to all who came and tried, especially you, parents. You created a memory that hopefully won't be forgotten soon.
New Black Belt Candidates!
Congratulations to Madeleine Landrum, Jamie Robb, and Irene Robb for passing their Black Belt pre-test. These students are now "Candidates" for Black Belt and will wear a candidates belt: ( 1/2white - 1/2 Black ). This belt symbolizes that they will be tested on all the material they have learned from White to Black Belt over the next 3 months. These belts have some history as well, they have been worn ( and signed ) by previous MVKS Black Belt Candidates.
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This Month |
Outside Obstacle Course!
The now famous MVKS obstacle course will be set up on the lawn on Saturday, Sept 20th, from 10:00 to 12:00. Students may arrive at any time and leave at any time to run the course and try to beat their best time. Best times for each class will be posted in the next issue.
Jumping Jacks, forms, Push-ups, Self defense techniques, noodle balance, tire run, jump rope, 1/2squats, and rolls. ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?!?!?!
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- in my opinion... |
Ah, Clichés........
In the martial arts world, there are a million sayings to keep you motivated and get you thinking. Two of my favorites are :
" Hard work is its' own reward"
and,
" Repetition is the mother of skill"
These are my favorites because I see Students prove them right all the time. For example:
A 2nd degree Black belt of mine left for college a year ago and recently came in for a private. He had not trained any karate since he left for school and was a bit nervous as to how he was going to perform. He performed marvelously, and hadn't appeared to have lost any skill at all. Hard work was his reward two ways, as the 7 years he trained to achieve his rank developed the discipline needed to help him succeed in school.
Seven years, at two to three times a week, comes out to roughly 910 classes. 910 classes! And, since this person was a teacher, you could easily add another 200 classes! THAT is a lot of practice! With that practice came a skill that will be hard to lose in just a year, let alone who knows how long.
Which brings up my 2nd point, that is if said person achieved the rank on talent alone ( not possible in an NECKF Studio), in other words, attended class inconsistently yet still was able to perform the required material and achieved a 2nd Black belt, a one year layoff would prove disastrous. The work would not have been " internalized" and would have to be relearned. We all have some talent - skill and wisdom come only from experience. Until next time ... JP
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- Kenpo questions to help you along... |
In the Purple Belt technique Conquering Shield:
- why is the first move NOT described as a Blocking Punch?
- What exactly is the opponent doing in his/her attack?
- Can you name all the related techniques that have an upward elbow/overhead palm heel combination in them? How many are there?
Find more questions and tips for this technique in the library. {MVKS students, please visit this Monthly Techniques in the Student Center.}
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Kenpo News |
- continued |
Lee Wedlake Seminar!
Mr. Lee Wedlake, an 8th degree Black Belt and my Instructor's Instructor will be conducting a couple of seminars at the Manchester Karate Studio on Saturday, Sept 25th. Registration information is on the NECKF web site.
Buddy Week!
During the week of Sept 20th thru the 25th, MVKS Students may bring a friend to class for a week of free lessons. Students who get a friend to join will receive a coupon equal to one months' tuition. A prize of $50. will be awarded to the student who get the most buddies to join!
Goals....
It's September, so it's time to check the goal board to see how you're doing. Are you on track? Or way ahead of schedule? Or, did you set your sights too high?
One thing's for sure, goal setting teaches us about ourselves, and how to take control of our lives the best we can and get what we want. We learn through trial and error and and adjust and adapt as we go along. We look for help from our " team " and look to help our "team " members every chance we get. Sometimes we discover another goal that we never considered, and excitedly begin the process again and again.
Mr. Parker Says
" Traditionalists often study what is taught, not what is there to create."
New Website feature - MVKS Video Clips!
Our Web site now has a " MVKS Video Clip of the Quarter". Can you name the Techniques within the motion performed? A special thanks to Mr. Berkebile for his assistance.
View New "MVKS Video Clip of the Quarter"
Coming Next Month ... Costume Class!!
On Saturday, October 30th, students may wear their Halloween costume for class for a spooky self - defense class!! Learn how to defend Dracula's bite, or Frankenstein's grab attack! The one thing you won't be able to escape is the fun!! More info in next month's newsletter.....
New Ranks! (August 6, 2004)
"Learn the system, and learn to do it well."
Congratulate these student on a job well done!
2nd Black: A. Mannarion (8/26)
Brown Belt: Zachary Peackock, Brendan Poor, Harrison Sanford
Red Belt: Frederick van Tassell, Stephen Dubois, Kenny Dobbs
Green Belt: Sam Ballard, Emma Downing, Peyton Dannewitz,
Elizabeth White, Cameron Robertson
Blue Belt: Alex Girard, Eric Kolb, Keith Herman
Purple Belt: Harry Granfors, David Infanti
Orange Belt: Leah Smith, Elisabeth Wilson
Yellow Belt: Alexia Gorton
Tiny Tiger Purple: Edith van Tassell, Julius van Tassell
Tiny Tiger Orange: William Bernard
Keep up the good work!
Welcome New Students!
Please take a moment and welcome Jaimie Cates (Beg Kids) to the MVKS family!
Happy Birthday!!!
Another year older and wiser....
09/01 ............... Tim Nichols
09/02 .......... William Bernard
09/14 ................. Teresa Harz
09/15 .............. Brendan Poor
09/16 ............. Cecilia Nichols
09/17 ............... Cindy Herman
09/22 ................. Sam Taylor
09/25 ........Harrison Sanford
09/29 ....................... Cole Eby
Schedule Change
Now that school is back in session, day classes will go back to being on Monday and Thursday mornings at 10:00 am. Starting Sept 9th.
Thought for the Month
" If you work on a lobster boat, sneaking up behind someone and pinching them is probably a joke that gets old real fast."
- Jack Handy (deep thoughts from SNL)
