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Happy August!
As we go into this late summertime, please remember that the Whaler family will be moving! They are only going as far as Chattanooga, so let us make sure we all keep in contact. Sometimes Sensei David and I will be going to Chattanooga so Nancy and Kelsey can continue working on their black belts, and they may get to come here some as well. If you'd like to be on the 'make sure we see them' list, just let me know :)
Movie Marathon Night!
On August 7th, we are having a Movie Marathon. You're welcome to bring one, but it may or may not make the list. We are going to get NY Pizza, popcorn and just have a blast for as long as we want (or bedtime for Sensei, whichever comes first). Bring your family and friends if you want to, and maybe a cushion, etc, since we will be sitting in the dojo. If you want to bring a bag of chips or some such to share, you're more than welcome. It's going to be fun: come and stay for the day or stay for a movie, whatever you like!
EZ Defense for Women Seminar
There is an EZ Defense on August 21st, so no morning classes. Like the last one, this session is nearly filled as well: we are get better at getting the word out and getting more women invovled. Each woman we train impacts our whole community, not just her and her family/friends. If we want it to be safer 'out there', then we have to do our part. Getting folks trained to defend themselves is a great answer: when a mugger has to stop and wonder if his 'victim' is going to hurt him, we will know we are getting there. Please continue to help us reach out and make a difference! We now have a website dedicated to this program: Self-Defense of Knoxville - so check it out!
Help the Dojo - We only need 8 More New Students!
Speaking of reaching out: I calculate that we are just 8 students away from having full classes in the dojo. At that point, the dojo will actually be in the black! Since we have these 8 spots open, I would really appreciate it if any of you would invite someone who may want to study.
Last Tournament of the Season
A 'bunch' of us are headed to Peoria for the last tournament of the season on the 14th. Let me know if you want to go.
NEWSFLASH - NEWSFLASH - NEWSFLASH!!!
Many of you have heard this, but this is the official announcement: I am now the Vice President of the U.S. National Martial Arts Alliance. This makes me the first woman on the board, and I am very optimistic that this organization is going to continue to grow and expand in some needed areas. The immediate benefit of this for us as a dojo is that the Grand Nationals will be held here (or rather in Sevierville) next year. Barbara Martin will once again be the Tournament Director, and we are working to pin down the exact location right now. Dr. Thomas will be in next week to look at the sites we've identified. It will be terrific to have this here so that we don't have to travel to get to the Nationals! There are some other changes in the works, very positive ones. If you are not yet a member of the U.S. National Martial Arts Alliance, see me or one of the other black belts to find out how to join!
Muscular Dystrophy Fundraising was a Success!
Many thanks to those of you who bailed me out of the MDA Lockup! It was a very successful fundraising event for Muscular Dystrophy, and I am very grateful to you for your financial help and your support (even if some of you DID wonder how much you could give to KEEP me in jail!!! I know who you are.......)
So once again, have a great August and I'll see you in class!
Sensei Toni
Compassion is the foundation of a good life... |
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July 2010 - Celebrate your Independence! |
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Happy July to All!
I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July! Now we are heading toward our tournament, the first one we have hosted in several years. Its really going to be fun and I can't wait :)
Please compete if you are able to, it is a great opportunity for myself and the other black belts to see how you are doing under stress. Yes, its fun, but is also puts you under a little pressure and it helps us to see how you do.
For those not competing, and friends/family members that are wanting to help, please let us know if you can spare some hours on Saturday the 10th. We need set up from 6:30 a.m. on. Registration starts at 8:00 and the tournament begins at 9:30 (right after the black belt meeting). Tell us when you can come and how long you can stay. Just email me and I will forward it to Barbara Martin, who is coordinating support staff and records. Every hour of labor you are willing to give is greatly appreciated: it takes a lot to promote, run and clean up after a tournament, but we hope it will end up being a good thing for the dojo! Thank you for supporting your martial arts 'home'.
EZ Defense for Women
Remember the 24th is an EZ Defense. We still have 6 spots open, so make sure you register SOON if you or someone you know is coming. Cost is $25.00 and we start at 9:00 a.m. at the dojo.
Black Belt Classes
There are two black belt classes listed on the calendar: Saturday the 17th and Saturday the 31st from 11:30-12:30. Please bring sparring gear and weapons. If we have a decent turnout at these classes, I will consider having more in the furture.
Movie Marathon Day!
I am toying with the idea of having a movie marathon day on Saturday, August 7th. We would start around noon, and end when we felt like it. Potluck, good martial arts movies, bad ones, new ones and old ones would play all day. Let me know if this is something you would like and what movies you might contribute. Be aware that I am going to be the movie dictator and have the final say in the line up for the day (bribes might be accepted :)
Open Hand Class Curriculum
Open hand classes this month will continue to work on technique, forms, sparring and endurance. Kendo classes will work on sparring and breaking. Please bring breaking materials to class. If you are new and you don't know how to choose good breaking material or where to get same, please talk to Sensei Billey, Sensei David, Sensei Dana, Sensei Mark or myself. We will be happy to help.
We Need Volunteers to Help with the Children's Classes - can you help?
The children's classes this month on Tuesday and Thursday afteroon are open for volunteer helpers. This is one way to get some education as future instructors, and it used to be a requirement for green belts to put some time in with the kids classes. After all, children are, these days, a component of most instructors's class make-up and it is important to know how to work with them so that they can get maximun benefit from martial arts. There is no better example of how to teach kids than Sensei Billey, so take advantage of it if you can.
Ok, I look forward to working with all of you in classes coming up. The dojo is only as good as its students, and you are what makes us a top place to learn. Thank you for being part of our family.
Sensei Toni
Arts of the Samurai
www.wayoftheopendoor.com
Compassion is the foundation of a good life...
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Dear Dojo Family:
Summer looks and feels like it has arrived! It brings some fun and exciting opportunities for us! There are two June Tournaments. and our own tournament in July. Please register early for tournaments, its less expensive! The Karate for Christ tournament weekend will still see the dojo open for Saturday morning Agedo and Kendo, but not the other classes. Carbondale weekend we will be closed, and closed the following 4th of July weekend. I will be locked up for MDA on the 28th. I have a heavy bail! I will be sending out a link to my personal temporary website so contributions to my bail can be made online. I am glad, also, to take checks or cash with me when I am arrested and I can turn in at that time. This is a great cause, and I hope you will help me (every dollar counts, so don't feel like it has to be a lot!) As for another important charity, I am giving 10% of my Mary Kay profits from now until July 5th to the USO. By widening the circle of folks to help, I hope it will be an effective way to raise money for them. This organization helps care for our troops, and it is another cause that needs support. Even if you don't use Mary Kay products, consider giving them as gifts to others (there are wonderful gift items, including men's products). I'd like to give the USO lots of support, and this is a good way to do it. Help spread the word: you friends and co-workers might use or need some products. Appreciate the help! Please pray for the Whaler family! Nancy's mom is ill, and they can use our love and positive thoughts! Also, keep Stacy Nelson in your thoughts as well: we are ready for her to be back in class, healthy and ready to work! Welcome our new students, Brandy and Dale. They are going to do well at Arts of the Samurai and we are glad to have them! Laykn Whaley got her red belt tonight! Mmmmmmmm: black belt candidate! Be aware of schedule changes on the calendar, including Sat morning (Karate 9-10 and Kendo 10-11:30) and new daytime classes. Anyone want to be in charge of organizing a dojo trip to the movies for the new Karate Kid? I hope you all enjoy this first month of Summer! See you all in class!
Sensei Toni
Compassion is the foundation of a good life...
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Hello to all my dojo family! I hope you are well and enjoying the great (if weird) Spring! A couple of notes: Notice that beginning the first week of June we have daytime classes that we have not had before. Instead of doing 'summer camp', Sensei Billey is offering new students these classes on a fee basis. However, if you are a regularly enrolled student, there is no extra charge for coming to the day classes! (Love you all) The Tai Chi Class on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday morning is free. Its great to invite family and friends so they can enjoy the benefits of the movement. Sensei Billey is certified by the Arthritis Foundation to teach Tai Chi, so it is a good class for everyone even if someone has some physical concerns. As I transition from teaching at Thackston into branching out with EZ Defense and starting my Mary Kay journey, I am finding that developing a new path is not about one's age. Many people say "Its too late for me to start..." I have to be honest with all of you, I had those defeating thoughts myself about launching a new career to help support my family. But I kept putting one foot in front of the other and tried to shove the doubts back, reminding myself that I am experienced in living and that age does not diminish my ability to learn, to enjoy or to experience new growth and opportunities. Instead, I believe that the years we accumulate in our lives give us the background to enjoy such a journey even more. The support and encouragement offered by others is also invaluable. It helps to compartmentalize the inner conflict that has to do with self-doubt. Knowing that such wonderful people support my endeavors has made me realize just how much of my courage, sense of adventure and confidence are affected by the love of others. We are a social creature, and all to often we are told that it is 'healthy' to be entirely self-reliant. But how much more wonderful is our life when we genuinely reach out to and enjoy the company, humor, wisdom and affections of others? Life is short. In the end, it is those connections with others that truly lasts, and that, my friends, should not be forgotten. Who have you reached out to today? Who have you encouraged? Who have you reconnected with? Make that ripple with the others in your life and you will see it swell to a tidal wave. It is not just 'worth' your time, it is what your time is for! With affection to all,
Sensei Toni |
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