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December is for Families! |
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Dear Dojo Family:
It is hard to believe that we are in the last month of another year together. So much has happened this year: we have had joys and sorrows, progress and set backs, new territory and things from the past to visit. It has been quite a year, but more on that next month.
There is so much rush, bustle and tension this time of year, that I am saying a prayer for all. I pray for peace: no matter what holiday you choose to celebrate this month, if any, may the month be peaceful, calm, filled with family and friends. May it be a time of pause, a time of rest, a time of gratitude and appreciation. May you seek out others to give to, knowing that, in the circle, you will be given to and we will all have what we need. May contentment be your lot, and may you forgive all those who have wronged you. May you forgive yourself. May you see the best in yourself and in others.
As we go out there and concede the contended parking space, get brushed aside rudely by shoppers, have fellow drivers rage at us for no good reason, and endure the constant urges of our society to 'buy, buy, buy', may we have quiet inside. May the path we walk, among all this unrest constantly be a still space, where our footfalls are on the quiet path of snow-covered leaves where the air is full of gentle moonlight. This is my wish for all of you.
Toni L. McSorley Ph.D., 8th Dan |
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Dear Dojo Family:
I hope this Fall season is being good to everyone, and that you are enjoying (or at least tolerating) the change of the season. The dojo is doing well, and fun/exciting things are going on, and I am thrilled to see that!
Sensei Katrina's Boot Camp is not an easy class, but it is attracting both students who are in shape and students who want to be in shape. I have received only good feedback from students who feel like they are learning, strenghtening, toning and increasing endurance. And its enjoyable! Remember that this class is included if you are already enrolled as a student, and it is only $5 per class for others. Invite your friends and co-workers who are interested in making a change. They will thank you for it!
Please note that Kendo will now be taught on Monday nights only, until there is enough interest to have Saturday classes again. On Saturdays, the only classes will be Isshin-ryu. This is another really great class that teaches a very no-nonsense form of Karate and Sensei Mark is an extremely competent instructor with a lot of knowledge to share!
Sensei Billey is holding great classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and the students there also tell me how much fun they are having and how much they are learning. Sensei Billey's extensive knowledge (built over many years of martial education) is a great plus to the serious martial arts students. If you are not taking advantage of this class, you really should check it out.
The children's class is wonderful and FULL. There are 3 children who are coming into the class, and 1 that I anticipate returning soon, and that will top it off for now. However, I will be more than happy to put new children on a waiting list, if they want to wait until there is an opening.
Note the dojo is closed for Thanksgiving from Wednesday the 23rd to Monday the 28th. Have a wonderful holiday!
Toni L. McSorley Ph.D., 8th Dan |
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SCHEDULE CHANGES!
Now that school is in session, we will be following the Knox County School System's schedule for snow days and Holidays, so please be sure to call first to make sure the dojo is open. If the school's are closed, there's a chance the dojo may be closed, so PLEASE check ahead of time!
NOTE: THERE ARE NO CLASSES ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11; and TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd! We have corporate sponsors for two EZ Defense courses to help the women of our community be able to stay safe. Thank you to Privett Insurance and Regions Bank.
EZ Defense Classes in October!
Russell's Pest Control is also sponsoring a daytime EZ Defense on November 3rd. If any of you have employers that might also like to sponsor an EZ Defense, please let me know and I will send them a video and be in contact with them.
There is also a public EZ Defense for Women on October 22nd, from 9-1. Please help me get the word out. If you, your family members, co-workers and friends have not taken this class, it is time! With the violence we have seen in the community and the attempted abductions, it makes NO SENSE not to have the knowledge and skills this course offers. It is time to make it a priority!!! It is time for us to start being MORE frightened of ATTACKS than we are of spending 3 hours in a self-defense course.
I have preached this for so many years....but the violence continues because no one wants to think it will happen to THEM. But THINK about the consequences of an attack and then evaluate the time spent dealing with the aftermath, as opposed to the time spent learning to avoid such things. NO MORE EXCUSES! Look at the messages out there, such as Topeka's City Council wanting to decriminalize domestic violence! Women have to be able to defend themselves, because no one else is going to do it for them. HELP those women in your life and get them to this class!
 New Cardio Boot Camp Class Scheduled!
Be sure to check the Class Schedule and Calendar for October 2011 -- we have a new class scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm! It's listed on the calendar. There is no additional charge for this class if you are already a member of the dojo. For non-members the fee is only $5 per class.
The Happenings for October!
Many of you have asked what you can do to help the dojo - and we sure appreciate the offer. In fact, we are currently accepting new students! If you know anyone who has been wanting to learn karate and become a part of the AOS dojo, we are now in the process of reviewing applications for adult students in Kendo, Agedo, Boot Camp and Isshin-Ryu; please have them come in or call. Wish I could promise you some great, fancy reward for referring a new student, but I hope you will settle for gratitude and appreciation, and the knowledge that you are helping your dojo continue in the future :)
Aside from that, we can ALWAYS use contributions of paper towels, toilet paper, Dixie cups for water, printing paper and light bulbs. We go through an amazing amount of these supplies, so they are always appreciated. ;-)
As always, I want every one of you to know how special you are to me and to the other instructors. I appreciate you, and am continuously grateful that you allow our instructors to help you with your goals. I hope you all have a wonderful month!
Toni L. McSorley, Ph.D, 8th Dan
Arts of the Samurai |
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SCHEDULE CHANGES!
Please look at the calendar CAREFULLY as there have been many changes. Adult and Children's Karate on Tuesday and Thursday are at the same times, Kendo and Isshin-Ryu are at the same times and there is a Kids Kendo class on Monday (4:30-5:30). There are no other classes at this time, so please be aware of that to avoid a fruitless trip to the dojo.
NOTE: THERE IS NO ADULT CLASS ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 4th!
There will be no Kendo class on August 20th and Isshin-Ryu will start at 1:30.
EZ Defense for Women Worshop Scheduled
There is an EZ Defense for Women on August 20th (Saturday) from 9:00-1:00. Please help us fill this class! We nearly had a young woman abducted in Oak Ridge this week! We need to get our friends, family and neighbors PROTECTED. On the Self-Defense of Knoxville website, there is a wonderful 5 minute video friends and family can view, to show them what the class is all about. It is a beautiful testimonial that will help them get through their fears and understand what they are going to experience during the class. Here's the link to the video.
We have a New Black Belt in Our Midst!
Congratulations to Forrest Johnson on his 1st Dan in Kendo! Forrest did a wonderful job during his test, and his instructors are very proud of him. Thank you to all who participated and who joined in the festivities. ;-)
Food for Thought
In the heat of the summer, with school getting ready to start and many folks about to have schedule changes, let me caution you to approach challenges with calm discipline. Getting anxious, worrying, or overloading yourself, will take a toll on you and the ones around you.
One way or another, you will get there, so it is a worthy goal to arrive rested, sharp, and in good health. Taking care of yourself is top pri Lority: if you do not, then others that depend on you will fall as well. Take time to rest, to unwind, to eat, to sleep, to exercise and to tell others how much you care about them.
All those goals, then, will be taken care of as well
Toni L. McSorley, Ph.D, 8th Dan
Arts of the Samurai |
Happy June Already! (Feels like the end of July out there.....)
Boxing, Savate and more!
We are underway in adult class with Boxing, and a Savate review is included with each evening's sweat session! Remember you can shuck the jackets and do T-Shirts and belts in these classes. Headgear (you can borrow) and cups and mouthpieces (I don't suggest borrowing these) are mandatory for sparring.
The Evade the Blade class has been cancelled due to lack of registration. We'll try again in the Fall.
Feral Cat News
The feral cat colony is doing well: we have one tomcat yet to trap and neuter. Unfortunately, he is the smart one and it has been tough to catch him! We are also about ready to trap and neuter/spay the batch of kittens born about 14 weeks ago. Your gifts of money (went to the Spay Shuttle as they expect a donation when you bring in feral cats) and food has really helped to save lives.
Thank you for your caring about our fellow life-forms on this planet and thank you for helping me get them proper veterinary care. All of the cats have also been vaccinated, treated for worms and given their rabies shots and tags.
The cats that have been cared for have had a small edge of their left ear shaved off while they were under anesthetic: that lets us identify any strangers that might come by and also need a trip to the vet. I am hoping, though, that this colony is now stable and we won't have any new fuzzy faces.
Fun Stuff!
We are kicking around (ha!) the idea of having a Luau in July. Feedback on this would be great. I don't have a pool, but I am glad to donate the dojo/yard to this idea. We can always fill up some wading pools for the young ones, too, and grill some great food. What do you think about it?
Remember August the 12th is the Ripley's sleepover. We still need 4 children to make our quota. Also, 1/2 of the money has to be in by July 12th as Ripley's requires it as a down payment.
Forrest Johnson, one of our Red Belts, will be taking his Kendo Black Belt test on July 25th. That is a Monday evening. All students are invited, along with Sempai Forrest's family and friends. I hope you can come and encourage him!
For those of you putting your spare change in the bucket for 22 1/2 Degrees, thank you! We raised $63.50 this month! Remember this project goes to fund our non-profit that is aiming to build a Women's Residence for women and children escaping domestic abuse. Every penny helps!
Thank you again for the privilege of having you and your children in class. I am always very, VERY grateful for the caliber of students that come here to learn martial arts.
Have fun and sweat LOTS during classes this month...
Sensei Toni L. McSorley :)
Compassion is the foundation of a good life...
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