Please feel free to upload your photos and videos as well!   We can add them to the record of a memorable testing.  If you don't know how please ask, we would love to see your pics/videos.  I haven't processed my photos yet (technical difficulty), so more to come for sure.   Congratulations to you all!  And don't miss CGNs Nelson and Sams as they do a make up due to the weather in February.…

Several months ago I was injured during Martial Arts.  Once I got over the initial pain of injury I determined I was at a cross road.

Have surgery and rehab with the possibility of returning back to a high level of physical activity including martial arts or do not have surgery and live a life of limited physical activity which basically meant walking only.

Thinking back to life before martial arts- I could return to a life where I felt lethargic and just not well and walking through life a day at a time; or return to a life where I was energetic, enthusiastic and had a zest for life.   I chose the latter. This meant surgery, a period of inactivity and then serious rehabilitation.

Many people asked me after inquiring how I injured myself, “Are you going back?” This I also thought long and hard about- why Martial Arts, why not something else?  What are the…

People are often surprised we chose to start our daughter training in martial arts at such a young age and they often ask why.  Given the myriad of benefits we’ve seen in our daughter, it made me realize that this is not a question that can be answered in a quick 2-sentence sound bite.   Over the next few weeks I will be writing a series of posts on the positive benefits of martial training (in no particular order) from a parent’s perspective.

Improved Coordination

I have terrible coordination.  Remember the kid who couldn’t pat his head & rub his stomach at the same time when they tested us in school?  Yes, that was me.  I couldn’t pass a field sobriety test right now and I haven’t had a drink in over a week. I also used to suffer from an…

1. What are my goals upon having reached black belt for my future training and learning?

My first goal is to become a second dan before I graduate from high school. I look forward to mentoring future students working toward their black belt. In martial arts I learned to focus which helps me in fencing and in school.
           

2. What kind of black belt will I be?  (what kind of example do I expect to set?)

The kind of black belt I want to be is one that stands up for my community when someone is in trouble. I want to be a role model so that other people know that if you want to achieve something just set your mind to it and work hard.

                 My first living hero is my history teacher, Bill. He always encourages you to research and discover new things about the ancient world. He makes history fun while we are also learning things about the ancient world.

            My second living hero is my science teacher, Walter. Whenever someone is yelling at him in class or not doing what they are supposed to do he does not get angry and frustrated no matter what. I have learned so much more about science so far this year than what I have learned in past years.

            My third living hero is one of my fencing coaches, Barbara. She is always there for me even…