Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Please be safe, be happy, & remember to thank God for all your many blessings!

Special HOliday Class TImes

Special Class times for the holidays

The schedule will be as follows for the last two weeks of December.

December 21st, 22nd, 28th & 29th

9:30 -10:15 Juniors

10:15-10:45 Little Dragons

10:45-11:30 Adults

The schedule change is due to Mr. May's full time work schedule and due to the fact the children are out of school. If you are able to attend at these times you are more than welcome!

Have a Merry CHRISTmas!!!

LaGrange Christmas Parade 2010

Christmas Parade 2010

"The Spirit of Giving"

We had a great turn out for the parade. It was a great time of fellowship and fun!

Our float demonstrated the many "Gifts You Can Give All Year Long". We teach this life skill to our students as part of our curriculum, because it can be used in all areas of our lives not just in Martial Arts.

The Gift of Praise

The Gift of Presence

The Gift of Attention

The Gift of Consideration

The Gift of Gratitude

The Gift of Inspiration 

The children showed the Christmas spirit with their 

beautiful smiles &

playful personalities.

We even had our own little elf along for the ride, 

dressed as a Little Dragon.

Thank you to everyone who participated! Thanks to parents for riding along to help with the safety and enjoyment of the children in the parade.

We look forward to 2011!!

Belt Testing

CONGRATULATIONS!!

November 20th we had many students advance to the next belt rank.

We are so proud of all students who demonstrated what they have learned so far in Martial Arts.

In our Little Dragons class the following students advanced to the next belt rank: 

JiQuan -- yellow belt.

Ellis -- yellow belt

Zane -- yellow belt

Myles --yellow belt

Boots -- purple belt

Caleb -- orange belt

In our Junior's class the following students advanced 

to the next belt rank:

Holly -- yellow belt

 Cierra -- purple

ToriElizabeth -- purple belt

Theisman -- purple belt

In our adult class the following students advanced to the next belt rank:

Mr. Martin -- Orange Belt

Great job to all of our students!!!

Gup Belt testing

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

We are so proud of all those who tested on Saturday. Mr. May said everyone did very well. I will post pictures soon and will share who has advanced to their next belt.

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!!

Upcoming Weekend

This weekend begins a busy season for our Martial arts school. 

We begin by having our Gup Belt Testing Saturday, November 20th from 9am-12pm.

Also on Saturday, Mrs. May will be at Dr. Allardice's Office for her annual 

Handpainting Party from 10am-1pm.

Thanksgiving Break we will not have classes from  November 24th- 27th.

We will resume classes on Tuesday, November 30th for Juniors and Adults and December 3rd for Little Dragons.

December 2nd at 6 pm we will be participating in the annual 

LaGrange Christmas Parade. 

We need everyone to come and join us.

The Holiday Sale from Century Martial Arts 

November 23rd-December 11th. 

This is a great way to find a special gift for your Martial artist for Christmas. 

I will hand out materials on this on November 23rd.

Support our school in as many ways as you can!

Thank you very much for your 

support and commitment!

Gup Belt testing

GUP BELT TESTING DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED!!!

We have changed the testing date to November 20th, same times!

Please mark your calendars!

Christmas Parade

Christmas Parade 2010

The Spirit of Giving

Last year we had a great time in the LaGrange Christmas Parade as seen in the pictures.  This year we want to participate again. The parade will be December 2nd at 6pm. Plan to participate with us. We will have a way for Little Dragons to ride and Juniors and adults can walk or ride. If anyone can help with the parade please let me know.More details will come very soon.

Come join us and share the Spirit of Giving! 

Gup Belt Testing

Gup Belt test, Saturday, November 13th

Times:


Juniors 9:00
Little Dragons 10:00
Adults 11:00

All students and family members are welcome to watch testing. Please remember we have more people present to watch testing. Be respectful and make space as best as possible. If you choose to video or take pictures please do not be on the mat or interfere with the student's attention on the test.

If you are testing you have...
All stripes on your belt
      white - attendance & home practice hours
      yellow - philosophy
      green- self-defense
      blue - techniques
      red - kata (forms)
All patches flag and AFAF patch affixed to your uniform. If you have any other special patches for attendance or academics please also affix them.
Completed and turned in all testing applicaitons and intent to promote forms by November 6th.

If any testing applications are turned in after November 6th, you may test but you will not receive a belt at testing if you pass your test. Your belt we be ordered at a later date.

Be sure to continue practicing steadily along and you will be more than ready for your test!

Parent/Student class

We had a great time this past weekend with the parents in class.

I have a few pictures to share. Unfortunately, I didn't get any from the Little Dragons class. GREAT JOB to all of our parents and students! I heard the Little Dragon parents were EXCELLENT also!

Parent/Student class

Parent/ Student Classes 

Come take class with your child. Learn some basic Techniques and how to help your child practice at home.

Juniors - Friday night, September 24th, 7:00pm

Little Dragons - Saturday morning, September 25th, 10:20am

We look forward to having as many parents as possible. 

Dress comfortably, no uniform required for parents unless you are already a student.

ALL STUDENTS

We are so excited to have growing classes of Little Dragons  & Junior students. We have large classes when all students are present. Since many of these students are new to our school. I want to repeat some very important information.

1. Always be in uniform in class. As it is so hot right now a t-shirt can be worn with uniform pants. If you do not have a May Martial Arts t-shirt you may wear a solid white shirt. Please no t-shirts with characters or writing.

2. DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO PLAY OR SLEEP IN UNIFORMS. It is very important to keep your child's uniform clean and unstained. Small children can stain clothes easily with food  and dirt from the floors.

3. Remind your child not to practice karate on other people unless we are in class or they are practicing with a willing adult. We will do this in class also but if we all reinforce it the students will remember it more often.

4.  Always be on time for class. It is very important that all students be present before class begins at least by 5 minutes. This allows time for the bathroom and to tie belts.

5. Remind children of our 3 L's; "Look, Listen & Learn". These are very important in our classes to ensure we teach and conduct class efficiently.

Thank you for helping us with these important points.

CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS!!

We want to congratulate three of our students on advancing to their next belt. In our Juniors class Torie Elizabeth and Theisman both received their yellow belt. In our adult class Mr. Camp has received his orange belt. We are very proud of all of our students and their progress.

WELCOME!!

We want to extend a warm welcome to all of our new students who have joined us this summer.

First in Little Dragons we have welcomed 5 new students: Saige, Boots, Eli, Daniel and Zane. We love the youngest of our students, their energy and zest for learning. They are always ready to push Mr. May and I to our limits of engagement. We are excited to see the future of our classes in these young students.

Second in our Juniors class we have welcomed  6 new students: Taylor, Theisman, Zunye, Kengsley, Taylor, and Cierra. The juniors are becoming a remarkable group of young martial artist. We are excited as some of our students work into intermediate belt levels we have a new group of beginning students to Lead & Inspire For Excellence.

Last but not least, we have welcomed 2 new adult students this summer: Mr. Martin & Mr. Cotton. Mr. May is challenging these men and our other adults to push ourselves beyond what we find comfortable and familiar. As well, Mr. May is enjoying having the adults to push him to be HIS BEST.

As we begin the school year and autumn approaches we hope to continue this growth "while still holding fast to what we know to be true and honest." Our Codes of Ethics are constant reminders of positive life-skills that will enable all of us to grow and develop and be THE BEST THAT WE CAN BE!!!!

****NO CLASSES THIS WEEKEND****

Just a reminder to everyone. No classes Friday,August13th & Saturday, August 14th due to a wedding we must attend out of town. Classes will resume on the regular schedule Tuesday, August 17th.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

Word of the Month

Karateka is the word of the month. It means karate practitioner not come to attention. I have tried to change it but the edit function is not working today. Sorry for the mistake.

New schedule

As of August 1, 2010 our schedule will be as follows:

Tues & Fri

Little Dragons ( Friday only) 6:30-7:00

Juniors: Tues. 6:40-7:25, Fri. 7:00-7:45

Adults: Tues 7:30, Fri 7:45

Saturday

Juniors 9:30-10:15

Little Dragons 10:20-10:50

Adults11:00-12:00

We are also now meeting in the front room of the Tone Fitness Academy.

Videos & Pictures

Please scroll down through the videos and pictures to see how well all of our students did on Saturday.

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Gup Belt Test

Juniors

Getting Started!

Rolling, rolling, rolling

Bulldog take down

Self defense from a choke hold

Good job girls! Self defense against a choke hold

New belts look GREAT!

Bowing to show respect!

Our newest graduates to their next belt.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Gup Belt pictures

Just as I promised here are pictures from our test this weekend!

Little Dragons

Coming to attention!

Falling Backward in a defensive position.

Demonstrating hand techniques

Wow I love the face! Excitement!

Bowing to show respect.

Congratulations boys!

Gup Belt Test

 CONGRATULATIONS!

The Gup belt test was fantastic this morning. We had 3 Little Dragons and 6 Juniors test for their next belt level. They ALL PASSED! We are so proud of them and want to congratulate them and their parents on a job well done.
The following students advanced to the next level:


Little Dragons:
Yellow - Omar
Purple - Hayden & Caleb




Juniors:
Yellow - Claire & Cierra
Purple - Maegan & Sydney
6th Green - Matthew & Ryan


I will post pictures soon!

Special Event

The week of August 23rd -28th will be 

"Bring a Friend to Class Week"

All Little Dragons, Juniors and Adults are invited to bring a friend to try our classes at NO CHARGE!

Start asking friends now. 

Let's fill up the gym and see how much fun we can have!!!! 

Mrs. May will have special invitations to hand out the first week of August.

Upcoming Gup Belt Test

Our next Gup belt test will be Saturday, July 24th. We will not have regularly scheduled classes.
Little Dragons will have class and some students testing from 9:30-10:00. All Dragons can participate in class but only 2 are testing for their next belt.
Juniors will be having a formal belt testing beginning as close to 10:00 as possible. It will last approximately 1-2 hours.
All students must wear full gi (uniform) top & bottom and belt. Please make sure it is clean, pressed and all patches are permanently attached to the uniform in the correct places.  Any questions please see Mr. or Mrs. May.
Practice consistently, eat, drink and sleep well and good results will follow.

We will see everyone for testing on Saturday!

AFAF tournament

We are so proud of all of our students who participated in the tournament. Here are some pictures from the event.

 

Juliettte participated in a tournament for the 1st time and she won 3rd place in her group for Flying sidekick.

We were happy Mr. Tirschel was able to make it and present Juliette with her medal.

Matthew performed a great flying sidekick. He won 2nd place for his division.

 Congratulations to Matthew Howard

Ryan Castillo participated in Kata and Sparring. He and Matthew started out sparring each other first. They have practiced so much together it was a close decision.

In the end Matthew earned 4th place and Ryan 2nd place. Great job guys! 

Now it's time to get ready for the test for your Green Belts!

Kata

Sydney Bonner did a great job performing Kamsah. She received a participation medal for her hard-work. Great job Sydney!

Maegan Camp performed Geicho Hyung Il Bu ( Basic Form1). She stayed focused and was able to win 2nd place in her division.

Her second medal was a 2nd place in flying sidekick competition.

Mr. May and I are so  proud of all the boys and girls. They represented our school well. They did their best, showed good sportsmanship and conveyed enthusiasm about everyone's accomplishments. The boys and girls were a great example of Code of Ethic #8, "I will be as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own."

Upcoming events:

GUP BELT TESTING

JULY 24, 2010

Geichu Hyung Il Bu

12 Basic Movements

Kamsah

Kamsah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLHt5BZ-jNA

New VIdeo

Giecho Hyung Il Bu - Basic Form 1
I have recently posted a video of this form on our Facebook page. If you are working to learn this video please go and watch the video to aid your practice at home. I have not figured out yet how to post it on this blog but I will post it here also when I figure it out.

12 Basic Movements and Kamsah to come soon.

Upcoming Belt testing

We plan to have our next Belt Testing on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 10:00am.
If your child has all stripes on their belt they are ready to test. Please make sure you have the following papers and monies turned in:
1. Testing Application
2. Intent to promote form signed by parent
3. Testing Fee paid (This can be combined with July tuition)

4. All of this must be done by July 17th to test.

Please see Mrs. May for forms and to turn in completed papers and money.

AFAF tournament

Tournament Tomorrow June 26, 2010
Burnette Karate
McDonough, Georgia


We have four students attending the tournament. 
Please wish Maegan, Sydney, Ryan and Matthew well.
Pictures to come next week!!!

AFAF tournament

*** UPDATE***UPDATE***UPDATE***

We now have 6 students preparing to participate at the annual 2010 AFAF tournament, June 26th, in McDonough,Georgia at Burnette Karate studios.

Little Dragon -
Michael - Flying sidekick
Juniors -
Ryan - Sparring & forms.
Matthew - Forms and Flying sidekick
Maegan - Forms and Flying sidekick
Sydney - Forms
Nicholas- Flying sidekick

We know all of our students will do their best. We are excited to go and have a wonderful learning experience with other federation schools. Pictures will be posted soon after the event. Come back to look for more information.

Karate Kid movie

 As most of you know the new Karate Kid movie has been released recently at the theaters. Don and I are very cautious about what we let our children watch since they are so young. We are just as concerned about your children. Please consider reading this review before taking your children if you are considering it. We have chosen  not to see it because our children are just too small. But, just as the original movie the target audience for the movie should be preteens and older.


http://www.pluggedin.com/movies/intheaters/karatekid.aspx

Parent Participation Classes

We had fantastic participation by our parents Friday night. They all braved the heat to participate with their children and learn how to help guide their child through their learning. Here are a few pictures I was able to catch.

Little Dragon students and parents participating in class.

Mr. May is explaining how to do a knife hand block.

The boys and girls are hitting a small squeaky target at different heights. The parents are learning how to hold the targets and encourage their child to punch and kick the target safely with control.

Junior students and parents participating in class. 


They all did a fantastic job! I love to watch the parents learning alongside their children. It is so important for parents and children to share experiences.

Self- Defense - Parents reviewed quick releases with their children. Most of our students have done this drill many times but the parents had not. It is so important to empower children with a way of protecting themselves in what could be a dangerous and very scary situation.

Sydney and her father, David, demonstrate the correct hold for practicing quick releases.

Cierra and her mom, Latangya, are demonstrating the two hand grab to get away from.

FALLING!    FALLING!      FALLING!

The parents and students are reviewing falling. We teach all of our students how to fall backwards safely. We start by crossing our arms so we are less likely to reach out and try to break our fall with our arms. You are very likely to break arms and wrists if your arms are used to break the fall.

The students have squatted down and rolled backwards and slapped the mat as they let out a "kiai" (loud spirtited yell). The kiai is used as a way of not allowing the breath to be knocked out of you as your body hits the floor. Notice how Ryan and Sydney are both in a great position. They have their head up and arms out and foot up to defend themselves.

To end class the students are practicing kicking the targets. If you do not have a target you can use a pillow or couch cushion to practice on.











Great Job to Everyone!!!


Get ready now parents the next participation class to come in August!