Friday, July 1, 2016

July 2016 Newletter

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence”

SPIRIT WEEK 
SPIRIT WEEK AWARDS & PROMOTIONS
Spirit Week was well attended this year. Despite the high heat, class participation was in the 30-40’s daily. Everyone did a great job with over 1500 pushups and 2500 plus crunches over the first three days. On Day 4 the black belts started class off with self defense followed by the under color belts. At the end of class there was a black belt panel where students were given the opportunity to ask them questions pertaining to their own personal journey or anything they wanted to ask pertaining to the martial arts.

Lisa Johnson-Outstanding Martial Artist Award/Adult
Jake Winters-Outstanding Martial Artist/Youth
Lillian Finch-Honorable Mention Elian Moreno-Honorable Mention
Jeff Geesling-1st Degree Black Belt
Aaron Whittington-2nd Degree Black Belt
Marcia Dillion-6th Degree Black Belt

SUMMER HOURS FOR ADULT CLASSES
This year Summer Hours will start a July 5th through August 31st.

Monday
6:30 – 7:30 Youth Intermediate 6 – 12
7:30 – 8:30 Adult Novice 13 & over
Tuesday
5:30 – 6:15 Youth Novice 6 – 12
6:30 – 8:00 Adult Open 13 & over
Wednesday
5:30 – 6:30 Weapons Purple belt & over
6:30 – 7:30 Youth Intermediate 6 – 12
Thursday
5:30 – 6:15 Youth Novice 6 – 12
6:30 – 8:00 Adult Open 13 & over

TOURNAMENTS
KANSAS STATE SUNFLOWER GAMES
Saturday, July 9th, 2016
Christ The King Church
SW 25th and Wanamaker
Topeka, Kansas
 CONTACT: Tony Mielenz, 785-554-4220, anthonymielenz@yahoo.com

KANSAS SUNFLOWER STATE GAMES 
 The Sunflower State Games is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to providing a forum that initiates and encourages camaraderie between different ages, socioeconomic and cultural groups through athletic competition. This event promotes the development of healthy lifestyles and physical fitness for the participants, their families and the communities where they live. The Sunflower State Games is the largest amateur multi sport festival in Kansas conducted annually three weekends in July. The martial arts games are tentatively the second weekend of July. Mr. Williams, Chief Instructor 

DISCIPLINE: HOW MARTIAL ARTS HELPS OUR KIDS 
By Michael Sams
Our children face potentially life changing, if not life threatening, decisions every day. Drugs, bullies, violence, gangs, and predators wait around every corner; our children are their target. So how does a parent arm their children with the tools necessary to make the right decisions while they are not under our watchful eye? Confidence and discipline are the key, and martial arts can be the method. So what is it about martial arts that are so influential on our kids? The main tenants of martial arts are discipline, honor, confidence, and perseverance. Each child is started in the program on a level playing field, and becoming more senior in the program ensures they respect the effort that got them to that level. Martial Arts is comprised of a set of choreographed moves called kata (forms) that progressively build to the next level of difficulty. Each set of moves rely upon knowledge of the previously learned moves for execution. The knowledge of these moves is tested by senior belt members in the organization, and recognized through a colored belt system. Martial Arts is a proven effective method of building self-esteem, self-discipline, and goal oriented behavior. It also provides our children with the means to protect themselves when presented with a threat. Martial Arts are not the panacea to all of our children’s problems. It gives them a solid foundation to cope with the pressures each endures throughout childhood, setting the patterns and behaviors for a successful transition to adulthood.
--Michael Sams, Student and free lance writer from North Austin Taekwondo, Austin Texas.

YOUTH STUDENT JOURNALS
Several months ago we introduced journaling to our youth martial arts program. The purpose was to get a better understanding of how and what our students were thinking in regards to their martial arts training. What are they mentally and physically focusing on? Are they developing short and long term goals? How involved are their parents/grandparents in their training? It is our hopes that the student’s feedback to our program will help us in making their martial arts journey more meaningful. It is important that your child journals something about what they are learning. Bring their journal to any of our black belts for review, possible comments and their signature acknowledging that we care about your child’s martial education and training.
--Mr. Williams, Chief Instructor