Well another year has come and gone. So as you reflect on the year past, did you accomplish any goals or resolutions that you set out to accomplish? If you fell short do you have plans to revisit them this year? Last year I was diagnosed with a deteriorated hip and had a total hip replacement. I had been in pain for a long time but was trying to medicate my problem with exercises from a previous problem I had. My goal this year is to get strength back in my legs and work on my flexibility. I have come up with action steps on how to accomplish my goals. Prior to surgery the farthest I could get on my stretch rack was 120 degrees. Even then it felt like someone was sticking a knife on the inside of my hip joint. Over the last two weeks I started my road back to recovery. I am at 130 degrees with only the pain of tight muscles. My short term goal is a comfortable 160 degrees by June and a long term goal of 180 degrees by the end of this year. I challenge you to set short term and long term goals with action steps for this year. Jump start your martial arts journey this year!
--Mr. Williams, Chief Instructor
NEW YEAR SPECIALS FOR JANUARY
This month through January 31st all new enrollments for Individual and Family Plans will be 15% off for the first three months. Then they will be adjusted to the current rates. Tell your friends and family about this great special order!
YOUTH NOVICE CLASSES
On Monday, January 9th we will start an addition to the Youth Novice Class. Mondays will only be for new enrollments and novice students with up to two (2) stripes on their belt. We hope to get some sound basics instilled in order for them to make a smoother transition into the intermediate classes. This group of students may still attend class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
TOURNAMENTS AND PROMOTIONS
WELLS BRIDGES KARATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Saturday, December 3rd, 2016
Joshua Busue 1st Place Novice Sparring
MARK LONG’S WINTER KICK OUT RESULTS
Saturday, December 3rd, 2016
Aaron Whittington 1st Place Black Belt Kata, 1st Place Black Belt Sparring, Grand Champion Kata
Chance Barr 2nd Place Intermediate Kata
Sean Johnson 1st Place Novice Kata, 1st Place Novice Sparring
KC CHALLENGE
Saturday, February 18th, 2017
Rockhurst High School 9301 Stateline Road Kansas City, MO.
CONTACT: Jarrett Leiker at 913-432-2787
PROMOTIONS
Dominic Rivera Green Belt
Brandon Kiatoukaysy Green Belt
Kayla Rose Jr. Green Belt
Lilly Finch Gold Belt
Adam Kiatoulaysy Gold Belt
Andrew Kiatoukaysy Gold Belt
Gabriel Cruz Gold Belt
KATA SEMINAR
On Saturday, February 11th Darci York will be at American Karate to do a workshop on Classical Kata. This workshop is open to all AKMS Black Belts. Darci is from Joplin, Missouri and her home school is Kellison Academy of Martial Arts. Darci is a local, state, national and international champion. She is a member of the Amerikick National Karate Team and recently competed in Italy where she brought back 7 gold and 1 bronze medals. If you are interested in participating in this workshop let Mr. Williams know as soon as you can.
WHO’S WHO AT AKMS
Name: Jean Gaeddert
Nick Name: ?
Rank: 6th Degree/Rokudan
When did you start martial arts? January 22, 1996
What inspired you to start martial arts training? As a young girl, I was captivated by the beauty of the martial arts. However, that was not really an option for young girls growing up in Inman, Kansas. When I noticed a coupon in the Hutchinson News for 2 free sessions at Thomas Williams' school (back in 1996), I took advantage!
What were you looking for in an instructor? At the time, I never thought about what kind of expectations I had in an instructor. I just wanted to participate! Now, I see how important the following qualities are:
· Patience
· Creativity
· Communication skills
· Relationship skills
· Respect (for others, for self, for the art, for other martial arts disciplines)
· Passion
· A "Growth Mindset" (willingness to change, evolve, improve, fine-tune)
Have you studied other styles of martial arts? What was the martial art? No
When did you achieve your black belt? October 2002
What was training like when you started? I was an adult in the back row with younger kids! However, that never really bothered me. I knew this was going to be a process, and was fine knowing that my rank placed me where I needed to be. Other adult females welcomed me into the "family." Time and effort were up to me: the more I invested in/out of class, the greater the gains in the art.
What is your main focus of training, Self Defense, Competition or both? Healthy mind, healthy body, balance (literally and figuratively), self-defense What are your current martial arts goals? I like to think of myself as a life-long learner, so my current goal is to simply remain committed to the journey! Hopefully, I am also a role model for younger students in the program.
What would you tell anyone looking to get into the martial arts?
· Compare/visit schools.
· Visit with instructors.
· Observe classes if possible before committing.
· Ask yourself: What do you hope to gain from this experience?
Get to know the Black Belts and certified instructors at American Karate. When any of our black belts, Third Degree (Dan) and over, enter the Dojo call the class to attention so that they may be acknowledged.
Mr. Williams, Chief Instructor
