As Halloween draws near, it signals the end of another amazing month at the Academy of the Martial Way. Here’s a look back on what’s been going on lately.
At the beginning of the month, we went to the Phoenix Open Taekwondo Tournament. The following individuals put themselves out there to compete: Chloe D., Orian S., Monty G., Daniel S., Caleb C., Rob S., and Ben P. It was a REALLY long day but everyone learned some valuable lessons (win OR lose) and that made for a good time.
The weekend following the tournament was the final gathering of the AMW Eco-Warriors for 2011. A special thanks go out to those warriors: Ben P., Luba S., Katy H-M, Monty G., Kaelen M., Cody P., Zak P., Anthony M., and Caleb C. It was a gorgeous day out and good friends did a good deed for a good cause. Truly an example of living the martial way. Thank you for helping me keep our Adopt-An-Avenue looking great!
Towards the middle of the month, there was a belt promotion. Not just a belt promotion but a color belt AND black belt promotion. The black belt candidates started at 6pm Friday night and tested until 10:30am on Saturday morning when they were joined by the color belts for their promotion from 10:30am to 1pm. For the Black Belts candidates, that meant they had been training continuously for 19 hours. This was the first time we have combined a Black Belt test and a color belt promotion on the same day. The list of colored belt promoters included: Evan Y., Abby R., Jason K., Jake F., Domingo P., Dan O., Zack H., Caleb C., Sam D., and Elaina A. The Black Belt candidates were: Katy Hartz-Musgrave receiving her 1st Dan, Corbin Praet receiving his 2nd Dan, and Mechelle Felsted receiving her 3rd Dan. What an amazing day that was!
This month several students also began working with artist Jana Aukon and Asset’s committee member Peggy Sheldon-Scurlock, of the Coalition for Youth and Children, to come up with ideas for painting the Academy’s PAWS mountain lion. There’s still time to get in on this creative and exciting project if you are interested. Younger or older, you are all welcome; it’s YOUR mountain lion.
By the end of the month we needed a short break to catch our breath so nothing was scheduled with exception of the usual great classes!
We are gearing up for November already and a wonderful season of sharing and caring. I know I look forward to sharing it with you all.
See you in the studio!
Three AMW Eco-Warriors
A big thanks to all who came out to be an ECO-WARRIOR and live the life of a martial artist inside AND outside of the dojang. You have my respect ladies and gentlemen.
September was one of those slower months at the studio. With school starting back up and everyone getting used to their new schedule it was a good time to just sit back, relax and not get overwhelmed.
This month we welcomed Kevin Burlison to the AMW family. Kevin is a 2nd degree Black Belt currently attending NAU for his degree in Vocal Performance. Mr. Burlison has studied several different martial arts along his journey including spending a month in China training at the Shaolin temple. If you have not met Kevin yet, please take a moment to introduce yourself and welcome him to our martial family.
We had a great belt promotion this month with 14 people advancing in rank. Congratulation go out to: Madison L., Luba S., Monty G., Teresa A., Chloe D., Max B., Kaelan M., Kadyn S., Jonathan D., Orian S., Jackson H., Carson P., Jamie M., and Lee D.
Our Powerful Words character development word of the month for September was Self-Reliance. It’s a wonderful trait that not only grows the individual but gives moms and dads a needed break as well. I hope those lessons are carrying over into the home and schoolwork. Moms and Dads, don’t hesitate to remind your young ones of last month’s lessons if things start to slip. Repetition is the motor of learning!
The end of the month was focused on folks getting ready for the Phoenix Open Taekwondo Tournament the first weekend of October but you will have to wait until the end of October to get more on that! ☺
Now that we are all settled in to a daily routine and cooler temperatures are upon us, let’s all get to work on some serious martial arts training!
See you all in the studio.
Thanks for spending your time and energy…. giving your all … there will be days you don’t think you can step up and spar your opponent… there will be a lifetime of knowing you have. Good job everyone!
All Ladies (12 years old and up) : Because I can’t always be around to protect you…. come to our FREE Women’s Self Defense class… Friday night ~ Sept. 9th … 7 pm … at the Academy of the Martial Way studio….
2708 N. 4th St. STE 1
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Tel.: 928.600.8702
SO WORTH YOUR TIME and it is FREEEE!
