Just a reminder Dojo Closed Labor Day 9/5/2011.  See everyone back on Tuesday.

Beginning Thurs., Sept. 1, 2011 Wing Chun will be offered on Tues. and Thurs. evenings 6:30-7:30 p.m.  This is in addition to the existing Wing Chun class schedule offering.  Tues. & Thurs. youth class will now be offered 4:30-5:30 p.m.  (Monday & Wednesday youth kenpo is also still offered at 4:30-5:30 p.m.).  The "Schedule" online will be updated on August 31 to reflect to these changes.

Three times each year Five Animal Kenpo rank examinations are conducted during regular class times.  It seems like yesterday, but testing is here again.  Reminder to wear full uniform (gi pants and jacket with belt).  Testing fees ($25 for rankings below blue belt, $35 for rankings blue belt through brown belt) are due at the time of the test.  Promotions will be held during regular class one week following the exam day.  Please also wear full uniform when presented your promotion.  Best of luck to each of you.

Thank you Leslie Harrelson for photographing our final day of weapons training at our Youth Summer Camp in July on Weapon Handling skills throughout the world. We had some of these photos posted earlier, but check out the latest updated album for the newest action shots.

Marvin Pickeral (and family) was visiting his son Chad (Happy birthday Chad!) at kung-fu class and took some great pictures.  Check them out at the photo page for Wing Chun.  Corey shared with us some photos from her trip to the Casa Hogar Orphanage in Mexico where she introduced the children to some Kenpo.  Way cool and extremely cute!

One of our favorite drills (a.k.a. games) in youth kenpo is "jump and duck."  I take a foam sword and try to either strike the head or feet of the student.  The record for over two years was held by Nathan R. of nine jumps/ducks before finally being struck.  Clint today broke that standing record by achieving ten!  

Kyle Martz and Robert Beasley were awarded their Yellow Sashes.  Chad and Juanita Pickeral were awarded their Purple Sashes. 

The Sash Ranking System used at our school is as follows:
No Sash, White, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Brown, Red, then Black.  White, Yellow, and Orange is based upon the concepts introduced in the Sil Lim Tao Form.  Purple and Blue is based on the Chum Kiu Set.  Green and Brown on the Biu Jee Set.  Red (Wooden Dummy), Black (Long Pole), and upon learning the Butterfly Sword Form and applications (Bat Jam Do) the student can evaluate for their Certificate of Completion -- which means that they are qualified as a Sifu in Wing Chun.