Dunamis Karate December 2010 News

Dunamis Karate News
December 2010

Belt Testing – December 13^th & 14^th
            Students must wear their complete white uniform in order to test.
            Students must turn in belt promotion form & test fee prior to testing.
            Students testing for Gold Advanced or Higher need to have proper patches in place.       
            Students in the Intermediate class & higher need to have current UFAF membership!

The schedule during the two test days will be as follows:

Monday 13th			Tuesday 14th
Tiny Tigers Test	4:30-5:00		Tiny Tigers Test	3:30 - 4:00
Jr. Beginners Test	5:00 - 5:45		Jr. Beginners Test	4:00 - 4:45
Jr. Advanced Test	5:45 - 7:00		Jr. Intermediate Test	4:45 - 6:30
Demo team	7:00 - 7:45		Masters Club	6:30 - 7:00
Extreme Team	7:45 - 8:30		CKD Black/Jr. Black	7:00 - 8:00
			Adults Test	8:00 - 9:00

Belt Graduation & Christmas Party – Friday, Dec. 17^th 5:30 – 8:00 pm
            Come join us as we promote our students’ new ranks.  We will celebrate their success and the Christmas holiday.   Please bring finger foods to share after the belt ceremony.

SWAT/STORM Team Party  - Friday, Dec. 17^th 8:00 – 9:30 pm
            After the belt graduation Christmas party, the SWAT & STORM team members are invited to stay for an additional 90 minutes.  We will have fun as we strengthen our leadership team!

School Closing for the holidays
            After the belt graduation on Dec. 17^th we will close until after the new year.  Normal classes will resume on Monday, January 3^rd. 

December Birthdays:          Brian 12/12                  Devin 12/14     Lauren 12/21

Krey Lee 12/22            Kaleb 12/23

Give the gift of karate for Christmas … 1 month plus uniform only $65!!

Traditional vs Extreme ... Practical vs Flash ... Self Defense vs Gymnastics

Not every technique we learn has a "street application." Can anyone give me a "street application" for a push up, sit up or jumping jack?? … Yet we have our students do them in class.

The issue here is understanding the difference betwe...en the benefit of a skill and the value of a skill. The benefit of sit ups, push ups, etc. is that they make us stronger physically. But the value we learn from them is perseverance ... doing just one more ... doing what is required and then some!

Would we ever do a back flip or a 540 in a self defense situation? NO! But do students gain value from these skills? Absolutely!

Imagine the skill required to do a back flip ... The intensity, the energy … the work ethic required to accomplish something like that is incredible. Now, think about the confidence the student gains when it is accomplished. Students who have accomplished skills like a back flip, a 540, or a butterfly twist are the most motivated, hard working students anywhere. Anyone can see that their stances are stronger, their kicks and punches are sharper ... They are motivated even in the traditional classes because they understand the value!

Everything we do is rooted in the traditional techniques. The "Extreme" or "Hyper" skills do not take away from that. They simply build on that foundation ... A little harder, a little faster, a little louder, more expression ... and it gives extra incentive to the students to work & train hard. The result is motivated, excited students which equals a successful school.

I'm not opposed to traditional karate. I still practice it on a daily basis. I also like traditional hymns, but I don't like to listen to them ALL the time. I like contemporary music, rock, pop, and even some hip hop. We must be willing to grow and adapt with the times. We are not disregarding the traditions of the past… simply adding to it something more current with the culture. Eventually, today's contemporary will be tomorrow's traditional.