The Saturday Gang...

A group of bright shining faces from a Saturday class. Was taken some time towards the end of last year. Master Bennett is missing because he was off on a retreat or something..

Gup Testing 04/03/2010

Jay and I went over, on Saturday, and watched some of our fellow students testing for their next belts.

I personally think it's important to be there and show support for them, on this next step in their journey. To send our chi, so as to speak, from the sidelines to bolster up their strength and energy.

After all, is that not what is at the heart of our Dojang, Team Martial Arts .. 'Together Everybody Achieves More.' ??

Neither of us tested, as Jay felt he wasn't ready and I certainly was not.

Next test is in 3 months, so it gives us something to work hard towards.

My digital camera is a trifle sick, so the images from it, aren't the greatest. I'll have to see what the shots are like from my film cameras, once I get them developed.


Judges .. Master Bennett, Dr Hahn and Mr Heckman looking serious at start of test.


Deena, Bryson, Schuyler, Danny and Darah ..front kick..


Darah and Brock..


Brock..


Schuyler, Danny, Darah, Brock


Schuyler, Deena, Brock ...


Deena, Danny, Brock, Oscar ...


Oscar and Deens having way too much fun ...


Brock brings Danny down. Oscar and Deena reflected in the mirror as Oscar attempts to move Deena :-)


Dr Hahn offers Bryson some encouragement after the oral part of the test..


A little stress relief ... Schuyler breaks his board. Mr Heckman holding ..


Master Bennett makes a point in test debriefing. Dr Hahn, Mr Heckman look on..

Inspiration can be found if you only look..

There are moments, especially after a class like tonight's, when I wonder what on earth I've got myself into and whether I've bitten off more than I can chew..

Then, I stop and figuratively slap myself upside the head and drop the t from 'I can't '.

Sure, tonight was difficult. I don't as yet understand the Korean commands. The coordination of my arms and legs, totally sucks. People run over me and staying in a cat stance is almost, but not quite as bad as, giving birth.

However, I have heart and I have determination. I've also decided that tomorrow is a new day and I have set myself the goal of getting in at least an hour of daily practice. I've faced larger tests than this in life and I've overcome and won through.

I also got a little inspiration tonight, in reading this blog . It's a blog, written by a woman, who started studying Karate just before her 60th birthday and went on to receive her black belt 4 years later. A wonderful role model !

Now ..if I could just find that twist in my hips !!

Sparring Practice Before Region 2 Tournament

Paul and Drew going at it. Elle's son Domenichi (Dom) looks like he wants to jump in there and help Paul!!!


Paul looking as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth...:-)


Joel nails Aric and Dom is in the background still looking as though he wants in on it all..


Aric sizing up Joel .... Drew as corner judge .. Cameron as ref.


Ilin about to start the bout between Jay and Drew..


Interesting look on Jessica's face as she goes up against Kevin Jr :-)


Nice pose , Cameron !! Joel is in 'Bring it on' mode and Dr Hahn looks plain scary !


Joel and Cameron..


Jay and Elle at close quarters..


Shannon looking determined, faces Drew...


Ilin shoes off an awesome kick against Aric !


Paul and Danny ..


Ilin rests..




Jordon and Yamilet..

Images From Reno Region 2 Tournament

Drew Davies, Dr Hahn, Joel Leeming ..


Kurt Golgart, Dr Hahn and Joel Leeming. I was standing on a chair so I could take photos over people's heads. I have a slight fear of heights, so I was a bit wobbly. Dr Hahn seems to be giving me that 'What are you doing up there, woman ??' look. :-)


Grand Master Shin , Ilin Rocovits, Zharayah Ewool...


Jenna smelling her rose ..


'A rose amongst the thorns' - Jillian :-) Not that I'm saying those other kids are thorns !!!


Jillian posing proudly with her rose ...


Bryson and Gelsey. Grand Master Shin, Dr Hahn, Joel and Kurt in the background..


Danni Zavidil sings the US National Anthem. John Zavidil and Master Mrs Bennett..


Kevin Comstock Sr and his Mum, watch a belt presentation..


Master Mr Bennett in the line up...


Grand Master Shin accepting a rose from ?? . Master Bennett watching.


Grand Master Shin. Master Bennett.

Jay & Paul go at it and Taylor takes on Master Mrs Bennett.

A little bit of light comedy....


Taylor tries her best to make Master Mrs Bennett dizzy ...and Master Mrs Bennett demonstrates her version of a sailor's hornpipe to Taylor..

Board Breaking 03/27/2010

Last Saturday I had my first two hour , board breaking class.

I approached it with a little trepidation. After all, according to one of my instructors, Mr Heckman (who, don't get me wrong, has my deepest respect), my hips don't move and he has no fear of my 'short, stubby, legs' hitting him as they aren't getting above my waist yet. :-)

When the moment finally came, I did miss on my first few attempts as apparently I was trying to push the board.

Than I heard Master Bennett's voice in my head, doing a sort of Master Po moment 'Kick past the board Little Grasshopper, kick past the board.' Oh, and Lori yelling 'Get mad!!' :-)

At that moment everything in the room faded, including the board and the black belts holding it ...all I saw was the back wall ..which was what I was aiming for.

Master Bennett..you are right. If you aim past the board ..if you treat the board as if it's not even there ...your foot will go through it like a knife through butter...even if you are an old granny :-) Just imagine what that kick would have done to an attackers knee cap !!

A very special moment indeed.

Photos from board breaking class. Click on to enlarge. Sorry, some of them do have blur. Right click to download photo to your computer.


Taylor .. I clicked a little too soon and missed capturing the actual break.


Wendell splitting the board...


Shannon, just after she had broken her board. You can see it in pieces. That was one powerful kick.


Darla measuring her kick. I missed her break. Awesome job for someone who has just started her training !!


Beau going for his break..


Jay's foot heading for the board !!


Going...


Going...


GONE !!! Deena's awesome kick and break !!!


Would you really want to mess with this girl?? :-)


Darah's kick and break... very cool !!


Oscar's kick .. look at that height !!


Paul nails it..


Schuyler's board just before it breaks ..you can see it starting to bend..


Kevin Jr turns his board into a foot sandwich..


Jessica goes for it..


Great kick, Mathew. He broke his board just after I snapped this..


Taylor on her way to her break..


Jenna hits the spot..


Mathew chambering for his kick..


A focused Yamilet..


Yamilet's board starting to bend before the break..




Jillian breaks her board :-)




Master Bennett giving final instructions to an attentive (R to L) ?, Mathew, Jenna, Jillian, Yamilet, Talor, Gelsey, Mathew, ?..


Well..there is no denying it..my legs are short and stubby. However, if I'm not mistaken, that sidekick is heading for waist level !! :-)