From time to time, we will post videos of Kobudo students performing kata. Please take the opportunity to watch the kata, analyze strengths and weaknesses, and post constructive comments below.
Rules for critiquing kata: Constructive comments only. The person performing the kata should post the first analysis of it. Others are welcome to contribute after that.
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Congratulations to those students who tested for and earned their next level of rank this month at the dojo…
Bill and Hayden were promoted to the level of Rokyu (1st Degree Green Belt) at a ceremony immediately following the test on Friday night (1/24/14).
Beth and Fran received their Blue Belts (Shichikyu level) in class on Saturday morning (1/25/14).
Rank testing is conducted once per month at the dojo. A promotion ceremony is held after the test for those students moving up to their Green Belt or Brown Belt. All other promotions are awarded at the student’s next class.
Congratulations to Sensei Bob Cote, who recently passed his LPN Board Exam and earned his LPN certification! We are all proud of you, Sensei!
At the First Night of Training 2014, Kyoshi Baker challenged the students to set goals for what they want to accomplish this year. Students and instructors wrote (and are still writing) their goals on the dojo whiteboard. Here are some examples…
(l-r): Sensei Jill Chastenay, Sempai Cathryn Gallione, Tim Cunningham, Shidoin John Cunningham, Isaiah Stephens.
Rising Sun Martial Arts in Newport, NH, held their semi-annual Black Belt promotion ceremony on Saturday, October 12, 2013. This followed an intensive examination on Saturday, October 5th. Six individuals from Claremont, Newport and New London were awarded degrees of Black Belt or teaching grades.
Those honored included the following:
According to school director, Brent Baker, these are significant accomplishments that were years in the making. “It takes a minimum of three years to make a [First Degree] Junior Black Belt, four years for a fully licensed adult Black Belt. And these belts are not gifts. They don’t get them just for showing up to class; they work hard to earn them. To see people reaching adult Third Degree and Junior Fourth Degree Black Belts says something about their level of commitment and dedication.”
This event was significant for the school, as well. “I have taught karate for a little over twenty-four years now,” said Baker. “Jill is only my third student to earn the title of Sensei, and she’s my fourth Sandan.” And only two of his students, aside from the Cunningham brothers, have reached the level of Junior Fourth Degree Black Belt. The small numbers are not unusual – statistically, only a small number of those who join a karate school stick with it long enough to earn their Black Belts. And the higher the standards are, the lower these numbers tend to be.
Baker is quite proud of his students. “They are quality people. Their positive attitudes and great work ethics have served them well both in the dojo and in their lives outside the dojo walls.”
Media Link: Article in the New England Flame
The site is finally converted over to the new format with some much needed cleanup. Sorry it took me over 3 years to finally get off my duff and finish it! I hope you all enjoy it and make suggestions as to what more you would like to see to Kyoshi or myself!
Sempai Ayen, the Missing in Action Sempai but will return to the dojo soon!