December Schedule at SDWSA 2018

Published: Tue, 12/11/18

December 2018

Are you ready to test?

Testing for your next belt is a process of demonstrating that you have learned the required material and are able to execute it with precision, power and speed (in that order of importance). Your are never tested unless your primary instructor deems you ready. (This means few people ever fail a test and you almost never have to pay your test fee more than once per level). When Grandmaster Sin is testing, you will first be pre-tested by your primary instructor (the pre-test is free) to insure you are ready. It is an honor to test before the grandmaster and quite an exhilarating experience too.

You should view your test a as rite of passage and something to revel in, not a dreaded examination. We understand that many adults have not been “tested” in this way for many years if at all. That’s why we make certain you are ready to test so that all you have to deal with is “test anxiety” and not the material itself. Remember, only daily challenge can transform.

Testing Protocol

1. Wear a clean uniform in good repair and follow the rules for jewelry and nails as usual.

2. You will first bow to the instructor upon rising when your name is called.

3. After you have executed the form, bow and then bow to the instructor as you await further directions.

4. Should you begin to run out of room, stop and bow, turn (or back up if necessary) and continue.

5. Should you make a mistake, bow to the instructor and repeat the form if it is a short kata or sparring technique. If it is a long form you can bow and then take up where you left off.

6. Never show any emotion during a test (I.e. irritation with yourself) and never swear. It is poor sportsmanship and will put a negative gloom over your test causing you to make more mistakes. Think positively!

7. Be prepared to be tested over everything you know up to your level. If you are testing for black belt, be prepared to perform all material from white to black!

Sparring is also a component of your test. You should demonstrate your ability to defend and to attack WITH CONTROL. Don’t get crazy during the sparring portion. Those who humiliate their sparring partners during the test only make themselves look bad.

Test Fees

Why is there a test fee, you may wonder? A portion of your test fee covers the cost of your belt and a portion of it goes to Grandmaster Sin, regardless of whether he does the testing himself. This is how we support the Grandmaster for providing us with all of this material and so much more!

Nunchuck Seminar

Sifu Rick teaches out 2nd Road of Nunchucks

December 22nd at 12pm

$25

Kid's Seminar

Sifu Rick will be teaching out a "lightsaber" kata. Saturday January 12 at noon. $25

Preregister to secure a lightsaber.

The biggest question

The most asked question right now is...What is the holiday schedule looking like? Christmas Day falls on a Tuesday this year, so SDWSA will be closed the entire week of Christmas, Monday Dec 24th through Tuesday Jan 1, 2019. We will be back to normal classes Wednesday January 2nd, 2019.

Lots of stuff in this issue so read everything!

SDWSA Pot Luck

I was approached by some of the ladies about having an End of Year/Holiday Pot Luck for SDWSA.

I said OF COURSE!

Join us Saturday, December 15th around noon to enjoy some camaraderie with your fellow classmates and meet a few others.

There is a sign up at the school bring something. Hope you can make it!

IT'S A CELEBRATION!

Iron Palm Class

Don't let the name scare you. I have BIG plans for this class in 2019! Show up Mondays 7:15-8pm

Holiday sale orders

Everything except the shirts are in! Come in to pick up your order. Shirts "should" arrive this week. Hopefully I can hand them out at our Pot Luck.

Pot Luck? When is that? See above.

To infinity and beyond!

2019, I will have been practicing Kung Fu and Tai Chi for 18 years. Some of you have only known me as a 4th Degree. What is the secret? Keep coming! Even when you feel blah, come to class. Now if you're sick, STAY HOME!! But if you are on the fence if you should go to class or not? Go to class! I promise you'll feel better.

If you’ve missed a few classes......

We miss you!

Think about why you started. Maybe you just wanted to get into shape. Maybe you wanted to have “moves like Bruce” or gain that “inner peace” like a Zen master. Whatever your reason, We miss and want to see you back in class! We want you to reach your goals!

My teacher told me years ago, “Rick, people are going to do what they really want to do”. In the 10 years that I’ve been teaching, I’ve found that statement very true. If you want to get into the best shape of your life both mentally & physically, come to class!

I understand your schedule can get hectic, but try to attend just 1 class per week for a few weeks until you can attend 2 or more.

Don’t give up!

Remember why you started and I look forward to seeing you back in class!

Sifu Rick