white to yellow I

I. Hand Techniques(from horse back stance)

• punch
• palm thrust
• hammer fist
• tiger claw
• elbow strike
• low block

II. Stationary Kicks(front leg)

• front snap
• round house
• side kick
• oblique kick
• knee smash

III. Form

• four corners

IV. Self Defense(escapes, counters, and holds)

• wrist grabs
• shoulder grabs
• hair grabs

V. Combination Kicks

• front leg front snap, back leg front snap
• front leg round house, step on round house
• side kick, sliding side kick

VI. Breaking Technique(one board)

• palm thrust or side kick

more validation

Sat, Jan 31st, we will have an open do-jang for those that wish to get some practice and validate for the upcoming test. The test was postponed do to class being canceled earlier this week. The doors will open at 10:00a.m.

No class tonight

Do to inclement weather, there will be no class tonight Tuesday, Jan the 27th.

Historical day at Piasa!

It was a great day for the Piasa Martial Arts Academy. We had a Black Belt test of epic proportions this week end. One of the largest groups of testers ever and one of the largest panels of judges we have ever had. There are so many things that could be said about the test, and all of them good. We had the ladies that showed us true grit and toughness. We had the youngsters that showed us courage and heart expected of much older people. And we had the "Old" fellas show us that they weren't so old after all. Of the judging panel, we had some that have been around a while (20 plus years), we had transplants that have found a new home, we had the younger judges (the next generation), we even had a guest judge. I will also take a moment to congratulate Mr. Johny, he was able to see his first students to achieve Black Belt. We all got to see some blood, sweat and tears (and not just from the testers, I saw several spectators with damp eyes). I have many pictures to post that I promise to get to soon. If you have any you would like me to post, get them to me and I will see what I can do.There is too much for me to talk about, so I will end with the fact that it was a proud week end for the school. You all did great. I encourage any one who wants to, to leave a comment and tell us a memory you have from the test or tell the testers in your own words what you think.

validation

Its time to really buckle down and get ready to test. We will be going over the testing information and doing validations for the next couple of weeks. If there is anything you are not sure of make sure you ask. That is what the black belts are for. If you are a parent of a student, don't be afraid to call some one aside and ask. Just because you have validated on some thing does not necessarily mean you are ready to test. It simply means we have seen you perform the skill and you know it well enough to practice it to make it better. The test is going to be on Sat. January the 31st. Don't forget about the black belt test next weekend. It will start next Friday night, the 23rd, at 7:00 and start again sat morning at 10:00.

Black Belt Test

Don't for get that we have a large number of people testing for Black Belt later this month. Be sure to cheer them on, give them a word of encouragement, and offer help if you can. The Black Belt Test at Piasa Martial Arts is a daunting task to say the least. These students need all the help they can get.

New year

Its a new year and we all have work to do. Its very easy with the cold to want to stay inside and veg on the couch. Well don't! Find some thing creative to do. Read a book. Do your home work. Clean your room. Practice your Tae Kwon Do. In and of it self there is noting wrong with the television. But like any thing else, if used to excess it can be bad for you. My sister was in the hospital once preparing for brain surgery and the doctors had 50 or more sensors place directly to her brain so they could monitor brain activity and function. Our family went to visit as a group(we nearly got kicked out for there being to many of us making to much noise). We all got into the habit of watching the monitor to see what her brain was doing. We were slightly amazed at what we saw. While we where siting around talking her brain was fairly active but, when we turned on the TV to watch a movie(had to get quiet or get kicked out) her brain nearly shut down. what had been a screen full of wavy lines, became a screen of nearly completely flat lines. Her brain was less active while watching TV than it was when she was asleep. And what, you may ask, triggered the most activity? Laughter. When she laughed the monitor went crazy. So in this new year, commit to going and doing, not siting and watching.