IFYCA Presents: Fook Yueng Chuan

The local IFYCA schools will be hosting a student appreciation seminar which will take attendees through Non-Classical Gung-Fu, BCS self defense system, advanced form applications, and effortless power. The goals for this seminar beyond learning is association of the arts and application of accumulated styles while developing an appreciation for a range of skills.

This no-cost seminar is open to all IFYCA students and their friends and family at no charge and will be taught by master instructor Steve Smith, inheritor of Fook Yueng Chuan, student of Master David Harris and Master Fook Yueng (Bruce Lee's teacher from 1959 - 1966).

We will work through the arts from 10am to noon. We will break for a pot-luck lunch until 1pm at which point, we will resume training until 3pm. If you have a favorite dish you would like to share, feel welcome in bringing it.

This is a great opportunity to come together with other students from other schools and get to know the extended martial arts family that shares your community with you.

Friday open mat

Beginner's Mind Dojo will be opening the school's doors for open mat on select Fridays.
Open mat is a program which provides a free space for students to get additional practice in for all of the arts you practice at BMD. This is not an instructor class but a time for you to get the mat to work on skills you would like to improve or just to sharpen.
Instructors will not be teaching a class but will be in dojo to assist with trouble spots and advise or answer questions that may arise.

The current schedule for Open Mat is the following Fridays at 6pm:
November 19, 2010
December 3, 2010
December 17, 2010
December 31, 2010 (earn your New Year's Eve!)

A final note- a limited amount of exercise equipment will be available each open mat in the event that any practitioner would like a workout or warm-up to their activities.

Incredible Students!

Tonight's Shoshin-Ryu class was very intensive and pushed many of the students to challenge their fortitude but each and every practitioner tonight persevered and excelled!

Jesse worked through some leg cramps from running earlier in the day while Paul pushed to his physical limits and Miss Rose kept pace even though she has been working seven days a week.

John wouldn't quit and pushed the class through extensive warm-ups and Jesse was eager to demonstrate many of the eskrima drills the class has been working on through the month. Our newest member Stephen has been very diligent in keeping pace with our advanced students, no matter how intensive.

Congratulations to all members and keep up the great work! Your efforts strengthen your spirit and improve your quality of life.

Begin your day with Beginner's Mind

Begin your day with Beginner's Mind

Get your cardio up and your energy levels jumping and do it before noon!

Beginner's Mind is opening our doors to morning martial arts and fitness classes. This sweat inducing exercise intensive program will work you through a mix of martial arts and kickboxing and focuses on personal development for a tighter healthier YOU! This is a program that works FOR you because it is based ON you.

We have two separate classes to help work around your schedule:
Monday and Wednesday - 8am to 9am
Tuesday and Thursday - 8am to 9am

Space is limited as classes are kept at a size to keep them personal and comfortable. Don't hesitate, call your instructor Mr. C at 509-301-7831 to reserve your spot now!

IFYCA Fall 2010 Mountain Retreat

Beginner's Mind School instructors are very excited to attend the IFYCA Fall 2010 Mountain Retreat seminar and we welcome you to come as well!

The field of study at this seminar will benefit the new and veteran martial artist alike. This event is open to the public and is a rare opportunity to get involved with aspects of martial arts seldom found in the classroom. Train in the mountains, outdoors (unless the weather turns sour, then you will move indoors), and touch hands with many talented artists.

Life long friendships are made here. The personal and informal pace of the seminar makes the learning very exciting and encouraging. If you have never practiced martial arts, there is truly no better event than this to introduce you to the art and the fantastic people that are involved with it.

From The Little Dojo--
"The September Mountain Retreat will be featuring Fook Yueng Chuan, Preying Mantis, Sensitivity, Skill Development Drills and Guest Instructor Jesse R. Glover (Bruce Lee's First Student).

We will Start Training Friday Morning at 10 A.M. and events will go until Sunday at 1 P.M.

To arrange for your tenting or cabin needs contact http://www.abcmountainretreat.com

To RSVP email stevesmith@thelittledojo.com or call 509-301-2274.

Bring your own training sticks, rubber knives, gloves and eye protection.

This is a very special event and I encourage you to come train with the group from all over the US and Canada and especially Jesse. This is a good opportunity to bring a new friend with you to experience this amazing art."

Luminaries

Image by Esther17 via Flickr

Team Beginner's Mind Dojo now has luminaries available with donation to the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life ! Now you have the opportunity to show your support with more than just a monetary donation! You can decorate your own luminary or Team Beginner's Mind can do it for you! Luminaries are available by contacting team captains MR. Conley @ 509-301-7831 or Mrs. Conley @ 509-301-7848.

At the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, our team will camp out overnight and take turns walking around the track to raise money and awareness to help the American Cancer Society save more lives from cancer. Our reasons for walking are many. Some walk for care of our Walla Walla community, others walk because they have loved ones who have been afflicted by Cancer and we have one walker that is a Cancer survivor! Our reasons are different but our care is the same and that what makes our team excited to get onboard of this great event!

By donating to our team, you will be a part of a life-changing event that gives everyone in the community a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much.

Please make a donation, or join our team and help us create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyone’s life.

Beginner's Mind kicks cancer

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Fighting cancer is a team effort. The impact our martial arts school can make together is much greater than what any of us could do alone.

At the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, Beginner's Mind Dojo's instructors will camp out overnight and the entire team will take turns walking around the track to raise money and awareness to help the American Cancer Society save more lives from cancer.

By joining or donating to our team, you will be a part of a life-changing event that gives everyone in the community a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much.

Please make a donation, or join our team and help us create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyone’s life.

Relay for Hope!

Image by DieselDemon via Flickr

April is National Child Abuse Awareness month and Walla Walla's not-for-profit organization, The Children's Home Society, is hosting a walk against child abuse this weekend called Relay For HOPE. Beginner's Mind Dojo will be showing support with an informational booth and impromptu kids classes! Come down to Borleski stadium Saturday any time between 9am and 5pm to show your care and support this fantastic cause!

Family Education Booths, Food and FREE Kid Olympics!

Registration fee: $10, Family Registration fee: $20

Registration fee Includes T-shirt, water bottle and Raffle ticket for GREAT PRIZES!
Registration opens and walk starts at 9am. Kid Olympics 11-4pm. Raffle 4:30pm

Proceeds will benefit: HomeTeam Parent Aide Program,
"A Partnership of Walla Walla Exchange Club and Children's Home Society of Washington"

Address: Borleske Stadium, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA
Date and time: Apr 10 2010 9:00am - 5:00pm

For more information or to register call: Children's Home Society of Washington, Stephanie Biegel or Debi Allessio (509) 529-2130

Street Boxing Seminar

Beginner's Mind School welcomes Master Instructor Steve Smith on May 5th as he provides a night of demonstration and instruction on Street Boxing. This exciting seminar on a different style of boxing will be open to the public from 6pm to 8pm with an incredibly valuable entry of $25 per person!

This seminar will provide knowledge and skill to any person whether you are trained in the arts or not and will charge you with a great sense of accomplishment!

STREET BOXING SEMINAR

Hosted by: Master Instructor Steve Smith
Located at: Beginner's Mind Dojo, alley entrance behind 217 W. Chestnut st.
Date: May 5, 2010
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Entry Fee: $25

No extra gear is required to attend but plenty of hydration and safety padding is recommended.

Child Abuse Prevention

Walla Walla's "A Mile In Their Shoes" event was a beautiful success and many people from all around the area came to spend a day in the park with their fellow neighbors and enjoy some great live music provided by the band Grey Wolf as well as partake in two different mile-long walks around the very lush Pioneer Park.

Some of the public discussion came from three different speakers from three different sides of the child abuse issue, including the fourth generation Walla Wallan, retired LAPD officer, Lawyer, counter-terrorism investigator and candidate for Walla Walla Sheriff, mister John Turner.

Among the organizations that were present and assisting were the Children's Home Society, Phi Beta Lambda, and the Linus Project. Everyone from the Beginner's Mind School was more than willing to assist as safety crew for this phenomenal event and all was handled expertly!

Our thanks go out to all of those involved as well as the coordinators of this important event! We were proud and honored to be a part of this community event!

Beginner's Mind students to walk against child abuse

Walk A Mile In Their Shoes is the walk against child abuse that members of Phi Beta Lambda are organizing and operating to help raise awareness of and put a stop to child abuse in the Walla Walla community. This is the second annual Walk A Mile In Their Shoes and we look forward to having a memorable day in beautiful Pioneer Park with the organizations that have put this together.

The walk will occur on March 27, 2010, at Pioneer Park from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. This is a family event including field day activities for the children and a free lunch as long as supplies last. There will be music, special speakers, and information to educate and raise the community’s awareness about child abuse prevention. The walk will be of the perimeter of Pioneer Park, which is 1.34 miles, once at 11:00 a.m. and a second time at 2:00 p.m.

The Walk A Mile committee has asked Beginner's Mind School to assist in the safety duties of this event again and our students and friends will again come down and provide for the walkers. We will be posted along the perimeter of the park and will assist in directing the flow of the walk as well as ensuring the safety of the walkers near the streets. When you see a Beginner's Mind student, say "hi" and give them a big 'high five' as all of these individuals are volunteering for a great cause, just like you!

Our martial arts family is planning for a great day in the park with you and your family so won't you come and participate in support of this worthy cause.

Beginner's Mind in March

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The Beginner's Mind Dojo is looking forward to warmer weather, returning students, and using martial arts to make a difference!

We would like to welcome back two of our founding students, John and Rose! The first night of March enjoyed a very full class and the smiles on all of the faces were just a little bigger with your return.

Watch for the Beginner's Mind students and staff as we step in to assist Phi Beta Lamkbda for the second year as assistants to the walk against child abuse, "A Mile In Their Shoes". We encourage you to show your support for the awareness of child abuse and its prevention by coming out on March 27, 2010 to Pioneer Park in Walla Walla. Walk with us and enjoy some great activities!

IFYCA Seminar - January 31

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Walla Walla's The Little Dojo will be hosting a free seminar on advanced stick and foot work at the Beginner's Mind School on January 31st from 9am to noon.

This three hour course will focus on advanced elements of Eskrima including stick on stick, empty sticks, and magnetic sticks to enhance Eskrima work and technical skill of using sticks for art and combat.

Additionally, Master Instructor Steve Smith will be covering advanced leg technique and footwork to incorporate into your Eskrima training or to utilize without sticks to increase balance, kicking skill, and controlling situations.

The Little Dojo is hosting this free seminar, which is open to the public, in order to raise funds and awareness of the tragedy in Haiti and all donations offered at the seminar will go directly to assisting in the relief of Haiti during their time of need.

Directions to the Beginner's Mind School can be located HERE. We look forward to seeing you on January 31st at 9am!

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Martial Arts Mentality

When asked about the value of martial arts, instructors across the globe are quick to explain the great fighting skill as well as physical and health benefits that a person will develop through

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training. The practitioner is usually ready and willing to demonstrate some sort of evidence that this is true, from an intense form, to an impressive series of flying kicks, some board breaking, or even defense against group attacks.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, this does not fully satisfy a person's curiosity which prompts the instructor or practitioner to discuss the mental benefits one gains from the arts such as discipline, honor, courage, and kindness. The fact that the arts enhance these inner abilities is a bit more challenging as no amount of push-ups will prove a person's integrity. These are the skills that are used every day when the martial artist is interacting with the rest of the world. If the practitioner has been really studying his art, it will show through his interactions with the people around him, the respect and courtesy he gives to others, friend and stranger alike. But how do you convey this to the curious? The best way to start is to share a real story, like the one I just recently witnessed:

I have a student in my school that has been training with us for nearly a year now. He is a bright young man with solid plans of becoming a police officer once he is done with high school. He loves challenges and is always incredibly positive. Recently, he has been handling very difficult times in his life and has missed some classes. While in class, he has updated the group and explained that he has spent some time with doctors and has endured increasing back pains. As time progressed, it looked for this student as though he was going to have to undergo surgery to replace some lower disks of his spine. As the instructor, I wanted to help this young man continue with the arts he has such a passion for and I modified each workout to accommodate his needs and discussed with him things that might improve his situation, including recommending vitamins to help strengthen him on the inside.
The true inner warrior showed himself in a fellow student, a gifted martial artist with a natural inclination toward the arts and a desire to be the best of the best. This student quietly listened to every update and was also interested in learning the alternate training to help support his fellow classmate. Two days ago, I got a text message from the quiet student asking if he could visit me at my home, to which I agreed. When he arrived, he was carrying a small box. He didn't say much but wanted me to see to it that his fellow student received this box of men's health vitamins. He knew that his friend was focusing on the medical bills and felt that if he could contribute in some way, his training partner would be better taken care of.
He knew he wasn't a doctor and couldn't help in that capacity so he figured out a way to help and he did so without requesting compensation or recognition. He did it simply because he cared.

This is a living example of what kinds of inner abilities are enhanced with martial arts and the incredible thing about this aspect of the arts is that people can excel in these abilities from the very first day into the arts. I am fortunate that I know these two and every student at the Beginner's Mind Dojo. They are all great martial artists, physically and internally and each one of them inspires me to be a better person every day.

Image by Tom Gill (lapstrake) via Flickr

Best of the Best

On Saturday, December 5th at 4p.m., Beginner's Mind School will be hosting movie night in the dojo! The movie selection is one that has played an important part of building Mr. C's moral compass and is a great film about the importance of teamwork and getting along with others.
Current students, new students, IFYCA members from other schools, and the general public are welcome to attend and enjoy the movie with good company. Bring some munchies and some beverages or just bring your love for martial arts and film and we will see you this Saturday!

Self Defense Seminar for women

"You didn't just teach me how to protect myself, you gave me permission to protect myself."

-Marylin

On Saturday, September 26th, Mrs. Conley will be presenting Self Defense for Women at the Beginner's Mind Dojo at 10am.

This two and a half hour course will cover a solid range of defense from easy to apply techniques to verbal development skills and most importantly, victim prevention. Through the course of this seminar women of any age or body type will develop protective physical skills, confidence building mental skills, and new friendships!

Take the time to get to know the friendly and light-hearted instructors and get assistance with finding our school at the Beginner's Mind Dojo website: www.beginnersmindschool.com

We look forward to meeting you and want you to know that, at the Beginner's Mind, you don't only learn self-defense, you develop confidence!

Saturday Night Fights

This night, Barnaby's bar and restaurant was a martial arts hotspot as people of all ages gathered to an all ages event in which, fighters from as far away as Idaho and California gathered to compete in eleven mixed martial arts matches.

Of these 22 competitors, the Gentleman's Fight Club brought two to the table, Michael and Forrest, each fighter, new to the cage.

Though, this was a martial arts event, one match stood out before the fighters even reached the ring, this was the boxing match midway through the card. In this match, the Gentleman's Fight Club's own Michael stepped in to the ring and, though he didn't take the match, his performance was stellar and the match was a star match of its own with each boxer bringing powerful fists to one another.

The other fighter from the Gentleman's Fight Club was Forrest, another fresh fighter to the cage and, like Michael, also full of enthusiasm and energy. He was the first fighter to step into the ring on this night and was also the provider for the high level of energy that carried through the entire night! Again, the true professional spirit of the Gentleman's Fight Club had decided to shine through as this match, ended within fifty-four seconds and saw Forrest walking away with his first win due to a TKO.

The Gentleman's Fight Club had an excellent night, as did the Tri-Cities based Northwest Elite Martial Arts and the Sun Valley Crew, but, most importantly, Walla Walla was given an amazing gift of entertainment by 22 talented individuals that wanted nothing more than to compete and to live their dream. A thank you goes out from Beginner's Mind Martial Arts to all of the competitors that took a chance and lived!

Gentleman's Fight Club

The Beginner's Mind school is proud to announce our partnership with the Gentleman's Fight Club, a mixed martial arts group full of devotion, determination, and a desire to provide training to individuals with the drive it takes to compete inside the cage.

At the Gentleman's Fight Club, you will get great experience in both your stand-up and your ground work with conditioning, training, and frequent practice. Mike and Lester not only teach great technical skill but also promote respect both inside and outside the ring, bringing a professional atmosphere to amateur fighting.

The Gentleman's Fight Club trains every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights starting at 8:30 pm. Stop by, say hi, and get involved for a night.

For driving directions to the Beginner's Mind Dojo, click here.

Kung-Fu Beach

Mr. and Mrs. Conley have just recently spent a great deal of time on the Oregon coast enjoying marine life, light house hopping, and martial arts on the beach.

A lot in martial arts is taken for granted when a person trains in a building with flat floors and sheltering walls. The safety of the dojo can also be seen as a hinderance just as dangerous as an armed assailant. This thought comes from many concepts. One is a psychological one in which a person comes to the dojo to unpack and use the tools of the arts and, when finished, puts those tools away when leaving, not planning to unpack them until at the dojo again.

Another concept, and one more visibly proven, is the effect of the surroundings on an artist. Back to the dojo for a moment, there are walls and a ceiling, a nice flat floor to train on with no obstacles in the way, just open space all around. Safe.

Some of the things we encountered on the beach were immediate changes in our training routine; the shift of the sand under feet, strong winds checking our stances, driftwood and rocks along with other foot entangling obstacles, the waves testing our balance with every crash, bringing your foot back down from a kick to encounter a different terrain than when your foot left the ground...on top of these elemental challenges we enjoyed, there were others, the most notable of which is the human interaction. The onlookers that point and talk, the curious that stare, the insecure that mock, and the inquisitive children.

This is not the first time we have trained in the elements, not by a long shot, but it is the first time we have gotten to discuss it with you. We would strongly encourage outdoor training, be it at the beach or some other fantastic locale or simply at the park or your backyard. This will help you understand your relationship with your surroundings in an organic way as well as help you become comfortable unpacking your tools and using them whenever and wherever you are. Ultimately, the arts are not just for the dojo.