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.

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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Escrima in action

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Thanks to one of the adult class students and his desire to develop a relationship with the Escrima rather than 'learn how to use it', the Beginner's Mind Dojo has played training grounds for working on more than mere drills and exercises with the rattan sticks.

With proper safety gear, training escrima sticks and an open mind, free of damaging ego, teacher and student began working through thirty second drills of escrima fighting to further enhance the relationship and understand the combative nature of stick fighting. After each half minute round, we had a two minute break to share what each round has taught us and elevate one another's skill level.

When these micro rounds provided less threat, other elements of fighting were incorporated, including disarming, throws, and grappling. After developing a comfort level in this realm of fighting, an additional modifier was incorporated- multiple attackers.

Each element and modifier brought a different understanding of the escrima stick and its use in an applicable situation. Some of the important lessons learn today were as follows:

• If you lose your stick, don't waste too much time trying to retrieve it.
• The escrima loves momentum and movement, the more you feed it, the stronger it becomes.
• Don't spend a lot of time blocking your opponent, instead, block as you swing.

Though, each participant walked away with a couple more dings or bumps than before, every one enjoyed themselves and each person developed a better relationship with his escrima sticks.

Grab your own escrima. I have ordered through this place and enjoyed their service.


ALWAYS REMEMBER- TRAIN WITH A RESPONSIBILITY AND WITH A SKILLED INDIVIDUAL! Goofing off hurts people needlessly, so treat your weapons and friends with respect and don't attempt this sort of activity if you are untrained.