Monday, May 24, 2010

Memorial Day Schedule

This is the LAST week of school for lots of our students! Congratulations! You made it! Now its on to summer fun.

This coming weekend is Memorial Day Weekend and we will have a modified schedule:

Saturday 5/29 - ONE Adult class from 8:30-10:30 open workout, NO KIDS CLASS.
Monday 5/31 - we will be CLOSED for Memorial Day.

Everyone have a safe and happy holiday weekend!
Ms. Kris

Monday, May 17, 2010

Advanced Forms...THIS Wednesday 7pm

Due to scheduling and the holiday weekend, the 2nd May installment of the Advanced Forms class will be THIS coming Wednesday (May 19th) at 7pm. Don't miss this!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Graduation and Other News

We are 6 weeks into the Spring session and graduation is quickly approaching. I should have a tentative promotion list posted later this week.

KFSS Graduation will be Saturday June the 26th at 9:30am (doors open at 8:30).

SNAP Graduation will be Wednesday June 30th at 5pm.

The next Basic Self Defense class will start June 9th and will run through June 30th on Wednesday nights 6-7pm. Cost is $40 per person.

If you haven't been in class lately...we have some new faces so make sure you say "hi" and welcome them to our family.

More news to come!

See you in class!

Ms. Kris

Advanced Forms - May Schedule Change

Because the 4th Friday of May is the Friday of the Memorial Day Weekend, we are going to move THAT Forms class to Wednesday May 19th at 7pm. So the May schedule for Forms is THIS Friday, May 14th and the following Wednesday May 19th. Both classes are at 7pm.

June's schedule is tentatively set for the 10th and the 24th. Keep watching for future updates!

Ms. Kris

Friday, May 7, 2010

Message from Master Robert

Hi All,

I hope all is well with you and that Spring has been kind. I was in a meeting/training session this morning and something (actually several things) was said by the speaker that I really liked and appreciated. He said that if you ever feel you can’t learn something from someone then there is an ego/pride issue that needs to be addressed. He said he learns from everyone he meets. Sometimes it’s something pretty small, sometimes it’s pretty big but it’s always something.

The speaker was Rich Warren, who has written several books. Perhaps the best known is Purpose Driven Life. But I thought it was interesting that he made that point because we have talked about that on a number of occasions. He also said that you should learn something every day and the best way to do that is to PAY ATTENTION.

Why am I telling you this? Well, because it bears repeating. Think about it. If you learn something from everyone you meet think of the growth that you’ll have…not just in KFSS but in all things. I learn something from every class I attend…even the ones I teach! Because someone will ask a question or make an observation that improves my understanding.

Now…what’s the point? The point is as follows: Pay attention, keep an open mind, approach every class (and situation) with the expectation to learn something and then look for the something to learn. Not only will it make you a more effective KFSS practitioner, it will make you a more effective life practitioner.

Be safe and be alert,
Master Robert.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Instructor Blog - The Big Picture of Form

Hello Fellow Students,

When studying form, what are we searching for? Why do we put so much effort into a relatively simple series of stances and strikes? This is our opportunity to focus on the details of our art. I’ll go further to say that we do not always focus on the same details each time we do form, even the same form done multiple times. All of the fine points and focus areas are critical, but let’s think first about what we are studying as a guide for those details. Hidden between these simple stances and strikes is the core of the art. It is the time between that we must master.

To master this time, we must master balance. Our balance is based on our feet, but it is more than walking a tight rope. We are walking a tightrope during a fight. This is possible if we take that “tight rope”, our balance, with us wherever we step. Balance is not a fixed point on the ground. You’ve heard me say over and over that you must move your feet, take “cheater steps”, and bring your back foot with you. You MUST move with your balance. And remember that you must NOT leave your balance to deliver a block or strike. Don’t ever stretch for a strike or block or kick. If you are stretching, then you are not moving enough. But, you can not move enough by moving your feet alone.

Your arms are another critical piece of balance. I’ve also spoken several times about timing your blocks to begin soon enough to help you start moving, sizing them right to guide your step, and using them to sink your stance as you transition to strike. Apply the unbendable arm to your blocks. This reduces your arm range of motion, so you must compensate by moving your shoulders. Do not move like a robot or you lose the fluid power you were born with. Your whole body will move and twist in time with you step. In this way, your upper body (your whole upper body) can guide your stance toward the strike.

The most difficult piece is to bring it all together with timing that can only be learned and mastered by repetition. We will talk about that in the future. In the meantime, here are some things to think about …
  • Being and end each move from strength: a strong stance.- Use unbendable arms for your blocks and start your blocks with your cheater step (sometimes before) to get you moving.
  • Keep your arms and shoulders moving in a smooth motion to guide your step.
  • Make a complete block and not leave one side of your body unprotected.
  • Transition your block to strike as your step lands and bring your back foot with you as you strike.
  • Timing of the strike should be: Sink, Strike. One, Two in close succession.
  • Remember to block your entire body and don’t cut the block short. Blocks are circles or ovals, but not “D”s.
  • Use your block to lift and sink. When you’re block goes up, your body is lighter for the step. When your block goes down, your stance sinks for the strike.
Learning a form is only the first step. Once you have a form, make it truly yours. Make it a part of you through focused repetition. You may focus on different particular aspects or details, but always focus on balance. And above all … Do your form. Do your form. Do your form.

I’ll see you on the training floor. Until next time, walk the path.

Sincerely,
Jason

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Wednesday Nights

There will be NO classes following the SNAP class during the month of May. Our next basic self defense course will begin on June 9th (6p-7p) and run thru June 30th.

Thank you.
Ms. Kris

Monday, May 3, 2010

May Is Here!

We're in the home stretch leading up to summer! So far the weather has been downright cool for May in Texas...let's keep our fingers crossed!

Tuition is due this week for our cash and check students.

KFSS Graduation is June 26th at 9:30 am. SNAP graduation is June 23rd. Don't wait til the last minute to get your classes in!

May 29-31 is Memorial Day weekend. We will have 1 Adult class on Saturday May 29th from 8:30a-10:30a. THERE WILL BE NO KIDS's CLASS. WE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY MAY 31ST. Please plan accordingly.

See you in class!
Ms. Kris