Arts of the Samurai

Happy New Year Everyone! Hope you have a wonderful, happy, successful and love-filled 2012!

Dear Dojo Family:

It is hard to believe that we are in the last month of another year together.  So much has happened this year:  we have had joys and sorrows, progress and set backs, new territory and things from the past to visit.  It has been quite a year, but more on that next month.

There is so much rush, bustle and tension this time of year, that I am saying a prayer for all.  I pray for peace:  no matter what holiday you choose to celebrate this month, if any, may the month be peaceful, calm, filled with family and friends.  May it be a time of pause, a time of rest, a time of gratitude and appreciation.  May you seek out others to give to, knowing that, in the circle, you will be given to and we will all have what we need.  May contentment be your lot, and may you forgive all those who have wronged you.  May you forgive yourself.  May you see the best in yourself and in others.

As we go out there and concede the contended parking space, get brushed aside rudely by shoppers, have fellow drivers rage at us for no good reason, and endure the constant urges of our society to 'buy, buy, buy', may we have quiet inside.  May the path we walk, among all this unrest constantly be a still space, where our footfalls are on the quiet path of snow-covered leaves where the air is full of gentle moonlight.  This is my wish for all of you.

Toni L. McSorley  Ph.D., 8th Dan

I hope this Fall season is being good to everyone, and that you are enjoying (or at least tolerating) the change of the season.  The dojo is doing well, and fun/exciting things are going on, and I am thrilled to see that!

Sensei Katrina's Boot Camp is not  an easy class, but it is attracting both students who are in shape and students who want to be in shape.  I have received only good feedback from students who feel like they are learning, strenghtening, toning and increasing endurance.  And its enjoyable!  Remember that this class is included if you are already enrolled as a student, and it is only $5 per class for others.  Invite your friends and co-workers who are interested in making a change.  They will thank you for it!

Please note that Kendo will now be taught on Monday nights only, until there is enough interest to have Saturday classes again.  On Saturdays, the only classes will be Isshin-ryu.  This is another really great class that teaches a very no-nonsense form of Karate and Sensei Mark is an extremely competent instructor with a lot of knowledge to share!

Sensei Billey is holding great classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and the students there also tell me how much fun they are having and how much they are learning.  Sensei Billey's extensive knowledge (built over many years of martial education) is a great plus to the serious martial arts students.  If you are not taking advantage of this class, you really should check it out.

The children's class is wonderful and FULL.  There are 3 children who are coming into the class,  and 1 that I anticipate returning soon,  and that will top it off for now.  However, I will be more than happy to put new children on a waiting list, if they want to wait until there is an opening.

Note the dojo is closed for Thanksgiving from Wednesday the 23rd to Monday the 28th.  Have a wonderful holiday!

Toni L. McSorley  Ph.D., 8th Dan

SCHEDULE CHANGES!
Now that school is in session, we will be following the Knox County School System's schedule for snow days and Holidays, so please be sure to call first to make sure the dojo is open. If the school's are closed, there's a chance the dojo may be closed, so PLEASE check ahead of time!

NOTE:  THERE ARE NO CLASSES ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11; and TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd! We have corporate sponsors for two EZ Defense courses to help the women of our community be able to stay safe. Thank you to Privett Insurance and Regions Bank.

EZ Defense Classes in October!
Russell's Pest Control is also sponsoring a daytime EZ Defense on November 3rd. If any of you have employers that might also like to sponsor an EZ Defense, please let me know and I will send them a video and be in contact with them.

There is also a public EZ Defense for Women on October 22nd, from 9-1. Please help me get the word out. If you, your family members, co-workers and friends have not taken this class, it is time! With the violence we have seen in the community and the attempted abductions, it makes NO SENSE not to have the knowledge and skills this course offers. It is time to make it a priority!!! It is time for us to start being MORE frightened of ATTACKS than we are of spending 3 hours in a self-defense course.

I have preached this for so many years....but the violence continues because no one wants to think it will happen to THEM. But THINK about the consequences of an attack and then evaluate the time spent dealing with the aftermath, as opposed to the time spent learning to avoid such things. NO MORE EXCUSES! Look at the messages out there, such as Topeka's City Council wanting to decriminalize domestic violence! Women have to be able to defend themselves, because no one else is going to do it for them. HELP those women in your life and get them to this class!

New Cardio Boot Camp Class Scheduled!
Be sure to check the Class Schedule and Calendar for October 2011 -- we have a new class scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm! It's listed on the calendar. There is no additional charge for this class if you are already a member of the dojo. For non-members the fee is only $5 per class.

The Happenings for October!
Many of you have asked what you can do to help the dojo - and we sure appreciate the offer. In fact, we are currently accepting new students! If you know anyone who has been wanting to learn karate and become a part of the AOS dojo, we are now in the process of reviewing applications for adult students in Kendo, Agedo, Boot Camp and Isshin-Ryu; please have them come in or call. Wish I could promise you some great, fancy reward for referring a new student, but I hope you will settle for gratitude and appreciation, and the knowledge that you are helping your dojo continue in the future :)

Aside from that, we can ALWAYS use contributions of paper towels, toilet paper, Dixie cups for water, printing paper and light bulbs. We go through an amazing amount of these supplies, so they are always appreciated. ;-)

As always, I want every one of you to know how special you are to me and to the other instructors. I appreciate you, and am continuously grateful that you allow our instructors to help you with your goals. I hope you all have a wonderful month!

Toni L. McSorley, Ph.D, 8th Dan
Arts of the Samurai